After Kiera Parker transfers to UConn her junior year of college after was offered an internship for a sports agency, senior Paige Bueckers and her have an instant connection.
This last week has been all about hooping and adjusting to the first week of classes. I've been grinding hard, working toward that natty, but now I'm just ready to have some fun.
I throw on some UConn gear and head to Azzi's dorm, which is right across the hall from mine. We've lived near each other since Azzi was a freshman, so I just slip on my Crocs and go over. She always forgets to lock her door, despite my constant reminders, so I just walk in.
"Have you seen Kiera recently?" I ask her, realizing I haven't seen Kiera since the game.
"Aw, you miss your wife?" Azzi teases with a grin.
"Nah, we're just friends," I reply quickly, trying to sound casual. "I was just wondering how she's handling the new school and all."
"She and Morgan have hung out every single day since they met," Azzi says. Her words hit me harder than I expected. Why is she spending all her time with Morgan instead of me?
"Whatever. Got any food?" I ask, trying to change the subject.
"Not for you," she says, smirking as I throw a pen at her in mock frustration.
"Someone's grumpy," she comments.
"No, I'm just hangry, and you're not helping," I retort, slamming the door behind me as I leave.
I hop in my car and head out to grab something to eat. Wendy's sounds good—a burger and a Frosty are exactly what I'm craving. I hit the drive-thru, scarf down my food, and then decide to head to Inês's dorm.
When I knock, she opens the door with a smile. "Paige, hey, what's up?"
"Hey, is Kiera here?" I ask, trying to sound nonchalant.
"Wow, only here to see Kie? I see how it is," Inês says dramatically.
"No, she's at Morgan's dorm, or doing something with her—I'm not sure," she adds.
I step inside and flop onto their couch, pulling out my iPad. I scroll through TikTok for the next hour, lost in my thoughts.
"Dude, why'd you come all the way over here just to be on your iPad?" Inês asks, raising an eyebrow.
"Your couch is comfier than mine," I lie.
"Liar. You came to see your wife," she teases, sitting down beside me.
"Why is everyone calling her that? We're just friends," I say defensively.
The door opens, and I see Kiera's face pop up in the kitchen. "Oh, hey, Paige! I didn't know you were here."
"Yeah, I was bored, so I came over. What did you do today?" I ask, trying to keep my tone casual.
"I was just hanging out with Morgan. I start my internship on Monday, and that's going to take most of my time, so we thought we'd spend as much time together as possible," she rambles. Normally, I love listening to her talk, but right now, I wish she was talking about spending time with me.
Kiera POV
I notice Paige's eyes narrow. What's her problem? "I'm going to my room to watch a movie if you guys want to join me," I offer, trying to lighten the mood.
"I'm down," Paige replies.
"I'm heading out," Inês says, grabbing her keys. "I'll leave you two lovebirds alone."
"Shut up," I say, but secretly, I wish she'd keep teasing.
Inês leaves, and Paige follows me to my room. "So, what movie were you planning on watching?" she asks.
"Nothing specific. What do you want to watch?" I respond.
"Have you seen Love and Basketball?" Paige asks.
"No, but it's on my to-watch list," I reply.
She turns on the TV and starts the movie. I'm enjoying it, but then I feel Paige's hand brush against my thigh. Was that accidental? I turn toward her, and our faces are just inches apart. She breaks eye contact, glancing down at my lips. My eyes are locked on her ocean-colored ones.
"I'm gonna go make some popcorn," I say abruptly, breaking the tension between us.
"Kie—" she starts to say, but I've already left the room, heading to the kitchen to distract myself.
As the popcorn kernels start to pop, I hear Paige come out of the room. She doesn't say anything, just grabs her iPad and leaves the dorm. I think about going after her, but I've already messed things up. She obviously doesn't want to be around me right now, and honestly, I don't blame her.
I sit down on the couch, feeling my eyes fill with tears. I've known her for a week, and I've already ruined things between us. I grab my phone and send a message to Inês.
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can you pls come back
I thought you and Paige were watching
not anymore
just pls come back
Give me 5 mins
A few minutes later, I'm full-on crying when Inês bursts through the door and rushes over to me.
"I fucked everything up," I say through my tears.
"I'm sure you didn't. What happened? Are you okay?" she asks, concerned.
"I almost kissed Paige, and then I basically ran out of the room. She left without saying anything to me," I reply, my tears flowing even harder.
"Look, I know Paige. She's head over heels for you. The only reason she came over today was to see you," Inês says.
"No, she's not. Plus, she's straight," I say defensively. "Oh my God, I almost kissed a straight Christian girl. I'm the worst person on earth."
"I thought you were smart," Inês says, rolling her eyes. "Paige is the gayest person I know. So what if she's Christian? God loves everyone."
I wipe the tears from my eyes, and Inês's words make me smile internally.
We go into her room, and she puts on How I Met Your Mother. I chill at the foot of her bed, trying to calm down. At one point, she accidentally kicks my back, and I instinctively say, "Ow," pushing her leg aside.
"Sorry," she says, her Portuguese accent peeking through.
Eventually, I fall asleep on Inês's bed. I'm so thankful to have her. I was worried about moving to Connecticut. Inês and I have always been close, but seeing someone every day, not just on vacation every six months, is a completely different story.
Authors note
This is kind of short sorry
Also I am not assuming Paige's sexuality it's just for the story
