sun to me

four

I'm trying my best To keep you Satisfied 

Let you get your rest 

While I stayed up all night 

That fall, Florence's life became a whirlwind. Between studio sessions in Los Angeles and occasional trips back home to Connecticut, she was constantly moving. Her first album was already in production, with Universal eager to capitalize on the buzz surrounding her viral success. But Florence wasn't just going through the motions; every song she wrote and recorded felt like a piece of her heart—honest, raw, and deeply personal.

Back in Connecticut, Geno struggled to keep up with the sudden shift in Florence's life. He was proud, of course, but he missed the quiet moments when she'd sit at the dinner table humming tunes or hang around the gym watching practice. Now, their conversations were mostly phone calls, squeezed in between her meetings and his practices.

"Don't forget where you came from," he reminded her during one of their calls.

"I won't, Dad," Florence promised, and she meant it. No matter how big her career became, home would always be her anchor.

Paige, meanwhile, became a constant in Florence's life. They texted daily, sharing jokes and snippets of their respective worlds. Paige would send videos of her trick shots or behind-the-scenes moments from UConn practices, while Florence sent demos of her latest songs, asking for Paige's brutally honest feedback.

"You've got a hit with this one," Paige texted one day after hearing Florence's new track. "But you already knew that, right?"

Florence smiled at her phone, feeling a warmth that carried her through the busiest days.

By winter, Florence's debut album, Constellations, was ready. The album featured ten tracks, each one weaving a narrative of love, loss, and self-discovery. Comet was the centerpiece, but new songs like Gravity and Starlight showcased her evolving sound. Universal planned a massive launch party in New York City to celebrate the album's release. Florence was hesitant about the spotlight at first, but Paige convinced her it was worth it.

"You worked hard for this," Paige told her on the phone. "Let people celebrate you for a change."

The night of the launch, Florence wore a sleek black dress, her hair styled in loose waves. The room was packed with industry professionals, fans, and even a few celebrities. Geno and Kathy stood in the front row, beaming with pride along with the women and mens Uconn basketball teams.

When Florence performed Comet live that night, the room fell silent, her voice filling the space with an emotion so raw it brought tears to many eyes. By the time she finished, the crowd erupted in applause, the sound almost deafening.

Backstage, Paige was waiting. She pulled Florence into a tight hug, her voice full of excitement. "You killed it, Flo. Absolutely killed it."

"Couldn't have done it without you," Florence replied, her words sincere.

But it was also that night that would change the spotlight from just her to the media trying for piece together her life looking at it under a microscope. As Constellations climbed the charts, Florence faced the realities of fame. The constant attention, the relentless pressure to deliver, and the invasive questions about her personal life sometimes felt overwhelming. She found herself clinging to the moments that grounded her—late-night phone calls with Paige, her dad's steady advice, and Mom's unwavering support.

One evening, as Florence scrolled through social media, she stumbled upon a headline:
"Is Florence and Paige Bueckers the Internet's New Favorite Duo?"

The article was full of photos of them together, from the UConn gym to the album launch. Florence chuckled, texting the link to Paige.

"Looks like we're trending," she wrote.

Paige replied almost instantly: "Guess we're officially a power duo. Let's run with it."

But unlike Florence, Paige was use to the media she was a spotlight in women's sports and was use to doing crazy shoots and interviews seconds after win or lose situations. Paige had always been a fierce competitor. From a young age, she'd been told she was destined for greatness, and she embraced it with open arms. But what no one told her was how lonely it could feel at the top.

Meeting Florence that summer had been unexpected, but Paige quickly realized how much she needed her. Florence was everything Paige didn't know she was missing—kind, grounded, and utterly uninterested in the world's expectations of her. Florence's music spoke to a vulnerability Paige rarely allowed herself to feel. It was nice to be with someone who didn't talk about basketball or her fame for once.

At first, Paige had fangirled like the rest of the world. But as their friendship grew, she saw Florence not as the rising star everyone adored, but as a person—someone who understood what it meant to have the world watching your every move.

And then there was the way Florence looked at her, like she saw every part of her and didn't flinch. It made Paige's heart race in a way that had nothing to do with basketball.

As the weeks passed, Florence and Paige's lives became even more intertwined—not just in their personal connection but in the public eye. Florence's fame was skyrocketing with Constellations breaking records, and Paige was continuing her dominance on the court, leading UConn through a nearly undefeated season. The media couldn't get enough of them, labeling them "the duo everyone's rooting for."

At first, Florence found it amusing. The headlines, the memes, the edits of her songs played over Paige's highlight reels—it was all surreal. But as the attention grew, so did the scrutiny.

Reporters began prying into Florence's personal life, asking pointed questions about her relationship with Paige. Rumors swirled online, speculating about everything from their late-night FaceTimes to their closeness at events. Florence tried to laugh it off, but the constant pressure began to weigh on her.

One evening, as Florence sat in her Los Angeles apartment scrolling through an article dissecting her friendship with Paige, her phone buzzed. It was Paige.

"You've been quiet today," Paige said when Florence answered, her voice soft but laced with concern.

"Just... tired," Florence admitted, her voice small. "It feels like everything I do is under a microscope now. People are making assumptions about us, about me, and I don't know how to handle it."

There was a pause on the other end before Paige spoke, her tone steady. "Flo, you don't owe anyone an explanation. Let them talk. You know who you are, and the people who matter? We know who you are, too."

Florence felt a lump in her throat, Paige's words offering a comfort she desperately needed.

"You make it sound so simple," Florence said with a weak laugh.

"It's not," Paige admitted. "But I've learned that you can't control what people say. You can only control how you respond. And I'm here, okay? Whatever you need."

A.N- Hey yall I know its been a while since I posted but let me know if you have any ideas or want something to happen in this book.