celeste ✮

paige’s mom’s face grew as she saw you. “hi baby! how are you?” she exclaimed, pulling you in for a hug, giving you a hug and placing a kiss on your cheek.

“i’m good!” you replied. “just bought some beers for everyone, my treat. where’s paige?”

“i can take these off your hands.” she said, grabbing the case and putting them on the kitchen counter. “she’s outside.”

outside? you thought. you opened the patio door to see paige standing next to her dad at the grill, attempting to teach her how to barbecue meat. the pool glistened, reflecting from the sun that almost blinded you. you walked over to the gazebo to greet her dad and your girlfriend. “hey honey! how are you?” paige’s dad asked, giving you a hug as well. “i’ve been well, how are you?”

he sighed. “good, trying to teach this one how do have an official barbecue.” paige’s face turn red from embarrassment.

“hey baby.” paige spoke in a low tone, kissing your lips and giving you a hug that made your body spark. paige’s dad gave her a look that told her he was leaving, she nodded.

“so, trying to become gordon ramsey i see?” you said, leaning against the countertop. “bro shut up!” she laughed. “trying to learn something new for when we go back home. maybe i’ll make you something one day out of the blue.”

“you gonna swim?” you asked, eyeing the pool. “there’s a mini heat wave today.”

paige lifted the lid to the grill, grabbing the tongs and flipping the hot links. “i’ll go if you go.” paige smirked.

you wrapped your arms around her neck as you stood behind her, getting a smell of her cologne. “hope you brought a swimsuit.” you gave a sweet kiss to her neck.

“just let me finish cooking this ma, then i’m all yours.” she grinned, turning her head to look at you, then closing the hood.

you laughed, releasing your arms around her, jumping back to the countertop. “if this doesn’t taste good p, i’m gonna be pissed.”

paige tilted her head. “you really don’t think i’ll do a good job?”

paige started to walk forward, trapping you on the counter. her hands found yours, interlocking fingers, feeling your skin. “missed you this last week.” she purred. paige let go of yout hand, using her thumb to find your face, guiding you to look at her eyes. the eyes you could get lost in the moment from.

“touch deprived?” you teased, shooting a glance. she gave you a smirk and placed a soft kiss on your lips, moving down to your jaw and your neck. it felt higher than electricity. “missed my girl.” you both smiled, as your hand found her cheek, then pinching it.

paige then turned to the grill and placed all the meats on plates. hot dogs and hot links on one, burgers on a separate one, and ribs on another. you noticed her starting to struggle from carrying all 3 plates in her arms. “need help p?” you asked.

“i got it, ma. just come inside so we can eat.” paige shouted, hopefully loud enough for you to hear.

paige opened the patio door and placed the plates on the counter. “food’s ready!” she yelled. you grabbed the condiments from the fridge, hot dogs and hamburger buns as well.

paige pulled your chair out for you as you started to aim towards the hot links. “why thank you baby.” you exclaimed.

“anything for my girl.” paige then sat down across from you. she grabbed a hamburger bun and the jar of mayonnaise, spreading it across the bread. both her mom and dad sat down and grabbed their plates and buns.

you fixed your meal and took a bite. the smoky flavor satisfied your craving, and the sausage was cooked perfectly. you nodded in satisfaction as you continued eating your meal. “this is really good paige, good job.”

“so if my girl approves it, i think it would be family approved as well.” paige said, looking up from the table.

paige’s dad took a bite. “i taught you well paige.” he ate his whole hot dog, savoring every bite like it was his last meal.

her mom was speechless, it was that good. you got up from the table and grabbed the case of beer you bought. you brought it to the table and took one out, opening it with your teeth.

“impressive babe.” paige said in awe. the rest of the family grabbed a beer as well. “salud or cheers to this family gathering!”

“cheers!” everyone said. the beer bottles all clancked together in the middle. paige gave you a wink before drinking, which made a small smile appear. you took a sip, feeling refreshed.

“race you to the pool?” paige asked in competition.

you took off your summer dress, showing your bikini underneath. “you’re on bueckers.”

paige took off her shirt and jorts, showing her sports bra and nike pros. you both rushed out to the patio and canonballed into the pool, water splashed everywhere. paige somehow found your arms underwater, giggles escaping your mouths when you both came to the surface.

paige found the edge of the pool, leaning on it. she stared at your bikini, eyeing your tan lines peeking through. “give me a warning next time when you wear that so i can control myself.”

you licked your lips. “that’s technically not a swimsuit babe.”

