Dancing to the Beat

Chapter 1

“You’re not going to drop me are you?” I giggled as I picked some invisible lint off Justin’s white puffy sleeve.  He gave me a sly smile as he tied the strings of his shirt.

“No Addy I’m not going to drop you. I’m feeling better.” He rubbed his shoulder as if confirming it.  This was Justin’s first time back on the ice since he hurt his rotator cuff, and as his big sister I was nervous. The doctor’s said it was a slim possibility he could return to competitions, but he never gave up. Justin spent most of his time in physical therapy or working out at the gym when we weren’t training for this competition.  He was the most dedicated person I knew.  We had been skating partners since we were five, and I had never trusted anyone as much as I did him.

 “Addy that’s our cue. Are you ready?” Justin grabbed my hand and led me toward the entrance of the rink.

“Yea, let’s do this!” We slid out onto the cool white floor with our hands triumphantly in the air. My blue dress shimmered in the lights as the light skirt floated behind me. We got to the center of our icy stage waiting for our music to start. I smiled into the darkness as camera flashes clicked around us. This was it, we were the top contenders for the finals, and if we medaled in this competition we would be on the fast track to the Olympics. Our song, “Looking Back” by Kerry Muzzey started to play, which snapped me back to reality.  We started our routine. I led the way as Justin pretended to be my lost love following behind.  We brushed our arms up to the sky simultaneously.  Now it was time for our double axle. We picked up speed and flew through the air finishing together in perfect harmony.  Out of the corner of my eye I could see Justin’s grin mirroring mine. We completed some more twists and spins perfectly I could practically see the gold medals around our necks when I felt Justin lift me up for our next trick. He was going to toss me in the air while I twirled and he would spin below and then catch me. Being tossed in the air was one of my favorite, but most terrified parts. Twirling in the air felt like I was a bird with new wings, the possibility of falling on the ice was my only worry. I trusted Justin though. We have done similar tricks in the past, but not since his accident.  As I felt myself lowering I waited for my brother’s arms to confirm I was on the ground.  Then I felt him, but it didn’t feel right, not like before. In a split second the grip I felt was gone.  As I slipped from his arms I felt as if everything was happening in slow motion. I saw my brother cringing in what looked like pain and worry. My hands were reaching to him as if it was one less effort to be caught. Then I felt my right knee hit the ice first. A sharp pain shot up my leg. Then my head met the ice and everything went dark.

 I opened my eyes and everything seemed bright. My head felt like someone beat me with a hammer. It hurt too much to move, but I didn’t know where I was so I had to look around. I could see a blurry figure and soon clarity took over and I could see it was Justin sleeping in the chair next to my bed. Wait this wasn’t my bed, this wasn’t my room, everything was white. My arm had an IV poking out of it.

 “Wha- Where am I?” my voice was rough, and my throat was dry. Gosh my head was pounding. I saw Justin startle awake and for the first time I noticed his right arm was in a sling. He rubbed his eyes, which looked red and puffy.  His dark brown shoulder length hair was sticking up from odd angles.

 “What happened to your arm?”

 “You’re the one in the hospital bed and you’re worried about me?” Justin laughed a little as he gave me his teasing smirk. Although this one had some guilt behind it.

 “What happened? I remember skating, you throwing me, and then… darkness.”

 “I’m so sorry Addy! I thought I was ready. I practiced and trained, but when I lifted up my arms to catch you… I just felt this pain and the next thing I know you hit my arms and fell to the ground before I could think to stop you. Addy please forgive me I never wanted to hurt you.” He leaned on the bed his eyes pleading with me.