|| Hold Me ||: A Yuri Plisetsky Story ||

Chapter XI

1 week later

I made my way towards the baggage claim areas, both my parents closely following me from behind. Everyone had left 4 days ago in preparations of the nationals, but of course we all still kept in contact. Guang-Hong most especially, always making sure I was doing okay and entertaining me whenever I got bored due to overtime house confinement. Yuri had left for St. Petersburg as well the day before everyone else had left since Nikolai had gotten well quite quickly but I still couldn't shake the image of him on the bench after my rehab. He looked so scared and vulnerable, very unlikely for the young Russian punk.

My train of thoughts was cut short when I heard my mom call for me, "Yulia please keep an eye out for Hugo. He's supposed to fetch us. " What? I felt my stomach churn in a nervous manner. Hugo? Fetching us? The more I thought about it the more nerve wrecking it became. I haven't seen him in maybe 4 years.

I saw my parents call on a porter who began to help retrieve our bags. Meanwhile I strayed away from the numerous passengers and decided to lean against the wall while waiting. My eyes blankly glanced at the people around me until I saw it. The familiar chocolate brown hair that always stood out amongst the crowd due to his unbelievable height. He's here.

He'd gotten taller, and much buffer and muscular compared to before. His hair was no longer shaggy but well kept and held in place probably by some pomade. His physical features were now more pronounced, as he ditched his large framed glasses. He was alone, holding an opened book. Hugo always was a nerd on the inside despite being brawny. But now he looked much more muscular, and I didn't know whether to be afraid, or sad.

His eyes suddenly lifted and made contact with mine and his lips curved into a smile. Not a sly, evil one but a genuinely happy smile. What's happening? I felt my jaw go slack as I processed what was happening. My older brother, who was sent away for trying to kill me, was smiling at me as if nothing had happened.

Just then my phone rang startling me. I checked the caller to see that it was Guang-Hong. Ignoring Hugo's gaze I answered the call immediately thankful for the save.

"Hey Yulia! Just got out of practice, hope you didn't miss me too much!" His voice was playful and I could almost picture him smiling.

"You wish, just arrived here in St. Petersburg actually so your call has perfect timing." I laughed. I suddenly felt someone nudge me and looked up to see my mom with a phone against her ear looking at me while my dad on the other hand was helping a porter place our bags on a cart. "Let's go, I see Hugo," she said smiling. I felt my stomach drop immediately but I had no right to feel so awful. Hugo is her son and my brother, just because I felt a bad vibe coming from him couldn't stop her from loving him. My lips stretched into a tight-lipped smile as I nodded.

I almost forgot that I was on the phone, "Yulia?" I snapped out if my daze as Guang's worried tone rang through my ears.

"Sorry, what was that?" I asked slowing my pace. I heard him sigh while absentmindedly eyeing the floor, unable to make eye contact with Hugo. "Yulia what's wrong? You sound distant." His voice soothed me for a moment causing myself to pause before replying,"Guang I'm having a bad start to today. Sorry, but is it okay if I call you back later?"

We were now a few feet from where Hugo stood and frankly I couldn't face the music to this one yet. "Yeah, sure. I understand Yulia, just call me anytime you need me alright? I have to go now, coach is calling me." I smiled at myself, 'this boy, I swear to the heavens is such an angel'. We said goodbye and with that I ended the call right before we came to a halt before Hugo.