lunch, caitlin clark

32 | one week before

new york | lsu game | 4 pm

We've been playing really good and are still in it. Actually we're in the Elite Eight and so is UConn.

Somehow our conference was stacked and it seemed like South Carolina had a pretty easy go at it but whatever. I'm not complaining.

Yes I am.

Today we play LSU and I'm pretty excited. The whole team is so nervous but there's also this underlying feeling that they need to prove themselves.

Last year they lost to them and I can totally understand how they want to prove themselves now. I mean, I wasn't even here and when they lost I was upset too.

Not enough to really care though. I was only upset because Cait and I were former teammates.

Our connection on the court is back since that talk but I still can't find it in myself to forgive her. Sure I've said that I'll work on it but how do you forget about something like that when it's happened twice?

Maybe I need to find a therapist or something. Paige is kind of like one I guess. She hears all my shit and tells me what to do.

Although sometimes her advice is pretty crazy weird. Especially when she says out of pocket stuff and is being straight up with me about it.

I grab my knee brace and my bag and head to the team so the bus can take us to the gym. Not to be a hater of New York but I'm ready to get the fuck out of here. Tell me why it's so noisy and no one cares about anything while driving?

"Alright girls pile in. If you forget anything then say a prayer that someone can make it back here in time because traffic is always backed up."

That makes us all look over our belongings to make sure we didn't forget anything. I didn't which is a relief because I don't want to strain my knee any more than I have to.

I woke up this morning and it was no longer throbbing but it was still sore. Meaning that I need to take it easy during this game. To try and not get bodied during the game and try not to get tackled. Which should be easy, right?

Maybe if I tell them to stay away from me they will. Definitely.

When we get to the gym the place is surrounded by people. Not one for us but for LSU. I see several of my jerseys but also Angels.

That reminds me of how she's asked for a jersey swap twice. I'm definitely down so I need to make sure not to forget about it. She seems like a cool person so I might as well.

I put my headphones on as we walk through the crowd. I stop at a few people to sign jerseys and signs but I figure that I can sign a few more after the game if they really want it. I've got to lock in for the team right now so that's not really my priority.

When we get in LSU is there but they're just chilling on the side. The doors have opened and the stadium is filled with fans. I look up in awe at how many signs say that people travelled from somewhere else to be here. That's crazy.

I see a few of the other team girls in a huddle and when they see us they immediately wave to us. Me being the type of person I am, waves back.

Angel pops out of the girls and starts walking towards us. My team kind of backs away but I don't have any beef with her so I drop my bag and take my headphones off and make my way towards her.

"Hey girl. I've been so excited to see you."

"Hey. I have too. You're shorter than I thought you would be."

She pulls me in to a side hug with an offended look and I laugh.

"I've been hoping that we'd play you."