seventeen
A month has passed since Paige's realization in the mall. A very longmonth. It was filled with nightly hang outs at somebody's apartment, long talks about nothing, subtle touches--mainly Paige, like hand holding, arms around each other when walking, hugs every chance she could take one, and cuddling--and the daily breakfasts Paige promised. It was both heaven and hell for the blonde. She loved being this close to Athena again, being able to come over whenever she wanted and just sit in her bed while she read a book. Athena was suspicious with how often Paige was coming over, the blonde later giving her the reason of "you're bed is so much better then mine."
Little by little, Paige gained Athena's trust back. She still had some work to do, but it was good, they were practically back to how they were in high school. They had their own special connection that no one could replicate, it was weird, they were complete opposites yet they fit together like puzzle pieces.
Basketball practices started in the middle of the month, but that didn't stop them. Paige now coming over after practice and spending the day. It was definitely nottypical best friend behavior but who cares? they were happy.
it had become tradition for Athena to leave her door unlocked, waiting until Paige got there and making her lock it. She would take off her shoes and put her bag down by the door, then walk straight to Athena's bedroom and faceplant on the bed, even if Athena wasn't in there. Fortunately, she was this day. Paige did her normal routine, stuffing her face in the mattress and having her feet hang out the edge of the bed. Athena laughed at her antics, putting down the book she was reading and asking Paige what was wrong.
"Geno is evil. He made us run for like 4 hours straight, i might've as well just joined the track team. It's not even basketball at this point." Paige complained, her voice muffled by the bed.
"well you do play a sport where you are running like then entire time." Athena spoke, patting the spot in between her legs.
Paige lifting up to her hands and knees to crawl over to the place Athena was patting then flopped back down, her arms coming up to wrap around her upper thighs and head resting on the girls stomach. "Yeah well so do you, but i don't see your coach making you do suicides after every drill."
"Yeah because my coach is not the devil and trusts us enough to do our own fitness outside of practice and weights. Speaking of, i was gonna go on a run later. Do you want to join?" Athena undid Paige's bun, delicately ran her fingers through the slightly damp, blonde hair.
"I don't think i can get my legs to work again. I'm paralyzed."
"Are you sore, in pain, or just dramatic?"
"Yes."
Athena rolled her eyes, "where does it hurt? I can use my massage gun on you, then get in some deep tissue."
"No! That hurts. Every time you do that on me, you end up hurting me more."
"but it feels better after no?" Paige didn't answer, she was right, it always felt so much better after. "Exactly. Lay down face down, you can hug my pillow if it hurts." The basketball player obeyed, getting off the brunette so she could get up.
"how do you know how to do this stuff?" Paige asked, adjusting into her new position.
"Paige. I'm literally studying sports medicine, do you not listen to anything i say about school?" Athena grabbed her massage gun, standing to Paige's left.
"oh...my bad."
Athena begun her process, starting off light with the gun. She started with her hamstrings, moving it in circles, occasionally going farther up to her butt. Paige was in heaven, it felt that good, she was scrolling on her phone with one hand, resting her head on the fist of the other. Athena then moved to her calves, repeating the same process as the hamstrings, the two now talking about Paige's practice.
Once Athena was satisfied, she turned off the massage gun, earning a protest from Paige, "Wait, can't we just be done. I feel better already, trust."
"Yeah, but you'll feel even better after this, you literally said it yourself." Athena put her massage gun back in its case, then prepared to massage Paige's legs with her hands.
"I lied."
"No you didn't. Stop being a baby and let me do this."
Paige huffed then hugged the closest thing next to her, that being a stuffed dog Athena won at the fair they went to a while back. "Hey, don't suffocate him! That's my baby!" Athena had her hands on Paige's hamstring when she saw the blonde was practically strangling her stuffed animal.
"It's a stuffed animal...and you're about to kill me so i think i deserve this!" Paige argued, causing Athena to dig her thumb into her leg right where it hurt. "Ow! Ok, I'm sorry! I won't hurt him, I swear!"
Athena smiled then got to work. She started off easy, just lightly squeezing letting her get used to it, then she started to dig in. Her fingers harshly massaging the muscle, Paige stuffing her face into the pillow below her, squeezing both the stuffed animal in her arms and her eyes shut.
