PART IIGracie awoke to her alarm early the next morning. She started to get ready for school, her best friend Gabby texted her asking if she wanted to spend the day at the mall. Confused, Gracie pulled up the school calendar. After everything that went on yesterday, she totally forgot there was no school today. Delighted, she texted Gabby back saying she’d meet her at the mall around 9:00 AM. She finished getting ready and headed downstairs for some breakfast.Her mother was waiting for her at the table. “Hey mom, Gabby asked me to go to the mall. Would you be able to drop me off around 9?” Savannah stood up from the table and sighed. “I’m sorry sweetie, but you’ll have to tell Gabby some other time. I was able to schedule your doctor’s appointment for this morning. We have to leave shortly.” Gracie’s stomach dropped. She opened her mouth to protest, but Savannah continued on; “This isn’t up for discussion Grace. Please head back up to the bathroom and get ready. I expect you to be prepared to leave within the next hour.”Gracie turned and ran back upstairs. “She isn’t being fair,” Gracie thought. “I’m eighteen. I can make my own decisions if I want. If I had it my way, I’d never go to the doctor unless I have to.” Before she turned to walk into the bathroom, Savannah once again interrupted her thoughts. “If you haven’t already, make sure you shave. You’re going to a new doctor today. You need to make yourself look presentable.”Gracie reluctantly agreed and shut the door loudly. She quickly stripped out of her clothes and looked at herself in the mirror. “Ugh, I wish I had bigger boobs. I can’t believe I have trouble fitting in an A cup bra. It’s so embarrassing.” Losing track of time, she discarded her bra and panties and hopped into the shower. Grabbing her razor, she began to shave both legs. Once she got to her crotch she paused briefly. “No one is going to know if I shave down here…but mom did say I need to look presentable. Might as well make it look like the rest of my body.” After rinsing off, Gracie grabbed her towel and made a beeline towards her closet.After grabbing a new set of clothes, she hustled down the stairs and into the driveway, where her mother was already waiting for her. Gracie still had so many questions. Who was her new doctor? Was this going to be like her sports physicals from the past? Eventually, her thoughts turned into questions. “You’ll find out soon enough hon. We’re only a few minutes away.” “Why is she being so secretive about this? Does she think I’m too big of a baby to handle this?” Sure enough, a few minutes later they pulled into the parking lot of a large medical facility.Savannah parked the car and ushered Gracie out. “We need to hurry. The doctor’s office is on the second floor.” As they entered the building, they quickly boarded an elevator and headed up. When the doors opened, Savannah practically busted through the doors, murmuring something about already being late. After another short walk, they had arrived. The sign on the door read: DOCTOR LOGAN PERKINS, ADOLESCENT GYNECOLOGY. “Welcome!” said the nurse at the front desk. “How can I help you today?” “Hello, my daughter Gracie has an appointment with Dr. Perkins at 10.” Looking at Gracie, the nurse said “Ah, yep I’ve got you down for a full body physical. I also see you’re a first time patient! Here’s some paperwork to fill out while you wait to be called back!”After thanking the nurse both Gracie and her mother sat down to fill out her forms. Unlike her pediatrician, these forms asked rather personal questions. Do you have an unusual breast discharge? What age did you have your first menstrual period? Have you ever had sexual intercourse? By the time she completed them, she’d felt as if her private parts had been on full display. “Why did they need to know all of that stuff mom?” “It tells them if you’re healthy and your body parts are functioning properly sweetie. Like I told you before, Dr. Perkins will explain in better detail.”At that moment the door opened and the same nurse greeted them. “Alright Gracie, we’re all ready for you! Please follow me! We’re going to start off by getting your height and weight. Please remove your shoes and put your back against the wall. Hmmm…that looks to be about five foot three inches!” Without hesitation, the nurse escorted her over to the scale. “Hop on up there Gracie!” As she moved a few of the counters, the scale came to rest right at 105LBs. “That’s perfectly healthy for a girl your age.” After putting her shoes back on, the nurse led both of them into an adjacent room.“We’ll only be in here to get your vitals, so don’t get too comfortable,” said the nurse cheerfully. Simultaneously, Gracie had her pulse and blood pressure taken, both of which came back normal. When it came time to get her temperature taken, the nurse couldn’t help but crack a smile. “Usually we take temperatures rectally, but you’re in luck. They seem to all be in use.” Gracie was shocked, but couldn’t have been happier as she put the thermometer under her tongue. “Why would you take my temperature in my butt? That’s the most disgusting thing I’ve ever heard!”Her thoughts were interrupted by the beeping of the thermometer. “98.8! Perfect! That concludes this part of your exam. If you’ll please follow me, I will guide you to your examination room.” As they headed down the hallway, Gracie couldn’t help but think; “This is moving right along! Maybe I’ll get to go to the mall after all!”However, as she entered the examination room, a familiar nervousness washed over her. Although the examination table was the same size, it had two odd looking poles on the sides. At the end of those poles were two boots that had velcro attached to them. “What are those things? Why are they part of my exam?” “Don’t worry about a thing darling,” the nurse cooed. “Doctor Perkins uses these on our younger and first time patients! They make sure to keep your legs up and out of the way.”Before Gracie could ask any questions, the nurse handed her a thin hospital gown. “Please remove all of your clothing and put this on. If you have trouble, just ask your mother for help. Doctor Perkins and I will be in shortly to conduct your examination.” As the nurse left, Gracie walked behind the partition and began to tearfully strip out of her clothes. After removing everything but her bra and panties, she paused briefly. “I don’t understand why I need to strip nude mom! I’ve never had to do this before!”“Sweetie, remember when I said this exam would be different? When the doctor asks you to, you’ll put your feet in those boots. They help the doctor when it’s time to examine your private parts.” Her mother’s words cut through her like glass. “Why does the doctor have to look at my vagina?! I’ve never had sex before,” sniffled Gracie. “Although that’s true,” Savannah continued, “It’s best for you to see if you’re developing properly. This is something all women have to go through. Now, finish putting on that gown and get out here. The doctor will be in any minute.”Gracie unhooked her bra and dropped her panties to the floor. She would have never imagined she’d be standing naked in a doctor’s office six feet away from her mom. After slipping the gown on, she tied a stiff knot in the back. Despite the fact that the gown covered all of her intimate areas, it barely went past her thighs. She shyly walked out from behind the partition and sat down on the exam table, making sure not to expose herself to her mother. Just as she was about to ask another question, there was a loud knock on the door.