sparks fly ~ caitlin clark

2. everything you lose is a step you take

Everything was back to how it should be for Izzie. New basketball season with her girls.

After the first practice back, Izzie was feeling great. She had trained all summer back at her house. Most of the girls were out of shape and Coach Bluder took them as an example.

"First game is in a month, ladies. Do we want to look like this?" She pointed at the girls, pouring sweat and having trouble breathing. "Summer is no reason to slack off. It was about time for the summer program to start. If we play like this against UConn, they will laugh at us. Straight to your guys' faces and the only thing I'll be able to say is: long live the summer program. Each and every one of you needs to get in better shape, and soon."

Coach Bluder was never soft on us. She keeps us in line and that's crucial for the team because most of us need that motherly guidance. 

We all gathered in a huddle to chant for our school before heading out. In the locker room, everyone was pretty quiet after the painful practice we just suffered. But just as I suspected, the chatter started after a few minutes. We aren't a quiet team, to say the least.

Izzie laughed with Jada as she zipped up her bag. She felt a warm touch on her lower back. 

"Hey Iz, were going to hang out in Kate's dorm if you're down?" Caitlin invites as her hand stays comfortably on Izzie's back. "You too, Jada!"

She could feel the girl's warmth by how close they were.

"Yeah, I'm so down to catch up with all of you." Izzie smiled gazing at the pretty brunette beside her. 

"Yeah, same"

"Awesome, I'll see you soon then, later Iz,"

She felt goosebumps set in when Caitlin's warm touch left her skin. Jada snickered lightly.

"Why are you laughing?" Isabella questioned her friend's amusement.

"Because I'm wondering what excuse you are gonna use this time to convince me you two are  "just friends"" She shook her head laughing.

"Shut up," 

Izzie couldn't help but smile brightly at her friend's accusations. They are just friends. They are just a little more touchy with each other but nothing more. Right?

Everyone headed to their dorms to take a shower before heading to Kate's. Izzie, still in her towel, scrolled through her phone while lying on her bed. A smile immediately jolted to her face when she saw Caitlin's name pop on her screen.

Caiti xx

Are you coming soon?

At least try to hide how much you miss me, Clark

You are just too irresistible for me to lie and

say I didn't come to Kate's just to see you

Shut up, pretty girl

Izzie no longer needed the blush she was about to apply. But they were just friends. Friends fake flirt most of the time. It's normal! She was suddenly very motivated to get up and get dressed. She grabbed some sweats and her school's hoodie and threw them on. She headed down the stairs with a certain feeling in her stomach.

Izzie knocked on Kate's door to be answered only a second later.

"Hey, beautiful," Cait welcomed with her usual warm and bright smile. " I saved you a seat next to me on the couch over there."

Isabella was very grateful she decided against the blush because her complexion would be about tomato red about now.

The girls welcomed her with a bunch of hello's. As she went to sit down where Caitlin had motioned her to, Gabbie interjected before she could hit the pillow.

"Okay, why is she allowed to sit there and I'm not?" 

"Because it's the lover's seat!" Jada announced proudly. "Look at those two!"

The room erupted in laughter and oos aimed at Caitlin and Izzie. Caitlin was just as red as Isabella now. They chuckled along with the group.

It was known to the team that those two had something going on. They loved to tease them but even after the entire last season, they still persist in saying they are just friends.

The evening went by so quickly with all the catching up they had to do. Izzie felt somewhat sad to have missed the summer who seemed so incredible with her girls. She was glad to be able to make up for lost time now. 

"I think it's time to head back now, guys. It's getting late and with the practice we had, sleep is overdue." Gabbie teased the group.

Everyone agreed and they all got up and thanked Kate for the night. Izzie embraced her in a big hug she missed having in Canada. She then headed out the door towards her dorm.

"Hey, wait up!" Cait's voice trailed from behind.

She let the tall girl catch up to her and latch on to her arm. A small but comforting way of connecting with Caitlin.

"Thank you for inviting me tonight, Caiti," Izzie thanked looking up at the girl's beautiful eyes.

"I wouldn't miss a chance to see you."

Izzie smiled brighter and a soft red tint grew to her skin. She felt safe with Caitlin at her side.

"Is your dorm this way as well?" Asked Izzie.

"No complete opposite way actually,"

"You can't keep away from me, eh?" A playful smile appears on Isabella's face. "I hope you're not waiting for me to invite you in 'cause it's gonna need a lot more than a couple of cute smiles to get you in my bed."

"Oh, so you think I have a cute smile?" Caitlin's eyebrows shot up at the compliment.

"Oh stop it, you already know you're cute," Izzie admits. 

They stopped at her door continuing their flirtatious arguing.

"At least now I know where to come knocking if I need to be reminded of my cuteness," Cait pouts lightly to the girl who couldn't stop laughing at her friend's silliness.

"Goodnight, Caiti"

"Goodnight, love"