Chapter 48: Hanging Out

Sylvester PoV

The other days of training were as grueling as the first. My body felt like gelatin after the first day, by the third it was worse than sludge.

I struggled to make it to my dorm. Wilt had offered to help me, but I told him I was fine. He had helped me a lot already, I didn't wanna take advantage of his generosity. Plus, Drew had a bit of a point. One couldn't depend on others all the time.

"Hey, Sylvester," Natasha called out.

I turned around but nearly tripped over.

"Are you okay?" Natasha said, holding me up. She furrowed her brow in concern.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I stammered, brushing off the concern as I regained my balance. "Just a little tired, that's all."

Natasha studied me for a moment, her purple eyes sharp and perceptive. "Tired? You look like you've been run over by a bus. Are you sure you're keeping up with the training?"

I shrugged, forcing a smile. "I've got to push through it. I wanted to make the starting lineup this season, you know? Can't do that if I'm slacking off."

She nodded, a hint of admiration in her expression. "I get that. But there's a fine line between pushing yourself and burning out. You don't want to end up like Wilt."

"Wilt? You mean his leg issue?"

She nodded. "It seems he overdid it during his high-school years. He needed surgery to fix it, but he still has to be careful."

"Is that why you're always watching him?" I asked, chuckling.

Her cheeks turned pink. "Well, someone has to if he is unwilling to do so himself." She shook her head. "Honestly, it feels like I'm grounding a little kid whenever I have to stop him."

I laughed. Wilt did adore basketball with a child-like cheer.

"Yeah, but you have to admit it is kind of adorable," I said, shaking my head with a smile. "But he's got a good heart, and he really wants to make a name for himself."

Natasha nodded, her expression softening. "Exactly. We all do. But speaking of names, how about we take a break from the grind? You look like you could use one."

I raised an eyebrow, curious. "What do you have in mind?"

"How about grabbing a coffee? I know a great little cat café just off campus. They have the best coffee and—you guessed it—lots of adorable cats to hang out with!" She grinned, her enthusiasm infectious.

A cat café? My heart skipped a beat. I had never been invited anywhere by a girl before, and the thought sent a rush of warmth to my cheeks. "Uh, yeah, sure! That sounds amazing!" I blurted out, trying to play it cool despite the heat rising in my face.

"Awesome!" Natasha replied, her face lighting up with a smile that made my stomach flutter. "Let's celebrate surviving another day of training, right?"

"Right!" I echoed, trying to mask my flustered state. I quickly lowered my head and fixed my hair to make sure it was in place, even though I knew it was just a casual outing. Why was I overthinking this?

As we walked toward the café, the anticipation bubbled inside me. Not only was I going to spend time with Natasha, but I was also about to hang out with cats.

"So, tell me more about your game," Natasha said, breaking the silence. "I've seen you on the court, but I want to know what drives you. What do you want to achieve this season?"

I took a deep breath, grateful for the chance to share my thoughts. "Honestly, I just want to prove that I can hold my own. I've always been the underdog, and it's tough when people doubt you. But I know I have the skills; I just need to show everyone that I'm more than just a backup player."

Natasha nodded, her expression encouraging. "I get that. Everyone loves an underdog story. Just remember, it's not just about the wins; it's also about the journey and who you become along the way."

Her words resonated deeply, and I felt a sense of connection growing between us. "That's a good point. Sometimes I get so focused on the end goal that I forget to enjoy the process."

As we arrived at the cat café, I was greeted by the sound of soft purring and the sight of fluffy cats lounging around. The warm aroma of freshly brewed coffee enveloped us, and the cozy atmosphere made it feel like a little haven. 

"Let's grab our drinks, and then we can find a cozy spot to sit with the cats," Natasha suggested, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Sounds good," I replied, feeling a surge of anticipation. We ordered our drinks—she went for a caramel macchiato, while I opted for a classic black coffee. 

As we settled into a corner table surrounded by playful kittens, I felt a sense of ease wash over me. The soft meows and gentle sounds of the cats made the café feel warm and inviting. Natasha reached down to pet a fluffy tabby that had wandered over, and I couldn't help but smile.

"So, do you have any training rituals?" she asked, leaning forward, her curiosity evident as she scratched the cat behind its ears.

I chuckled, thinking back to my routine. "Actually, I do. I listen to this playlist that gets me pumped up. It's a mix of hip-hop and some classic rock. And I always shoot a few free throws before a game to get in the zone."

"Nice! I can't wait to see you in action," she said, her eyes bright with enthusiasm. "I'll be cheering for you, for sure."

My cheeks heated up again. Natasha was so nice. No wonder even the likes of Loxus became a bit softer around her.

"Oh, hey!" Natasha yelled, waving at Loxus and Wilt.

Loxus was staring at the cats with a smile, which he quickly hid as soon as he noticed me watching.

I blinked as I saw a black kitten pop its head up from his hoodie.

Wilt snickered. "Seems Dusk wants to make some new friends."

Loxus turned away and pat the kitty. He seemed bothered by my presence. Was it because he had a tough guy act to maintain?

Wilt grinned, clearly amused by Loxus's predicament. "Come on, man! You can't pretend you don't love that little furball cuddling up to you," he said, jogging over to join Natasha and me at our table.

