"So I'm done getting ready this is my outfit today Iowa plays LSU and I'll be heading to the arena now I just ordered a cab so I should be heading downstairs now" I say talking to the camera making my way out the hotel room.
While waiting outside for the cab I feel my phone start ringing and Kate's contact bright on the screen. "Hey Kate what's up?" "Are you on your way?" She asks "yeah I'm grabbing a cab now I should be there in like 30 minutes" I explain getting onto the cab.
"Hi times union center" I tell the driver. "Turn on your location so I can see where you're headed do you have your pass with you?" She asks. I raise the lanyard with the game pass that was around my neck "yes I do don't worry you go do your pregame thing I'll be there soon" I chuckle.
"Okay great I just wanted to make sure you were good" she says making me smile. "I'm fine thanks for checking in" "okay then I'll let you go be careful" "of course good luck out there have fun" "I will thank you bye" she says before hanging up.
I have spent a week and a half with the girls including the rest of the team and some coaches. It was really sweet of them to have welcomed me without really knowing me but it was appreciated and I was glad to have made some new friends.
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"Hi this is my section correct?" I ask the ticket holder showing her the lanyard "yes your row is down there" she says pointing down the rows. I finally take the lanyard off as I make my way down and simultaneously put it inside my bag.
"Oh my goodness you're Kate's new friend" I hear as I'm looking down to see the row letters. "Hi yeah you are?" "Right sorry I'm Kate's brother Trevor" he smiles extending his hand for me to take. "Nice to meet you I'm Isabella you can call me bella" I smile. "Likewise here did Kate mention you were sitting with us?" He asks.
"No she didn't" "well surprise here I'll introduce you" he says before going around and introducing me to his family. "And now our immediate family my dad Mr. Matt Martin, my mom Jill and my sister Kennedy and her husband Shawn" he says as they all stand up to greet me.
"Hi oh my goodness I'm Isabella Martinez Kate's friend it's so nice to meet you all kate has talked a lot about you all especially the little one" I smile personally greeting them one by one. "Hi it's so nice to meet you, a friend of Kate's is a friend of ours" her mom says.
"Here come sit next to me honey move one seat over would you?" I hear Kate's sister call. "Yeah of course come you can sit here" he says.
Finally we all settle down into our seats. "This is the famous Carson he's so cute" I smile "yes Kate's pride and joy and he loves her just as much" she giggles. "So you two just met right?" "Yeah like a week ago my friend and I were completely obsessing over women's basketball and then my friend replied to Gabbie's story and Gabbie invited us to last weeks game so we flew out".
"She had mentioned that to us like a couple weeks ago that she saw a pretty YouTuber that was talking about the team and well that was you" Kennedy laughs. "Awh she thinks I'm pretty?" I ask feeling myself blush.
"I think Kate is very beautiful herself" I add. "Yeah she's pretty not the prettiest sibling but she has her charm" Kennedy jokes making me laugh.
Suddenly the arena starts going off with loud cheering I look down to see the Iowa team running down the tunnel ready for warmups. I get my camera out "is it okay if I film?" I ask "no you're fine you do what you got to do" she smiles as I was on the aisle seat and she'd be the only one next to me.
"So guys I made it to the arena I'm here with Kennedy" I smile slightly moving the camera so we're both in frame. "Hiiiii I'm Kennedy ken for short I'm Kate Martin's sister" she smiles and waves to the camera. "And kate is over there" I say turning the camera to the court while zooming in.
"Very cute very cute" I say turning the camera back around. "So what are your predictions for tonight Kenny?" "Ouu I like that" she says referring to the nickname I had just made up in my head. "I wanted to see how that would roll out" I say as we both start to laugh.
"No it's good I like it" she says catching her breath "but obviously a predict a Hawkeye win what about you?" "Oh definitely a Hawkeye win" I say agreeing with her.
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A big 87-94 on the board Iowa win. All around the stadium is packed with cheering from the crowd celebrating Iowas win.
As soon as everything settles down and more people start to leave we make our way down to the floor to meet up with the team. "We won!" Gabbie yells running over to hug me while I have my camera in hand. "You did congrats" I say genuinely excited for them.
"How are you feeling gabs?" I say recording her "first of all I would like to thank everyone for the support I'm feeling so overwhelmed and excited because it's down to three and we're one of those three babyyy" I giggle at all the emotions she is feeling at the moment and let her have her moment before Jada comes to embrace me in a hug as well with Caitlin trailing along.
"Tell the camera how you're feeling Jada" "I'm feeling amazing I can't believe we've made it this far I love this team" she says into the camera. "Caitlin how are you feeling?" "Amazing this is all so surreal" she smiles giving me a side hug.
"Who's that taking a picture with Kate?" I ask turning seeing an unfamiliar face. "Ooo that is Rachel" Caitlin says scrunching her nose "she's Kate's ex girlfriend from back home" Jada adds. "Oh wow" is all that came out of my mouth.
"Don't worry Kate is so over her she cheated on Kate with a guy so trust she's way past her" Caitlin says "she's only here because she's best friends with her cousin the one taking the picture and she's too much of a sweetheart to not take a picture if she's asked" Gabbie says. "Good to know" I say more relieved about what I had just heard.
"Isaaa" I hear Kate sing coming towards us and Jada takes the camera. "Hi superstar, congratulations one step closer to that big win" I grin as she embraces me in a hug. "Thank you" she smiles as we pull away.
"Tell my camera how you're feeling" I say pointing to the camera Jada has in hand "I'm feeling like a million dollars babyyy I mean wow this feels so good" she smiles
"There you have it exclusive Iowa interviews one of a kind up unedited close and personal" Jada says turning the camera to herself.
"Take a picture of us" Kate tells Jada "on this?" She asks raising my camera I nod "yeah just switch it to picture mode and with flash" I instruct.
"Okay ready I'm just going to take them" she says as Kate puts her hand around my waist and I lean my head on her arm with my hand on her back. "Awh such a cute couple" Caitlin awes and Gabbie smacks her shoulder "of friends of course" Caitlin shrugs making us laugh.
"Of course there's no objection if you two were to get together but" Gabbie smiles "you three shut up" Kate laughs cutting her friends off. Jada hands me the camera "so cute thanks j" I smile going through the pictures of Kate and I grinning.
"Once you get them send those to me" Kate says "of course" I smile.
