Second Chances

Nika paused for a moment, blankly staring back at Kate who looked as serious as ever. The Croatian genuinely had no idea what to say. By no means was Nika mentally prepared to talk about this conversation right now.

"Fuck I knew I should've kept my voice down." Nika mumbled under her breath but began to speak up, trying to sound as confident as she could. "Uhm, I...Uh"

"Nika?" Kate's eyebrows furrowed as in her head the only thing she could think of was that she's never seen Nika this low-confident before. She was not one to stumble on her words no matter the circumstance. So this was a very bizarre moment in time for Kate to have experience first-handedly.

"Well you see the thing is that," Nika gulped, scared shitless currently. She didn't even mean to say it out loud. It just happened. "Me and Caitlin were talking about what you posted on your story. Or well, I was ranting to Caitlin about what you posted on your story and I guess I was expressing my emotions too much and out of nowhere I admitted what I truly feel for you."

All Kate could do was smirk. "Which is what?"

"You know what."

Kate took a step closer to Nika, the distance between them was very slim. "I want to hear you say it." Kate took a good glance at Nika, looking her up and down before refocusing her eyes on Nika's.

"That I love you." Kate looked into Nika's eyes that were now welling up. She rubbed both of Nika's arms almost in a reassuring way. "Please say something Kate."

Kate didn't say anything though. Instead, she brought her lips to Nika's cheek for a moment and then opened her bedroom door, closing it, leaving Nika alone with her thoughts.

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

As soon as Kate left her bedroom she decided to go on a walk alone despite it being freezing in Iowa. She had no idea how to feel right now. A part of her wanted to keep Nika suffering just a little bit longer, but the other part was just ready to be in Nika's arms again.

After walking around for a bit, Kate decided to sit down on a nearby bench. The air was crisp, the wind was light, and the weather was cold. All that Kate enjoys. Kate felt her life had become so much more chaotic in the last 24 hours. So a nice escape from all the chaos was a pleasure to Kate.

It also gave Kate a bit of time to think about what she wanted to do given the situation she was in. She could either tell Nika to fuck off and go back to Connecticut, or she could let her guard down and welcome Nika back in.

Kate's moment of silence lasted short as she was interrupted by none other then Caitlin Clark. "Howdy Howdy K!" God, even the way Caitlin was bouncing up and down pissed Kate off.

"You're not a fucking southerner. Shut it Clark." Kate rolled her eyes as Caitlin kept making her way towards Kate.

Caitlin sat right next to Kate, putting her arm around her shoulder. "Ah yes. Your favorite saying, 'shut it Clark.' Why are you out here in the cold all alone? You have one piece of fine action, Ms. Mühl up in our apartment."

Kate wanted to punch the shit out of Caitlin right now but she knew better then not to do that. That simple but short question was enough for Kate to ponder about for a moment.

"I just needed some time to think. And I was thinking until my silence was interrupted by your annoying ass." After having her eyes averted from Caitlin's for a long period of time, Kate began to forward them back to her. "I heard what you and Nika were talking about this morning. I heard her confess that she loves me and then I confronted her about it. And truly, I really don't know how to feel." Out of nowhere Kate felt her eyes begin to grow watery. "Jesus now I'm about to cry? What the fuck is wrong with me?"

"Stop Kate there is nothing wrong with you. You just have these mixed feelings for Nika and don't know how to feel and that's okay." As Caitlin was talking, she wiped Kate's tears away with her free thumb. "You're such a beautiful person on the inside and out. Nika is a harsh person both ways except when it comes to you. You're her other half K. And I know sometimes she gets furious fast or very moody and becomes a bitch with the public, but I know you're always going to love her for whatever its worth."

All Kate could do was stare right into Caitlin's eyes. This all just seemed like a lot for Kate to process.

Caitlin just sat there, nodding until she had an epiphany. "Wait. Why did I kinda eat that shit up?! Screw basketball. I'm going to become a motherfucking therapist."

All Kate could do was pull Caitlin into a hug as she silently sobbed in Caitlin's chest. Caitlin stroked Kate's hair with her fingers and patted Kate's back with her other hand. "You're annoying sometimes but I still love you Clark."

"I love you too K."

