Second Chance :: Nathan Chen

Chapter 17

Song: Scars to Your Beautiful by Alessia Cara

Kierra's POV

"Hey," I whisper awkwardly as I take my guards off and step onto the ice.

"No Emily?" Alex asks.

"Nope," I say popping the p. "She's gonna be gone for the rest of the week."

"I see," Alex smirks.

"So it's just you and me," I state as Alex steps on the ice.

Parting, both of us skate easy warm-up laps and practice certain sections of our program.

I do my simple crossovers lost in a world of my own. 

My mind instantly thinks of the quad axle. 

Could I successfully land one?

Without thinking I take off, more force in the jump than normal as I attempt to put another revolution into the jump. 

I go flying into Alex who's attempting a quad loop.

"Shit, sorry," We both say as we lay in a heap on the floor.

That's when I notice it.

His sleeve which had been previously rolled down is now pushed up to his elbow revealing dozens of scratches and cuts.

"Alex?" I ask grabbing his arm. "What's this?"

"Uh, nothing," Alex replies standing up and helping me up.

I stare at him stonily.

"What is this?" I demand.

But I already know what they are. 

"I, uh fell, no uh cat you know," Alex blatantly lies.

"You're okay right?" I ask my eyes searching his.

Something so unreadable is painted across his face. Fear, mixed with hate and disgust.

Alex doesn't answer, as he breaks our gaze and stares at his blades.

"Yeah, everything's fine."

Alex's POV

Stepping on the scale I read the numbers out loud.

"120 pounds," I smile slightly satisfied.

I stare at myself in the mirror, I'm still fat, the mirror never lies.

I grab a random shirt and jeans throwing on some Vans and make my way out the door and drive to Kierra's house.

We're going out to dinner, not a date, but something about teammate bonding?

I ring the doorbell anxiously.

"Hey," Kierra says opening her door. "Let me grab my phone" She states rushing off.

Dressed in a pink flowy cold shoulder shirt and skinny jeans she's the definition of beautiful.

I watch silently as she slides her feet into black flip flops with silver rhinestones.

Walking over to the car I smile as I stare at her.

"You look beautiful," I state.

"Thanks," She laughs. "You look handsome."

Smiling to myself I open the door for her as we begin the 15-minute drive to a diner.

"And what will you have today?" A middle-aged lady asks.