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☆彡𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑎

Narrative + Instagram

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It's crazy to think one year ago I stood on the court watching all these girls I was so unfamiliar with and how I sat next to Paige who couldn't play. Now I'm on the same court watching dating Paige and being best friends with basically everyone. I remember what it felt like to look into her eyes for the first time, so recognizable yet distant. The summer was short but I'm glad it ended the way it did.

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When we came back inside hand in hand soaked the whole team just stood in awe. Then KK commented and everyone laughed. Paige didn't say anything and pulled me into her room. I felt bad for soaking the carpet everywhere I stood but there was no way for me not to. I hadn't been in her room in what felt like years but it was still the same. I then realized the box I gave her hadn't been touched and was underneath her desk. "You never touched it?" She turns away from her closet. At first, she didn't realize what I was talking about until I was at the box opening it. "Oh.No." She turns back. It didn't look like she touched any of it. I grabbed the sweatshirt took off my shirt and put it on. Even though the last place it's been was either my room or this box it still smelled like her. "Here are some clothes." I only grabbed the pants she held out and changed into them after she went to the bathroom to change.

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"Can you pass me my water bottle?" She's now standing over me wiping her sweat with a towel. "How's it going?" I ask handing her the bottle. "It's okay, wishing I was over here with you." I smile and look down at my watch. shit. "I gotta go to work, I'll see you later." "Okay." I stand up, kiss her then run out of the gym. I tried to avoid it as much as I could but between apartment rent and groceries, one of us needed to make money. Unfortunately, it's me.

"You're one minute late." My coworker, Oliver says as I put my apron on. "Okay, one minute isn't late, get off my ass." He chuckles and turns back to the coffee he is making. "Can you just go take orders?" I nod and stand up to the register. This place tends to do well considering its coffee and records right next to a college campus. But today I can tell bust will be slow.

The minutes seem to move way slower than usual. The only thing that sucks about slow days is that time is very annoyingly present. When my back and feet hurt simple tasks like making coffee and warming up a pastry feel like an eternity, but last a minute. "Hey, can you watch for a second I need to go to the bathroom," I call to Oliver who is at the front restocking records. He nods and I rush to the back. I come back after a minute and my heart drops. Maya is in front of the counter on her phone. I haven't seen or talked to her since the summer. I never did get over how awkward things were left. I choke down my nerves and walk up to the register. "What can I get for you?" "Evelina? I didn't know you worked here! It's so good to see you." That's a surprise. "Hey, Maya, it's good to see you too." "How long have you been working here?" "Like two weeks maybe." "That's so cool, I'll have to stop by this place more often." Please don't. "Yeah." "Anyways can I just get a chai tea latte?" "Mhm." I nod and turn back to start making her drink. "Someone's tense."I look up to Oliver who is standing next to me. "I look tense?" "Yup. Why?" "Do you ever mind your business?" "Nope. Now explain." "The girl over there." I point my head towards her and I watch as his eyes spot her. "We used to be friends after I broke up with my girlfriend and I only saw her as a friend but she saw more." I quickly explain not in the mood to give details, "Oh, so you guys aren't friends anymore because of what? She liked you?" "I don't have time to explain now, but yeah." I put the lid on her drink and slide it to the pickup spot.

The bell that signals someone has entered rings, so despite my exhaustion I put on a smile and turn. To my surprise Paige, Ice, and KK walk in. "Oh hey, strangers." I lean on the register counter. KK and Ice stop to look at the records while Paige walks to me. "So what can I get you?" I bite my lip to try and hide the smile but it's not helping. "Your favorite." "Really?" "Yup." "Anything else?" "Uh..let me see," She turns back to the two. "Ice, KK, want anything?" "Get me a muffin," KK says while Ice shakes her head. "So how was practice?" "Same. How's work?" "Boring." "Okay, I get it you two are in love but customers are waiting," Oliver says behind me. I roll my eyes and finish typing in the order. "That'll be right with you." "Great." She moves away leading my eyes to Maya's. I forgot she was here. From the look of her face, she has been watching us the whole time. I roll my eyes internally and take the next order, waiting for Oliver to make the coffees. Before Oliver places Paige's cup down I grab it and draw a heart next to her name. Dont know why I did it, guess I just felt like it, or as Cam would say "I'm in love." She isn't wrong though. I watch as she grabs the cup and smiles. "This is good." She mouths now at the front of the shop.

