twenty three
Filling in the gaps
"What are your summer plans?" Paige asked, reaching over to close the laptop that was resting on Athena's lap.
"Hey!" Athena exclaimed, looking over at the guilty blonde.
"Answer my question. What are your summer plans?" Paige said while poking the side of Athena's thigh.
"Uh...I don't know, probably just stay with my dad at home, why?" Athena moved the laptop onto the coffee table and leaned back, resting her back on the back of the couch.
"How would you feel about traveling...with me?" Paige turned to face Athena, placing her arm on the top of the back of the couch, behind the brunette's head.
"Depends on where, and if i'll like it."
"There's not really a specific destination more like...multiple." Athena looked a little confused, raising her eyebrow in question. "It's not much just...like i got some invites to a few places."
"What places...and events?"
"Mainly sports events but also the WNBA draft, New York, some WNBA games, a few fashion things, Overtime, Espys, Phoenix-"
"Woah woah, Paige that's like 8 things already? You're still going?"
"It sounds like a lot but i promise it's not. I mean not that it's not a lot and i did book a cruise but-"
"A cruise?! Paige when are we going to see our families? I haven't seen my dad in months and i don't want to go another 2 months without him when i could be home."
"There'll be time, i promise. I'm missing my family but also gotta bring home the bacon, you feel?"
"Yeah i guess, but how am i going to pay for all that? Because i got some money stored up but only enough for like half of that."
"Don't worry about it...i got you baby."
"Paige no way. That's like thousands of dollars, i am not letting you pay for me and you."
"Athena, it's already paid for. All you have to do is say yes and we'll have the best summer ever. I promise."
"I'll say yes, if you give the prices of every thing so i can pay you back."
"No. Athena let me treat you to this, think of it as making up for what i did."
"You already have Paige, how many times do i have to tell you that?" Athena reached a hand up to place on Paige's cheek, lightly rubbing her thumb back and forth.
"I know but I also made a promise to you that i will treat you like you deserve and even though we're not officially together, i'm going to live up to that promise."
Athena sighed, pushing her lips together in a flat line, "you're making me regret this whole 'waiting until the end of the tournament thing'"
"Yeah?" Paige smirked, scooting closer and moving the arm that was on top of the couch to tuck a strand of hair behind Athena's ear, then placing it on her cheek.
Athena leaned into her touch, closing her eyes briefly before opening them again, "Yeah, because all i want to do is kiss you right now."
"That can be arranged."
"Paige..." Her voice came out as more of a whine then a warning.
The blonde leaned forward, her lips hovering over Athena's, "I'm great at multi-tasking..."
Athena leaned back, taking her hand off Paige's cheek and slapping her arm, "Stop! Focus!"
Paige licked her lips with a smile, "Sorry, can't help it. Anyways, is that a yes?"
"...yeah, i'll go with you. Send me the dates of everything and i'll ask my dad."
"Yes!...hey, maybe this can be our first vacation together!"
"We've gone on vacations together before, what are you talking about?"
"I know, but like together together. First of many."
"Wow...who knew THE Paige Bueckers, the number 1 draft pick of 2025, the hottest basketball player ever, the girl who could pull anyone, the girl who hooked up with anyone with a pulse-"
"-ok ok. I get it."
"Do you? I can keep going."
Paige glared at Athena, "your point?"
"Who knew you could be so locked up before the relationship is even real?"
"Baby...i've been locked up since i met you when we were 12. I've always been yours, and i always will be." Paige looked at Athena with so much admiration and love in her eyes, it drove Athena crazy. The brunette looked for any lies that were in her eyes but she found none, the blonde was telling the full truth. Even when they were separated and in other relationships, Paige's heart always belonged to Athena, and vice versa.
"Stop calling me that."
"What? Baby?"
"Yes."
"Why? Do you not like it? I can find something else."
"It's not that i don't like it...it's that i like it too much. Every time you say it, i want to rip that shirt off you."
"Oh? Maybe i should say it more then, not less." Athena glared at Paige, warning her without saying it, "Fine, fine, i'm done....so what am i allowed to call you."
"Athena. Or Thea, and i'll accept hat trick. All other names are reserved for girlfriends and we are not there yet."
"I mean we're practically there...Come on, every body calls you those now, i want something just for me. Nika calls you babygirl, why can't i call you baby?"
"Paige, just 3 more weeks and a date later, then you can call me whatever you want."
Paige pouted, "Fine. I hate how mature you can be some times."
"Me too P...me too."
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"Where's you girlfriend?" KK asked, plopping down on the couch next to Athena.
