Take me out of the past | Paige Bueckers

14: Brianna

It was around 11:30, both of the girls were in Paige's car, none of them daring to speak. Paige broke the silence, "where to?" Before Brianna could answer Paige interrupted, "chick fil a it is." She took the words out of Brianna's mouth, even though so much had changed since the two girls had been friends, Brianna's love for chick fil a didn't. That girl was obsessed. Brianna giggled whilst nodding, she felt herself relax a little bit, maybe this won't be so bad. Brianna was on aux, she had scrolled all the way down until she reached the playlist her and Paige had made back in high school, it hadn't been touched since. All the memories flooded in for both of the girls. Unconsciously they began singing, both as tone death as each other, but they were enjoying themselves, everything that had happened between the two of them disappeared and for the short car ride, they were just enjoying each others company and savouring every second not knowing if they'll ever be as close as they once were.

Paige had parked, they got out the car and began walking into chick fil a. Their shoulders brushing together, but this time neither of them pulled away, the contact was normal for two people walking side by side but for Brianna and Paige, this was progress. They ordered their food and went to sit at a table, silence falling on them once again. Paige was about to say something when all of a sudden a little girl came up to her, the girl was adorable. Her hair was in pigtails and she was wearing a little basketball uniform, she asked Paige for a picture. The girls mom caught up to her daughter apologising, "oh no it's totally okay, of course you can have a picture, what's your name?" She said whilst smiling to the little girl. "I'm Addie, I play basketball too and I want to be just like you." The girl said shyly, clearly nervous about talking to Paige. They took a picture together and before the girl walked off Paige said, "addie, I'll remember you when you become just like me." The girl and the mom walked off, Paige grabbed her phone, went to the notes app and began typing. "Addie, around 8, blonde hair brown eyes, quite tall for her age, in Connecticut." She said aloud. She flipped her phone to face Brianna, showing her the hundreds of names of children who have come up to her and told her they want to be just like her. Paige did this because she knew that one day a child she met would be a new name for basketball, she just didn't know who yet. "Shit, do fans come up to you often then?" Brianna questioned, "yeah I guess." "Does it ever annoy you?" Brianna knew it was a stupid question, Paige's heart was too big to ever get annoyed at people wanting to talk to her, "no I love my fans, they're the reason I'm here. I would be nothing without them." They continued their small talk, both girls slowly letting their guards down. They were strangers that were once best friends but are now having to get to know each other again as if they had no history, it was weird. They were doing it for the team. Or was there still something there?

Soon after, their food came. Both girls tucked in not saying a word. After they had finished the food, they paid and headed back to the car. "Where's your dorm, I'll drop you off" Paige asked. Brianna directed Paige to her dorm building, once they had got there Brianna stepped out the car, "thanks Paige for the ride and uhm for today, I enjoyed it." "I enjoyed it too Bria."

Brianna had got back to her room, Jules was in the kitchen doing some work. "Hey girl, how was it?" Jules asked. Brianna and Jules had spent the next half an hour just catching up, it was mostly Brianna talking and Jules listening, but once they were done, Brianna decided to go freshen up. She had no other plans for today, and her priority was to get everything for the documentary sorted.

Jules heard a knock on the door, she wasn't expecting anyone and Brianna was in her room. She opened the door, looking up and revealing the one and only Paige Bueckers. Jules chocked on the deep breath she took in, still shocked to see uconn's star basketball player at her front door. Jules always loved watching basketball, so to say she was a fan of the whole team was an understatement. Once Jules snapped back to reality and realised that Paige was looking at her questionably, " uhm uh how... how can I help you?" Jules stuttered. "Is Bria here?" Paige asked, "oh Brianna, I'm her roommate, she was in the shower last time I checked but I think she's out now. BRI ARE YOU STILL IN THE SHOWER? There's someone at the door for you" Jules called out. After a moment Brianna appeared, her hair dripping wet, she was wearing a massive shirt that went down to her mid thigh. "Fuck" Paige muttered under her breath, thankfully no one heard. "Oh uh hi Paige." Brianna proceeded. "Oh sorry, you left your bag in my car, thought you might need it." Paige said as she was looking Brianna up and down. "Shit thanks, you're a life saver, i don't know what I would have done if I had lost this." She said whilst taking the bag from Paige's hand, their fingers brushing against each other, causing butterflies to enter both of their stomachs. "Thanks again Paige." "Anytime Bria" and with that paige left and Brianna shut the door.

As soon as the door shut, Jules was in hysterics, " OH MY GOD, OH MY FUCKING GOD! THAT DID NOT JUST HAPPEN! AHHHHHHHHHH!" Brianna chuckled at her reaction. "Girl you told me that nothing ever happened between you, I'm calling bullshit. The way she was looking at you, I would have folded so hard. She's so into you and you are so into her." Jules explained. "It's not like that between us." Brianna responded. "Nah I don't believe you, I can't wait to be proven right." Jules said before walking away, leaving Brianna with her own thoughts. Paige was hot. So hot. And yes Brianna had thought about her far too much these past few days. But nothing could ever happen between them, not anymore. Things were far too complicated.