DreamNotFound Oneshots

Notice Me (Part 4/7)

Fluff
No Warnings

Dream's POV:

"Okay guys, we've got this!" Nick, being a co-captain, shouted to our team, as we all huddled together in the centre of the boys' changing room.

"Yeah! We've been training for weeks. We have smarter minds, thicker muscles and amazing skills!" I shouted, my teammates chuckling. "So let's get out there, and show them losers what we're made of!" "Woooooop!" Everyone cheered in unison, hyped for the game.

We trudged off onto the court, murmuring amongst ourselves. The opposite team, Hilltop High, were already here, lingering about the court and tossing a ball around. The audience, made up of our teams' supporters; parents and other students, teachers and any benched players.

We all took our positions, each team ferociously glaring at the other. This is gonna be one fun game.

The screech of a whistle sounded, signifying the start of the gamd, instant shouts and screams erupted from the audience. Everyone was pumped with thrill and excitement.

——————

Half time.

15 minutes of nervous mumbles and ecstatic murmurs.

Hilltop High were three points ahead, much to our dismay. But the determination to catch up, now fuelled our fires and we were roaring to go.

——————

We just finished the third quarter, our score still lagging behind by three points. Fuck.

I can't help but think, we would be winning now if it wasn't for me. Obviously, i'm not saying that it's usually me that wins us all the games and i'm the best player, but i am a captain and right now i'm letting our team down. I've not even scored once.

I had my chances, took many shots, but missed them all. I don't know what's wrong with me. I don't why i can't shoot properly. I don't know why i can hardly dodge the opposite team's players and throw the ball to my other teammates.

Actually, i do.

I know exactly why. George.

——————

There's three minutes left of the final quarter, and we're five points behind. Hilltop Highs supporters are already mocking us, hollering that we're "trash" and chanting their school motto.

I sighed with heavy disappointment and shook my head, wiping a bead of sweat away, that was trickling down the side of my face, with the back of my hand.

I bent over, leaning my hands on my knees waiting for the whistle to squeal, telling us to continue; the game was put on hold for a moment as someone from the sidelines decided to throw a drink onto the court.

What a dickhead.

I felt someone's hand land on my shoulder in a firm grasp. I glanced up, spotting Nick at my side. "You okay, bro?" he asked, concern evident on his frowning face.

"I've fucked up. Let everyone down. I just give up..." i mumbled, feeling completely defeated.

"Hey dude, don't talk like that."

"Why not? it's true."

"No it's not. This game hasn't exactly been our best ever, but no one's blaming you."

"Well they should. I've not even scored once, Nick. Every time i get a hold of the ball, i just panic. I can't fucking focus on anything."

Nick pulled me up from a crouching position, and stepped closer to look directly into my eyes, with a stern look. "Breathe with me," he spoke in a hushed tone, emphasising his slow, deep breaths so i could follow along.

"We've been preparing for this game all semester. You are a perfect shot. You have perfect form. You are an amazing player, okay?"

I remained silent, apart from the deep breaths i was still taking.

"Stop doubting yourself. No one is blaming you at all. No one, apart from you.
"Stop thinking about him. I get that you're worried about him, but worrying about him isn't going to help anything-"

"I know, i know," i interrupted him.

"-Look, we have three minutes left to score five points, if we wanna at least get overtime. You can do this. I know you can. I've seen you multiple times. You're a god at basketball, so please, just focus.
"Give it everything you've got. Come on Clay. I love you man"

I was staring at Nick with adoration from that speech. He's been giving me a lot of these kind of talks lately, which is very unlike him, and it is honestly warming my heart.

"I'm so grateful to have a friend like you Nick, thank you."

I wanted to hug him, but we're in the middle of a basketball court, with the opposite team giving us malicious and smug looks, and the game is about to continue any moment now.

I offered him a warm and genuine smile instead. He returned it with as much sincerity.

"I love you too, dude."

We both parted, going back to our original positions, Nick eager to play and me holding a familiar flame of determination.

——————
With thirty seconds left of the game, we all know we haven't won...

Yet.

We're tied 28 to 28.

Both teams were scrambling all over the court. Formations becoming sloppy, movements now aggressive, throws uncalculated and weak. Each member was desperate to score the winning shot.

An ear-wrenching bleep resonated across the hall. Everyone was pissed there wasn't a winning shot right now, but equally as enthusiastic about the certain overtime.

Our team huddled together in our half of the court, our sweaty arms and heads clashing together. The air in between us quickly became warm and moist (ew) as we all exhaled in sync.

"Okay guys! Five minutes of overtime, let's fucking do this!" Nick shouted, hyping up our team, for hopefully the last round (there will be another five minuted of overtime if we still continue to draw).

"Hey boys! I admire the spirit, but watch your language!" Our coach shouted, half-jokingly, chuckling at our enthusiasm.

"We can do this, we can do this, we can do this!" I began to chant, the whole team chanting it a few times, before we did our signature team hand-shake and roar.

"LET'S GOOO!" I shouted running and taking my spot as centre, ready to pounce.

"Hey Clay, look to your left, on the second row," a voice, I recognised to be Nick, whispered into my ear, before presumably going back to his position too.

Curious as to what Nick was trying to show me, i turned my head to the left-side bleachers, and scanned along the second row. I was confused for a moment, not understanding what Nick wanted me to see. But, then i saw him.

My heart lurched at the sight of him and my breaths were suddenly caught in my throat. All i could do was stare and blink, my mouth hung open in disbelief. I was utterly awestruck.

There he was. A sweet and shy smile resting upon his adorable face. He was staring at me, waving something in his right-hand. I tore my eyes aways from his delicate eyes for a moment to see what he was holding. I could barely make out the wording on it, as he continually swayed the paper, making the writing blur.

He must've noticed me trying to read it. He stopped swaying it and held it up to cover his face, his welcoming eyes poking up over the top.

Go Clay!

That was it. Just two simple words. Just the phrase 'Go Clay' was all it took.

I smirked.

Let's fucking win this.

—

WC: 1242