Daylight - Paige Bueckers

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June 21st, 2023

Paige's POV:

The moment I step back into the dorm, I know I have a lot of work to do. Aubrey, Nika, and Azzi are lounging around the common area, half-watching some game highlights on the TV, but I've got bigger things on my mind. 

I clear my throat, trying to grab their attention. Aubrey glances over first, a knowing smirk already forming on her lips. "Paige is on a mission," she teases, nudging Nika.

Azzi looks up from her phone, raising an eyebrow. "What's going on?"

"Okay, listen," I start, my heart racing with a mixture of nerves and excitement. "I need the dorm for tonight. Like, completely to myself. I'm making dinner for Alex, and I... well, I kind of want it to be special."

Nika practically jumps off the couch, her eyes lighting up with mischief. "Oh, this is big. Paige is cooking for her girl."

"She's not my—" I begin to protest but stop myself. "Well, okay, she might be my girl, but that's beside the point. I just need you all out of here."

Aubrey sits up, clearly enjoying herself. "And what do we get out of this?"

I roll my eyes. "You get my undying gratitude and the satisfaction of knowing you're helping me not embarrass myself."

Azzi grins. "That's not enough. How about you buy us coffee tomorrow morning?"

"Fine. Deal," I say, laughing as I grab my phone to start planning out the night.

Aubrey raises her eyebrows. "What are you making for dinner? You know this is, like, the moment of truth, right? If you mess this up..."

"Don't say it," I groan, running a hand through my hair. "I'm making pasta. It's simple, but I'm going to make it special. And I'll have some candles, nice music. Trust me, I've got this."

Nika winks. "Okay, chef Paige. We'll leave you to it. Just remember—no pressure or anything."

The teasing continues for a while as I prepare. Aubrey, Nika, and Azzi linger around, offering unsolicited advice and cracking jokes. But finally, after they've all agreed to give me the space I need, they clear out, leaving me alone in the dorm.

The place is quiet now, and I can hear my heart pounding in my chest as I start setting everything up. I drape a soft throw blanket over the small couch and lay out some extra pillows, just to make it cozy. I set the table with simple white dishes and light a few candles, casting a warm glow across the room. I connect my phone to the speaker and queue up a playlist filled with soft, mellow songs that I know Alex likes.

It's not much, but it's enough to create the vibe I'm going for—intimate and romantic. I step back and look around, feeling proud of how everything turned out. Now, I just need to actually cook the food.

As I start boiling water for the pasta and simmering the sauce, my nerves begin to creep in. It's not like I've never spent time with Alex before, but this feels different. This is a date—a real date. The kind where you're supposed to impress the person you're with. And I want to impress her.

Just as I finish plating the food, I hear a soft knock on the door. My stomach flips, and I quickly wipe my hands on a towel before heading over to answer it. I take a deep breath and open the door to find Alex standing there, looking absolutely stunning in a fitted black top and dark jeans. But it's the flowers in her hands that really catch me off guard—bright, colorful blooms that stand out against the simplicity of the night.