"but, girl, i'm so glad we're acquainted"
Paige Bueckers and Emilia Cowan meet in a college bar on Emilia's 21st birthday. Neither of them expect to see the other again until Emilia is asked to be the UConn Women's Basketball media manager.
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Stumbling through the bar, I reached out to the wall next to me to maintain my balance before I face planted. I might have gone a little bit overboard tonight, but you only turn 21 once.
I giggled as my friend Kalani reached over to adjust the "birthday girl" crown that had been gifted to me a few hours prior.
"Girl, you look so hot tonight," Kalani said as she moved in front of me and looked me over.
"You're telling me I don't normally?" I tease. I had met Kalani my freshman year and we've been inseparable ever since. Currently we lived together in an apartment near campus with a third roommate who was currently getting me another drink.
"Only you," she rolled her eyes playfully as her gaze shifted to something over my shoulder. "I think Ria is on her way back right now," she claps her hands together with excitement.
I swear these two are going to have me black out drunk for the next two days.
"Here you go, birthday girl!" Ria handed me another drink and at this point I'm just hoping she didn't choose the strongest drink imaginable. "I also think the women's basketball team is here," Ria said as she gave me a sly smile.
I gave her a look, trying my best to ignore her comment. As I took the first sip of the drink my face immediately contorted into a grimace.
As fucked up as I may be right now, I know when a drink needs more of a mixer. Ria is the one friend who's always heavy handed when making drinks or procuring drinks.
"What the hell is in this?" I ask her and she just laughs. "Oh you know. I just asked for a little bit of a stronger drink for the birthday girl. It's kinda my job," she shrugs nonchalantly.
I tried to hide my smile but within a few seconds it was a full grin. "You might have a point. Just maybe," I conceded as I pulled my arm back from the wall and found my balance.
"I think I may head over to the bar to get a little bit more of," I paused, not even sure what the hell she gave me, "something that's not alcohol in this."
"Don't deflect Em," Kalani stopped me as she refocused the conversation back onto the fact that Ria said the women's basketball team was here.
I tried to keep my face indifferent as I answered her. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Of course I knew what she fucking meant. We might have talked about how hot all of the girls are after going to a few of their games. I mean who hasn't heard or seen those girls before. Especially going to school at UConn.
"I say shoot your shot, personally," Kalani says as she puts her hands up in defense, her drink spilling over the rim of her up with her sudden movement.
I look over to Ria who eagerly shakes her head in agreement. "There's no way you are just going to pass up this opportunity. At least try to talk to one of them. With how hot you look right now, you definitely have your pick," Ria says, making me debate if this is a good idea. "And who could say no to the birthday girl."