Kate and Caitlin spent a few more minutes chatting on the bench before they decided to head back to their apartment. Kate thought long and hard about the decision that she was going to make tonight. She barely ate anything today so far yet she felt so heavy.

Whatever decision that Kate was going to make, she knew she was going to be flamed by the internet. If she chose to get back with Nika, some people would say that it was a stupid decision and that she really is putting her in the worthless category. If she didn't get back with Nika, some people would say that it was going to be a huge mistake and that Kate would regret this all in the future. So yea, definitely wasn't an easy choice for Kate.

They finally arrived back at the apartment and both girls were grateful Gabbie didn't invite anybody over. Usually the whole gang is at their apartment because it was the nicest and cleanest, and that it also just had the greatest all around vibe. Even if none of the girls did invite the others, they would always just come in.

Nika was lounging on the couch making fun of Gabbie doing her meditation, watching the lady on the TV. Kate would be lying if she didn't say that she was in awe of watching Nika laugh and smile.

Kate made her way towards the living room and tapped on Nika's shoulder, making Nika flinch just a little bit. "Can we talk?" Nika slowly nodded as she began to stand up and following Kate into her bedroom.

"I'm getting déjà vu. I feel like I was just in this room a few hours ago."

"Shut up Nika. Don't be such a smartass." Kate was doing everything in her power to not let out even the slightest chuckle from Nika's stupid, corny joke.

Kate gestured for Nika to sit down on her bed and that's exactly what she did. Kate also joined Nika on the bed, the two sitting side by side with each other.

"Look Nika." Kate placed both of her hands on top of Nika's. Nika had a slight worry in her eye but there also seemed to be a light of hope behind it. "You've hurt me and I did some things that may have hurt you after we broke up. I've tried so hard to let this feeling I have towards you vanish but it just won't. You're this latch on me that I can't take off. But what I now realize is, I don't ever want to take you off, out of my life."

Nika kept looking between both of Kate's eyes. Her heart felt like it was dropping to her stomach. "You don't have to say any of this stuff if you feel like you have to Kate. I don't want you to feel pressured." Nika was wiping away the baby strands of hair Kate had on her face. "I don't want the people or the media to hate you. Most figured out that we broke up and that I was the reason to blame but they don't know if I did something wrong or not. I just don't want you to take the risk in case the media or something hates you for it. Because you know I'll protect you."

"Well then that's a risk I'm willing to take."

Without a second more, Nika and Kate's lips connected. It was slow and a little stiff at first, but it began to grow more desperate and familiar. It just felt like home. Nika pulled Kate closer to her by her waist as Kate wrapped her arms around Nika's neck. They both longed for this feeling of physical intimacy from the other for such a long time and now, they had it.

After their lips parted with both of them being breathless, all they could do was stare into the others eyes and smile.

"So what do I call you now? Queen because who wants to be a princess anyway?" Both of the girls chuckled as Kate lightly pushed Nika's chest.

"Stop, I was just angry in the moment when I posted that. You can call me princess or even peasant for that matter."

Nika smiled ear to ear as she pulled Kate to sit on her lap. "Well I'm glad to have my princess back." She kissed Kate one more time before they decided to go back to the main area.

The couple walked hand in hand as they made their way back. Caitlin was quick to throw her phone across the room when she saw the two walking. "And at last my ship can sail again."

Kate was quick to flip Caitlin off while the only thing Nika seemed capable to do was look at Kate with admiration. To Nika, Kate felt like home and she didn't want to fuck anything up anymore. She was glad to have her Kate back. Her princess.

"Well my meditation is normally relaxing but my relaxation was really depending on how the things with you two went. So I'm glad I can call the rest of my evening peaceful. Even with Caitlin's obnoxious self." Caitlin gave Gabbie a stink eye as she made her way towards where Gabbie was laying on the ground and tackled her.

"The fuck did I do to all of you? I'm just happy my children are back together."

"Caitlin...you're the youngest one here." There were laughs exchanged from Gabbie's snarky remark besides Caitlin.

Nika and Kate made their way towards the couch and once they sat down Nika draped her arm around Kate's shoulder while Kate laid her head on Nika's chest. Gabbie and Caitlin were quick to join the two on the couch. It was still pretty early in the evening but for right now all the four wanted to do was just watch TV.

