𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝.

𝟏𝟎.

caitlin's pov.

i was having the best time, with all of my teammates and y/n being here. she looked gorgeous. "so when do you go back to connecticut?" hannah asked y/n from across the table. "oh, i have to leave tonight." her voice softens as the sad truth is brought up. i felt awful knowing she went home and i wouldn't see her again for a while. "girll, that sucks. come transfer to iowa." emma said as she forks in some potatoes. "i think geno would lose it" i giggle, knowing he would never let that happen. "probably, or disown me" y/n laughed as she played with her food. i could tell her mood dimmed at the topic of leaving. i reach over and give her leg a squeeze, just so she knows i'm there.

as everyone ate dinner, a gatorade representative gave a speech on the stage. "thank you to everyone for being here! gatorade truly loves Iowa and all it's fans. making sure we keep you hydrated!" everyone clapped as the event came to a close. waiters took our food, and drinks. "that was so good, i think i have a food baby." kate lifts her shirt to show her bloated stomach causing the table to erupt with laughter. "okay, em and kate, are you riding back with jada or coming to the airport?" i ask, looking for my keys to go. "uh we can go back with jay." they smiled, and winked at me.

time skip brought to you by caitlin's shoe obsession!

y/n's pov.

we had pulled into the parking lot of the airport. the entire ride was filled with silence. "ready?" caitlin mumbled. we both had a heavy feeling on our hearts. "cait, we gotta talk." i sigh, finally turning towards her and meeting her eyes. i could see her big brown eyes, watering at my words. "y/n.." she whispered, it hurt me to just see her like this. "cait. we live so far away, and we are both so busy with sports and college. how is this gonna work?" i croak out, the lump in my throat growing. i see caitlin's tears rush down her face, as she looks at me. "i want to make it work." she whispers, grabbing my hand. i feel the tears flood my eyes. "listen, if by the time iowa plays uconn this spring, and you and i still feel this way. we can make it work." i say through sobs. she nods her head and pulls me into a hug. i let her cry into my shoulder, it shatters my heart knowing it won't be this easy. "okay, sunshine. you gotta go." she gives me a weak smile before kissing my cheek. i nod and return that same smile. "goodbye, cait." i open the car door, and walk out to grab my bags. from the trunk, i hear caitlin's sobs which absolutely break my heart. i turn to walk into the airport, giving her a wave, before returning to reality.

paige's pov.

we had just gotten home from the club, because azzi thought it was a good idea to go out two nights in a row. nika was our dd so she was currently tending to lili and azzi in their bed. i check my phone to see if y/n texted me, maybe i'll give her a call. "guys, ill be back." i stumble out of the door, and call y/n from the hallway.

"hello?" i hear a faint voice in my ear. it was y/n, she finally answered. "well if it isn't my favorite iowa cheerleader." i groan, reminding myself where she is. "actually, i just landed back home." i can hear sadness in her voice, but im confused why. "well, yellow and black don't suit you anyways." i whisper, leaning against the wall. "so, are you gonna ask me why i was there?" i heard her get into a car, assuming an uber. "the gatorade party?" i groan, knowing she was there with caitlin clark. "you got over me quick." i sigh but let out a small chuckle. "i wouldn't worry about cait, bueckers." she whispered into the phone. those words made my eyes light up. "well, i'm sorry i left, y/n. i should've told azzi." i mumble into the phone. "it's okay paige. we can talk about it when i get home." her voice sounds lighter, almost happier. maybe all i needed to do was apologize. "well on a side note, i think you might have to drag me to class tomorrow. i'm gonna be so hungover." i groan, rubbing my head as it pounds. "i couldn't if i tried. you're tall and scary." i hear her say thank you to the uber driver, and a door open. i quickly walk to the residence hall door, to see the one and only, y/n standing there.

"hey." i say, looking her up and down. she looked rough, as if she had been crying but gave me a smile anyways. "hi." she walks towards me and i grab her for a hug. i melt at her touch, she squeezes my neck as i hear her sniffle. "are you okay?" i ask softly, petting her hair as i feel her cry into my shoulder. "i know you don't wanna hear it, but i shouldn't have gone. it would never work between her and i." she says through sobs. "i know, it's okay." it pains me that she even thought about caitlin like that, but she doesn't need to hear that, i just have to be there for her, and not make the same mistake.

"you wanna go up to your room?" i ask, wiping her tears. i hate to see her y/e/c eyes filled with sadness when they usually are light and gleaming. "yea." she sniffles, grabbing her bags and walks towards the stairs to the second floor. i follow her to her room just to make sure she's okay. as she unlocks the door, i rub her back. i'm doing my best to push down the jealousy and be there for her. we walk into her room and she sets her bags down. "thank you, paige." she gives me a weak smile as she sits on her bed. i nod, and go to leave before she stops me. "wait, stay with me?" i hear her plead from the bed. i look back and smile before jumping on her bed. an eruption of laughter comes from underneath me as i'm currently crushing her. "just such a comfy bed!" i exclaim, rolling all over her. y/n's familiar laugh was so sweet. i'm happy she let it out instead of continuing to be upset. i finally roll over next to her, and let her lay on my chest. she wraps her arms around me. "goodnight, auriemma." i whisper into her ear. "night, bueckers." she says faintly as her eyes flutter asleep.