𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐆𝐈𝐑𝐋𝐒 | 𝘯.𝘮𝘶𝘩𝘭⁴

𝐱𝐢𝐢. 𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐨𝐮𝐭

☮︎ ℕ𝕀𝔾ℍ𝕋 𝕆𝕌𝕋 ☮︎

The atmosphere in the locker room was electric. The Huskies had just defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes by a resounding 92-72 scoreline. The players were celebrating, laughing, and sharing anecdotes from the game. Nika was a little quieter than usual. Although she was happy about the victory, she had something more important on her mind: she wanted to take Kate out to dinner that night and finally confess her feelings for her.

Kate, as always, had played solidly. She hadn't been one of the top scorers, but her ability to move the ball and her impeccable defense had been key to maintaining control of the game. Seeing her on the court, so focused and passionate, had ignited something in Nika beyond admiration. It was a connection she had been feeling for weeks, something that had been building since they started getting to know each other in training.

Tonight, Nika had decided she couldn't wait any longer. She had to tell Kate how she felt, even if she wasn't entirely sure how she would receive it. She knew Kate was reserved and had a hard time opening up to others. But there was something about their dynamic that gave her hope: the late-night conversations after practice, the shared laughs during bus rides, the exchanges of glances that seemed to last a second longer than necessary.

As the locker room began to clear, Nika saw Kate sitting on a bench, checking her phone and slowly removing the bandages from her wrists. The fluorescent lighting in the locker room made her eyes glow in a way that Nika found mesmerizing.

"Come on, Nika, you can't back out now," she told herself.

As the team began to clear out and some players left the locker room, Nika gathered her courage. She walked over to Kate, trying to look casual.

"Nice game, Bird! That pass to Paige was crazy. I don't know how you did it." Nika smiled, trying to sound calm, even though inside she was about to explode.

Kate looked up and smiled back. Her hair was still damp from the shower, and her eyes were sparkling with excitement.

"Thanks, Nika. You were amazing on defense too. You were everywhere, like always."

Nika laughed, feeling a pleasant warmth in her chest at the compliment. She took a deep breath, trying to ignore the knot in her stomach.

"Hey, I was thinking… we've been working so hard lately and I think we need to relax a little. How about we go out for something to eat? Nothing fancy, just… something Junk food. What are you saying?"

Kate looked at her curiously, raising an eyebrow. "You, junk food? I don't believe it. You're always preaching about salads and protein."

"Hey, I have my weak days too." Nika put her hands up, laughing. "And after a game like this, I think we deserve it."

Kate seemed to think about it for a moment and then nodded with a smile.
"Okay. But only if you choose the place."

Nika gulped. The first part of her plan had worked, but now came the hard part: finding the perfect moment to open her heart to him.

They decided to go to a small burger joint on the outskirts of campus, a place known for its gigantic portions and relaxed atmosphere. When they arrived, the place was almost empty, something Nika was grateful for. The noise of the restaurant was enough to avoid awkward silences, but quiet enough to talk without distractions.

They ordered burgers, fries, and milkshakes. Kate laughed as she watched Nika wolf down her food, commenting on how unusual it was to see her break her strict diet.

"I never thought I'd see Nika Mühl eating a burger with extra cheese. This is almost as impressive as your defense on the court."

"What can I say? Today is a special day." Nika replied with a smile, but her words carried a weight that Kate didn’t immediately notice.

They spent most of dinner talking about the game, the tournament, and their dreams for the future. Kate talked about how she'd grown up watching her mother play, and how she'd always felt the pressure to prove she was more than just "Sue Bird's daughter."

"Sometimes I feel like people expect me to be like my mom, but I just want to be… me." Kate looked down, fiddling with her straw.

Nika felt a pang in her heart. She'd been guilty of thinking the same thing at first, but over time she'd learned to see Kate as a unique person, full of talent and passion.

"And you are, Kate." Nika's voice came out softer than she'd expected. "You're incredibly talented, and not just on the court. You're kind, hard-working, and… well, there's no one like you."

Kate looked up, surprised by the intensity in Nika's eyes. "Thanks, Niks. That means a lot to me."

The conversation fell silent for a moment. It was now or never. Nika took a deep breath and made up her mind.

"Look, I know this might sound weird, but… these past few weeks, I don't know, I feel like we've connected in a way I didn't expect. And… well, I think I like you. Not just as a teammate or a friend, but for real."

Nika's heart seemed about to burst as she waited for Kate's response. For a moment, the silence seemed eternal. Kate set her burger aside and leaned forward slightly.

"Are you serious?" Kate asked, her voice soft but direct.

"Totally," Nika said, looking into her eyes. "I understand if you don't feel the same way, but I needed to tell you."

Kate stared at her, processing what she had just heard. The silence that followed seemed to last forever to Nika, who feared the worst. But then Kate smiled, a genuine, warm smile that lit up the entire place.

"You know?" Kate said softly. "I've been waiting for you to say something. Because… I like you too. A lot."

Nika's relief was so great that she couldn't help but let out a small, nervous laugh. "Really? Why didn't you say anything sooner?" she asked, with a mix of disbelief and joy.

"Well, I didn't want to ruin what we had as teammates and friends. But now that you mention it… I'm glad you did."

They both laughed, and the tension that had filled the air moments before disappeared completely. The night continued with laughter and lighter conversations, but now there was something different in the air. They had taken the first step towards something deeper and more meaningful.

As they left, Nika gathered her courage and took Kate's hand as they walked back to campus. Kate didn't say anything, but she intertwined her fingers with Nika's, making it clear that she was happy with the new direction they were taking together.