My hamstring has been bugging me all class. You’re fine. Keep going. I did my step again and again, my hamstring begging me to stop, to kick lower. No. I can’t. Nationals is in 2 weeks. I tried to kick lower but every time I would my teacher would notice. “You have to kick higher! Come on! Nationals is soon!” So I kept going. I looked in the mirror and didn’t even recognize the person dancing. You are not prepared for Nationals.

In between, I would stretch. I would push my leg and try to get as deep into the stretch as I could. Once I felt pain, I knew I had to go farther. This is it. You cannot let this stupid injury sacrifice and ruin everything you have worked for.

I put my leg up on the ledge, stretching again. You have to go farther than that. I had to            stop. The pain was intense. No. Farther. What happened to you? You used to be able to go all the way in the splits! 

I stayed in the stretch, begging the pain to go away, for things to go back to normal again. I felt like crying. Don’t you dare cry. My eyes were like a weak dam on a strong river. Once the first tear escaped, it was a waterfall.

I tried to stop crying. Please. Stop crying. I walked over to dance again. You cannot sacrifice all you have worked for. I heard a voice. “Stop. Don’t go again. You’re hurting yourself.” I turned around. It was Frances. Once I saw her, there was no stopping the tears. I was hyperventilating.

I walked over to the wall and slid down, my knees balled up to my chest. I saw the other girls dancing, and it just made me cry harder. I was so defeated. Frances was walking over to me with my other friend, Gabby. I tried to talk but I couldn’t. I could still barely breathe. I thought they were going to talk to me but they didn’t. They just got on the floor with me and gave me the biggest hug. I was still crying, but I immediately felt better. 

Gabby ran out, getting me an ice pack. Frances ran to get my water bottle. They sat with me on the floor until it was their turn to dance. And when they were done, they would come back and sit on the floor with me again. They were making my laugh in between my sobs and I was starting to feel like maybe it would be okay again. I was still crying, and could only say two words. “Thank you.”