𝐒𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐊𝐒 𝐅𝐋𝐘 || 𝐂𝐀𝐈𝐓𝐋𝐈𝐍 𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐑𝐊

because she really knows me

It was just an hour before the game, and the atmosphere in the locker room buzzed with anticipation. Everyone was going through their pre-game rituals, but something was off. Caitlin couldn't help but notice Lilly sitting on the bench, looking unusually pale and dazed.

"Hey, baby, you okay?" Caitlin asked, kneeling down in front of her and placing a hand on her knee. Lilly blinked a few times, her breathing shallow.

"I don't feel so good," Lilly admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. Her forehead was clammy, and there was a sickly sheen to her normally vibrant skin. She looked like she was struggling to stay upright.

Caitlin's brow furrowed in concern. "You look like you're about to faint. You shouldn't be playing if you're this sick, Lil."

"I have to play," Lilly insisted weakly, trying to sound more determined than she felt. "The team needs me."

Caitlin shook her head, not convinced. "The team needs you healthy. If you push yourself too hard, you'll just make it worse."

Lilly closed her eyes, leaning back against the cool metal of the locker. "I just... I don't want to let anyone down."

Caitlin could see how much Lilly was struggling with the decision. "Lilly, you're the last person who'd let anyone down. But if you're not at your best, you won't be able to help the team like you want to."

Lilly took a shaky breath, trying to will herself to feel better, but the dizziness wasn't going away. "I just need a minute. Maybe I'll feel better once I'm out there."

Caitlin bit her lip, not liking the idea of Lilly playing in this condition. She reached up and gently touched Lilly's face, her thumb brushing lightly across her cheek. "I'm worried about you," 

Caitlin confessed, her voice soft but filled with urgency. "You mean too much to me to see you like this."

Lilly gave a faint smile, appreciating Caitlin's concern. "I'll be okay, Cait. Just stay close to me, okay?"

"Always," Caitlin promised, though she still didn't look convinced. She reluctantly helped Lilly to her feet, keeping a steadying arm around her as they moved to join the rest of the team.

As they walked toward the court, Caitlin whispered, "If you start to feel worse, you promise you'll tell me?"

"I promise," Lilly said, leaning into Caitlin's support more than she normally would have.Caitlin squeezed her hand discreetly before they entered the court, both of them knowing they had to put on a strong front for the team. But Caitlin's mind was racing with worry. She had never seen Lilly like this, and she wasn't sure how long she'd be able to keep it together if Lilly's condition didn't improve.

"Just get through this game," Lilly thought to herself, trying to summon any strength she had left. She glanced at Caitlin, who was still watching her with concern, and gave her a reassuring nod, hoping it would calm them both.

But deep down, Caitlin was already planning how to keep a close eye on Lilly during the game, ready to step in if things took a turn for the worse. They were in this together, and Caitlin wasn't going to let anything happen to her.

As the game started it was clear something was off with Lilly. Her usual sharpness on the court was missing, and everyone could see it. She was moving slower, her reactions delayed, and the spark in her eyes was dim.

Midway through the second quarter, she missed a crucial block. It wasn't like her at all, and as soon as it happened, she could feel the weight of it settle heavily on her shoulders. The frustration and disappointment were immediate, and she cursed herself under her breath, feeling a wave of dizziness as she did.

"Get it together, Lilly," she muttered, trying to shake off the mistake. But her body wasn't cooperating, and the more she pushed, the worse she felt.

Caitlin, who had been keeping a close eye on Lilly from the start, noticed her struggle. She saw the way Lilly's shoulders slumped, the way her movements were unsteady. When Lilly missed that block, Caitlin's concern turned into something more urgent. Without a second thought, she jogged over to Lilly, gently wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

"Hey, pretty girl," Caitlin cooed softly, leaning in close so only Lilly could hear her. "Don't be so hard on yourself. You're doing your best out here."

Lilly shook her head, the dizziness making it hard to focus. "I messed up, Cait... I'm messing everything up."

"You're not messing anything up," Caitlin whispered, tightening her hold on Lilly. "You're out here, giving it your all, and that's what matters. I'm so proud of you."

Lilly wanted to argue, to say she wasn't doing enough, but the warmth of Caitlin's voice and the comfort of her arm around her shoulders made it hard to speak. She felt a little steadier with Caitlin there, and it calmed some of the turmoil in her mind.

"I don't know if I can keep going," Lilly admitted, her voice barely audible.

"You're not alone out here," Caitlin reminded her, squeezing her shoulder gently. "I've got you. We'll get through this together, okay?"

Lilly nodded, leaning into Caitlin's support. She was still feeling terrible, but Caitlin's words were a small light in the overwhelming fog she was trying to fight through. "Okay," she whispered back, letting herself take comfort in Caitlin's presence.

"Good," Caitlin said with a soft smile. "Just keep breathing, and don't push yourself too hard. I'm right here with you."