Too bad Otabek wasn't around when Yuri was at practice. For if he was, then maybe some of the attitude Yuri held towards his piers would have dissipated. The Russian skater stomped his way out of the rink after a long day of practice. Yakov never went easy on the young skater, and never let there be a single mistake. Even after the winning of gold at the Grand Prix, there was no break. The only thing on Yuri's mind was getting home and calling up Otabek.

~Yuri's point of view~

I threw open the door of my apartment, throwing the bag of gear off to the side. At this point, I didn't care if my skates broke. I was tired of all the stressed that was placed upon my shoulders. I won the Grand Prix, so everyone expects me to get better, and to keep winning. Before, I would have gone with it. Before, nothing much mattered to me except for Grandpa, my cat, and winning. Most people might say I didn't have a life, but that's what I was used to, so I kept with that path. That was all before...

But now, I want a life. I was to do things, and have fun. I want to know what a 'normal life' is to most people. I want friends. I never understood why people valued friends, since I never had one. I would never admit out loud to being lonely, though it was probably obvious. No one approached me, and I only thought ill things about society. But then I met him and want to be able to be with him more. We are so far apart and we only get to talk late at night and not for long.

I collapsed on my bed, next to Potya, who meowed. Last season, Viktor took a break from skating to become a coach for that Japanese pig. I heard rumors about that pig, things like he was planning to retire. At first, I thought he was an idiot to throw it all away, but now... now I might understand his reasoning. I'm not saying that it's not a stupid move, but...

A thought crossed my mind. My eyes widened. No, I wouldn't. I couldn't. I shouldn't! I was on the verge of tearing my hair out from thinking such a thing, when there was a soft buzz sounding from my mobile phone. When I had cooled down a little, I reached out to the device, reading the small print off the screen. Just the person I wanted to talk to...

I dialed the number that had texted me, a small smile having formed on my face. The voice I had been waiting to hear all day spoke a greeting. Friends and family are the best thing in life, so don't take any friend for granted. Especially if they are your only friend.