𝐊𝐢𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 ☆ Paige Bueckers

V

𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠

☆彡𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑎
Narrative

☆⋆｡𖦹°‧★

There. The last of our grocery list was in a Target shopping cart, which means I can look around for a few wants.

As I stroll up and down various isles of candy and clothes I catch a glimpse of a familiar figure.
Double taking I realize it's one of the girls from the basketball team.

At the same time I look at her she looks at me.

"Hey, aren't you the girl that's friends with our PT assistant?"

"Oh, uhm yeah I am." She reaches her hand out to shake mine and I shake back.

"Nika."
"Evelina, but you can just call me Eve or Lina."
I give her a reciprocated smile.

"Well it was nice meeting you Eve, but I should probably get going, the team is depending on my shopping. I'll see you around?"

"For sure."

We both say our goodbyes and I continue to shop.

When I get home that evening I am greeted by Cameron sprawled out across the couch. When she sees me load in the bags her body is right by my side helping stock up the fridge and pantry.

"They want me to come to their practice tomorrow so I can, I guess observe the players, and just get to know them better."

"Oh, that's cool," I responded, putting a carton of almond milk in the fridge.

"So would you want to come with me?"

I sigh, turning to her as she puts a box of cereal in the pantry.

"If you really want me to, I will."

"You are the best."

"I know." I laugh finishing up in the kitchen and going to my room so I can practice on my guitar before bed.

As the night slows we both cave into our rooms doing separate things until sleep takes over.

✰✰✰

I would be lying if I didn't say I was excited for today. For the last 2 years of college, I have only surrounded myself with one person. That being Cameron. So maybe when I go with her today I can find comfort in the family of women's basketball. I don't have to be friends with all of them, at least just one. Maybe it will be Nika, she seems pretty nice.

The morning is moving slowly. I got up, took a shower, did skincare, and got dressed. Now I'm on the couch eating cereal next to Cam as her eyes are glued to the screen in front of us. Cam and her shows.

After we finish breakfast we load into the car on our way to meet with the team.

I think Cameron has warmed up to everyone now since she was the first to walk in and meet with the athletic trainers to talk to them.

Some time has gone by and as I wait for Cameron in the locker room, some of the team starts to come in.

Shit.

Fortunately, before anyone notices me Cameron pulls me onto the court so she can talk with coach Auriemma.

As the minutes tick by the players start to trickle onto the court.

"Hey, Eve!"

I hear a voice call out to me. I turn to see Nika waving.

As I wave back I make eye contact with the girl next to her. The one who is tall and has deep blue eyes.

Pulling me away from my gaze Cameron tells me I can go sit on the bench while she talks with the player getting to know them.

I distract myself with my phone so I don't have to sit there and watch her.

I can't tell how much time has gone by, but all of a sudden I feel the presence of another person sitting a few chairs away from me.

I straighten up now paying attention to the players shooting around.

My thoughts can't help but wander to the person next to me. Why is she the only one on the bench?

"Bueckers." I hear from the side as the ball is tossed to the girl.

The sound of the ball hitting the floor repeatedly is stopped followed by the feeling of a ball hitting my feet. I picked it up and handed it back to the girl looking at her for the first time since she sat down.

"Sorry."

"No need to apologize." I smile lightly.

Her eyes linger on mine before she turns away to dribble some more.

As I watch the ball flow from her fingers to the floor I can't help but ignore the question, and without thinking my mouth moves faster than my mind.

"How come you aren't out there with them?"

The ball stops and she looks up at me.

"I uh tore my ACL like a month ago, so I can't play for the season."

"Damn, I'm sorry that must suck."

The silence between us lingers for a moment.

"I'm Evelina by the way." I reach my hand out to her.

"Paige." She shakes it.

"So uh why are you here?"

"I'm here for Cameron. She gets nervous when it comes to meeting new people so I guess you could say I'm her emotional support."

"That's cool."

As the awkward silence grows between us I revert my attention to the other girls practicing leaving her to practice on her own.

˚. ✦.˳·˖✶ ⋆.✧̣̇˚.
Me when I choose to write instead of homework.
Hey this is the first time they have talked to each other we are getting somewhere ayeeee
-j