Love Yourz ・Paige Bueckers

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 2

AS KENNEDY BALLED her eyes out, her best friend and roommate Liv rubbed her back and told her everything will be okay. After eighteen years of doing everything with her family, she was finally on her own. Her parents and younger brother gave their last hugs and hopeful wishes to their first baby, who was now being dropped off for her freshman year at the University of Connecticut.

"Sweetheart, this is going to be so so good for you. You will have tons of fun. And you and Liv will be together, it won't be as sad as it feels right now," Her mom whispered into her head as she held her first born in a tight embrace.

"Mom I'm going to miss you so much," Kennedy cried into her shoulder.

"Bailey lets go, Kennedy needs to finish unpacking and go explore," Mark, Kennedy's dad, told his wife who was not letting go of their daughter.

They finished their goodbyes and Liv was left to deal with the crying mess that was lying face down on the floor.

"Come onnn Kennedy," Liv pleaded, shaking her back and forth. "Let's go find Geno and tell him we got here safely, he misses you tons."

"Geno is here?" Kennedy popped right up, mascara all over her eyes. "Liv I miss your dad so much. We are finding him right now."

"Let's get you cleaned up then we can go. He has about an hour left of practice with the girls so we don't need to rush," Liv told her.

Olivia Ariemma, Kennedy's roommate and best friend since birth, is the daughter of UConn's head women's basketball coach, Geno Ariemma. Kennedy is like a second daughter to Geno, and grew up a part of their family. Kennedy knows the ins and outs of basketball, due to her dad being a retired NBA athlete, and her best friend's dad coaching one of the best women's college teams. Although she never played herself, softball was more her thing, she had always loved the game and watching the athleticism of the players on the court. Liv helped clean off her mascara and they both changed into nicer outfits, to see Geno and invite him to lunch after his practice. Liv threw on a crew neck and shorts and got Kennedy a tank top bodysuit and jean shorts. Both of their hair was already curled, so they made their way to UConn's practice.

"Liv you don't understand how excited I am to see your dad. It feels like I haven't seen him in forever!" Kennedy squealed, practically running ahead of Liv.

"I hate to break it to you Kennedy but he literally saw you two weeks ago, I doubt he's gonna share your excitement," Liv stated rolling her eyes, following the excited girl into the gym.

"GENOOOO!!" Kennedy shouted, running into the gym, turning the heads of every player to see who had interrupted their coach.

"KENNEDY??" Geno almost shouted, confused but sharing almost the same amount of joy at seeing his practically second daughter. "I didn't know you guys were moving in today. You should've called! How's my Kennedy liking UConn?" Geno happily said, holding her in a warm embrace.

"Uh Dad I'm here too?" Liv said, standing there, not shocked by Geno's reaction to seeing her best friend. Kennedy did that to people, so by now she was used to it. Her energy was almost like the sun, she never met a person who didn't love her instantly, and was friends with anyone and everyone. She was the epitome of the word joy. She lit up any room she walked into, and could and would flip everyone's mood to happiness with just a few words or a warm hug.

"Liv dear! I've missed you sweetie, I am so excited my two favorite girls are finally going here." Geno laughed, pulling his daughter into a hug. "What are you guys doing right now? Why don't we go get lunch, on me," Geno questioned. "I was going to take the team to Chipotle, you guys are joining us."

"Yes that's perfect Geno! We just came to ask if you wanted to go out to eat with us," Kennedy happily exclaimed.

Geno then turned to his team, and cut practice short by thirty minutes, causing a celebration from his players. After greeting Geno's daughter and her best friend, the team went inside the lockers to change to go to their team lunch. Kennedy and Liv were familiar with Azzi and Nika, as they had come over to Geno's house a few times while they were home, so they greeted each other with big hugs. One player had just said hi to Liv, but completely ignored Kennedy's greeting, confusing both the girl and her best friend.