HOW DID IT END? paige bueckers

16

— REAL LIFE

AVERY FOSTER

Paige Bueckers was a piece of shit.

Not actually, but from what Leighton told me, my view changed on her completely. Not in a I hate you because you hurt my best friend kind of way, but more of a I know what you are so I understand, but that still does not give you the right kind of way. When Leighton had explained everything of her surprising and utterly dark past, I found myself seeing both sides of the story perfectly. Both sides of the hurt. I saw Leighton's perspective, and how confusing and heartbreaking that must of been. But, I also understood the reasoning behind Paige's actions. I could read her like a book, I could read them like a book. For months now, they have been my all-time focus. I could see how they acted around each other, the stolen glances, how jumpy they were. It wasn't hard to realize they once had been something.

I did my best this morning to comfort Leighton after the events of last night. I wasn't sure what completely happened last night, or how it led to her crying in my arms so devastated I could barely recognize her, but she willingly opened up to me knowing how terrifying it was, so I wasn't going to cross any boundaries. I was proud of her, something like that is scary to admit out loud. I would know. I woke her up hesitantly earlier this morning, informing her the girls had practice, and we had to attend. However, Leighton refused, begging me permission not to go like a child pretending to be sick in order to miss school. I told her to just stay here, and I would tell Mr. Owens that she had a family emergency. I would never wish to make her confront Paige, not after whatever happened between them last night, or for the last 10 years apparently.

Currently however, I was sitting in the bleachers glaring a burning hole into said Paige Bueckers. Honestly, all of the girls looked like shit. I told them it's a shitty idea to party the night before a practice. However, according to Nika, they had "done it so much it had no effect on them." What a fucking lie, I think, smiling to myself as I look at all the pale and sickly faces, sweaty bodies, and eyes occupied with bags underneath them. I told them so.

"Where's Leighton?" Blake whispers, interrupting my thoughts. God, she's so in love.

"Didn't feel too well this morning, must be the aftermaths of last night. Although, I'd say she'd still be taking it better than these bitches here." I laugh, waving my finger at the girls practicing, conscious of Geno yelling at them to pick up the pace. At this moment they were running suicide drills. And based on the look of these girls, I wouldn't be surprised if they actually started contemplating the act of the drill's name. A suicide drill consisted of running up and down the increments of the court. Run to the free-throw line, back, run to half court, back, then run to free-throw line on the opposite side of the court, back, then to the opposite baseline. I suddenly am thankful I quit basketball in 2nd grade.

Paige stands in the back of the line, bent over with her hands pressed against her knees. She then stands up and wipes her face with the collar of her practice jersey. Her eyes are puffy, rimmed with the redness of  a rough night. The same eyes then scan the bleachers where we all sit. They wonder and wonder, back and forth as if the person she is looking for is yet to come. That person definitely being Leighton, will not come. Paige meets my gaze, raising an eyebrow curiously. I narrow my eyes and raise one eyebrow, giving her a well-deserved glare. She then forms her lips into a straight line and looks at the floor. I wipe my hands on my bare legs before going back to charting Nika's progress.