Daylight - Paige Bueckers

that's my girl

March 29th, 2024

Alex's POV:

The plane touched down in Oregon just as the sun was setting, casting long streaks of orange and pink across the sky. I shifted in my seat, craning my neck to get a better view out the small window. It was beautiful, sure, but all I could think about was finally getting off the plane. Traveling with the cheer team had its perks, but spending hours crammed into a seat with Sarah and Maggie arguing over snacks across the aisle wasn't one of them.

As soon as the seatbelt light blinked off, everyone stood up at once, creating the usual chaotic shuffle of bags being yanked from overhead bins. Naomi, who'd been sitting in front of me, turned around with a smirk.

"Think we're staying at one of those fancy hotels with a chocolate on the pillow?" she asked, brushing imaginary crumbs off her sweatshirt.

"I'd settle for decent Wi-Fi," I replied, standing to stretch. "Or a shower that doesn't make weird noises."

"Dream big, Alex." Naomi laughed, grabbing her backpack. "But hey, at least we're not sharing rooms with the band again. I still have nightmares about last year's trip."

The mention of last year made me smile despite myself. It had been wild, sure, but it was also the trip where Paige and I started... whatever this thing between us was. I'd never forget the way she looked at me that night, like I was the only person in the world.

By the time we made it off the plane and to baggage claim, everyone was a mix of tired and restless. Cassie and Sarah had started filming some impromptu tik tok, while Maggie seemed determined to find the nearest coffee stand.

"We're going to need caffeine if we're staying up tonight," Maggie declared, her phone already out to Google options.

"Or you could just sleep," Naomi suggested, though her tone made it clear she didn't expect that to happen.

"Where's the fun in that?" Maggie grinned, shoving her suitcase onto a cart.

Once we loaded onto the bus waiting outside, the chatter quieted as people stared out the windows, taking in the sights. Oregon was nothing like Connecticut. Everything felt bigger here-the mountains in the distance, the trees that stretched higher than seemed possible, the endless sky.

I leaned back in my seat, pulling out my phone to text Paige.

Paige Bueckers

landed 🤑

how's the hotel

No chocolate on the pillow

Very disappointing

I smiled, already feeling some of the exhaustion melt away. Paige had a way of making everything better, even through a screen.

The bus pulled up to the hotel about twenty minutes later, and as we filed inside, I could feel the tension in the air. This was the Sweet Sixteen. The stakes couldn't be higher, and everyone knew it. But for now, it was just about getting settled and trying to enjoy the calm before the storm.