Chapter 33 - On my side

                                    

                                          
Present 
                          
Limping was not an option, but all that I could do right now. Josh had been very tough on me yesterday, he had kicked me for what felt like hours and when I had woken up and checked in the mirror, there were big red and blue bruises covering my body, that I could only hide with a turtleneck, which I would not be able to take off for rehearsal today, because I looked like I had been run over by five trucks and then a herd of bulls had trampled over me. I was sure that my ribs were fractured, as well as my knee, shoulders and hip, but I could do it, I could not call in sick, Josh wouldn't let me, I just had to pull through the pain and go to work. 
                          
And that was what I did and every step made me want to cry out in pain. As soon as I had entered the building, I had to stop limping and act as if I was fine, because nobody could know about this and the bruises on my body told a story, that might just be the truth. I for once didn't go to the studio early to train, because I wasn't even sure if my body could take the rehearsal that I had to do and when I walked in, everybody else was already there, including Milo, who was the last person to have seen me last night. Thankfully, Josh didn't leave any bruises on my face or else I would have a big problem now. 
                          
"Hey there you are, I was really getting worried since you didn't show up early today, everything ok?" Milo asked, looking at me worriedly, as I put down my sports bag, holding back a groan because that hurt. How would I even manage to dance today?? I had to, but I couldn't yet imagine how that would work, because my whole body was close to making me collapse right then and there. But it was sweet how Milo worried about me. I mean he was right to do so, I had been in big trouble and was badly hurt, but still, he shouldn't worry...
                          
"Yeah yeah I just...I overslept, so..." I trailed, hoping that Milo would just let it go and I think he would have done so, even if he knew that I basically never overslept and especially after a big fight with my fiancé that was a little weird, but then his eyes fell down to my body and I at first thought that it was a weird moment to check me out, but when he frowned, I knew that it was something else. "Are you sure you are ok you...you are standing a little weirdly" he said and only then had I noticed that I had given into the pain on my side a little and bend my waist to the right side a little in an attempt to make it better. I quickly stood up straight again, even if it hurt, as I cleared my throat. 
                          
"Oh yeah I'm just still tired" I nodded and thankfully before Milo could ask again, James walked through the door and we knew that it was time to pay him some attention. James clapped his hands together and we turned to him and fuck, my body only seemed to hurt more with every minute passing, but I had to push it down, because now I had to work. "Can I get everybody's attention please??" James called, even though literally everybody had already faced him and quieted down, because he was our choreographer. 
                          
"Ok, the premier is getting closer and closer so this week we will begin with the first few run throughs and today I would like to start with the third act, so Milo, Henry come on up on the stage, Zoe as well and oh how wonderful Zoe you are wearing your rehearsal costume, oh that is perfect sweety" James cooed and I rolled my eyes, because Zoe had worn it since day one since she loved her dress, not because she was giving a damn about this production. Oh god and now I was up first, ok ok I had to pull it together, I had to dance even if just standing hurt, but I could do it, I just had to. 
                          
"Oh this is a great idea, ok Milo, Henry can you get into your rehearsal costumes as well?" James asked and my head shot up at that. Oh no...Oh no oh-...I had seen my costumed and it was beautiful but...but I was topless. Milo and I would both be topless and just dancing in leggings and fabrics on our wrists. I would wear black and Milo would wear white. But...But that meant they would see. The whole production would see the bruises on my body a-and that couldn't happen, but how would I say no to this request I-I....oh no.