girls! ✩ p. bueckers

10. birthday girl

Some people like to spend their 25th birthday at home. Accepting the fact that they're in their mid twenties and should probably stop partying.

I am not some people.

Especially when there are a bunch of college students around me. They won't let me stay at home with my new puppy and chill, so I've been told that I have to dress up like I'm 19 and party.

Honestly the sound of alcohol is promising so I won't complain too hard about it.

We're at practice right now and I'm thankful that my birthday fell on a Friday this year. I remember in college it was a Tuesday. Man was the next practice hell.

We all were hungover so bad and coach knew. She made us run so much. Love Dawn though.

Never drank on a school night after that. Which should have been a given but when you're 20 do you have common sense? No.

"Go harder!" Geno tells. I hide my laugh behind my hand. "Pick the pace up. Do we want to get out paced again?"

He looks mad but I know he just wants the best for the girls. Like every coach out there.

Originally he wanted to pause practice for my birthday but I told him not to. We need all the practices we can get. Especially since holidays are soon.

It's the 13th of December, my birthday.

Some might say my birthday falling on friday the 13th is a bad omen, and I'd tell them to jump off a cliff.

They're running a drill and if you mess up at all then they have to run. Which they're doing in the drill anyways so it's an endless cycle.

I do not miss this part of basketball. Which was me about two months ago. Still.

There's five minutes left of practice and I'm so ready to leave. I had to leave Rosie at the apartment because they brought the team mascot to practice today.

I wasn't ready for the loud barking and them interrupting the girls, so I thought it was best if I left her at home.

Huh, I called it home. Crazy.

Geno tells the girls to huddle up and I join him.

"Alright guys. As much as I hate doing this, to cap off practice we're going to shoot free throws until every person makes two in a row. Repetition is key. If you miss, you run."

They all look tired but nod their heads. No one puts up a fight with what I just said.

They line up and honestly they've all improved their free throws. The misses have been going down quite a bit and it's something that can win games. Underrated but needed.

A few miss it and when they run their laps they join the back of the line again. I'm glad they hold themselves accountable.

The only girls who make it off the bat are Paige, Sarah and Kk. Most of the others that normally would are injured so they didn't participate.

Az is on the side anyways because she's doing some physical therapy. She's actually cleared to play right now but we want to make sure she stays steady.

He really cares for his players health and that makes me so happy.

Everyone finishes the drill and they huddle up for the last time before the weekend.