Second Chance :: Nathan Chen

Chapter 31

Song: Movies End by Tate McRae 

Karen's POV

"If life's like a movie do all things stop, after the kiss does the curtain drop, if all seems so perfect what happens next-"

"Karen?"

I swivel my head in a flash, pulling out my Airpods.

It's Mirai.

I stand up quickly drawing her into a hug.

The Olympics changed us. 3 weeks turned us all into friends, life long friends, family in a way.

We were together through every struggle, every fall, and every victory.

"It's been such a long time," I whisper. 

"I know," Mirai replies her long hair swaying slightly. 

A waitress instantly comes up to the two of us, giving us menus and motioning for us to sit down.  

There's only two of us. 

Once there was three of us. 

Once Kierra was here with us too. 

"I miss her," Mirai states, her voice strained. 

"I do too," I reply. 

Kierra was my best friend, a girl I talked to every day, and then one day she was gone. 

One day her phone number was changed, her Instagram was gone, every trace of Kierra Yu was gone. 

It hurt. 

She moved on and put us in the past. 

Shut that chapter of her life, and shut us in, unable to jump into the next chapter of her life. 

"So how's life been?" I ask stabbing a piece of lettuce with my fork. 

"Complicated," Mirai replies. "I got into psychology, and I love it. I finally got my license, and I've opened up my practice as well."

I nod, chewing my lettuce. 

"So any guys?" I question a smirk forming on my lips.  

"Young Karen," Mirai laughs. "But yes."

My eyebrows shoot up staring intently at her. 

"Who?" I ask. 

"Child," Mirai says shaking her head as she pulls out her phone.

I watch silently as she flips through her camera roll, finally turning her phone around. 

My eyes stretch even wider. 

"He's cute," I state as I take her phone. 

"That's David," Mirai informs me.

David has bright blue eyes, and dark hair, his smile stretching from ear to ear. 

"How long have you guys been together?" I ask. 

"3 years," Mirai replies calmly. 

I gasp in shock. 

"That's a long time," I whisper. 

"You see the thing is, that's why I called you here," Mirai says. "We're getting married, and I-"

"OH MY GOSH YES!" I scream at the top of my lungs.

The people in the restaurant turn to stare at us, my cheeks flushing a bright red.

Mirai rolls her eyes at me. 

"You do realize that you're supposed to let the person ask you before you say yes?" She states shaking her head.

"Meh, I might have forgotten that part," I laugh.

"But yeah, I do want you to be one of my bridesmaids," Mirai laughs. "And, we're going dress shopping today."

"TODAY!" I yell, earning more stares.

Mirai nods.

"Wait who are the other bridesmaids?" I ask.

"I mean Adam wanted to be one but I had to say no. Other than that there's you, Maia, and Karissa, who's the maid of honor. Oh, and Adam's being best man," Mirai informs me.

I nod slowly.

"When me and David planned the wedding we wanted you all to have a male partner, but since you guys are all socially awkward that's never going to happen."

"Says who," I deadpan.

"Karen there's no way you have a boyfriend," Mirai says rolling her eyes.

"Yeah, I don't," I say admitting defeat.

"So I wanted to put you with Vincent, but he has a girlfriend, so you're with Gilbert."

"ARE YOU PLAYING MATCHMAKER?" I roar.

"Maybe," Mirai says slyly.

I shake my head disappointedly.

"Holy shit," I murmur. "It's been 5 years since we met and now you're getting married."

"Stop making me feel old," Mirai jokes.

"You are though," I retort.

"Here we are," Mirai says as she pulls open one of the two doors to a large dress boutique. "Karen, there is one last thing I have to tell you."

"What?" I ask slowly. 

"There's another bridesmade," Mirai says finally.  

I stand frozen to the spot because I know exactly who it is.

"Who?" I ask even though I already know.

"It's Kierra."

Because now 5 years later we will finally be reunited. The family that we had will finally be whole again.

"Is she coming today?" I ask.

"No," Mirai replies. "She doesn't want any bad blood, so she isn't going to meet you guys till the day of the wedding. Everything has to be perfect, so whatever it is between any of you guys, it has to work out."

"We never had anything against each other," I state.

"Good," Mirai says motioning for me to walk in.

"Wait, Mirai, how did you get in touch with Kierra?" I ask.

"There's this thing called Instagram."