Years Of Love

Caught in the Act

The night had settled over UConn's campus, the sky clear and dotted with stars. Paige and Azzi had eventually fallen asleep, wrapped in each other's warmth, the playful teasing from earlier still echoing in the background of their dreams.

The next morning, Paige was the first to stir. She blinked groggily, adjusting to the soft light filtering through the blinds. Azzi was still asleep beside her, her hair tousled and her expression peaceful. Paige smiled to herself, brushing a strand of hair from Azzi's face before carefully sliding out of bed.

Down the hall, Kk was already up, scrolling through the comments from last night's TikTok live. She snickered to herself, reliving the moment Azzi's face turned bright red, and Paige turned the teasing into something more than friendly banter.

Caroline joined her at the kitchen counter, sipping on coffee. "Morning. You still obsessing over last night's live?"

Kk grinned. "It was hilarious. Paige and Azzi were so obvious. I'm surprised they didn't break the internet."

Caroline laughed, shaking her head. "You're terrible. But yeah, they didn't even try to hide it."

"Exactly!" Kk scrolled through a few more comments, most of them filled with heart emojis and curious questions about Paige and Azzi. "I wonder if they're ever going to officially confirm what's so obvious."

As if on cue, the door to the hallway creaked open, and Paige, still wearing her signature black hoodie and sweatpants, walked into the kitchen. Her hair was slightly messy from sleep, but her eyes were bright.

"Morning," she mumbled, making a beeline for the coffee machine.

Caroline smirked. "Rough night?"

Paige shot her a tired smile. "Nah, just... long."

Kk raised an eyebrow. "Long, huh?" She couldn't resist the opportunity to tease. "So, how's Azzi this morning?"

Paige rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress the grin tugging at the corners of her mouth. "She's fine, still sleeping. You know how she is, always needs her beauty rest."

Caroline and Kk exchanged amused glances, clearly entertained by Paige's attempt to downplay the situation.

Before Kk could fire off another comment, the door to the hallway opened again, and Azzi walked in, stretching her arms and yawning. She paused for a moment when she saw everyone in the kitchen but quickly recovered, offering a small wave.

"Morning, guys," she said, trying to act casual.

Kk snickered, and Caroline elbowed her to keep quiet.

"Morning," Paige said, handing Azzi a cup of coffee with a soft smile. Azzi took it gratefully, their fingers brushing for a moment longer than necessary.

The room was silent for a beat, and it was clear everyone had caught the small interaction. Kk's eyes gleamed with mischief.

"So, Azzi," Kk began, unable to resist, "anything exciting happen last night? Or, you know, early this morning?"

Azzi shot her a look, but Paige cut in, smirking. "Just the usual. Snacks, TV, and a little bit of excitement. Nothing you'd want to hear about, Kk."

Kk laughed, raising her hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. Keep your secrets, but you two aren't fooling anyone."

Azzi groaned, her cheeks flushing just like they had during the live. "You're impossible."

Paige, however, seemed to be enjoying herself, her mood lighter than it had been in days. She slid an arm around Azzi's waist, pulling her close and planting a quick kiss on her temple. "Ignore her, she's just jealous."

Kk gasped dramatically. "Excuse me, I am perfectly happy, thank you very much."

Caroline stifled a laugh. "Sure you are, Kk."

The teasing continued for a few more minutes, the group falling into their usual playful banter. It was moments like these that made all the stress and pressure from basketball worth it—the team was more than just teammates, they were a family.

As the conversation died down, Nika wandered into the kitchen, rubbing her eyes. "Why is everyone up so early?" she muttered, half-asleep.

Kk grinned. "Just reliving last night's entertainment. You missed out, Nika."

Nika raised an eyebrow, catching the look between Paige and Azzi. She shook her head with a tired smile. "Whatever you two were up to, just keep it PG around me, alright?"

Azzi buried her face in her hands, clearly embarrassed, while Paige laughed, pulling her into a hug. "No promises."

The morning continued with lighthearted laughter and jokes, everyone enjoying the calm before practice later that day. It was moments like these—shared between friends, with no pressure or expectations—that made everything feel right. Paige's heart felt lighter, and she couldn't help but think that despite all the teasing and awkwardness, she wouldn't have it any other way.

As they all sat around the kitchen, sipping coffee and swapping stories, it was clear that the bond between them