A Party With Kate Martin

"What the fuck are you doing here Nika?"

Dayton hadn't seen this girl in months and now she randomly shows up at his door? Wasn't she still with Kate? Dayton looked the girl in front of her up and down. Dayton had a lot of hatred filled in his heart towards the Croatian. Post breakup, some part of Dayton wished Nika would come back.

Silently, before Dayton knew it, Nika grabbed him by the waistband of his sweatpants, and dragged him inside his own house.

Time Jump:

January 18th, 2024 (4:30 AM)

Des Moines International Airport

Des Moines, Iowa

The Women's Basketball Hawkeyes were now on their way to verse a team where they had lost so many times. Despite being the coach at Iowa for ¼ century, Coach Bluder can't recall the last time her team has won against this one team. The University of Connecticut.

The girls were now heading to Storrs, Connecticut for their first and last game of versing UConn for the regular season. Some girls were excited to see the familiar faces of their rivals in game, but best friends in real life, others, not so much. Well, at least Kate.

It was still early in the morning, roughly about 4:30 AM, all of the girls were sitting, waiting at their gate for their flight to be called. Their game wasn't until another 2 days but everyone convinced Coach Bluder to let them fly in a day earlier than they had to be. It wasn't hard to convince Bluder, she loved her team.

The week building up to their flight was one excruciating week for Kate. As the hours passed, Kate felt the pit in her stomach increase in size. Yes, Kate was beyond excited to see her blonde other half again, and to see Ice or Azzi, but there was one person she dreaded seeing. Kate had thoughts about breaking her leg prior to this game so she didn't have to see the one girl from Croatia.

These past two months of the post breakup were not an easy two months for Kate. Kate didn't come out of her apartment unless they had a basketball game. Even traveling Kate would spend all of her time in the hotel room if she wasn't on the court. Kate even started meditating with Gabbie which never in a million years did she think she would ever do.

The diet of Kate Martin began to take a bad toll but the Hawkeye Nutritionist, and her friends were there to keep her in check. They let Kate eat whatever she wanted-if she did eat, for the first two weeks after Nika broke up with her. Her diet consisted of spicy ramen, steak, popcorn, and ice cream. As the weeks passed, Kate felt herself able to get out of her shell. But it was hard for her to be able to do that, knowing that she would have to play this next game.

Kate looked around the airport holding her childhood blanket, seeming to be the only one not glued to her phone. Caitlin who was sitting to the right of her was watching Instagram reels with Sydney. They were laughing about some parkour dude trying to grab onto the pole, but failed and fell to the ground. Gabbie and Jada were making dozens of TikToks to pass the time, getting weird looks from strangers. They didn't mind it though, they've created TikToks so many times in public, the weird faces from strangers were practically just a normal face to the two girls.

Kate found herself getting up from her seat and making her way towards Coach Bluder and Assistant Coach/ Aunt, Jan Jensen. She plopped down right next to her Head Coach, picking at the thread in her sweatshirt, looking down silently.

"Hey bud, you alright? You don't seem so happy." Bluder patted Kate on the leg, trying to crack a smile or some show of happiness from her.

"Yea I'm fine thanks Coach. It's just that, I don't feel like I've been myself recently. On and off the court. Everyone's pulling their weight for me and I know UConn is always the team we can't seem to beat, and I just don't want to disappoint everyone if I'm the reason the team loses."

Bluder sighed. As much as she hated to admit it, there was some truth in what Kate said. She hasn't been herself recently. She doesn't play like she wants to win anymore, she plays like she just wants to wrap up the game no matter who won. Kate was still one of the best players on the team. No one could create such a great impact in the air as well as Kate could. Kate was still a phenomenal and great player she had been even before the breakup. She just seems lost in her head a little bit now.

