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well i made azzi a senator not the intern because i thought it was funnier and less appropriate but here's my late night bullshit drabble for the people

senator!azzi x frequent caller!paige.

| tuesday, 9:00 a.m. |

paige cleared her throat as she pressed dial. the phone rang once, twice. an intern picked up.

"what up, jessica," paige grinned, picturing the intern's face.

"paige," the intern greeted her emotionlessly. "what'll it be today?"

"i'm calling as a constituent of senator fudd to urge her to vote against confirming todd blanche as attorney general."

"okay, i've noted that, paige."

"not gonna ask me for my address this time?"

"i know your address."

"does that ever feel creepy to you? that you know my number by heart and also my address? doesn't that signal any red flags about the surveillance state?" paige asked, trying to keep the laugh out of her voice.

"no."

paige sighed. jessica needed to lighten up.

"can you tell senator fudd that i think she's gorgeous?"

Summary: They broke up a long time ago. Azzi told herself not to go back, not after everything. But she can’t resist Paige Bueckers.

A/N: sorry for the delay, but i’ll be back to posting every thursday!

Warnings: angst (nothing new around here)

A Couple Minutes Masterlist

Main Masterlist

——————————————————

Chapter Eleven

Dallas, TX

Azzi almost canceled the second date.

Not because Riley had done anything wrong.

That was the problem.

Riley had been nothing but kind.

She had given Azzi space on the first date. She hadn’t pushed when Azzi admitted she still loved Paige. She hadn’t tried to turn it into some competition she could win. She had simply smiled, ordered dessert, and asked Azzi if she wanted to go out again.

Azzi had said yes.

And she had meant it.

At least she thought she had.

Now, standing in front of her bedroom mirror two days later with one earring in and the other still sitting on the dresser, Azzi wasn’t so sure.

Her hangover from the team celebration was long gone.

Unfortunately, the memories weren’t.

She remembered Paige guiding her home. Paige holding her hair back. Paige sitting beside her bed. Paige telling her she wasn’t going to hold Azzi to anything she said while drunk.

And then the morning after.

Their hands tangled together between them.

Paige asking if she was sure before staying.

Paige being careful.

So careful.

Azzi had spent most of the last two days thinking about that.

Which was exactly why going on a date with Riley felt like the smart thing to do.

Probably.

Maybe.

Her phone buzzed.

Riley: I’m downstairs :)

Azzi stared at the message, then at herself. “You agreed to this,” she muttered. She grabbed her jacket and purse before she could talk herself out of it. The elevator ride down felt longer than usual. Azzi tried not to look at the number sixteen when she passed Paige’s floor.

She looked anyway.

The doors didn’t open. For some reason, that made her chest feel strange.

When she reached the lobby, Riley was waiting near the doors.

She smiled immediately. “Hi.”

Azzi’s nerves loosened a little. “Hi.”

Riley looked her over and smiled wider.

“You look really good.”

Azzi felt her cheeks warm. “Thanks.”

“I was going to try to be cooler about it.”

“You failed.”

“Badly.”

Azzi laughed.

That helped.

Riley opened the door for her, and they stepped outside.

Tonight’s date was simpler than the first.

No flowers.

No reservation.

Riley had suggested tacos from a little place downtown and walking through an outdoor market that stayed open late on weekends. Azzi liked that. Less pressure. More movement. Something to look at when conversation became too intimate.

Riley talked while they drove, one hand resting loosely on the wheel. She told Azzi about a customer who had managed to spill three separate drinks in fifteen minutes and somehow blamed the table for all of them.

Azzi laughed.

“He blamed the table?”

“Apparently it had bad energy.”

“That’s insane.”

“I told him I’d speak to management about firing the table.”

Azzi turned toward her, laughing harder.

Riley smiled at the road.

For a while, everything felt easy again.

And Azzi started to believe maybe she had been overthinking.

Maybe she could do this.

Maybe liking Riley didn’t have to mean anything about Paige.

Maybe feelings could overlap without one canceling the other out.

At the taco place, they sat outside beneath string lights, sharing chips and arguing over whether pineapple belonged on anything savory. Riley insisted it did. Azzi threatened to leave.

“You wouldn’t,” Riley said.

“You don’t know me.”

“I know you ordered pineapple salsa five minutes ago.”

Azzi looked down at the bowl between them.

“That’s different.”

“Interesting.”

“Don’t.”

Riley grinned.

Azzi smiled back.

And for a while, she forgot to check her phone. She forgot to wonder if Paige was home. She forgot to think about sixteen floors below eighteen. Almost. After dinner, they walked through the market. There were small stalls selling jewelry, candles, paintings, clothes, handmade soaps.

Riley stopped at nearly every one.

Azzi discovered that Riley was incapable of walking past anything scented without smelling it.

“This one smells like a grandmother’s house,” Riley announced, holding up a candle.

Azzi leaned closer.

“Why does your grandmother’s house smell like cinnamon and cedar?”

“Because she’s elite.”

Azzi laughed.

Riley placed the candle back, then stopped at a small jewelry stand.

There were delicate necklaces laid out over black velvet, tiny charms catching the light.

Riley picked up one shaped like a little basketball.

Azzi groaned.

“No.”

Riley laughed. “What?”

“You’re not buying me basketball jewelry.”

“I wasn’t.”

“You were thinking about it.”

“I was thinking you have trust issues.”

Azzi folded her arms.

Riley set the necklace down.

Then she looked at another one.

A tiny star.

Her expression softened.

Azzi noticed.

Riley picked it up carefully.

“This one’s more you.”

Azzi looked at the necklace.

A small silver star hanging from a thin chain.

Simple.

Pretty.

For some reason, it reminded her of the star Riley used to draw beside her name on coffee cups.

Azzi smiled. “That one I’d allow.”

Riley’s eyebrows lifted. “You’d allow?”

“Don’t push it.”

Riley laughed and put it back.

They kept walking.

By the time they reached the end of the market, the crowd had thinned.

A quiet little courtyard sat between two buildings, lit by warm overhead lights. Music from somewhere nearby drifted faintly through the air.

Riley slowed.

Azzi noticed.

Her stomach fluttered.

Not unpleasantly.

Just enough to make her aware of every inch between them.

Riley stopped near a low stone wall. “So.”

Azzi tucked her hands into her jacket pockets “So.”

Riley smiled nervously. “This is the part where I’m supposed to ask if you’re having a good time.”

“I am.”

“Really?”

Azzi nodded. “Really.”

Riley’s shoulders relaxed. “Good.”

Silence settled.

Not awkward.

Just charged.

Azzi knew what was coming before Riley moved closer.

Riley was giving her plenty of time to step away.

Azzi didn’t.

Her heart started beating faster.

Riley’s eyes searched hers. “Can I kiss you?”

The question hit Azzi harder than she expected.

Because Paige used to ask too.

Not every time.

But in the beginning.

When everything was new and fragile and neither of them knew exactly what they were yet.

Can I kiss you?

Azzi pushed the memory away.

She was here.

With Riley.

Riley was looking at her.

Waiting.

Azzi nodded. “Yeah.”

Riley leaned in.

The kiss was soft. Gentle. Warm. Nothing wrong with it at all. Azzi kissed her back. She let herself. Riley’s hand rested lightly against her waist, not pulling, just touching. Azzi placed one hand against Riley’s arm.

The kiss lasted only a few seconds.

When they separated, Riley stayed close.

Azzi’s eyes remained closed for half a beat longer.

Then she opened them.

Riley was smiling.

Small.

Hopeful.

Azzi smiled back automatically.

“That okay?” Riley asked.

“Yeah.”

And it was.

That was what made the sudden ache in Azzi’s chest so confusing.

It had been good.

Riley was a good kisser.

She had been respectful.

Azzi had wanted it.

So why had the first thing her mind supplied been Paige?

Not even a specific kiss.

Just Paige.

The way Paige used to smile against her mouth when Azzi laughed. The way she would always chase one more kiss when Azzi tried to pull away. The tiny breath Paige would take right before leaning in.

Azzi swallowed.

Riley noticed the shift. “You okay?”

Azzi forced herself back into the moment.

“Yeah.”

Riley studied her for a second. “You sure?”

Azzi nodded. “I’m sure.”

Riley didn’t look entirely convinced, but she didn’t press. Instead, she bumped her shoulder lightly against Azzi’s.

“Come on. I promised you dessert.”

Azzi smiled. “Again?”

“I’m consistent.”

They walked back toward the car.

This time, Riley didn’t reach for Azzi’s hand.

Azzi was grateful.

And disappointed.

Both feelings sat uncomfortably beside each other.

The drive back was quieter.

Still comfortable.

But Azzi spent more time looking out the window.

She told herself she wasn’t thinking about Paige.

She thought about Paige almost the entire way.

When Riley pulled up in front of the building, Azzi looked up automatically.

Her eyes went to the windows.

Sixteenth floor.

Dark.

Azzi frowned.

Paige was usually home by now.

Or at least some light was usually on.

The kitchen. The living room. Something.

Riley put the car in park. “You’re doing that thing.”

Azzi looked at her. “What thing?”

“Thinking really loudly.”

Azzi laughed softly. “Sorry.”

“Don’t apologize.”

Riley leaned back against the seat.

“Was tonight okay?”

Azzi’s chest tightened.

“Yes.”

“You keep saying okay.”

Azzi looked down at her hands.

Riley waited.

Azzi sighed. “The kiss was good.”

Riley’s mouth twitched. “A glowing review.”

“No, I mean it.”

“But?”

Azzi hated that there was always a but.

She looked back out the window.

Paige’s apartment was still dark.

“I’m trying,” Azzi said quietly.

Riley’s expression softened.

“I know.”

“I don’t want you to feel like some experiment.”

“I don’t.”

“You should.”

“I don’t get to decide that for myself?”

Azzi looked back at her.

Riley shrugged. “I like you. I know you’re complicated right now. I knew that when I asked you out again.”

Azzi swallowed. “You kissed me anyway.”

“You said yes.”

That mattered.

Azzi nodded.

Riley smiled faintly.

“I’m not trying to beat Paige.”

Azzi’s chest tightened at the name. “I know.”

“Good.” Riley paused. “Because I probably can’t.”

Azzi immediately frowned. “Don’t say that.”

Riley gave a small laugh. “I’m not insulting myself.”

“It sounds like you are.”

“I’m saying history is history. She knows parts of you I don’t. That doesn’t automatically mean she’s better for you.”

Azzi went quiet.

Riley continued gently.

“And just because you thought about her when I kissed you doesn’t mean the kiss was a mistake.”

Azzi’s eyes snapped toward her.

Riley gave her a knowing look. “You have an expressive face.”

Azzi covered her face with one hand. “Oh my God.”

Riley laughed. “I’m sorry.”

“This is humiliating.”

“It’s really not.”

Azzi lowered her hand.

“You’re weirdly calm about this.”

“I told you. Barista. I deal with emotional disasters before breakfast.”

Azzi smiled reluctantly.

Riley reached over and squeezed her hand once.

“Go inside.”

Azzi looked at their hands.

“Okay.”

“And don’t spiral.”

“That sounds unrealistic.”

“Try.”

Azzi smiled. “Good night, Riley.”

“Good night, Azzi.”

Azzi stepped out of the car. Before she closed the door, Riley called her name. Azzi leaned down.

Riley smiled.

“For the record, I’d still like to see you again.”

Azzi’s heart softened. “I’d like that too.”

This time, she meant it.

Riley drove away.

Azzi stood outside the building for a moment.

Then she looked up again.

Sixteen.

Dark.

Why was that bothering her?

Paige had a life. Paige had friends. Paige didn’t have to sit home waiting. In fact, Azzi had explicitly told her she couldn’t keep hovering. So why did Azzi suddenly feel abandoned?

She stepped into the lobby. The elevator ride up was silent. At sixteen, the doors didn’t open. Azzi stared at them anyway. Then the elevator continued to eighteen. She went inside her apartment. Dropped her purse on the counter. Took off her shoes. Walked toward the windows.

Paige’s apartment was still dark. Azzi stood there longer than she wanted to admit.

Maybe Paige was at the gym. Maybe she was with Zaza. Maybe she went out.

Maybe—

Maybe someone had asked Paige on a date.

The thought arrived uninvited.

Azzi’s stomach twisted.

She immediately frowned at herself. “That’s ridiculous.”

Paige had just ended things with Maya. She had literally admitted she was still in love with Azzi. She wasn’t going on a date. Probably.

Azzi looked toward her phone.

No messages from Paige.

That bothered her too.

There was usually something. A team question. A random reminder. A stupid meme in the group chat that Paige would privately send again because she thought Azzi missed it.

Nothing.

Azzi changed into pajamas. Washed her face. Took out her earrings.

Still nothing.

By eleven-thirty, she was in bed staring at her ceiling.

She thought about Riley kissing her. Then Paige. Then Riley. Then Paige.

She groaned and pulled the blanket over her face.“This is stupid.”

Her phone buzzed.

Azzi shot upright.

Riley.

Riley: Made it home. Thanks for tonight :)

Azzi smiled.

Azzi: Thank you. I had fun.

She hesitated.

Azzi: And the kiss really was good lol.

