Tris' POV
The day started like any other as I got ready for the day and headed to my performance class. It was our final rehearsal so Tobias was able to leave his class a little early to come watch. I was nervous which was unusual as I did not ever really feel this way before a performance but I felt a nagging sense of dread that would not go away.
I took my place and nailed each move perfectly. I started to jump through a grand jete when something went terribly wrong. As I landed from the jump, my left leg curled under me and I heard a pop come out from near my knee cap.
My knees begin to buckle and I fall backward onto the floor when I gasp loudly, clutching my knee. The bones surrounding my knee protrude and I can't unbend my knee from the position it's in.
Tobias' POV
I watch as Tris beautifully executes her choreography until upon landing from a high jump, she falls to the floor and her knees buckle out from under her. I rush to her side and carry her in my arms to the car as my shirt becomes wet with tears.
I notice that her jaw is clenched and her hand wrapped tightly around her knee. I hold her free hand in mine as we drive to the hospital. "Just try to breathe. I'm here, we'll get through this together. I promise." I say softly.
I place her gently on a stretcher when we arrive and she grabs my hand, pleading with me "Please don't leave me." I plant a kiss on her forehead before saying "Never" quietly. I hold her hand as they start an IV and give her something for the pain.
Her face instantly relaxes and I let out a small sigh of relief. I don't show it as I don't want to frighten her but I am afraid of what might be wrong, what her injuries may be. I know that her leg doesn't quite look the way it should and the way in which she can't unbend it.
About half an hour later, a doctor enters the room and begins examining Tris. He tells us that her knee has been dislocated and she has likely torn several ligaments in her knee. He also says that he will need to try to pop the bone back into place.
It will probably be very painful even with the medication she's been given. I hate seeing her in pain. I steady myself as he begins the procedure, feeling her tightly squeeze my hand. She clenches her jaw and screams through her teeth. After about five times, he's finished and we both sigh in relief.
The doctor later explains that he will need to do some testing to be able to assess her injuries so they wheel her away for an x-ray and MRI. I hold her hand as they wheel her away, never wanting to let go.
I find myself suddenly alone as my mind races about what may be wrong. I knew it's not helpful but I can't help it. Tris is hurt and we don't know how much yet. I hate that she's hurt and I can't do anything about it. I feel helpless as I just want to fix it but I know that I can't.
I sit alone with my head in my hands, feeling as though the minutes are passing by like hours. I see Tris return to the room and tell her to try to rest, covering her with a blanket and kissing her forehead before turning off the light.
My eyes feel heavy as well and I sleep with my head resting against the wall. When I open my eyes, I find Tris awake and talking to the doctor. "How long will it be until I can dance again?" she asks in a small voice, holding back tears as I resist the urge to grab her and hold her in my arms.
"Probably at least a year but you will not be able to dance the same way as you have most likely. I'm sorry, my dear." the doctor replies before leaving us alone. Tears begin to roll down her face and I wipe them away.
"I'm scheduled for surgery next week. They're waiting a week to let the swelling go down." she cries and I wrap my arms around her as she sobs into my shirt. "I'll be there, for all of it. I promise." I mumble.
The nurse brings Tris' discharge papers and we leave the hospital for now. She has crutches to use to help her get around but I can tell she hates them through her grunts of frustration. We return to the dorm and she sits on the bed facing me.
"What are we going to do now, Tobias?" she whispers and my heart breaks as she continues with "I'm not going to be a dancer anymore, all because of one wrong misstep." I feel as though something in my chest has deflated and I struggle to find the right words to say.
I know that nothing that I say right now will fix this. There's nothing I can do or say that will. All I can do right now is be there for her with whatever she needs. The room has fallen into a dead silence with what feels like a huge space between us.
"Do you want to be alone for now?" I ask and watch her nod. I need to go and clear my head for now so I grab my iPod and ear buds and go for a run. Running has always helped me clear my head. I stop to catch my breath and everything comes back to me.
Nothing seems to be the way we planned it. One question sticks in my head which I can't find an answer to. What are we going to do now?