Not once throughout the whole 10 minutes Athena spent massaging her legs did Paige let go of the stuffed animal, she had a death grip on that thing. The whole time she did voice how painful it was, whining, groaning, and moaning like she was being murdered, and bound to give Athena's neighbors the wrong idea.
Athena felt only a little bad, giving in to the blonde's request to continue what they were doing before the traumatic massage. Paige laying back in between Athena's legs and the later running her fingers through her hair.
"Don't you feel better?"
"...yes, but that still hurt. And for my pain i have a request for you."
"Ok...shoot."
"You know how my birthday is coming up...well the team wants to go out that night and i want you to come with."
"Oh, that's not at all what i thought you were gonna say. Yeah, no, i'd love to."
"What did you think i was going to say?"
"Nothing."
"Ok well...they also want to go out tonight, and want you there too." Half of that was true, yes the team did want to go out tonight, but they didn't request Athena's presence, that was all Paige.
"Oh...Paige i don't know, i was just gonna stay in tonight. It's college football rivalry week and i really want to watch."
"Athena you have been here for like close to 4 months now, and you haven't once gone out to a bar and had fun. Come on...it'll be just like old times, i'll stay by your side the entire time, promise."
Athena was tempted, she knew it was true when Paige said she wouldn't let her out of her sight. But she had a strange feeling about it, an actual bar was much different from a high school party. "Fine. But i swear to god Bueckers, if you let me get lost i will never speak to you again."
"I won't. You can glue our hands together if you want."
"When are we leaving?"
"9 sharp, Nika's orders. She said if anyone was late, they would get left behind and i don't doubt her, that Croatian is terrifying."
"True...but she's hot so it's ok."
"I don't know how i feel about you calling my teammates hot."
"Then you definitely won't like it when i tell you i'm pregnant with her child, and Azzi is my side piece."
Paige gasped, sitting up and placing her hand on her chest, "How dare you! I thought i told you to practice safe sex, and with my twin and my best friend?! I don't think i can get behind this."
Athena shrugged, "sorry not sorry, the heart wants what it wants."
"Can your heart want someone else?" Me.
"That's not how it works, i couldn't help that it fell deeply in love with your teammates."
Paige flopped back into Athena's stomach, groaning. "Will you still have time for me after you have the baby?"
"Oh Paige...i already had the baby, yeah she was just here in my bed getting a massage from me."
Paige smacked Athena on the arm, getting up off the bed and going into the living room. Athena was laughing her ass off, crying tears of laughter and hugging herself.
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Paige stuck around until 7, spending the time doing her homework on the couch and ignoring Athena until she couldn't anymore. Athena sat next to her and spent a few minutes trying to apologize to Paige, the blonde holding up the silent treatment and keeping her focus on her computer screen in front of her. It wasn't until her computer was closed and placed onto the coffee table, that she looked up, then watching Athena straddle her and place her hand under her chin to force the blonde to look at her.
Paige's hands automatically finding their place on the girl's hips, "I'm sorry P, you're not a baby. You are the toughest person i know." Athena's hand that was grabbing onto her chin, flattened out and moved up to cup the blonde's cheek, the other coming up to rest on the back of her neck and pull at the baby hairs there.
Paige was speechless, not out of spite but because she was so turned on and every thought that came into her mind was completely inappropriate. It took every ounce of self control to not kiss Athena right then and there. Paige let out a shaky breath, eyes flickering down to the brunette's lips, i wonder if she still tastes the same.
Athena saw Paige staring at her lips and briefly did the same thing, subconsciously leaning a little bit forward, but then came to her senses. She inhaled a sharp breath then tried to get off Paige, the blonde's hands stopping her and keeping her in place. Paige looked back into her eyes, now looking at her with a pleading question and licking her lips. She was about to speak but a phone ringing cut her off before she could get one word out.
Paige kept one hand on Athena while she lifted her hips up, even with Athena's additional weight, and grabbed her phone out of her pocket. She apologized quickly then answered the call from Nika. The Croatian seemed to be shouting at Paige, loud enough that Athena could hear it without being on speakerphone. Nika was chewing her out for not being in her room and getting ready, even though they had about 2 hours before they would leave.
