POSE - Paige Bueckers

4- i work here.

Setting up on the floor in the far corner of the court, Adelaide wrapped her floral camera strap around her neck, letting the heavy lens rest on her propped-up knees. Her photography playlist was blasting through the airpods in her ears, 'thanks Angie', Adelaide thought. The loud music always allowed the girl to zone out slightly, letting her focus on her work and drown out the oftentimes overwhelming crowd. This time, there was no boisterous crowd, no overbearing refs, and no balding white men to sit next to her (seriously why are all the photographers she works alongside middle-aged white men??), only the thundering thoughts running through her head like a pack of wild zebras.

'Do you think they all know Paige and I have that kind of history? Can they smell my fear? These jeans are kinda pressing into my ribs, maybe I shouldn't have worn such high-waisted ones. I'm glad I did my hair though, good first impressions and all that. I mean considering I am never going to look this good to shoot a practice ever again, I hope they appreciate how hot I am. They totally appreciate it. Oh fuck yeah, that was a good shot. I kinda need to turn up my shutter speed though, I wish the ball was a little more frozen in that one,'

Sometimes you gotta close a door to open a window. Adelaides rushing river of a brain gets silenced by the intro to New Magic Wand by Tyler, the Creator. Her playlist shuffled through loud song after loud song, typically used to shush the even louder crowd at games, rap and 2000's music were heavily featured. Even though Adelaide always preferred slower songs, that unfortunately wasn't very effective in muffling loud noises, sorry Lizzy McAlpine.

The team began practice with stretching earlier while Ad was tinkering with her settings and where to sit on the court to avoid getting a ball to the head, but still getting good shots of the team. Settling on a far corner as the girls move straight into suicides. Geno said it was to "start the year off with a bang", Ad was suddenly very thankful she was a dancer. She hated running.

However much the silly little lesbian hated running, she had to thank Geno for doing back-to-back suicides and conditioning. The team, including a specific but totally not noticeable blonde, were all sweaty, panting, and beginning to shed a few articles of clothing each.

The girl that was interested in TikTok, she had found out to be named Azzi from Paige screaming her name from across the court during stretches, had shed her black sweatpants, leaving her in nike pros and a husky blue t-shirt for the remainder of practice. And she wasn't alone. Adelaide (totally not looking for her specifically) noticed Paige had torn off her loose UCONN Huskies shirt somewhere in between the running and the sit-ups, showing off her abs and chest. Both of which were showcased by her black sports bra and the light sheen of sweat that coated her skin, adding extra highlights to her collarbones and toned stomach. 'Thank you Geno!!!' she thought, totally not ogling the player through her lens. A very large added perk to being a photographer, you're just a paid stalker!

Geno called for a rest and water break before getting into shooting, and almost immediately most of the team hit the deck, each finding ways to prop themselves up or cool off on the shiny wooden floor. Of course, Adelaide's music was too loud for her to hear the lull in conversation that settled over the heavy-breathing group of girls.

Her loud shutter still going a thousand miles an hour, totally not snapping pics of the sprawled-out Bueckers and drawing the attention of the blonde.

The song changed, and there was a pause in the loud base in her ear preventing her from hearing this lull, allowing Ad to realize how silent the room was, and just how loud she was. How loud she was at taking photos. Of a shirtless sweaty Paige. Paige decided now was a perfect time to finally address the loud snapping of the closing shutter, making direct eye contact through the lens with Adelaide. The Adelaide who once again, was totally not ogling the girl as she propped herself up on her elbows, the rest of her body and long legs sprawled out in front of her, head thrown back in heavy breathing, her harsh abs rapidly moving up and down.