Unconditionally

A Wake-Up Call

Arnold's POV

Flashback

Earlier that week, Stella had been pushing herself harder than ever. I recalled watching her in the studio, her movements a blend of grace and struggle. She practised relentlessly, each pirouette and leap executed with fierce determination. But beneath that determination lay a haunting tension.

On that fateful day, I remembered walking into the studio and finding her already there, her brow glistening with sweat. "You're here early!" I had exclaimed, a hint of admiration in my voice.

"I just want to nail this routine," she had replied, forcing a smile. But I noticed how her fingers trembled slightly as she adjusted her hair.

As practice continued, I watched her dance, each step becoming increasingly frantic, her breath coming in shallow gasps. She was pushing herself to the limits, the weight of expectation pressing down on her like a heavy blanket. I wanted to say something, to pull her back from the edge, but I didn't know how.

Suddenly, it happened. One moment, she was soaring through a leap, and the next, her body crumpled to the floor, the graceful movement morphing into a heart-wrenching scene. I remember the collective gasp of her friends as they rushed to her side, panic filling the air like an electric current. I had sprinted over, my heart racing as I knelt beside her.

"Stella! Can you hear me?" I had called, my voice strained.

But she lay still, her eyes fluttering, and a chilling silence fell over the room. The dance instructor had quickly called for help, and the world felt like it was spinning out of control.

Present Day

Now, back in the hospital, the nurse was checking Stella's vitals again, and I took the opportunity to regain my composure. I wanted to be strong for her, but inside, I felt utterly helpless.

After the nurse left, I turned back to Stella, my heart heavy with concern. "You're not alone in this. I want to help you, but you need to let me in. You have to take care of yourself, not just for the dance, but for you."

She squeezed my hand, tears brimming in her eyes. "I'm scared, Arnold. I don't want to let anyone down."

"You won't let anyone down by prioritizing your health," I reassured her, my voice steady. "Your worth isn't tied to your dancing. You have so much to offer, and I want you to see that."

As the day wore on, I stayed by her side, sharing stories to lighten the mood. I joked about Coach Mitchell's latest antics, and Stella's laughter, although soft, brought a sense of relief to the tension in the room. We chatted about everything and nothing, the hours slipping away like grains of sand.

Eventually, the doctor came in with good news—Stella was clear to go home with some advice on managing her eating habits and taking better care of herself. I breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that we could navigate this together.

As we left the hospital, I knew things wouldn't magically fix themselves overnight. But I also knew we had each other, and that was a start. It was a wake-up call for both of us to prioritize our health, our friendship, and the delicate balance we needed to find amidst the chaos of our lifes.