The Cheerleader // Rob Gronkowski

t w e n t y - t h r e e

"And again!" I yelled. With a groan, the girls set up again for the jumps sequence I had just taught. I counted us in, and then prepped and launched into a toe touch, followed by a front hurdler, then 2 more toe touches.

"Good work ladies!" I called out, "Take a 5 minute water break, then we'll work on stunting." Having said that, I walked over to my bag and pulled out my water bottle. I checked my phone as I took a swig of lemon-infused water. A text from Rob popped up on my lock screen - Hey gorgeous :). Smiling, I tossed my water back into my duffel bag and typed out a quick response - Hiiii babe. Then, I trotted back out to center field. "Stunt groups!"

~

20 minutes later, we had rehearsed every stunt in our repertoire. Our muscles were shaking, we were dripping sweat, but I had one more plan for the practice.

"Ok girls, I want to try something. I think it's important to have a well-rounded team, so I want us to switch up the stunt groups. We'll put up a simple stunt, but I want everyone to fly so we all have experience."

With that, my stunt group surrounded me, "Hanna, I'm not sure this is such a good idea," Michelle commented.

"Yeah, we're all pretty happy in our own positions," Anna added.

I smiled, "Come on you guys!  We're professional cheerleaders, we can all handle a simple stunt, no matter what position we're placed in." None of them looked very reassured. "If you're all so worried, I'll fly first."

There were some sighs, but everyone got into position. Once again, I counted us in, then pushed off the ground and into my teammate's hands. For a second, I was strong and steady, hitting a high V. Then, under my left foot, I felt Michelle shift her grip, just enough to tip my weight. Suddenly, my strong, steady stunt came crashing down. Before I knew it, I was on the ground, looking up at the rest of my team.

"Oh my God!  Hanna, are you ok??" Anna immediately rushed to my side.

I grimaced, "Yeah, I think so." I grabbed someone's outstretched hand and stood up slowly. As I went to step on my left leg, a sharp pain hit my shin, and I fell down, unable to bear the pain of weight-bearing.

"Ok, ok, ok, you need to sit down," Tiana spoke up from my right side.

I went to stand up again, "No guys, I'm fine. Let's finish practice."

"Hanna, you're hurt. I'm calling the trainer and you are not gonna move from that spot."

I groaned, "I told you, I'm 100% ok. Practice. Now."

I argued with my co-captains for another few minutes before I became aware that another person had joined the circle surrounding me. "Hanna, we are going to the medic right now," a familiar voice spoke from behind me.

I sighed again, then tilted my head back to look at them, "Hi Rob."

Before I could get in another word, I was scooped up and was being carried through the field house.

~

"Ok Ms. Rose, it seems like you have a tibial fracture. From the scar tissue surrounding the break, this most likely stemmed from a stress fracture. Have you been feeling localized pain recently, especially during running or jumping activities?" the medic asked me, as we sat in his office. 

I avoided eye contact, "Maybe a little...." I downplayed.

Rob turned to look at me, "Hanna."

"Ok, fine!  Yes, but I assumed it was just shin splints or some shit, no big deal," I burst out.

"Ms. Rose, pain should never be ignored, especially for athletes," the medic scolded me.

Rob placed his hand on my shoulder, and I could tell he had an authoritative look on his face.  "Rob, please don't start with me right now. You would do the same thing."

Before we could say anything else, the doctor interrupted me, "Cause aside, I'm gonna need to put you in a boot, and I suggest you go see an orthopedist as well, but you will need to stay off this leg for at least 6 weeks."

So, like, a few days was what I heard.