And I Love Her

FYI: This is Part 1 to a Part 2 chapter (idk how that will work in book writing) bc Im lowk lazy but I trust the next chapter will not disappoint. The drought will be over.

The air was cold enough to seep through the four blankets Nika had on top of her, causing her to wake up. Before opening her eyes, she prayed that the sun would be up and that it wasn't the middle of the night or something. When Nika finally gained the confidence to open her eyes, she looked at her bright phone screen, seeing that the time was 7:23 AM.

The whole night felt like some awkward nightmare for Nika. Before falling asleep, Nika and Gabbie talked for a little bit but then they soon passed out. None of the girls were sure of how awkward this whole thing was going to be. Nika just showed up out of nowhere, none of the three expecting her presence to be in Iowa.

Nika seemed to be the only one awake or at least in the main room so she decided to scroll on her phone until somebody came out of there room. Down deep inside Nika prayed that it would be Kate.

It all just sort of happened with Nika coming to Iowa...Nika wasn't lying when she told KK she was going to fly out to Iowa as soon as she could. She wanted to fly out that same day but there were games and practices the Croatian had to go through first. This week was the one week where she had a minimum of two days that weren't filled with basketball and school.

Tickets to Iowa were quite expensive given it was such a last minute decision. But that didn't matter to Nika. All she wanted to do was see Kate and she wasn't going to let any obstacle interfere with her goal.

Nika spent roughly about half an hour scrolling wondrously through her phone until she heard somebody's door creak open. She nearly fell off the couch trying to get up as quickly as she could so she could see who the mystery person was.

"Yo chill. I'm not Kate, Nika." Nika laid back in defeat as she saw Caitlin making her way out of her bedroom. Caitlin made her way towards the kitchen and Nika decided that she should probably go up there towards Caitlin as well. She might have been able to get more information on Kate before she woke up.

"Jesus Mühl. How do you look so flawless when you wake up? I look like a fucking birds nest. I think it's clear that God has favorites." Nika gave Caitlin a sleepy smile in return as Caitlin was brewing up some coffee from their machine. Caitlin held another cup out, offering it to Nika.

"Thanks Caitlin but I can't. Me and Kate are going out for coffee later. If she ever wakes up." Nika turned to Kate's closed door wondering what the girl was doing in there. It was unusual for Kate to sleep in for this long when she went to bed so early.

"You know you shocked the fuck out of me last night Mühl. My jaw dropped lower than that sexy Ghostface. I genuinely did not expect you to show up here in the slightest. I have a feeling as to why you're here but I need to hear it directly from you."

Caitlin sat down at the island as Nika was standing across from her. Nika watched as Caitlin sipped her coffee then began. "I saw what she posted last week about Ice on her story and it fucking pissed me off. Call me a psycho or crazy. I really don't care but I knew I needed to confront her about it." Nika looked down at her feet, seeming a little bit ashamed from her actions. But it was too late to go back. "Kate knows I still have feelings for her. She knew what she was doing."

Nika was trying her hardest to keep her voice down so she wouldn't wake up Kate or Gabbie. But little did she know Kate was already listening to the conversation.

"And I don't care if it was a sick joke that her and Ice were doing. She was playing with my feelings."

Caitlin found herself in an uncomfortable situation considering she was the worst when it came to comforting or advice. "Well I think you got a taste of your own medicine huh? No? Sorry. But look Mühl, if Kate ever does get with someone else, I'm sure she will post them at least once. It might seem difficult to move on but that might be the best option for both you and her mental health."

Nika just shook her head, not wanting to accept Caitlin's words. "No no I can't do that. I love her, Caitlin. If I can't have the one person I love, then what's the point of life?"

"Wait hold up Mühl...did you just say you love Kate?!"

Nika didn't realize what she had said until Caitlin mentioned it. "I mean yea I love her. I loved her since the first time I ever laid my eyes on her"

Before either of the two could get another word out, the door to Kate's room opened up and Kate started to make her way towards the kitchen to where the two girls were.

"Ahh and good morning to you K." Kate made her way towards Nika, completely ignoring Caitlin's presence.

"Get ready. I'm taking you out and buying you coffee." Nika waited no more than a second and began making her way towards her suitcase as Kate went back to her room to get changed, leaving Caitlin in the kitchen alone.

Nika picked out her go to outfit which was a navy UConn WBB sweatshirt and Black Sweatpants. As she went into one of the bathrooms to change, she decided to bring her straightener, trying her best to look nice for Kate.

As Nika stepped into the bathroom, she took a moment to examine the photos scattered on the walls. There were photos of the Girl Hawkeyes. There was one photo specifically that grabbed Nika's attention. It was a photo of Nika and her family with Kate from when they were in Croatia together. Memories started to flood Nika's mind wishing she could go back.

After Nika finished getting her clothes on and straightening her hair, she made her way back to the kitchen to where Kate was sitting who had her eyes completely locked on the Croatian.

"You're staring Kate." Kate turned around, startled by the voice of Gabbie.

"You ready to go Nika?" Kate was trying her hardest to put on a tough face but it honestly seemed impossible with the way Nika looked right now. Yes Kate thought Nika looked perfect no matter what she wore or how she did her hair, but there was something about Nika's hair being straight that just made Kate want to die.

"Yep let's go. See you guys later." The two girls waved to Caitlin and Gabbie as they headed their way towards the front door.

