eighteen
Paige had planned to spend the day at Athena's yet again, but she had other plans with her soccer teammates. She asked if Paige wanted to join, saying that they would love to meet her but the blonde declined. Athena should spend time with her teammates, especially since the post season is coming up in about a month and she was yet to spend any time outside of practices and mandatory team bonding to hang with her team. She spent all her free time training on her own or with Paige.
The season was going great for them so far, they were ranked 18th in the NCAA rankings and 2nd in their conference, right behind Creighton. Athena had made it her personal goal to bring them to a championship, and showing all the people who doubted she would be the same player after her injuries they were wrong.
Articles started to let up on her, now more focusing on the positive impact she's had on the team instead of bashing her for having now 2 season ending injuries at her old school. There was always at least 2 articles that would tear her down, claiming she was a good player but she would never be as great as she would her freshmen year at UCLA and if she was so good then why was her team not 1st overall. Athena tried not to take it personal, but they were right, she wasn't as good as she was 2 years ago.
Paige comforted the soccer player as much as she could, telling her "they don't know anything, they are just a bunch of judgy low lives who have nothing better to do with their lives. They are only saying that to gain attention," but Athena was stubborn. She wouldn't stop at anything until she proved them wrong. If that meant training until it hurt, then she would do just that.
With Athena being out with her teammates, Paige had nothing else to do today except catch up on some work, both school and personal.
"What are you doing here?" Nika asked Paige who was laying on her bed with her computer in her lap, doing schoolwork. It had been about 4 days since the bar, also about 4 days since Paige spent a night in her bed. She had spent the last 4 days barely even in her room, staying over at Athena's place and only going home when she needed to get fresh clothes.
"It's my room and i live here?" Paige said like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"Really? Wouldn't know with how much time you spend at Booker's apartment."
"I don't spent that much time there..."
Nika then gave her a 'be for real' look, "Paige you literally have a toothbrush, a drawer for your clothes, and shower over there. You're obsessed."
"Ok maybe...but i'm just making-"
"-Making up for lost time yeah i know, you only say it every single day. That excuse is only gonna work for so long."
"It's not an excuse...?"
"Paige be for real right now. Yes, it has been years since you saw your best friend but it only takes a few weeks tops to catch up, maybe a month. You spend more time in that girls apartment then you do here, it's like you live together. I don't know how you guys were in high school, but that it not typical friend behavior. If any of us had our own apartment, you would most certainly not be doing all that."
"What are you getting at Nika?"
"You're still in love with her."
"No, we're just friends."
"Not what i said."
Paige wanted to disagree, she really did but...it would be a lie. She tried to hide her feelings but knew she wasn't the best at it. Paige didn't care anymore though, she trusted Nika and the rest of her teammates enough with her feelings but it was that single doubt that one of them would accidentally let it slip to Athena that kept her from telling all them. Maybe she would say it if they asked but for now, it was strictly a close kept secret.
"fine...mayb- yes i am still in love with her. But you can't tell her. I don't care if she's you unofficial wife, which by the way we might need to talk about, or not you can not say a word. I will hurt you Croatia. Don't doubt it."
"Ok damn i won't, as long as i'm invited to the wedding."
"You're so funny. What did you even come in here for, because i know it wasn't to get me to tell you about that."
"I need your charger." Paige threw Nika her phone charger, Nika caught it and thanked the girl. "Thanks...'superstar'" Nika said in a mocking voice.
"Get out."
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"Ok so, what's the update on you and blondie?" Ashley, aka team captain #1 aka Athena's best friend on the team aka Paige and Athena's #1 supporter, asked.
"Uhm, what?" Athena said mid bite of her sandwich. They were all at the café they went to after the first practice, gathered at a large table created by other tables being pushed together.
"You and Paige? The update, give it to us." Ashley persisted, the rest of the team now leaned in closer to hear Athena's answer.
"There is none? We're friends?"
"Bullshit. No way you are just friends with Paige Bueckers, y'all have to be at least hooking up because nobody wants to spend that much time together unless they are getting freaky with each other."
"Why is it so hard to believe we are just friends? Yeah we spend a lot of time together, but that's just because we haven't seen each other in a while. There's nothing more to it, i don't see her that way."
