Before Everything

Chapter 33

I sighed as I plopped down on my bed. My ankle had been bothering me the whole week. I have been putting ice on it every night. But from time to time I limped and I thought I had hidden it well, but Mike noticed and he asked if everything was okay. And I lied to him and told him that nothing was wrong.

I lied to him.

I felt quite guilty about it. Of course, I didn't want to lie to him! But I knew he wouldn't understand my point. I also knew that if he ever found out, he would make me go to the doctor for sure. But I was so damn stubborn AND so scared. This was not just a muscle ache that would go away after a few days. My ankle was so swollen that I had problems putting on my shoe. I was starting to worry a lot, so I called someone who would understand me for sure. He would understand. He had to. He would know what was at stake.
I took a deep breath and dialed the number.

Finally, he answered.

"Tsvetok?" I heard his deep Russian accent.
"Dimitri... hey."
"Princess? You okay?" He sounded worried.
Okay, this was it. Just tell him, he'll understand.
"Umm... you're coming to New York soon, right?"
"Huh? I mean yeah in a month or so."
"Great!" I sounded so fake I cringed.
"Tsvetok, are you okay?"
"Honestly Dimitri, I am not okay."
"What happened? Did someone hurt you?" he said and went in full protect mode.
"No no! No one has hurt me."
"Good. Then what's wrong?"

I couldn't beat around the bush anymore.

"I think something's wrong with my ankle."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, it's a reeeeally long story", I chuckled nervously.
"Madeline, I've got time, so start talking."
"Ever since Moscow when I landed badly after a jump, my ankle has been bothering me. Then a couple of weeks ago I think, I landed badly again and this time I heard a..."
"What? What did you hear?"
"Dimitri, I heard a crack and ever since it's been really swollen and I'm limping from time to time", there, now I had told someone.
"Princess... I think you should get it checked."
"I thought you would understand!" I got frustrated.
"I understand that you're probably scared of what the doctor will tell you, but you have to do it."
"I don't want to do that because I'm scared."
"But think, if you don't get it checked now it could get worse. And we both know what's the worst case scenario, don't you?"

I stayed silent. Of course, I knew the worst case scenario.

"Madeline, say it. Say the worst scenario."
"The worst case scenario would be... not being able to dance anymore."
"Exactly, so I advise that at least you tell Olga."
"No! I can't tell her. She has enough on her plate already. I won't burden her with this."
"Well, at least tell someone else then. And get it checked as soon as possible."
"I will..."
"There is nothing you need to worry about. Everything will be fine."

How would he know? That's right he doesn't know, no one does.

"You don't know that Dimitri..."
"You're right, I don't but I know that the earlier you get it checked the sooner things will get better."
"I guess you're right."
"I know I am, Princess. I once went through something similar. But unlike you, I didn't have anyone to lean on to."
"I'm sorry to hear that."
"It's okay. I got through it and so will you."
"Thank you, Dimitri."
"Anything for you, tsvetok. I'll see you soon."
"Yeah..."

And with that, I hung up. I groaned in frustration. That didn't help at all!
He was right though I had to go and see someone. I have to stop being this stubborn and scared. But first I wanted to talk to Mike and hear his opinion.

Mike's Pov

"Jake, you better throw more loops or I'm going to beat you!"
"Never!" he said, caught the ball from my hands and did a loop. "I guess I still lead you with 4 points..."
"Okay, whatever. I will beat you someday..." I just said and laughed.