Before Everything

Chapter 24

Then I did my homework and finally was about to go to sleep when I heard my phone bling. What had happened? Please don't tell me something had happened with dad! I lifted my phone and...
~~~~~-

I looked at my phone and sighed.

Unknown: Hi it's me, Lily! I got your phone number from Nia. Just decided to let you know so that you can save my number

Luckily it was just Lily. I answered to her and finally went to sleep.

Sunday

"Madeline, your feet technique is lacking! Again!" Madam Olga shouted.

I cringed, that was already the one-hundredth time I did that again. And my ankles were killing me. For some reason, Olga had been in a really bad mood the whole day and I've never seen her like this.
"What are you doing just standing?! I said again!" I sighed and did as she asked.

It was around two in the afternoon. My forehead was glistening with sweat and I was breathing heavily. My left ankle was a little swollen and it was aching very badly.

"Madeline, from the top again!" Olga shouted again.
"But Olga, I have repeated that same part already so many times," I told her my voice sounding hoarse from the dryness of my throat.
"Did I ask you?!" She shouted and took some threatening steps towards me. What's up with her? She had never been like that. Something was definitely wrong.

"Madam Olga, is everything okay?" I ask her softly.
"WHY CAN'T YOU DO ANYTHING RIGHT, MADELINE?! EVERYTHING IS FINE! I'M fine..." She shouted out almost hysterically and broke down on the old wooden floor. I rushed to her side.
"What's going on, Olga?" I asked her concerned.
"Madeline, I'm..." she started sobbing uncontrollably. And I put my arms around her frail body.
"You're what, Olga? Talk to me, please," I begged her.

She turned to me and I hated seeing her like that. Tears streaming down her face and looking scared.
"Madeline, I'm sick..." she said quietly. And my world started spinning.
"W-wh-what?!" I couldn't process anything.

"Madeline dear, I'm sick. I-I have breast cancer..." she started sobbing again and this time I hugged her close to me. My own tears streaming down my face and connecting with hers. How can this be true? This is not true! I refuse to believe this. This must be a nightmare because this would've never happened in real life. I couldn't think anything else.

"Wake up Madeline, this is not funny!" I shouted to myself and squeezed my eyes shut. And when I opened them, I wasn't in my bedroom. I was still on the old wooden floor hugging Madam Olga.

After a while, I heard Madam Olga sniffle. She had stopped sobbing.
"Madeline dear, you should go home now," she said in a small voice. I got up and helped her up as well.
"Are you sure? I can stay if you'd like."
"There's no need. I would like to be alone now. I'll contact you about next weeks rehearsals soon," she turned away from me and walked to the other side if the studio. I stood there looking at her.
"Madeline, please leave," she whispered.

I was conflicted, I didn't wanna leave her like that alone. After a short debate in my mind, I turned around and walked away. When I was about to close the door I took one last glance at Olga. There she was, standing with her whole posture slumped and shoulders shaking. This was the first time I had ever seen her cry. She has always been so strong. But this proved to me that even the strongest people can break. I shut the door and walked out.

I was now standing outside of the studio waiting for Mike. He promised to pick me up. I was in my own thoughts and staring right ahead. I didn't know how to react to Olga's reveal so I just felt empty and hollow. I still refused to believe it. I started shivering. It was now the beginning of December and it was really chilly. I wrapped my jacket tighter around me and put my arms around myself. Suddenly Mike was in front of me waving his hands in front of my face.