"It's hard to believe because Paige is six foot fine...way too fine to just be friends with. Trust me, if i was friends with Paige like you are, i would be trying to get in her pants daily." 3 other people around verbally agreed to that statement, even Grace, who was the straightest person Athena had ever met and had a boyfriend of 3 years.
"I didn't need to know that."
"It's the truth. Anyways, you can't tell me that after that night in the bar you didn't go home and at least have a hot make out sess."
"Wait, what happened at the bar?" Another one of Athena's teammates spoke up
"Nothing-"
"No, not nothing. Paige practically claimed her while protecting her from a drunk frat boy and Athena let her. Girlie had her full palm on her ass and she didn't do anything to move it. Then after, they were swaying like a couple on their honeymoon in a corner."
"Shut up, that is not what happened, she didn't have her hand on my ass," Ashley then giving her a look, "...not fully." Athena added in a mumble.
"Exactly, anyways if that was me i wouldn't have let that go untouched. Blondie would've gotten properly thanked if that was me, just saying."
Athena had filled Ashley in on what happened that night in the bar, with Paige being protective over her and saving her from the drunk frat boy. The captain immediately asked a ton of questions after, the main one she kept repeating being, "well did you eat her out as a thank you, because i sure would've."
"Do you have some sort of crush on Paige? because i will give her your number if you want me to just so you can shut the fuck up with these comments."
"Oh if i was hooking up with Paige the comments would only be worse, but no i don't have a crush on her, just admiring her hotness. And i wouldn't do that to you, seeing as you're in love with her and stuff."
"I'm not in love with her! Why won't you believe me on that?"
"Because i know that Paige is probably waiting on your bed in your apartment watching your TV waiting for you to get home so you two can "spend quality time together." Be fucking for real she wants to kiss you so bad and you want her."
"Ash stop. I don't see her like that and neither does she. We are just friends."
"You're a horrible liar."
"I'm not lying!"
"Fine, you can say that all you want, but you can't deny she's not completely head over heels in love with you."
"Yes i can, because she's not."
"Girl. She hasn't missed a single game of yours this season, she always brings you flowers even if we lose, she basically lives at your apartment, and every time you talk about something you always mention her. And i'm not even gonna get into the way she looks at you. I would bet serious money that y'all will be disgustingly in love by the end of this year."
"You would lose that money because we won't be. I am focusing on soccer and don't need a relationship right now. The playoffs are coming up soon and i can't afford to be distracted. And i'm not in love with her."
"Athena you can't cut yourself off from love and fun because of playoffs. We're a team and we win or lose together, it's not all on you."
"Still."
"When was the last time you got any action?"
"I'm not answering that." The truth being too embarrassing for her to say, it had been close to a year since her last meaning less hookup. That wasn't really her style, the whole one night stand. Athena's a romantic, she wants to be charmed before letting another person see her in her most vulnerable state.
"You need to have more fun, come on let us take you out and get you some."
"No way, i'm already supposed to go out later this week for Paige's birthday, and i don't need to be drunk twice in one week."
"Ok well at least try to get a girls number before leaving that night, alright?"
"Fine, only to shut you up and get you out of my love life."
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Ashley was right, the blondie in question was in fact waiting for Athena at her apartment. Paige had Athena's spare key, so she was able to chill there until Athena got home.
Athena noticed the familiar car when she got back, excited to immediately fall into the comfort of Paige's arms once she entered her apartment. She loved her team, truly, but she loved her silent corner more. Paige heard the door open and got off the bed to greet the tired girl at the door, pulling her into a hug and pressing a kiss to the side of her head as Athena melted into her.
Paige wordlessly walked, more like waddled, the two of them back into Athena's room while they were still hugging. She lightly pushed Athena down on the bed then pulled off her shoes and climbed on the bed, opening her arms again for the girl lay on her. Athena took her offer, laying her head on Paige's chest an hugging her waist. Paige's hands automatically finding the place they always were, one on her the arm that was around her waist and the other softly scratching her head.
"How's the team doing?" Paige asked after a few moments of silence.
"They're good. I think Ashley might be secretly in love with you or something." Athena quietly answered, her eyes closed but not sleeping.
