Daylight - Paige Bueckers

don't let me go

May 8th, 2024

Paige's POV:

The living room at Alex's house was buzzing with energy, a bittersweet mix of excitement and nostalgia. Music blared from the speaker in the corner, the bass vibrating through the floors, while bottles and solo cups cluttered the kitchen counter. Everyone was dressed to the nines, pulling out their best outfits for what felt like the last big hurrah of the year. Even though most of us were coming back for a fifth year, tonight carried a weight none of us wanted to acknowledge yet.

I was nursing a vodka cranberry, leaning against the arm of the couch, and watching Alex move through the room. She was in her element, laughing with her roommates and playfully shoving Sarah when she made some joke I couldn't hear. She looked effortlessly good, her black jeans hugging her in all the right places, paired with a cropped white button-up that was just slightly undone at the top.

God, she was hot.

"You're staring," Aubrey's voice cut through my thoughts, her tone dripping with amusement.

I rolled my eyes but didn't deny it. "Yeah, yeah."

Aubrey snorted, taking a sip of her drink. "Just go bother her already. You know you want to."

I smirked, setting my drink down on the coffee table. "Don't mind if I do."

Alex was standing near the kitchen when I sidled up beside her, my shoulder brushing hers. "Looking good, cheerleader," I said, keeping my tone light but teasing.

She glanced at me, her lips quirking into a half-smile. "You're not so bad yourself, Bueckers."

I tugged at the hem of my oversized button-up —cream-colored and paired with high-waisted pants and a simple black crop top underneath. "You think so? I was going for 'hot but not trying too hard.'"

"Well, you nailed it," she said, her eyes lingering on me just a second too long.

I grinned, leaning in closer so only she could hear me. "Careful, Al. If you keep looking at me like that, people might think you like me or something."

Her cheeks flushed a little, but she played it off with a scoff. "Yeah, well, maybe I do."

Before I could respond, Naomi and Maggie burst into the room, dragging Nika with them. "We need to do shots!" Naomi declared, already holding a tray with little plastic cups filled to the brim.

The vibe in the house shifted as everyone crowded into the living room for a group toast. Naomi handed me a shot, and I handed one to Alex, our fingers brushing as I did.

"To graduation!" Naomi yelled, holding her cup high.

"To the end of an era!" Maggie added.

"To Nika," I said suddenly, my voice cutting through the chatter. Everyone turned to look at me, and Nika's face turned red.

"What?" I shrugged. "You're the only one not coming back next year. We've got to toast to you."

Nika rolled her eyes but looked genuinely touched. "Fine, but if this gets sappy, I'm leaving."

"It's not sappy," I said, though my throat felt a little tight. "It's just...we're going to miss you. Even if you're a pain in the ass."