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Hi guyyyys!

Here's chapter 13! Please enjoy 💖-----------------------Luna's POV

Today's the exhibition gala and I'm actually really excited. Its where almost all the skaters that competed in the men's, women's, pairs, and ice dance events get to perform something other than our competition pieces for fun and also for the audience to enjoy.

Here's the thing though. I thought I wasn't gonna be able to perform. I got a serious scolding from my uncle when I said that my ankle hurts as hell. He said why didn't I tell him sooner blah blah blaaaaaaaah yada yada yada and everything.

Its not my fault! I think... I forgot about the pain because of what happened.

I can't believe Javi knows now, too. It means I was being too obvious and I have to do better in faking it so Yuzu doesn't notice. Uggggggggh.

Speaking of Javi, we had a sibling-from-another-mother heart-to-heart talk last night as soon as we arrived at the hotel. We went to me and Zhenya's room to talk and Zhenya left halfway through the conversation to give us privacy.

Javi's really like my big brother, Sky. They're both so over protective, especially now that Javi knows my situation. I kinda feel bad now. No one from my family besides Uncle Brian knows about what I'm going through. However, I'm still convinced that I shouldn't tell them anything. I just know that its going to break them.

Throughout our conversation, Yuzu was brought up so many times. Javi asked me a lot of things concerning Yuzu which I totally understand because they're like brothers.

"How are you gonna tell him?"

"Are you sure you don't want to tell him?"

"Don't you think he deserves to know?"

"He really really cares for you, Luna. I know you know that."

Javi also explained how Yuzu was kinda distancing himself despite the way he messages me.

According to Javi, Yuzu doesn't know how to approach me since he was unable to win the gold medal. The disappointment evident on his face when he was unable to fulfill what he promised me.

"He feels seriously regretful. You know Yuzu, Luna. He always wants to win to defend his title. But now he has a different goal. When he promised you that gold medal, it wasn't for the title at all. It was for you and you know that. That's why he doesn't know how to talk to you in person. He doesn't want you to think he failed you and that his feelings for you are not serious."

And I know that. I know everything. During the months, weeks, days, hours, and seconds Yuzu and I have spent, I learned to read him like an open book. I understand him and he understands me. Yuzu has made me feel safe, loved, and has treated me like a princess.

I don't need any gold medal from him just prove that he cares deeply for me.

My time is running out so I'm going to take the risk.

So I told Javi my plan, and eventually Zhenya too when she re-entered the room with our favorite Starbucks drinks.

timeskip (Exhibition Gala)

All the gold medalists perform at the near end of the gala and to be honest, I'm loving the excitement. This is the only part of the competition that we get to let our hair down and enjoy our performance without having to worry about scores and medals.

Yuzu... Yuzu skated beautifully and once again, he was breathtaking. I have no words to describe him. He's just perfect. I could the emotions pouring out of him from his skate and I know where its coming from.

Here I am now waiting for my turn as Evgenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov bow to the audience after their performance.

I have this weird habit of mine actually. I always tend to brush of my costume before every performance. I don't know why? Maybe its like telling myself that to calm down, that I look okay, and that I'll do great as long as I believe in myself.

Speaking of which, I'm wearing an blue to purple ombre high-low dress. It has off-shoulder sleeves, y'know kinda like how Belle's sleeves from her yellow gown in Beauty and the Beast. It has a low back which exposes my upper back just above my butt. What I like most about this dress is the diamonds. Its embedded with tiny, diamonds and glitters to resemble stars in the galaxy that sparkle whenever light hits it. My hair is done in a half-updo. I did my makeup as light as possible but I made sure to coordinate my eyeshadow with my costume.

As the gold medalists from the pairs event skated out, I smiled to them as a greeting before taking a deep breath and skated out to the rink.

- please play the music now -As soon as the music started, I start to reminisce the past few months as I get lost in the music.

Without a doubt, the past months have been the best months of my life and its just starting. I know things will get better as trudge towards my dream of going to the Olympics and becoming a skater that makes people happy.

I was actually being ambitious for this gala because I wanted to squeeze in 5 jumps but heck. Who am I kidding? Of course my uncle wouldn't allow it because of my stupid ankle. So I'm just sticking to 3 jumps with not a lot of difficulty and focus more on the choreographic sequence.

