It was a random day in summer, when there was no practice, games, or media she needed to dress up for. And being teammates made it easy to plan dates like today. Azzi woke up to the sunlight hitting her eyes and softly groaned, finally getting up. Normally, she would be the one to wake up first and go to the gym or answer emails, but she had a long night last night. She and Paige went out with the rest of their teammates to celebrate a big win, and Azzi took a couple more shots than she planned.

She rolled over to cuddle into Paige’s body, who was basically her warm big pillow that would lie in whatever odd, uncomfortable position if it meant Azzi would sleep well; except, when she turned over, the bed was cold and empty. Azzi finally opened her eyes to see if she had gone to the bathroom too, but no, Paige was nowhere to be found.

After a couple of minutes of debating whether to go back to bed, Azzi swung her legs off the bed and slowly walked out of the room, the cold wood floor a contrast to the soft, warm bed. As she neared the kitchen, she could smell food cooking, which was weird for Paige because only if all restaurants and stores were closed would she even think of cooking herself. But lo and behold, she was leaning over the stove with Azzi’s apron on, stirring whatever was in the pan. She hadn’t noticed Azzi yet, mostly due to her music that was so loud that Azzi could hear it across the room.

Smiling, Azzi stepped behind Paige and slowly wrapped her arms around Paige's waist to not scare her, even though Paige still jumped. She leaned into the younger girl's embrace and turned slightly to kiss her forehead, “Good morning, mama, you slept alright?” Azzi hummed and smiled, “mhm, why didn’t you wake me up? I could’ve cooked for you, baby.” Paige smiled and sighed, “I'm making your protein waffles with egg and cottage cheese, ma, I don't want you doing anything today.” Paige still had that charm that made Azzi’s chest tighten, and butterflies go crazy in her stomach.

Still, she sat down at the bartop table that faced the stove, and Paige set down her plate in front of her, an attempt at making a smiley face with her ingredients that mostly came out as a blob, but it still made Azzi smile. Azzi brought a forkload to her mouth and paused, “Why? It’s not my birthday or our anniversary.” Paige just shook her head and sat down next to her and rubbed her back, “I'm just super proud, Az. You’re having an amazing rookie year, and I just wanted to treat my princess.” That pet name in particular was always her favorite because it reminded her of when they were younger and still young adults trying to figure everything out.

For a while, it was silent between them, Azzi eating her breakfast, and Paige drinking her protein shake while scrolling through her phone. Azzi got up and took her plate to the sink before Paige quickly stood behind her and reached over her to take the plate. “I said you aren’t doing anything today, Az,” Azzi huffed and just stood there. Paige wasn’t that much taller or bigger than Azzi, but in situations like these, where Paige pressed right into Azzi from behind, it totally flustered Azzi, who just stood forward watching Paige’s larger hands clean the plate.

After she dried off the plate and kissed Azzi, she grabbed her hand and led her to their room. “Tonight, I want you to wear that nice white dress I bought you a couple of weeks back,” Paige said while plopping down on their unmade bed. At this point, Azzi started to get nervous, like she had forgotten a special anniversary. “Why? Are we going somewhere?” Azzi questioned Paige as she started to grab her dress and lay it on the bed, digging through their millions of shoes combined to find her white heels. “I got us a nice reservation at that restaurant, and then we'll go to the botanical garden,” Paige said nonchalantly, while she continued to scroll on her phone, unfazed by Azzi’s shocked face.

“Seriously, Paige? Is something going on? When have you ever wanted to go to a botanical garden?” Paige just sat up and shrugged, “I told you I just wanted to go out, and you love flowers, baby.” Azzi couldn't argue with that, but she still couldn’t shake that nervous feeling in her chest like something was supposed to happen.

After getting ready and taking a mirror pic of their matching outfits, Paige in a crisp white polo and her pair of chinos, and Azzi in a long white dress, her curls down, and short white heels. They had their small lovey-dovey moment, hugging and kissing in their apartment before walking down to their car. Paige even opened the door for Azzi, which she does almost always, but for some reason today it felt special.

First, they arrived at the restaurant. When Azzi first arrived in Dallas, she told Paige she wanted to visit The Mansion Restaurant, which was a beautiful luxury restaurant that only took reservations and didn't open until 5:30! They got seated at their table, and everything was perfect. The lighting was low with candles at each table, which made everything so much more intimate, and they were already seated with a bottle of wine. They got their tiny meals because, of course, everything was 100 dollars and the size of Azzi’s hand. She gently grabbed Paige’s hand over the table and rubbed her thumb back and forth over her knuckles. “Thank you, baby, for taking me, it's beautiful, everything has been perfect today.” Paige cheesed and shrugged, “Don't thank me, baby, I just wanted to show how much I love you. I know it's been super hard with the internet going crazy, but you don’t deserve to be hidden.” Azzi’s heart swelled, and she kissed Paige’s knuckles.

