Down Bad • PAIGE BUECKERS

8. sleepover

As the girls arrived to the apartment, they both got out of the car with their bags. It was safe to say they were both exhausted and just wanted to get in bed.

After climbing the stairs to the second floor, as she is unlocking the door Paige finally speaks. "Oh shit I forgot to tell you our AC is broken right now. I can't believe I forgot." she says, placing her head against the door, with a pang of guilt.

"It's fine. It's seriously not a big deal. Plus I get it, today has been a really long day." Olivia says, rubbing her back comfortingly. "I can totally take you home if you want." Paige offers, now looking at her.

"Paige, relax. I'm fine staying here. Truthfully I just want to get in bed." Olivia says reassuring her. "Ok ok. Yeah you're right, we both definitely need some sleep." Paige responds, opening the door and letting them into the apartment.

Her roommates, Nika, Aubrey, and KK, had probably all arrived around 20 minutes ago and were already in their own rooms. The girls headed into Paige's room and Olivia took a seat on Paige's bed, taking in her surroundings.

"So this is what the inside of Paige Bueckers room looks like." she said, observing the walls that were littered with sports and music posters and the small desk decorated with pictures of family and friends.

"Not what you expected?" Paige asks, her back towards Olivia while she grabbed some clothes from her dresser.

"Not really. I expected more basketballs." Olivia says, joking. Despite there not being an actual basketball in Paige's room (at the moment), the many basketball posters and pictures made it evident that this room belonged to a very passionate and dedicated basketball player.

"Just wait till you look inside my closet then." Paige joked back.

"It's honestly kind of sad that there's no pictures of me in here." Olivia said, laying back on the bed.

"Well we don't have any pictures together, and it would be kinda weird if I just had a solo shot of you hanging in my room." said Paige, turning to look at her.

"I don't see an issue with it." Olivia replied. Paige chuckled, heading towards what Olivia assumed was her bathroom.

"But I'm not joking, we definitely need to start taking more pictures together now that we are practically best friends." Olivia said, ignoring the way the last part made her heart twinge.

"For sure." Paige said, with a small smile and a nod. "I'm gonna shower real quick, I just need to be out of these clothes. The second drawer in my dresser has t-shirts in it, you can change into one if you want to get out of your hoodie." she said, as she disappeared into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her.

"Thanks." Olivia smiles at her. After Paige disappears into the bathroom, Olivia, still lying back on Paige's bed gets lost in thought.

Paige has to be the sweetest person I've ever met. Everything she does manages to bring a smile to my face. I can't even remember my life without her. Ok too far-

Snapping out of her thoughts she gets up and walks towards Paige's dresser. Opening the second drawer, her vision is flooded with navy blue, black, and white UCONN t-shirts, most of them having the words 'Women's Basketball' on them.

I have to make fun of her for this. She grabs a black one that has a tag that says 'L' on it and strips off her hoodie, putting the shirt on. Looking at herself in the mirror, she sees that the shirt is pretty big on her but anything would do. Paige didn't tell her where her shorts were and she didn't want to snoop, so she kept her leggings on.

She sits back on the bed and waits for Paige to finish showering. The door opens and Paiges emerges in a UCONN basketball t-shirt and a pair of boxers, her hair wet. Olivia's heart practically stops.

She had always thought Paige was attractive but this was something different. She looked so good.

"I see you found yourself a shirt." Paige said, practically looking Olivia up and down. "Yes, it was really hard to pick between white UCONN shirt, black UCONN shirt, and blue UCONN shirt." Olivia said, with a faux frown.

Paige threw her head back in laughter, "Hey! I have a lot of pride in my school, don't judge me.", she said. "No no, I would never judge you! I just think it's interesting." Olivia says.

"You're mean." Paige says, brushing her hair in front of her mirror. "No. I'm just honest and you need someone like that in your life." Olivia responds, getting up from the bed.

Walking up to the dresser, she asks "Ok in which of these drawers do you keep your shorts?", looking over at Paige. "Basketball shorts are in the third one." she says, without hesitation.

"Yes Paige, I want to wear your basketball shorts to sleep." Olivia says, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "My baddd, you didn't specify. Boxers and stuff are in the last drawer." she says, and though Olivia wasn't looking at her face, she could imagine Paige rolling her eyes.

Opening up the bottom drawer, Olivia is met with several pairs of boxers. "You are so gay." Olivia says, with a laugh.

"Excuse me?" Paige says, now turning around to face Olivia. "I said you're so gay." she repeats. "What makes you say that?" Paige asks.

"Well, I just opened your drawer full of boxers so I think that pretty much explains it." she replies, motioning to the open drawer.

"What if I just think they're comfortable?" Paige asks. "Both can be true!" Olivia said, grabbing a pair and dropping her leggings.

Paige's eyes widened at the sight, not that she could see anything but at the mere action. "You're annoying." she says. "But I'm right...right?" Olivia asks. She already knew Paige liked girls, but for some reason she needed to hear her confirm it.

"Yes...you are too right?" Paige asks, her demeanor more relaxed than when the conversation started. "Of course! I'm offended you even had to ask." Olivia joked. They both laughed.

"Ok well I'll let you have the bed, and I'm going to sleep on the couch." Paige says, approaching the door. "Paige. Are you serious?" Olivia asks, her jaw dropped.

"Yes..." she says, seeming slightly confused. "Just because we both like girls doesn't mean I'm going to try and jump your bones if we sleep in the same bed." Olivia jokes, now sitting on the edge of the bed.

"No not it's not that! I just don't want you to be uncomfortable or anything." Paige says, her cheeks turning a light pink. "I really don't care. I'm fine with it if you are." Olivia reassures her.

"Ok." Paige says, walking back towards the bed. She lifts up the covers and gets in. Olivia follows after her. Paige turns off the lamp, which was providing the only light in the room.

"Goodnight, Liv." Paige whispers. "Goodnight, Paige. Thank you for everything today." Olivia whispers back. "Anytime." Paige responds, with a smile that Olivia can vaguely see in the dark.

Eventually they both fall asleep, still facing each other.

~

author note
hi guys!! im back!! i know this is super short but consider it an intro for what's to come! i feel so bad for leaving you guys hanging for so long, so im publishing the beginning of the next chapter i have planned. ive been so busy with school, work, and my social life that by the time i get home at the end of the day i have literally no energy or time to write. i love and appreciate every single one of you who has taken the time to read, comment, and vote and im going to try my best to remain consistent. please remember that your interactions are what give me motivation and all of your feedback is greatly appreciated.

talk to you soon <3
- l