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"Should we be doing this? You do only have your permit and i don't even have that." Athena said worriedly. The pair are into their sophomore year of high school, meaning the year everyone starts driving. Speaking of, Paige had her permit, getting it the day of her 15th birthday and immediately facetiming Athena after to show off the paper.
But now it was mid November, the 3rd week of Paige having her permit, she had forced her parents to take her driving daily for at least 30 minutes. And now she was teaching Athena to drive...illegally, "It's fine, I'm a pro."
"Yeah but I'm not, I don't even have my permit." The brunette said with a death grip on the steering wheel in front of her, even though the parking brake was on and they were sitting in a parking lot.
"Trust me, I got you. I'm a great teacher. I taught you how to play basketball right? This is easier than that. Trust me." The girl in the passenger seat said, reaching over to release one of the hands Athena had a grip on the wheel with, then placing it on the gear shift with her own hand on top of it, "Ok, basic controls," Moving the gear shift along with her words, she explained, "park, reverse, neutral, and drive. Easy."
It was only four things, so why Paige thought she needed to move her hand with Athena's was a little unnecessary but the feeling of her hand slightly calmed the driver's panic, per usual. Paige continued explaining what she should do, expressing excessively that once she takes her foot off the brake the care would slowly start moving, and that she shouldNOTslam the brake down again.
The parking lot was almost empty, with a few random cars scattered around. Once Athena hyped herself up enough to put the car into drive, she slowly took her foot off the brake only for the car to move and her slam it back down just like Paige had told her not to do, "Bro. I literally said not to do that."
"Sorry, I'm nervous and forgot about pretty much everything you just said." Athena explained.
"Ok ok just...take it slow, I don't want to get any more whiplash then i already have." The brunette nodded, then slowly took her foot off the brake again this time letting the car roll, "Good, good, now slowly press down on the gas, but not too much."
Athena did as told, pressing the gas slightly and speeding up the car. Her knuckles were still almost white with her grip on the wheel but they eased up when she gained more confidence, "Paige I'm doing it! I'm actually doing it!"
"Hell yeah you are! You are going to crush your permit test, easy 100." Paige expressed, "Ok now why don't we try turning. Go up to the next thingy and turn left." The thingy being the light post in between parking spots. Athena did as told and perfectly executed a left turn, celebrating with a double high five from Paige then quickly placing her hands back on the wheel when the car started to drift.
The lesson continued just like that, Paige giving commands and Athena executing them then celebrating. After an hour of driving an empty parking lot, Athena parked the car and the two just talked. Time alone together was becoming more rare, Paige getting more serious about basketball and Athena soccer but also her classes were kicking her ass. She was seriously regretting taking all APs this year.
The two still spent time together, never breaking their code but they didn't have any classes together, except lunch. Even with lunch, Paige still sometime would move to sit with her basketball friends when Athena wouldn't pay attention to her and read the whole time. Paige was annoyed with her when she did that, so she left, but when at the other table she made sure she had a full view of the girl reading. She was mad yes, but she still wanted to stare at her. Her teammates told her to go sit with her but she just shrugged and said, "she would pay more attention to that stupid book then to me so it's not worth it." Which cause her friends to look at each other then back at her, of course Paige was oblivious to that, still staring at the brunette.
"I miss you." The blonde stated after a long moment of silence between them.
"I'm right here." Athena said, confused.
"I know you are but i feel like we don't hang out as much as we used to. I miss how it was last year." Paige said, fidgeting with her fingers. Athena hadn't been able to make it to one of Paige's basketball games because ever since they lost in the championship last year she's been pushing herself harder, along with her coach. It wasn't her fault they lost but she felt like it was, she wasn't able to finish all her chances, letting them lose 2-1.
Much like when Paige lost, Athena tucked herself into her comfort, being as close to her as possible. Her arm wrapped around her waist, head in the crook of her neck, and legs intertwined with the other as she cried. Paige assured her it wasn't her fault, and Athena half believed her but not fully.
"I'm coming to your next game. I promise." Athena said, grabbing the basketball players hand to stop her fidgeting. Paige half smiled at her, she had said that last time, and the time before but didn't show up. Paige wanted to believe her this time but she knew that a practice or something else would come up and she wouldn't be able to make it.
"We should go home." Paige stated, opening her door to switch seats with the younger.
The drive home was quiet, soft music playing in the background. Of course they stopped for food first, then heading home. Paige pulled up to Athena's house, putting the car in park she watched as the girl unbuckled her seatbelt and gathered her items, "Thank you....for the lesson." The brunette softly said.
"Of course, anytime. You're going to ace that permit test." Athena smiled at her best friend's words then looked out the window, not moving from her seat, "What's wrong?" The blonde asked, noticing the hesitation.
Athena didn't say anything just turned back to Paige and pulled her into a hug over the center console of the car. Paige immediately hugging her back, not caring if it was the most uncomfortable hug ever just caring that she got to inhale her scent before leaving. Athena pulled back with a smile, whispering a goodnight then leaving the car and walking up to her front door. Paige watched her every move up until she closed the front door behind her, sighing then putting the car in drive to go home.
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Athena was late. The game was already halfway through the 2nd quarter when she arrived and she felt horrible. This was the first game of the season she was able to make it to, it being her day off and she completely forgot about it, being to sucked into her book to notice the time. She got here as fast as she could, with her fresh permit her dad let her drive herself just requesting she not get pulled over.
Paige kept looking into the stands for her the first half, hoping she would show up, but when she looked at the scoreboard and saw time left, she gave up. She was in a sour mode the rest of the half, Athena had promised to be here, and she broke yet another one. The girl's teammates noticed her mode and tried to ask about it, only for the blonde to strongly tell them to mind their own business and focus on the game. This was bound to be a blowout game but she still wanted to see the girl here.
