7 Years Later

Part 17 - High School

"Are you and Matteo going to prom?"

Ashley asked me this at lunch, about a month before prom, which was on June 1st.

We are all experiencing extreme senioritis. I just wanted to be done with high school. My first two years of high school especially I cared so much about being "popular" and now I could truly care less.

"We honestly haven't talked about it. Matteo doesn't strike me as someone who wants to go to prom. I'll talk to him about it." I said.

I asked him about it the next time he was at my house.

"Oh. Honestly, I completely forgot that prom is a thing." Matteo said, "It's not really my thing. But of course I'll go with you if you really want to. I won't deprive you of that."

"I feel like we could do something much more fun that night, especially with how much money everything for prom is." I said.

"I'll plan something fun for us to do." Matteo said, "We could even stay overnight down at the beach."

I looked at Matteo, wide eyed, "You'd want to do that? That sounds incredible."

"Then I'll make it happen." Matteo said.

I was nervous to ask my mom about the overnight at the beach.

When I brought it up to her, she looked at me and said, "Let me get this straight. Instead of going to prom, you and Matteo are going to spend the night at the beach?"

"Yes." I said, "Is that fine?"

My mom laughed, "Oh my god. If only you back in September could see you now. You talked about prom so much back then."

"I care about other things now. So...is that a yes?"

"Cassidy, even though it kind of pains me to say it- you're graduating high school in a few weeks. You're an adult now. I mean, you have been since December 19th, but now you truly will be out on your own. You don't have to ask me if you can to go the beach with your boyfriend who is also an adult. You can just tell me." my mom said.

"Thank you." I said to my mom, "I appreciate it. You're right."

My mom looked at me and then said, "I think you should make an appointment at the gynecologist. You're not on any birth control, and I think you should be on it."

I felt myself blush, and I didn't any anything.

"Cassidy. I'm not dumb. I know you and Matteo have s*x. I would just rather you be safe, okay?" my mom said.

"I don't want to go back on the pill." I said.

"There are other options. You can get an IUD. That's what I have." my mom said.

I made an appointment for May 24th, after school, a few days before Matteo and I were going to the beach.

Danisha was disappointed that I was going to prom.

"You and Matteo are going to have so much fun, I get it." she said, "I'll miss you."

"You're going to have a great time." I said to Danisha, "You know what, I'm just really glad you're going to community college as well with me."

To save money, Danisha was going to be doing the 3 year RN program at the community college. And I was glad that I was going to have her with me.

On May 24th, I said to Garrett on the way to school, "You're going to have to ask one of your friends for a ride home from school. I have a Doctor's appointment."

"Yeah, mom told me. Nick is giving me a ride home. She said you have to get birth control so you don't get pregnant by Matteo."

I looked at Garrett, "She did not say that."

"No, she did." Garrett said, "I'd rather not discuss it further."

I've only been to the GYN twice. Once to have a birth control consult, and once to get off birth control.

I was really nervous to go there after school. I'm overall not a fan of going to the Doctor's office.

I was too young for a Pap smear, so I didn't have to change out of my clothes. I was going to be seeing a Physician's Assistant named Leighanne, and I sat on the chair, apprehensive for her to come in.

I heard a knock on the door, and a woman who looked to be in her mid-twenties with curly dark hair walked in with a smile.

"Hi!" she said, "Cassidy? My name is Leighanne, I'll be your provider today."

"Nice to meet you." I said, my palms sweaty.

Leighanne sat down, and we started speaking.

"So, you're here for a birth control consult?" she asked me.

"I am." I said, "My mom made me make the appointment, to be honest."

She laughed, "I hear that often. So, you're sexually active?"

I felt myself get warm as I said, "I am."

"With men or women?" Leighanne asked me.

"My boyfriend." I said.

"So you only have one s****l partner?"

I nodded, "Yes."

"Okay. I see here that you were on the pill but stopped it. Why is that?"

"I didn't like how it made me feel. It made me really moody and tired, and it made me feel bloated all the time." I said, "My mom told me to ask about an IUD?"

"That's definitely an option." Leighanne nodded, "It sounds like the hormones in the birth control pill didn't react well with your body. There are low hormone IUD's, however this is one as well with no hormones that is popular, called the Paragard. The only side effect is heavier periods, and it lasts for 10 years. Have you been using condoms?"

"Yes." I said, "And I would be interested in that. I can deal with heavier periods."

"Okay." Leighanne said, "We can definitely get you set up for an appointment to get the ParaGard inserted."

"Does it hurt?" I asked, "Do have it put in?"

"I won't lie. It's not the most comfortable." Leighanne said, "I always suggest you take Tylenol beforehand. I'll try to make it as painless as possible."

"Can we do it after I graduate?" I asked Leighanne, "It doesn't have to be right away."

"Of course. That's a good time to do it, because you could experience some cramping after. Let's plan for after graduation."

"That sounds good to me." I said, "So, um. Does this mean I won't have to use condoms anymore?"

"It's personal preference." Leighanne said, "Some women do for optimal protection. Especially if they have multiple partners."

"I see." I said, "Thank you for the information."

I made my appointment for July 10th, a few weeks after graduation, and I told Matteo I would be getting the IUD.

"So...does this mean I don't have to wear condoms anymore?" he asked me.

"You wouldn't have to, no." I said.

Mattel raised his eyebrows for a second, and then said, "Okay. I...like the sound of that."

I looked at him, "It certainly doesn't sound bad."

"Will the IUD hurt you?" Matteo asked me.

"When I get it put in, yes. And maybe a few days after."

"Well, I'll be sure to take good care of you." Matteo said to me, "I'll take you to the appointment as well if you want."

"That would be great." I said to Matteo, who then gave me a kiss on the cheek.

"I booked a hotel room for us for the beach." Matteo said, "I hope you are fine with Ocean City, New Jersey."

"More than fine with it. Thank you, Matteo. I'm really excited."

"I think this will be better than going to prom. I hope." Matteo said.

I know it will be.