Adelaide's POV
I just got off my flight from America to Canada. Several skater will be training here for the next 6 months before Worlds. As I walked out into the airport there were hundreds of fans holding up signs and flashing pictures. The flight from Japan must be coming in today too. Shoma Uno and Yuzuru Hanyu are supposed to be training here too. They're amazing skaters and I'm envious. Hopefully I can learn some stuff from them.
I'm one of very few black figure skaters. I'm also the only black skater representing the United States. I stick out a lot. But the good part is I have another black female to talk to. Vanessa James is also training here.
It's hard not really having anyone to relate to. I've always been the black girl. It's also hard skating competitively. Most people have been training twice as long as me, but I only started skating when I was 14 after moving to Colorado from Texas. I'm even surprised at myself for making it this far.
I don't really fit the female figure skating standard. Besides being black, I have broad shoulders and I'm pretty short and I'm a little chest heavy, plus I keep my hair natural.
I'm currently in my hotel room , packing my skate bag before head off to train. They decided to put all the skaters on the same floor in hopes we'd get closer, but most of us already have problems with each other.
I got to the training rink early. There were only a few people there, so I decided to warm up before the rest of the coaches and Skaters arrived. I was wearing headphones as I skated circles around the rink. I was completely zoned out, everything was peac-OW
My butt hit the cold ice hard. I whined a little as I looked up to see who I ran into. I saw a slightly pale hand reaching down to help me up. I grabbed it only to come face to face with the Shoma Uno.
I. Was. Speechless.
I just kinda looked up at him with wide eyes.
"Hi"
HE TALKED TO ME OMG.
"H-Hi " I replied with a slightly shaky voice.
He smiled at me and chuckled a little.
As he opened his mouth to say something else, Yuzuru busted in with Brian Orser and the rest of the skaters.
Yuzuru whisked Shoma away while saying something in Japanese that made him turn red (more that usual). While Brian whisked me away to be with everyone else.
Brian and a few other coaches stood in front of us while us skaters stood in a long line facing them. WE Went down the line and Everyone had to introduce themselves. I'm still in shock by some of the names I heard like Patrick Chen, Javier Fernández, Vanessa James. I felt really out of place. I mean, I only have a few bronze medals and one silver. But these people have competed in the Olympics.
We chose whether to skate or socialize. I was felt too embarrassed to skate and too shy to socialize , so I sat away from everyone. Half observing, half on my phone. I was looking down at my phone when a shadow suddenly came over me. I looked up to see Vanessa James, the only other black skater here. She introduced herself and we started talking , until Morgan Ciprés ,her partner ,called her.
I decided to at least stand where everyone else was, but as soon as I did that I was bombarded with questions from everyone. I wasn't very well known so everybody wanted to get to know me.
After my 15 minute interview, people started to return to the hotel. I took it as my opportunity to skate a little.
I did one of my routines from last season , I had completely zoned out until I heard clapping from the few people still around. One of them was Shoma. I smiled shyly and bowed a little before skating off the ice.
I was tired and sweaty and I looked a hot mess. Also this tight bun was restricting my blood flow. I quickly pulled it out and let my curls fall down my shoulders as my bangs covered my eyes. I was just about to leave when Shoma came running out. He asked me if we could ride back together. I awkwardly agreed.
The whole taxi ride back was awkward. I kept glancing at Shoma, taking in his curly fringe and his slightly red cheeks. He also glanced at me a few times. As the taxi stopped in front of the hotel , we both got out.
As soon as we walked in , we see the lobby full of people we just saw at the rink. They stared at us for a moment , before erupting in a chorus of ooooos. I was embarrassed in the least. I Locked eyes with Vanessa and I knew that she knew how I felt about Shoma.
This was gonna be a long 6 months.
{A/N: Hi I'm Kalyn and I have no clue what I'm doing. I don't see a lot of figure skating books on here, there's also not a lot of black representation ( on wattpad and in the Figure Skating world.) so I figured I'd write this. Ok i hope y'all enjoy. BYEEEEE}
