"So we just got to our hotel this is what we're working with" I say panning my camera to the room. "Very cute very cute and then Leah is in the bathroom showering already I don't know who she wants to impress but she's finally showering" I joke.
"So you guys are probably wondering why I'm in Albany and it is because we are here to see March madness. Today it is sweet sixteen day and we are going to the Iowa vs Colorado game shoutout Gabbie for hooking us up with tickets that we probably wouldn't have scored if it weren't for her" I chuckle.
"I am so excited to meet them i will literally be geeking so hard over them"
———
"What if they hate us or we don't click" Leah asks as we make our way to our pre game lunch reservation. "Then that'll be awkward but we'll be glad we came to support women's sports win win scenario" I smile.
We go into the restaurant "hi welcome in table for two?" The hostess asks "yep just two" I say holding up two fingers. We make our way to the table "is this okay" she asks "so so sorry but could we get a booth instead?" I ask nervously.
"Of course yeah" she says walking us back to a booth. "Here you go" she places the menus in front of us. "Your waiter will be with you shortly" she smiles before walking off.
"What are you getting?" Leah ask looking up from her menu "I think chicken parm and a side of caesar salad you?" "Umm I think garlic chicken and veggies" "that sounds good I want that now" I say.
"They have white rice too" she says pointing to a menu item "garlic chicken and white rice that sounds so yummylicious" I say excitedly.
"Ladies" a guy coughs "can I get you guys started with drinks?" "I'll have an iced tea please" Leah hums "I'll have a water please and I think we're ready to order" I smile.
"Great what can I get you?" "I'll have the garlic chicken and could you substitute the veggies with white white rice please and Leah" "garlic chicken with the veggies" she says finishing the order.
"Great I will have that out for you shortly ladies and I'll be back with your drinks"
———
We make it to the arena and find our seats which weren't too hard to find considering they were first row after the sidelines. "Oh wow this is such a change of scenery" Leah laughs taking her sights in which consisted of full stands, the teams on the court warming up on either side of the court and lots of cameras.
"Oh my goodness" Leah yells "what? what's is it?" I ask "I see your girlfriend" Leah says excitedly. "Girl don't scare me like that" I say lightly smacking her shoulder.
"Who do you think is winning today?" She asks "Iowa duh" I laugh as if it weren't the most obvious answer. "Obviously huh" she giggles.
I pull out my small camera and press record "so we made it to the game well it hasn't started but this is my outfit just a plain black tube top and blue jeans with my converse and this is Leah's fit for today the same thing except for white and that's the court I hope they start soon I want to see all the action already I'm so excited" I say giddily before turning the camera off once again.
———
"And just like that no one scored but it is an Iowa win and they're heading to elite eight" I say to the camera excitedly for the team. "Just how we predicted the score to be" Leah shrugs.
"But we're going to wait for a bit of the crowd to leave because I do not want to be held up in people traffic" I giggle and pan the camera to the people making their way out of the arena "what did you think Leah first basketball game... correction women's basketball" I ask.
"It was good the energy was there the excitement the enthusiasm everything was a ten I loved it I feel like I could play basketball now" she jokes. "Any wnba scouts watching... here is your new recruit she won't let y'all down you will be proud with this pick" I joke as we both let out laughter.
"What about you bella what did you think?" She says taking the camera and recording me "I thought the same I loved the game and I will most definitely be attending another one" "mmm you loved the game or loved a player" "loved the players" I shrug jokingly before she turns the camera off and hands it back to me.
"Oh Gabbie texted me she asked if we should meet up at a restaurant instead...calmer setting I'm guessing" "I'm down ask which"
"She asked if Italian is okay" I nod "perfect" I say gathering all of my things.
——
"We are currently in the lobby of the hotel I have changed into this mini skirt and leather jacket with my docs" I sigh making Leah show my outfit to the camera "would you like to tell them what we're doing" she asks I nod in disagreement.
"She's a little upset because the Uber is taking longer than expected and she's hungry...but this is my outfit" she smiles to the camera making me laugh at her unserious comments.
Finally the Uber gets to the hotel after what seemed like hours of waiting we reach the restaurant where we were meeting with Gabbie.
We make our way in being greeted by a guy "hi do you have a reservation?" He asks "yeah Marshall party?" Leah tells him "perfect you two are the last of the party" he smiles leading out to the floor as we trail behind him.
"Oh great hi you made it" I hear Gabbie say getting up from her chair. "Oh my goodness hi nice to finally meet you two" she says embracing Leah with a hug. "It's so nice to meet you too thanks again for all that you did" Leah says. She makes her way over to me and hugs me as well.
"And this is Caitlin, Jada and Kate" she says "hi" they all say getting up in unison greeting Leah first. "I'm Caitlin nice to meet you" "so nice to meet you" I smile before Jada comes next "just saying I've watched you since like sophomore year of high school i literally lived vicariously through your study abroad videos" she smiles "I too do that til this day" I laugh.
Finally the one I was most nervous to meet only because of the fact that she could be well aware of my small crush on her and it was kind of embarrassing. "Hi I'm Kate" she smiles extending her hand to me.
"Kate what the hell was that" Jada laughs at the very formal handshake that was just exchanged. "I'm Isabella you can call me bella nice to meet you" I smile not wanting to come off too strong.
We finally take our seats which I get seated next to Leah with Kate in front of me. "Congrats on the game by the way" I smile looking up at Kate. "Thank you....how did you like it?" She asks.
"I enjoyed it a lot very nice ambiance" I say awkwardly before there was a moment of silence between us. "Have you ever been to a basketball game" she asks. "No never actually" "glad to be your first team" she laughs.
"Yeah I'm glad I was able to get invited" I say and she starts laughing "oh yeah Gabbie told me about how she slid into her dms" Kate laughs referring to Leah which makes me think back on it as well.
"Is she?" Kate asks lowering her voice I must look confused because she slips out more giggles "you know" "ohhhhh I'm so slow" I laugh "no she isn't she just actually thinks she's really pretty" I say making us both laugh.
"Pipe it down" Leah says smacking my arm "sorry my fault" Kate tells her as we start to quiet down. "You're fine she would also laugh if she heard that" I tell Kate. "Wait what'd she say...what'd you say Kate" Leah ask.
"Mmm Leah" Kate turns to me giggling "she asked if you swerved the same way" I say into her ear making Leah giggle "Kate now why.... That's all her" Leah says "Leah!" I gasp smacking her shoulder.
"Sorry I didn't- it slipped" she says genuinely sorry "it's okay I won't tell... I too swerve that way" Kate says with a sheepish smile. "Nice to know" i smile back to her.
