STAY - PAUL GEORGE

3

Julianna Coley

I frowned as I heard my alarm clock go off. I heard the door open as I rubbed my eyes to wake myself up, "Julianna, time to get up." Cynthia spoke out.

I raised my arm out of the covers letting her know I was awake. "I'm up"

"Hurry, we gotta open up soon," Cynthia said back closing the door.

We owned a bakery together in downtown Oklohoma City. We just opened it two years ago, and we already had our usuals. We were thinking about expanding the bakery, because sometimes it gets so busy.

I didn't want to get up. My covers were so warm and cozy, but I had to. I gotta use my off days for something important. Me being lazy isn't one of them.

I took a shower, fixed my curly hair, and applied a minimal amount of makeup. It was a casual work day after all.

I grabbed my keys heading downstairs. I heard Cynthia talking with a man. I furrowed my eyebrows as I followed that voice.

"Oh, hey." Cynthia greeted me while blushing.

Carmelo stood up offering me his hand, "I'm Melo"

I just stared at him. I was in disbelief. I knew he had given her a ride but I didn't think he would ever be standing in my kitchen. "Yeah, I'm Julianna." I shook his hand.

He raised his eyebrows, "Wait PG's girl?" He asked.

"What?" I muttered.

I heard him loud and clear. I just wanted to make sure I was hearing the right things. It's so frustrating because I still think i've gone insane and that this is all a dream.

"Paul been talking about only you since he's met you.." Melo trailed off.

Cynthia gasped. "That quick?" 

Melo nodded his head.

"I hope he's only been saying good things," I paused. "He's a smart man."

"Now I've said too much. I can't put the bro code in jeopardy." Melo joked.

I noticed how Cynthia wanted to have her alone time with Melo so I just let them do what they do. I told her to meet me at the bakery since Melo was going to drive her there.

My phone rang right when I was going out the door. I answered it hurriedly knowing it was one of my impatient  customers. They have no patience for nothing. They just want theirs on their own time.

"Mrs. Becker I will have you cake ready as soon as possible. I'll let you know when it's ready, OK?" I spoke out rushing to my car.

"Julie," It was Paul, "It's me." He chuckled.

I sighed in relief. I was busy as hell but hearing his voice just made me forget about everything else. "Oh, Hey Paul." I said back. 

"So are you a baker or?" He questioned.

"Yeah. I own a bakery in downtown Oklohoma City. Come try us out!" I enthused.

He laughed. "Wow. Ima have to visit sometime soon then."

"You better wear a disguise then. I don't need 7,000 people waiting outside my tiny bakery" I muttered. 

"Ya, I will. Some glasses and a snapback."

I rolled my eyes. "No, they will recognize you. Just wear a hoodie and place your hoodie on top of yo head."

"Ya, Okay. Anyways I was wondering if you wanted to go out to dinner with me tonight?" I could sense the nervousness in his voice which I thought was cute.

"That a date?" I asked eating my Hershey's choclate bar.

"I'd love that, but I just want you to be comfortable." He said truthfully.

"I accept the intivation." I said back.

"A date?"

"Ya, why not." I shrugged my shoulders thinking he could see me.

He chuckled, "Ya sound like Russ"

I rolled my eyes, "See ya later ba- Paul" I corrected myself. I almost let that slip out of my mouth.

I think he ignored it. "Bye Julie."

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Paul George

I hung up the phone with a huge smile on my face as I entered the lockerroom.  I wasn't so sure if she was gonna say yes, so I was definietly excited for tonight.

But, first I had to practice. Today wasn't a good day, for we were doing suicides.

Steven tapped my shoulder. "You ready?" He frowned.

I nodded my head, "Ya just let me put on my shoes"

I wondered where Melo was because he still hadn't shown up to practice. He probably abusing the fact that he's a future hall of famer and doesn't get punished for things like this.

I heard knocking on the door and Steven walked over to get it. The man of the hour, Melo.

"Hey," Carmelo walked over to his lockerroom grabbing his things. "Am I that late?"

"What ya think?" I raised an eyebrow.

He sighed. "I'm sorry I woke up late"

I shook my head. "Didn't Russ get you that expensive ass alarm clock just so this wouldn't happen?" 

He sighed. "Just let me be,"

I shrugged my shoulders as I walked off into the practice facility. I didn't believe a word he was saying, but he's a grown man so I wouldn't question him. 

When I walked into the practice facility I noticed Russ sitting on the bleachers. "Yo aren't you doing the suicides?"

He smiled, "I did them already." Man didn't even break a sweat and he was chilling on his phone. 

"Paul!" The coaching staff called me back. I had to do a variety of different excerises, and then do the suicides.  It was exhausting, but we only practice once a month anyways. Shootaround was different than this.

They called Melo's name next. He groaned as he took out his phone from his pocket.

"You're gonna be okay Melo," Russ reassured him while he was heading back into the lockerroom. The rest of us were free to leave.

I got my bags and I went inside the lockerrom. I took a quick shower, before deciding to go out and buy Julie some flowers.

Man, was I excited.