This Love (Paige Bueckers)

54

March 20, 2025

Paige pov

I got home from the hospital yesterday. we're currently still waiting on news from the doctors on what's wrong.

my ankle hardly even hurts anymore. it's like when you twist it and it hurts for a bit but then stops. like Caitlin in the Sun game last year.

im laying in bed on my phone because im technically "not allowed" to practice.

"Paige," iris says, walking into the room.

"hey," I smile.

"how are you feeling?" she asks.

"I feel fine," I shrug. "it doesn't even hurt anymore."

"you don't have to lie," she says.

"im not!" I laugh. "I seriously feel fine."

"you heard them though. they said that you probably wouldn't be able to play in the tournament."

"I have powers," I say. "healing, like that shit in Fortnite."

"alright, Bueckers," she sighs.

Bueckers.

"one of these days-" I start before im interrupted by my phone ringing.

"hello?" I say after picking up the phone.

"hey! this is doctor Alison, is this Paige?"

"yes," I say.

"we have results with your ankle," she says. "you have a small sprain. the reason it hurt so bad was because of the stiffness in it."

"it's only a sprain?" I ask.

"correct," she answers. "it should heal within a few days. but sadly, you are not cleared to play in the first round."

"but I can play in the second, right?" I ask, terrified.

"we aren't sure yet," she answers. "possibly."

"so, you're telling me that there is a chance that I could never play in storrs ever again?"

"yes, sadly," she replies.

"okay, thank you."

"make sure to rest," she adds.

"I will," I promise.

"bye," she says.

"bye."

I stare at the wall, holding in tears.

"what happened?" Iris asked.

"there's a chance I won't be able to play in Storrs again."

"what?!" she stands up.

"yup," I sigh.

"fuck," she whispers. "im so sorry."

"it's not your fault," I assure.

"is there anything I can do?" she asks.

I raise an eyebrow.

"Bueckers," she smirks. "really?"

"you're the one who asked," I shrug.

she looks as me and smiles. she pulls her shirt over her head and she's wearing one of my sports bras.

"woah," I whisper.

she slowly walks over to me. "you seem pretty tense."

"very very tense," I nod.