Riley responded almost immediately.

Riley: That sounded like you were filling out a survey.

Azzi laughed.

Azzi: 4.8 stars.

Riley: Damn, what costed me the .2?

Azzi: Inflation.

Azzi smiled at her screen. Then the conversation slowed. Azzi put her phone down. The room became quiet again. And somehow, despite having just spent hours with Riley, Azzi felt more aware of Paige than ever. She wondered where Paige was. Whether Paige had eaten. Whether Paige was still sleeping badly.

She wondered—

Azzi sat up.

No.

She was not texting Paige.

She had gone on a date. Kissed Riley. Then immediately texting her ex because the ex’s windows were dark would be completely insane.

Azzi lay back down.

Thirty seconds passed.

She picked up her phone again.

Opened Paige’s contact.

Typed:

Azzi: You alive?

She stared at it.

Deleted it.

Typed:

Azzi: Where are you?

Deleted.

Too possessive.

She tried again.

Azzi: Did you end up working out tonight?

She stared.

That was normal. Teammate normal. Completely normal.

She sent it.

Instant regret.

Azzi dropped the phone onto the mattress. “Why did I do that?”

The message showed delivered. No response.

One minute. Three. Five.

Azzi checked again.

Nothing.

Her irritation grew alongside something suspiciously close to anxiety.

Finally, around midnight, her phone buzzed.

Paige: Yeah. Stayed late at the facility. Just leaving now.

Azzi released a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. Then she frowned.

Why was she relieved?

Azzi: This late?

Three dots appeared.

Paige: Couldn’t sleep anyway. Figured I’d get shots up.

Azzi immediately pictured Paige alone in the gym. Exhausted. Sweating through her shirt. Punishing herself again.

Her fingers moved before she could stop them.

Azzi: You need sleep too.

Paige: I know.

Paige: You have fun tonight?

Azzi stared at the question. Paige knew. Of course she knew. Azzi could lie. She didn’t.

Azzi: Yeah.

A pause.

Paige: Good.

There it was again.

That polite little word.

Good.

Azzi suddenly hated it.

Azzi: Riley kissed me.

She sent it.

Her entire body went still. “What the hell?”

Why had she done that?

She could not take it back.

The typing bubble appeared. Disappeared. Appeared again. Disappeared.

Azzi watched it for nearly a full minute.

Finally:

Paige: Okay.

Azzi’s jaw tightened.

Okay?

That was it?

After all that jealousy? After waiting up for her last time? After admitting she still loved her?

Azzi: Okay?

The response came faster.

Paige: What am I supposed to say to that?

Azzi stared.

She didn’t know.

That was the problem.

Azzi: Nothing.

Paige replied:

Paige: Azzi.

Azzi locked her phone.

She was annoyed now. Completely irrationally annoyed. She tossed the phone onto the nightstand. It buzzed again. She ignored it. Then again.

Azzi sighed and picked it up.

Paige: I told you I was going to stop making my feelings your problem. I’m jealous. Obviously.

Azzi’s chest tightened.

Then:

Paige: But I’m not going to punish you for living your life.

Azzi reread the message. Some of her irritation disappeared, replaced by something worse. Guilt. And longing.

She typed slowly.

Azzi: I didn’t tell you to make you jealous.

That was only partially true.

Paige apparently knew it.

Paige: Maybe a little.

Azzi: Shut up.

Paige: You asked.

Azzi: I literally did not.

Paige: You said “Riley kissed me” with zero context at midnight.

Azzi buried her face in her pillow.

Unfortunately, Paige had a point.

Her phone buzzed again.

Paige: Did you like it?

Azzi stopped. That question felt different. Not sharp. Not accusing. Just vulnerable. Azzi stared at the screen.

Then answered honestly.

Azzi: I think so.

A long pause.

Paige: That sounds convincing.

Azzi’s chest hurt.

Azzi: It was good. She didn’t do anything wrong.

Pauge: But?

Azzi smiled sadly.

She typed:

Azzi: I thought about you.

No response.

Thirty seconds. A minute.

Finally:

Paige: Azzi.

She could hear Paige saying her name in her head. Soft. Warning. Hopeful. Scared.

Azzi: I’m not saying it means anything.

Paige: I know.

That should have been comforting.

It wasn’t.

Azzi: Are you home yet?

Paige: Elevator.

Azzi looked toward her bedroom door. Then the clock.

Then, she texted something she would most definitely regret later.

ⓘ UNEXPECTED GAME 4

wnba! paige bueckers x model! azzi fudd — 6.1k wc

Paige Bueckers is the franchise star player of the Dallas Wings. She's known to be this generational talent both in basketball and in... women, apparently. Azzi Fudd, one of the most known names in the model industry. doesn't care about basketball nor this 'Paige Bueckers' that her best friend has been fawning over. So, when her best friend got her courtside season tickets to the game, she's forced to attend. From the moment she locks eyes with the star player, she knew Paige was nothing but trouble.

Girl code exists for a reason. Azzi knows better than to cross that line. Well, the only problem is... she wants to. and Paige seems more than willing to break them with her.

first quarter being mostly text scripts! happy ready everyone and tell me your thoughts 💭

read chapter one, two & three here. thank you for all the love!unexpected game's playlist here!! ❤️‍🔥

—。 Presented and written by, azzidefender.

═════════════════════

chapter four : move four

unknown : hey

unknown : just wanted to check up on u

unknown : you good? you were pretty wasted last night princess.

Pairing: Paige Bueckers x Azzi Fudd

synopsis: everything was fine until Paige walked into the bedroom looking… delicious. Azzi just couldn’t help herself; she had to get her hands on paige.

content warnings: smut with no plot, sexual content: strap warming, markings, dirty talk, teasing, a little finger sucking. dominant paige, submissive azzi. streamer! Paige is in this if you squint.

wc: 3k

The semester we fell

Chapter one wc: 9740

au: barista azzi x nerd paige

a/n: First chapter! Pretty boring so far please send feedback I would love to know you guys feel about this!

—

By the second Tuesday of October, Paige Bueckers had color-coded herself into a corner.

Pink meant chemistry, blue meant political science, green meant biology, and yellow meant deadlines that would inevitably ruin her week if she forgot about them. but unfortunately for Paige every square in her planner had at least three colors.

She sighed, pressing the cap back onto her highlighter before rubbing her eyes. The university library buzzed with the familiar sounds of midterm season—keyboards clacking, whispered conversations, pages turning, chairs scraping across the floor.

Usually, she loved it, usually, the library felt like home.

But today? Not so much.

Every table was full. A study group in the corner had somehow turned a review session into a comedy show. Someone behind her was chewing gum loud enough to qualify as psychological warfare, and the student across from her had been tapping a mechanical pencil for the last fifteen minutes.

Tap.

Tap.

Tap.

Paige drew in a slow breath through her nose, counting to four the way she always did whenever the world around her started feeling just a little too loud. The inhale filled her lungs, but it didn't settle the knot tightening between her shoulders. If anything, it only made her more aware of the constant stream of noises bouncing around the library.

Someone's keyboard clacked relentlessly a few tables away, a chair scraped against the floor, pages rustled, whispers drifted through the aisles despite the large Quiet Study Area sign hanging on the wall.

Stay calm, she reminded herself.

Her gaze dropped to the neat row of supplies spread across the table in front of her. Every notebook sat perfectly aligned. Every highlighter rested in color order. The familiar organization usually helped.

Today, it wasn't enough.

She reached for her green highlighter, rolling it between her fingers before popping the cap off with her thumb.

Tap.

The plastic cap hit the tabletop softly. Her eyes flicked toward the student across the room still tapping his pencil. Without realizing it, Paige slid the cap back onto the highlighter.

Tap.

The tiny sound barely registered beneath the growing chaos around her. She stared at her notes for another few seconds, willing herself to focus on the highlighted vocabulary words swimming together on the page. But she couldn't. Her shoulders sagged and a quiet breath escaped her lips as she let the highlighter fall onto the notebook.

"I can't do this."

Across the table, Nika finally looked up from her laptop. One earbud slipped from her ear as she paused whatever she'd been watching. Her fingers hovered over the keyboard before she slowly lowered the screen enough to get a better look at Paige.

Her eyebrows pulled together. "Do what?"

Paige looked up with an exhausted expression, then lifted one hand in a vague gesture toward the library around them. "The existing part."

She motioned again, this time more emphatically. "In this building."

Nika followed her hand, glancing around the room. Nothing looked particularly unusual, students studied, someone flipped through a textbook, and another person quietly typed an essay. Then Nika noticed Paige’s eyes lock onto a guy several tables away. He was absentmindedly bouncing the eraser of his pencil against his notebook.

Tap.

Tap.

Tap.

Nika couldn't help the smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. "You've been glaring at that guy with the pencil for like ten minutes."

Paige didn't even pretend to deny it. Her gaze stayed fixed on him, her mouth flattening into a thin line. "He knows what he's doing."

Nika turned to look at the student again. He looked completely oblivious, scribbling something in the margin of his notebook without so much as glancing around.

She looked back at Paige. A laugh escaped before she could stop it. "I promise he doesn't."

Paige finally tore her eyes away from the pencil-tapper just long enough to meet Nika's gaze. Her expression remained completely serious. "He absolutely does."

Nika bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing harder. She closed her laptop with a soft click and folded her hands on top of it.

"Okay," she said, leaning forward across the table with the unmistakable look of someone who had already come up with a solution. "Hear me out."

The second those words left Nika’s mouth, Paige narrowed her eyes. She'd seen that expression before, It almost always ended with Nika convincing her to do something she'd already decided against.

"I don't like that sentence." Paige said.

Nika ignored the warning, her grin only widened. "There's a café across campus."

The answer came so quickly Nika barely finished speaking.

"No." The blonde said immediately.

Nika blinked. "You didn't even let me finish."

Paige folded her arms tightly across her chest, settling deeper into her chair as if physically anchoring herself to it. "I know where this is going."

Nika tilted her head. "They have good coffee."

Paige’s nose wrinkled almost immediately. "I don't drink coffee."

Although Nika didn't miss a beat. "They have tea."

Paige gave her a patient look, the kind usually reserved for explaining obvious facts. "I have tea."

Nika nodded thoughtfully, pretending to consider that point before lifting a finger. "They have pastries."

Paige reached into the side pocket of her backpack, pulled out a granola bar, and held it up like courtroom evidence. "I have granola bars."

Nika stared at the wrapper for a second before letting out the most dramatic sigh Paige had heard all week.

Nika’s shoulders slumped as she threw her head back. "You're impossible."

Paige quietly slid the granola bar back into her bag. "I've been told."

Nika rubbed both hands down her face before sitting up again. "Okay," she said, refusing to surrender. "Counterpoint."

Paige sighed.

Mike pointed toward the overcrowded library around them. "They also have actual empty tables."

That almost made Paige crack. She hesitated, her confidence faltered just enough for Nika to notice.

Slowly, Paige turned in her chair and scanned the room again. Not one chair had opened since they'd arrived, every table was full, the pencil was still tapping, and a student nearby had apparently decided headphones were optional and was now watching a video loud enough for three surrounding tables to hear.

Someone hissed, "Can you turn that down?"

The student either didn't hear them or pretended not to.

As if the universe wanted to make Nika’s oint even stronger, another group across the room launched into a surprisingly passionate debate.

"No, seriously," one voice insisted. "Pluto should still count."

"It literally doesn't!"

"It should!"

Paige slowly closed her eyes. Her fingers pinched the bridge of her nose.

I cannot believe this is happening she thought.

She stayed like that for a long moment, silently weighing her options.

Study here...

Or admit Nika had a point.

She disliked both.

Finally, she exhaled through her nose. "Fine."

Nika’s smile appeared instantly, bright and thoroughly self-satisfied. "I knew you'd cave."

Paige opened one eye just enough to glare at her. "I'm not caving."

Nika rested her chin in her palm, looking thoroughly entertained. "No?"

Paige straightened in her chair and reached for her laptop with careful, practiced movements.

"I'm..." she began, sliding it into its padded sleeve before zipping the compartment closed, "uh, relocating."

Nika nodded solemnly. "Mhm."

The blonde gathered the stack of notebooks she'd arranged so meticulously earlier, tapping their edges together until they lined up perfectly. "For academic purposes."

"Of course." Nika replied, her voice was so innocent it was almost borderline offensive.

Paige ignored her and reached for the rest of her things, muttering under her breath as she mentally checked each item off her list.

Planner.

Water bottle.

Pencil pouch.

Headphones.

Charger.

Highlighters.

She paused and counted them. Then grabbed two she'd almost forgotten.

"And if it's loud..." She finally looked up.

Nika didn't even let her finish already knowing what her twin was going to say. "You'll come back."

Paige pursed her lips. She couldn't argue with that. Instead, she hoisted her backpack onto one shoulder, nearly tipping sideways under the weight before correcting herself.

Nika’s eyes slowly traveled from Paige’s face...to the overloaded backpack...to the armful of notebooks...to the planner tucked against her side...and finally to the handful of highlighters she was somehow still carrying.

She blinked once then twice. "Do you own anything that isn't in your backpack?"

