Years Of Love

Talking

They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of their emotions settling around them like a warm blanket. It wasn't awkward or uncomfortable—just two people trying to navigate the complicated terrain of 

Chapter 3: 

The next few days passed in a blur of practices, classes, and quiet moments shared between Paige and Azzi. The initial tension between them had eased, replaced by a tentative but growing connection. Every glance, every touch seemed charged with a new intensity, as if the air around them crackled with the possibility of something more.

Yet, despite their mutual understanding, neither had taken the next step. The fear of crossing that invisible line between friendship and something deeper still lingered, holding them back.

It was a Friday evening when everything changed.

After practice, the team decided to grab dinner together. The atmosphere was lively, filled with laughter and the usual banter, but beneath the surface, Paige and Azzi were acutely aware of each other's presence. Every time their eyes met across the table, it felt like the world around them faded into the background, leaving only the two of them in focus.

As the night wore on, Paige found herself growing restless. The unspoken feelings between them were becoming harder to ignore, and the more she tried to suppress them, the stronger they grew. She could feel her resolve weakening, the walls she had built around her heart crumbling with every passing moment.

Finally, when the group started discussing plans for the rest of the night, Paige knew she couldn't wait any longer. She needed to talk to Azzi—really talk to her, away from the noise and distractions. The decision was made in an instant, driven by a combination of nerves and a desire she could no longer deny.

Paige turned to Nika, who was sitting beside her, and leaned in close. "I'm gonna head out for a bit," she whispered, keeping her voice low so as not to draw too much attention. "I need to talk to Azzi."

Nika's eyebrows shot up in surprise, but she quickly nodded, a knowing smile tugging at her lips. "Go for it," she whispered back. "You've got this."

Paige smiled gratefully and then turned her attention to Azzi, who was engrossed in a conversation with Caroline. Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, Paige reached out and gently touched Azzi's arm.

"Hey, can we talk?" Paige asked softly, her voice barely audible over the chatter around them.

Azzi looked up, her heart skipping a beat at the seriousness in Paige's eyes. "Of course," she replied, her tone equally quiet. "Let's go outside."

The two of them slipped away from the table, unnoticed by the others, and made their way out of the restaurant. The night air was cool and refreshing, a welcome contrast to the warmth inside. Paige led the way to a small park nearby, the soft glow of streetlights casting long shadows across the pavement.

They walked in silence for a few minutes, the tension between them building with every step. Paige's mind was racing, trying to find the right words to say, while Azzi's heart pounded in her chest, anticipation and anxiety warring within her.

Finally, when they reached a secluded bench at the edge of the park, Paige stopped and turned to face Azzi. The look in her eyes was intense, filled with a mix of determination and vulnerability that made Azzi's breath catch in her throat.

"I can't keep pretending, Azzi," Paige said, her voice trembling slightly as she finally let the words spill out. "I've been trying to hide how I feel, but I can't do it anymore."

Azzi's eyes widened, her heart pounding even harder. "Paige..."

"No, let me finish," Paige interrupted, her gaze unwavering. "I've been trying to push these feelings away because I was scared. Scared of what it would mean for us, scared of losing you. But the truth is, I can't stop thinking about you. When I'm with you, it feels like everything else just... fades away. And when I'm not with you, all I want is to be close to you."