I then prepared for my triple salchow which I landed better than I did during the Free Skate (I know right ugh). I then continued with my choreography.

I clearly remembered why I chose this song for my gala. A hidden meaning behind it.

The stars.

The galaxy.

The universe.

Everything out there co-exists. There's a reason why everyone exists.

When I learned of my condition, I gave up. I was scared of dying. I backed out and lost sight of what I truly loved doing in the world. It was dark. I saw no light, no hope.

But then when I was given a timeline, it was like I snapped out of it and decided to make the most out of the time I have left.

It may seem crazy. Definitely dangerous. But taking that risk became the best decision of my life.

Little by little, the dark became bearable. Tiny, glittering stars started to shine. I was beginning to see hope.

As time passed, there was this one light, a star. It shined brighter than anything else I saw. It twinkles beautifully in the dark.

Closer and closer. That star is within my reach. Just a little bit further.

I continued my jumps, a triple lutz followed by a double axel. I finished my performance with a combination spin.

As the music stop, I posed and looked towards one direction as I catch my breath. He was standing behind the barrier as we just get lost at each others' eyes.

(kinda like this)

I'll keep reaching that star.

- timeskip -

My parents and brother flew home to Canada yesterday after congratulating me on my free skate. I said I'd accompany them to the airport but they refused saying that I had to rest and whatnot. Hmp.

Anyway, we're at this fancy restaurant finishing our celebratory dinner with Coach Brian and Coach Tracy as well as the rest of the team. Its actually pretty early for a dinner which is something we all agreed on because some of us are gonna meet up with other skaters that we made friends with.

I could Yuzu was really trying hard to get into the festive mood but I totally understand him.

To be respectful, I decided to wait until the right time to talk with him.

We all stood up as went outside after Coach Brian paid for the bill. As we were walking back to the hotel, I glanced at Zhenya, Javi, and Jason and nodded to them, signalling the start of my plan.

Javi and Jason sandwiched Yuzu in the middle, putting their hands on his shoulders.

"Hey Yuzu. Alex, Nathan, and the others wanted to hang out at my hotel room. Let's go?" Jason said poking Yuzu's cheek.

"Eh? I'm tired. I'll just rest. Our flight's tomorrow." Yuzu replied reluctantly, flashing a small smile.

"We're not taking no for an answer Yuzu. Come with us or I'll burn your Pooh-san." Javi raised a finger in a threatening tone.

Yuzu just sighed and nodded. "Fine. I have no choice anyway. But just for an hour. I'm exhausted."

Me and Zhenya stood behind them as I gazed at the three of them fondly. I'm surely going to miss this.

I looked down at my feet and smiled a little, stopping the tears threatening to fall from my eyes. Zhenya just held my hand in a calming manner and said

"Its going to be okay."

***************Besides the plan, we were actually going to meet the others.

As the guys entered the hotel, we waved at them saying we were gonna meet the girls at Starbucks. My eyes met Yuzu's and I winked at him jokingly.

There it is. That beautiful smile. A genuine smile.

So we walked off towards Starbucks and went to meet with Carolina, Wakaba and Mirai.

45 minutes later

I felt my phone vibrate in the pocket of my cream, fluffy hoodie.

I pulled it out and saw a text from Jason.

From: Jason Potato 🥔Yuzu's on his way. Go now. Good luck qt 💖

To: Jason Potato 🥔Thanks Jason! Remind me to treat you and Javi tomorrow 🤩

I then stood up and excused myself from the girls. I told them what was happening and were surprisingly supportive as heck.

"I knew it! I knew it OMG! I saw you guys the other day during the short with the little moment of yours and I love it. You guys look great together!" Mirai, Carolina and Wakaba gushed together and squealed.

I just rolled my eyes at them and waved good bye to the three and told Zhenya a see-you-later.

I walked out of the cafe, phone and shoulder bag with me as I put up my hoodie.

I walked towards the nearby park and smiled to myself.

Plan Reach for the Star commence.

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YAY another chapter! Okay so I feel like this is another filler but I hope its enough for you guys to enjoy!

Again, thank you so much for reading this story. It really means a lot. 💖

As always, please keep safe you guys. These are dangerous times so take good care of yourself and your families.

Stay golden, lovelies! ✨