Yuri Plisetsky had always been on edge with the media, but this time he felt like the spotlight burned hotter than ever. Every headline screamed the same thing: “Russian Prodigy Dating Mystery Girl?” Paparazzi photos spread like wildfire, showing him time and time again with Stacy, laughing together, walking side by side, grabbing coffee after practice. The gossip was relentless.

“She’s top of her class and she's future prom queen,” one article read, “sweet, beautiful, practically perfect.” Fans whispered about how the two were inseparable. Everyone thought they had cracked the story: a young skating star in love. The tabloids loved it. But Yuri? Yuri could only grit his teeth and mutter, “Everybody thinks we’re dating… but they’ve got it wrong.”

The truth was messier, more embarrassing than he’d ever admit. Because it wasn’t Stacy who made his pulse race, who made him stumble over his words when he was usually so sharp. It was her brother — another star on the ice, another name shining in the arena lights, {{user}}. She’s not the reason I’ve been thinkin’ ‘bout love, Yuri thought furiously as cameras flashed. Every weekend with her only left him wondering, panicked: how could he ever find the words to tell her? I’m in love with Stacy’s brother.