Paige had to move the phone away from her ear because she was so fed up, Athena chuckling at the action.
"is that Athena?"
"Yeah it's me, hi wifey."
"hey babygirl, please tell me you are ready or at least getting ready unlike the baffoon you like to hang out with."
"I'm not a baffoon!"
"Sure!"
"Whatever, we have like 2 hours before we leave so what's the rush."
"the rush being that last time we went out together and said we were leaving at 9, we didn't leave until 11."
"Ok but that was not my fault."
"Paige, you literally came back from Athena's at 10 then made us all wait another hour so you could get ready. So just- get ready now."
Athena eyes Paige curiously, she didn't remember Paige telling her about that. Paige just guiltily smiled at her and shrugged. Nika hung up the call after telling the two of them to just hurry up and get ready now. Paige dropped her phone next to her and placed her hand back on Athena's hip.
"When was that? You didn't tell me about it."
"Uh like a 2 weeks ago, and i didn't tell you because it wasn't a big deal. They are just dramatic."
"Paige they are your teammates, you're supposed to bond with them every chance you can."
"I see them every day and live with them, i think i'm good on the bonding. Plus i haven't seen you in years and i want to make up for lost time. Now come one, go get ready before your...wife...kills you."
Athena agreed, getting off Paige and standing up to go to her room to change, Paige watching her as she walked away then once the door closed she leaned back and covered her face with her hands.
"P come help me decide!" Athena called out behind the door. Paige got up and walked to her room to help Athena choose what to wear.
Help her crush decide what would be best to wear to show herself off to other people. Wonderful. What could go wrong?
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While Paige really wanted Athena to choose to go out in a hoodie and sweatpants, she knew that wasn't an option. The next best option, that Athena would agree on, was a tank top crop top, a skirt--too short for Paige's liking--and throwing on a jacket over it. Paige was going a different route, wearing a black t-shirt and staying loyal to her cargos.
Paige was carrying both her and Athena's phone, seeing as the brunette didn't have any pockets. The blonde kept her word, keeping a hand on the small of Athena's back and guiding her as they entered the crowded bar. Since Nika was the coordinator of this whole thing, it was her job to get the first round of shots. Paige declining surprisingly, claiming "one of us has to stay sober enough to drive us home."
Athena offered to be the DD but Paige insisted that she have fun and let loose, plus she wasn't sure if she could control herself around Athena when drunk and she didn't really want to find out yet.
The group found a nice corner to chill in, it being closed off enough that Paige and Athena would be hard to spot by regular bystanders. Athena was standing in front of Paige and trying to have a conversation with her but with it being so loud in the building, the blonde couldn't hear a single thing. She wrapped her free hand around Athena's waist on onto her back to pull the shorter girl closer to her then leaned her head down far enough so Athena could speak straight into her ear.
It wasn't even anything important, just Athena wanting to thank Paige for dragging her out and that she was having fun. Paige stood back up, looking straight at the girl in front of her and keeping her hand where it was then nodded. She wanted to ask if Athena wanted to go to a quieter place where they could talk freely without craning her neck down, but then again, she didn't mind having to lean down and feel Athena's breath hit her ear and part of her neck as she spoke or having the girl this close to her.
Later, Ice came over and grabbed Athena's arm, dragging her away from Paige and towards the dance floor. It was the first time Paige didn't have her hands on Athena at all that night because she promised to protect Athena, keep her safe, but she trusted Ice enough to take care of her for a little bit. Meanwhile, Paige took a seat for the first time, before always letting Athena have the open spot, knowing how much she hated standing for long periods of time.
Paige tried to join a conversation with her teammates that were still around, but could barely get a few words out before her eyes were attracted back to the dancing soccer player about 20 feet away from her. Athena looked like she was having the time of her life, smiling wide, jumping around, singing along to the lyrics of the music playing, and drunk. She was in her own world, not paying attention to the bodies knocking into to her, or at least trying to. It wasn't until this one persistant person knocked into her like 3 times that she stopped dancing to look at the guilty party, still not dropping her smile.
