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PAIGES POV We're all settling down in the locker room, getting ready to dip. We had a successful night and that's all that matters. Of course we had a few things to work on but we won and that's all we care about right now. My eyes glance at the whole locker room, taking in how our environment grew so much. We're all so comfortable with each other and see each other as family.
I catch kk talking to everyone about the new crumbl cookies as everyone listens. Im sitting on the bench with my backpack, ready to go, gripping on the right strap.
"But like yall, I think the fruity pebbles one probably taste the best ONLY because, hear me out, only cuz it's such a reliable flavor, yall pickin up what im putting down?" kk explains with her hands, looking at everyone. Yes the rest of the team is listening but some are packing their clothes, putting on or taking off clothes, etc.
"We know what you're talking about, don't stress it" y/n responds while throwing on a sweater.
"Thank you y/n for a response." kk eyes everyone in despise. She whips her ponytail so it's not stuck in her sweater while looking at KK.
One thing that makes her visibly different is her height. No one would ever suspect a 5'5 woman play on one of the best college basketball teams, let alone basketball as a career. That's one of the few things i physically admire her about. It's quite obvious that she's gorgeous, but there's just something about her..something different that I can't quite put my finger on. Her facial structure would only look good on her. Her eye color, hair color, skin color, only perfect on her.
Disregarding looks, her personality makes her who she is. Her laugh only fits her and her energy she gives off is the kind of burst of energy you receive from hearing good news. As long as im in the same room as her, I'll feel some sort of peace. I don't know how she does it but it just hits different with her.
The feelings I've had for y/n started ever since I met the girl.
"And so then i pretend to throw the ball to y/n but did that fire ass spin and threw it to paige" Aaliyah snaps me out of my thoughts as i turn my gaze to her. I don't know how i got there but I was staring at Y/n. My god i feel like a weirdo, i need to seriously stop.
"Shit was too good. Hand signals was the move" y/n replies as she slides next to me on the bench.
"Oh yeah, we were nasty wit it. If it's not on the highlights then we did sum wrong for real" I reply, remember what they were talking about.
"We do all the good stuff on the 3rd and 4th quarter like we lock in real bad, we deserve sum for that" Nika adds on. She's right though, we're more hyped after half time because we have a better understanding of the opposing teams strategies. I don't know if it's because we love what we do but we always feel like our strategies are unappreciated. That then gives me an idea. Yeah we're having a fun dinner tomorrow with Geno, but why not have a girls night tonight.
"Yall think you guys down to come over tonight? Just eat and chill" I throw up the suggestion and look at y/n on my right.
Her perfume is somehow still lingering after the game. The fresh spring floral iris mixed with a warm hint of vanilla covers her body. When that scent shoots past me, that's how I know she's nearby.
She looks up at me with her glossy eyes and uses her hot pink lips to smile. I smile back with a tiny bit of heat burning my cheeks due to her beam.
"That's actually a good idea" Azzi replies while everyone agrees. As long as Azzi's okay with it, im good with it.
I look at kk as she starts saying random stuff. "Nah cuz im bouta pull up with the new crumbl set and going to pound town yall". "Oh my god" Nika replies while rolling her eyes. "We not just eating, we feasting dawg" kk proudly says while tapping her chest. "As we should" Ice replies.
I look back at y/n. Her smile still showing as she watches her teammates talk.
"Hey" shit i don't even know what im gonna say.
"What's up?" Y/n places her hands between her thighs and gives me a warm smile.
"You did good back there" I nudge her elbow, trying to play off my awkwardness.
My god, why am I so nervous around her? Yes she's one of my friends, but I never got super close with her because of how afraid I am. Why am I afraid to be close to someone im so drawn to? We're comfortable with each other, we have a few inside jokes and nicknames, but why am I stopping myself from evolving our friendship? Or possibly more..?
She looks down at her thighs and laughs. "stop it p, you were killing it on the court. THE paige buckets was too good" the nickname p gets me everytime, she's the only one who calls me that.
"oh yeah?" As I laugh at her response.
"oh yeah p, you're just like that" y/n teases. the way she said that sentence gave me butterflies in my tummy.
"alright five star, now you're pushing it" we both laugh and before she's able to say anything, we get interrupted.
"Alright yall let's get the hell out of here and GO PARTY" kk screams and everyone starts following her, cheering.
"I don't know where you're getting PARTYING from but yes let's get outta here" Azzi replies, following and putting on her backpack.
"Come on p" she pats my knee and gets up. My heart skips a beat from the sudden act. I wasn't scared of it, I was just taking in her touch.
I get up from the bench and adjust my shirt "no for real".
I just need to admit that I like her. I know I keep pushing myself away from feeling this way due to our circumstances, being teammates, but I do and there's nothing I can do about it. It'll maybe be easier when she's drafted and I don't have to see her perfect face every damn day but that's also the problem. I don't want her to leave and before you know it, this preseason is done and she's no longer in my daily life.
We begin to catch up with the team but before you know it, kk swings her arm around her shoulders and I somehow make my way opposite from where she is in the group.
