The Male prodigy(Slow updates)

Chapter 12: A Fateful Encounter

Ethan walked down the school hallway in a state of utter boredom. His eyes aimlessly wandered from one side to another, never focusing on anything too long; posters displayed upcoming events, colorful lockers lined each side, grimy florescent lights hummed above. As he strolled, Ethan couldn't shake the feeling that this was going to be another mundane day.

Without warning, a sudden movement caught his peripheral vision. Before he could react, a girl executed a perfect cartwheel - right into Ethan's path. He failed to sidestep in time and tripped over the girl, falling to the floor with a loud thud.

"Ouch!" Ethan cried out in pain, grabbing onto his ankle. It immediately began to swell up like a balloon. The girl who performed the cartwheel stared at him in horror, realizing what she'd caused.

As if on cue, Abby burst onto the scene - jogging through the hallway with an air of urgency and authority. She looked around frantically as if trying to locate something before settling her gaze on someone further away from where Ethan lay.

Unfortunately for her, that someone happened to be Kendall. The guilty expression painted across Kendall's face only fueled Abby's fury as she shouted, "Kendall! What on earth were you thinking? You could seriously injure someone with your carelessness!"

Kendall winced upon seeing not only Abby's rage but also the dancemates that gathered nearer to witness the commotion. She glanced over at Ethan and then back at Abby before awkwardly apologizing through teary eyes.

Ethan tried getting up but winced in pain as his ankle refused to bear any weight. At that moment, Mrs. Thompson appeared and insisted on escorting him to the nurse's office immediately.

As they slowly navigated through the concerned crowd toward their destination, Abby continued her tirade, and the girl from the cartwheel moved to Ethan's side, guilt overcoming her. Little did they know that this fateful encounter would soon lead to a change in their friendship dynamics - for better or for worse.

Abby Lee Miller paced back and forth nervously in the cold, sterile hallway of New Hope Hospital. She had spent countless hours nurturing Ethan's talent, and now, he was hurt. Ethan had grown to become one of her top dancers, rivalling even Maddie, and losing him would be a devastating blow to their team.

The paramedics rushed in to assess his injury, but it was evident that Ethan needed immediate medical attention. Abby couldn't believe what she had just witnessed - she hadn't seen an accident like this in years. Fighting back tears, she called an ambulance without any further hesitation.

Now at the hospital, she felt helpless and out of control, a feeling that did not sit well with her. All she could do was wring her hands as she anxiously waited for the doctors to finish examining Ethan.

Her mind raced with thoughts of losing her star dancer and how it would impact their chance at Nationals. Without Ethan by Maddie's side on stage, it would be challenging to bring home the trophy this season.

As if on cue, her phone buzzed with a notification - the results from today's competition were out. Despite knowing that nothing could change the current situation in front of her, curiosity got the better of her and she hesitantly unlocked her phone.

There it was - a message from Gianna with an attached image displaying their score. Abby hesitated for just a moment before tapping on it. The document opened up slowly, building up suspense before finally revealing... second place.

A mixed wave of relief and disappointment washed over her. They hadn't won first place, but considering the circumstances, she was grateful that they hadn't come up empty-handed. But in her heart of hearts, she knew that the focus had shifted from winning competitions to caring for Ethan.

The sun was setting as the group gathered their belongings and headed out with their mothers on a rescue mission to find Abby Lee Miller and Ethan. Anxiety hung thick in the air, as they navigated the busy streets, scanning every face that passed by in the hopes of spotting their friends.

Disappointment set in after searching for hours with no luck. Exhausted, desperate, and unsure of what to do next, Melissa pulled out her phone and dialed Abby's number. The dial tones echoed into the quiet night as everyone held their breath, praying for an answer.

Finally, Abby's voice came through the speaker. She sounded tense and worried. In a rush of words, she revealed that Ethan had gotten hurt and they were at the hospital. The news hit them like a sledgehammer - unease quickly turned into panic.

As they hurried towards the hospital, fear for Ethan's well-being consumed them all. Their hearts raced in unison while imagining the worst-case scenarios. It seemed like an eternity before they found themselves in the sterile lobby surrounded by others who shared their anguish.

Locating Abby in one of the waiting rooms, they found her trying to maintain composure despite strained features. The children, overwhelmed with emotion upon seeing her distress, couldn't hold back their tears any longer. They cried for Ethan, clinging to one another for comfort.

Every minute felt like a lifetime as they waited for updates on Ethan's condition. The hours ticked by slowly while murmured conversations and hushed prayers filled the room. Each passing moment fueled their collective anxiety but also allowed for hope to blossom within them - hope that he would make it through this ordeal.

There was nothing left to do now but wait and support each other through this difficult time. And as they sat there together, hands tightly clasped and hearts connected by shared concern, they knew that regardless of what happened next, they would face it united as a group, as a family.

The hospital waiting room was filled with tense silence as friends and family gathered, their eyes fixating on the door from which the doctor would emerge. An unsettling anticipation hung in the air as everyone waited for news about Ethan's condition. Among those present, Abby Lee Miller and her troupe of talented young dancers were no exception.

Just as nerves began to fray, the door finally swung open and a tired-looking doctor emerged. With haste, he addressed the room.

"Good news," he announced, to their collective relief. "Ethan has just suffered a sprain. It should heal within a week or so, given proper care."

A warm sense of gratitude washed over everyone in the waiting room. As they began to speak among themselves, Abby Lee Miller gathered her girls together.

"Alright girls, let's go check on Ethan," she said.

As they filed into Ethan's hospital room, their energy and excitement were palpable. The sight of their friend lying in bed-albeit in visible discomfort-elicited exuberant cheers and laughter.

One by one, the girls rushed toward Ethan's bedside, unable to contain themselves any longerand jumped on him as he lay in bed. Their joy was contagious as they savored every moment of happiness reverberating throughout the room.

Brooke and Maddie found places at either side of Ethan's bed as Mackenzie gingerly situated herself so that she sat on his lap without applying too much pressure. It was an incredibly heartwarming scene of love and camaraderie after what had been a nerve-wracking ordeal for everyone involved.

There in that small hospital room, a group of friends came together to celebrate one simple fact: Ethan was going to be okay. And for that moment at least, all was right in their world once more.

1264 words