Years Of Love

Confessions

Chapter 1: 

The dimly lit living room of Paige Bueckers' dorm was filled with a cozy warmth, the kind that made you want to wrap yourself in a blanket and sink into the cushions. The TV murmured softly in the background, playing some old reruns that Azzi Fudd wasn't paying much attention to. Her thoughts were elsewhere, tangled in the complexity of her emotions.

Caroline Ducharme, Azzi's best friend, sat next to her, legs curled up beneath her as she watched her friend with a curious gaze. She had noticed the way Azzi had been acting lately—distracted, distant, and more contemplative than usual. It didn't take a genius to figure out that something was weighing heavily on her mind.

"You've been quiet all night, Azzi," Caroline finally said, breaking the silence. "What's going on? You know you can tell me anything."

Azzi took a deep breath, her heart racing in her chest. She had been holding back for so long, unsure of how to voice the feelings that had taken root deep within her. But Caroline was her closest friend, the one person she could trust with her secrets.

"It's about Paige," Azzi confessed, her voice barely above a whisper.

Caroline's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Paige? What about her?"

Azzi shifted uncomfortably, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of the blanket. "I think... no, I know... I have feelings for her."

Caroline blinked, processing this new information. "Feelings? Like, more than just friends?"

Azzi nodded, her eyes fixed on the TV as if it could offer her some sort of solace. "Yeah, more than just friends. I can't stop thinking about her, Care. Every time I'm around her, it's like my heart is doing somersaults. And it's not just a crush; it's... it's deeper than that."

Caroline reached over and gently squeezed Azzi's hand. "Wow, Azzi. That's big. Have you told her how you feel?"

Azzi shook her head, biting her lower lip nervously. "No. I don't even know how to bring it up. What if she doesn't feel the same way? What if it ruins our friendship?"

Caroline smiled softly, her eyes filled with understanding. "You know Paige cares about you. She's not the type to let something like this ruin what you have. But you won't know how she feels unless you talk to her. Keeping it inside is only going to drive you crazy."

Azzi sighed, knowing Caroline was right. But the fear of rejection loomed over her like a dark cloud, making it hard to take that first step. "I just... I don't want to lose her, Care."

"And you won't," Caroline reassured her. "But you deserve to be happy too. If these feelings are real, you owe it to yourself—and to Paige—to be honest. You never know, she might feel the same way."

Azzi gave her friend a small, grateful smile. "Thanks, Caroline. I needed that."

Meanwhile, in Paige's room, the atmosphere was lighter, though the conversation was similarly intense. Paige Bueckers sat cross-legged on her bed, her fingers running through her long, blonde hair as she chatted with her roommates, Nika Mühl and KK Arnold

"So, what's going on with you and Azzi?" Nika asked, her tone teasing as she nudged Paige playfully.

Paige rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the smile tugging at her lips. "What do you mean?"

"Come on, P," KK chimed in, leaning against the bedpost. "We've seen how close you two have gotten lately. There's definitely something there."

Paige sighed, her smile fading as she looked down at her hands. "Okay, fine. I think I might have feelings for her."

Nika's eyes widened in surprise, and she exchanged a look with KK. "Wait, are you serious? Since when?"

Paige shrugged, trying to play it cool but failing miserably. "I don't know, it just kind of happened. We've been spending a lot of time together, and I just... I don't know how to explain it. I feel like she gets me, you know? And when I'm with her, everything just feels right."

KK grinned, clearly amused by her friend's predicament. "Sounds like you've got it bad."

Paige groaned, burying her face in her hands. "Ugh, don't remind me. I don't even know if she feels the same way. What if I tell her and she's totally weirded out?"

Nika reached over and gently pulled Paige's hands away from her face. "Paige, you're one of the most amazing people I know. If Azzi doesn't see that, then she's crazy. But you won't know how she feels unless you talk to her."

Paige looked up at her friends, their supportive smiles giving her a small boost of confidence. "You're right. I'll talk to her. Eventually."

KK smirked. "Eventually? You mean after you've tortured yourself a little longer?"

Paige laughed, though it was tinged with nervousness. "Yeah, something like that."