Paige glanced down at herself as though genuinely considering the question. After a thoughtful pause, she looked back up. "No."

Nika laughed, pushing herself to her feet. "You pack like you're leaving civilization."

Paige adjusted the backpack strap digging into her shoulder before giving a small shrug. "You never know."

Nika slipped her laptop into her own bag, which looked suspiciously light by comparison, and stared at Paige with open disbelief. "For what?"

The blonde frowned thoughtfully, she honestly didn't know. That was the problem. But after a beat, she answered with complete sincerity. "I don't know."

Nika shook her head, unable to hide the smile tugging at her lips as she headed toward the library doors. "Exactly."

—

The walk across campus was colder than Paige expected. October had finally decided to act like October. Leaves drifted across the brick sidewalks, painting them shades of orange and gold. Students hurried between buildings with scarves wrapped around their necks and warm drinks in their hands.

Paige adjusted the strap of her backpack, she had almost turned around twice because studying in a café sounded inefficient. Coffee machines were loud, people talked, and music played. How was she supposed to focus? She quickly pushed that thought out of her head because anything had to be better than the mayhem in the library today.

She reached the corner of a quiet street where a little café labeled “Stors Sips” sat tucked between the campus bookstore and a flower shop. A chalkboard sign rested outside.

Today's Special: Maple Cinnamon Latte 🍁

Beneath it someone had doodled a smiling coffee cup. Paige smiled before she realized she was smiling. The soft chime above the café door announced Paige’s arrival the second she stepped inside. Warm air wrapped around her almost immediately, carrying the comforting scent of freshly brewed coffee, vanilla syrup, and pastries that had probably come out of the oven not long ago. It was quieter than the library—still busy, but the sounds blended together instead of fighting for her attention. Low conversations drifted between tables, the espresso machine hissed rhythmically behind the counter, and somewhere in the corner, soft acoustic music played just loud enough to fill the silence without interrupting it.

Paige paused just inside the entrance. The tightness she'd been carrying in her shoulders since leaving the library loosened a fraction.

This was better.

She adjusted the strap of her backpack higher onto her shoulder before shifting the stack of notebooks tucked beneath her arm. Her planner threatened to slide free, so she nudged it back into place with her elbow and joined the short line at the register.

There was only one customer ahead of her, good.

She could order, find a table, and finally study somewhere that didn't involve pencil tapping or impromptu astronomy debates.

The elderly man at the register accepted his drink with both hands, smiling warmly at the barista across the counter.

Before Paige even had a chance to glance at the menu, a bright, familiar-sounding voice carried across the café.

"See you tomorrow, Mr. Collins!"

Paige looked up automatically. The barista leaned across the counter just enough to wave as the older man started toward the door, her smile so genuine it reached her eyes.

Mr. Collins laughed, pointing playfully at her with his cup. "Same time?"

She rested one hand against the counter, the other still holding a steaming pitcher of milk. "You know it."

The laugh that followed came easily, completely unforced, and somehow managed to make the entire café feel warmer. Mr. Collins chuckled to himself before heading toward the exit, as he passed Paige, he tipped his cup in a small goodbye.

Paige barely noticed. Her attention had settled somewhere else entirely. Behind the espresso machine stood the prettiest girl she'd ever seen.

Dark hair had been pulled back into a loose ponytail that somehow looked intentionally effortless. A few curly wisps framed her face, softening features that were already unfairly beautiful. A brown apron dusted lightly with flour was tied neatly around her waist, and a thin silver necklace caught the warm overhead lights each time she moved.

She worked with practiced ease. One hand set another cup beneath the espresso machine while the other reached for a clean towel without looking.

Nothing about her movements seemed rushed, nor did they seem forced. She looked like she belonged here. Paige quickly realized she'd been staring. She should probably stop doing that, she didn't.

The barista looked back toward the register, expecting the next customer. Instead, she found Paige frozen in place. For the briefest second, curiosity flickered across her face before her smile softened. "Hi."

The greeting was warm and easy, offered without hesitation.

Paige’s stomach immediately tied itself into a knot. She opened her mouth but nothing came out.

Say something.

Anything.

The silence stretched one beat too long. The barista's smile never disappeared, though one eyebrow lifted just slightly in gentle amusement.

"...Hi?" She murmured.

The second greeting finally jolted Paige back to reality. She blinked hard. "Oh."

The word escaped before she had time to think. The moment she heard herself, she wanted to disappear.

Seriously?

'Oh?'

That's the best you could come up with?

She resisted the urge to hide behind the stack of notebooks still tucked awkwardly against her side.

The barista didn't seem bothered in the slightest. If anything, her smile became a little brighter. She rested both hands lightly on the counter, giving Paige her full attention despite the drinks waiting behind her. "What can I get started for you?"

Grateful for the excuse to stop making eye contact, Paige quickly looked up at the menu overhead.

Which she instantly regretted. Her eyes swept across line after line of unfamiliar drinks.

Espresso.

Americano.

Latte.

Macchiato.

Flat White.

Cortado.

Mocha.

Cold Brew.

The list kept going. Then came flavor options.

Milk choices.

Extra shots.

Foam.

Whipped cream.

Half of the words might as well have been written in another language.

Why are there so many? She thought

She'd walked in expecting to choose between coffee or tea. Not decipher an advanced coffee textbook.

"I..." Her voice caught before the sentence had a chance to begin. She kept staring at the menu, hoping one option would somehow stand out.

None of them did.

The silence felt longer with every passing second. She also became painfully aware that Azzi was still waiting and so was the customer behind her.

Heat crept steadily into her cheeks. Finally, she tore her eyes away from the menu and looked back at the barista with an apologetic smile.

"I'm sorry," she admitted with a quiet laugh that was more embarrassing than amusing. "What do you recommend?"

The barista didn't answer immediately. Instead, she tilted her head ever so slightly, studying Paige with open curiosity.

Not judgment, curiosity.

Her eyes flicked briefly from Paige’s face to the menu overhead before returning again.

"If you don't like coffee?" She questioned.

Paige frowned before she could stop herself. She hugged her notebooks a little closer against her chest. "Is it that obvious?"

The corners of the barista's mouth curved upward. She let out a soft laugh, shaking her head just a little. "You looked terrified when you saw the espresso menu."

Paige’s face immediately grew warmer. She let out a quiet groan under her breath before glancing back at the menu as if maybe it had betrayed her.

"I wasn't..." She stopped herself because there wasn't much point denying it.

She looked back at Azzi and laughed quietly at her own expense. "Okay, maybe a little."

Azzi laughed with her, not at her, and somehow the distinction made all the difference. The knot in Paige’s stomach loosened just enough for her to breathe normally again.

"I just..." Paige shifted the notebooks slipping against her arm before continuing. "I don't know what any of these words mean bro."

Understanding immediately Azzi softened her expression. "No worries."

The reassurance came so naturally that Paige believed her without question. Azzi rested one forearm lightly against the counter. "What do you usually drink?"

Paige answered almost immediately, relieved to finally have a question she actually knew the answer to.

"Tea."

Azzi nodded once, thoughtful. "Hot or iced?"

"Hot." Paige answered without hesitation before realizing how quickly she'd replied.

She smiled sheepishly. "Always hot."

Another nod. "Sweet?" Azzi questioned.

Paige thought about it for a second, unconsciously tracing the edge of one notebook with her thumb.

"A little."

Azzi smiled as though she'd already decided exactly what Paige needed. "I've got you."

Something about the certainty in Azzi’s voice settled Paige almost instantly.

The anxious grip she'd kept on her notebooks since walking into the café loosened, and she felt the tension she'd been carrying all afternoon slip from her shoulders. She wasn't entirely sure why she trusted this complete stranger so easily.

She just did.

A small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth before she could stop it. "Okay."

Azzi caught the smile and answered with one of her own. It was easy and genuine, the kind that didn't seem practiced even though she probably smiled at hundreds of customers every day. Reaching for a paper cup with one hand, she uncapped the marker tucked behind the register with the other.

"Name?" The curly girl asked.

Paige shifted the stack of notebooks higher against her hip before answering.

"Paige."

Azzi glanced up just long enough to meet her eyes again.

"I'm Azzi."

There was something strangely comforting about finally putting a name to the face.

Paige watched as Azzi lowered the marker to the side of the cup, her handwriting flowing across the paper in neat, looping letters that somehow looked as effortless as everything else she did.

She capped the marker with a soft click before sliding the cup toward the espresso machine. "There you go."

"Thank you," Paige said quietly, her voice steadier than it had been a minute ago.

She stepped away from the register, carefully balancing the notebooks beneath one arm while adjusting the strap of her backpack with the other.

Okay.

That wasn't so bad.

Maybe Nika had been—

Something shifted.

Paige felt the pencil pouch she'd wedged between her notebooks begin to slide.

Her eyes widened.

No.

She reached for it.

Too late.

One green highlighter escaped first. It bounced once against the hardwood floor, then another followed, and another. Within seconds, nearly half her collection exploded from the pouch, plastic cylinders ricocheting across the café in every direction.

Pink rolled beneath an empty chair, blue spun toward the pastry display, and orange bounced off someone's boot before continuing across the floor. The clattering seemed impossibly loud. Every colorful piece felt like another announcement to the room that she existed.

Paige froze.

She stared down at the rainbow scattered around her feet. Her stomach dropped.

"...No." The word came out barely above a whisper. She squeezed her eyes shut for the briefest second before opening them again, as though maybe the mess would have disappeared.

It hadn't.

Her shoulders sagged. "...Not again."

Before she could kneel down, movement caught her attention.

Azzi had already pushed through the swinging gate at the end of the counter. Without a trace of hesitation, she walked over and crouched beside the runaway highlighters, reaching for the blue one before it rolled beneath another table.

"I've got the escape artists."

Paige’s head snapped up. "You don't have to—"

Azzi looked over at her, still smiling as she picked up another highlighter. "It's okay."

There wasn't the slightest hint of annoyance in her voice. If anything she sounded amused.

Paige let out a quiet breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding and carefully knelt on the opposite side of the colorful disaster, setting her notebooks beside her before reaching for the nearest highlighter.

"I'm so sorry," she mumbled, ducking her head as she gathered another handful. "This keeps happening."

Azzi leaned farther beneath a neighboring table, stretching until her fingertips caught a pink highlighter that had almost escaped.

When she sat back, she held it up between two fingers with a small grin. "You own more highlighters than we own syrups."

Paige couldn't help it. A laugh escaped before she had the chance to stop it. It was quiet, surprising, and completely involuntary.

"I like being organized," she admitted, stacking the recovered highlighters neatly against her notebooks before immediately straightening them into a perfect pile.

Azzi noticed.

The grin on her face widened. "I can tell."

She reached for the final runaway highlighter resting near the leg of a chair before standing. Walking the last step toward Paige, she held it out in the palm of her hand. "Our first impression is going great."

Paige accepted the highlighter with a groan. She covered her face with one hand, wishing just briefly that the floor might open up beneath her.

"I'm usually much cooler than this." She protested.

Azzi crossed her arms loosely, looking down at Paige with an expression that said she didn't believe a single word. "Mhm."

Paige peeked at her through her fingers. "I am."

Azzi nodded with exaggerated seriousness. "I believe you."

Paige lowered her hand completely, narrowing her eyes just enough to make Azzi laugh. "You don't."

Azzi’s bunny smile turned openly teasing. "I absolutely don't."

For a second, Paige simply looked at her. Then another laugh slipped free, a real one this time. The embarrassment was still there, and her cheeks were still warm.

She'd still just scattered enough stationery across the café floor to stock a middle-school classroom. But somehow it didn't feel like the end of the world anymore.

Azzi smiled once more before collecting the empty cup she'd set aside. "I should probably get your drink started."

Paige nodded, hugging her recovered notebooks a little tighter against her chest.

"Probably."

With one last amused glance in Paige’s direction, Azzi turned and disappeared back behind the espresso machine, already greeting the next customer before she'd even tied her apron back into place.

Paige watched her for a second longer than she meant to.

Okay.

Maybe stop staring now.

She looked away before Azzi could catch her again and made her way toward the pickup counter, clutching her supplies a little more carefully this time.

She lingered there, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. Partly because she genuinely wasn't sure where customers were supposed to wait.

And partly because she was still mentally replaying the last three minutes, each one somehow more embarrassing than the one before.

She let out a quiet sigh, shaking her head at herself. "So much for making a normal first impression," she muttered under her breath.

Paige adjusted the stack of textbooks against her hip before finally leaving the pickup counter, tightening her grip on the pencil pouch tucked beneath her arm.

Maybe let's not throw your entire stationery collection across the café a second time.

She shifted the pouch higher against the notebooks until she was satisfied nothing else could escape. Only then did she let herself look around for somewhere to sit.

Her eyes landed on a table near the front windows. It was tucked into the corner, just far enough away from the register that she wouldn't feel like she was standing in everyone's way, but close enough that she could still watch the quiet rhythm of the café if she happened to look up from her work.

Perfect.

She made her way over, weaving carefully between occupied tables. As she reached the chair, she set her things down with far more caution than necessary, making sure nothing rolled, tipped, or fell before finally pulling the chair out and sitting.