It was now Kate's turn to show Nika around not only campus but also Iowa City in general. There was no point in driving to the coffee shop because it was super close. So instead the two girls decided to walk there.

The cold air seemed to not be so cold with the awkward tension starting to fill the air.

"So...how's school going? Or basketball for that matter" Nika turned to Kate who had puppy eyes right now. Kate only has her puppy eyes out when she wants something. Nika couldn't just figure out what yet.

"Schools boring. More so useless. Basketballs been going well. But I've been seeing how you've been playing lately yea? You're a fucking monster right now Kate. How come you've never defended me like that on the court?"

Kate looked down trying to erase the rush of blood that was on her cheeks. "Because we all know you're better than me. I wasn't trying to get my ankles broken by my girlfriend at the time."

Both girls felt a punch to the gut deep down at the mention of 'girlfriend.'

"Well it makes me wonder now if there actually is somebody that you are talking to right now. Just don't lie to me this time."

"No, not currently. But I'm willing to potentially give us another try in the future if you are. Only if you don't do the shit you did last time."

Nika felt her mouth open but no words came out. Did she hear Kate correctly? "Wait Kate stop walking." Just as Nika demanded, Kate stopped walking. "Are you being deadass right now? Are you really willing to give us another try?"

Kate walked towards Nika, their faces centimeters apart. "We'll see." Nika just stood there frozen, as Kate began walking again. "You coming?" Now it was Kate's turn to be in charge and Nika was following her around like a puppy.

They made their way into a local coffee shop. This was one of Kate's favorite places in town besides Estela's. It was a cute cozy little cafe. There was a huge glass window with couches on the sides of them. Nika was more drawn to the cookies on display though.

"What do you want to get Nika?" Kate couldn't wipe the smile off her face seeing how fascinated Nika was by the cookies. Who knew Nika was such a big back?

"Honestly you can chose whatever you want from me. You said you've been here many times and I know you know me so well and I trust that you're going to pick what you think is my favorite."

Kate agreed with Nika and allowed Nika to go sit on one of the couches near the windows. All of a sudden Kate was getting flashbacks to the day that Nika treated her like a princess. Although they weren't together anymore, it was Kate time to return the favor. Even if Nika did fuck things up a few months ago.

As Nika made her way to one of the couches, Kate took this opportunity and bought two of the cookies Nika had pointed to earlier. They were a little more on the pricier side but Kate wanted to see Nika happy and couldn't wait to surprise her with them. Even if it was just cookies.

Nika wasn't one to eat many sweet treats as she was always focused on her body, but Kate knew that Nika would eat anything she handed to her. There have been many times where Nika had said no to a dessert and just looked like the saddest thing ever.

After ordering two coffees and the two cookies, Kate began making her way towards Nika, she had the bag held behind her back making Nika eye her suspiciously.

"What you got there behind your back Miss Martin?" Nika sat up from her laidback, manspreader position. Kate had a smirk on her face as she put the bag down on the coffee table and took out the two cookies. "No fucking way Kate you actually bought them for me?! You didn't have to. Thank you thank you thank you."

But before Kate could respond to Nika's gratefulness, she got wrapped up in a hug by the Croatian. Kate really did miss the warmth, touch, and how safe she felt whenever Nika hugged her. She just wished the hug lasted a little bit longer.

"It's no problem Nika. I'm just paying you back from all that you've done for me. There's no need for you to be thanking me."

Nika just ignored whatever Kate said and couldn't help but hug her again. Maybe this second hug was an excuse to be able to hug Kate again...

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

Nika and Kate spent more time out together than either of them would've originally thought. They spent time in the cafe sipping their coffee and eating the cookies, just catching up with each other. Just like how they had done in past times.

There have been many people who did second looks at the pair looking like they were questioning if this was real life right now. There were so many Hawkeye fans in the area especially 'Muhltin' ones so this was definitely a shock for them.

The awkward tension seemed to vanish the more the time went by. Everything seemed like how it was a few months ago. Together.

Nika and Kate decided to spend another few hours shopping before making their way back to the apartment. It was very refreshing for both of them, being able to hang out together without arguing over something.

"Well look who finally decided to come back. We thought we lost you guys. Gabbie was literally about to make me call the police on you."

"Shut it Clark. You literally have my location, don't play stupid." Caitlin rolled her eyes in response to Kate's very rude response. She then forward her eyes between Kate and Nika who seemed to have lingering smiles on their faces.

"So I took it you two lovebirds had a good day?" Just as always, Caitlin ruining the moment for herself because now both of the girls in front of her had straight faces on.

"Yea Clark that's enough of you. Come on Nika, let's go to my room." Caitlin smirked and raised her eyebrows as Kate grabbed Nika's hand, dragging her to her bedroom.

"Woah why are we in such a rush Kate?"

Kate locked her door and had a very serious face on. Nika wasn't sure what was going on here. She could've sworn everything was going okay between them.

"Are you okay Kate? What's going on-"

"I overheard you saying you love me to Caitlin today."

Shit.

Authors Note:

Rlly want to be honest w u guys bc im honestly such a lazy person

Ill def try and get another chapter out before I leave Thursday

Huskies ate today and hopefully Mommy Morgan and KK are able to play Thursday

Sorry for this drought yall rlly dont deserrve it

Hope yall enjoyed the crumbs tho and there will be more to come