twenty one
"You excited for the tournament?" Athena asked Paige. The two of them were settled on Paige's bed, Athena was rested against the headboard and trying to do some school work but it was hard, considering the blonde was resting her head on her lap and very much in her way.
Paige stopped her scrolling on her phone and placed it down on her chest, "I'm more nervous then excited."
"Why's that?" Athena stopped tryong to get work done, moving her notebook of her right leg and looking down at Paige. "Y'all are gonna do great, i know it. If you don't, i might hurt you."
"That's...comforting..."
"I'm just saying, don't mess up my bracket. The entire soccer team is doing one and the loser has to let the winner post whatever they want on social media and i really don't want to lose."
"Oh. Well what do you have us as?"
"Well right now i have y'all out in the sweet 16 so i'ma need y'all to get there then lose so i can win."
Paige sat up, looking at Athena offended. "Seriously?"
"I'm kidding, of course not....second round at most." The offended girl scoffed and got off the bed, heading towards her door. Athena laughed and called after her, Paige ignoring her and walking out of her room.
A few girls were chilling in the common room when Paige joined them. She took a seat on the couch and joined into their conversation. Athena thought Paige was just being dramatic but when she didn't come back 2 minutes later, she followed after her. Paige ignored Athena's attempts to get her attention, acting like she couldn't feel it when Athena tapped her shoulder.
"Paigeeeee, i'm just messing with you. Stop ignoring me." Athena continued tapping on her shoulder, Paige trying her hardest to look the other way. If there wasn't other people in the room she would use her usual way of forcing Paige to look at her, straddling her lap and grabbing her chin. Instead, she just did the second part, grabbing Paige's chin and turning her head to make her look at her, "You know i'm just messing with you P, please stop ignoring me. I really hate it when you do that."
Paige was trying to drag this out, but she couldn't, not when Athena did that. She tried to keep her focus on Athena's eyes but she was so close to her, closer then she has been in the weeks after Athena broke up with Alex. Paige was able to keep her eyes on hers for a few seconds then when Athena let out a breath and she felt it on her face, she was pulled down to her lips.
Paige stay silent, now just mindlessly staring at Athena's mouth. It wasn't until Nika spoke up, "wait why are you ignoring Athena?"
Paige tore her eyes away from Athena, turning her head towards the voice but Athena's hand still staying on her chin, "she made a march madness bracket with us losing in the 2nd round."
"Athena?!?" Nika gasped.
"I did not. I was just messing with Paige." Athena denied, again forcing Paige to look at her. The blonde gave it, not wanting to have her eyes look anywhere else but the girl next to her. They stared at each other for a minute before Athena got back up and walked into Paige's room to continue her schoolwork.
"Ok what the hell was that?" Nika asked once the door was closed.
"What?" Paige said, looking at Nika with a giddy smile on her face.
"That whole thing. It felt like we were interrupting something and we were here first. Are you guys secretly dating now?"
"What? no! We are not dating, and i have no idea what you're talking about."
"Why aren't y'all together now? She's single, you're single. Boom." KK jumped in.
"It's more complicated then that." Paige answered.
"Explain."
"Ok well first, she justgot out of a messy relationship and knowing Athena, she needs time and space no matter how much she says she doesn't. And oh yeah, she doesn't feel the same! She's made it veryclear that me and her will never be a thing."
"Bro. You're so annoying sometimes. She obviously likes you, literally anybody can see that. Even her fucking ex knew it. And she knows that you're nothing like her, i mean y'all fucking cuddle and kiss each other's cheeks, i don't she did any of that with her girlfriendwhen they were together. I might have to intervene if y'all ain't together by the end of this month."
"Whatever KK, you don't know what you're talking about. I'm going back to my room." Paige stood up from the couch, walking towards her room.
"To make out?!"
Paige shut the door after KK said that, looking at a studious Athena. The girl on the bed looked up at Paige, sending her a small smile before looking back down at her notebook. This was so normal for them, spending hours doing their own thing and just being in each other's presence. Maybe KK could be right.
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Paige was sitting in the locker room, bouncing her knee up and down and tuning out Geno's speech. She had her own thoughts running through her mind, most of them about their team washing out early and getting bashed by the headlines. She couldn't stop them, no matter how hard she tried they leaked through, invading her positive mentality.
Paige went through the motions up until it was time to go out for warm ups. She ran out of the tunnel on onto the court, pushing down the bad thoughts and focusing on the game. After warm ups and they were sitting on the bench for their pre-game talk, Paige felt much better about this. She was able to feel the ball in her hands, and remembering that it's just a game and not the end of the world, to her at least.
Athena was out in the crowd, sitting in the exact seats Paige got for her along with a few of her soccer teammates. They all immediately agreed when asked if they wanted to come along with her to the game. Athena watched as Paige warmed up, just like she did in high school.
