Strength In Our Bonds (The Strength in Generations Accompanying Book)

First Kisses

Nora could vaguely remember that time where Gale, Vidina, and Berrik had gotten in trouble for trying to use the Academy's lobby as a blitzball stadium; she'd been there that day, in her father's office, since she didn't have school and Hope had been displeased with her grades for the past year. She remembered how grateful she'd been when her father had been called to deal with the situation. It wasn't that Nora disliked either of her parents, but they could just be so stiff and boring sometimes. They'd even made her older sister that way already. But not Nora, no way. She'd resist as much as she could; she'd never give in to the boringness.

She remembered silently thanking all three of them, even if that stunt did result in a two-week ban from the Academy building (which was especially bad for Gale since he worked there).

She actually liked the blitz trio. They kept things exciting, in a dreary place like the Academy.

And then, when Linna started to hang out with them, this gave Nora hope, hope that a girl could fit into their group just as well. She decided one day that she'd go and ask them if they'd be willing to let her play a round of blitzball with them.

"You, playing blitzball?" asked Vidina surprisedly. "Do you even know how to swim?"

"Why would I ask to play blitz with you guys if I didn't know how to swim?" asked Nora. "Better yet, why the heck would I not know how to swim?"

"I don't know, but you can understand my skepticism, ya? I mean, look at the family you come from; I'd hardly believe any of you are into blitz."

Nora had to stop herself from laughing at that. If only they knew how much of a blitzball hooligan her mother had been back when she was Nora's age.

"Well, then again, Nora isn't really a lot like them..." pointed out Berrik. "She's actually kinda fun."

"Thanks, Berrik." Nora smiled. At least someone had noticed she wasn't stuffy like the rest of the Estheims.

"I think we should let her go a round with us." Berrik smiled at Nora.

Why is he giving me that look..?

"Nora, I don't want to tackle you..." Gale said hesitantly. "You're so small. I don't want to hurt you or anything."

Nora winced just thinking of a big guy like Gale tackling her.

"I could be the goalkeeper," she suggested.

"We never have a goalie!" Linna said excitedly. "This is great timing, guys; we have to take her up on this."

Vidina threw his blitzball to Nora, and she caught it, although barely.

"Well, she caught it." Vidina shrugged. "Those type of quick reflexes are exactly what we need. Let's get playing."

Nora was able to catch quite a few of the shots that were launched her way, most of them being shot by Berrik (although this wasn't a surprise, Linna had mentioned her cousin's habit of showboating).

"Wow, you're pretty good for someone who doesn't regularly play," Gale told her when they'd finished practicing.

"Yeah, with the proper training you could be better than the goalie we actually have," added Linna.

"Hey, thanks!" Nora smiled joyfully.

As Nora got her things together to head back home, Berrik walked up to her, gently touching her elbow to get her attention. "You really were amazing," he told her.

"Thanks," Nora beamed.

A silence passed between the two.

"So... you hungry?" asked Berrik. "I could get you something, if you are."