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"Middle school sucks, I want to get out of here. I can't want for high school." Paige was complaining to Athena yet again. It was October in 2015, Paige and Athena now in 8th grade, and Paige was already counting the days until their middle school "graduation." She was currently laying on Athena's bed, head on the pillow next to her, and throwing a mini basketball in the air.
"You do realize that high school is going to be just as bad, if not worse than middle school, right?" Athena said, she was sitting up on her bed, back resting on the backboard, still looking down at her algebra homework, chewing on her pencil with her glasses sitting on the bridge of her nose. She never really wore her glasses anymore because he dad started getting her contacts, but she didn't feel like putting them in right now. Athena didn't mind school, she actually kind of liked it, she liked learning about the random things, the only thing she didn't like were the students.
"Yeah I guess, but like, I'll be able to play high school ball, and become a legend. Trust me, first day of practice, I'm dunking on a senior and breaking the others ankles." Paige confidently claimed.
"Well before you go doing all that, you have to actually make the team." Athena didn't doubt her, she knew Paige was good and would be making varsity freshmen year, but she couldn't feed Paige's ego.
"Are you doubting me? Don't you know that I am the best player in the country, actually you wouldn't because you never come to any of my games, meanie." Paige accused Athena, she didn't mind that Athena hadn't seen her play, she knew she was busy with her schoolwork and soccer.
"You're 13 and 5'4." Athena ignored the second part of Paige's response, she felt guilty for not being able to make it to any of her games, especially since Paige showed up to hers, not all of them but most. Athena's soccer and Paige's basketball were overlapped in season though, granted Athena's season was long and Paige's started and ended in the time period, so she did have more free time, but Athena could at least make an effort. Every time Paige invited her to watch her play, Athena either had practice or a game, and when she tried to make it to Paige's game after practice, it was already over, the girls celebrating their win.
"So? Still the best, just like you're the best striker in the country." Paige's confidence was something to admire about her, even if it was a little much at times. "I've seen you play so don't even try to deny it." When Athena first declined hanging out with Paige because she had a game, Paige asked if she could come watch so then they could hang out afterwards.
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"I'm sorry P, butI've got a game thisSaturday. You can come over later though, after it." Athena suggested.
"Aw....wait. What ifI come watch you? Then we can hang after." Paige says.
"You would want to do that,I thought you said soccer was boring." Athena couldn't remember every time over the course of their friendship when they argued over which sport was better, but it was a lot.
"It is, butI thinkI'll be willing tosacrifice some of my day for it."Paige just wanted to spend time with Athena, even if it meant watching the most frustrating sport.
Paige arrived at the Booker's house 20 minutes before they had to leave for Athena's game. Mr. Booker greeted Paige and noticed the singlewhite rose she was holding, he smiled and begun asking Paige about school and basketball. The sound of cleats on hardwood interrupted them, and Paige turned to see Athena frantically walking around with her soccer bag in hand. "Dad, where are myshinguards?" Shedidn't even noticed Paige washere, still panicking even with no reason to.
"Uh, in your hand...." Her dad pointed to her left hand by her hip. Athena looked down and saw them, then softly smacked herself on the forehead with them before putting them in her bag.
"Hey Athena." Paige greeted her, causing Athena to look up. She offered a smile and walked up closer to her to wrap her arms around her waist, hugging her. This wassomething routine for Paige, hugging Athena, but Athena still wasn't used to it. It first started halfway through 7th grade when Athena had just wished Paige MerryChristmas and she pulled her in, almost suffocating her. Shedidn't mind it, actually inviting it but it was still abnormal to her, she wasn't used to hugging anyone outside her family. Pulling away, Paige offered the rose she had brought to Athena, "Technically it's for after the game when you guys win and you're celebrating with your hat trick but, it could also be for good luck, your dad told me you'replaying the team equal to you today."
Athena smiled was brighter then it's ever been, she opened her mouth to respond but her dad cut her off, "Speaking of , we have to leave now if we don't want to be late.Get in the car minis."
Paige sat on the sideline with Athena'sdad, they weren'ttalkinganymore, with Mr. Booker now talking to other people his age, while Paige was in a trance watching Athenawarm up. She always thought soccer was boring, never once having the urge to even watch highlights, but something about Athena wanted to make her watch soccer. Watching her now, juggling the ball with her feet, occasionally using her thigh, she could tell this would be one of her newfavorite past times. Granted this was just warm ups and the actual game would be a little less interesting.
Taking the field, Athena at the topof thehalfway line, waiting to kick the ball. The ref blew his whistle and the game took off. Paige had here eyed glued to Athena, watching her every move, the way she was envisioning hernext attack, her next run, next pass, next shot, it was thrilling.
Paige ate every word she's ever said about soccer being a boring sport, the game ending with a 3-2 win for Athena's team. The other team started off strong, scoring within the first 15 minutes but Athena's team was relentless, attacking down the field. They scored 2 goals, sorry no, Athena scored 2 goals by completely embarrassing the other teams defense, she weaved through them like they were practice dummies. The first half ended at 2-1, and Paige biting her lip in nerves.