They decided to watch the classic 2006 movie, Imagine Me and You. It was a no brainer for the four because this was one of the only lesbian movies that had a happy ending. Nika was striving for her happy ending with Kate.

Once Gabbie pressed play on the movie, it wasn't long for the first comment by Caitlin to be made. "Wait cause why is Rachel lowkey a baddie..." Eye rolls were received around the room as they all continued to enjoy the movie.

It was hard for the four of them to believe that it was only 6 PM. The day felt so fucking long yet somehow it was still pretty early.

"Nika and K can we please please please invite everyone over to see you guys back in a relationship together." In the blink of an eye Caitlin was down on her knees pleading for the two girls to agree.

Gabbie stood behind Caitlin with her arms crossed over her chest while Nika and Kate just looked at each other. Although having been broken up for four months and just getting back together, they were still somehow able to read each other's mind.

"Yes Clark, you can invite them." It took no more than a second for Caitlin to text the "Hawkeye Hotties" group chat the millisecond those words left Kate's mouth.

There were several loud bangs at the front door which meant that the other girls had arrived. By the time the first knock even happened, Caitlin was practically at the door.

"Hola bitchesss!" Caitlin waved for all of the girls to come in. There was Sydney with a massive ass sleeping bag, Molly and AJ with champagne, Jada with multiple popcorn buckets, and everyone else also brought things that are useless.

The girls began to sit either on the two couches or on the carpet. Gabbie sighed in defeat witnessing all the chaos that had just happened in the span of 2 seconds. How Gabbie went from a relaxing meditation session to the apartment being 120 decibels, she'll never know.

"Hey where's Kate?" Addison's question brought everyone to the realization that Kate wasn't even in the room with them. All eyebrows in the room grew to become furrowed as now everybody's eyes were now scanning the open concept room.

Timing could not be more perfect because as soon as Addison asked that question, Nika and Kate came out of Kate's room. This left everyone to do a double take, and leave their jaws drop, speechless. They came out of the room like they were the most unexpected celebrity couple hard launch. Unintentionally of course.

There were mixed faces amongst the crowd so Nika decided it was best for her to talk before anybody voiced their opinion. "Now before any of you people decide to say anything, I would just like to clarify a few things. Me and Kate are back together, officially, and I know I did some fucked up shit so I don't need anybody here to tell me shit because I know. We just got back together like a few hours ago so before anybody, Jada, hates on Kate as to why she didn't tell them, then that's why."

The room was so silent the only thing you could hear was the AC.

"Is there anything else I'm missing, babe?" Nika looked at Kate as she ran her hand up and down Kate's lower back. Kate nodded in response as Nika pretty much said everything she needed to. "So yea you guys are able to speak freely now but if you guys do decide to say anything negative, I'm not afraid to beat someone up."

"Well I for one am so beyond thrilled for you guys being back together. Just promise you come visit us more often Nika because if you don't then we will come and invade Connecticut." Nika pierced her lips trying to hold in a small chuckle from Jada's comment.

Jada seemed to whisper something to the girls but Nika and Kate weren't able to make out what it was. They found out soon enough as all the girls began to trample Kate and suffocate her in a very very big hug.

While some were still questioning why Kate got back with Nika, they didn't even know the full story and they just wanted to see Kate being happy again. Yes, even if that meant that she was getting back with her ex girlfriend.

Bradley International Airport

It was now the night time of the next day and Nika had just gotten her luggage from her gate. Paige and Azzi were waiting for her outside to bring her back to the apartment.

The rest of Nika's time in Iowa went surprisingly well. Her and Kate slept in Kate's bed together. In fact they spent almost the whole next day just laying in bed, twisted in each other's arms and legs. But when they did decide to get up from bed, they decided to go to the weight room and also did 2v2's on the court with Caitlin and Gabbie.

To Nika and Kate's surprise, the hangout with all the Iowa girls went surprisingly well. There were still some girls like Hannah, Sharon, and Molly who were still a little opposed of the idea of them being back together, but they wanted Kate happy. This was the second and last chance Nika was getting in their eyes though. If she fucks it up one more time then they were booking flight tickets to Connecticut.