"Oh?"
"Yeah, she makes a lot of comments about how fine you are and she literally said quote, "if i was friends with Paige like you are, i would be trying to get into her pants daily."
Paige laughed, the vibrations shaking Athena on her chest, "well, tell her i said thank you."
Athena hummed in agreement, she was debating if she should say this next thing. "...she also thinks we are going to be 'disgustingly in love' by the end of this year. I laughed in her face after that one, because...no way."
Ok ouch. Paige awkwardly laughed at that one before ultimately agreeing, "y-yeah right. You and me?...no way..." She was extremely thankful Athena couldn't see her face right now, because if she could, she would be able to see the immense hurt written all over it. "Uhm...anyways, you are still coming out with us on Friday, right?"
"Of course Paige, it's your birthday. I wouldn't miss it for the world." Athena's hand had now unwrapped from her waist and rested on the blonde's stomach, softly tracing her fingers on the girls abs covered by her shirt. Paige always loved and hated when she did that, she loved it because any touch from Athena would send her into overdrive and make her fall in love all over again, but hated it because she knew in her eyes it was just another form of physical touching, something she did with everyone. Now that specific touch wasn't something she did with anyone but Paige but that didn't count, it was her love language.
That comment. Words like that comment is what got her in trouble. Anytime Athena said anything like that, Paige fought her entire body to not reach forward and kiss her. Problem being that Athena said so many things like that all the time, even in front of her friends, it was getting harder by the day to resist the brunette.
Paige couldn't fight off her feelings, no matter how hard she tried. She didn't want to feel like this for the girl but it was impossible not to. Not when Athena was the blueprint of perfect. She is so kind, making everyone feel included in a group event, she always manages to make every one in a room laugh, she has a smile that once you see it your automatically smiling too, she's literally the best women's college soccer player in the nation, she's so smart, her name literally means goddess of wisdom and she is, and oh yeah, she's so so beautiful. Everybody who ever said nobody is perfect lied because Athena is, she's a fucking goddess in Paige's eyes.
Every day Paige couldn't believe this girl was a real person. It seemed like Athena should be held in an art museum because she brought the mona lisa to shame. The blonde knew she was in deep, way too deep but she loved it. She loved how she got to see Athena in ways other people didn't, the real side of her that wasn't put out on social media, or the side of her that wasn't on the field fighting for her life.
Paige also couldn't believe that the same girl that was peacefully sleeping on her chest right now, she had the privilege of being her first kiss, her first time...her first heartbreak. She hated how badly she hurt Athena, and even though Athena said she forgave her, Paige never forgave herself. Every time she was slightly reminded about it, it was like she was being stabbed because how could anyone hurt such a pure soul?
Paige was going to spend the rest of her life making up for her mistakes, that was for sure.
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The rest of the week was spent just like that, Athena and Paige wrapped up in each other at her apartment. Until Friday, Paige's birthday.
Athena insisted Paige spend the night in her own bed for some reason, the blonde profusely protesting not wanting to spend her birthday morning being greeted by an empty bed. She even brought out the puppy eyes and "but it's my birthday." Athena had a hard time resisting that one but she managed to do it.
The real reason she wanted Paige to spend the night at her own place was because one, she hadn't been there at all that week, and two, she wanted to set up streamers and balloons at her apartment for Paige, knowing that after tonight the girl would most certainly want to spend it cuddled up at her apartment.
Paige was brutally awoken by a body jumping on her, two more following and shouting in her ear. The basketball girls decided it would be a good idea to wake up the blonde by violence this wonderful morning, knowing she would be mad but they had a plan. Athena decorated her apartment after Paige left last night with purple balloons and streamers, knowing it was her favorite color, and was planning to take her out for breakfast. Athena asked the basketball girls to piss her off so then she could play the hero and steal her away for a while.
The team had no problem agreeing, wanting to set up their own thing for Paige in her room but could only do it when she was out of there. They definitely pissed her off enough to not want to come back until later today and it had only been 15 minutes.
Paige was grumpy the whole time, angrily getting dressed and rubbing her eyes as she woke up. The girls told her to get her ass up and dressed because they had a surprise for her, but when she walked out of her room the only surprise she saw was a depressing, single cup of coffee and a hand written note that was barely legible saying 'happy birthday p boogers!!!'