After the dinner, Azzi forgot about the rest of the date before Paige started driving the other way from home. Azzi glanced over and saw Paige tapping her hands over the steering wheel and mumbling to herself, which was usually an anxious habit before a game, except today she had nothing to be nervous about. Azzi noticed and rubbed at Paige’s thigh “you okay? if you don’t feel good we can go back home baby” to which Paige immediately shook her head and gripped the steering wheel tighter “nah i’m fine, just…just don’t worry bout me” Azzi was skeptical, but she didn’t want to push anymore and upset Paige, especially while she was driving.

It didn’t take long for them to arrive at The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. Azzi stepped out of the car, and she and Paige walked hand in hand. She talked to the lady before they got pushed along without having to pay, which Azzi thought was weird but shrugged it off, and to think of it, there was absolutely no one, which bewildered Azzi because the place was super popular. Everything had been so perfect today that it felt like she was still dreaming. Paige grabbed her hand and led her down the beautiful flower paths. At this point, the sun had started setting, so everything had a beautiful orange hue. Then, Azzi gasped when she saw it- a long, beautiful pathway lined with lilac flowers and trees hanging over, creating an arch, leading to a beautiful lit-up gazebo. She smiled and pulled Paige down the path, admiring the flowers. “Paige, do you see? They’re beautiful." “Yeah, baby. most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.” But when Azzi turned around to look at Paige, she wasn’t looking at the flowers, but at her. And for a second time slowed, Paige shifted her hand in her pocket before kneeling on one knee and pulling out a black velvet box. Azzi gasped, and her eyes started to water before Paige could even get the words out.

“Azzi Jazlyn Fudd. I’ve thought about this moment every single day since we met 10 years ago. Everything I’ve ever done has been for you. I don’t want to go through this world without you by my side. I want your infectious giggles and your sweet, caring self on all my days, easy or hard. I can’t do forever if it’s not forever with you. Will you marry me?”

Azzi never nodded faster, yelling out “Yes!” and hugging her. Paige put the ring on Azzi, which was a beautiful gold ring with a big shiny rock on it, and now both of them were crying. For a couple of minutes, they stood there, Paige’s arms wrapped around Azzi’s waist and her arms around her neck. She squeezed Paige tight and giggled through the tears that remained unshed. “I’m so happy right now, Paige,” and Paige didn’t say anything but kissed her.

Getting home, Azzi was exhausted from the rollercoaster of emotions. She called her family to show them, who were just as ecstatic as she was, then posted a photo of her left hand against Paige’s white shirt with the caption “forever with you,” threw her phone onto the bed and rolled over, laying her head onto her fiancé’s chest, completely oblivious to the fact that she just blew up the internet.

Azzi closed her eyes and took a deep breath, getting spoiled like the princess she is, going to two places on her bucket list, and doing it all with her new fiancé made her heart swell.

Your sister being a phenomenal basketball player meant that your whole life, you were stuck in her shadow, while your parents missed award ceremonies and left you to study in your room. One thing you always argued with Aubrey about was your “tunnel vision” on studies; you just had a plan, and she never saw it from your perspective.

Being three years younger than her meant you watched her games from the sideline and always stayed back at home when your parents would visit Connecticut. But once you started college, you finally started asking her for extra tickets to come watch her. At first, she was super weird about it, but eventually she let up, and you would come to the games, but you would never wear any of her merch at all or tell anyone you two were related- and being so different, no one could tell.  

One guilty secret you could never tell your sister was the reason why you were so adamant about coming to almost all of her games. It definitely wasn't for her, in truth, you had a major crush on Paige Bueckers, I mean, who wouldn't? Her face was attractive, she had so much charm, and something about her just pulled you in.

Honesty, you didn’t go to UConn- you went to Yale- but it was close enough, and you were in the same grade as Morgan Cheli and became super close because of your sister. You haven't seen or talked to any of the other girls since you were still a sophomore in high school. Now that you're older, you’ve changed; you grew into your body, gained confidence, and changed your whole look - piercings, dyed hair, short clothes- if any of them saw you now, none of them would assume you were the same girl with her nose in a book who never cared for vanity.

So, for halloweekend Morgan finally convinced you to come to a Halloween party at UConn, and since you had a break at school, you decided to come. While she was in the bathroom, perfecting her curls for her outfit, you started getting ready too. You didn’t want to go total attention seeking, but you were looking for a particular blonde’s attention. You decided to dress up as wonder women with a simple red tank top, tiny blue skirt, and her iconic gold headband, wristband, belt, and knee-high red boots. After an hour or so of getting ready and pregaming, you took one final look in the mirror, and you looked good. Even if Paige didn’t look your way, you knew someone would tonight.

