𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐆𝐈𝐑𝐋𝐒 | 𝘯.𝘮𝘶𝘩𝘭⁴

𝐯. 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤

☮︎ 𝔹𝕆𝕆𝕂 ☮︎

September 25, 2020

Nika had always been a straightforward person, someone who spoke her mind and didn't tolerate nonsense. She had come to UConn with one goal in mind: to play basketball at the highest level and make her name known on her own merits. So when Kate Bird showed up on the team, Nika couldn't help but feel a pang of distrust.

It wasn't that Nika hated her; that was too strong a word, and hating someone she barely knew would be ridiculous. But there was something about Kate that irritated her. Maybe it was her privileged background or the constant shadow of her mother, who had been a legend at the same university and was currently a legend in the WNBA. For Nika, it was hard to believe that Kate wasn't taking advantage of that lineage, that she wasn't there simply because she was 'the daughter of'. And while Nika knew it wasn't fair to prejudge her, she couldn't help herself.

The first few weeks at UConn passed quickly. Classes and practice took up most of her time, and the pressure of being in one of the most demanding basketball programs in the country was starting to take its toll on her muscles and mind. However, what weighed down on Nika the most was not basketball or studies, but Kate's constant presence in her life.

Kate and Paige, who was Nika's roommate and also one of Kate's best friends, meant that the young Bird spent a lot of time in her room. Nika found it extremely frustrating. She had hoped to have a refuge, a place where she could relax after practice, but instead, she had to share her space with Kate almost every afternoon.

Every time she walked into the room and saw Kate sitting on Paige's bed, chatting and laughing, Nika felt a pang of discomfort. She tried to ignore her, to focus on her own business, but she couldn't help but listen to their conversations. They were often about basketball, their training, and even their dreams and aspirations. Kate seemed to be really into the game, which confused Nika, as it didn't match the image she had formed of her.

One afternoon, Nika walked up the stairs to her room, hoping to find some peace and quiet. As she opened the door, she stopped dead in her tracks. To her dismay, Kate was there, sitting at Paige's desk, looking at something on her phone. Paige, however, was nowhere to be seen.

"Oh, hey," Kate said, looking up, a somewhat nervous smile on her face.

Nika responded with a simple nod, not bothering to hide her surprise at finding Kate there without Paige. She crossed the room and sat down on her bed, trying to ignore the palpable awkwardness in the air.

"Paige's in the library," Kate commented, breaking the silence. "She said she'd be back soon."

"Oh, right," Nika replied, as she pulled out her phone to distract herself.

The silence that followed was awkward, and they both felt it. Kate, wanting to ease the tension, tried to strike up a conversation. "I've seen you have great defensive handling on the court," Kate said, trying hard to sound friendly. "It's impressive."

Nika looked up briefly and forced a smile. "Thanks," she replied curtly, not knowing what else to say.

Another long moment of silence passed, and just as Kate seemed about to say something else, the door swung open and Paige walked in, holding an old book in her hand.

"I found it!" Paige exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear. "You have to see it, Kate!" Paige sat down on the bed next to Kate and opened the book, flipping through the pages excitedly. Nika, though trying to keep her emotional distance, couldn't help but be curious about the book Paige was holding. She watched as both girls leaned over the pages, giggling and pointing at pictures.