Natani Jackson, a rising star in the world of Rez Ball, finds himself at a crossroads. His team, the Eagles, is on the cusp of a state championship, but the pressure is immense. He's struggling with the weight of expectations, the legacy of his family, and the constant scrutiny of his community and the death of his mother and sister. He feels isolated, even among his teammates. One night, after a hanging out with jimmy, nataanii left the spot not to far from the rez and he ends up in a part of town he's never been to before, a predominantly African American neighborhood. He's confronted by a group of individuals who seem to be up to no good. They see him as an outsider, an easy target. Tensions escalate quickly. Just as the situation turns violent, a young African American girl named Imani appears. Imani is a skilled martial artist, having trained with her grandfather since she was a child. She intervenes, using her skills to protect Natani and drive off the attackers. Imani, initially wary of Natani due to the racial and cultural divides, is surprised by his genuine gratitude and humility.
Their friendship faces challenges. The racial and cultural differences between them create misunderstandings and prejudice from both communities. Some people disapprove of their relationship, seeing it as a betrayal of their respective groups. Natani and Imani must navigate these obstacles, defending their friendship and standing up for their beliefs.
"Do you think we're soul mates?" She asked, lifting her head in order to lock eyes with him.
It took him a moment, mustering up his answer. Thinking about how they were so alike, but so different. How they had been through similar things and had the same outlooks on certain perspectives in life. The connection that they shared.
It was like she was made specifically for him. No one would ever be able to hold a candle to her and the way she made him feel. She was his person, and he was hers.
"To be honest...yeah." He replied, wrapping his arm around her.
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Knucks is a misunderstood teenage girl, deemed as destructive to the society with her reoccurring outbursts and rebellious behavior. Anger fuels her defiant spirit but beneath her exterior, lies a vulnerable girl searching high and low for someone to help her through a time of crisis.
Bones quiet and reserved, has nothing but a hard exterior looking from the outside in, when in reality he is just an innocent boy. He's fighting to keep his head above the water also known as life, that is trying its hardest to submerge and break him down mentally.
When the two teenagers find themselves in an environment far away from home with others just like them, it leaves both of them separately hopeless about the outcomes of their future lives.
One night upon meeting each other, one felt as if they had nothing to live for anymore, while the other felt the same way only holding a different meaning a sense.The night bringing them closer than ever eventually has to come to an end.
It's up to the two of them to carry out the strange but alluring connection made with each other, or leave it in the night they met.
SLOW BURN; 2 books in 1
STARTED; FEB 19th 2024
PUBLISHED; MARCH 3rd 2024
FINISHED; SEPTEMBER 29th, 2024