Accidentally in love- A Kate Martin story

Chapter 5

Emma's POV

Recently, me and Kate have gotten
close, we take all the free time we have and spend it with each other, but that will soon end because the very first game of the season was about to start. We haven't been hanging out a ton recently because I've been knee deep in school work and I've been glued to my desk all week, I haven't even had any time to go to practices or team hangouts or anything like that, I miss the girls, like, a lot, I especially miss Kate. They have a light practice today to get ready for the game tomorrow and I was thinking about going, finally I get up from my desk and walk to Gabbie's room and find her sitting on her phone, "Hey Gabs" she looks up and smiles, "Hey Em, I was just about to come talk to you but I didn't want to bother you." I frown and say, "I'm sorry I've been so busy lately, school is kicking me in the ass right now. But I was thinking about going to practice today to clear my mind." Gabbie gives me a big smile and says, "You definitely should, everyone misses you so much, especially you know who." I roll my eyes and say, "Gabbie, for the 100th time, there is nothing going on between me and Kate, I don't even know if she likes me like that anyway." She gives me a look and says, "Em, do you see the way she looks at you? It's clear to literally everyone else but you." I roll my eyes and walk out of her room and I flop onto my bed. Does Kate like me that way? There's no way she feels the same.....

A couple hours later it was time for practice and me and Gabbie make our way to Carver, as soon as we walk in I feel a pair of arms wrap around me, "Emma! Dude I missed you so much." I smile and hug her back, "I missed you too Caitlin, I missed everyone so much, where's Kate?" Caitlin laughs and says, "She's in the locker room, she'll definitely be excited to see you too." I roll my eyes and walk to the locker room and I see her sitting on the floor by her locker on her phone, "Hey Kate." she whips her head up and smiles, she walks over to me and wraps her arms around my waist and I put mine around her neck, "Hi Em, I missed you so much." We stay like that for a while before I finally pull back, my arms still around her neck and her hands on my waist, "I'm sorry I've been so distant lately, my school work just keeps piling up." She smiles at me and says, "Don't worry about it Em, I get it. Um, Caitlin is going out with Conner tonight so I'll be alone, do you maybe want to come over? Maybe I could help you with some school work too." I smile at her and say, "I would love to Kate, but I think I'll pass on the school work." She laughs and says, "We can do whatever you want, pretty girl." My checks turn red and before I could say anything back we are interrupted by Caitlin, "Come on lovebirds! Practice is starting." Kate looks at me and smiles, "I should probably get out there, I'll see you later, pretty girl." Before I could say anything back, she gives me a kiss on the cheek and leaves the locker room. Oh. My. God.

A few hours later, It was finally time to hangout with Kate, she says to dress comfy so I just put on an Iowa t-shirt and some Nike sweatpants. "Gabbie, I'm leaving, I'll be back soon." I yell, I almost open the door but I hear her voice behind me, she gives me a suspicious look and says, "Where are you going?" I roll my eyes at her and say, "I'm going to Kate's apartment, It's not a big deal, we're just hanging out." she gives me a smirk and says, "Okay Em, have fun, and don't do anything I wouldn't do." I roll my eyes and smile at her and I start walking to my car, a few minutes later I get to Kate's place and I knock on the door, after a few seconds she opens the door and I'm met with her ocean blue eyes, that's always been one of my favorite things about her, I'm snapped out of my thoughts when Kate finally speaks, "Hey Em! Come in!" I walk into her apartment and I find it to be really cozy, "Do you want to watch a movie?" I smile at her and sit on the couch and she sits next to me, after a few mins of watching the movie, I decide to break the silence, "Are you nervous about the game tomorrow?" She gives me a smile and says, "Um, it's a nervous excitement, I'm excited for the season to start but I'm nervous because I don't want to let anyone down." I give her a sympathetic smile and say, "Kate, you're not going to let anyone down, your one of the best basketball players I've ever seen, and the best person to be around. You have to stop doubting yourself, K." She gives me a hug and after a few moments she looks at me and says, "Ice cream?" I smile at her and say, "Definitely."

After me and Kate eat our ice cream we get back into her car and she says, "Do you want to go to the park? It should be pretty tonight." I nod my head and say, "Sure." Once we get to the park we sit on the same bench at we did when we came here for the very first time. The sun is setting and Kate was right, It is beautiful out tonight, after sitting for a little bit Kate suggests that we take a walk, we stop at a lake and Kate leans against a railing overlooking the lake. "Kate, why are you so hard on yourself ?" She looks down and starts fidgeting with her hands, before she finally looks at me and says, "I- I don't know, I guess when there's people out there judging every move or mistake you make, it becomes hard to ignore, I work my ass off and it's still not enough for some people, Caitlin has it way worse than I do though, I can't imagine how she's feeling." I rub Kate's arm and say, "Kate, no one should have to go through what you are right now, you are such an amazing person Kate, but you have to stop being so hard on yourself all the time." Kate finally looks at me and says, "What about you? Why do you work so hard all the time?" I look out into the lake and I start to get teary eyed, "Um, My dad died when I was 13, so it just left me, my mom, and my little brother Cooper, I work so hard because I want to provide for them, my mom did so much for me growing up after he died and I just want to make her proud." Kate intertwines our fingers and she lays her head on my shoulder and I lay my head on top of hers, "This may not mean anything to you but I'm really proud of you Emma, you are such a hard worker and it shows." I squeeze her hand and kiss the top of her head, "It means a lot Kate, thank you." After a few minutes Kate finally speaks up, "I wish this could last forever but I should probably get you home so Gabbie doesn't lay into me tomorrow." I let out a soft laugh, "Yeah, let's go." Once we reach my apartment Kate walks me to my door, "Thanks for listening to my rant tonight Kate, it means a lot." She grabs my hands and says, "I'm always here for you Em, besides, it's nice to talk to someone and not having to worry about basketball for once." I squeeze her hands and say, "I feel the same way, bye Kate." she smiles at me and says, "Bye Emma, I'll see you tomorrow." I open my door and I walk into my room and flop onto my bed. Maybe she does like me that way.

sorry for my absence but we back🫡