Chapter 53: Drowning in Expectations

Sylvester's PoV

I stood up slowly, my legs feeling slightly unsteady as I made my way to the court. The atmosphere was buzzing with energy, but I felt like a deer caught in headlights. Everyone was focused, and I could feel the weight of their expectations pressing down on me.

"Me? Replace Wilt?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. I glanced at Natasha, who was still hovering near Wilt, making sure he was okay. She glanced back at me, a mixture of concern and resolve in her expression.

"Yeah, Sylvester. You've got this," she said, though I could tell she was more concerned about Wilt's condition than my ability to play.

As I walked onto the court, I caught Drew's eye. His expression was intense, and I could see the determination etched across his features. I had always admired him—his skills, his confidence, his ability to shoot two-pointers with precision. But standing next to him felt like standing next to a giant, and I was taller than him...

"Hey, Sylvester!" Drew called out, his voice cheerful but with an underlying pressure. "Time to show what you can do!"

"Right..." I replied, my heart racing. I swallowed hard, trying to keep my cool. The last thing I wanted was to let Drew down. I knew he had high expectations, and that only made me more nervous.

"Just play your game," Drew encouraged, moving to take his position. "We need to keep the pressure on them."

As the game resumed, I felt the familiar knot in my stomach tighten. I took a position on the court, trying to mirror Drew's confident stance. But as I looked across at Loxus and Jensen, who were both formidable players, I couldn't shake the feeling of intimidation. They had been playing well together, and now that they were fully aware they were facing a less experienced Sylvester, I could see the glint of challenge in their eyes.

"Drew!" Loxus shouted, positioning himself defensively. "You're not getting through this time!"

"Watch me!" Drew shot back, a confident smile on his face. He made a quick move, darting to the left, and I instinctively followed, trying to keep up. But as Drew drove toward the basket, I could see Loxus and Jensen closing in.

"Pass it to me!" I shouted, feeling a surge of adrenaline. Drew glanced at me, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of doubt cross his face.

"Trust me, Sylvester," he called back, "I've got this."

Just as I thought I might get a chance to prove myself, Drew executed a brilliant layup, weaving between Loxus and Jensen. The ball hit the backboard and fell through the net. "Two points!" he exclaimed, turning to me with a triumphant grin.

"Nice work!" I said, forcing a smile despite the gnawing feeling in my gut. I was glad Drew had scored, but I couldn't shake the thought that I hadn't contributed yet.

"Keep it up!" Jensen shouted, his competitive spirit ignited. "We can't let them take control!"

As the game continued, I found myself watching more than playing. I was caught up in Drew's rhythm, but I felt hesitant to jump in. Every time the ball came my way, I panicked, afraid of making a mistake. I just threw it back to Drew. I could see the frustration building on his face as he tried to involve me in the plays.

"Try to shoot," Drew urged, but the pressure made my heart race even faster.

"I… I'll try," I stammered, trying to shake off the nerves.

When the ball finally made its way to me, I hesitated. I could hear Loxus taunting me from the other side of the court, his voice dripping with confidence. "What are you waiting for, Sylvester? Take the shot!"

The moment felt like it stretched on forever. I glanced at Drew, who was watching me with an encouraging look, and then at Loxus, who was ready to pounce on any mistake.

With a shaky breath, I launched the ball toward the hoop. It sailed through the air, but I quickly realized I had misjudged the angle. The ball hit the rim and bounced away, and I felt a wave of embarrassment wash over me.

"Nice try," Drew called out, but I could see the disappointment in his eyes.

I felt my cheeks flush as I tried to shake off the feeling of defeat. "I'm sorry…" I murmured, more to myself than anyone else.

"Prove it by scoring."

I nodded weakly, my lower lip trembling a little. As the match continued, I tried to push through my fear, but every time I got the ball, hesitation flooded my mind. I could hear Jensen and Loxus plotting against us, their voices confident and full of energy.

"Stay in it, Sylvester!" Wilt shouted during a timeout, looking directly at me. "You're doing great! Just play like you know how."

I nodded, though doubt still lingered. I wanted to live up to the expectations, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I was letting everyone down. The pressure was immense, and I knew I had to find a way to overcome it.

As the game resumed, I took a deep breath, trying to clear my mind. I focused on the rhythm of the game, the sounds of the ball bouncing, the cheers from the sidelines. I had to trust myself and my teammates.

"Let's turn this around!" I called out, surprising myself with the sudden surge of determination. I was ready to fight back, to prove that I could be an asset to the team, not just a liability.

As the game continued, I focused on the plays, ready to seize my moment and show everyone, including myself, that I could rise to the challenge. It was time to step up and show what I was really made of, even if it meant stepping out of my comfort zone and taking some risks. After all, I was on the court with Drew, and I couldn't let him down. But more importantly, I couldn't let myself down.