𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝.

𝟏𝟒.

paige's pov.

i had waken up much earlier then y/n this morning due to an early practice. i made sure to text her why i left and a good morning text. this is most likely the longest relationship or whatever this is, that i've been in. i don't think i would ever tell anyone that i'm falling for y/n, but i absolutely am. which terrifies me. i walk into the gym, my headphones blasting music. basketball was exactly what i needed to get my mind to stop thinking. i set my things in the locker room, seeing nika here. we usually got to practice earlier to shoot before everyone else. "hey paige." she smiles, as she puts on her basketball shoes. "hey nika" i mumble, removing my headphones. she looks at me in shock, i instantly feel bad for my tone. "is everything alright?" she asks, walking over to me. i sigh, holding my head in my hands. "yeah, just a lot on my mind." i breath out, feeling her hand rub my back. "do you want to talk about it?" she asks, continuing to comfort me. nika had always been there for me since i've met her, she and i had become so close since she moved here from croatia. "yeah, let's shoot and talk." i get up and she follows me to the gym. 

i grab and ball and begin dribbling. it makes my chest lighter, this was my peace. i begin to shoot from the free throw line, hitting the rim. "fuck." i angrily yell. nika grabs the ball from the court, "okay, let's talk." she says, passing me the ball. i catch the ball, running to hit a layup, which completely misses the hoop. "okay. fine." i whine, sitting on the bleachers. it made me so angry i couldn't even come to basketball to feel better. "what's going on, P?" she asks, sitting next to me. i could hear how much she cared in her voice. i was so thankful for the bonds i shared with my teammates. "well, please don't tell anyone, but me and y/n might be a thing." she smirks smugly. "oh we know." she announces, which makes my jaw drop. "how?" i exclaim, i thought we had hid it pretty well. "well first, you two began hanging out all the time out of nowhere. second, everyone sees how you stare at her and how she looks at you. third, we saw how upset you were when she flew to des moines." nika says, rubbing my back. "fuck, what do you mean we?" i ask, beginning to stress out even more. what if geno knew? "most of the team, except for like the seniors because they don't care. don't worry, no one has said anything to geno." she smiles. i exhale, letting out a breath of relief.

 "well, what's wrong between you two?" i groan, there was too much to even explain. "well one, i don't know how to do relationships. i've always been a fling kind of gal." nika laughs. "very hey mamas of you." i playfully slap her hand, and roll my eyes. "and i just know she had a thing with caitlin clark, which makes me uneasy. but the biggest thing is i'm scared what coach will do when he finds out." i sigh, it felt good to talk to someone about this. "honestly, in my opinion, i think both of you need this. y/n is a sweet girl from the few times i've talked to her, and i can tell she makes you happy. i think coach geno can get over himself if it comes to it. also you have never worried about caitlin clark in basketball or anything, so don't worry now." i listen to her very carefully. she's right. all of the reasons why y/n and i wouldn't work are just excuses. "thank you nika. i really needed this." i smile before getting up and grabbing the basketball. "anytime, P." she smiles, as i pass the ball to her. we play 1v1 for about 15 minutes before the rest of our team pours into the gym. 

"hey guys!" azzi says walking into the gym. aaliyah follows behind her walking with aubrey. "what's up Z?" i ask passing the ball. we all start playing half court before coach walks in. "good morning, huskies!" his voice booms inside the gym. we all huddle infront of him, awaiting his instructions. "so, in about 2 weeks we will have a preseason game with Iowa." i hear the last word out of his mouth, Iowa. i feel my heart drop. "after the summer game, i'd really like us to put in the work. we need to keep atleast 10 above them." he says, i feel myself turn pale at the thought of playing them again. i feel nika's eyes on me, as she knows exactly what i'm feeling. "on a side note, if we have a good practice, this monday i will be hosting a labor day cookout!" the girls start to shout with excitement, as i snap back from my thoughts. "now, now. that's only if we have a good couple practices. now. huskies on 3." the girls chant "1, 2, 3 huskies!" before dispersing on the court. i need to lock in, and show caitlin who i am. this is where i need to put in the work. 

y/n's pov.

i wake to an empty bed. i groan, as i check my phone. two notifications. 

lil paigey b: good morningg, i had an early practice but text me when you wake up. <3

missed call from "cait clark!!"

i feel my chest grow heavy at the sight of caitlin's name. what in the world. we had agreed to put some distance between us to soften the blow. what did she need? was she okay? i quickly dial her number, listening to the phone ring. "hey sunshine." her familiar voice makes my body tense. "hey cait, are you okay?" i ask frantically, i brace myself for bad news. "well, i'm coming to conneticut in two weeks. i'd really like to see you, y/n." her voice softens, making my heart beat slow. "cait.." i whisper. i could feel tears swell in my eyes, what about paige? i don't know if i could do this again. "i miss you, a lot. and i really hope you miss me. we don't have to get into a relationship, but i just want to see you." i hear her voice break. "okay. and you know i miss you cait." i whisper, feeling the tears run down my face. "okay sunshine." i hear her sniffle, knowing the sound of her cry. "okay." i say between sobs, before hearing the phone hang up. 

i lay my head down on the pillow, staring into the ceiling. i let myself cry, i didn't know how much i missed her until i heard her voice. what was i gonna do? i was in such a good place with paige, and i could feel myself falling for the girl. but caitlin, cait was my soft spot. i reminisce on our time together all the time. it didn't hurt because i couldn't have her, it hurt because i could have her, if we didn't live miles away. i have two weeks to figure out what paige and i are, and then i can worry about caitlin when the time comes.