Beyond The Court

8. Searchin

You said you been calling me,

I'm outside

Let me ease your mind

You've been holding on to your pride

But I know what's inside

***
Another song I recommend listening to
***

The ride back to the dorm had been a blur, a series of fleeting moments that Paige couldn't quite piece together. One second, she had been in the hospital bed, surrounded by her family and Azzi, and the next, she was being guided carefully through the front door of her dorm room. The anesthesia was still lingering in her system, making everything feel distant and soft, like the world had been wrapped in cotton.

Paige leaned heavily on Azzi as they stepped inside, her knee still braced and stiff from the surgery. She was grateful for the support, even though the movements felt slow and awkward. But more than the physical discomfort, what Paige found herself focusing on was Azzi.

Azzi, who was guiding her so carefully, one arm wrapped around her waist, the other holding onto her crutch as they made their way through the small dorm room. Paige's mind was still fuzzy, the edges of her thoughts blurred, but she couldn't stop staring at Azzi, couldn't stop admiring the way she moved with such quiet confidence, her face set in determination as she helped Paige navigate the room.

Azzi hadn't complained once, hadn't hesitated or faltered, even though Paige knew it must've been exhausting for her to deal with all of this. She'd been there the entire time, ever since Paige woke up from the surgery, her presence steady and unwavering. Now, as they finally settled into the dorm, Paige couldn't tear her eyes away.

Azzi's hair had fallen slightly into her face, and Paige watched as she pushed it back with a quick motion, her focus entirely on getting Paige settled on the couch. Paige felt a warmth spread through her, a quiet appreciation that was more than just gratitude. There was something in the way Azzi looked so determined, so focused, and at the same time, so gentle, that made Paige's heart feel lighter in a way she hadn't expected.

She could feel her body giving in to the exhaustion that still clung to her, but she couldn't stop herself from stealing glances at Azzi as she moved around the room. Every small motion felt amplified, like Paige was seeing her for the first time, or maybe just seeing her in a new way. The anesthesia might still have been clouding her mind, but there was something about the way Azzi's presence filled the room, made everything feel calmer, softer. Safe.

As Azzi helped her sit down carefully on the couch, Paige caught herself staring, her eyes tracing the lines of Azzi's face—the way her brow furrowed with concentration, the soft curve of her lips as she gave a quiet smile when Paige was finally settled.

"You good?" Azzi asked, her voice gentle, as if she knew Paige was still lost somewhere between here and the fog of the anesthesia.

Paige nodded slowly, her eyes still fixed on Azzi. She didn't trust her voice, not yet. She wasn't sure what would come out if she spoke. All she knew was that, in this moment, she couldn't look away. The exhaustion, the pain, even the uncertainty of what lay ahead—none of it seemed to matter when she focused on Azzi, who was moving around the room now, grabbing pillows, blankets, anything to make Paige more comfortable.

There was a quiet grace in the way Azzi moved, a certain kind of strength that Paige hadn't really noticed before—or maybe she had, but now, in her hazy state, it was all she could think about. The way Azzi's eyes flicked over to her every few seconds, checking to make sure Paige was okay, the way she seemed to move effortlessly, even though Paige knew she had to be exhausted herself.

Paige's heart felt full, heavy with something she couldn't quite name. She wanted to say something, to express the gratitude that was welling up inside her, but the words got lost somewhere in the haze. All she could do was watch as Azzi carefully draped a blanket over her, tucking it around her as if Paige were something fragile.

Azzi's hands lingered for a moment, her fingers brushing against Paige's arm, and that small contact sent a warmth through Paige that made her want to close her eyes and just let it wash over her.

"You need anything else?" Azzi asked, her voice soft and careful.

Paige shook her head, her throat too tight to speak. She felt Azzi's hand on her arm again, a gentle squeeze, and Paige looked up, their eyes meeting for a brief moment. Something passed between them then, something unspoken but understood. Paige didn't need to say anything. Azzi was here, and that was enough.

Paige leaned back against the couch, her body finally relaxing, but her eyes stayed fixed on Azzi. Even as her thoughts drifted, even as the exhaustion pulled her deeper, she couldn't stop admiring the quiet beauty of the girl beside her. Not just in the way she looked, but in the way she moved, the way she cared, the way she seemed to fill every corner of the room with her presence.

As her eyes fluttered closed, Paige's last thought was of Azzi, her gentle strength, her unwavering support. And even though everything felt uncertain, even though the future still stretched out before her like an endless, foggy road, Paige felt safe. She felt anchored.

Because Azzi was there, and that was enough.

A/N:
so i have a lot of school work to do and have to get ready for the PSAT's so i might not be uploading the next few days

though, i already know what i want to do for the next two chapters, so i might cram them tonight but idk 🤷🏼