Athena thought it was just coincidence the same person kept bumping her but as she turned and saw the frat looking college boy smiling at her, she realized she was wrong. The boy raked his eyes up and down Athena's body, checking her out before speaking, "hey, you want to dance?"
"Oh uhm, no thank you. I was actually just about to go find my friends."
"I'm sure they won't mind if i steal you away for one dance. I promise to give you back straight after." The boy reached his hand out to place it on Athena's side, his fingertips dangerously close to touching her ass. The touch immediately sobering her up.
Athena took a slight step back, only for the boy to take another one forward. She was still politely smiling, hoping her charming smile would make this guy back off but if anything it was making him more persistant, thinking as if she was still smiling at him like she was playing hard to get.
Paige, being the body guard--jealous--she is, and losing all self control, made a B-line for her, unintentionally shouldering people out of her way. It seemed like she made it just in time, before Athena went all WWE on his ass. She snaked her arm around her lower waist, pushing the boy's hand off her girl, acting like it wasn't even there, and pulling Athena into her, all while keeping eye contact with her. "Hey, just wanted to tell you that we might leave soon. Everybody is kinda tired, and I'm still sore from my boxing training today."
"Oh, well ok. Let's go back and i can give you a....massage for your sore body." Athena leaned into Paige, placing one hand on her bicep and dragging her other finger from her chin, down her sternum, and then placing her palm on her chest. Paige's eyes followed Athena's finger, her mouth slightly open, she gulped then nodded her head as a smirk rose on her face.
The frat boy was long forgotten, just them two now in their own imaginative moment. Paige kept her hands on Athena's waist from behind as she guided her back to the group. They stopped when they reached their table, Paige still not letting go instead wrapping her arms fully around her waist and resting her chin on Athena's shoulder.
"Boxing?"
"It just came out. Seemed to scare him pretty good though."
"Thank you...for saving me from him."
"Oh i wasn't saving you, i was saving him. 20 more seconds and i think you would've body slammed his frat boy, scrawny, noddle arm, 5'8, 90 pounds looking ass."
"Sorry about the whole massage thing, i just wanted him off my back and that was the only thing i could think of."
"It's cool, i don't mind, as long as you call me your hero for a month and we'll be good."
Athena laughed and leaned farther back into Paige's embrace, placing her hands on top of the blondes and closing her eyes as Paige started to sway them, slowly. Paige tightened her hold and nuzzled her head into Athena's neck, inhaling her scent. They were at peace for about 5 minutes until KK's booming voice came shouting over, they didn't break apart, just stopped swaying and Paige lifting her head up. They listened as KK ranted about this very cute guy she saw, Paige then furrowing her eyebrows and whispering in Athena's ear, "i thought she was gay?" Making Athena elbow Paige in the side.
Everyone was starting to get tired and wanting to go home and sleep. They piled back into Paige's car, Athena getting her reserved spot up front and resting her head on the window as they drove back. It was pretty much a silent ride, except with the background noise of the radio. As they arrived back at the apartments, Paige opened everyones door this time but saved Athena for last as she was leaning against it and probably needed to catch her.
Like planned, Paige quickly opened the passenger door and caught Athena's sleeping body. She unbuckled the seatbelt and slipped one hand under her legs to pick her up bridal style. The blonde carried her up to the door then made someone else grab the keys from her pocket and open the door for them. Entering the apartment, Paige took Athena to her room, closing the door with her foot behind her and delicately placing her down on the bed. This was now the hard part, getting her changed.
She could just change her without waking her up but that feels weird, so waking her up was the only option. Paige gently shook Athena awake, telling her she needed to change but the sleeping girl only shoved Paige away and told her just do it for her then rolling onto her stomach. Paige rubbed her forehead then just decided to do it quickly, she grabbed a pair of her sweat pants and a t-shirt she know would be too big on sleeping beauty over there.
