[3rd Person POV]
The
second quarter
was halfway over, and the
gap was growing wider.
Lucas Graves stood at the top of the key, panting, sweat dripping down his face.
His muscles burned, his breaths came in short gasps.
He
glanced at the scoreboard.
...
[Scoreboard:
Orlando Hoops – 44
Vorpal Basket – 27]
...
Lucas clenched his fists.
"(At this rate, we're not going to win...)"
His mind was racing. His
Absolute Mimicry
allowed him to
replicate their moves
, but Orlando had adapted. They were
locking him down
, forcing him into exhaustion.
Every time he moved,
Alec Storm
shadowed him.
Every time he looked for a pass,
Mason Hayes and Julian Cross
were there to cut it off.
"(They're zoning me out...)"
Lucas
lifted his head
—his sharp, yellow eyes locked onto
Evan Cooper.
Evan,
Vorpal Basket's point guard and captain,
had the ball at the top of the arc.
He looked at Lucas, his expression firm.
"Lucas!"
Evan called out.
Lucas snapped out of his thoughts just as
Evan fired a sharp pass toward him.
Lucas caught the ball.
But immediately—
the Orlando defense collapsed on him.
Alec Storm was
in his face.
Mason Hayes was
lurking nearby, ready to pounce.
Julian Cross shifted his stance, watching
Lucas's every move.
Lucas gritted his teeth.
"(They're really trying to force me out of the play.)"
He scanned the court and saw
Aiden White open on the wing.
Aiden White—Vorpal Basket's small forward.
Not the best option. But the
only option.
Lucas
fired a pass to Aiden.
Aiden
caught it, pivoted, and searched for an opening.
He spotted
Ryan Taylor, the power forward, near the baseline.
Aiden made the
quick decision.
He passed it.
But—
Julian Cross jumped the lane.
Steal.
Aiden's eyes
widened.
"Shit!!"
he cursed as Julian
snatched the ball with one hand and immediately took off down the court.
Fast break.
Orlando Hoops was
on the attack again.
The crowd
roared
as Julian
drove toward the basket at full speed.
Lucas and Evan
sprinted back, desperate to stop him.
But Julian was
too fast.
With a
smooth euro step
, he cut past Ryan Taylor.
Then—
A powerful dunk.
Slam!!
The entire
backboard rattled
as Julian hung on the rim for a brief moment before landing.
The
gym erupted.
....
[Scoreboard Update:
Orlando Hoops – 46
Vorpal Basket – 27]
...
Lucas
exhaled sharply, clenching his fists.
This game was
slipping away.
And if something didn't change soon...
It would be over before they even reached the second half.
....
[Ethan Albarado POV]
I
stared at the scoreboard.
..
Scoreboard:
Orlando Hoops – 46
Vorpal Basket – 27
2nd quarter (4 minutes left)
...
We were getting
destroyed.
I knew from the novel that in the second quarter, someone from our team would get injured. And that someone...
Was
Aiden White.
I tapped my fingers anxiously against my knee, watching the game unfold.
"(Come on, come on... get injured... get injured...)"
I froze.
Wait.
"(Shit, did I just seriously wish for my own teammate to get hurt?)"
I shook my head.
"(Damn it, Ethan, that's messed up...)"
I let out a nervous chuckle.
"(Sorry, Aiden, nothing personal. But I need that substitution...)"
A part of me felt bad, but this was my chance.
The moment Aiden went down, the coach would have to make a choice.
And I'd make sure he chose
me.
I took a deep breath, steadying myself.
"(This is it. My moment is coming.)"
I clenched my fists.
"(Wait for me everyone.... I'll show you what I've got.)"
I watched as the game continued, waiting for the inevitable moment that would change everything.
.........
[Aiden White POV]
I gripped the ball tightly, feeling the sweat trickle down my temple.
I
needed this win.
I glanced up at the scoreboard.
....
Scoreboard:
Orlando Hoops – 46
Vorpal Basket – 27
Time Left in the Second Quarter: 4:12
....
I looked towards the stands, searching for her.
There she was.
My
little sister, Lily White,
sitting in the audience, her small hands gripping the railing. She was watching me, eyes filled with admiration.