"'We're just friends' yeah and i'm married to Zendaya. There is no way in hell you can stare at her like that and still tell me you ain't had a taste of that." Ashley said as she saw Athena staring at the blonde on the bench.
"Ashley." Athena warned.
"No, i'm tired of this. You're finally single and away from Alex, why the hell aren't you trying to get with that six foot fine blonde? Don't even think about trying to tell me you don't have feelings for her because we all know that's some bull shit. Just do every one a favor, including Paige, and kiss her."
"You know i can't do that."
"WHY?!?"
"Because of Alex...She may be in my past now but, she still is effecting me. She lied and cheated for almost our whole relationship and just wanted me for sex and bragging rights." Alex had texted Athena daily for about a week, begging to hear her out. Athena agreed on one term, that she tell her the truth. So Alex did, she admitted to every thing with little to no shame, then she made up some excuses about how she was drunk all those times and it didn't mean anything. Funny considering you were fully sober when Paige caught you.
Athena literally laughed in her face when Alex asked if she forgave her, saying nothing else and walked out of the café they met at, still laughing. Once home, she told Paige to come over and gave her a play by play of the talk. Paige burst out laughing with her when she got to the final part, giving Athena a high five.
Alex texted Athena again while they were cooking dinner together, Paige picking up the phone and reading the message because Athena was elbow deep in raw chicken and flour. Paige laughed at the 'so do you want to go out again ;)' text and showed Athena. She asked Athena if it was ok to block her and did exactly that when the brunette agreed.
Alex was out of her life, at least she hoped, and she could be happy again. Maybe Paige was a step towards that happiness but even without the person, the actions of the person stayed with her. This was the second time someone she had feelings for ruined her trust, you can't blame her for being skeptical. She knew that Paige wasn't like that, not anymore but she couldn't shut off her mind.
"Alex is the worst person to ever exists....andnothing like Paige. Paige is a sweetheart, she would be nothing short of award winning as a girlfriend. Yes Alex betrayed your trust but she is a poor excuse of an adult and going to be alone until she's in a grave. Athena you have to stop letting her hold you back. Alex is your past, Paige is your present and future. Trust me, if you think she's treating you good as just a friend just wait until she's your girlfriend. And have i mentioned how HOT she is, like jesus. That should be illegal."
The other two girls that were with them agreed, giving their own additions to that statement, mainly telling Athena to forget about Alex and say she was just a step forward in getting to Paige. Athena sat silent as she processed all this, listening to the words but looking at the player. She realized they were partially right, Paige would be the best girlfriend ever, and she needs to let Alex stop effecting her choices.
----------------------------------------------------
Paige's worries were for nothing, UConn cruising past the first round and winning by 46. Athena waited around, staying in her seat, just as Paige asked. She wanted to see the brunette, even though they would be going out later tonight to celebrate the win. Shut up, she just wanted to see her.
Athena said goodbye to her friends, sitting and scrolling on her phone for a few minutes, mainly laughing at Alex's instagram. It was a mix between her claiming to be doing great without her or a selfie of her crying. Athena couldn't believe she put up with her for so long, she wasn't sure the last time Alex greeted her with a kiss or hug, instead saying hey and walking by.
Her scrolling was interrupted when she saw someone sit down next to her out of the corner of her eye. She looked over and saw a freshly showered, hair still wet and slightly curled, Paige. Athena subconsciously look to her lips first, quickly looking back up into her eyes. Paige licked her lips before saying hi, "Hey, did you enjoy the game? I was trying to put on a show for you."
"And did. 34 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 blocks, you're insane!" Athena stood up, Paige following and the shorter pulled her in for a hug. The two held it longer then normal, neither of them wanting to let go of the other. "I'm proud of you."
Paige's heart exploded at those words, she only really cared about a few peoples opinions, but Athena was at the top of the list. She smiled at Athena and grabbed her hands, "thank you...are you going to come out with us? We were going to go to Ted's for celebration."
"You sure it's ok?" Athena started to swing their hands back and forth, slight enough to not hit the other chairs but strong enough to create momentum.
"More then. They are asking for you."
"Well ok then, let's go."
Typically Athena would want to change, considering she was in Paige's real jersey that she gave her to wear to the game, but tonight the only person she wanted to impress didn't care how she looked. Athena just threw on a hoodie, Paige's, over the jersey and walked out the arena to the blonde's car.
"I missed that." Athena said, referring to Paige opening the passenger door for her and letting her get in before closing it.
"I missed doing it."
The two were the last to arrive at Ted's the rest of the group already securing a table and drinks. Paige kept contact with Athena as she guided her to the bartender for their own drinks. Athena offered to pay for their drinks, thinking of it as a gift for winning but Paige denied, insisting she pay for both of their drinks for the night as a thank you for coming out with them. Athena tried to deny but Paige wouldn't let up, finally Athena broke down and agreed.
