Nadine and Nathan

#36

Nathan, who has just arrived at school, walks casually down the school corridor leading to his class. The young man walked over while humming a little. Some of the students who passed Nathan greeted him. And since Nathan wasn't the arrogant basketball captain, Nathan returned the greetings of every student he met.

"Nathan!" A colleague of Nathan's on the school basketball team pats Nathan's shoulder. Made Nathan stop his steps for a moment.

"What's wrong?" Ask Nathan quickly.

"The coach and the sports teacher want to talk. All team members were told to gather in the sports room. Come on!" Take Nathan's partner.

Nathan just sniffed his shoulders and followed his partner's steps toward the sports room near the basketball court.

Several members of the basketball team had gathered in the room.

There is also Derrick who has joined other team members.

Derrick approaches Ntahan who has just arrived.

"Nathan! I want to say," Derrick quickly whispered.

"Aja by the way! I'm horrified" Nathan said.

"Vero and I broke up. I'm really sorry for the attitude I had a few months ago that destroyed your relationship with Vero" Derrick said at length.

Nathan smiled knot.

"You think I care. You want to break up or be with Vero again, I don't care!" Nathan answered still in a crisp tone.

"One more thing. You're not my friend! So if I talk to you, it's just because of professionalism. It's not that I still care about you" Nathan pointed at Derrick.

"So stay away from me!" Imbuh Nathan again while pushing Derrick and away from the young man. Nathan chooses to join his other basketball teammates.

The school basketball team coach entered the room. For a moment the atmosphere became silent.

"Good morning everyone" the coach said.

"Morning, Coach!" Answer the basketball team members in unison.

"This morning we're deliberately gathering you because there will be some new agenda starting this week."

"We will start practicing the routine again with the addition of some new members because there are old members who have risen to the twelfth grade and will soon face the final exam."

"And Nathan!" Coach called Nathan to come forward.

Nathan immediately stepped forward and stood beside the coach.

"Because you have participated in training with Putra Garuda club, your position as team captain was forced to be removed" said the coach slightly whispered.

Nathan's face instantly turned into a look of disappointment.

But coach is right. Nathan should not be selfish and should give other team members a chance.

Nathan let out a long sigh and tried to harden his heart.

"Derrick!" Coach change calling Derrick.

Nathan was a little surprised. What the hell does this mean?

Is Derrick going to be the captain of the basketball team?

Derrick came forward and stood beside the coach.

"Training together we'll start next week. The training schedule will be shared soon. Coach hope you all discipline follow the exercise and do not be lazy. The target is that next year our school must win the title again" concluded the coach ended the briefing this morning.

"Ready, Coach!" Answer the basketball team members in unison.

Nathan just pecked in his place.

Derrick as team captain?

Just be right.

But Nathan can't do much now either. Nathan is not necessarily able to participate in regular training with the school basketball team.

Nathan's concentration is now of course in the 3x3 match between professional clubs that will be held during the class holidays later.

Coach's out of the gym.

Some team members also began to disband. Nathan, who had just been silent, came out of the gym.

But Nathan just got out. Some of the team members appeared to be clustered not far from the entrance.

"If my dad was a coach at a professional basketball club, I would easily become a member of that basketball club" said a member of the basketball team, laughing.

"And I can also easily whine at my papa to be the starting five in every game" said another team member who was immediately greeted with laughter by some of his friends.

Nathan who heard all of that suddenly felt hot. Of course Nathan believes that the members of this basketball team must be talking about him.

Nathan kicked down the table near the students in the group.

"Don't accuse yourself if you never know the real story!" Gertak Nathan fierce. The four male students just kept quiet and stared at Nathan.

"My father is a coach at Putra Garuda club. But my papa never contributed to my career at the club" Nathan added in a still-detailed tone. The seventeen-year-old immediately left with a million fury filling his chest.

"Haha. Papa's son was sulking," kelakar one of the students who clustered earlier. Looks like the four students are about to start their hibahan about Nathan again.

****

School break, hours,

Nathan plays basketball on the school field all by himself. The young man repeatedly shot at the basketball hoop in order to vent the emotions that were stirring in his chest.

Since long ago, Nathan hated the most if people compare Nathan's ability to play basketball with the papa. Nathan is not as great as Papa Dion who was included in the ranks of the national basketball team a few years ago.

But at least, Nathan's been trying hard now. Nathan entered the Putra Garuda basketball club also through strict selection. Just like any other player. But why is it like no one believes in Nathan's abilities?

"Byeah!" Nathan yells himself as he throws the basketball in any direction. The young man was sitting in the middle of a basketball court. Nathan seemed unconcerned by the strange gazes of some students who passed around the basketball court.

Nathan's been a little depressed lately.

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