Athena could tell something was off with Paige, she wasn't making the shots she normally does, was turning over the ball more, and looking like an overall mess.
When the buzzer signaled the end of the half, Paige was the first one out of there to go to the locker room. First she took a stop at the bathroom to splash some water in her face, what the hell is wrong with you, get it together. Athena followed after her, racing down to find her before she went into the locker room. She found Paige in the hallway walking towards the locker room but then turning to go to the bathroom. Athena followed after her, wanting to know what was wrong.
She opened the door then quietly called out, "Paige? Are you in here?"
"Athena?" Paige answered, confused.
"Yeah, it's me." She answered, walking into the bathroom to see the now 5'7, basketball player leaning over the sink. "Are you ok? You ran out of there pretty quickly."
"I thought you weren't here. I didn't see you." The blonde answered, her face immediately softening from her hard expression upon seeing her best friend.
"I'm sorry, I kind of just got here. Want to tell me what's wrong?"
Paige stared at her, she was speechless because she didn't even know what was wrong. Why was she this effected by her presence, she knew there was a chance she wouldn't be here, she knew and she still let it effect her. Just like it has the past 5 games.
Still silent Paige took a few steps closer to Athena, looking down at her, searching her face then pulling her into a tight hug, wrapping her arms around her waist and tucking her head into her neck. Athena was a little shocked but still reciprocated, putting her arms around her shoulders. Paige didn't want to talk, just hold her, and Athena was fine with that, rubbing up and down her back with one hand and the other on the back of the taller's head. When Paige pulled away she was smiling, sliding her hands from her back to her sides, "Thank you."
"For?" Athena's hands moved with Paige, placing one on the back of her neck and the other moving to the side of her bicep.
"Coming."
"Of course." A moment passed over them then Athena remembered the one thing she wanted to tell Paige, "Oh! It will be easier for me to come to your games now that i have this." She said, pulling out the piece of paper containing her permit from her back pocket.
"You got it!? Yes I knew it! I'm so proud!" The two still had their hands on each other when Paige pulled her into another hug, picking up the shorter and spinning around once before letting her go.
"Now you aren't ever going to have to worry if I'm here."
"Thank God."
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After the halftime break, Paige had her confidence back. She was hitting threes under double coverage, stealing the ball, and recording 3 blocks. Her teammates were not oblivious to her obvious mood switch, they were curious as to what happened during that break but overall didn't care as long she kept playing like this.
Athena cheered with every little thing that Paige did, wether it be making a basket to passing the ball she was still clapping. Every time Paige was on the bench, she would be paying more attention to her best friend in the stands then on the game. At one point, it was so bad that they were playing rock, paper, scissors from across the gym.
They ended up winning that game by about 50. Paige, of course, immediately finding Athena in the crowd of students that were on the court. Grabbing her hand and dragging her out into the hallway where they could talk without the loud noise, "Diner?"
"Duh, are your parents here?" Athena asked her friend.
"No they just dropped me off, Drew has his own game so." Paige responded.
"Well i can drive us superstar." The shorter said, once again pulling out her permit.
"Lead the way hat trick."
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The next day at school, Paige was swarmed by her teammates. They were asking what the hell she took in the bathroom for her to play like that, to which Paige answered nothing. The girls didn't believe that and kept pestering her about it the whole day.
When lunch came around, Paige and Athena were seated in their usual spot, except this time, Paige's teammates were staring at the two.
"Paige why is your whole team staring at me?" Athena asked, catching the looks from the blonde's teammates.
"Huh, what?" She said, turning around to see the whole team looking at the two, then turning away once realizing they were caught.
"Did they want you to sit with them or something, because if so, you can go." Athena said.
"No, no, I don't know what they're doing but it's creepy. Stay here I'll be right back." Paige said, standing up and walking over to her teammates.
"Ok what is yall's problem? Why are you staring at us?" She questioned.
"We just didn't know you had a girlfriend P, or that you were gay." One of her teammates said.
"What? What are you talking about? Athena is not my girlfriend and I'm not gay." The blonde quickly defended, noticing that a few people were still looking at her best friend she stated, "Stop staring at her, it's weird."
"P it's cool if you are, none of us care but you could've told us." Another one of her teammates spoke.
"We are not dating."
"You sure? Ok then."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
When Paige stared blankly at her she continued, "you two are together all the time, you're all touchy with her and nobody else, and you look at her like you're in love."
"I do not." Paige thought about those words, processing each example. It was true, they were together all the time and yes they were touchy but aren't all best friends. And yes she stares at her, but not like she's in love....right?
Right. Because that's weird. Being in love with your best friend is weird....and wrong. There is now way she could ever be in love with Athena or Athena be in love with her. No way...
...Right?
Walking back to Athena at the table, her friend's words the only thing on her mind. She took and seat and was so deep in thought she didn't even hear Athena call her name 4 times.
"P? Paige? Paigeee? Paige." Athena called, closing her book and waving a hand in front of her best friend's face.
"Hm? What? Sorry?"
"What's up? Why did you look like you saw a ghost after talking to your team." Athena questioned, worry written on her face.
"It's nothing." The blonde tried to brush away the topic, not wanting to think about it anymore.
"Talk to me, P." Picking up one of Paige's hands and holding it in hers, staring at her friend's pale face.
"Just- they thought....they uh thought we were....dating..." Paige stuttered out.
Athena laughed. She laughed. Like full, body shaking laughing. Paige awkwardly joined in, she didn't know why they were laughing and, frankly, the reason they were laughing kind of hurt. She didn't know why but having Athena burst out laughing when the idea of dating Paige came to mind, hurt.
"Me and you....dating...HA HA...thats hilarious...." It's not that funny.
"Yeah....hilarious..."
Ouch...?