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Y/NS POV Paige pushes the gym door open and the first thing I hear are basketballs bouncing and shoes squeaking.
I'm starting to get a hang of my crutches so I feel confident waking in, but that dream is still trippin me up on how I'm starting to perceive my team. The feeling of letting everyone down in a form of costing our reputation is difficult to handle. I can't help but think of the thoughts they might have are so despicable to where they cannot bear to say it out loud.
"You okay?" I get snap back into reality as I see Paige facing me with a worried face.
I exhale "Yeah, just....nevermind" I know I'll sound ridiculous speaking my thoughts.
"What's going on?" She stops me in my tracks.
"I don't know, maybe im just nervous"
She waits for me to continue "About?"
"I'm probably just overthinking"
"Holding in your feelings aren't healthy so tell me your feelings" she turns her body to face me.
Here I go "This sounds so stupid but I had this weird dream last night about everyone criticizing me about what happened" unable to hold eye contact, I look down at my feet "It's weird, I know"
"I know how you feel and I know this might not help but truth is, everyone misses you and thinks it's their fault" I look up her with confusion.
"Huh" my eyebrows furrow at the absurd thought.
"We feel as if we'd done sum different, it would've never happened"
"Highly doubt"
"On god, it's nobodys fault y/n. If it helps, don't let overthinking get to you, think about the facts"
"Okay how...exactly"
"Tell me how you feel about the team" Paige puts her hands on her hips.
"Uhm...well they're disappointed in me...theyyy think I'm weak and that im a burden to them in some way"
"Valid, now think about the facts...we're not disappointed in you, we're more proud than ever, you're not weak, you tore your ACL, and you're not a burden because Azzi, Nika, and I chose to see you after your surgery. I chose to take care of you and I still do. I know you can take care of yourself but I want to be here for you. All the team and I talk about is how incredibly sorry we feel for you. They wish every second that they could be spending time babying you to make sure you're more than okay over practicing. All we talk about is how dreading practice is without you and how empty it is because you're not here. You're allowed to feel how you feel, just don't let it take over you and your relationship with all of us" Paige gets closer to me and holds my face.
"We're here for you, five star"
"Thank you, P" I smile at her thoughtful words.
She leans in and gives me a kiss on my forehead "now let's go show off this brace" Paige gives me a reassuring smile, leaving us to continue walking.