Sunlight streamed through the windows beside her, warming one side of the worn wooden tabletop. Tiny scratches crisscrossed the surface, along with faint rings left behind by years of coffee mugs and students who had probably claimed this very table for the exact same reason she had. To study.

Paige rested both hands on the edge of the table for a moment before glancing outside.

Students crossed the street in small groups, scarves wrapped around their necks against the cool afternoon air. A gust of wind chased orange and yellow leaves across the sidewalk, sending them tumbling around hurried footsteps before they settled again.

Inside, everything felt different. Not silent, she didn't think she'd actually wanted silence. Silence could be uncomfortable but this? This was comfortable.

Conversations blended together into a soft murmur that never demanded her attention. Every so often the espresso machine hissed behind the counter before settling again, followed by the familiar clink of ceramic mugs meeting saucers. Quiet music drifted through the speakers overhead, soft enough that she couldn't quite make out the lyrics, but steady enough to fill the empty spaces between conversations.

She listened for a moment. Nobody was tapping pencils, nobody was arguing about Pluto, and nobody was watching videos at full volume.

A small smile appeared before she realized it.

I can work with this.

The thought barely settled before another followed.

Nika was right.

Paige’s smile immediately faded into a skeptical frown.

Let's not get carried away.

Admitting Nika had been right once was dangerous enough.

If she found out Paige wasn't sure she'd ever hear the end of it. She let out a quiet breath through her nose before reaching for her backpack.

"Okay," she murmured to herself, more out of habit than necessity. "Let's actually study."

She unzipped the largest pocket and began unpacking her things one at a time, placing each item in its usual spot.

Her laptop came out first. She centered it carefully with the edge of the table before opening the screen.

Next came her planner, she placed it to the left. Her biology textbook followed, then the notebook she'd need for today's lecture.

Finally, she reached for her pencil pouch.

Her hand paused, she looked at it suspiciously. After everything that had happened five minutes ago she wasn't taking chances. Slowly, she unzipped it, the colorful tops of dozens of highlighters peeked back at her.

Paige nodded once to herself. "Roll call."

She picked up the first one.

"One..."

She set it neatly beside her notebook, then reached for another.

"Two..."

Another joined the row. She continued counting under her breath, lining them up by color as she went.

"Three..."

"Four..."

By the time she reached the final highlighter, she placed it at the end of the line with a small, satisfied nod.

"All present." She let out the tiniest breath of relief.

Good, no casualties.

"Good to know." The unfamiliar voice made Paige jump just enough that she nearly dropped the last highlighter she'd been holding.

Her head snapped up. Azzi stood beside the table, balancing a ceramic mug in one hand while a small tray rested against her hip.

A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth as her gaze drifted from Paige to the perfectly organised rainbow lined across the table.

"I was worried we'd have another emergency." Azzi joked.

Heat crept into Paige’s cheeks all over again. She glanced down at the row of highlighters before looking back up with an embarrassed smile. "They're fragile."

Azzi’s eyebrows lifted. "The highlighters?"

Paige shook her head with a quiet laugh. "The situation."

For just a second, Azzi stared at her. Then she laughed, not loudly. Just enough to make the smile in her eyes grow a little brighter.

"I'll keep that in mind." She said still smiling, she leaned forward and carefully placed the ceramic mug in front of Paige before straightening again.

"I made you something."

Paige’s attention dropped immediately to the drink before lifting back to Azzi.

"You did?"

Azzi nodded once, resting her hands lightly behind her back. "I figured since you trusted me with your order," she said, her smile softening almost imperceptibly, "I should at least make sure it was actually something you'd like."

Paige looked back down at the mug. Warm steam curled lazily toward the ceiling and resting on top of the creamy foam was a carefully poured leaf design, so neat it almost looked painted instead of poured.

She hesitated. It looked, too pretty. Almost too pretty to touch.

Her fingers wrapped carefully around the mug, welcoming the warmth against her palms.

"You made this?" Paige questioned.

Azzi’s smile widened just a fraction, and she gave a small nod. "I did."

Paige looked back down at the mug, studying it again as if seeing it from a different angle might explain how someone could make a drink look like artwork.

"It's.." She paused, searching for the right word before looking back up. "really pretty."

just like you Paige thought.

Azzi’s smile softened. "I'm glad you think so."

She nodded toward the mug still resting between Paige’s hands. "Technically, it's not coffee." She lifted one shoulder in an easy shrug. "It's a honey vanilla chamomile latte."

Paige’s eyebrows rose. She looked down at the drink again, then back at Azzi. "That's a thing?"

Azzi laughed quietly at the disbelief on Paige’s face.

"Apparently." She murmured, grinning.

Paige tilted her head, still trying to decide whether that sounded made up. "Interesting."

Azzi leaned against the back of the empty chair across from Paige's table, folding her hands loosely over the top of it. "Think of it as tea pretending to be coffee."

The description caught Paige off guard. A laugh escaped before she could stop it. "I think that's something I can handle."

"I was hoping." The brunette replied, a faint blush on her cheeks.

A comfortable silence settled between them for a moment. Paige looked back down at the mug, watching the steam curl lazily into the air. The little foam leaf sat perfectly in the center untouched.

She frowned ever so slightly. "It looks too nice to drink."

Azzi followed her gaze to the foam art before looking back at Paige.

One corner of her mouth lifted. "Don't worry." She waved a dismissive hand with an easy smile. "I won't be offended when you destroy my artwork."

Paige’s fingers tightened just a little around the mug. "I might be."

Azzi blinked, amused. "Why?"

Paige glanced down at the foam leaf again before answering. "Because now I feel responsible for the tiny foam leaf."

For a second, Azzi just looked at her.

Then another laugh escaped, warm and effortless enough that Paige felt herself smiling again without meaning to.

"I think you'll survive."

Paige pretended to consider that. Her eyes drifted thoughtfully toward the ceiling before returning to Azzi.

"That's a bold assumption." She added.

Azzi crossed her arms loosely, the smile never leaving her face. "I have faith in you."

The words were simple, casual. Probably something Azzi said without giving it much thought. But Paige felt them land somewhere she couldn't quite explain.

She looked up. And for just a second, the sounds of the café seemed to fade into the background.

Azzi wasn't teasing. She wasn't rushing to greet another customer. She was just looking at Paige, waiting.

The blonde cleared her throat, suddenly very aware she'd been holding Azzi’s gaze longer than she intended.

"Well..." She wrapped both hands around the mug again before lifting it carefully from the table. "I'll let you know if it lives up to the expectations."

Azzi took a small step backward toward the counter, her smile returning to its usual playful shape. "I'll be waiting for the review."

She started walking back toward the espresso machine, weaving easily between occupied tables. Halfway there, she slowed, then stopped. Turning back over her shoulder, she found Paige already watching her.

A grin spread across her face. "And Paige?"

Paige looked up immediately. "Yeah?"

Azzi’s eyes drifted toward the perfectly straight line of highlighters sitting beside Paige's notebook.

The corners of her mouth twitched. "Don't let the highlighters distract you from actually studying."

Paige instinctively looked down at them. Without realizing it, she'd already arranged them into a flawless rainbow.

She let out a quiet, embarrassed laugh. "No promises."

Azzi shook her head as if she'd expected exactly that answer.

"I had a feeling you'd say that." With one last smile, she turned and disappeared behind the espresso machine, greeting another customer before Paige had time to say anything else.

Paige watched her go. She watched a second longer than she probably should have. Only when Azzi disappeared behind the crowd gathering near the register did Paige blink and look back down at the table.

The mug still rested in front of her, steam continued curling from the surface, and the foam leaf remained perfectly intact.

She smiled to herself. Then she reached for the mug with both hands.

"Okay," she whispered under her breath, giving herself a small nod before opening her laptop.

"Focus."

She took one sip. The warmth spread through her almost instantly, her eyes widened.

"...Okay," she murmured, this time to the drink instead of herself. "Nika was definitely right."

A beat passed.

She sighed dramatically.

"I am never telling her that."

Paige opened her biology textbook and for the first time all afternoon, the words on the page actually held her attention.

For the next hour, she managed to get more work done than she had all week. Not because the café was silent, because it wasn’t. And not because there weren't distractions. (There definitely were.)

But something about the atmosphere made it easier to breathe. She wasn't trapped in the library fighting against every little sound, and she wasn't staring at the same paragraph over and over again. She was just comfortable.

Every once in a while, she noticed Azzi moving behind the counter. Not because she was trying to. At least, that's what Paige told herself. She noticed because Azzi was impossible not to notice.

The way she remembered people's names, the way she smiled at regular customers, the way she made every interaction feel personal instead of rushed. It was different. Paige had worked a customer service job once in high school, and she had spent most of her shifts counting down the minutes until she could leave.

But Azzi looked like she belonged there. Like the café wasn't just somewhere she worked. It was somewhere she was part of.

Paige caught herself watching the counter again and immediately looked back down at her notes.

"Absolutely not," she whispered.

She picked up her green highlighter. "You're here to study." She reminded herself.

Her phone buzzed, she glanced down.

Twin🇭🇷🦈: So?

Paige stared at the message.

Paige: So what?

The response came almost immediately.

Twin🇭🇷🦈: How's the café?

Paige looked around at the warm lights, the quiet tables, and also at drink beside her and, unfortunately, the barista who had somehow made her first day there memorable.

Paige typed back.

Paige : It's actually really nice.

Twin🇭🇷🦈: "Nice" nice or actually nice?

Paige frowned.

Paige: What does that mean bro?

Twin🇭🇷🦈: You know exactly what that means.

Paige rolled her eyes.

Paige: I'm studying.

Twin🇭🇷🦈: Are you?

Paige looked down at her textbook. Then at the notes she'd actually completed.

Paige : yes.

A pause.

Nika🇭🇷🦈: Are any of the baristas cute😏?

Paige froze. How the fuck would Nika know?

She looked around the café instinctively, even though Nika was nowhere near her.

Paige: I'm hanging up this conversation.

Twin🇭🇷🦈: You didn't answer.

Paige locked her phone. She absolutely did not need to answer because the answer was obvious. And that was exactly the problem.

She returned her attention to her textbook, determined to prove herself wrong. Unfortunately, the small smile she couldn't quite get rid of made that difficult.

By the time Paige finally looked up from her laptop, the light outside the café windows had shifted. The bright afternoon sun had softened into a warm golden glow, the kind that made the leaves outside look like they were glowing instead of simply falling.

She blinked. Then she looked at the clock above the pastry case.

5:42 p.m.

Her eyebrows lifted. "No way."

She glanced back down at her notebook. Somehow, she had actually gotten work done, not everything. And also definitely not enough to stop worrying about midterms, but enough.

Her biology notes were filled with organized sections, important terms highlighted, and questions written neatly in the margins for her to review later.

It was progress, actual progress. And that was surprising, because when she first walked in, she had been convinced a café was the worst possible place to study. Too many distractions, too much noise, and too many people.

Yet somehow, she'd spent nearly four hours there and hadn't regretted it once. Paige started packing up her things.

Laptop first.

Charger tucked away.

Planner.

Notebook.

Textbook.

Water bottle.

Then her eyes landed on the row of highlighters beside her notebook. For a moment, she simply stared at them. A small smile pulled at the corner of her mouth.

After the chaos they had caused earlier, seeing them all accounted for felt strangely satisfying. She reached over and picked them up one by one, carefully sliding them back into her pencil pouch.

"Still here," she murmured quietly, shaking her head with a small laugh.

The highlighters disappeared into the pouch, and she zipped it closed with a quiet sound.

"Perfect." The word had barely left her mouth when another voice came from beside the table.

"Happy to hear there were no more incidents."

Paige looked up.

Azzi stood beside her with an empty tray balanced in one hand. She looked like she had been moving nonstop since the last time they spoke—hair slightly looser, apron still dusted with tiny traces of flour, and a few strands falling around her face.

Yet somehow, she still carried the same calm energy she had when Paige first walked in. Like nothing ever truly overwhelmed her. Paige glanced down at her neatly packed belongings before looking back up at Azzi.

"Thank you for checking."

Azzi’s expression turned slightly more serious, though the amusement in her eyes remained. "I was concerned."

Paige paused. The way Azzi said it made the statement sound much more dramatic than it probably was.

Her eyebrows lifted slightly. "About my safety?"

The question came out with just enough seriousness that Azzi’s smile immediately grew. For a second, she looked like she was considering whether to play along.

Then she admitted the truth. "About the highlighters."

Paige stared at her, a beat passed. Then she slowly nodded, accepting the answer like it was completely reasonable."Understandable."

Azzi laughed softly. The sound made Paige smile before she could stop herself. There was something about the way Azzi laughed that made everything feel lighter.

The barista shifted the tray to her other hand, her eyes moving briefly toward Paige’s notebook.

"So..." she started, drawing out the word slightly as if she already knew she was interrupting a very serious study session. "How was the studying?"

Paige followed Azzi’s gaze down to her notes. The pages were filled, more filled than she expected, actually. She ran her thumb lightly along the edge of the notebook before answering. "Better than expected."

Azzi’s eyebrows lifted. "Really?"

Paige nodded, closing the notebook and placing it on top of her textbook. "Yeah."