Paige wasn't expecting much but that was the most depressing birthday breakfast in the entire world. She turned around to yell at her friends for basically beating her up all for that but a knock on the door stopped her before she could. No one else moved to get the door, leaving Paige to go over to open it.
Paige immediately perked up when she saw Athena standing at the door, pulling her into a hug Paige asked her what she was doing here.
"I'm taking you to breakfast, as a make up for all the ones i made you pay for. Come on birthday girl, let's go." Athena said as she pulled away from Paige and backed out of the doorway.
Paige said bye to the people still in the room and followed Athena out to her car. Athena did what Paige always did for her, opening the passenger side door and letting her get in before closing it and getting in the drivers side. Paige asked where they were going but Athena kept it on the down low, giving her the run around instead of a straight answer.
She didn't know why, it wasn't like it was a secret because it was the same basic breakfast place they had been going to for months but felt it would be entertaining to get her hopes up. Paige did have her hopes up but also wasn't disappointed when they arrived at their breakfast place, she loved the food there so it wasn't a problem.
The two enjoyed their breakfast together, only having to deal with some people asking for a picture with Paige, Paige being the sweetheart she is and agreeing, the people then thanking her and wishing her a happy birthday before leaving.
Paige did ask if she could come back to Athena's apartment for a while, wanting to spend some time with her alone before tonight. Athena first jokingly giving her a hard time and guilting her into spending her birthday with her friends but agreeing later.
The two arrived back at Athena's apartment but before they went inside, Athena grabbed Paige's hand and stopped her, "do you trust me?"
"Yes." Paige said with no hesitation.
"Ok then close your eyes, i have a surprise for you inside."
"Can i just walk with my eyes open until we get to the door?"
"Fine, fine." Athena said, dropping Paige's hand and making the blonde regret asking. The two walked up to the door, Athena unlocking the door then looking back at Paige before opening the door, "ok now close your eyes."
Paige closed her eyes and reached her hand out for Athena to guide her, she didn't really need it because she knew the layout to Athena's apartment by heart but wanted to hold Athena's hand anyway. Athena interlaced their fingers and guided the blind girl into her apartment, she shut the door behind them and walked towards her room.
She pulled the blonde into the room, and with their hands still connected she spoke, "ok...open." Paige opened her eyes and took a second to adjust to the brightness. Athena was nervous, she wasn't sure if Paige would like it or not and really hoped she did otherwise she might just crawl into a hole and die.
Paige was silent, her eyes roaming around the decorated room, her thoughts running wild, she decorated her room for me. She. decorated. her own room. for me. Me. Paige Bueckers. Athena Booker's room was covered in purple streamers and balloons for my, Paige Bueckers, birthday. Just marry me already.
"Do you like it?" Athena nervously asked, slightly pulling her hand away from Paige's.
"Do i like it?....No."
"oh...i'm sorry i can tak-"
"I love it." Paige said, pulling Athena's hand back into hers and grabbing the other. "I love it." She repeated, pulling the shorter into a bone crushing hug that hopefully expressed everything she was feeling. "I love it." Paige repeated a final time, kissing Athena's head.
All of Athena's worries vanished, now smiling into the blonde's chest, "good, i'm glad." Athena pulled away from Paige, "i have something for you."
"Thea, you didn't have to."
"Shush yes i did, it's your birthday and birthday's require gifts."
"Your presence is more then enough."
"Sweet but still wrong, now get on the bed."
"Yes ma'am." Paige obeyed her command, sitting on the bed with her back resting against the headboard. Athena left the room to get Paige's gift which was sitting on the kitchen counter. She returned to the bedroom, sitting next to Paige on the bed and handing her the gift.
"Thank you Thea, you seriously didn't have to."
"You're welcome...now open it, i want to see you reaction."
Paige dug into the bag, first pulling out a envelope. She opened the envelope, inside was a birthday card and a $25 gift card to target, written on it 'for your tru fru addiction.' Paige laughed at that but then focused on the hand written words on the card, "so glad you are back in my life superstar, happy birthday - love, Athena." Paige stuck her hand back into the bag, deciding she would thank Athena after she got everything out.
