Arkady has dedicated his life to the world of ballet. He is known as the bad boy of the dance world, and is an ever rising star. Then he gets injured in what is at first thought to be a tragic accident but turns out to be so much worse. He's lost ballet, and his life feels unbalanced. A friendship with his no-nonsense physical therapist starts him on a new path. He has her friendship, a more honest relationship with his parents, his beloved dog Lou and, for the first time, maybe love in the form of an artist with a disability of his own. But the past isn't done with him yet.

Rise Again

Arkady gets up and starts slowly walking on the crutches, with Prisha at his side. Arkady feels bad she’s carrying his bag. Arkady’s mother would have a fit. He was raised to carry things for women, even though he knows it’s sexist and a bit condescending, so he only ever offers and isn’t pushy about it. They pass the nurse’s station, and Arkady gets stopped for goodbye hugs. A few of the women kiss his cheeks before letting him leave with Prisha.


“You told me you were gay two days in. Why haven’t you told them?” Prisha asks as they head through the hospital and to the parking lot in the back.


Chapter 13