The second half begun, and you could tell both teams were fighting for more. Athenawasn't one to sit back and time waste until the final whistle, no, she wanted more. The other team was able to score another goal,tying them at 2 each with little time left. One thing Paige learned about Athena was that she was never one to settle, she always had the highest expectations for herself and would push way past. So straight after the 2nd goal, she started playing more aggressive, going in for risky tackles but winning the ball and playing a perfect pass to her teammate. Paige loved the selflessness she had but Athena just needed to dribble past everyone and score then she could be nice and give everyone else a chance. It was like they were telepathic because that exactly what she did next, winning the ball at the edge of the semi-circle then full speed,sprinting with the ball at her feet towards goal. Dribbling past the last line of defense, then firmly placing the ball in the bottom left corner of the net.
The parents on the sideline erupted in cheers, and so did Paige, not taking her eyes of Athena. Athena briefly looked over at the sideline, and when she saw Paige staring at her with her rose and a smile, her smile grew even bigger than the one she had.
"I take back everythingI said about soccer being uninteresting." Paige said as Athena walked over to the sideline, towards her and Mr. Booker. She handed the rose to Athena and gave her a hug, "you played amazing by the way."
"Thanks Paige....for coming."
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"When is your next basketball game P?" Athena was finished with her algebra, now just watching Paige throw her ball.
"Uh, this Friday I think. Why?" Paige asked.
"Perfect, I'll be there." Athena said.
"Really!? Yay! Oh my god finally, wait do you not have practice?"
"On a Friday. Funny. No I don't, so I'll be there, cheering you on future WNBA MVP." Paige smiled at Athena, suddenly wishing it was Friday instead of Tuesday.
The week passed slow for Paige, she just wanted it to be Friday already. Every morning in homeroom she would confirm that Athena was going to the game, and Athena would assure her she would, no matter what. Paige started calling Athena her personal cheerleader, greeting her with "Hey cheer." Athena hated the nickname, and it wasn't accurate because if anything Paige was the cheerleader, with her blonde hair and outgoing personality.
Finally Friday came, and Paige was like an excited golden retriever. She was smiling all day and yet again asked if she would be at her game, Athena assured her again. Paige offered to have her parents drive her but Athena told her that her dad wanted to come too, so she would just meet her there.
The game was set to tip off at 7:00, but Athena wanted to get there early for warm ups as Paige was always early to watch her warm up. Sitting down on the bleachers, Athena and her father were talking, mainly her dad explaining basketball to her. Athena wanted to bring her flowers, like Paige did for her, but she had no idea what she would like, so instead she went with the safe option of her chocolate chip cookies. Paige was stretching her calf while looking around the stands to find Athena, when she noticed her a smile broke out. She slightly waved at her, mouthing a "hi" to her. Paige broke their eye contact to look at her parents and try to covertly show them where Athena was.
Paige's mom spotted Athena and walked down the stairs to stay hi, following behind her was a little boy and her dad. Athena greeted Ms. Bueckers, as she got pulled into a hug, then giving her the container of cookies. She gave Drew a high five as Daniel introduced himself to Paige's mom and dad as they sat down next to him. Drew sitting next to Athena, he brought his small toy car Paige was telling her about, "He takes that thing everywhere." Paige was still warming up, but when she was at the back of the layup line she looked back at Athena, seeing her play with Drew and Mr. Booker talking with her parents made her feel warm.
The refs threw the ball up for tip off and of course Paige's team got possession first. Passing the ball back to Paige and she dribbled up the court. Athena was still occupied with Drew for majority of the first quarter, but once she pointed out that Paige was playing, he stopped rolling his car on Athena's arm, turning his attention to the game.
Athena watched as Paige was fluent with the ball, understanding why she ranted so much about basketball, and why she was so good, but she would never mention that part. Paige made key passes to her teammates, swishing over half the threes she took, and driving through contact to the basket. It was enchanting seeing Paige in her element and she made a silent promise to herself to take every chance she could to watch Paige play.
After the game, Paige's team winning in a blow out, she skipped over to the bleachers, smiling. Drew ran down and hugged Paige's leg, she squatted down and picked him up, holding him on her hip. Athena's dad gave Paige a fist bump, complimenting her playing. Paige set down Drew to hug her mom and dad, then she turned her attention to Athena, "So, how was your first basketball experience?"
"Just like I thought it would be, boring." Athena said flatly, when Paige punched her arm, the smile she was holding back emerged, "I'm kidding, that was amazing. You played great superstar." When Paige kept calling her Cheer, Athena started calling her superstar, it wasn't a bad name or anything just the only one she could think of. Paige took a step closer, holding her arms out wanting a hug, but Athena took a step back holding a hand out to stop her, "No, you're all sweaty."
Paige then smirked, an idea popped into her head, "Paige no. Don't you dare." Athena backed away as Paige came closer, then turning around to run away from her, Paige running after her. Drew watched them run around, then joined, running after Athena, laughter echoing around the gym, "Get her Drew!"
Eventually they were able to corner Athena, and bring her into a sweaty hug, not that it mattered because she was now sweaty from running in jeans and Paige's team hoodie inside a hot gym, "Ok you got me, you can let go now."
"Not until you soak in allof my appreciation," Paige said as she rubbed her sweaty forehead on Athena's cheek, the pulling back with a smile, "there ya go."
Athena scrunched her nose, "Thank you so much," She said sarcastically, "never coming to another one of your games again." She mumbled as she walked back over to her dad.
"Hey kiddo, the Bueckers' invited us to this diner, do you want to go?" Her father asked.
Athena could see Paige's excitement, nodding her head, "I don't know. Paige kinda smells and I don't think I can sit next to that." She answered, earning a smack on her arm.
"Hey!"