Something Different

Riley stood in front of her bathroom mirror, running her hands over her silk pajama top. The fabric felt tighter than usual around her middle.

"That's weird," she whispered to her reflection. Her deep brown eyes studied the slight curve of her belly. She'd been eating more lately, but this seemed different somehow.

She walked to her enormous bedroom window, gazing out at the manicured gardens of her family's villa. The morning sun cast golden light across the marble fountains and perfectly trimmed hedges. Everything looked normal outside, but something felt off inside her body.

Her phone buzzed on the nightstand. A text from her best friend asking about shopping plans. Riley typed back quickly, then paused. Should she mention how strange she'd been feeling?

Her stomach made a soft gurgling sound. Not hungry, just... different. Riley touched her belly again, frowning slightly. Maybe she should talk to someone about this weird sensation growing inside her.

The Phone Call

Riley grabbed her phone and scrolled through her contacts until she found Dr. Martinez's number. Her fingers trembled slightly as she dialed.

"Hello, this is Riley Henderson. I need to schedule an appointment as soon as possible," she said when the receptionist answered.

"What seems to be the problem, dear?"

Riley touched her belly again. "I think... I think I might be pregnant. With twins."

The words felt strange coming out of her mouth. She was only sixteen, but the signs seemed obvious. Her belly had grown noticeably over the past few weeks, much faster than normal weight gain would explain.

"Can you come in this afternoon at three?" the receptionist asked.

"Yes, absolutely."

After hanging up, Riley walked to her walk-in closet. She needed something loose-fitting for the appointment. As she pulled on a flowing dress, she caught her reflection in the full-length mirror. The curve of her stomach was definitely more pronounced than yesterday.

Her phone buzzed with a text from her best friend Emma: "Still want to go shopping?"

Riley typed back: "Rain check. Doctor's appointment."

She didn't mention why. Not yet. Not until she knew for sure what was happening to her body.