The next item was oddly shaped, looking bottle like. Curiously Paige unwrapped it and surely enough it was a Shirley Temple in a bottle. Paige started cracking up, "Where did you find this?"
"Target, they got everything there. I didn't know they existed until now." Athena said, smiling.
"I didn't either, thanks."
"Ok last one, go."
Paige reached back in to grab the last item, it was a small box, certainly containing some sort of jewelry. She opened the box and her jaw dropped when she saw inside was a ring, a ring with a little star on it and engraved on the binding was 'my superstar' Paige couldn't believe what she was looking at. She looked away from the ring, up into Athena's eyes who had the brightest smile on her face.
"Athena...this is..." Paige started but couldn't find the words.
"You like it?" Athena asked.
"I love it. This is the best thing i have ever received. Truly." Paige, again, was resisting the urge to kiss her, instead pulling her in for a long hug. After she pulled away, she picked up the ring from the box and put it on, placing it on her right ring finger. She pulled Athena into her again, no words being spoken.
This is not something friends do, they both know that. But then again, they weren't friends. They were each other's person, nothing could ever separate them, so why was Paige so terrified to tell Athen her feelings. The worst she could do is say no but Athena would never cut her off. If it was anybody else Paige liked, they would tell her she was weird, and they didn't have the same feelings then never speak to her again but Athena would never. She could never not have Paige in her life, not again.
Tonight was definitely going to be interesting.
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"Ok tell me what's wrong." Azzi said. Paige came home a few minutes ago to get ready after spending the afternoon over at Athena's apartment. After the girls surprised her with her decorated room, she immediately walked into Azzi's room and face planted on the bed with a groan.
"She's too perfect, i hate it." Paige's voice was muffled by the comforter but Azzi was able to make out what she was saying.
"How so?"
"Ok so we were chilling and stuff right, then when we got back to her apartment she held my hand and guided me to her room while i had my eyes closed cause she had a surprise for me right? Well she decorated her own room for me. HER OWN FUCKING ROOM FOR ME?!?! Anyways then she made me get on her bed while she left to get my gift. When she came back she was so close to me like every one of her body parts that could was touching me. Anyway i opened her gift and oh my god. She got me the best things, she got me a gift card to target for my tru fru, a Shirley temple in a bottle, which i didn't know they made, and finally, a ring. She got me a fucking ring, look!" Paige got up and shoved the hand with the ring on in Azzi's face. "It's a star and it's engraved with the words 'my superstar' on it...Ugh, bro i'm so in love. I had to fight so hard not to kiss her right then and there."
"Damn Paige, i've never seen you like this...not even with your last girlfriend, you must be in real deep, huh?"
"I hate this long game thing."
"I know, but just think that when she finally falls for you, and i know she will, and you two are happy, it will all be worth it."
"You better be right."
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The group arrived at the bar around 10, it was supposed to be earlier but getting 15 girls out the door on time never worked. Nobody drove this time, taking an Uber since it was a Friday night and they all wanted to have some drinks. Per usual, Paige and Athena were on top of each other, never once breaking contact with each other.
Paige was scared for tonight because she knew her teammates were going to get her drunk, and once she was, she wasn't sure she could control her drunk self around Athena. Her sober self was having a hard enough time, so what would drunk Paige do with no inhibitions to stop herself. The blonde debated trying to stay away from the brunette the whole night but then would be breaking her promise to stick by her all night.
4 rounds of shots later and Paige was dragging Athena towards the dance floor, the later not even protesting knowing she would be fine as long as she was with Paige. The blonde stopped her walking and placed her hands on Athena's hips, the brunette circling her arms around the taller's neck. The two pressed their bodies together, swaying even though the vibe of the song currently playing was completely different from their movements.
Once the song switched, Paige twisted Athena around and pressed her front to her back, keeping her hands on her hips but gliding forward over her exposed abs. Athena was taken surprise by the sudden action but didn't protest, instead leaning back into her and raising one of her hands up to tangle it in the blonde hair as they danced together.