"You will not disappoint anyone if the team loses honey." Kate looked up to see her Aunt crouching down in front of her. "You are the brightest and most optimistic person on this team Kate. I'm not saying this out of biasness. I think everyone on the team could agree with that. You make the team believe in themselves when we think we can't win. You have such a bright impact on this team Kate. The only one pulling your weight is you. Never forget that, and never forget how great of a player you truly are."

Kate truly appreciated the words coming out of her two coaches' mouths. Kate has been doubting herself so much recently, and debating what's real or what's fake. She knew her coaches would never lie to her though. That, she could count on.

January 18th, 2024 ( 9:00 AM)

Somewhere In Connecticut

The group of girls were now on the bus on their way to the hotel in Storrs. Most of the girls were excited to be back here, to see their friends, but to also kick their asses on the court in just a few days. Everyone was now feeling more energized and awake from the huge naps they all took on the place. The jet lag wasn't much to waste time on as they were only 1 hour ahead now.

Kate, sitting next to Sydney on the bus, was looking out the window. Minute by minute, the pit in her stomach kept growing, and Kate began to feel uncomfortable. She remembers that the last time she was here, she was so happy, so full of light and love. She had a girlfriend who always took care of her and reassured her. All of that is gone now. All of that is just memories. Memories that the two could never recreate.

Everything changed to fast and it pained Kate. But Kate knew she had to suck it up. She had to show her ex girlfriend that she doesn't affect the way she makes Kate feel anymore, even if it's just for show. Kate was going to do whatever the hell she wanted to do with whoever. And besides, despite them both unfollowing each other on Instagram, somehow Nika always seems to be one of the first few people to view Kate's story. Kate was going to take this trip as a chance to prove to Nika that she should've never broken up with her.

Just then, Kate got a text from none other than Paige.

My UnderDawg

Whats good Ms Money Martin 🤑

How was u flight?

MoneyMartin

it was good P, thanks

for asking

My UnderDawg

Anytime blondie

I was wondering if u wanted

to hangout at my apartment

once u finish settling in ur

hotel room

MoneyMartin

shit Paige Idk

I dont think im ready to

be face w seeing, yk- it

My UnderDawg

Damn so my twin

dont even got no

pronouns now? 😂😂

MoneyMartin

she dont deserve them

and enough w that emoji jesus

ur such a kid

My UnderDawg

Rebel Kate, I like it 😏

But anyways, Nika hasn't

rlly been at the apartment since

the Bahamas games

she's been hanging w other ppl

if she was at the dorm she was crying

over u...

MoneyMartin

So what r u saying 🙄🤦‍♀️

My UnderDawg

Oh right

Just come over she's not

here today

Its just gonna be me, KK, Ice

and Azzi

Plus theres a party tn

and I need to help dress u

MoneyMartin

ur such a bitch

my style is good

My UnderDawg

Uhm

MoneyMartin

fine

and Im only going to the

party if the rest of my

team can come

My UnderDawg

Oh yea ofc they can

MoneyMartin

will Nika be there?

My UnderDawg

Why u wanna know...😏

but yea she will

MoneyMartin

good.

My UnderDawg

Goofy

Alr lmk when U finish

at the hotel room so I can

pick u and whoever up

Peace

MoneyMartin

thanks, bye

This party was the perfect opportunity for Kate to let loose and show Nika what she's been missing out on. Saying that the long distance relationship wasn't working, was just the perfect excuse for Nika to say that she's bored of Kate and doesn't want to put any more effort into their relationship. That since she could barely even see Kate anymore, she felt lonely without the intimate touch of somebody else, and was eager to do whatever she wanted with the first decent looking person she saw.

"What're you smirking at?" Sydney moved closer to Kate who had a devilish smirk on her face.

"You'll see. Hey everyone!" Kate stood up from her seat, not caring if they were still on the road driving. Kate managed to get the attention of everyone in the bus, even the driver. "Paige just texted me that there's a party tonight. Who's coming with?"

Around the bus there was a monotone sound of 'hell yea' and 'duhh'. Kate turned to see the faces on her coaches face, forgetting they were even on the bus. But to Kate's luck, they just rolled their eyes and sighed. They knew that this was coming.