The two held hands as they walked back to the group. They talked for a bit, separating briefly to talk to other people, never staying away from each other for more then a few minutes. After a while, they got dragged to the dance floor. Paige started to get flashback from her birthday, then doubting if this was a good idea but the tug on her hand told her yes.
Athena basically took control, placing Paige's hands on her hips and pressing her back into Paige's front, then reaching one hand up to place on the back of the blonde's neck and pull her down so her ear was level with her mouth, "let go Paige."
"Athena..." Paige so badly wanted to let go, wanted to touch Athena like she was hers but she wasn't and couldn't take anymore of this. She gave in for a moment, leaning her head towards Athena's neck but catching herself and placing it on her shoulder, facing inwards.
"Paige..." Athena said in a almost desperate voice, tugging Paige's head closer to her neck. She wanted- neededto feel Paige's lips on her skin, she was past the point of caring--and sobriety--practically begging for Paige to break her code.
Paige nudged closer, her nose brushing over and breath hitting the side of her neck, "Thea..."
"let go Paige. Trust me." Paige did as told, tearing down all barriers and attacking Athena's neck. The brunette moaned at the feeling of Paige's lips on her neck, putting more pressure on the back of Paige's neck to keep her tucked into her own. Paige's kisses got deeper, threatening to leave a mark or two, that's when she knew she had to slow down or...no she had to slow down. Nope, she moved up the side of her neck to her jawline, lifting one hand from Athena's hips and placing it on the front of her neck and tilting her head towards the ceiling.
She placed kisses along the right side of Athena's jaw, ranging from the bottom of her ear to the tip of her chin, then pulled away, hands still in place. She admired the girl in front of her who still had her eyes closed and hand now tangled in Paige's hair. Athena, frustrated that Paige stopped and sensing she was stillholding back, removed the hand from her hair and grabbed her hand instead and dragging her behind her.
Much like the birthday incident, Athena locked the door behind them when the reached the bathroom. She immediately pulled Paige closer, wrapping her arms around her neck then doing her favorite thing and touching the blonde hair she loves so much. Paige placed her hands on Athena's lower back, staring down at the girl with so much desire along with doubt.
Athena pulled her closer, Paige rested her forehead on Athena's and locking her eyes on her lips. Athena doing the same, "do it." She said.
"Athena...we're drunk, is this a good idea?" Paige responded, not moving from her place.
"It's the best idea. Please Paige, we can forget about it in the morning if you want but please...just kiss me."
Absolutely no body could deny that plead, with the way Athena was staring at Paige's lips, her voice sounding so soft like it was about to break but also stern enough to mean what she's saying. Paige took a second to process this was really happening then finally leaned in that final inch between them, connecting their lips.
Both groaned at the feeling, it had been so long since they did this and wondered why they ever stopped. Once Paige accepted this was happening, she became eager, speeding up the pace and slipping her tongue past Athena's lips. Athena didn't protest, she went along with it and fighting for dominance in this heated kiss.
Paige wasn't going to waste this opportunity, that much was clear. Neither was Athena, she kept pulling at the blonde hair that is intertwined with her fingers, feeling the vibration of Paige's vocals. Paige was also going to be a wonderer, moving her hands in places they shouldn't really be but weren't stopped either.
Paige managed to push Athena backwards until her back hit the sink, lifting her up and placing her down on it all while still kissing the girl. Back in high school it was tradition for Paige to have direct contact with Athena's skin anytime they kissed, and she wasn't one to break tradition so she lifted Athena's--Paige's--hoodie and the authentic number 5 UConn jersey under and placed her hands on the smooth, soft skin she missed.
They lost track of time for how long they kissed for, not caring about that and instead focused on each other. Paige wished humans didn't need oxygen to live because she really wanted to kiss Athena uninterrupted for the rest of her life but she was unable to breath right now. Paige pulled away, keeping their foreheads together and catching her breath. Athena didn't let it last long, pulling her back in for more.
The second one wasn't as heated, more slow and passionate, as if they were pouring the last, now 4 years, into this kiss. They finally pulled away, Paige leaning back enough to look at Athena's face and trying to see her reaction. Paige was unsatisfied with the face Athena had no change in the expression on her face, the only difference being her swollen lips.
Once Paige saw those, she couldn't resist leaning back in and placing a few pecks on her lips, making them both smile. Paige felt relieved to see the smile on her face, knowing she didn't fuck up.
"thank you." Athena said, opening her eyes to looks into Paige's blue ones.
"Anytime." Paige meant that. Anytime Athena wanted another kiss, she would physically drop everything to give it to her, doesn't matter if she was in the middle of a game she would run off the court and kiss her if she asked.
