Chapter 32 – A Real Wonderkid
"Naaaaathan! Naaaaathan! Naaaaathan!"
The chant thundered across Elland Road like rolling waves crashing against the cliffs. It wasn't just noise. It was something deeper—defiant, raw, alive. The kind of roar that pulled a boy out of despair and reminded him he still mattered.
Nathan stood near the corner flag, chest heaving, hair matted to his forehead with sweat. His eyes were wide, not with disappointment—but with something new.
Pride.
He had just missed. Missed again. A beautiful lofted ball from Marco, perfectly timed, perfectly weighted. He had been one-on-one. All the space, all the time… and still, the lob had drifted just wide. Inches.
But instead of silence or groans—came this. A stadium screaming his name like he'd already won something.
He turned slowly, letting it wash over him.
"So this is what belief sounds like…"
Tyler jogged over, panting. "You almost chipped Ramsdale. You madman."