She looked at the stack of completed work, a small sense of accomplishment settling in. "I actually got a lot done."

Azzi smiled, looking pleased with herself even though she had technically done very little besides make a drink and provide a quieter place to sit.

"See?" She gestured around the café with her free hand. "The café passed the test."

Paige glanced around. The warm lights, the quiet conversations, the comfortable hum of people coming and going. She had to admit it had passed the test.

"I guess it did." The small smile that appeared on her face felt natural.

Azzi noticed, and for some reason, that made Paige suddenly aware of it.

"I was nervous." The confession caught Paige off guard.

She looked back at Azzi . The barista reached up, brushing a loose strand of hair away from her face before tucking it behind her ear.

"You were?" The blonde asked.

Azzi nodded like it was obvious. "Of course."

Paige tilted her head slightly. "Why?"

Azzi leaned lightly against the edge of the nearby chair, thinking for a second before answering.

"Because if you hated it..." she explained, her expression turning playfully thoughtful, "I'd have to question my entire understanding of what makes a good study environment."

The ridiculous seriousness of the statement caught Paige by surprise. A laugh escaped before she could hold it back, a real one.

Azzi smiled, clearly pleased she had managed to get it out of her.

"I think you'll survive."

Azzi placed a hand over her chest in exaggerated relief. "Good."

She nodded solemnly. "I was worried."

Paige shook her head, still smiling. She wasn't used to conversations like this. Usually, conversations had a purpose, class discussions, presentations, or debates. Things where she knew exactly what was expected of her. There were rules, there were answers, and there were ways to prepare. But casual conversations? Those were different. Those required instinct, they required knowing when to speak, when to joke, when to stop.

And somehow, with Azzi, Paige didn't feel like she had to mentally rehearse every response before saying it. She just talked.

Which was unusual, and honestly, a little concerning. Because Paige liked being prepared. She liked knowing what came next. But Azzi made that harder,not in a bad way. Just in a way Paige wasn't used to.

She glanced toward the clock above the counter and realized more time had passed than she expected.

"I should probably get going." The words came out reluctantly.

She stood, sliding her backpack onto one shoulder and adjusting the strap until it sat comfortably. Azzi straightened from where she had been leaning.

"Early morning?" She asked

Paige nodded. "Eight o'clock class."

Azzi immediately made a sympathetic face. The reaction was so genuine that Paige almost laughed. "That's rough."

"Trust I know." The blonde huffed.

The simple agreement made Azzi smile. "Do you have coffee?"

Paige turned toward her with immediate disbelief. Her eyebrows rose, "I told you."

She pointed lightly toward herself. "I don't drink coffee."

Azzi’s eyes widened slightly as if remembering. "Right."

A small smile tugged at her mouth. "Tea person."

Paige nodded."Exactly."

Azzi smiled. "Then I hope tomorrow's tea is better than today's."

—

She walked towards the door, the bell chiming above her as she stepped outside. The cold October air hit her immediately. Paige tucked her hands into her jacket pockets and started walking back across campus.

She told herself she was thinking about the tea, the quiet atmosphere, the comfortable table by the window, and the fact that she had actually been productive. Those were all valid reasons to return, completely logical reasons.

The barista definitely had nothing to do with it, absolutely nothing.

Except… Paige couldn't stop thinking about the way Azzi remembered people's names, the way she laughed, and the way she made a random café feel familiar after only a few hours. She shook her head. "This is ridiculous."

A student walking past glanced at her, Paige immediately looked away.

Great. Now she was talking to herself on campus.

Nika was going to have a field day.

—

When Paige opened the apartment door, the first thing that greeted her was the sound of the television playing from the living room. A sitcom laugh track echoed softly through the apartment, followed by the familiar glow of the screen spilling across the room.

Paige stepped inside, already reaching for the strap of her backpack to pull it off her shoulder. She barely made it two steps, Nika looked up from the couch. The second her eyes landed on Paige’s face, her expression changed.

Her eyebrows lifted, then narrowed. A slow, knowing smile appeared. Paige immediately stopped, she knew that look and she already hated it.

"Oh no." Nika’s voice held far too much confidence.

Paige tightened her grip on her backpack strap. "What?"

Instead of answering, Nika grabbed the remote and muted the television. The sudden quiet made Paige feel like she had just walked into an interrogation.

Nika leaned forward, studying her. "You have a look."

Paige stared at her. "A look?"

She glanced down at herself, briefly wondering if something was wrong with her clothes or if she had somehow walked home with something embarrassing on her face.

Then she looked back at Nika. "I do not."

Nika didn't even blink."You do."

Paige sighed, dropping her backpack beside the door. She should have known Nika would notice something.

Nika always noticed something, they were “twins” after all.

"I went to study." Paige defended.

Nika hummed, clearly unconvinced. "Mhm."

Paige slipped off her shoes and walked farther into the apartment. "I did."

Another hum. "Mhm."

She looked over her shoulder. "It was productive."

Nika’s expression softened into the exact kind of smile Paige didn't trust. The one that meant she was waiting for Paige to realize she had already given herself away.

"And?" Nika questioned.

Paige turned back around. "And what?"

The Croatian girl smiled. "There it is."

Paige frowned, and she crossed her arms. "There what is?"

"The part where you're pretending I don't know exactly what's going on." Nika explained.

Paige immediately rolled her eyes. "Nothing is going on."

Nika leaned back against the couch, completely relaxed. "Okay."

Paige stared at her. "Okay."

Neither of them moved, and neither of them spoke. Paige refused to give Nika the satisfaction.

Although Nika looked perfectly happy waiting all night. But unfortunately, Paige knew her best friend and roommate. Nika was more stubborn than anyone Paige had ever met.

Finally, Nika sighed and gave up pretending she wasn't curious. "So..."

She watched Paige carefully. "How was the barista?"

The reaction was immediate, Paige looked away. Only for a second, but it was enough.

Nika caught it, of course she caught it.

Paige cleared her throat, suddenly very interested in adjusting the sleeve of her jacket. "I don't know what you're talking about."

The brunette smile widened. "Sure."

Paige shook her head. "She was just nice."

Nika repeated the word slowly. "Nice?"

Paige looked back at her. "Yes."

Nika tilted her head. "The kind of nice where you come home and immediately have a suspicious expression?"

Paige opened her mouth, then closed it. Because that was annoyingly accurate. “I did not mention her." She defended.

Nika pointed toward Paige’s backpack. "The tea."

Paige glanced at the bag. She already knew exactly where this conversation was going.

"You mentioned the tea." Nika added.

Paige shrugged, trying to sound casual. "The tea was good."

Nika nodded slowly. "Uh-huh."

Paige crossed her arms tighter. "It was."

But even as she said it, her mind betrayed her. Because yes, the tea had been good. The café had been comfortable, and she had gotten work done. Those were the reasons she was thinking about going back.

Obviously.

Completely obvious reasons.

Except… Her brain immediately supplied an image of Azzi standing behind the counter. The way she smiled when she greeted people, the way she laughed, and the way her whole face softened when she was joking.

Paige quickly pushed the thought away.

No.

Absolutely not, she was not doing this. She was not sitting here thinking about a girl she had known for one afternoon. Especially not a girl she had met while embarrassing herself with a highlighter explosion.

Nika pointed toward the planner sticking out of Paige’s bag. "Open it."

Paige immediately looked at her. The request was suspicious, very suspicious.

"Why?" She asked.

Nika shrugged. "Just open it."

Paige narrowed her eyes. She knew better than to blindly follow Nika’s instructions, but curiosity got the better of her.

With a quiet sigh, she pulled the planner from her bag and flipped it open to the next day. Her schedule stared back at her. Classes, assignments, a three-hour gap between lectures, and an empty space. Which meant a perfect opportunity.

Before she could stop herself, her fingers were already reaching for the pen tucked into the planner.

The movement was automatic.

She wrote:

Study — Storrs sips Cafe.

The second the ink touched the page, Paige froze. She stared at the words and Nika stared at Paige. Neither of them said anything because they both knew.

Paige looked back down at the planner. This was a normal decision, a quiet logical decision, a good study choice. That was all.

Except the small, annoying part of her brain immediately pictured Azzi looking up when she walked through the café door.

That smile, that little surprised expression. And the way she would probably say her name.

Paige frowned. This was getting ridiculous.

Finally, Nika broke the silence. A slow smile spread across her face. "You're going back."

Paige snapped the planner shut. "Because it's a good study place."

Nika nodded. "Of course."

"It is." She protested.

"Sure." Nika said, not sounding convinced at all.

Paige shoved the planner back into her bag, ignoring the heat creeping into her cheeks. She turned toward the hallway

“It’s just a good study place!!” She yelled, defending herself one more time before she disappeared into her room and closed the door behind her.

A few seconds later, Nika laughed quietly from the living room, not loudly. Just enough to prove she had already figured everything out.

"Whatever you say." She yelled back.

Inside her room, Paige leaned against the closed door. She let out a long breath, Nika was wrong. She had to be. She was only going back because the café was comfortable, because she could actually focus there, because the tea was good, and because she got more done than she expected.

That was it. Those were the reasons, nothing else.

Except Paige walked over to her desk and dropped her planner beside her laptop and immediately thought about Azzi again.

Which was becoming a problem because Azzi was not just nice.

She was...Paige paused.

No.

She wasn't finishing that sentence, she already knew where it was going.

Azzi was cute, annoyingly cute. The kind of cute that made Paige notice tiny things she had no reason to remember. Like the way she tucked her hair behind her ear, like the way she smiled when she laughed, or like the way she looked completely comfortable behind the counter, like she belonged there.

Paige covered her face with both hands. "Seriously?" She had known this girl for one singular afternoon.

And somehow she was already acting like a complete simp. For a barista, A very pretty, and kind barista who had made her a drink with a tiny foam leaf who somehow made Paige feel less awkward and being awkward.

That was the dangerous part. It wasn't just that Azzi was pretty. It was that Paige liked being around her. Now usually Paige knew how to handle everything with a clear purpose, but with Azzi it was different. She just let herself exist. Which was honestly more concerning than the fact she thought Azzi was cute. Paige set her alarm for the next morning and placed her phone on the nightstand.

She told herself she wasn't excited. She also told herself tomorrow was just another study day. A normal afternoon, a normal trip to a café. Nothing more, nothing at all.

Except when she closed her eyes, the first thing she thought about was tomorrow afternoon.

And the possibility of seeing Azzi again.

AZZIS POV:

The last few customers had finally left.

Azzi stood behind the counter, wiping down the espresso machine as the café settled into its nighttime quiet. Without the constant movement of orders being called out, cups being placed on trays, and conversations filling every corner, the space felt completely different. Almost peaceful.

She emptied the last bit of milk from the pitcher, rinsed it out, and placed it upside down on the drying rack.

Another closing shift finished, well almost.

The soft scrape of a chair moving across the floor caught her attention. Her manager, Caroline , was flipping the chairs onto the tables near the front windows, getting the café ready to close for the night.

"You know," Caroline said casually, not looking up from the chair she was lifting, "I don't think I've seen you smile that much during a shift in a while."

Azzi paused, only for a second. But long enough for Caroline to notice.

Azzi continued wiping the counter, pretending she suddenly found a very interesting spot that needed cleaning.

"I smile all the time." She said.

Caroline looked over. The expression on her face made it obvious she didn't believe that for a second.

"Do you?" She questioned

Azzi glanced up. "Yes."

Caroline hummed,clearly unconvinced. "Interesting."

Azzi narrowed her eyes slightly, she knew that tone.

"What?" She asked, not getting at what Caroline was saying.

Caroline finished placing the chair on the table before turning around. "The girl from earlier."

Azzi immediately knew who she meant. Which was probably the problem, her mind didn't even have to search. The girl with the stack of notebooks, the girl who looked like she had prepared for every possible academic emergency, the girl who had stared at the menu like it was written in another language, and specifically the girl who had dropped half her highlighters across the café floor.

A small smile tugged at Azzi’s mouth before she could stop it.

Caroline caught it instantly. "There it is."

Azzi looked away. "There is what?"

"That smile." Caroline said.

Azzi began to get flush, "There is no smile."

Caroline laughed quietly. "Azzi."

Azzi grabbed a clean towel and folded it carefully, mostly to give her hands something to do. "She was just a customer." She explained.

"Right." Caroline said, her voice carrying the exact amount of teasing Azzi expected.

Azzi looked over. "She has a name."

Caroline’s eyebrows lifted. "Oh?"

Azzi immediately realized what she had just admitted. She sighed, “Paige." The name came out easily, too easily.

Caroline smiled. "Paige." She repeated.

Azzi looked down, continuing to wipe the counter. "Yes."

"The highlighter girl?" Caroline added.

Azzi tried not to laugh, but it didn't work. A small smile escaped. "She has a name, remember?"

Caroline grinned. "Apparently one you remember."

Azzi opened her mouth to argue, then stopped. Because she did remember, not just Paige’s name, but everything else too.

The way Paige had walked into the café like she was prepared to battle the entire menu.

The way she had looked genuinely overwhelmed by the coffee options.

The way she had tried so hard to pretend she wasn't embarrassed when she froze at the register.

The way her face had turned slightly pink every time she realized she was overthinking something.