Paige tucked her head into Athena's neck and started placing delicate kisses there. She was well aware of her actions but had no more fight in her to stop it. Paige groaned into Athena's neck when the brunette tilted her head the other way and tugged the blonde hair, urging her to continue what she was doing. Paige obeyed, now getting more risky with her kisses, moving up and down her neck, occasionally reaching up to her jawline and placing a few there.
Athena was a lightweight when it came to alcohol, the 3 shots she had being more then enough to get her very close to being completely gone. Paige on the other hand could handle her alcohol, the shots just getting her tipsy enough to forget about her entire plan to hold back tonight. Athena looked way too good tonight, there was no way Paige would be able to keep her hands off her. She was intoxicated by all things Athena.
The two stayed like that for minutes, Paige's kisses getting bolder and moving up to her cheek, and Athena's hand still gripping the blonde hair in her hand, tightening every time Paige sucked on a specific spot. Until Paige finally pulled away, releasing a groan from Athena only to be cut off when Paige grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the bathroom.
She dragged the shorter girl into the bathroom, checking it was empty then locking the door. Paige placed her hands back on Athena's hips and gently pushed her until her back hit the door, then leaning her head down closer to Athena's and keeping eye contact. "I'm obsessed with you, you've been driving me crazy all night." Paige whispered.
Athena kept her hands by her sides, not sure what to do with them. This is not what she expected tonight when she let loose for once, she was expecting to find a cute girl, talk to her for a while, maybe get her number. Not be locked in a bathroom with Paige, her best friend. Athena was still out of it, but she had sobered up enough to think actual thoughts.
Paige's eyes flickered down, now staring at Athena's lips causing her to run her tongue over her own. She nudged her head closer, looking back into the green eyes in front of her before back down at the pink lips she so badly wanted to taste again.
Athena knew what was about to happen, and she had to stop it. She made a promise--a code--to herself, "no more Paige." Not like that. She reached her hands up to place them on Paige's chest and slightly push her away but it wasn't strong enough, barely moving her backwards. Paige persisted forward, her lips inches from Athena's. She was close enough to let their lips brush but then Athena pushed her back, stronger this time to make Paige stumble back.
"No, we can't...I can't." Athena said.
"Athena....please." Paige said in a voice so desperate Athena almost gave in right then. But she stuck to her word.
"No. We need to go back to our code, and i need to go to mine. Best friends."
"You made your own code?"
"Yes! To protect me from you. I made a code for myself to never get involved with you like that again. That's what broke me the first time and i won't let it happen again. I can't do that again."
Paige took steps forward, reaching her hand up to cup the girl's cheek, rubbing her thumb back and forth she whispered, "That won't happen again....i promise...i'll do it right, i'll treat you right."
Athena instinctively leaned into the touch, placing her hand on top of the calloused one on her face. She closed her eyes and turned her head to kiss the palm, "I wish i could believe that...but i can't. I'm sorry Paige." Athena removed Paige's hand, letting it drop back down to her side then unlocking the door behind her and walking out back to the group.
Paige was brutally sober now, she was wrong, the worst Athena could say wasn't no, it was that she didn't believe her, that after months of rebuilding her trust she still didn't believe her. Her eyes were watering, tears threatening to fall. She walked over to the sink and looked in the mirror, "idiot" she spoke to her reflection along with other degrading words.
Paige spent another 5 minutes in the bathroom, collecting herself enough to go out and face Athena again. It felt like all alcohol left her system which was horrible because she definitely needs liquid courage if she was going to see the brunette she was in love with that just rejected her a few minutes ago.
Coming back to the group, Paige avoided eye contact with Athena, staying on the other side of the table from her and asking for more shots. Athena kept her eyes glued to the blonde, slightly feeling guilty for rejecting her but at the same time knowing it was the right thing to do.
Athena was sitting in the corner, staring at Paige when a brunette approached her and sat down next to her. The unknown brunette reached her hand up in a hand shake, "Hey, i'm Alex."
"Athena." She took the offered hand, shaking it and looking at the girl briefly before dragging her eyes back to Paige.
"That your girlfriend?"
"No! No. No, definitely not. Just my friend." Athena said, turning her attention back to the girl next to her.
"Ok then...you got a girlfriend?"
"Nope."
"Good."