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PAIGE MADISON BUECKERS FRIDAY |7:30 PM. FEBRUARY 1st, 2024
Kamyah leaned over the bar, tapping her fingers against the counter while waiting for the bartender's attention. The music was loud, and the energy in the room buzzed with excitement, but Kamyah was focused on one thing—getting a drink and shaking off the weird tension she felt earlier.
She barely had time to order when Paige appeared next to her, leaning casually against the bar. Kamyah raised an eyebrow. "You runnin' from something? You ditched them fast."
Paige shrugged, her expression unreadable. "They're being nosy. You know how they are."
"Yeah, I heard," Kamyah said, her lips curving into a smirk. "Something about 'hanging out a lot,' 'taking all your time'... ring any bells?"
Paige rolled her eyes, letting out a small laugh. "They think we're hiding something."
Kamyah turned to face her, her body language relaxed, but her eyes curious. "And are we?"
Paige stared at her for a moment, a flicker of something unspoken passing between them. It felt like they were both tiptoeing around the edge of something neither wanted to name. Paige quickly shook her head, breaking the silence. "Nah, we're just—"
"—friends," Kamyah finished for her, a hint of teasing in her voice.
"Exactly," Paige agreed, though her tone didn't sound as convincing as she hoped. She was too aware of how close Kamyah was standing next to her, how easy it was to get lost in moments like these.
Just then, the bartender finally came over, snapping them out of the moment. Kamyah ordered a round of shots for the group and turned her focus back to the party. But the unspoken tension between her and Paige lingered, hanging in the air like static electricity.
As they carried the drinks back to the group, Kamyah couldn't help but glance at Paige out of the corner of her eye. She wasn't sure when their dynamic shifted, but lately, it felt like something was changing between them. Something she couldn't quite name, but definitely felt.
Back with the group, the vibe shifted quickly to celebration. Shots were passed around, and soon enough, the laughter and energy picked up again.
"Here's to another win!" Nika shouted, raising her glass high. Everyone followed, clinking their glasses together before downing the drinks in unison.
Kamyah felt the warm burn of the alcohol settle in her chest, but it did little to ease the growing awareness she had of Paige standing next to her. She turned to find Paige already looking at her, a quiet, almost contemplative expression on her face.
"Everything good?" Kamyah asked, half- teasing but genuinely curious. Paige gave a soft smile. "Yeah, just thinking."
Kamyah raised an eyebrow. "You? Thinking? That's dangerous." Paige laughed, pushing Kamyah playfully by the shoulder. "Shut up."
