Beyond The Court

12. GRAVITY

You held me up when
I was down and out

But I don't want you
waiting 'round for me

I don't want you waiting too long

***

Paige sat on the edge of the padded bench in the physical therapy room, her eyes fixed on the floor beneath her feet. The sterile smell of the clinic filled the air, mixing with the sounds of weights clinking and the low hum of conversation from other patients. Her knee throbbed slightly, a dull reminder of the long road ahead, but the physical discomfort wasn't what weighed on her mind the most today.

The therapist, a kind older man named Greg, had just finished guiding her through a new set of exercises—small, slow movements designed to strengthen her weakened muscles. They weren't easy, but Paige knew that each tiny victory meant progress, even if it didn't feel like it right now.

But as Paige sat there, her muscles aching and her mind clouded with frustration, she couldn't help but feel... alone. Not in the literal sense—Greg was still nearby, sorting through the equipment, and other patients were scattered around the room, each absorbed in their own recovery. It was more that the absence of the people she cared about weighed heavily on her.

Especially Azzi.

Azzi, who had been by her side through everything—through the initial injury, the surgery, the long days of recovery in the dorm. Azzi, whose presence had been a constant source of comfort. But today, Paige was at physical therapy on her own because Azzi was at practice with the rest of the team. Paige knew it was important, that Azzi had to focus on her own game, her own season. But as much as she tried to rationalize it, the emptiness left by Azzi's absence gnawed at her.

Paige sighed, leaning back slightly as she stretched her leg, trying to ease the stiffness that had settled into her muscles. Her phone buzzed from the bench beside her, and she picked it up, hoping for a message from Azzi, maybe something to remind her that even though they weren't together right now, she was still thinking about her.

Instead, it was a message from Aaliyah in the team group chat:

dream team

Lili🇨🇦
Practice is rough today
Wish you were out here ☹️
Miss you! 🥰🫶

Paige's heart twisted at the message. She missed being out there with them, too—missed the rhythm of the game, the feeling of being on the court, pushing herself alongside her teammates. Instead, she was stuck here, her progress measured in tiny, painstaking increments that never felt like enough.

She typed a quick response

P Buckets🤓
Miss you guys too
Kill it out there!

But the smile she forced onto her face faded as soon as she hit send. A few seconds later, more notifications popped up: supportive replies from Nika, Caroline, KK, Aubrey, and Dorka, all reminding her they were thinking of her. It warmed her heart a little, but it didn't take away the sting of not being there with them.

The therapist came back over, giving her a nod. "Good work today, Paige. I know it's slow, but you're getting stronger every day."

Paige nodded, managing a small smile. "Thanks, Greg. Just feels like it's taking forever."

He chuckled softly. "That's the nature of recovery. It's tough, but you're making progress. Keep your head up."

Paige nodded again, her mind still drifting to Azzi. She knew Greg was right, and she knew this was just part of the process, but it didn't make it any easier. The slow pace of it all made her feel like she was missing out—missing out on practice, on moments with her team, on the life she had worked so hard for.