Daylight - Paige Bueckers

not a thought behind those eyes

October 14th, 2023

Paige's POV:

Homecoming at UConn always has a way of transforming campus into something magical. The quad is covered in a sea of blue and white, with tents set up for the tailgate, music blasting, and the smell of grilled food hanging in the air. The weather is perfect—crisp enough to need a light jacket but still warm enough that everyone's comfortable outside.

I can't help but smile as I walk up to the tailgate with my teammates, feeling the energy buzzing around us. The student-athlete section is roped off for a social media event, filled with everyone from the football team to the cheerleaders, and the atmosphere is one of pure excitement.

"Yo, Paige!" Nika calls out, looping her arm through mine as we approach the crowd. "Ready to show these other teams who's boss?"

I laugh, feeling a surge of adrenaline. "You know it. They've got nothing on us."

We push through the crowd, exchanging high-fives and hugs with our friends from other sports teams. I spot Alex near the cheer team's tent, her hair pulled back in a high ponytail, looking effortlessly beautiful. Our eyes meet, and she flashes me a smile that sends a rush of warmth through me.

"Go say hi to your girl, Paige," Azzi teases, nudging me with her elbow.

I roll my eyes but can't help the grin that spreads across my face. "Fine, I'm going."

As I approach Alex, I notice a group of students gathering around a small stage set up for some of the Homecoming games. There's a guy with a camera and microphone, clearly planning to capture the whole thing for social media.

"Hey," I say as I reach Alex, who's chatting with Naomi and Cassie.

"Hey yourself," she replies, her eyes twinkling. "Ready to lose?"

"You wish." I glance over at the stage, where the first event—a tug-of-war—seems to be getting started. "You don't think you have a chance, do you?"

"Absolutely," she says confidently. "Sounds like you're scared, P."

"In your dreams," I shoot back playfully.

Cassie laughs, shaking her head. "You two are ridiculous."

Before we can continue, the announcer's voice booms over the speakers, calling for participants for the first round. "Alright, everyone, we're kicking off with a tug-of-war between the women's basketball team and the cheer team! Let's see who's stronger!"

"Oh, it's on," Nika says, appearing at my side again, ready to go.

I exchange a quick glance with Alex, and we both burst into laughter. "Guess we're going head-to-head," I say.

"Get fucked, Bueckers," she replies, but there's a playful challenge in her tone that makes my heart race.

The rope is laid out in the center of the stage, and both teams take their places. I grab hold of the thick, rough rope, feeling the burn in my hands already. The basketball team lines up on one side, with the cheer team on the other.

"Don't go easy on them just because you're dating one of them," Azzi mutters to me with a smirk.