Academy of Dance: Ballet Breakdown

OUT OF COMMISSION
Before I can reply, Dr. Hutchinson walks in. “You lucked out,” he says. “It’s just a minor sprain, and-”

“Then why does it hurt so bad?” I interrupt.

“Ankles are funny things,” Dr. Hutchinson says, shrugging.

I glare at him too. There is nothing funny about this.

Dr. Hutchinson says upbeat. “Ice it every thirty minutes, and stay off it the rest of the day. If the swelling goes down tomorrow, some pressure is fine.” He hands me a packet of instructions. “Start these stretching exercises in two days. Sprains usually heal in a week, ten days max.”

“I have a dance competition in two-and-a-half weeks,” I say nervously.

“You should be fine,” he says optimistically.

What if he’s wrong? I worry. What if I miss the first competition? I’ll never get that back. I’ll never be a part of the team.

“And if I’m not?” I ask shakily. “Then what happens?”

“If there’s a problem,” says Dr. Hutchinson, “we’ll deal with it in ten days.”