bags ~ paige bueckers

intro

Zara Ramos felt guilty.

Anyone would be thankful to be in her position. Face on billboards on Sunset Boulevard, her name appearing in many headlines, and thousands of daily messages from fans. Don't get her wrong, Zara was very thankful for her success. Coming from a small town she had always wanted to escape, moving to Los Angeles was a dream. The beautiful sunsets and bustling streets were much more ideal than the dreary town she called home. But sometimes, it was too much for Zara. The constant criticism, fake smiles, and high expectations were all too much. Zara can put up a confident front on camera, but when the cameras aren't rolling and the applause fades, she can't help but fight her inner thoughts: Will I ever be good enough?

Paige Bueckers thought she was ready.

All her life, she had known greatness. On the court, everything made sense. Her instincts were sharp, her confidence was high, and her purpose was clear. Moving to LA was supposed to mean something—a fresh start and a chance to cement her legacy. It was something that many have been anticipating since she was a young girl. But here, in a large city with unfamiliar faces, she felt uneasy. The court was her closest thing to home, but the circumstances were different now. The expectations were higher, and while Paige carried herself well, she couldn't deny it—she was lost.

Two lives orbiting the same city, both tethered to dreams that sometimes felt like chains. They didn't know it yet, but their paths were about to converge—not in the way of fairy tales or meet-cutes, but something quieter. Something real.

Author's Note:

Hello! So, I was inspired to write a new story...it has been years since I attempted to write one, so we shall see how this goes. And yes, Paige will most likely be drafted to Dallas, but for my story, she is playing for the LA Sparks! I do not have the entire plot thought out; please bear with me as I am doing this on a whim. I also will not guarantee regular updates as I am a full-time college student graduating next year and have a job and internship. However, I can guarantee that I will do my best! Stay tuned hehe.

~ M <3