“but you still like it, right?”

you blushed. “exactly.” paige shot back.

you splashed paige with water as it got in her eyes. “oh so it’s like that?” paige exclaimed.

you swam away as far and as fast as you could, hoping to escape her. paige however, was too quick. she grabbed your waist by your arms, lifting you up towards the sky, the proceeded to hold you wedding style, just to dunk your body underwater.

“that’s what you get.” paige shot back. you ran to the corner and pouted, pretending to be mad.

paige nudged your arm. “you really upset?” no response came from you.

her hands ran up your arms, fingers finding the straps of your bikini top, fidgeting with it. “c’mon ma, talk to me.”

you turn to the side, ignoring her and avoiding eye contact, but nope, still nothing.

“i know what will make you forgive me.” paige smirked. her hands found your waist, grabbing them as she pulled you in for a kiss, which felt like your heart was burning. it was genuine, like paige wanted you to know how sorry she was, and how much she loved you through a gesture.

your lips released from hers, a faint pink coated paige’s cheeks. “you forgive me now?” she asked.

“now i do.” you smiled, looking up at her.

paige then had an idea. “i know what we should do.” you gave paige a look, knowing this was one of her intrusive thoughts that could possibly go wrong.

“whoever has the best handstand gets to choose all the shows the rest of the week and gets aux.”

you grinned. “deal, but you’re going first since you’re so confident.”

paige’s hands found the floor of the pool, then swinging her legs up as water splashed on your face. she stayed there for a good 10 seconds. you walked around her and observed. once she brought her legs down, she felt super accomplished. “how’d i do?”

“baby, you don’t wanna know. let the pro handle this.” you kicked your legs up, straightened your arms, legs and back, pointing your toes as well. you came down after paige watched.

“i think i won.” paige exclaimed.

you grimaced. “you didn’t even have your legs centered! you arms weren’t straight either.”

paige rolled her eyes in surrender. “whatever makes you sleep at night, ma. let’s go shower.”

-

dark shades of blue painted the sky. the moon shined bright as the stars around it twinkled and complimented. you were sitting outside with paige on the doorstep, watching the fireworks as your fingers interlinked once again, gripping as if you would disappear.

the fireworks sparked all different colors. your favorite was pink and paige’s was purple. the view was absolutely stunning. paige turned to look at you instead of the fireworks. “you don’t know how much i miss you, ma.”

your eyes met hers, it was almost like they glowed. “i was just worried about you. i hope you got a good week of rest. then you’re stuck with me for the rest of the offseason.”

she grinned. “i’m not complaining if its with the girl i love forever.” her thumb rubbed warm circles around your knuckles, hands immediately heating up.

“i love you so much paige.”

she tucked a piece of hair behind your ear. her eyes falling into your soft, brown eyes. “i love you more, forever.”

her keys jangled from her hands as she walked through the door, paige was carrying a target bag. “babe!” she shouted.

you placed the curling iron down. “in here!“ you yelled, loud enough hopefully for her to hear. paige had an off day, and she wanted to spend it with you since they were occasional. you both didn’t want to go anywhere, just wanted to spend time in your apartment together and soak up each other’s presence.

paige playing her first rookie season was chaotic. multiple games a week, flying to and from different cities, her being jet lagged, and she didn’t have enough time to see you or spend with you. however, you grateful for this one day of rest she got.

you heard footsteps coming from the hallway, her valentino cologne tingling by. paige paused and leaned on the doorway, “whats the occasion?” paige whistled, admiring you.

you smirked, “you.” paige gave a peck on your lips as you curled another piece of you hair. you noticed the bag in her hand. “what’cha get?”

she paused, opening the bag and pulling out a box, showing it off like a prized possession. “found this game, wanna try it later tonight?”

you placed down a can of hairspray and grabbed the box. “rizzy games? really?” you rolled your eyes, unsurprised. this was definitely a game paige would pick out, as she called herself the “ultimate rizzler.”

you studied the box carefully, pointing your finger to read out the small text. “a spicy date game for…” you rolled your eyes, handing her back the box towards her chest.

she smiled, pointing to herself “what can i say? its something thats in you, not on you.”

