Tyler had finished his high school exams, getting all the grades he needed to accept his sports scholarship at a great college. Now that his first day was only a week away, he felt more excited than ever to be independent. He gripped the forms printed from the library, one for class choices, a swim practice schedule, and several health forms that you needed to get signed before competing. His mom had made an appointment with Dr Shaw. Tyler hoped that having only seen her a few weeks ago meant they could skip most of the exam. He still remembered how unpleasant it had been. His mom dropped him off, he had insisted that since he was going to college he could do everything else by himself too.

As he walked in, he was greeted by a young smiling receptionist. He tried to seem cool and aloof as he gave his name and appointment time. “Great Tyler, you’re just on time. You said that you had some forms yo be signed off for the college- did you bring them with you?” Tyler handed over the stapled sheets with the college logo on the front. The receptionist flipped through them briefly, glancing back at Tyler with each passing page. “Thank you, I’ll give these to Dr Shaw. You can go straight into exam room 1, the last door on the left.” Tyler thanked her and found the room.

Nothing inside was remarkable, it had a sterile smell like a hospital and shades of blue and white everywhere. A tall man in scrubs greeted him from behind the desk. “Hi there, you must be Tyler! I’m Noah, Dr Shaw’s nurse. It’s so nice to meet you!” Tyler smiled and greeted Noah.

“Dr Shaw has asked me to get you started today if that’s ok, so I’ll just have you put your belongings right here and get changed into this gown. Opening at the back.” Noah pulled out the typical flimsy paper gown that crinkled loudly with every tiny movement. “I’ll give you a minute to get changed, have a seat on the table whenever you’re ready.” Noah left quickly, shutting the door behind him. Tyler wondered if he was really that cheerful or if it was meant to make patients less nervous. Taking off his clothes, Tyler wondered if he should be nervous too. Putting on a gown didn’t make it seem like the doctor would sign off based on the exam he had at home…

Tyler didn’t think about it too much, instead trying not to crinkle too much between the paper gown and the paper on the exam table. The only thing not making noise was his underwear, which protected the most important parts from the unpleasant texture. A knock on the door announced Noah’s return. “Let’s get started with some vitals!”

Tyler looked around the room for something to occupy his thoughts while Noah held his wrist, counting his pulse and breathing. Next was blood pressure, letting Tyler relax with the familiarity of things. Tyler stood on the scales and let Noah measure his height and weight. If Noah was just going to take some vitals, then he had nothing to be nervous about. It wouldn’t be anything like last time.

“Lie down on the table on your stomach so we can get a temperature.” Noah was as cheerful as ever saying that, but it made Tyler’s stomach drop. “I don’t think we need to do that,” Tyler protested. “I can take it in my mouth, or ear, or anywhere…”

“Oh I know it’s not ideal” Noah tutted “but this is specified on the forms you brought from your college. Did you not read through them?” No, Tyler hadn’t read through them. He had read the first page, and signed the last one, but the stuff in between seemed like it was for the doctor so he had ignored it.

Noah watched as Tyler processed. “It only takes a minute, you remember from last time? I saw in your chart that this wouldn’t be your first rectal temperature.” Tyler could feel his face going red as Noah spoke about what happened last time, clearly he knew everything that had happened. Wordlessly, Tyler turned on his stomach and rained his hips for Noah to lower his underwear. “This will feel a little cold.” Noah warned as he inserted the thermometer several inches into Tylers rectum. Tyler curled his toes, remembering everything that had followed the previous rectal temperature experience.

Noah continued to bustle around the room as Tyler lay with the thermometer inside him, gathering items onto a tray from various cupboards. He set the tray down as the thermometer beeped, pulling it from Tyler’s bottom and pulling his underwear back around his waist. “Looks good Tyler! I’ll let you sit back up ready for Dr Shaw.”

Tyler was relieved to be covered again, letting his legs dangle from the side of the bed. Within a minute, Dr Shaw knocked and entered, greeting Tyler. “It’s good to see you again Tyler, and congratulations on a great scholarship. We should be able to get through all this paperwork today, so one less thing to do before you leave. Does that sound ok?” Tyler nodded in agreement.