𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝.

𝟎𝟕.

y/n's pov.

i had gotten to the airport about an hour ago, now just waiting on my flight. it had been so early that i hadn't even given a thought about paige or caitlin. it was much simpler that way too. "hello, gorgeous." i heard a man's voice from above me. i took off my hood to see an older guy, looking down at me. it took everything in me to to audibly gag. "aren't you pretty." he whispered, going to sit next to me. "pretty gay! i like girls." i smiled, grabbing my bag before walking off to the nearest coffee shop. i immediately texted cait about what had just happened. all she replied was "ew. men." which was completely valid statement. i ordered a small coffee before i had to board the plane.

 i was never scared of airplanes or flying when i was young. dad and i would fly all over the country to scout, i begged him every time to bring me. if i remember anything from my childhood was the flights. i boarded the plane, and to my surprise, cait got me a first class ticket. she really is the kindest person i know. the flight is about 3 hours, so i put my headphones on and dozed off. 

paige's pov.

i woke up on the floor of my dorm, nika and azzi hogging my own bed. it was so early, but i had an odd feeling that i needed to be awake. everyone was vast asleep, which meant i had to sneak out of here. i swiftly tiptoed over lili, who was sound asleep on the floor. i gently opened the door, and closed it. i walked down the stairs to the second level. 225. 

i gently knocked at y/n's door, but no answer. was it too early? it was around 7:45 am. she had always been an early bird. i texted her, "are you awake?" but no reply. was she mad? did i make a mistake? i wish she would open the door. after 5 more minutes of waiting, i walk back to my own dorm, defeated. i feel so uneasy not knowing how she feels. it's a weight on my shoulder's different from basketball or other things. i had this ache that i needed to know she was okay. 

y/n's pov.

lil paigey b: are you awake?

this was sent 20 minutes ago, i didn't know how to reply or if i even should. if i told her i was awake, she would want to see me? i'll see her when i get home tomorrow. the plane had landed, and we were about to exit. i was excited to see cait and really just spend the weekend with her. it had been a month or two since i had seen her last. 

as i exited the plane, and went to baggage claim. i see a tall, brunette girl holding a sign that read "y/n auriemma missed me!" with the biggest smile plastered on her face. i practically ran down the escalator to hug her. "i had no idea you were picking me up!" i was so happy to feel her touch again, it had no idea i even missed it until i felt her embrace again. "well, i had to see you as soon as possible, sunshine." we walked to grab my bags, which caitlin grabbed even after i insisted on carrying it. she was so thoughtful in that way, it just warmed my heart. 

the car waiting outside had someone in the driver's seat, on the phone. cait and i slid into the backseat, she had scooted closer to me which cause my stomach to flutter. "let me call you in a sec, em." a familiar voice said before hanging up her phone. "kate!" i yelled with excitement, as she smiled towards me. "isn't it our favorite husky." she drove out of the airport parking lot, towards to what i assumed to be the residence halls of Iowa. "well, it's in my blood." i giggled, looking at cait who was currently taking a selfie of us. i smiled for the camera as she wrapped her arm around my waist. "caitlin has not shut up about you coming, i think all of des moines knows you're here." kate laughed, as caitlin's face turned red. "what! sunshine hasn't been to Iowa yet! we gotta give her the hawkeye welcome." she hadn't let go of me, and i didn't mind. it felt so right, like we had done this a million times before. 

we pulled into the Iowa dorms, and i had assumed kate and caitlin shared a dorm. we took my bag up to their dorm, which was yellow and black all over. "it feels like a bumblebee exploded in here." i sighed as we walked in. caitlin gasped, "how did you know?" i laughed, her jokes were just as bad as any dad joke i've ever heard. "i'm gonna go meet em for breakfast! see you guys tonight!" kate waved us goodbye as she walked out. cait lays on her bed, laying the sign she greeted me with beside her. "i need proof you and this sign are real." i giggled holding my phone to take a photo. caitlin held the sign and smiled, which was the cutest thing i had ever seen. i posted the picture on my snapchat story, with the intention of making someone jealous. i laid my head on cait's chest, watching her do something on her phone. "i'm really glad you're here, y/n." she whispered, setting down her phone. i felt her play with my hair, twisting it between my fingers. "me, too." i rolled over to where i could see her, face to face. 

i looked at her big brown eyes, which glimmered almost with excitement. i could feel her breath on mine, as she inched in closer. "sunshine, can i?" she whispered, grabbing my face. before i could even reply, i felt her lips on mine. they were warm, and tasted like coconut. it felt so right. it felt like i had done it a million times before. caitlin pulled back, her face looked as she was waiting on my reaction. "cait.." i smiled, you couldn't wipe it off of my face if you tried. 

caitlin's pov.

i had finally kissed her, and she kissed me back. y/n had rolled back over, and i could see her slowly daze off. her eyes were fluttering and i couldn't help but smile as she drifted off to sleep. i quickly grabbed my phone to text kate that i finally did it, but all i saw was a call from bueckers. odd. i ignored it, knowing y/n was asleep. would paige come to the gatorade party tonight? i wasn't sure, but all i knew was that y/n was with me. i wouldn't make the same mistake i did this summer, letting her go with paige. i heard soft snores coming from y/n, it took everything in me not to laugh. i slowly moved to cover us with a blanket, and let myself drift off along with her.

paige's pov. 

i didn't understand at all what was happening. y/n had posted caitlin clark. i had left her alone for less then 24 hours and she flew to des moines? i knew she was upset, but enough to fly to iowa? i had called caitlin but no answer, and the same from y/n. i was so jealous of someone who i knew i was better then. i had never been jealous for this reason, ever. my head was pounding, either from a hangover or y/n. "paige, what time is it?" i hear from the other side of the dorm. a slumped nika, and half awake azzi were still in my bed. "time for you to take an advil." i chuckled at azzi who was currently squinting from the sun. "please." she groaned, rolling over nika and onto her feet. i could worry less about y/n, i'll worry about her when she gets back.