“you’re so corny!” you teased, pushing her away from you.

paige moved closer, hands on your waist, practically feeling her breathing on your skin. “you know you love it.” she said, kissing your cheek afterwards.

-

after dinner, you sat down on the carpet, leaning against the coffee table. paige placed her empty dish in the sink. “you always make the best fucking food, i swear.” you smiled from her compliment, glancing at her from across the living room. “i’m glad you liked it.”

paige bent down to a cabinet and pulled out a bottle of tequila. this tex-mex was really rubbing off on her ever since she got drafted. “since when do you know tequila?” you joked.

paige smiled. “since i was at the store. also this game requires drinking, if you don’t want to we don’t ha-.”

you cut her off immediately. “babe, i am always up for reconnecting with my people. dame la botella.”

growing up hispanic, drinking was not a surprise. it was at every family gathering or party. you sometimes occasionally snuck sips before 21.

she was puzzled, her eyebrows shooting up as she was grabbing shot glasses. you reached your hand out. “give me the bottle. didn’t you take spanish in high school?”

she sat walked to the coffee table and sat down, carrying the card game under her arm, tequilla in one hand, shot glasses in another. “that was like 8-9 years ago.” paige spoke, handing you the tequila.

“it should ring a bell by now with me occasionally talk to you.” you opened the bottle and poured some in your glass, then in paige’s. you both grabbed the glasss, saying cheers as they clanked together, gulping yours down like it was nothing.

you looked at paige, seeing her face after drinking it all. “how was it?”

her face puckered. “it was okay, props to you for having this growing up.” you laughed. “you get used to it paige.”

“alright.” paige spoke, rubbing her hands together. she grabbed the back of the box, reading the directions. “shuffle the cards and place the cards face down in the center. on your turn draw your card…blah blah blah.”

“that wasn’t helpful.” you joked. paige didn’t like instructions most of the time.

she rolled her eyes. “such a princess. basically pick a card, say it out loud and do what it says. the more intense the card is the more points its worth, first to 29 points wins.”

“why 29?” you asked.

paige shrugged. “i don’t know, its just what the game says.”

you grabbed the cards out of the box and shuffled them on the table as paige watched you in awe. there was the reason why you always were the shuffler in games. “rock paper scissors who goes first.”

she got her hands ready. “out of 3?”

you smiled, picking rock as she chose scissors. “okay i win!” you grabbed a card from the deck.

“try not to smooch 1 inch away from your partner for 60 seconds. fail? sip simp.” you grabbed your phone and put a time on for a minute. “ready?”

“born ready.” paige shot back.

you and paige both moved closer to each other, face to face. you looked at her blue ocean eyes, instantly dilating from the look of you. you can see a wave of blush hitting her cheeks. “its my challenge and you’re the one flustered over me.” you teased.

“well how can i stop myself when this view in front of me is all mine?” paige’s eyes darted to your lips, and you noticed. before you crashed onto hers, the timer rang. +1 for you. “you’re impossible” you told paige.

“i guess you can say you’re fallin’, hard.” paige spoke, attempting to be nonchalant. she grabbed a card from the deck. paige started smiling, you knew this was bad.

“blindfold your partner and sneak a kiss somewhere they wouldn’t expect.”

“but what if i expect it everywhere?” you questioned. paige laughed, covering your eyes with her hands. she whispered in your ear, “someone’s a little too confident.”

paige grabbed the neckline of your top, moving it towards your shoulders. she placed a kiss on the side of your neck, then more upwards towards your jaw. once she started, she couldn’t stop. paige started sucking and biting, strings of saliva connecting from her lips to you neck. a soft moan escaped you as she placed a hickey on you neck, claiming you were hers.

she uncovered your eyes, a grin escaping her. “expecting that?”

you heartbeat became faster. “no.”

“good.” +2 for paige. you grabbed another card. “‘what’s something your partner does thats lowkey a turn-on but not meant to be?’ oh definitely when you’re mad.”

she sat straight up. “really?”

you nodded. “its hot, coming from you.”