As Kate sat back down, the smirk on her face lingered. She just couldn't wait to get revenge on Nika. It was now Kate's time to take control.

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

"Blondie!!!" Kate waved back at the girl who shouted the nickname in her car with the windows rolled down.

"Hey P!" Both of the girls had smiles on there faces. Paige got out of the car to hug Kate and then get back behind the wheel. Kate stepped into the passenger seat of the car, curious as to why Azzi wasn't here. This was the first time Kate has seen the two girls separated since Paige asked Azzi to be her girlfriend.

Kate looked behind her making sure that Azzi wasn't going to secretly jump out at her. Paige noticed the girl unable to be still and furrowed her eyebrows.

"Are you okay blondie? Is there something wrong with my car?"

"Where's Azzi."

Paige chuckled in response. "Damn saw me for one minute and then your mind goes immediately to Azzi. Ouch."

"No no I didn't mean it that way."

"I'm just messing with you Kate." Paige slightly poked Kate in the shoulder.

"Its just that I haven't seen you guys apart from each other in so long. I don't know if you guys like, broke up with each other or something."

"You're a crazy woman Kate. Me and Azzi would never break up. She and KK were just cleaning up my apartment for when you come over."

"About that..." Once again, Paige furrowed her eyebrows, concerned for the next words that will come out of the other blonde's mouth. Before Kate had a chance to speak, the doors to the back seat opened up. There she was, Caitlin Clark, now joining the party. "Yea Caitlin's also coming."

"Whats up mother fuckers!" Caitlin hollered as she made herself comfortable in the back seat. Paige rolled her eyes and murmured so Caitlin could hear what she said.

They were now at the door to Paige, Nika, and Aaliyah's apartment, with Paige being the only one who lived there, actually there right now. The silent noise was drowned out by the jingling to Paige's key.

The uncomfortable feeling started to come into Kate's body again, knowing she would be in the place Nika lived. Although she wasn't in the apartment for long last time, she knew Nika's room like the back of her hand. That would be unless Nika removed everything of the two of them together.

When the three girls walked into the apartment, they were greeted by the three other girls almost mirroring their exact stances. Kate went over and hugged Azzi, then to a very jumpy and giggly KK, and then Ice.

Kate looked around the apartment. It looked almost the exact same as it did a few months ago, only no party decorations filling in the space. She saw the closed door that was to Nika's room which she so desperately tried to ignore but she couldn't help but glance at it a few times.

Everyone but Ice sat in the living room. It was just about lunch time so Ice was making them all lunch. As Kate was looking for a spot to sit down, she saw KK patting a spot right next to her for Kate to come sit there.

"Hey girly pop how has life been. I haven't seen you in so long I've missed you so much."

"KK stop crushing on Kate." KK side eyed Paige who had an arm over Azzi's shoulder.

"Life has been you know, not the way I intended it to go but I guess thats life for you. I've missed you too KK but I've seen you've been killing it this year so good for you."

KK eeked in excitement as a blush rose to her cheeks. "Thank you Kate Martin, that is such an honor hearing that come from someone as lovely and wonderful as you. You've been killing it this year to. I mean I know someone, not gonna say names, killed you emotionally this year but you know, you're here now...with me." KK bumped her shoulder lightly with Kate's.

"Fuck KK you're so insensitive don't say that shit to Kate she's still recovering. You dumbass."

"Its okay Paige don't worry about it. But yea if we're thinking about the same person, which I know we are, I'm over it. I'm going to focus on myself now and do whatever I want."

"But are you really over it?" KK was right. Was Kate really over Nika or was she just lying to herself.

"Well you know what they say. You gotta fake it till you make it."

The two girls chatted for a few minutes while Paige, Azzi, and Caitlin were all talking about the WNBA that would be happening in a few months. Paige still hadn't decided if she was staying another year or declaring for the draft.