"Not my girlfriend-"
"-whatever"
"-anyways...she's getting food for us."
KK forced a cough, hiding a 'girlfriend' into it and making Athena threaten her with bodily harm. KK raised her hands up in surrender, "Sorry, just the way Paige talks about you makes us assume."
"What does she say about me?"
"Just how you're like...the best thing to ever happen to her and she couldn't live without you and all that shit that makes me want to throw up. I don't know how you did it, but you got my girl DOWN BAD. She ain't even LOOK in another girl's direction now. Good job, i thought it couldn't be done but i should've know you're Athena Booker and you can rule the world."
"I mean to be fair, i'm pretty much all in too."
"Oh trust we know. Anyways enough about boogies, you wanna play Fortnite with me?" KK got up to turn on the playstation and grab a controller for herself.
"What is it, i've never played."
"You've- HOW?! Paige is literally addicted to that game, she plays all the fucking time. Have you never seen it?"
"Ohhhhh, is that what that game is called? Yes, she plays it 24/7 and yells at her screen. There was one time she was at my place and up at like 2am playing that game and she woke me up with her screaming. I've despised it ever since."
"Ok...well lemme teach you how to play, it's so much fun." KK hands the controller over to Athena, showing her the basic buttons for movement and shooting. She queued her up for a game and talked her through what she should do as she played.
The controller felt foreign in Athena's hands, she has played playstation before but it's been years and she didn't remember a thing. KK was backseat driving her, almost yelling in her ear what to do. She would jump up every time a person got close to her and Athena would try her best to kill him but ultimately ending up dying every time. KK persisted she play until she got at least one kill, even if it took all day. Athena started to get the hang of it, getting better each time.
Paige unlocked the front door and walked in with a bag of food in her hand, "hey, i'm back with the food."
When she didn't get a response back, she was confused. Athena was a food driven girl, always dropping every thing to eat. Paige placed the bag down on the counter and walked into the living room, curious as to what was keeping Athena so distracted she was ignoring food. Paige was surprised to see the sight in front of her, both Athena and KK standing up in front of the TV. KK was grabbing onto Athena's right arm, shaking it and Athena slapping her away.
Paige walked forward to see what they were doing, she first saw Athena holding a controller and her tongue sticking out the corner of her mouth in focus, Paige looked at the TV to see she was in the middle of a Fortnite game and about to either get killed or kill another player. Paige smiled, the sight was adorable to her, Athena was so focused on playing a game she didn't even notice her entrance. She also didn't notice Paige approaching her from behind until she felt a pair of arms wrap around her waist and a pair of lips being placed on her cheek.
"Hey ba- Thea, i got your food for you." Paige said, speaking lowly into her ear and trying not to distract the focused girl.
Athena leaned back and mumbled an 'ok thanks' the zoned back in, she was so close to killing this one player. Paige decided to stay for a minute, wanting to see the outcome of this. She rested her head on Athena's shoulder, watching as Athena missed every single shot she took.
Luckily the other guy didn't seem that great either, also missing most of his shots. Athena managed to lock onto him, hitting him with a shotgun twice and seeing the eliminated animation pop up and the guy's body disappear.
"YES!" Athena raised her arms up and started jumping up in down in celebration, KK joined her both of them holding hands and screaming in each other's faces. Paige stepped back and covered her ears with a smile on her face, she watched as Athena completely forgot about the on going game and enjoyed the little victory she got.
Seconds later, Athena's character got sniped and died but she couldn't care less. The brunette handed the controller to KK then walked over to Paige, circling her arms around her neck, "Did you see that?! I killed someone!"
Paige wrapped her arms around Athena's waist, "I saw, so proud of you."
Athena jumped up and down a few more times, then kissed Paige. It was so fast that the blonde didn't even have time to react, letting it happen and standing in shock as the shorter girl walked out of her arms and towards the kitchen. Her cheeks became red the more she thought about it, following after Athena with slightly widened eyes. She approached the same way she greeted her, coming from behind and hugging her then tucking her head in the brunette's neck.
"That's not fair."
"What?"
"You can't say i'm not allowed to kiss you or call you baby, then you just kissed me? Not fair."
"I have no idea what you're talking about." Athena said with a mischievous look on her face, taking the top off her Chipotle bowl.
"I hate you."
"You love me."
Paige raised her head up a bit, her mouth in line with Athena's ear and she whispered, "Yeah...i do."
Athena froze for a second, but ultimately broke out into a bright smile. She twisted her neck to be able to whisper back in Paige's ear, "Me too."