She had always believed in me. Even when others doubted me.
And right now—
I wanted to prove to her that her
big brother was cool.
"(Just one win... just one damn win...)"
I started dribbling, my heart pounding in sync with the ball hitting the court.
I knew I wasn't the best player on the team. I knew Lucas was playing
out of his mind
right now.
But I wanted to be more than just a supporting player.
I wanted this moment.
.....
Julian Cross – Starting Small Forward (#3)
Height:
6'2"
Personality:
Calm, highly athletic, defensive-minded.
Specialty:
Lockdown Defender
...
Julian stood in front of me, eyes locked in.
He wasn't just standing there.
He was
waiting.
Smirking.
He knew.
He could
see
it.
I wasn't going to pass.
And I could tell—
He was
daring me
to go for it.
From the corner of my eye, I saw
Lucas Graves
calling for the ball.
"Pass!"
Lucas's voice rang out.
I hesitated.
For a second—just a second—I thought about giving it to him.
But then I looked back at
Lily.
I clenched my teeth.
"(No... I can do this!)"
I
crossed over hard,
shifting the ball from right to left.
Julian
didn't bite.
He barely
moved.
He just
watched.
I felt my chest tighten.
"(Shit, he's reading me—)"
Before I could react—
Julian
lunged.
His hands moved like lightning—
Swipe!
The ball was
gone.
"Shit!!"
I yelled as Julian stole the ball clean.
The next second, he was already sprinting down the court on a
fast break.
I turned, desperately chasing after him—
But he was too fast.
One step. Two steps. Slam.
Julian dunked it
hard,
the rim rattling as the crowd erupted.
"JULIAN CROSS WITH THE STEAL AND SLAM!!!"
The announcer's voice boomed through the gym.
The Orlando Hoops
bench exploded
with cheers.
I
froze.
I turned back toward the stands.
Lily was still watching.
But she wasn't smiling.
She just looked...
disappointed.
I felt a weight press down on my chest.
I blew it.
I wanted to prove to her that I was
cool.
But instead, I just looked like an
idiot.
Evan ran up to me. His expression was
serious.
"Aiden."
I didn't answer.
"Look, I get it. You wanted to score."
I clenched my fists.
"But basketball isn't about one person proving themselves."
I looked away, shame crawling up my spine.
Evan exhaled, then patted my shoulder.
"You're still her big brother, Aiden. She's proud of you no matter what."
I bit my lip.
Lucas jogged back down the court, getting back into position.
I took a deep breath.
I wasn't going to get another chance.
But maybe...
Just maybe—
...
[3rd POV]
Evan Cooper
dribbled the ball at the top of the key, his eyes locked onto
Alec Storm.
Alec stood in a low defensive stance, his eyes analyzing every twitch of Evan's movements. His presence alone felt suffocating.
Evan gritted his teeth.
"Tsk."
He knew he couldn't break past Alec—not without risking a turnover.
Instead, he made the smart choice.
He
passed
the ball to
Josh Turner,
who immediately took over.
....
Josh Turner – Starting Shooting Guard (#8)
Height:
6'0"
Abilities:
Mid-range specialist, quick first step.
Weakness:
Struggles under heavy defensive pressure.
....
Josh caught the ball smoothly.
Mason Hayes
was on him in an instant.
"You're not getting past me,"
Mason muttered, his stance widening.
Josh
dribbled behind his back,
shifting from his right hand to his left in one fluid motion.
Mason's eyes narrowed, focused on the ball.
Josh suddenly
rose up for a shot.
Mason, reacting
instinctively,
jumped up to contest.
But it was a fake.
Josh never intended to shoot.
The moment Mason
left his feet,
Josh
whipped the ball to Lucas Graves.
....
Lucas Graves – Bench Player (#10)
Height:
5'11"
Abilities:
Absolute Mimicry
– can perfectly copy and refine skills.
Weakness:
High stamina drain, struggles with consistency.
....
Lucas saw the opportunity.
The second the ball hit his hands,
his brain processed everything.
His
eyes snapped
to Julian Cross, the best
slasher
on Orlando Hoops.
