ellielovesuconnWBB
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- Parts 52
Trigger warnings: Eating disorders, body dysmorphia, self-harm, family abuse, internalized homophobia, self-hatred.
KK Arnold has always known who she is on the court-leader, fighter, UConn's fastest rising star. The pressure of being a high-profile athlete never rattled her, until the day she's assigned to help plan a student-athlete charity event and ends up paired with Aria Rivera, a flyer on the university cheer team. Aria is soft-spoken, almost invisible in conversation.
With her straightened black hair cascading over vintage baby tees, a silver belly ring peeking out from her low-rise jeans, and a wardrobe that looks like it was thrifted straight out of 2003, Aria carries herself like she knows she's hot. But KK notices what others miss: the way Aria never finishes her food, the tense silence when people talk about families, the way she never changes in front of teammates, always tugging at her sleeves or hiding behind hoodies.
Aria's been trying to survive in silence. Since coming out, her family hasn't spoken to her. Her reflection feels like a war zone. Some days, eating feels like a punishment. Some nights, the shame is loud enough to leave marks. She's learned how to perform happiness-on the mat, in her clothes, in the way she kisses her friends on the cheek and posts pink emojis-but inside, she's unraveling.
KK sees through the sparkle. She's drawn to Aria in a way she can't explain. What starts with shared coffee breaks and late-night event planning turns into tentative conversations, long drives with music too loud.
KK wants to hold her through it all-to kiss her belly ring when Aria flinches at her own stomach, to protect her when she can't protect herself. But Aria's walls are high, and KK is used to fixing things with hustle and willpower. This? This is different. This is tender and terrifying.
And when a photo of them holding hands after a game goes viral, the bubble they've built threatens to burst.