Jackie de Valois didn't ask to leave France. She didn't ask to move to a strange neighborhood in Minnesota, or to start third grade in a language she barely knows. She definitely didn't ask to feel invisible in a house full of loud, brilliant siblings. Then she meets Paige Bueckers-her tiny, talkative neighbor with a basketball in one hand and a whole lot of confidence in the other. Paige doesn't care that Jackie mixes up English words or that she likes hockey better than dolls. Paige just shows up-sleepovers, school days, and all the little moments in between. Together, they take on, high school, college, the spotlight, and the wild, beautiful love story they created.

Y/n never expected to return to Storrs, Connecticut, after leaving for a few years. But fate has a funny way of pulling you back in. Returning to the University of Connecticut, Y/n is ready to focus on her studies, avoid drama, and get through her final year with minimal distractions. That is, until she meets Paige Bueckers. Paige is everything Y/n can't stand-loud, confident, and undeniably annoying. With her constant energy and relentless personality, she rubs Y/n the wrong way at every turn. Whether it's her over-the-top enthusiasm about basketball or her ability to invade Y/n's space at the worst moments, Paige seems determined to get under Y/n's skin. But sometimes, the most irritating people have a way of worming their way into your heart. As Y/n and Paige's paths continue to cross, Y/n finds herself reluctantly drawn to the one person who refuses to stay out of her life. With every sarcastic remark and teasing smile, Paige's presence becomes impossible to ignore. Could it be that beneath the loud, brash exterior, there's something more to Paige than meets the eye? Y/n's not sure, but one thing's for certain-she's falling for the most annoying person she never thought she'd care about. A slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance full of humor, heart, and unexpected connections, Fated will make you question whether the most annoying person in your life might actually be the one you need most.

Trope Combo: Grumpy x Sunshine • Opposites Attract • Mutual Pining Pairing: Paige Bueckers x Original Character (Emery Cole) ⸻ Story Description: Paige Bueckers is laser-focused, emotionally guarded, and built for high-stakes basketball - the face of UConn women's hoops, known for her stoic demeanor and unmatched court vision. To most people, she's an enigma: all sharp lines, game face, and zero time for distractions. Emery Cole is the exact opposite - a newly transferred D1 soccer player with a sharp wit, bright energy, and a knack for making even the most stubborn people smile. She's sunshine in sneakers, making friends with everyone and lighting up rooms without meaning to. The two meet at a campus athletic event - and it's instant sparks, though not the easy kind. Paige is drawn to Emery's warmth but keeps her distance. Emery is fascinated by Paige's quiet intensity but can't quite crack her. Slowly, something shifts between them - long glances, late-night conversations, touches that linger a little too long - and what starts as reluctant intrigue becomes something deeper, unspoken... and deeply felt. But with press obligations, high expectations, and both of them afraid to make the first move, the tension builds - until it finally boils over in the most unexpected moment. Will Paige let someone in for the first time in a long time? Can Emery wait for someone who won't say the words but shows them in every look? Or will the pressure of their worlds keep them just inches apart - forever?