Second Chance :: Nathan Chen

Chapter 2

Song: Back to You by Selena Gomez 

Kierra's POV

Emily doesn't say anything as I step out on the rink. 

It's all about getting in the right mental state. 

"Next up from San Jose, California we have Kiera Yu," The announcer says as I make my way towards the center of the rink.

As the opening notes to my routine start memories begin to flash through my head. This routine is not just any routine, this is my dedication to my brother and everything he did for me.

Setting up for my first jump combination I consider the possibilities. 

I'm supposed to do a triple toe loop followed by a double toe loop. Both of those jumps are relatively easy for me, and I can execute them perfectly. 

Paul was a fighter. 

He never settled for what was easier. 

Not looking at Emily or the crowd, I push off the ice.

Four rotations. 

A quad lutz. 

I land on one blade reaching back, a smile flashing across my face. 

Spinning naturally on the blade I lead forward doing a spiral. I sink naturally into my oversplit, keeping my balance on one leg. 

Skating toward the center of the rink, I do my step sequence, jumping across the ice fluently. 

My second jump combination contains my most solid jump. 

The triple axel. 

It's weird that I'm so confident doing a triple axel, but I am. 

It's a confidence Paul gave me. 

Digging my toe pick into the ice I fly through the air, executing a full three and a half rotations. 

By now I'm over the halfway mark, and I flow through the "dance" portion of my routine, drawing the audience in. 

My mind is completely focused on my final jump combination. 

Triple flip, double toe. 

I slip slightly coming out of the double toe, but I shake it off instantly. 

The only thing left is my spins. 

Skating gracefully to the center I grab my skate careful not to cut myself on the blade. 

I draw my leg up extending it fully and beginning my y turn. 

And then just like that, it's over. 

I skate over to the exit my smile stretching from ear to ear.

"Sorry," I say to Emily.

Emily shrugs as she hands me my blade covers.

I carefully make my way up to the kiss and cry area where I wait for my score. "Kierra Yu has earned an 86.92 in the short program and is now in first place." The announcer says.

I hug Emily tightly, waving out at the audience. 

First. 

First place. 

"IT'S OUT!" I shriek at the top of my lungs. 

Emily comes flying over to me staring at the phone over my shoulder. 

"Women's singles, Mirai Nagasau, Karen Chen and Kierra Yu," I read jumping up and down like a three-year-old. 

16 years later my dream has come true.