Daylight - Paige Bueckers

are you asking me out?

June 20th, 2023

Alex's POV:

The air in the gym is buzzing with energy as we file in for the big collaboration between the men's and women's basketball teams and the cheer team. The place is already decked out with cameras and lighting setups, a full crew buzzing around getting everything ready for the social media content we're about to create. It's the kind of thing the athletic department loves—tons of engagement, lots of fun, and, of course, a little friendly competition between the teams.

As soon as we walk in, Naomi, Maggie, and Sarah spread out to get situated while I trail behind them, trying to act normal even though I can feel Paige's presence the second I step into the gym. She's over by one of the cameras, laughing at something Nika just said, and her smile is the first thing that hits me. It always is.

"Stop staring, blondie," Naomi teases, nudging me with her elbow as she catches me zoning out.

"I wasn't staring," I mutter, trying to play it off, but Naomi just smirks, clearly not buying it.

"Right. And I'm not a cheerleader," she quips, rolling her eyes. "Just be careful, okay? People are starting to notice the way you two act around each other."

That comment sends a little jolt through me. I glance around the gym, suddenly aware of how many eyes are on us today. We've been trying to keep things on the down low, but it's not exactly easy when every time Paige looks at me, I can feel it in my bones.

I push the thought aside as we start our stretches and warm-ups, trying to focus on the task at hand. But then, of course, Paige saunters over, casually leaning against the wall near me, looking completely unbothered.

"Hey, cheerleader," she greets me with a playful grin, her voice low enough that no one else can hear. "Ready to show off today?"

I laugh, trying to keep it cool despite the flutter in my stomach. "I could ask you the same thing, superstar."

Paige chuckles, crossing her arms over her chest as she leans in just a little closer. "You know I love a good competition."

Our eyes meet, and for a second, the gym, the cameras, all the people around us—it all fades away. It's just me and Paige, standing there with that electric tension between us that seems to follow us everywhere these days.

"Alright, alright!" Coach calls out, clapping his hands to get everyone's attention. "Let's get this show on the road!"

We all start to split off into our groups. The men's team takes one half of the court, the women's team the other, while us cheerleaders are in the middle. The idea is simple: a fun, mock competition that'll look great on video. They've got us doing everything from quick shooting drills to mini dunk contests (which, obviously, is more for the basketball players). But there's also a segment where we're all involved, running through cheer stunts with basketballs being thrown into the mix for a kind of chaotic, fun vibe.

As we move into the first drill, I find myself paired up with Paige—because of course I do. It's a shooting challenge, where we each have to make as many three-pointers as we can in thirty seconds.

"Ready to lose?" Paige teases as she picks up the ball, spinning it in her hands with that cocky grin that always gets to me.