Chapter 7: A New Beginning

The next few days passed in a blur, but things felt different now. Mia noticed Aiden in small, subtle ways—he wasn't completely avoiding everyone anymore, though he still kept to himself. His demeanor had shifted slightly, as if their conversation had lightened the burden he carried, even if just a little.

Mia, too, found herself thinking about Aiden more than usual. Not just because of the pressure he was under or his struggles with his dad, but because she was beginning to see the real person beneath the basketball star facade. She couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Aiden than anyone realized, and she wanted to be the one to understand him fully.

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It was Friday, and the school was abuzz with excitement for the next basketball game. This one was crucial—not only because they needed a win to regain their confidence, but because it was the first game after the loss to Westfield. Everyone was looking to see how the team would bounce back.

Kyle had been talking about nothing else for days, and Mia knew he was eager to get back on the court and prove himself. But as the game drew closer, Mia found herself more concerned about Aiden. She hadn't spoken to him much since their conversation in the gym, but she could see that the upcoming game weighed heavily on him.

That afternoon, Mia decided to stay after school to watch the team practice. She wasn't sure why—maybe it was because she felt drawn to the gym again, or maybe it was because she wanted to see Aiden in action after everything they'd talked about.

The gym was buzzing with the sound of sneakers squeaking on the hardwood floor and basketballs bouncing off the rim. The team was running drills, working on their defense and fast breaks. From her spot in the bleachers, Mia could see Aiden moving with a quiet intensity, his focus entirely on the game.

He was still favoring his injured arm, but he didn't let it slow him down. His movements were sharp, his passes precise, and his shots clean. Mia could tell that he was determined to push through the pain, to show everyone that he could still lead the team.

As practice wound down, the players started trickling out of the gym. Kyle waved at Mia as he passed by, a grin on his face.

"See you at the game tonight?" he called.

Mia smiled and nodded. "Wouldn't miss it."

Once the gym had emptied out, Mia noticed Aiden still shooting around by himself. His movements were slower now, less focused. He missed a couple of shots in a row, which was unusual for him, and she could see the frustration building in his eyes.

Without thinking, Mia stood up and made her way down to the court.

"You're still here?" she asked softly.

Aiden looked up, surprised to see her. He wiped sweat from his forehead and shrugged. "Just trying to get some extra shots in."

"You don't have to be perfect, you know," Mia said, echoing the words she'd told him earlier.

Aiden gave a small smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Yeah, I know. But it's hard to shake that feeling."

Mia walked over to where he was standing, her eyes meeting his. "You're already enough, Aiden. Whether you win or lose tonight, you've done more than anyone could ask."

Aiden looked at her, his expression softening. For a moment, it felt like time slowed down, like they were the only two people in the world. The tension that usually surrounded him seemed to ease, and Mia could see the vulnerability in his eyes.

"Thanks, Mia," he said quietly. "I don't know why, but… talking to you helps."

Mia felt a warmth spread through her chest. "I'm glad."

They stood there for a few moments in comfortable silence before Aiden finally broke it with a deep breath.

"Want to shoot around with me?" he asked, his tone lighter than before.

Mia laughed, shaking her head. "I'm terrible at basketball."

Aiden grinned. "Doesn't matter. Come on, I'll teach you."

Reluctantly, Mia took the ball he offered her and dribbled awkwardly, trying to mimic the way she'd seen him do it. Aiden chuckled at her efforts but didn't tease her too much. Instead, he stood beside her, showing her how to position her hands and aim for the hoop.

"Like this," he said, guiding her arms. "Relax your shoulders and follow through with your shot."

Mia tried again, this time feeling a bit more confident with his guidance. The ball soared through the air, and while it didn't make it through the hoop, it was at least close enough to the rim that Aiden gave her an approving nod.

"Not bad," he said with a smile.

They spent the next few minutes shooting around, laughing and joking as Aiden gave her tips. For the first time, Mia saw a different side of him—a side that wasn't weighed down by expectations or pressure. He seemed relaxed, almost playful, and it made her smile to see him like that.

As they wrapped up, Mia handed the ball back to him and smiled.

"You're a good teacher," she said.

Aiden grinned. "And you're not as bad as you think."

They walked out of the gym together, the afternoon sun casting long shadows on the pavement. Mia could feel a shift between them, a new understanding that hadn't been there before. It wasn't just about basketball or the pressures they both faced—it was something deeper, something unspoken that was growing between them.

"I'll see you at the game tonight," Mia said as they reached the parking lot.

Aiden nodded, his eyes meeting hers. "Yeah. And Mia?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks. For everything."

Mia smiled, her heart fluttering slightly. "Anytime."

As she walked away, she couldn't help but feel that something had changed between them—something that neither of them could quite put into words, but that they both felt all the same.

And as the sun dipped lower in the sky, Mia realized that tonight's game wasn't just about basketball. It was the beginning of something new, something bigger than either of them had anticipated.