And the highlighters, specifically the highlighters.

Azzi shook her head slightly. She still couldn't believe how many there had been. Twenty?, Maybe more.

Paige had looked absolutely horrified when they scattered across the floor. Like the highlighters had betrayed her personally. But somehow, even while panicking, she had been polite. Apologising, trying to pick everything up herself, and worried she was causing trouble.

Azzi had found that strangely adorable. Not the dropping things part. Well...Maybe a little. But mostly the way Paige cared so much.

Everything about her seemed intentional. The organized notebooks, the planner, the color-coded highlighters, and the careful way she answered questions. Like she wanted to make sure she was doing everything correctly.

Except every once in a while, that carefulness slipped and Azzi got to see the person underneath it. The person who laughed at herself, the person who made jokes when she was embarrassed, and the person who looked genuinely surprised when someone was kind to her.

"You like her."

Caroline’s voice pulled Azzi out of her thoughts.

Azzi looked up quickly. "What?"

Caroline leaned against the counter, amused. "You heard me."

Azzi shook her head immediately. "No." The answer came too fast.

Caroline’s smile widened. "That was convincing."

Azzi rolled her eyes. "She was nice."

"Mhm."

"She was." Azzi insisted.

"I didn't say she wasn't." Caroline added.

Azzi looked down at the counter again. Because that was the problem, Caroline wasn't wrong that Paige was memorable. But it wasn't because Paige was trying to be. That was what made it different.

Paige wasn't the type of person who walked into a room wanting attention. If anything, she seemed like she was constantly trying not to have any, and somehow, she still managed to.

Azzi remembered the way Paige had laughed when they were picking up the highlighters. It had been a little surprising. Like she hadn't expected herself to laugh, like she had forgotten for a moment that she was supposed to be embarrassed.

Azzi smiled faintly, she liked that. She liked making Paige laugh. Which was probably something she shouldn't be thinking about after meeting someone once.

But still. There was something charming about her. The awkwardness, the nervousness, yhe way she tried so hard to seem composed while very obviously being anything but. It was cute, really cute. Azzi shook her head at herself.

"You're smiling again."

She looked up. Caroline was watching her with an entertained expression.

Azzi immediately went back to wiping the counter. "I am closing the café."

"That wasn't a denial." Her manager teased.

Azzi ignored her, because unfortunately she couldn't even argue. Paige had been awkward, she had been clumsy, she had been completely overwhelmed by a drink menu, she also had dropped an impressive amount of stationery.

And somehow Azzi had found all of it adorable.

She finished wiping down the counter and turned off the last row of lights. The café grew dimmer, the warm glow disappearing one section at a time.

Tomorrow, Paige might come back, orr she might not. Azzi had no idea, but for some reason, she found herself hoping she would.

ⓘ UNEXPECTED GAME 3

wnba! paige bueckers x model! azzi fudd — 5.7k wc

Paige Bueckers is the franchise star player of the Dallas Wings. She's known to be this generational talent both in basketball and in... women, apparently. Azzi Fudd, one of the most known names in the model industry. doesn't care about basketball nor this 'Paige Bueckers' that her best friend has been fawning over. So, when her best friend got her courtside season tickets to the game, she's forced to attend. From the moment she locks eyes with the star player, she knew Paige was nothing but trouble.

Girl code exists for a reason. Azzi knows better than to cross that line. Well, the only problem is... she wants to. and Paige seems more than willing to break them with her.

read chapter one & two here. thank you for all the love ❤️‍🔥unexpected game's playlist here!!

—。 Presented and written by, azzidefender. (unedited.)

═════════════════════

chapter three : move three

“your partner was paige?!” julia exclaimed a little too loudly, her voice carrying through the crowded café where they were having their usual brunch.

azzi immediately glanced around before leaning forward. “can you keep it down, jules? we’re literally in public. what if someone recognizes us?” she hushed.

the redhead had called her three times back-to-back the second the calvin klein pride campaign dropped. azzi hadn’t answered, she’d been in the middle of her workout. but judging by julia’s expression now, waiting had only made things worse.

“why didn’t you tell me?” julia demanded, throwing her hands in the air. “you know i literally have a crush on—ugh, why didn’t you tell me?”

azzi blinked at her, genuinely confused by the reaction. sure, julia had a thing for paige, but what exactly was she supposed to do about it? she hadn’t even known paige was going to be her partner until she walked onto set.

“i didn’t know i was shooting with her,” azzi replied, brows knitting together. “besides, what’s the big deal, jules? it was just a photoshoot.”

julia let out an irritated groan, tossing her napkin onto the table. “it is a big deal, az! at least to me. you know i like her.”

azzi stared at her for a second, almost in disbelief.“over a thirst trap edit?” she asked flatly.

“that doesn’t matter!” julia shot back. “i like her, and you went and did a whole campaign with her without even telling me.”

azzi sighed, setting her fork down with a soft clink against the plate before reaching for her wine. she took a small sip, hoping it’d somehow make this conversation make more sense.

“and if i had told you?” she asked calmly. “what would’ve changed? i still would’ve had to do the shoot. i wasn’t exactly gonna decline it because you have a stupid crush on her.”

she shook her head, “but that’s not even the point. i didn’t know it was paige until i got there. if i had known beforehand, i would’ve told you, obviously.”

julia scoffed. “stupid? so now you’re calling my interest in women stupid?” azzi’s brows immediately pinched together. “what? no—”

“must’ve been nice, huh?”

“jules…” azzi sighed. “you know that’s not what i meant.”

“no, seriously.” julia let out a humorless laugh, forcing a smile that never quite reached her eyes. “getting paired with your best friend’s celebrity crush? that’s actually insane.”

azzi parted her lips, but julia wasn’t finished. “and now everyone’s losing their minds over your chemistry online.”

“there is no chemistry, jules.”

lie.

“i literally can’t stand her.”

well, that was true.

julia studied her for a few seconds, her breath slowly steadied, she was still searching azzi’s face for any hint that she was lying. “…really?”

azzi nodded without hesitation. “really.” after a few minutes of silence, the tension sitting between them eased, only by a little. azzi let out a quiet breath before looking down at her plate. “..i’m sorry, jules. i really didn’t mean to.”

julia’s expression finally calmed. “i know you didn’t mean to,” she said, giving a small shrug. “just… tell me next time, okay? even if you find out last minute.”

“i will.”

“promise?”

“promise.”

julia finally smiled, faint but genuine. “okay,” she reached for her fork again. “apology accepted.” azzi smiled back, relieved the conversation had finally drifted away from the argument, which was about paige, a questionable argument to begin with.

for all of three seconds before julia started again. “…so.”

azzi narrowed her eyes, “what?”

julia rested her chin on her hand, trying—and failing to hide the grin creeping onto her face. “well… what was it like?”

azzi blinked, “what was what like?”

“azzi.” julia looked at her as though she’d just asked the dumbest question imaginable. “sitting on paige’s lap, obviously.” she groaned dramatically, dragging out the last word. “ugh, i wish i were you.”

azzi’s face scrunched up almost instantly.

“ew.”

julia laughed, “i’m serious!”

“well, it wasn’t all that, trust me.” azzi stabbed at a piece of avocado with unnecessary force. “she’s annoying, she’s irritating, and she made us retake, like— a million shots.”

“because she kept messing up?”

because she kept staring at my boobs.

“because she wouldn’t stop talking.” azzi instead, said.

“that sounds adorable.”

the younger raised her eyebrows, “it was exhausting.”

julia sighed dreamily, absentmindedly poking at the untouched chicken sitting on top of her salad. “i don’t know,” she murmured. “she looked really hot in that shoot.”

azzi stared at her best friend with genuine concern.“your taste in women genuinely worries me sometimes.”

“my taste is excellent.”

“your taste needs professional help.”

julia gasped, placing a hand over her chest. “that’s so rude.”

azzi only shook her head. sure… paige looked good. i mean, objectively speaking, she was well above average, there was no denying that. but looks could only carry someone so far. because the second she opened her mouth, azzi was reminded exactly why she couldn’t stand her.

cocky, irritating, and impossibly smug. it was like that insufferable smirk had been glued to her face. azzi thinks she might’ve been born with that. she was the kind of person who somehow managed to get under azzi’s skin within minutes of meeting her.

“anyways, i’m over that paige talk. wanna go to paris together tomorrow?” azzi asked, taking another bite of her poke bowl.

julia winced. it was brief and barely there, but azzi caught it. “oh right. sorry, az.” she rubbed the palm of her hand. “i completely forgot to tell you.”

azzi tilted her head, “tell me what?”

“i’m actually going to cabo tomorrow.”

azzi blinked, “wait… you’re not going to fashion week?” she asked, confusion lacing her voice. “i thought we were going together.”

they always went together.

julia gave an absent-minded shrug, pushing her salad around with her fork, taking another bite. “just like you said,” she replied. “we can’t expect to do everything together.”

azzi’s lips parted, though no words came out.

“i got booked for a frankies bikinis campaign,” julia continued, the excitement quickly returning to her face. “can you believe it? i’m finally gonna be the face of the new line, az!”

oh.

“that’s… amazing.”

and it really was. azzi smiled, this time without forcing it. “i’m really happy for you, jules.”

she meant every word. julia had been modeling for frankies for over a year now. azzi had worked with the brand once herself, so she knew exactly how much this meant. becoming the face of a collection wasn’t just another campaign, it was something julia had quietly hoped for ever since signing with them.

julia’s face softened. “thank you, az. i knew you’d understand, babe.” she reached over and squeezed azzi’s hand before pulling away.

“have fun in paris, though.” she chuckled. “i’m kinda over it, honestly. three years in a row? nothing ever happens.”

…

okay, ouch.

azzi’s smile faltered for the smallest fraction of a second. she quickly hid it behind another bite of food.

because, really?

she’d always thought fashion week was fun. not just because of the shows or the parties or getting dressed up. but because it had become their thing. every year, the two of them would fly out together, coordinate matching outfits for at least one event, spend way too much money at cafés between shows, and complain about sore feet by the end of the week.

azzi had always assumed julia loved the tradition just as much as she did.

i guess, the jokes on her.

═════════════════════

“you goin’ to paris, pb?”

zaza asked as she bent down to untie her game shoes. the game had just ended only a few minutes ago, and the locker room was beginning to empty, teammates filtering in and out with tired conversations echoing off the walls.

paige, meanwhile, had just rushed out of the facility showers. her blonde hair was still damp, droplets clinging to the ends as she quickly towel-dried it for what felt like the hundredth time. she still felt gross. the kind of gross that came from showering anywhere that wasn’t your own bathroom.

“yeah,” paige replied, shoving the last of her toiletries into her backpack. “gotta catch a flight.”

her suitcase had already been loaded into the car by her manager earlier that afternoon, leaving only her and her backpack.

zaza nodded knowingly.

“fashion week?”

“mhm.”

“for work or for fun?” arike teased, butting into the conversation.

“hopefully a lil’ bit of both.” paige smirked.

“she’s hoping she’ll run into…” jess chimed in from across the locker room, pausing dramatically before fake coughing into her fist. “ahem. you know who.”

paige looked up from stuffing the last t-shirt into her backpack, her brows knitting together despite the smile tugging at her lips.

“shut up, bro.” she laughed, “you’re making her sound like she’s voldemort.”

the locker room erupted into quiet chuckles. paige rolled her eyes before adding, “and no, i’m not expecting to see her there.” she zipped up her backpack.

“why would i, we hardly know each other...” the confidence in her voice faded just enough for the sentence to trail off.

jess’s grin widened and arike slowly turned to look at zaza, zaza looked right back at arike. then, almost in sync, both of them shifted their gaze to jess. the three exchanged the exact same knowing look.

“what?” paige asked suspiciously, looking between them.

zaza’s lips thinned into a straight line. “you don’t gotta know the person to fuck her, pb.”

the blonde raised her eyebrows at the sudden bluntness. “woaah, pause. who said anything about fuckin’?”

jess laughed. “you act like you don’t want to. it’s azzi fudd, bro. shit, i would too, if i could.”

paige halted for half a second. somehow, that comment made her skin crawl and not in a good way. her jaw tensed just slightly before she brushed it off with a forced chuckle. “man, it’s not like that. sure, she’s hot, but we’re basically coworkers. you know i don’t do that shit with people i work with.”

that got a full eyeroll from zaza. “you worked with her once— and what about lia?” paige’s brow furrowed. “who?” her mind was a total blank.

“one of your unrivaled staff, ring any bells?”

realization finally crossed the blonde’s face. “ooh, her.” light dawns, and paige clicked her tongue. “bro, that was a one-time thing and i was in miami.”

as if being in miami somehow justified sleeping with a staff member.

“okay,” arike cut in, “then what about claudia?” paige furrowed her brow again, prompting arike to facepalm.

“our wings cheerleader? the one who quit three months ago because you ghosted her?”

paige simply shrugged. “okay maybe two time-thing. plus, it wasn’t my fault she thought it was serious.”

“when are you ever serious?” jess questioned lightly, that earned a chorus of snickers around the room. “facts,” arike nodded. “the day paige bueckers settles down is the day the world ends.”

