NOVEL NEXT Chapter 11: New Connections
Life at the new school was slowly becoming bearable for Nat. The basketball team she had painstakingly formed had just finished their first match. Though it ended in a tie, the experience brought her team closer and fueled her passion for the sport even more.
Nat's teammates, Sina and Gade, had become her closest friends. Sina, with her lively and teasing personality, always found ways to make Nat laugh, even during tense moments. Gade, on the other hand, was calm and observant, offering thoughtful advice whenever Nat felt uncertain.
One afternoon, after practice, Sina nudged Nat playfully as they sat on the bleachers. "Hey, did you notice? Coach was watching you the whole time during that last drill."
Nat turned to Sina, her cheeks heating up. "What? Don't say that! She is just paying attention to everyone."
Sina smirked. "Sure, sure. I'm just saying, maybe someone's a favorite."
Gade, sitting nearby, chuckled softly. "Leave her alone, Sina. Nat's already got enough on her plate without your teasing."
Nat rolled her eyes but couldn't help smiling. These moments, though small, reminded her how grateful she was to have friends like Sina and Gade.
Even as Nat focused on basketball, the loss of her great-grandmother lingered in her heart. It was Sina and Gade who helped her through those dark moments.
One evening, as they walked home together after practice, Sina noticed Nat was unusually quiet. "You okay?" she asked, nudging her friend gently.
Nat hesitated but finally said, "I just… miss her. My great-grandmother. She meant so much to me, and I feel like I didn't spend enough time with her."
Gade placed a comforting hand on Nat's shoulder. "It's hard, but she'd be proud of you. Look at everything you're doing now. You're building something amazing."
Sina chimed in, her tone unusually soft. "Yeah, and you've got us. We're not going anywhere."
Nat looked at her friends and felt a wave of gratitude. Their support gave her the strength to keep moving forward, not just for herself but for the memory of her great-grandmother, who had always believed in her.