𝕿𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐅𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐈𝐒𝐓, paige bueckers

𝟎𝟎𝟑, high school showdown

CHAPTER THREE
❛ high school showdown ❜

don't be a silent reader please !

⤿ ⁺ ̥ ⋆.♱ location ─ 2019, minnesota: ridgeway high school *˖ ✶ʾʾ

NARRATIVE !

Game day couldn't come fast enough, the stage was set. The tension was thick enough to cut with a cold butter knife, the animosity between the two sides palpable. On one side the navy blue of the Royals of Hopkins and on the other the red and white of the Saints of Ridgeway, both sides making noise with neither one willing to admit defeat. There was too much on the line, pride, egos, not to mention bragging rights and temporary superiority until the next fixture between the two rolled around.

Though most would argue that Hopkins had more to lose, as their women's team hadn't lost in the last six games against the Ridgeway's women's team. But the rumblings from both camps brewed a certain air of uncertainty, as all that could change starting from today.

Sansa Solaris's game day routine was rigorous to say the least, starting with an early morning, warm-up stretches yoga and then following that up with an early morning run. Before hopping in the shower, putting on some skincare and chapstick, throwing on some comfy clothes and heading to school where she would meet up with the rest of her team and get changed in the locker room with her headphones on as she got herself in the zone. And today was no different, even though it was.

It was the first basketball game of her Freshman season as a Ridgeway High Saint, not only that but her first-ever game was against sworn rivals Hopkins High at home. Now Sansa was fully aware of how big the rivalry was, as she had witnessed her fair share of games between the two schools. In the form of her brothers and friend Wren's games, and she knew this being her debut match was a big deal.

But that didn't change how she approached it. She did her normal routine, treating it as if it were any other match. And it was in her eyes, but it also wasn't at the same time. It was the game that would define the start of her high school basketball career, and she would love nothing more than to start on a high.

Sansa always did the same hairstyle for game days, a high ponytail with two long tendril strands in the front. It had been dubbed her 'look' since middle school, something people always associated with her when it came to her stepping onto the court. However, she came into it with the mindset of performance over appearance. As Sansa could care less about what hairstyle she wore, as long as she won she was happy. It was part of the reason why Sansa stuck with this style in particular, it was quick and convenient. Giving her more time to focus on readying herself for battle.

Giving herself a final once-over in the mirror Sansa was happy with what she saw, she looked good in the red and white basketball attire. It felt right like it was meant to be. Doing her final touch-up, Sansa took a deep breath smoothing her hands over her pristine red and white jersey. Today was the start of new beginnings, and she would start it the right way by winning. Jolting slightly, Sansa felt someone lift one side of her headphones, it was Wren. Who had apparently been calling her game for the past two minutes.