“nah,” zaza cut in, “hell would’ve frozen over before that happens, pb commits to one woman? yeah right.”

“y’all done?”

arike smirked, “we’re just waiting for the impossible.”

“keep waitin’.” paige slung the bag over her shoulder before turning towards the door.

“i’m out, later.”

“don’t fall in love!” zaza called after her.

without looking back, paige lifted her middle finger as a farewell.

another round of laughter followed as she disappeared down the hallway, the locker room door swinging shut behind her. despite the teasing fading into the background, one thought lingered longer than she’d care to admit.

azzi fudd.

she clicked her tongue to herself.

will she be there?

…not that she cares, obviously.

═════════════════════

the second the brunette stepped out of the car, she was met with the familiar chorus of camera shutters firing from every direction.

“azzi!”

“over here!”

“one more ms.fudd!”

“off the shoulder!”

flashes lit up the entrance in rapid succession as photographers called her name over one another, hoping to steal a glance or better yet, a smile.

azzi wasn’t new to any of this.

she’d attended paris fashion week for years now, but every season somehow managed to feel a little different. this time especially, since julia wasn’t here.

this wasn’t a single brand event where guests arrived exclusively for one designer’s show. paris fashion week was a whirlwind. brands, editors, athletes, actors, musicians, and models all moved through the same city, attending different shows while representing the fashion houses they were partnered with.

and this year, azzi was there as one of dolce & gabbana’s invited muses. the category : suited for you. the italian fashion house had sent over a custom look weeks in advance.

a tailored tan suit with matching dress pants that sat low enough to reveal the waistband of blue and white boxers peeking just above them. beneath the open blazer was nothing but a simple black bralette, striking the perfect balance between structured tailoring and effortless confidence. a tiny coffee brown shoulder bag completed the look, custom made to complement the suit down to the smallest detail.

her dark curls were left loose, cascading effortlessly past her shoulders in soft, glossy waves. it was a rare change from the curly up-do she often wore, and one that dolce & gabbana’s creative team had insisted on the moment they saw her.

she adjusted the cuff of her blazer before offering the cameras a small smile, turning just enough for them to capture every angle.

click. click. click.

she’d gotten used to it years ago, the lights no longer made her flinch and the shouting barely registered anymore. instead, she slipped effortlessly into the version of herself the public expected. poised, elegant, and quietly confident beneath the sea of flashing cameras. the princess, they would say.

after a few moments, azzi gave one final wave before following a staff member through the venue’s entrance, leaving the flashes behind as quickly as they’d found her.

“you did good, azzi. this look’s definitely gonna break the internet.”

“oh, i know.” azzi replied with a small, knowing smile. mackenzie, her manager, walked beside her while her security team guided them through the crowded venue.

the moment azzi stepped inside, she felt the switch. heads turned almost instantly. she could feel eyes following her every move, not just because of the custom look she was wearing, but because it was her. cameras subtly shifted in her direction, conversations quieted for a beat before picking back up, and flashes began chasing her path across the room.

it hadn’t always been easy.

when she first stepped into the modeling industry, she hated being the center of attention. every stare made her second-guess herself, every camera felt intrusive. she never craved the spotlight and she still didn’t.

but somewhere along the way, she learned how to wear confidence like a second skin. she stood taller, smiled easier, and carried herself with a quiet certainty that people mistook as effortless.

she knew she was beautiful. she knew she photographed well. she was proud of the body she’d worked tirelessly for and comfortable in the skin she lived in.

“right this way, ms. fudd.”

azzi followed the event coordinator through the venue, politely smiling at the occasional familiar face she passed and photographers lingered near the entrance, waiting for the next celebrity arrival.

she’d barely taken another step when—

thump.

“oh—i’m so sorry.” azzi apologized instinctively, taking a step back.

“careful, princess.”

azzi looked up, already knowing exactly who calls her that by a singular nickname and who she’d bumped into.

“you, again?”

the blonde’s lips curled into an annoyingly satisfied grin. “me, again?” she raised her brows, placing a hand against her chest. “’s that how you greet your friends, beautiful?”

azzi snorted, “us? friends?” she deadpanned. since when were they ever friends. “please. we’ve seen each other twice, bueckers.”

“twice is practically a lifelong friendship.”

“in what universe?”

“mine.”

“well, i can tell your universe is filled with fake friendships then.”

paige laughed, unbothered. while azzi just glared at the other, she decided to actually look at the other’s appearance, which turned out to be a terrible (hot) mistake.

the older was wearing a tailored deep burgundy suit that fit her frame almost unfairly well. saint laurent, azzi guesses. a crisp white striped button-up sat neatly beneath it, while a dark brown silk tie pulled the entire look together without trying too hard. her blonde hair was slicked back into a bun, every strand perfectly in place. she looked irritatingly attractive for her liking. and her jaw—

“done?”

azzi blinked, “huh?”

paige’s grin stretched even wider. “you finished checking me out?”

“get that stupid grin off your face.”

“i’ll take that as a yes.”

“whatever.”

paige chuckled as they continued walking. after a few steps, azzi noticed the blonde was still beside her. she frowned, “…can you stop following me?”

paige looked genuinely confused, “following you?” her hands shoved into the pocket of her tailored pants.

“yes. it’s getting weird.”

paige let out another laugh, “i know you’ve got a big head sweetheart,” she reached the front row before pointing at the seating cards resting atop two adjacent chairs.

“but my seat’s right here.”

azzi looked where she was pointing.

PAIGE BUECKERS.

directly beside,

AZZI FUDD.

of course. azzi stared at the name cards for a beat longer than necessary. surely, the universe had to be playing some kind of practical joke, was bumping into her the second time, not enough.

she cleared her throat awkwardly, without another word, she quietly took her seat. paige raised an amused eyebrow, clearly enjoying every second of azzi realizing she’d been completely wrong.

“nothing else to accuse me of?”

azzi refused to acknowledge the question. instead, she dramatically turned her entire upper body away from paige and toward the guest seated on her left side.

thankfully, someone she actually knew.

azzi greeted a little too enthusiastically for her usual demeanor, immediately striking up a conversation as though the blonde beside her had ceased to exist. the older watched the whole performance unfold before shaking her head with a quiet chuckle, taking a seat right besides her.

azzi didn’t seem to realize she was pouting.

nor did she seem to realize that somehow, against all reason, paige found the whole display ridiculously adorable.

“can you move your leg?” azzi whisper-shouted the moment the lights dimmed and the first model stepped onto the runway.

paige glanced down, then back at her. “what?”

“your leg.”

azzi subtly pointed toward the space between them. or rather… the lack of it. paige was sitting with her knees spread just enough that one of them had wandered far too close to azzi’s thigh.

what annoyed her even more was that her other leg had plenty of room on the opposite side. “you’re literally invading my space.”

paige looked down again, inspecting the situation with exaggerated seriousness. then she looked back at azzi, “there’s not exactly much room for me to move, princess.” she gestured toward the front-row seats as if the answer were painfully obvious.

azzi followed the gesture, then slowly turned her head toward paige’s other side. the blonde’s right leg had an unreasonable amount of space.

“seriously?”

paige blinked innocently while azzi pointed towards the empty space beside paige’s right leg. paige glanced over to direction the other was pointing to. with a sigh, she slid her leg back into her own space.

“happy?”

“very.” azzi replied flatly, finally settling back into her seat. for a blissful few seconds, neither of them spoke.

then… azzi felt it.

a knee brushing against hers. she slowly turned her head, the player was staring straight ahead at the runway as though she hadn’t moved an inch.

“really?” azzi whispered.

“hm?”

“your leg, bueckers.”

paige looked down with an innocent frown.

“oh.” she shifted it away again.

azzi narrowed her eyes and directed her focus back on the show. another few seconds passed, the runway lights danced across the room as another model stepped out, azzi was beginning to be drawn in by the pieces.

then, ever so slowly, paige’s knee began drifting back. one inch, and another. until it was once again pressed just inside azzi’s again. this time, the younger didn’t even look. she could practically feel the smug smile growing beside her.

paige stole a glance and the brunette was still focusing on the runway, pretending the blonde didn’t exist.

well, that’s no fun.

paige nudged her knee a tiniest bit closer until a deep sigh escaped azzi’s nose. still, she wasn’t willing to give the blonde the attention. paige’s grin only widened when the younger closed her eyes, determined to keep her peace intact.

she acts like a fucking eleven year old boy, azzi thought.

“paige.” she finally said, in a dangerously yet calming tone.

a warning.

paige bit the inside of her cheek, already fighting a laugh. “okay, okay.” she finally pulled her leg back for good, lifting both hands slightly in surrender.

“i’m done, f’real.”

azzi gave a single nod, eyes never leaving the runway “good girl.”

the blonde smiled to herself, seemingly pleased by the comment.

the bass was thumping through the floorboards, but paige had made it her personal mission to provide a full-length runway commentary rather than actually watching the show silently.

“shit, that must be heavy.” she leaned over and muttered directly into azzi’s ear as a model treading down the runway wore a structured, sculpted armor piece.

azzi didn’t even blink, target-locked on the fashion ahead. “and that...” paige whispered a note louder, index finger jabbing against her own knee as the next look came by. a sheer, draped gown topped off with lethal stilettos. “i’d trip wearin’ that within like— three seconds.”

azzi’s lips stiffened, she stared straight ahead for three full seconds. “oh, you for sure would trip.” she highlighted the word for sure, imagining the blonde in those heals.

paige’s head snapped towards her, “excuse me?”

azzi kept her eyes on the runway, the smallest hint of satisfaction tugging at her lips. “you heard me.”

paige looked thoroughly unimpressed. “you act like you could do it.” that finally made azzi turn, “did you forget i’m a model?”

“you’re a print model, there’s a difference.”

okay now that, offended her. azzi gasped softly,“excuse you.”

“have you ever walked a runway in heels that tall?”

“yes.”

“without tripping?”

“yes.”

paige squinted, unbelieving. “…prove it.”

azzi let out a bewildered laugh. “you want me to hijack the show?”

“just sayin’. wouldn’t believe it ‘till i see it.”

“you’re impossible.”

“shhhh!”

a loud, sharp, and extremely audible sound came straight from the attendee sitting directly to paige’s right. both of them absolutely winced, their shoulders shrugging up in the same split second.

“see what you did?” paige said, silently moving her lips.

“what i did?” azzi hissed back. “you started it.”

“did not.”

“did too.”

“did not.”

“did too—”

“shhhh!”

the second one was much louder and more direct. paige actually shrunked back to her seat this time, leaning slightly away from the brunette and muttering a quick, “…sorry, my bad.” to the person next to her.

a few seconds of uneasy silence passed. then, out of a sudden— azzi let out a short snort, she absolutely could not hold it in.

paige turned her head slowly to catch her chuckling. “bro. not funny.” she muttered, though the corners of her own mouth twitched and broke into a grin.

azzi was still biting her lip, her grin spreading wide as she shoved her arm against paige’s, nudging her lightly. “shut up, and pay attention bueckers.”

paige lingered on her dimples for a couple of seconds, a soft, mischievous smirk anchoring on her face.

“alright, princess.”

and for the rest of the show, the blonde really stayed put and focused.

for the most part.

═════════════════════

the after party was held in a dimly lit, high-end lounge downtown, the heavy bass from the runway show replaced by a smooth, low tempo beat.

azzi was sitting alone at the marble bar, taking a quiet breather from the group of friends she’d been hanging out with earlier. she’d swapped her runway front look for a mini skirt and an off the shoulder black top, her hair pinned up in a loose, effortless updo with a few soft curls framing her face. she was slightly tipsy, the subtle hum of the alcohol making the ambient lights bleed together in a warm haze.

she was minding her own business, idly spinning the straw in her glass, when some guy slid into the stool next to her. he immediately launched into a pitch about who he was some self-proclaimed influencer and despite azzi giving the bare minimum one-word replies, he just kept pushing, leaning a little too close into her personal space.

“hey sexy—”

“sorry,” azzi smiled politely. “i don’t think we’ve met.”

“i’m an influencer.”

“…okay?”

“you’ve probably seen me.”

“can’t say i have.” he laughed as if she’d told a joke.

she hadn’t.

“let me buy you a drink.”

“i’m good.” azzi declined politely.

“come on.”

“really, i’m okay.”

“just one.”

azzi forced another smile, “i said i’m—”

“she said she’s good.”

the voice came from beside them, they both turned. the guy blinked, looking up at paige, who was standing there with her hands resting casually in her pockets, giving him a flat, unbothered look that made it very clear he should move along. after a brief beat, he got the message, muttered something under his breath, and backed off into the crowd.

“thanks.” azzi said, feeling a wave of relief wash over her.

the older shrugged, “‘course.”

she nodded toward the empty stool beside azzi. “this seat taken?”

it must’ve been the alcohol, azzi thought, because instead of giving her a hard time like she usually would, she just shook her head. “no.” paige smiled before sliding onto the stool beside her.

azzi took a quick second to look her over. paige had changed into something way more casual than her earlier front row fit. just a black long-sleeve sweatshirt and relaxed pants. she looked…comfy.

“what?” paige caught her.

“nothing.” she quickly, replied.

