Brown discharge is usually left over blood that didn't make it out during your normal period, but it usually happens to me when I start my next period.
You could have an infection. I'm also 18, going to the gyno isn't as bad as it sounds, just make sure you find one that you are comfortable with. Trust me your gonna have to go some day its better to get the first time done and over with. I was scared sh!Tl*ss my first time, and what made it worse was that they wanted the hottest intern to come in to observe it. After the first time it's a piece of cake.