Second Chance :: Nathan Chen

Chapter 4

Song: 18 by One Direction

Nathan's POV

"Nathan Chen, correct?" Asks a mid-aged young lady.

"Yes," I reply.

"You are in room 506, the Americans are all on the same floor. If I could direct you to the elevator it is over here on the left you are on level 5 and room 6 which would be on the right when you get out of the elevator." She says leading me towards the elevator.

"Thank you," I reply as she hands me a key card.

"Best of luck in the Olympics," She responds as the elevator closes.

In confusion I accidentally turn left when I get out of the elevator, mesmerized by the beautiful brown walls, pristine carpet, chandeliers, and high ceiling. 

After wandering around the left wing of the 5th floor I finally realize that I went the wrong, way and I turn around making my way back to the elevator and taking the entrance to the right wing. 

Thankful, as the receptionist stated by room is right there 

I fumble with the Korean key card and instructions on how to insert the key card for a good 2 minutes. 

"You need help?" A familiar voice asks. 

Maia stands next to me in a motherly way, snatching the key out of my hand and helping me insert it into the scanner. 

The door beeps and opens in a flash. 

"Thanks," I state, my cheeks turning pink. 

"So you're 506," Alex states staring at the plaque that has the room number. 

"What room are you?" I ask. 

"I'm 509, and Maia is 508; I think they put all the figure skaters together," Alex states. "Who's your roommate?"

"Uh, dunno," I say shrugging.

"Probably Vincent or Adam," Alex suggests.

"Cool," I say.

The ding of the elevator signifies the presence of another U.S. athlete. 

Adam comes around the corner, suitcase in one hand and key card in another. 

"Why hello peasants, the queen is here," Adam declares, getting annoyed looks from Maia and Alex. 

"Good to know," I state shaking my head. "If I turn into Adam in 10 years you guys better kill me."

Adam gives me a death glare, flipping his nonexistent long hair. 

The elevator dings again, and Kierra and Vincent turn the corner, giggling silently. 

"Oooh, Vincent do you have a girlfriend?" Adam asks obnoxiously separating Kierra and Vincent. 

Kierra and Vincent shake their heads stepping around Adam to stand together again. 

"What rooms are you guys?" Maia asks.

'"I'm 508 and Vincent is 509," Kierra replies.

"Cool, that means you're with me and Vincent is with Alex," Maia says.

The six of us separate into our rooms.

The room is cozy and pretty standard. There are 2 separate rooms with bathrooms, one for me and one for Adam, and a hallway that connects to the next door room.

"Our rooms connect?" Maia asks as she appears from the other side of the hallway followed by Kierra.

"Looks like it, doesn't it," Adam sasses.

"This is so amazing!" Kierra says.

"Dude, we should all hang out at a restaurant or something tonight, you know team bonding?" Adam suggests.

"Sure," Maia replies.

"I think I'll pass," Kierra responds.

"Me too," I say quietly.

"You guys sure?" Adam asks.

"Yeah," we both say at the same time.

45 minutes later our hotel room is totally quiet.

Kierra is stretching in the open area of the room and I've just finished unpacking.

I awkwardly join her on the floor, going through my stretching regimen, Kierra's eyes avoiding me. 

"So," I say, "How are things going for you?"

"Fine, just kinda weird," Kierra replies.

"Kierra, I'm really sorry about everything." I take a deep breath, this is it. "I was scared of getting too attached to anyone because I was afraid I was going to lose you as well. You know how cancer can be genetic, I was afraid that you would somehow get cancer."

"Why are you telling me this now?" Kierra says. "It really doesn't matter anymore, we have to be focused on why we're here, this is the Olympics. This is your dream as well mine."

"Kierra, I'm telling you this, because all this time I didn't know what it was. But now I've finally figured out why I was so scared, it's because Kierra I-"

"No," Kierra cuts in. "You don't know what you're saying. We're here to win, that's it. This is my dream, and I'm not getting screwed over my you again. You're only going to hurt me. It's better if we keep this as acquaintances." 

I stare at her in shock. 

As much as I refuse to admit it, I still view Kierra as Paul's little sister. 

The little cute bean that would follow Paul around. 

But obviously when I was gone in Utah things changed a lot. Kierra if anything changed the most. She grew up all of a sudden. 

Not only did she transition from cute to hot, but she also became more mature. And more isolated. 

The Kierra I left 5 years ago was a bubbly mess of happiness. 

I guess that losing a brother does change a lot of things. 

"That's all in the past. I don't know anything about you, and you don't know anything about me." Kierra states perfectly calm. 

"So tell me about you," I say calmly. "Obviously lots of things have changed."

Kierra just shakes her head. 

"Do you think I wouldn't have changed? I was 11 when you moved to Utah, I'm 16 now, everyone has to grow up at some point. But obviously, you didn't get that message."

"What do you mean?" I ask slightly confused.  

"I don't have time for this," She whispers. "You can believe what you want, but I know what I want, and I know exactly why I'm here."

"I do too," I state. 

Kierra rolls her eyes. 

"I'm sure you do. We're here to win, not to start a relationship. So whatever you want, remember that we're here to win, not for anything else."