Once Kate finished talking to KK, she went towards the kitchen to where Ice was.

"Seems like you could use some company yea?" Ice turned and giggled when she saw Kate approaching her. "What're you making Ice?"

"KK wouldn't stop begging for me to try and make this Mac N Cheese she saw on TikTok so thats what I'm currently doing. And because I heard that you were coming over, I decided to make waffles since I know that they're one of your favorites. I remembered that because you mention it being one of your favorite foods. Or breakfast foods atleast. Also since I know that you had an early flight this morning, I assumed that you didn't have a very good breakfast."

"Your assumption would be correct. Thank you Ice, this was very thoughtful of you."

"My pleasure." The two girls smiled at each other, Kate's eyes lingering on Ice for a moment as Ice went back to cooking. Kate had always had an extra level of appreciation towards Ice. To be fair, Ice was the reason Kate or anyone didn't starve for a whole month in Myrtle Beach.

"You going to the party tonight Kate?" Ice put the Mac N Cheese in the oven as she tossed Kate the plate of waffles. Kate sat down as Ice sat right next to her.

"Yessir. I've always heard how good the UConn frat parties were so I couldn't miss the opportunity. What about you?"

Ice clocked the roof of her mouth with her tongue. "I used to go to a lot of parties but not as much now. The amount of times I've blacked out is diabolical. Drinking was my only way of being entertained at a party. But I stopped drinking a lot before anything bad could happen to me. So I only have a drink or two now and find parties really boring."

"Well if you were at a party with per se, someone like me, I think you'd have a great time."

"Are you threatening me with a good time Miss Kate Martin" Ice began to laugh as she put her hands on her chest.

Kate shrugged in response. "I guess you'll have to go to the party, see if I'm there, and we'll see."

Flashback

December 16th, 2023

Paige and KK were sitting on the couch, 1v1ing each other in Fortnite. Azzi and Aaliyah pretended to act interested in the battle but were on their phones the whole time. It got pretty boring quickly when KK managed to kill Paige every single round.

"Fuck KK you're literally cheating."

"Girl boo, you just suck P Boogers. You may have the ultimate rizz, but I got the ultimate kizz? Killz? I don't know but you know what I mean."

Paige groaned as she laid back on the couch, immediately getting up when she hears the front door of the apartment open up. She looks up and see's Nika coming in. Paige hadn't seen her twin in what felt like weeks. She was either isolated in her room or with other people. Or one other person. Nika just waved as she went straight towards her room. Unfortunately for her, Paige wasn't going to let this drag on any longer and confront the girl.

Paige immediately bursted into Nika's room who had just sat down at her vanity.

"Fucking knock for once will ya?"

"No not anymore Nika. Not when you've been ignoring us all for almost a month. We're all so sick and tired of it. It's like we don't even know who you are anymore. You're like a stranger to me. Like we were never twins. What the fuck have you been doing recently?" Paige's voice began to rise with each word she said.

"I'm just out with people. I have friends outside of basketball, you know that right?"

That sentence really hurt Paige. Yes Paige had plenty of friends outside of basketball but she would always choose her basketball friends over everyone. They were there when she tore her ACL, they were there for everything.

"Who are those friends huh? Were those friends there when you and Hana got in a big fight and didn't talk for three months? Huh? And what about when you broke things off with Kate and you locked yourself in your room for days? And don't tell me you guys have only been broken up for as long as you've been distant from everyone. Because I'm tired of that bullshit. Whoever you're seeing right now wasn't there for you. Ever! You just want the attention from some new bitch and I know it."

"You're a fucking psycho Paige. You don't know what the fuck you're talking about. I'm not doing anything with anyone. I've just been around some new people, that's all."

Present Day, Present Time

Caitlin, Kate, and KK walked into the party together. Paige and Azzi were going to come later, and Ice was still on the fence if she wanted to come. On the way to the party, Kate realized that she took her childhood blanket with her. She completely forgot to leave it in the hotel as she was in such a rush to see Paige and everyone else, and seemed to forget to leave it at the apartment.

