Second Chance :: Nathan Chen

Chapter 24

Song: Hold On by Extreme Music 

Kierra's POV

"Alex committed suicide."

I stand there frozen in place.

"What?" I ask shocked tears streaming down my face.

"Kierra," Emily says squeezing me tightly.

"NO, you're lying," I say shoving her away.

Denial.

It screams at me loud and clear.

"Kierra, he's gone," Emily whispers hugging me tightly.

I begin to sob into her shoulder.

Maybe he's finally happy now.

"Did something happen last night?" Emily asks her eyes searching mine.

"I don't want to talk about it," I state looking down.

"Kierra, talking about it is the only way you're ever going to get better," Emily informs me.

He's not really gone, he'll come back.

It'll all be a joke.

"I just need time," I whisper.

Emily takes that as her cue to leave me alone to the solitary rink.

"ALEX!" I scream wondering if he'll come back.

He doesn't.

"ALEX!" I scream again. "THIS ISN'T FUNNY ANYMORE!"

The sound of my own voice echoing around the rink is the only thing I can hear.

He's gone.

Really gone.

My sorrow turning into anger turning into hate I skate around the rink.

If I had just been one bit nicer, not told him about rehab, he would have still been alive.

He wouldn't be gone.

Everything would be fine again.

"Nothing ever was fine," I whisper as another tear drips off my cheek onto the ice.

Karen's POV

I stare at the T.V. screen my mouth agape.

"Alexander Taylor who was the favorite for the gold medal in the 2022 Olympics committed suicide last night." The announcer says.

But, Alex was fine a couple weeks ago.

"His coach, Emily Maxwell, reached out on twitter saying, 'Alex's life was cut too short, no mother should ever have to bury their child. I hope and pray that he is now in a better place, and is happy. I had the honor to train and mentor a child who could have become a prodigy. If you know someone who is struggling please call a suicide hotline. Rest in peace, Alexander Taylor.'"

I can't move.

Alex.

Gone.

The words don't seem to match up to make any sense together.

"Shortly after his training mate Kierra Yu, took to Instagram with this photo and message, 'Alex was the most beautiful person I ever got a chance to know. He was humble and kind, and he meant the world to me. I wish that I had gotten a better chance to get to know him. For him to be taken away so quickly, without saying goodbye, hurts more than anything else. Rest in peace. Love you."'