“next time i’m mad, i’m coming to you. i’m surprised no one has drank yet.” it was paige’s turn. “‘do a squat with your partner on your back.” paige stood up in a flash. “easy.”

paige reached for your hand to bring you up. you sat down on paige’s shoulders, then she started to squat down. “paige if you drop me i’m gonna kill you!” you shouted

“i got you. baby you’re like 100 pounds. i could do this all day.” you hands found her hair, trying to purposefully mess it up. she put you down and sat down once again. “how many do i have?” she asked, handing you her cards.

you analyzed the points at the bottom. “3.”

“only that many?” she asked, confused.

“well, if you get pink its 3 and if you get purple its 4.” you gave her back her cards, picking a card now that it was your turn.

“suck your partners fingers seductively.” you started smiling, then looked at paige.

paige looked ready. “you’re not gonna drink for this you, are you?”

you grabbed her wrist. “nope.” she placed her fingers in your mouth. you licked all around, placing a thick coat of spit. paige’s body became hot. your head bobbled, sucking her fingers like she ordered you to do before. you both were enjoying this deep down, getting turned on by the minute.

once you finished, her fingers released from your mouth. she turned to look at you with lust, placing her fingers in her mouth and licking off your flavor. “god you’re fucking killing me here.”

paige reached out and grabbed a card. “‘drink if you want to have sex right now.’ man give me the fucking bottle.”

she drank her shot then looked at you for approval. it was the look that made your legs feel like jello. you both smiled, as if you could read each others minds of what you both wanted in that moment, pleasure.

your anatomy textbook stared infront of you, filled with different colors and side notes on the pages. your matcha you had bought earlier that day stood on the side, sweating. your computer glowed with different presentations that you were taking notes on. you were at a desk that had window views on the left side, there was a hallway and a door infront of your desk on the right.

you placed your earbuds in, putting on a lofi playlist from spotify as your kept going through the presentations on your computer, taking notes on important details. you heard the door open but decided to ignore it, until you felt a tap on your shoulder.

“do you mind if i sit next to you?” a voice spoke. you took off your earbuds and turned around. paige bueckers was talking to you. a stranger she’s never met, talking to you out of the blue.

you were caught off guard. “oh yeah, sure.” you moved your backpack and some of your stationary supplies, allowing her to have some room on the desk.

paige placed her backpack on the side of her chair. “sorry if i interrupted a study session, i really didn’t mean to bother you.”

“i was just writing some notes, no worries.” you didn’t place your earbuds back in, having a feeling she was gonna strike up a conversation. and bingo, she did.

“you take anatomy? i have that class, but i feel like i’ve never seen you before.” paige asked curiously as she started to take her computer out of her backpack.

“i usually sit in the very back. i’m either here or in my dorm studying or reading books.” you say, sending paige a soft smile.

she smiled back. “bookworm i see, no shame.”

“none taken.” you chuckle. you grabbed your matcha and took a sip, the cooling sensation lingering down your throat.

paige pointed at the cup. “what’s that? green juice?”

you giggle. “not really. its matcha, green tea.”

“is it good?” paige asked curiously.

“well i love matcha, but some people don’t really enjoy the taste. that’s because they don’t add flavoring or sweetener.” you placed the drink back down and started highlighting in your textbook again.

“sorry if i keep sounding like a bother, but i’m kinda stuck on the assignment, do you mind helping me?” she asked. paige felt like she was taking up your time or interrupting you. however, you loved helping other people any way you could.

you spoke softly. “don’t ever think your a bother to me. i love helping people. of course ill help you.”

its now been 3 years since that interaction. you both are now seniors in college. she never left your side since that day, and even started sitting next to you in the back in anatomy.

paige asked you to be your girlfriend while you both were juniors, and you were the happiest you’ve ever been.

a soft knock rattled on your door, “come in!” you shouted. once you saw the blonde hair from the couch, you knew who it was.

“i had a feeling you were coming.” you said, springing up and running to give her a hug. paige rested your head on your shoulder, kissing your neck then your cheek, leaving a tingle after every one.

“missed you so much today, i’m exhausted.” she spoke. paige sounded tired, a tired you’ve never heard from her.

you cupped her cheek, “long day?” she nodded. her eyes temporarily lost her sparkle. you took her hand and guided her to the couch. paige laid down on you lap, you hands finding her scalp. you massaged small circles, hoping to give her some relaxation. “wanna watch a movie?” you asked handing her the control.