It was probably around 11 pm once you finally made it to Aaliyah’s place. It was packed, so many people were dressed up and dancing, you were so excited, you felt like it was your first college party again. Immediately, you and Morgan head to the kitchen to find some drinks, also trying to peek around to spot Paige.

“are you looking for someone, hm?” You could hear Morgan giggling and teasing behind you as you weaved through people. “oh, stop it, i'm just looking for someone to dance with,” you mumbled, stuffing your face into your cup, which wasn’t a lie, but you didn't want to tell her how much you wanted to find Paige.

Right as you turn around to tease her back, Morgan is already being whisked away by some guy dressed as a pirate. You roll your eyes and take one more Jell-O shot that was in the fridge and start to move to the living room, where the LED lights and music are blasting.

You start feeling the music and moving around the people in the crowd, getting compliments and looks, only fueling your ego. Passing by people smoking, filming videos, and even KK, who’s of course dancing with one too many girls. Once you basically look through the whole crowd, you can't find Paige. Whatever. She’s probably not even here anymore, I mean, she is an athlete, this definitely is not her crowd.

Finally giving up on her, you start to let the drinks and vibes take over you. And as you start moving, you feel someone come up behind you and dance with you, too. You can tell she’s a girl from the light giggles and the way she is touching you without forcing herself up into your space. With the lights practically all the way off, you turn around in her arms to see this mystery girl.

To your surprise, you’re met with a six-foot, blonde, muscles popping out, dressed as Magic Mike, looking down at you. Smiling that cocky gummy smile, she pulls you barely closer, “hi mami, have we met before? I swear I would recognize someone so beautiful around campus.” It takes you 15 whole seconds before you catch the rhythm again and wrap your arms around her. “mmm... no, I don’t think so, I just transferred here.” You can’t help but smile at your lie, but you know if you remind her that she did, in fact, meet you years ago, she’ll end this immediately.

She eats up your lie without hesitation before pulling you back into the kitchen. “shots?” You nod your head without even thinking. You need something to cool down the nerves of being with the girl you’ve had a crush on for a year.

Drinking and talking with Paige is way more fun than you anticipated. She is way more than just flirting and trying to get into your pants; she’s so funny and quick-witted, even after all the drinks, that it just makes you more enamored with her. She compliments your costume, and you even do a spin for her just to see her eyes wander.

After a while of talking, the air becomes more charged with something different, and it comes to a comfortable silence, where you two are just watching each other. She speaks up, after what feels like forever, “so uh, you got someone to go after this? cuz my roommate isn’t coming back till morning.” At this point, you’re too tired and too hot and bothered to go home alone, and she looked really good in that stupid tie and tank top.

You start giggling before you can even respond, “of course i’ll come, yk someone has to keep you company.” Her face is flushed from the drinks, and with a gentle smile, she takes your hand and laces your fingers before pulling you away to her dorm.

You woke up to the sun shining right into your face, and before you even open your eyes, you can feel the pounding ache behind your head. Groaning, you try to shift to turn away before your heart drops. You brush against someone's bare shoulder, and everything from last light hits you. The drinks, dancing, Paige taking you home, post-nut clarity was really hitting you: you slept with your older sister's teammate.

You try to sit up, but you’re trapped in the bed due to Paige’s stupid strength, dead asleep, and holding you down. You finally open your eyes and turn to look at her; her face is so peaceful, her chest slowly moves up and down, and you could watch her forever. But just as you start to get comfortable with the idea of this going somewhere, you hear the door open.

Out of habit, you turn your head toward the door, and standing right in the middle of the hallway is no one other than Aubrey Griffin, your older sister.

“YOO, WTF IS THAT YOU?”

Quickly, you turn back towards Paige, trying to find a way out. And of course, Paige is groaning and stirring awake. “aubrey..? Stop yelling, my head is killing me.” She throws her arm around her eyes and doesn’t notice the stomps coming to her bed. Aubrey practically pulls you out of the bed; you end up stumbling and standing there like a guilty puppy, looking anywhere but the mess in front of you.

“paige, what the fuck? you got with my fucking sister? what the hell is wrong with you?” Her hostile voice makes Paige open her eyes and sit up instantly, rubbing at her forehead. “dude, first of all, stop yelling, and no! I didn’t sleep with your sister, that’s...that’s...” As her sentence trails off, you see her connect the dots in her head. Her brows lift before you see her look at you, as she lets an "oh my god" under her breath, surprised. You didn’t tell her your last name, and it’s not like your first name was crazy uncommon; she totally forgot you even existed.

“oh my god,” She starts to giggle, and the pit in your stomach just grows as you get more and more embarrassed.

She laughs at Aubrey's fuming face before standing up.