The three girls parted separate ways. Kate immediately saw Aubrey and Ayanna playing beer tong and went towards them. Despite the proximity between one another, Kate felt like the red sea was parting for her. Everyone in Connecticut seemed to know who she was. They gave her the space she needed to walk towards the two girls.

"Ayy Money Martini is here!" Aubrey opened her arms up for Kate to come into as Ayanna did the same.

All three of them caught up between each set of throwing the ping pong balls. Kate just watched the two girls verse some strangers but decided to have a few drinks from the red solo cups that were sitting on the table where she placed her childhood blanket on. Kate didn't stay for long when she saw someone at the bar catch her attention.

"You could've just called me instead of sitting here."

Kate saw Ice turn her head and saw the smile that grew on her face.

"I was waiting when you were going to show up over here."

"Well in my defense I didn't even know if you were coming or not." Kate sat down right next to the girl as she grabbed a beer and put it to her lips.

"I wasn't going too but I was so desperately eager to find out if Kate Martin could actually make me have fun at a party."

"Well why don't we go on the dance floor and I'll show you?" Ice raised an eyebrow as Kate stuck her hand out waiting for Ice to accept it. Ice gladly did and they made their way to the floor.

The two girls were dancing almost on top of each other, with barely no space to breathe. Not once has the smile on either of their faces disappeared. The music was pumping and so was both of their energies.

"Are you having fun yet Ice?"

"Yes Kate you've convinced me. I'm having a blast."

"Good!"

With each second, the proximity closed in and any personal space was practically non-existent. The two girls were getting lost into the music not caring about the world and what the people at the party may have been thinking. Kate and Ice weren't doing any wrong though, its not like they were kissing. They were just dancing very close with each other.

After a few minutes of dancing, they decided to head back to the bar, exhausted from the dancing. Ice decided to sit down while Kate stood. They went back to chatting about the game in 2 days until they were approached by Paige and Azzi.

For the first time in what felt like years, Kate actually felt happy and bubbly. She had a smile on her face. One that was real. Kate missed feeling like this. Being happy was who she was. Being sad felt like a stranger to her.

"I'll be right back. Just need to tell Caitlin something." The three girls waved at Kate as she began to leave. Kate couldn't wait to tell Caitlin about how happy she felt. She just needed to find the girl first.

Kate searched all around the house but couldn't seem to find Caitlin. The same Caitlin who was currently on the toilet pooping, watching instagram reals. Kate didn't know that though so she kept searching. She searched the backyard, the upstairs, until she realized she hadn't tried the front yard yet.

Kate looked everywhere in the front yard, atleast she thought. She saw a reflection under one of the streetlights. She walked closer hoping that maybe it was her brunette friend.

It was a brunette. It wasn't the brunette she was searching for though. And this brunette, well she wasn't alone.

Kate stopped in her tracks, her heart dropping lower than her stomach as she saw the sight that gave her PTSD. There Nika was, kissing some dude under the streetlight. Not only was he some dude. It was Dayton. The same Dayton that treated Nika like a worthless piece of shit.

Kate felt the tears starting to pour out. As soon as everything started to get good for her of course this has to happen. The last time Kate witnessed Nika doing something like this, Nika didn't know it. But now, the presence of Kate caught Nika's attention.

Nika completely froze as she saw Kate standing 50 feet away from her looking like she was about to die. Kate seeing her making out with the one dude Kate fucking hated.

"Kate-"

Authors Note:

Hope yall enjoyed this longer chapter

This was prob my fav one to write besides the breakup

I was rlly locked in and didnt wanna make this 2

parts but didnt want yall have to read a 40 min chapter

So stay tuned

Once again hope yall enjoyed and sorry for typos I was rlly struggling today

( but I proof read😪)

Also I see Conan Gray in basically a day now!