She first started with the shoes, taking them off and throwing them next to hers, then came the pants, she flipped Athena over then started to pull her skirt down--not in a creepy way. Once that was off, Paige managed to get the sweatpants on without seeing much, now she had to get her shirt off. Paige picked up the rag doll like girl and leaned her against her chest, she lifted the shirt up and off Athena and put the t-shirt she had on her. Paige had remembered how Athena never like to sleep with a bra on, so making an executive decision, she reached her hand up the back of Athena's shirt and undid her bra with ease--don't ask--then took her off her and threw it on the floor.
To some people this would look like a totally different scene then it actually is but it's not.Paige changed into her own sleeping clothes, about to get into bed with Athena but paused. It was a tough situation, on one hand, it was a comfortable bed with her crush, on the other, it was a comfortable bed with her crush...her drunkcrush. She knew Athena would never think Paige took advantage of her, or at least hoped, but she wasn't taking any chances.
Paige grabbed a pillow and a blanket, then headed out of her room, not before turning off the lights and plugging in Athena's phone, then towards the common room couch. She set up her pillow and blanket on the couch then got settled. It wasn't the most comfortable thing in the world but she didn't mind, the memories of tonight keeping her in high spirits.
Paige went to sleep with a smile on her face.
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Athena woke up and immediately noticed she was in Paige's room, but without the blonde. She looked down and saw she was out of her clothing from last night, later seeing it scattered around on the floor. Her mind immediately went to the worst, did i hook up with Paige last night and then she just left? I know i didn't change myself. Where the fuck is she, i'm going to kill her.
Athena stormed out of Paige's room, even with a raging headache. She entered the common room, expecting to see a certain blonde walking around but instead was surprised by that same blonde sleeping peacefully on the couch. Oh, she slept out here. Wait, why? Why didn't she just sleep with me in her own bed, or put me on the couch and sleep in her room?
Athena didn't think about it too much, mainly because thinking hurt her head and she needed coffee. She made her way to the kitchen and starting brewing herself some, the noise of the coffee maker then awakening Paige. The blonde rubbed her eyes and stood up then stretching her entire body because it was extremely sore from that veryuncomfortable sleep on the couch.
She smelled the scent of coffee and headed to the kitchen, there seeing Athena sitting on the counter and holding a mug to her lips, staring off into space, "Mornin'"
Athena raised one of her hands up to shush the girl, it was far too earlier and she was far too hungover to have a conversation. Paige nodded her head and grabbed herself a cup of coffee then moving to stand in between Athena's legs. She took a sip then placed it down next to the girl in front of her, Athena placing her mug down next to it and burying her head into Paige's chest.
Paige softly chuckled as she reached her hands up to place them on the back of Athena's head and place a soft kiss on the top of her head. Athena then removing her head from Paige's chest and slapping it, "this is your fault, i never went out and got drunk but you made me go and now i'm hungover and pissed at you."
"Thea, i made you have fun. You had the time of your life and don't lie." Paige said, taking another sip from her mug.
Athena couldn't argue anymore on the topic, realizing Paige was right and she did have a lot of fun. "Why didn't you sleep in your bed? You know i wouldn't have minded."
Paige shrugged, "You were drunk...didn't want you to wake up and get the wrong idea, especially since all your clothes were on my floor."
"Thank you Paige, that's really sweet."
Paige shrugged again, dismissing the topic and taking another sip. Athena pulled her into an unexpected hug once Paige put her mug down again, savoring the feeling of having her in her arms. After pulling away, Athena placed a fleeting kiss on Paige's cheek causing the blonde to freeze up and stare at the girl sitting on the counter.
That was the last thing Paige expected, especially considering it was like 10am on a Sunday morning. She wasn't complaining though, she would never complain about a kiss from Athena no matter where or how small it was.
Athena wasn't sure why she did that, it was like her body was on autopilot and didn't let her brain think about her actions. It wasn't like she wanted to get with Paige, no she made a promise--a code--to herself that she would never let Paige hurt her like she did again. She would never feel those feelings for Paige again, so why the fuckdid she just kiss her cheek. Athena was an affectionate person, she knew that, she would always hug her friends and jokingly flirt with them but never would she kiss them. Actually she never did any of the things she did with Paige to her other friends.
The fuck are you doing, stop. We are not doing that again. Ever.