“nah, just wanna be here with you.” she whispered. she sounded like she couple fall asleep any minute, until a question popped up in her mind. “baby, can i ask you something?”

“anything.” you spoke back, raking her hair back from her face.

“how come when i first met you, you weren’t like a super crazy fan. like the one’s who would freak out when they see me or the ones who wait for my signature. you didn’t see me as a celebrity, you saw me as a person. why?” it sounded like a question she had for a while, but never brought herself to ask you. maybe she was scared for your response.

a wave of silence took over until you had your answer. “i knew about you, but i wasn’t like i guess a huge fan. i don’t know how to explain it. maybe its because i didn’t really know how basketball worked back then?” you said, giving a chuckle. “i just saw you as a unselfish curious person with a big heart, and that’s who i fell in love with. now, obviously i’m going to be your #1 fan, always.”

she turned her head to give you a smile. a smile that could make you warm instantly. you placed a kiss on her cheek.

“i like that. you’re not like the other girls i used to date. you’re…different.” she said, turning around to soak up the scalp massage you were giving her.

you paused. “what do you mean?”

paige sighed, her body language changed. you could feel the sadness on her. “all the girls i talked to wanted me for my fame or for them to only say ‘look, i’m dating the paige bueckers!’. and it hurt me back then because i thought i loved them. but that changed when i found you.” she got up and sat next to you, using your shoulder as a head rest. you rested your head alongside hers, feeling the warmth.

“and you still don’t like matcha.” you smiled, remembering her first impressions of it.

paige pouted. “yuck. its green and its bitter, i have no idea how you drink that stuff.”

paige defending you made you overthink, a lot. once you started really analyzing something, your mind could not stop, it was like an endless rollercoaster.

who were those guys? did they get invited by tonya? or did invites get sent after? was he really drunk or trying to hit on me? why did paige help me? why did she call me her girlfriend? why did i get so hot when she called me that?

then one question popped up.

do i like girls?

no i don’t, right?

but the way she called you her girlfriend, the way she protected you, they way she watched you instead of the sunset. you couldn’t stop thinking about how she tried to hit on you, her face turning red when you caught her, her smirking—attempting to play it off. she was soaking in all of your appearance, the way she talked, it made your palms sweat and heart spike up a bit.

you grew up in a very strict and catholic household, attending church every sunday, bible study after school, attending catholic school from kindergarten all the way til your senior year of high school which made you to wear those polo shirts and those skirts that were rolled up so short. your parents viewed homosexuality as a “sin”, as it was “satan trying to take over a pure soul.”

your parents opinions didn’t matter to you. you didn’t view homosexuality as a sin, you viewed it as love. and why could love be such a sin? you had friends that were gay, and you didn’t mind. you always supported them, because you knew deep down if it were you, your family wouldn’t have.

you had a boyfriend in high school, jordan. he was the sweetest soul on this earth. he would always make you happy, from simple kisses to going out with dinners to your family. he loved to show you off, he was so proud to call you his. he made you feel like the luckiest girl in the world, dropping anything he had going to be with you when you would text him how you were feeling—mentally and physically. you loved when he would come over and you would both goof off and laugh for hours over the stupidest things.

when it was time for college decisions, jordan chose ucla, as it was his dream school. you both came to an agreement to end the relationship due to long distance as it would be across the country. yes, it broke you into pieces, but you knew it was for the best. there was no bad blood afterwards, as you both were still mutuals on social media.

you arrived to your apartment, opening the door to the noise of sza playing in the background and the smell of cooked chicken. your roommate, danielle was meal prepping for the week. “hey girl!” she squealed, giving you a hug. “how was it?”

you threw your keys on the counter and sighed, hands on your face. “it was fun, but it was something too.” you were now leaning on the island, palms on the countertop.

“oh no, what happened?” she asked, placing greek yogurt in tupperwares.

you ran your hands through you hair. “welp for 1, tonya invited extra people. and 2, this group of guys tried hitting on me and touching me. it was really fucking creepy.” you didn’t want to tell her about the paige incident just yet, keeping it a secret only for you.

she gave a look of disgust. “ew no fucking thank you! are you safe though? you feel alright?”

