The beige walls of the doctor's office were glaringly bright. Plain and unending, if you didn't count the cabinet and medical equipment hanging up. I sat there, the paper on the bench cranking as I staring down at my hands. My heart pounded against my chest, loud and unrelenting in the otherwise silent exam room.

Bu-dum, bu-dum, bu-dum.

'Calm down,' I told myself, picking at my threadbare jacket, 'She'll be back soon.'

Objectively, I knew there was nothing to worry about. This appointment had been in the works for years - everything was ready. I had both my letters, my insurance was going to cover everything, and my release forms were signed and processed. There was no reason she wouldn't give me the prescription.

Yet my hands still trembled. I clasped them together until my knuckles turned white.

"Miss Athalia?" My head snapped up. Dr. Martin smiled down at my from her wrinkled face. "I'm happy to tell you that your prescription has gone through. You can pick up your estrogen pills at your pharmacy later today."

My heart soared. "Really?" I asked, quickly catching the desperation in my voice. "I mean, of course. Thank you Dr. Martin!"

The aging woman grinned, shaking her head. "You did all the hard work," she said, "Go, have a good afternoon. Don't forget to set up a follow up on your way out." I hopped down from the bench, an elated smile on my face.

I left the doctor's office on cloud nine. Practically skipping as I walked down the city streets. 20 years had lead to this - years of hiding and lying, both to others and myself. 20 years of looking in the mirror and seeing a stranger. It was finally going to be over.

I jolted to a stop, both because the crosswalk I was at turned red and because I realized what else this meant. I could finally be myself in public. No more stupid men's' clothes or men's' bathrooms. I could wear my clothes in public without having to worry about getting beat up. Laughter bubbled in my throat.

Nothing could ruin this day.

The crosswalk's light turned green.

Time seemed to slow.

Honks blared in my ears. Turning, I stared at the truck barreling towards me. It was going too fast, faster then the 25 mph it was supposed to be going. There was no where I could go, no matter which way I ran it would hit me. I didn't even have to raise my arms to protect my head.

Before I could even blink, everything went black.