Second Chance :: Nathan Chen

Chapter 5

Song: Hooked by Why Don't We

Kierra's POV

"And the athletes from the United States of America!" The announcer says as we parade around.

I stare at the torch that is about to be lit.

"Ladies and gentlemen, let the 2018 Olympics begin!" Says the announcer.

The largest torch is finally lit and fireworks explode in the sky. Lights flash blindly, people are cheering and crying.

It's like New Years, but somehow more stressful.

All the athletes know that this is it, this is the reason why we're here, the years of training, this is it.

"You guys ready to be skating on Olympic ice?" Mirai asks.

The majority of the U.S. figure skaters are sitting at a table eating breakfast. 

"Yup," I say confidently, smiling at Karen.

Nathan just shrugs awkwardly across the table.

"I'm gonna go stretch, I haven't stretched since like, last week," I say standing up from the table.

"You stretched like last night," Nathan states as he gets up from the table.

I shrug nervously and retreat back to my room.

Close to 5 minutes later I hear the door open on the other side of the room meaning, Adam, Nathan or some crazy person has come back.

"Kierra?" Nathan asks.

I keep totally silent hoping he'll take the message that I don't want to talk to him.

"I know you're here somewhere," He says opening the door to my room.

I roll underneath my bed hoping he doesn't see me.

"Kierra I know you're underneath the bed," Nathan states, he knows me too well.

I drag myself out from underneath the bed.

"I'm stretching," I say as I prop my leg up on my bed and begin stretching my oversplit.

"Yes, you can totally stretch curled up underneath the bed in a ball," Nathan says sarcastically.

"It stretches you back," I reason.

"Whatever, Kierra you said we were here to win, but I what if I'm here to win your feelings?" Nathan asks.

"How the hell did you come up with that?" I ask rolling my eyes. 

"I care about you Kierra," Nathan informs me. 

"As a friend," I state my tone deadly. 

"And what if that's not the truth?" Nathan asks. 

"I need to get ready," I say ignoring him as I make my way to the bathroom.

"Kierra, there's a reason we're here at the Olympics together," Nathan begins. 

"Yes, we're here because were talented athletes," I state unfrazzled by Nathan's confused expression. "You remember this thing called figure skating?"

"Yeah," Nathan stammers. "But what about us?"

"How many times do I have to tell you, there is no us!" I shriek smacking him with a book on the floor. 

"Ouch, that hurt," Nathan stammers rubbing his arm. 

"Good," I state, slightly concerned. 

"I get it," Nathan finally says. "I was gone for almost 5 years, and I lost your trust. But I want to get to know you again if only just as friends."

I freeze for a second, tying my hair into a half up half down. 

"So Kierra, breakfast tomorrow?" Nathan asks trying to be casual. 

"Fine," I reply sticking my nose in the air. 

"Erm, kids?" Adam asks sticking his head into the bathroom. "Just to keep things PG, I think I'll take Nathan." 

Nathan rolls his eyes as Adam drags him out of the room.

"Really Nathan?" I hear Adam say outside. "Kierra is 2 years younger than you, and at the OLYMPICS! You are hooking up at the OLYMPICS!"

Adam can be such a child sometimes even though he's like 10 years older than Nathan.

I shake my head and begin doing my make up only to be interrupted by Maia.

"You and Nathan?" She questions.

"It's nothing," I say casually. "I hate him anyway."

"That's what they all say," Maia says raising her eyebrows and smirking suggestively. "YOU NEED TO TELL ME EVERYTHING!" She screams.

"You really don't act like you're 23," I state applying mascara to my lashes.

"Eh, age is only a number," Maia says.

"Really?" I ask sarcastically. "I really need to go, like now," I say checking my clock. "Practices are today at 8:30, and it's already 7:45."

"Gurl, stop freaking out," Maia replies calmly. "But yeah move your ass."

Somehow Maia, Adam, and Nathan ended up tagging along and pretty soon the 4 of us are running down the hallway screaming and probably waking everyone else up.

"What the heck are you doing?" Alex screams from the end of the hallway.

"Nothing!" I hysterically scream back as we get into an elevator ignoring the strange looks we get from the other Olympians in the elevator.

15 minutes later I'm lacing up my skates while Maia, Adam, and Nathan sit in the stands that are pretty much empty this morning.

"Kierra, where have you been?" Emily asks.

"Nowhere," I reply lying through my teeth.

"Okay, don't overdo the jumps during practice, work on the spins, especially the Biellmann spin," Emily coaches.

"Mhm," I nod as I walk towards the entrance of the rink.

"Ladies practice 1 begins now," The announcer concentrates as we begin flooding out on the ice.

I gently pull off my guards and place them in a box next to the gate.

Mirai and I step onto Olympic ice for the first time at the same time. They play the music of each and every contestant which gives us each a chance to practice our routines with music.

After skating a couple of warm-up laps I practice setting up for my jumps and then work on my spins.

I practice the majority of my jumps, but my mind is honestly in so many places. By the time they play my music, I haven't even managed to land my triple axel let alone my quad.

I can already feel the bruise forming on my hip from falling on it so many times.

I don't attempt any of my jumps in my routine, replacing them with doubles which none I land cleanly.

Finally, for the first time, I understand why plenty of great athletes don't do well at the Olympics.

The pressure is intense, and the expectations of the world are all on our shoulders. I'm the supposed "Golden Girl," for the U.S. I've always been mentally prepared for everything, but somehow, I'm not. 

The thing is Nathan, somehow managed to throw me off my game. He managed to spark a feisty girl in me who hasn't come to life in years. 

A girl who when lit, cannot be controlled. 

<3

Mavis Starling