Nika getting her luggage took surprisingly quick. The cause for that probably was because she only had one suitcase she had to check in. It was cold and dark outside but Nika was still able to spot Paige's car.

"What's good twin. Glad to see you back in Connecticut. I hope Iowa didn't fuck you up. Well I mean besides Kate though." Azzi was quick to slap some sense into her girlfriend while Nika was quick to flip the blonde off.

The night Nika and Kate got back together while everyone was asleep, Nika locked herself in the bathroom and FaceTimed Paige about everything. Azzi was also there in case you couldn't believe it. As much as Nika wanted to tell Paige it in person, she just couldn't wait any longer and had to embrace her excitement and joy.

"I should've just stayed in Iowa. Then I wouldn't have to deal with your annoying ass."

"You know you love me." Paige turned around and winked at Nika, then put her hand on Azzi's inner thigh and hit the gas pedal.

Paige decided to play some of her gospel music as tonight was just 'giving her that vibe.' Azzi was already passed out and Nika was trying to contain her heavy eyes to not bring her into a sleep as well. If there was one aspect Nika was weak in, it would be this category because shortly after she drifted into a sleep.

Roughly about 20 minutes into the car ride Nika heard chatter coming from Paige and Azzi. Nika kept her eyes shut because the two girls in the front didn't seem to know that she was awake. And what they were talking about seemed interesting to Nika and she didn't want to mess up a conversation where she could've possibly gathered some information.

"I just don't hope she beats or, well, tries to beat up Ice. Ice did that stunt just for Kate because she knew how much she was hurting. And yes maybe it did seem a little messed up but you and her have to understand that Kate was hurt. I seriously love you so much Paige but you also have to look at it in Ice and Kate's shoes."

Paige began to shift uncomfortably in the driver seat at Azzi's harsh but truthful words. "Yea but like I couldn't imagine being even 5 feet apart from you even for 5 minutes. This was as hard for Nika as it was for Kate."

"But she's the one who decided to end the relationship." Azzi's voice began to rise. This was such an odd and unfamiliar feeling even for her.

"Jeez baby you're going to wake Nika up."

"I don't care if she wakes up." Still, Azzi lowered her voice. "Kate drove 4 hours to see Nika. Nika knew that and she still broke up with her then. And I don't want to hear any of that 'Nika didn't know she was coming up' bullcrap because she was going along. They went on a date for Christ's Sake when Nika wanted to break up with her that entire time. Kate had every right to have played with Nika's heart the way Nika played with hers."

Suddenly all Nika wanted to do was jump out of the car. She hated to see her favorite couple have an argument about actions that Nika did. She was glad to know that her twin Paige was always on her side but Azzi also had some very fair points. Fair points because they were true points.

"I just, I don't know, baby. This shit got me stressed out and it ain't even my relationship. I love twin, I love my blonde underdawg duo. But Nika must've manifested or did some magical shit because Kate took her back." Paige sighed and looked at Azzi who was looking down. "I'm sorry baby I hate when we fight. You know I love you so much."

Azzi leaned over the center console and kissed Paige on the cheek. "I love you too."

Nika faked her sleep throughout the entire car ride until Paige pulled into her parking space. So much was on Nika's mind right now she thought she was going to need to go to an insane asylum or something.

All Nika wanted to do was make things right with Kate, she wanted to do better, wanted to be better for Kate, herself, and towards others. She knew she had a crappy attitude but she was willing to change everything for Kate. She was willing to become a new Nika. Nika knew this was her second and last chance.

Of course all of that didn't matter right now though. Nika will begin this new chapter in her life after she deals with Ms. Ice Brady.

Authors Note:

This chapter felt like the longest fucking thing to write. Genuinly never thought I was going to be able to finish it.

Seeing Mommy Morgan and Paige irl was literally the hottest thing ever to witness

Why my one teacher lowk....like she...

Ik I have to lock in for this book but also I rlly want to do good in school and get into one of my dream colleges. Also UConn is so fucking gorgeous wtf like I got to be in Gampel?! Thought it was just an imaginery place (not actually)

Once again hope yall enjoyed.