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5

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i was trying to distract myself from the fact that in the next 5 minutes a tiny 5'4 girl was about to walk through the gym doors. i had no idea how i'm gonna react, i don't know if i'll burst into tears. i hear my teammates gossiping about nina, nika telling them all about meeting her the other day.

nika already loved her, which made me smile and chuckle to myself. nina had that effect on people, everyone automatically loved her. it made me nostalgic for the times we were together, not just dating, but best friends. i was not immune to her charms.

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flashback, ages 12

i smile at nina as she shot the ball at the hoop, practicing her skills. she didn't know i was here.

"nice shot!" i call out to her, chuckling when she shrieked and whipped around.

"paige! don't do that!" she breaths deeply, pressing her hand to her chest. "you scared me half to death."

I laugh and walk over to her, grabbing the basketball where it had rolled to a stop. "you trying out for the team this year?" i ask, giving the basketball a few dribbles and then tossing it to the basket.

"obviously! i'm offended you even have to ask!" nina jogs to grab my rebound and pass it back to me. she runs up to me to play mock defense. "fancy a bit of one on one?"

"ooh! you think you can beat me?" i laugh and focus more on my dribbling, making direct eye contact with nina.

"big words for small game, bueckers!" nina mikes a swipe for the ball before i fake left and make a drive for the basket.

i cheer as the basketball falls through the net, looking back to see nina smiling at me.

i blush.

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i've loved her for years and i will love her for years. nothing will stop that, even if she hates me.

"team, gather up!" geno calls out, standing at half court. "welcome to the official start of the new 2023-2024 season."

cheers erupt amongst the girls, which i half-hearteningly join. geno always starts the first official practice with a speech about updates and expectations for the new season. nina was still not here. i make a quick sweep of my teammates. everyone was here, everyone except nina.

where was she? she was late. was she ok? was she hurt? did she need something? where was she?

"oh my god! i'm so sorry i'm late! i got lost! i'm so sorry!" the side door to the gym bursts open and out spills nina lowery in all her glory.

i take a deep breath, stunned and frozen in place as i stare at nina. she's slightly disheveled, bag hanging haphazardly from her arm, one shoe untied, but she was still perfect in my eyes.

"that's alright, you're just in time." geno says reassuringly.

nika runs over to her and grabs her in a hug. "girl! i was worried! you could've called me!"

"oh!" nina looks surprised, and after a moment of hesitation, hugs nika back. "sorry! i thought i knew my way around well enough to find my way. guess i really didn't."

"all good girl! we were just getting started anyways!" kk calls out. "i'm kk! you're nina!"

nina laughs and looks over at our huddled team.

making direct eye contact with me.

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ᴀ/ɴ! sorry for the delay! i know you guys have been asking for an update, but i hit a writers block. i'm back though! hopefully for a while before i hit another block again!