It was Paige's turn to smile, leaning back just enough to be able to look in Athena's eyes. She so badly wanted to kiss her but instead she settled for a cheek kiss. They basically just admitted they love each other without actually saying it.
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"ELITE EIGHT BABYYY!!!" Paige yelled in Athena's ear.
UConn was able to pull out another win in the sweet sixteen, sending them the elite eight. Athena was in her usual spot with her usual group, Ashley and Olivia. The three of them have really bonded outside of soccer, it's gonna suck when the two of them move on with their lived and Athena is still stuck at UConn.
She's not stuck, she chose to take another year. She was debating with entering the NWSL draft or staying another year and trying to earn that national championship, but after Paige said she was going to take another one to make up for her ACL season, she told her coach she was going to stay for another year. Coach loving that she had her star back on the field for one more year.
Paige, much like last time, found Athena in the crowd after the game. She felt bad for ignoring a few people asking for signatures but she would get to them in a minute, right now she wanted a hug from her favorite girl. The only problem was this time she was called back to do post game interviews so she had limited time with Athena.
Paige crashed into Athena, making the shorter girl stumble back a few steps and having the two girls she was with make sure she didn't fall. "Congrats!! I knew you could do it! I'm so proud of you P!"
"You know you say that every time." Paige said, her head still tucked into Athena's neck.
"And every time i mean it."
Paige pulled back, letting go of Athena. She wanted to hold her for longer but considering they were still in a very populated arena, she had to let go earlier then wanted. The sweaty, basketball player looked past Athena, looking at Ashley and Olivia.
"Hey guys, how you doing?" Paige greeted them.
Both the girls said hi back and told Paige good game, then telling Athena they would see her later. Paige thanked the two and said goodbye as well. She then focused her attention back on Athena. "Wait outside the locker room for me?"
"Sure."
Paige took a hold of Athena's hand, leading her back into the tunnel towards the locker room. Before going in, Paige stopped to greet some fans that were waiting, signing things and taking pictures. Athena admired Paige as she interacted with her fans, it was something she loved so much about Paige.
After all the media and Paige changed, she walked out the locker room to where Athena was waiting for her. They interlocked hands as they exited the building, "milkshakes?"
"yes please...and let me pay this time, you paid last time."
"But i'm the driver and your my passenger princess, you shouldn't have to spend a dime."
"Paige you just advanced to the elite eight, let me buy you a milkshake. It's the least i can do."
"If all you want to do is congratulate me i can think of some other ways to do so..."
Athena shoved Paige away, pulling her hand out of her grip and crossing her arms, "you're nasty."
"I didn't mean like that...i mean not not like that but not what i meant."
"What'd you mean then?"
"Just a kiss or two but now that you suggested that i think i wanna change my answer." Athena rolled her eyes, shoving Paige backwards again and speed walking ahead. Paige laughed and jogged to catch up with her. When they got to the car, Paige opened the door for Athena earning a strained thank you and a reluctant kiss on the cheek.
She drove them for milkshakes, letting Athena pay, then driving them home. When they got to Athena's apartment, they both went straight to her room and flopped on the bed. Paige sitting up on the backboard and Athena settling between her legs. "I'm getting deja vu..."
"Paige i swear to god if you say one more thing, i'm kicking you out."
"Hot."
"Bro."
"Sorry, sorry. I'm done, promise."
"Good."
"...Don't call me bro. Anything but bro."
"Why?"
"Because i am anything but your 'bro'"
"I don't know...we are just friends..."
"Do you spit in all your 'bros' mouths, i sure hope not." Athena's face turned red, her eyes widening and hiding her face in her hoodie. "That's what i thought."
"You're evil."
"Well, you're making me wait an entire fucking month until i can even ask you out but still kiss me and spit milkshake in my mouth so...now we're even."
Athena starts to feel guilty, when she puts it like that it does sound cruel. "I'm sorry."
"No, no...Thea i'm kidding, i don't mind. I get why, and it's a valid reason. I didn't mean it like that."
Athena nods, "Ok..."
"Can i ask you a question?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you think you are still gonna need time...after the tournament? I know you said you needed to get over what Alex did and i was just wondering if i needed to wait a little bit longer. Which i don't mind! Really! I understand...i guess i'm just- looking for a timeline..."
Athena turned around, sitting with her legs crossed in front of Paige, "you won't need to."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. Since we've been doing our...arrangement. I haven't once thought about Alex or what she did, and i haven't had any doubt that i wasn't ready for this. The only thing we need to wait on is that trophy."
"Can we just jump to June. I want our summer together to start."
"I wish. But good things come to those who wait."
"Yeah, whatever....you're worth the wait."