"Yeah, Loxus," Natasha chimed in, her voice playful. "Dusk and you are a dynamic duo."

Loxus sighed and sat down across from Wilt.

Natasha smiled and petted the kitty, causing Loxus to blush.

Wilt chuckled and reached out to pet the cat, but Loxus stopped him.

The redhead smirked. "I see how it is."

Loxus shot Wilt a glare, but it lacked any real heat. "What are you talking about? I'm just keeping Dusk from getting lost in the chaos," he retorted, though the slight flush on his cheeks betrayed him.

"Oh, please," Wilt teased, leaning back in his chair with a satisfied grin. "You can't tell me you don't enjoy having a cute kitten snuggled up to you. Especially with Natasha here to see it."

Natasha laughed, clearly enjoying the banter. "I think it's sweet, Loxus. You're like a big, tough teddy bear now."

"Stop it," he grumbled, scratching Dusk behind the ears as if he could hide his embarrassment. The kitten purred contentedly, seemingly oblivious to the tension swirling around its owner. 

I watched as Loxus's usual tough facade faltered under Natasha's playful teasing. He shifted in his seat, trying to maintain his cool demeanor, but I could see the way his eyes flickered to her every time she laughed. There was something genuine there, something deeper than just banter. 

"So, Loxus," I jumped in, hoping to steer the conversation elsewhere and save him from further embarrassment, "do you have any pre-game rituals? Or are you just that good without any?"

He glanced at me, his expression slightly more serious. "I just focus. I don't need a playlist or a routine. Just show up and play."

"Classic Loxus," Wilt said, rolling his eyes. "Always so confident. But I bet you play with cats to help with your nerves."

He grumbled as his ears turned red. Seemed Wilt hit the mark.

Loxus shifted uncomfortably in his seat, trying to regain his composure. "I don't need cats to help with my nerves," he insisted, but the way he absently stroked Dusk's back suggested otherwise. "I just focus on the game."

Natasha leaned in, her smile playful yet supportive. "You know, Loxus, everyone has their own way of dealing with pressure. I think it's cute that you've got Dusk here to keep you company."

"Cute? Seriously?" Loxus shot back, but I could see a hint of a smile creeping across his face despite his attempt to sound annoyed.

"Yeah, cute," Natasha affirmed, her tone teasing yet gentle. "You're like a big tough guy who secretly loves cuddly kittens. It's a good look for you."

I watched as Loxus's tough exterior continued to crack under Natasha's playful banter. It was a side of him I hadn't seen before—one that was softer, more relatable. Maybe everyone had layers, and maybe Natasha had a talent for bringing them out.

"I think we should all embrace our soft sides more often," I suggested, trying to lighten the mood further. "After all, it's not just about basketball; it's about who we are off the court too."

"Right," Wilt chimed in, nodding seriously as he pet a fluffy white cat that had sidled up to him. "Like this little guy. He's all about that chill life."

"Exactly!" I said, my spirits lifting as I pointed to a calico cat that seemed determined to climb into Natasha's lap. "This one knows how to live in the moment."

Natasha laughed, gently scooping the calico into her arms. "See? This is what it's all about. Relaxing and enjoying the little things, like coffee and cats."

"Okay, okay," Loxus relented, a small smile breaking through his facade. "Maybe being around cats is one of the best things in the world. But don't tell anyone I said that."

"Your secret is safe with us," Natasha promised, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

We continued to joke and share stories, the café buzzing around us. The sound of laughter, soft meows, and clinking coffee cups created a warm, inviting atmosphere that felt almost magical.

As the afternoon wore on, I realized how much I appreciated this time with my friends. It wasn't just about the competition or the basketball; it was about moments like these—sharing laughter, teasing each other, and simply enjoying life.

"Hey, we should do this more often," I suggested, glancing around the table. "Not just for coffee, but for hanging out. I mean, training is important, but we all need a break."

"Agreed!" Natasha exclaimed, her enthusiasm infectious. "Let's make it a regular thing. Cat cafés, movie nights, whatever. As long as there are snacks involved!"

"Count me in," Wilt said, grinning. "I'm all for hanging out with friends—and cats."

Loxus rolled his eyes but couldn't hide the smile that tugged at his lips. "Fine, but I'm not doing any more cat challenges. I have my reputation to uphold."

"Your reputation as the tough guy who loves kittens?" Natasha teased, her laughter ringing out.

"Shut up," Loxus grumbled, but there was no real heat in his voice. The playful banter continued, and I felt a warm sense of belonging wash over me.

As the sun began to set outside the café, casting a golden glow through the windows, I knew this was just the beginning of something special. With friends like these, the challenges ahead—both on and off the court—seemed a little less daunting. 

We might all have our own struggles and insecurities, but together, we could support each other through it all. And for the first time in a while, I felt like I wasn't just fighting to prove myself; I was building connections that would last beyond the game.

"Here's to more hangouts together," Wilt said, raising his coffee cup in a toast.

"Cheers!" Natasha echoed, laughter and smiles filling the cozy space as we clinked our cups together.

Loxus sighed, but there was a slight smile on his face as he lifted his cup slightly.

I smiled and timidly lifted mine up too. This was what I always wanted, to feel like I belonged.