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"NOT JUST FRIENDS."
november, 2023
THE UCONN WOMEN'S BASKETBALL teamhad just finished their fourth game of the season. After the incredible start against Dayton, the girls prepared to face NC State in the second game of the year. Of course, Le'ana had her typical game day nerves which were calmed down by Paige, who was softly tracing flowers in her palm. It had basically become a tradition for the girls, despite only doing it twice.
Paige knew how difficult game days got for Le'ana, and regardless of the fact she could never relate, she tried her best to accompany the girl in difficult moments. Despite all of Paige's prayers, comforting of Le'ana, or even the group's chemistry, their loss against NCState was difficult to handle. Whilst the five starters sulked at their lack of ability for a few days, it was better before the group knew it as they prepared to play against Maryland. Of course, Paige began to trace on Le'ana's hand as she let the girl talk about her day in the locker room.
"-And then I went to Whole Foods. Bro, it's so expensive over there. A girl is broke!" Paige laughed only catching the end of Le'ana's story, too busy staring at the intricate details of her face. She blinked four times in the span of six seconds, whilst her hand twitched twice in that time.
Le'ana looked up from her hand for the first time to be met with Paige's gaze. She had felt the soft touch of Paige's rough finger against her palm. She stopped talking for a moment attempting to dissect what Paige was drawing.
"Any specific flower?"
"A rose," Paige spoke up. "Yeah, they're for love and all that- but they also represent perfection,- I think I like that meaning more," Paige said, barely above a whisper.
"Oh." She had left Le'ana with little to no words.
"Go be perfect number one." Her soft gaze now turned into the brightest smile one could see. "Like you number five?" Le'ana replicated, dropping her head as a smile took over.
Commentators said the win was due to the hard work they had put in during the offseason. Geno said the win was because of their hard work in the gym a few days ago. To Le'ana she dropped thirty points because of Paige. The game ended eighty to forty eight and the team were back. Hence, why they proceeded to win their next game against Minnesota by almost twenty points.
This time before the game Paige traced a lily. "So, Is this a thing now- uh- What's this one?"
"A lily." She stopped, glancing up at the girl as they sat in her locker. "Usually purity and innocence but moreso rebirth. it's like you at LSU compared to you here."
"Who knew the Paige Bueckers was a flower specialist?" Le'ana mockingly told the girl.
"Girl- Bye," Paige spoke pretending to get up. She didn't make it far before Le'ana pulled her arms down. She was pulled down at such speed that she fell into the girl's lap, before falling off. The rest of the girls walked into the locker room only to be met with the sight of Le'ana and Paige laughing on the floor. The pair clutched their stomachs in joy as the rest of the girls wondered what was going on. Geno was even found shaking his head in the corner, followed by a cackle at their weird behaviour.
After the game, Le'ana kept to herself. It wasn't for any reason particularly, she had just been tired as of late. After games, she'd find herself chasing sleep or wishing for the company of her bed. Paige had slowly picked up on it but she just gathered it to be from how amazing she typically played.
"Le?" Paige spoke up, having now approached Le'ana's locker. Le'ana had been sitting with her eyes shut and head hung up before she looked at Paige signalling her to continue. "Do you wanna go eat?" She added, knowing Le'ana's tendency to fall asleep before having dinner.
She simply nodded too tired to respond verbally. Paige noticed the exhaustion etched into every line of Le'ana's face, her eyelids drooping heavily. With a gentle smile, Paige rose from her seat, moving closer to her teammate. Placing a comforting hand on Le'ana's shoulder, she guided her towards the exit of the locker room.
"Let's go get you some food," Paige murmured softly, her voice a soothing melody in the bustling arena.
Paige decided to get them some burgers. It was the closest place she could identify and the blonde wasn't sure if Le'ana would even make it far enough for them to have anything nicer. Arriving at their destination, Paige parked the car near a quiet corner of the lot, before she turned to Le'ana. Her chest moved up and down in a uniform motion indicating sleep had taken her over. Paige opted for the drive-through to grab a quick bite. As she drove, ordering what both girls wanted, Paige made sure to keep an eye on Le'ana as she dozed off in her seat.
Settling into her seat, whilst waiting for her order to be handed to her, Paige glanced at Le'ana, who was still lost in slumber. With a tender smile, she reached out to gently shake her awake. The girl looked so peaceful that it practically hurt Paige to have to but there was one thing worse than a tired Le'ana - a hungry one.
"Hey, Le, we've got food," Paige whispered, her voice a gentle lullaby.
Slowly, Le'ana stirred, blinking away the remnants of sleep as she groggily reached for the bag of food Paige held out to her. With a grateful smile, she accepted the offering, her exhaustion momentarily forgotten in the warmth of Paige's care.
Together, they sat in comfortable silence, the soft glow of the car's interior casting a warm embrace around them. Neither spoke whilst eating, enjoying the moment they shared. As they delved into their meals in the quiet solitude of the parking lot, Paige couldn't help but feel grateful for moments like these – moments of simple friendship and unwavering support amidst the chaos of their lives as athletes. Whether they were friends, in love or just clueless the two were inseparable. Paige was certain of her feelings now, it was just whether or not she'd do something about it.
ELLE'S NOTES!!!!
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oh, paige bueckers the woman that you are !!!!! posting these beautiful pics just to post her and nika crying. evil.
we're in november btw, some of these games are off schedule or wrong but its a lesbian love story not espn commentary let me live 😭
