As the morning sun streamed through the window, Nelly stirred awake, stretching his arms above his head. Today wasn't just another day; it was game day. The nerves fluttered in his stomach as he pushed himself out of bed. He glanced at the basketball jersey hanging on the back of his chair. The blue and red colors of the Cyberton Swifters seemed to shine with a promise of victory. He quickly got ready, pulling on the jersey over a fitted undershirt and tying his sneakers tightly as if binding the energy of the day into his feet.
After a quick shower and breakfast, Nelly grabbed his phone to check for messages. He saw a new notification pop up from Mira.
Mira: Hey, Nelly! How have you been? It feels like ages since we chatted!
He quickly typed back, hoping to convey a sense of excitement through his words.
Nelly: Hey Mira! I've been super busy practicing for the game. Sorry for not messaging back!
He paused, then added, You should come to watch!
Her reply came almost instantly, a flurry of pouty emojis flooding the screen.
Mira: You've been practicing and didn't tell me? How could you?!
Nelly chuckled, picturing Mira's adorable expression, probably puffing her cheeks out in mock anger.
Nelly: I didn't want to bother you with my boring training stuff. But I'll make it up to you after the game, okay?
He could almost hear her sigh through the text as she responded.
Mira: Fine, but I'm coming to watch your game in secret with the girls!
Nelly smiled, feeling a rush of energy from her support. With his friends cheering him on and Mira silently rooting for him, he felt ready to take on anything.
As he arrived at the arena, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement. The vibrant colors of the team jerseys filled the stands, and the sound of cheering fans echoed in his ears. He spotted his teammates: Kael Drayden, the sharp-eyed point guard whose intense focus never wavered; Rex "Razor" Kurama, the fierce shooting guard with a sweatband firmly tied around his head; Zane Mortis, the powerhouse center with dark circles under his eyes, and the confident small forward, Theo "Tornado" Flint, whose lightning speed was unmatched. They shared a determined look as they gathered for a pre-game huddle.
"Alright, Swifters!" Nelly called out, trying to pump them up. "Today's the day we show them what we're made of!"
Kael nodded, his glasses glinting under the gym lights. "And that we can play better than we practice, right?"
"Exactly!" Rex chimed in. "No more tripping over our own feet!"
As the announcer's voice boomed through the arena, the crowd fell silent, and anticipation crackled in the air.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the elimination round! Give it up for the Cyberton Swifters and their opponents, the KujiTech Smackers!"
Nelly felt adrenaline coursing through him as the announcer introduced their team.
"Number nine, Nelly Storme, our Point Guard! Number two, Kael Drayden! Number eleven, Rex 'Razor' Kurama! Number thirteen, Zane Mortis! And number fifteen, Theo 'Tornado' Flint!"
The cheers from the crowd swelled as they took their positions on the court, ready to face off against their rivals. The KujiTech Smackers looked equally determined, but Nelly felt a fire inside him—this was their moment.
YOU ARE READING
EX-istential Crisis
RomanceNelly thought his world had shattered when the love of his life, cheated on him with someone new. Heartbroken, betrayed, and struggling to move on, Nelly questions whether he'll ever be able to trust again. But just when he's at his lowest, life thr...
