Second Chance :: Nathan Chen

Chapter 20

Song: Someone Like You by Adele

Kierra's POV

I stand nervously at the edge of the ice waiting to skate on.

"In first place and winner of the gold medal, we have Kierra Yu from San Jose, California."

Taking that as my cue I skate out onto the center the spotlight following me. Curtsying to the audience I skate to the podium carefully stepping on.

"In second place and winner of the silver medal, we have Karen Chen from Riverside, California."

Smiling I watch as Karen curtsies and skates over me as we attempt to envelop each other in a tight hug.

"In third place and winner of the bronze medal, we have Bradie Tennell."

I smile warmly as I give her a hug.

"In fourth place and winner of the pewter medal, we have Nova Blythe."

In that instant it suddenly hits me.

I could not live to see the 2022 Olympics, let alone compete in them.

I stand silently forcing a smile as they give us flowers, hang ribbons over our necks and play the national anthem.

The four of us attempt to stand on the podium as we smile for the cameras.

I carefully step off skating one quick victory lap and then stepping off the ice.

Emily instantly pulls me away.

"Kierra, we need to talk."

"Mhm," I murmur.

"I talked to your doctor and she's said that she's not giving you the all-clear for the Olympics. Which means you're not going," Emily states.

"What?" I ask shock.

"Without a donor, we can't bet on the fact that you'll live till the Olympics, and even then it would be too strenuous to compete in them," Emily informs me.

"So that's it?" I ask. "I'm done?"

Adam's POV

"In first place and winner of the gold medal, we have Alexander Taylor."

I watch silently as he skates into the center.

Nathan lost.

"In second place and winner of the silver medal, we have Vincent Zhou."

Nathan still lost.

"In third place and winner of the bronze medal, we have Nathan Chen."

Third.

Decent for me I guess.

Not decent for Nathan.

I watch the pained smile that never reaches his eyes as he steps onto the podium.

"In fourth place and winner of the pewter medal, we have Daniel Wexcomb."

"He lost," I whisper.

"Meh, 3rd isn't exactly losing," Karen states. "It's just not first."

"He's a perfectionist," I state. "3rd is considered losing."

Karen just stares at Nathan.

"But they'll still send him to the Olympics," Karen states.

"You never know."

Karen's POV

"Do you think it's out?" I scream hysterically as I pace around the room.