----------------------------------------------------
Athena woke up in a cold sweat, quickly sitting up, it was fast enough to startle the blonde next to her. Paige's arm fell from around her waist when Athena sat up, waking her up from the sudden movement. She slightly opened her eyes, groaning then asking, "what's wrong?" In a very husky voice.
Athena jumped at the voice, not expecting a person to be sleeping next to her. "was that just- nothing...go back to sleep i'll be right back." Athena got off the bed, walking out of her room and towards the kitchen to get some water.
She didn't recall anything after the bathroom, or if the bathroom was even real. It was very possible that all could have been a figment of her imagination or dream she was just having. It didn't feellike a dream, she felt all the touches on her body giving her goosebumps at the memory.
Athena chugged a tall glass of water, sitting on the counter and struggling to figure out if tonight actually happened and they really made out in the bathroom of a club, or she was just dealing with her sexual frustration towards Paige. Speaking of the blonde, she walked into the kitchen, eyes half open, her feet dragging on the floor and head down.
Paige shuffled her way over to Athena, standing between her legs and laying her head on her chest, wrapping her arms around her waist. "I thought i said go back to sleep it's...4:45 in the morning." Athena said, not resisting the touch and placing a hand on the back of Paige's neck.
"Can't sleep without you.." Paige mumbled into her chest, still half asleep. "Come back to bed please."
"let me finish this first, i'll be there in a second." Athena said, still having half a cup of water left in her second one. Paige didn't agree, stealing the cup away from Athena and taking a sip before dumping the rest out in the sink.
"There, now come on." Paige took the shocked girl's hands, dragging her off the counter and back towards her room. Paige laid back down on the bed, Athena following and the two assuming their positions. Athena faced her back towards Paige causing the blonde to scoot forward and press her front in Athena's behind, then wrapping an arm around her waist and nuzzling her head into the back of Athena's. "g'night"
"night."
Athena slept like a baby the rest of the night, being in the comfort of Paige's arms always soothed her enough to immediately fall asleep. Paige was still asleep when she woke up the second time, the sun now shining through her window. She woke up with a throbbing headache this time, consequences of the women's basketball celebrations. She had vivid memories of last night, up until the dance floor with Paige.
Athena pulled off the arm around her then got up, replacing herself with a pillow for Paige to hold. She got up and walked out of her room, finding some Tylenol and water then going to the bathroom. She was mid hand washing when she looked up in the mirror and noticed a bruise on her neck, dark enough to see but light enough you had to do a double take to see it. Athena reached her hand up to touch the skin, wondering what or when that happened.
When she walked out of the bathroom and back into her room, Paige was awake. The blonde's eyes immediately locking onto the brunette as she walked in the room. Unlike Athena, Paige remembered everything. She was drunk, but she had a good memory and it's not like she would ever forget a kiss like that, especially one like that with Athena.
Paige was nervous, she was fully expecting Athen was coming into her room to tell her none of that should've happened, but something worse came out of her mouth.
"Did i hook up with someone last night, what the fuck is this?" Athena asked Paige, referring to the small hickey on her neck.
fuck, i didn't mean to do that...maybe i did...Paige thought, wait did she just ask if she asked if she hooked up with someone. Speaking as if she doesn't remember a thing?
"do you not remember last night?"
"Up until when i dragged you to the dance floor but everything after that is kind of a blur, like i don't know what's real."
"What do you think happened..?" You're playing a dangerous game here Bueckers.
"Uh...well we danced...and then i guess you went off somewhere and i found someone who gave me a hickey and made out in bathroom. Did you see any of it?"
I was literally there. "...uh well we-...no. Not really." What are you doing? Just tell her it was you. She was practically begging you to do it last night, just say it. "Actually yeah i did. It's actually kinda funny you know? because uhm...it- it was...me."
"What? You were the one to give me this?" Athena said, pointing to the mark on her neck.
"Don't sound too disappointed."
"Sorry i just...wasn't expecting that...wow ok, so i'm guessing everything was real then. I've been trying to figure out if it was just a dream or reality."
"It was all real. The bathroom was real...what i said was real, and true. Anytime you want...i will be there, day or night, snowstorm or blizzard i will hike in my boots to get to you." Paige took a few steps closer, now being straight in front of Athena and looking down at her. She reached up and tucked a strand of hair behind Athena's ear, smiling.
Athena nodded, piecing together their conversation she guess they had. "So, you see me in your dreams?"
"No. I didn't see you specifically, just some random, six foot, pretty blonde."
"You think i'm pretty?" Paige teased, leaning her head down a few inches, her lips ghosting over Athena's.
The brunette couldn't hold back anymore, with the conformation that it was all real and how crazy Paige was driving her right now, she gave in, "you're alright...i'm kidding, you're so pretty P."
"that's because you're so beautiful, you make me look good." As soon as Paige finished her sentence, she closed the distance, bringing their lips together for their first--sober--kiss in 4 years.