He had watched Julian move—
studied
him—mimicked his steps.
Now, it was time to use them.
Lucas
planted his foot hard.
Then—
He
exploded forward.
A
lightning-fast first step.
Julian's own move.
The exact footwork, the perfect balance, the subtle shift of weight—
All copied perfectly.
Lucas drove
into the paint,
his speed shocking everyone.
"What the—?!"
Julian Cross, the original user of the move, immediately reacted—
too late.
Lucas was already past him.
Two steps.
A quick gather.
A defender in front—Ethan Blake, the Power Forward.
Lucas adjusted mid-air.
He had
seen Julian do this move before.
He knew what to do.
Lucas
twisted his body,
adjusting his shooting angle mid-air, completely avoiding Ethan Blake's outstretched arms.
A perfect mid-air adjustment.
A move only an elite slasher could pull off.
The ball left Lucas's fingertips—
Swish.
Bucket.
The gym fell into
silence
for half a second—
Then exploded.
"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!"
The crowd roared.
Orlando Hoops players
froze.
Even
Alec Storm
was stunned.
Lucas landed and turned back, breathing heavily,
his eyes sharp.
Julian Cross, the man whose move had just been
stolen
—stood there, dumbfounded.
"He... copied that move...?"
Mason Hayes turned to Alec, his voice filled with disbelief.
"Yo, what the hell is this guy?"
Alec didn't answer.
He just stared at Lucas.
For the first time—
Alec Storm
felt irritated
Lucas
smile at him due to him being passionate at basketball
.....
Meanwhile, Aiden White watched Lucas and gritted his teeth.
He had been on this team for
months.
Lucas had just stepped on the court, and he was already making plays like that.
(I wish I could do that...)
But Aiden knew his limits.
He wasn't an offensive player.
If he couldn't score, then he would defend.
If he couldn't shine, then he would support.
Even if it wasn't much—he would do his job.
Back on the court, Alec Storm suddenly smirked.
"You think you're the only one who can put on a show?"
Lucas, still panting, wiped the sweat off his forehead.
"Okay..."
he said, his breath heavy but his resolve strong.
.... After 1 minute of playing
Ethan Albarado watched intently from the bench.
He could feel it.
That moment.
The
turning point.
(This is it... this is when Aiden White gets injured.)
He wasn't
sure
when it would happen.
The novel barely mentioned it.
Aiden was just an
extra
in
Turning Point,
a name that barely mattered in the story.
Lucas, Evan, and the other main players got all the attention.
But now, watching Aiden move—watching how he forced himself to keep up—
Ethan knew.
It was
close.
Aiden was pushing himself harder than ever.
His defense had stepped up, his footwork was sharp, and he wasn't backing down.
But Ethan could see it.
Aiden's movements were getting sloppy.
His legs were slow to react.
His balance was shaky.
(If he doesn't sub out soon, he's gonna get hurt.)
Lucas, still catching his breath, glanced at Aiden.
(Something's off.)
Orlando Hoops ran their offense.
Julian Cross had the ball at the top of the key.
He
faked right
—then drove
left
.
Aiden reacted—
too late.
Julian blasted past him toward the rim.
Lucas rotated to help, but
Ethan Blake set a hard screen—BAM!
Lucas was cut off.
Julian
leapt
toward the basket—
Aiden
lunged
to block him—
SNAP.
The sound
cut through the noise of the crowd.
Aiden's face
twisted in pain.
His ankle
rolled
awkwardly.
He collapsed.
The whistle blew.
The gym
fell silent.
Evan rushed over, kneeling beside Aiden.
"Shit, Aiden! Are you okay?"
Aiden gritted his teeth, trying to sit up.
His sister in the stands covered her mouth, eyes wide with worry.
The referee signaled the
medical staff.
Aiden's hands clenched into fists.
He
knew.
He wasn't playing the rest of this game.
The realization hit him like a truck.
"Damn it!"
he cursed under his breath.
The crowd murmured, Orlando's players backed up, waiting for the inevitable substitution.
Ethan Albarado slowly stood up from the bench.
He cracked his knuckles.
(Finally... my turn.)
To be continue