“yeah, i’m just gonna head to bed. i’ll see you in the morning dani.” you yawned, heading to your bedroom.

“night! sleep well!” she yelled, hoping you heard her. you plopped on the bed, exhausted. you got a headache from the constant questions you thought of in the car. you scrolled on instagram, seeing all the selfies kyra and tonya posted. it made you smile, knowing you had a good time despite that incident. you turned off your phone and rolled on your back, facing the ceiling while closing your eyes hoping you’d drift off to sleep. ding.

you turned over and glanced at your phone.

paige - notification

you forgot you gave paige your number, immediately freaking out, afraid to open the message. you bite the bullet and opened her text anyway.

paige

hey, did you get home safely? you feel okay?

you

hi paige, i did

i’m okay rn, just still a little creeped out.

paige

you think you’ll be okay through the night?

you

yeah, my roommate is here. i’ll be fine.

paige

alr, i’m just a text away if you need anything.

you turned off you phone and placed it on the night stand, attempting to try to sleep.

an hour later, you insomnia kicked in. you hated these episodes. you would stay up late for multiple hours, then only going asleep for 1 or 2–being exhausted for the rest of the day. you grabbed your phone and went to text paige, like a deep feeling in your gut was telling you to.

you

i can’t sleep and i cant stop thinking about how i didn’t thank you earlier. but really thank you paige, you don’t know how much i appreciate it. sent.

a thought popped in your head that she wouldn’t respond, that she would be exhausted from earlier today and most likely had summer workouts to do this weekend. you continued to scroll, unable to sleep until you got the message banner again.

paige - notification

you opened her message nervously.

paige

i can’t sleep either, but i’m glad i helped you. i’m constantly thinking about you, hoping you’re okay. it’s the least i could do.

thinking about me? you thought.

you

you can’t sleep? why?

paige

a lot actually, i’m overthinking

summer, basketball

you mostly

you

i see someone’s worried about me

i’m not going anywhere p

paige

haha yeah i know

that bikini you wore tho

you looked good

you

aww thank you

paige

it complimented your hair and your skin perfectly, i swear

i couldn’t stop looking at you

you

i like your style, it’s describes you a lot

the way you portray both masculine and feminine styles

paige

ay thanks

i was a tomboy growing up, used to get bullied for it

idc now

you

i bet i wouldn’t have bullied you

you seemed like a badass kid then lol

paige

well i have a stylist actually

i’m not that creative for my outfits lol

you

a stylist?? wow

trying to become the next donatella versace?

paige

shut up

i’m just expanding my taste 🙂‍↕️

if i could, i would just wear oversized tees and sweatpants everyday

but i gotta look presentable for the media ykwim

you

no but yeah i get it

paige

maybe you can help me, you look like you know fashion

you

wow you actually know something about me for once!!

i know a thing or two

paige

i’ve heard a lot about you actually

it’s not bad

you seem like a caring and sweet girl

beauty and brains?

that’s hard to find nowadays

you

did you practice these lines before texting me? who’d you hear this from

paige

god forbid a girl wants to be bold now

kyra and tonya

also one of my friends, kk, showed me your instagram, so don’t say you only know a thing or two, you know A LOT

like that oversized leather blazer with baggy jeans??

woooweee

you did your magic there

you

you really can’t resist me

stalking my insta now👀

i’ll let it slide

instagram: paigebueckers started following you

paige

whoops my finger slipped

you

you’re so corny

paige

yk you love it

you

hmm maybe i do

well im gonna head to sleep now

thanks for texting with me

paige

anytime

good night sleep well princess

dream of me 😉

you

night night 🤍

after the conversation, you smiling as a blush came over to your cheeks. the way she flirted with you, even though it was corny, made you cheeky. teasing her added fuel to the fire, you never wanted the conversation to stop.

were you falling in love with a girl?

you got butterflies when she texted you, and the way she knows about you even though you haven’t met very frequently despite only passing each other on campus or seeing her at her games. it felt like you were falling in love for the first time all over again.

you didn’t care about what your parents would think. you liked girls, you were falling hard for one, developing a crush on paige bueckers, uconn’s biggest basketball star.