Last Dance

Throughout my four years of high school I was proudly on my schools auxiliary/dance team. It was finally my senior year and I couldn't have been happier. Through so many hot summer days outside with the band, long late hours stuck at the school, pain and dedication beyond belief, senior year was coming to an end and it was almost time for our annual spring show. About two weeks before we hit the stage, my worst fear happened. Practicing for our high-kick dance, we were going over our jump split part and was about to attempt it. Prepping, knees bent ready to jump up, I feel the girl next to me slip as I fling my right leg forward and my left leg back. She slipped holding on to me still, pulling me down with her really fast and caused me to land wrong in the splits. Pain struck me. I fell over, crying, as I couldn't move my right leg. It was quick, but I felt the sharp pain, a ripping feeling going down the back of my thigh. I couldn't help but think I had to continue but I couldn't even get myself up. I torn my hamstring.
I think I was more sad of the fact that I had to sit out from dancing. Doctor advised me to not dance for about a month but I didn't want to end my senior year not being able to be on that stage. I took care of my leg; icing/heating it, took it REAL easy, and stretching it a bit here and there. Soon I was able to make a fast recovery! In no time I was able to do the dances more full out. It was finally our spring show and I couldn't have been more excited. Doing our last dance, the high-kick, is when I felt so much emotion. The thought of never giving up in what I love to do ran through my mind. It was bitter-sweet to think this was my last performance with my second family. The curtains opened up and the lights shined upon us. I danced with my head held high with pride and a big smile on my face. I pointed my toes in my white boots, kicked so high I almost hit my face, and landed the jump split part (safely this time). I ended the dance with a smile from ear to ear and a tear from the hard work I went through. To me, the ability to dance in different ways, to express emotion through the sound of music, is more than what language can do.