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A couple of days have passed and I'm closing. My eyes feel heavy, my feet hurt, and I only want to shower and get in bed. But, after I'm done here I'm off to hang out with the team for a game night. Not sure why I agreed to it knowing I was closing but I probably only had Paige in mind. What makes things even worse is I'm not in my car I'm in the back of an Uber. I wish I brought my headphones.

"Hey Eve, come on in." Jana opens the door wider and I immediately go to the couch slumping into it. "What's up with you?" Cam asks. "Long day." I sigh realizing I never took my apron off. I stand up rolling my apron up and shoving it in my bag. "Oh hey," Paige appears sitting down next to me. "Hi, how was your day?" "All alright, you?" She opens up her arm and I rest my head on her shoulder. "A lot." I feel her move with the light chuckle she lets out. "I was invited to an NBA game, Hawks vs. Grizzlies. Want to be my plus one?" I can tell the last part is a joke. "Sure, when and where?" "This weekend in Atlanta." "Shit, that's kinda far isn't it?" "Yeah, but that's what comes with being me." I laugh. "Yeah'd love to go, never been to Atlanta."

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The Atlanta airport is packed and I'm trying my best to haul my bag through people while keeping a steady pace with Paige. My brain is working over time. What's surprising is that we took a red eye, so why is this airport so packed for five am? I try to reach my hand for Paige's but she pulls away. I don't think she notices but every time we are out in public she acts like we are just friends. I get it with how popular she is but sometimes it sucks. I want the whole world to know she's mine. So people like Victoria can't happen again.

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"You ready?" Paige appears at the bathroom doorway as I finish the final touches to my makeup. "Yup." I quickly shove all my things into my makeup bag and toss it into my suitcase. "You look good," She says then looks down at her phone. "Thanks, so do you." I watch as her cheeks go a light pink so I kiss her and grab the room key."

"I've never been to an NBA game before." I realize out loud in the dark of our ride. "Really?" She puts down her phone. "I've been to my brother's games but yeah, that shouldn't be surprising though. Before you the only connection I had was Matteo, speaking of him he will probably be so jealous." We both chuckle.

As we walk into the building I hear how loud the crowd is. We are here 40 minutes before the game starts and this place is already deafening. "You want anything?" Paige looks back at me as we follow a man In a suit to our seats. "No, I'm good." I'm starting to regret wearing heels. At least they aren't fancy ones. When we walk into the arena I realize just how many people are here. I know I'm not on the court but sitting courtside makes me feel like half these people are looking in my direction. "Okay, what happens if the ball comes my way or hits me." When I sit courtside for court practices I always fear the ball will hit me, but at an actual game, the stakes are way higher. "I'll protect you." She smiles and then turns to fans on the other side of her. For the next 30 minutes, I silently watch and help take pictures when people come up to her. Cameron is always asking me if I get jealous when fans come up and every time I say no. If I'm being honest I like watching her interact with them, it's cute.

One of the announcer's voices booms through the arena getting the attention of everyone and meaning the game is starting. I don't know who to cheer for but just watching them go back in forth is fun.

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Tagged: @paigebueckers

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liked by paigebueckers and 905 others

evelinaricci back better than ever

cambennett traveling king with her queen

➬ evelinaricci  am I the king??😭😭

➬cambennett you can be whatever you desire to be😌

➬ evelinaricci ???

paigebueckers 🏀💜

Comment liked by author

nika.muhl tell Paige to stop taking you away from me.

➬ evelinaricci anything 4 u

𝗟𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀

˚. ✦.˳·˖✶ ⋆.✧̣̇˚.

OMG thank you guys so much for 50k reads!! AHH, this is crazy. Okay sorry for the wait I had to go back to school and had tests to study for. I think there will only be 2 more chapters meaning I just have to plan the shit out of them.

love you all so much!

-J