“you survived the rest of the show without getting us kicked out, i see.” azzi said, her voice softer now, a fond edge replacing her usual sharpness.

paige let out a quiet laugh, turning on her stool to face her. “hey, once i was silenced by row one authority, i was on my absolute best behavior. you were the one who broke first, by the way. that sudden laugh almost got us exiled princess.”

“i couldn't help it, the way you flinched and immediately went 'sorry, my bad' was ridiculous.” azzi admitted, a real, bright laugh escaping her lips this time.

“i had to save us bro!” paige argued, grinning as she leaned her elbow on the bar, resting her chin in her hand.

“so, can i buy you a drink princess?”

azzi lifted the nearly full glass in her hand. “already have one.”

paige looked at it, “that’s almost empty.”

azzi frowned, sadly. “…is it?”

paige laughed, “how many have you had, pretty?”

the younger glared playfully, “that’s between me and the bartender.”

“so, more than two?”

“nu-uh.”

“okay, more than three.”

azzi pouted, “you’re acting like my dad.”

which only earned paige a playful smirk. “i could be somethin’ close to that… if you wanted.” azzi stared at her for a beat before letting out an incredulous laugh.

“you’re actually disgusting.”

“that’s not a no.”

“that’s absolutely a no.”

paige chuckled, “worth a shot.”

azzi shook her head, unable to stop the giggle that escaped anyway. okay, she was definitely tipsy.

“there it is.”

“what?”

“your real laugh.”

“i laugh.”

“not around me.”

“maybe you’re just not funny.”

“ouch, princess.”

“truth hurts, bueckers.” azzi grinned into something softer.

as the night went on, the usual back and forth competitive banter melted away into something surprisingly easy. they lost track of time just cracking jokes, leaning into each other’s shoulders when something was too funny, and sharing quiet stories away from the noise of the main room.

the alcohol, the warmth of the lounge, and the sheer comfort between them slowly dissolved the space between their stools. neither of them really noticed the exact moment it happened, but by the time the lounge was starting to empty out, they were turned completely toward each other.

azzi’s knee was resting right against paige’s leg, their clothes practically brushed together, and their faces were settled just inches apart. paige had one arm resting on the back of azzi’s stool, her fingers casually playing with a stray curl that had fallen from azzi’s updo, while azzi’s head was tilted in, resting slightly too close to the older’s shoulder for it to be considered just casual.

“you know,” paige whispered, her voice dropping into a low, warm register as she looked down at her, “you're a lot less trouble when you're not trying to argue with me.”

“don’t get used to it,” azzi murmured, a small, sleepy smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

she made no effort to pull away. if anything, she drifted the slightest bit closer without even realizing it.

paige noticed. the blonde’s gaze flickered down for the briefest moment, lingering on azzi’s lips before catching herself.

when her eyes met azzi’s again, there was a flicker of something unreadable behind the teasing grin she’d been wearing all night.

“azzi—

“azzi!”

the voice snapped both of them out of whatever had settled between them. azzi blinked, turning her head toward the familiar voice.

“…kenz?”

mackenzie stood a few feet away, one hand on her hip, the other clutching her phone. she let out the deepest sigh of relief she’d had all night.

“oh, thank god.”

azzi frowned, “what?”

“what?” mackenzie repeated incredulously. “i’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

azzi looked genuinely confused, pouting. “you have?”

“yes, you menace.” mackenzie walked over, gently grabbing azzi by the wrist. “i turned around for five minutes and you disappeared.”

azzi frowned thoughtfully.

“…i did?”

paige couldn’t help to let out a chuckle that escaped her. mackenzie finally looked over at the blonde.

“oh,” she smiled apologetically. “you must be paige. the basketball player, right?”

paige nodded, “that’s me.”

“mackenzie, azzi’s manager.” the shorter woman offered her free hand as to shake it, which the blonde quickly complied to. “seriously, thank you for looking after her.”

“i was fine…” azzi mumbled drowsyly.

“you’re literally a baby when you're drunk azzi, sit up.” mackenzie gently scolded, grabbing azzi's clutch off the bar counter and slipping her hand under azzi's arm to help her off the stool. “i am so sorry about her, paige. she gets so clingy when she's had a couple drinks.”

“i do not.” azzi again, grumbled.

“you let a stranger sit next to you.”

azzi pointed at paige, “she’s not a stranger.”

the blonde paused. “…that’s actually progress.” paige chuckled, “i’ll take it.”

paige just grinned softly, stepping back slightly to let mackenzie pull azzi upright, though her hand lingered near azzi's waist for a second just to make sure she was steady on her feet. “don’t worry ‘bout it, mackenzie. she was good company.”

“right… well, bedtime for the model.” mackenzie said firmly, wrapping an arm around azzi to drag her towards the elevator.

“come on. hotel.”

“already?”

“yes, already.”

“but i’m talking.”

“you can talk tomorrow.”

“that’s kinda controlling.”

“and you’re kinda drunk.”

azzi lets out a buff and lets herself be pulled to her feet before looking back at paige. “bye, bueckers.”

paige smiled, “night, princess.”

azzi rolled her eyes, though there wasn’t much conviction behind it anymore. “don’t call me that.”

“see you around.”

“hopefully not.”

paige laughed, “you don’t mean that.”

the drunken brunette opened her mouth to argue, but somehow the only thing that slipped out was “…goodnight.”

the older smiled, softer this time. “goodnight, az.”

mackenzie didn’t miss the way azzi failed to protest the nickname. she simply shook her head to herself as she led the younger woman toward the elevators, heading down to the lobby.

“you’re smiling,” mackenzie pointed out.

“am not.”

“you literally are.”

“it’s the alcohol.”

“sure.”

“it is.”

“whatever you say girl.”

their voices gradually disappeared into the tiny leftover crowd. paige remained seated at the bar, her drink untouched.

the player looked towards the elevators just in time to catch azzi glancing back over her shoulder for the briefest second before the doors closed.

well, this took an unexpected turn.

═════════════════════

the next morning, azzi woke up to her pulse ringing in her head as a brutal hangover kicked in, her memories of the night before nothing more than a blurry haze. groaning against the sunlight, she blindly reached for her phone on the nightstand, only to freeze when a single notification lit up her screen from the last person she ever expected.

@ paigebueckers started following you!

oh, fuck. what did she do.

═════════════════════

ⓘ UNEXPECTED GAME 2

wnba! paige bueckers x model! azzi fudd — 2.9k wc

Paige Bueckers is the franchise star player of the Dallas Wings. She's known to be this generational talent both in basketball and in... women, apparently. Azzi Fudd, one of the most known names in the model industry. doesn't care about basketball nor this 'Paige Bueckers' that her best friend has been fawning over. So, when her best friend got her courtside season tickets to the game, she's forced to attend. From the moment she locks eyes with the star player, she knew Paige was nothing but trouble.

Girl code exists for a reason. Azzi knows better than to cross that line. Well, the only problem is... she wants to. and Paige seems more than willing to break them with her.

read chapter one here. thank you for all the love ❤️🫠 updated! unexpected game’s playlist here.

—。 Presented and written by, azzidefender.

═════════════════════

chapter two : move two

“okay, i’m gonna head out now, jules.” azzi called as she hurried to the kitchen, grabbing the protein shake she’d made earlier from the fridge. balancing on one foot, she shoved on her shoe, her damp hair and fresh clothes a testament to the lightning-fast shower she’d taken after the gym.

julia’s red head popped up from behind the couch. “what? where?” she frowned, “i thought our meeting was at two.”

“yeah, but i’ve got a shoot before that, i thought i already told you.” azzi barely looked up as she continued pacing around their shared penthouse, patting down countertops and side tables in search of her keys.

“what shoot?” jules asked, her curiosity piqued.

azzi shrugged, “calvin’s.”

julia’s head whipped around. “calvin klein?”

“mhm.” azzi answered distractedly, still searching every countertop for her damn car keys. “hey, have you seen my—

“why didn’t i get an offer?” julia cut in, sounding genuinely offended.

azzi sighed, not this again.

“we can’t expect to get the same offers every time, jules. you booked jacquemus last week, and i was nothing but happy for you. can’t you just be happy for me?”

julia immediately shook her head. “no—no, i am happy for you, az.” she hesitated before adding, “it’s just… weird that you got the offer and i didn’t.”

azzi finally stopped pacing, turning to look at her. “how is that weird?”

for a split second, julia’s expression faltered before she let out a light, dismissive laugh. “never mind.” she waved it off. “what’s the shoot for, anyway?”

azzi held her gaze for another moment, unconvinced. “…it’s for a pride month campaign.”

julia’s eyebrows shot up, “so… you’re gonna be shooting with a girl?” azzi shrugged for what felt like the second time that morning, “i guess? i don’t know.”

julia let out another laugh, though this one sounded just a touch awkward. “since when do you like shooting with girls?”

finally spotting her keys on the entryway table, azzi grabbed them and arched a brow. “did you forget i’m bi?” she reminded her best friend. “besides, work is work. i don’t really care who i’m shooting with.”

“…right,” julia murmured. “aren’t you gonna take joe? i know you hate driving.”

joe was their personal driver.

azzi pulled the front door open. “no, you can take him. i know you’re grabbing matcha with your friends later.” she glanced at the time on her phone, “i really gotta go now. see you, jules.”

“oh, okay. see you, az. love you!”

a small smile tugged at azzi’s lips as she stepped into the hallway, “love you too.”

with that, she pulled the door shut behind her.

═════════════════════

“you’ve got to be kidding me.”

remember when azzi said she didn’t care who she was gonna shoot with approximately forty minutes ago? well, she cares now.

“what are you doing here?” azzi asked, her brows furrowing as she came face-to-face with the blonde, who was scrolling through her phone, already camera ready.

paige looked up at the sound of her voice. the star player was dressed in a white tank top layered beneath a denim jacket, matching denim jeans, and the signature calvin waistband peeking just above them.

fuck, she looked hot. azzi thought.

“oh, hey princess. finally decided to show up?” paige drawled, not looking the least bit surprised to see azzi. she leaned back in her chair, lazily chewing a piece of gum with the hint of a smug grin tugging at her lips.

azzi had the overwhelming urge to knock that smug expression clean off paige’s face.

“you didn’t answer my question, bueckers.” azzi crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow.

paige only spread her hands with an amused smile, wordlessly inviting azzi to look around before motioning to herself and her outfit, it should’ve been pretty obvious.

“use your context clues, princess.”

azzi stared back at her blankly. “let me rephrase that.” she tilted her head, “what are you doing in this shoot? …are you an extra?”

paige’s jaw dropped. she let out the most exaggerated gasp azzi had ever heard before placing a hand over her chest.

“how dare you.”

“an extra?” paige repeated, batting her eyelashes dramatically. “i didn’t know the princess was such a big head.”

azzi immediately furrowed her brows, “am not.”

“are too.” paige mocked.

“am not.”

“are too.”

“yo! paige, azzi!” damon, the photographer, called out, drawing both of their attention away from their childish bickering. “you two know each other already?”

“no.”

“yeah.”

azzi shot paige a look while damon laughed, “so which one is it?”

“we don’t know each other.”

“we know each other.”

they answered at the exact same time, earning an amused chuckle from the photographer. he pulled azzi into a quick hug before making his way over to paige, greeting her with a dap.

“okay…” he drawled, stretching out the o. “azzi what’chu doin’ girl? we’re starting in thirty. go get your hair and makeup done.”

“yeah, go get your hair and makeup done, bighead. don’t want us commoners waitin’ on you.” paige piled on, arching an eyebrow.

azzi glared at paige. god, she’d never met anyone so aggravating. she let out a heavy exhale through her nose before marching towards the dressing room without so much as another glance.

the blonde smirked to herself, clearly satisfied with the reaction she’d managed to get out of azzi. poor damon, on the other hand, looked completely lost with his camera hanging around his neck.

“what was that about?” he asked, watching azzi disappear into the dressing room. “she on her period?”

paige let out a laugh before patting him on the shoulder. “oh, damon,” she said, shaking her head with a grin. “never ask a woman that. ever.”

then, still chewing her gum, paige sauntered off, leaving damon standing in the middle of the bustling studio.

“…y’all are mad weird.”

═════════════════════

“can we bring that key light up a little?”

“we’re getting glare on the jacket!”

“touch-up!”

the studio buzzed with overlapping voices as paige’s hairstylist fussed over the last few strands of her wavy hair, styled loose around her shoulders. they were about to start shooting.

paige hissed as hairspray found its way straight into her eye. "oh my god—sorry!" her hairstylist apologetically uttered.

"you're good." paige assured her through gritted teeth.

god damn, that burns like hell.

once she was alone again, she blinked furiously, waving a hand in front of her watering eye in a hopeless attempt to ease the sting.

“where’s azzi?! we need to start!” one of the crew shouted.

as if right on cue, azzi walked in. and in that moment. paige thought, fuck her and her life, because damn.

paige’s throat went bone-dry in an instant. her eyes locked onto azzi and completely refused to track anything else in the room.

azzi carried herself with an effortless, casual confidence that made paige’s heart do a violent, erratic thud against her ribs. the same way it did at the game, last week. her hair fell in the softest, most luscious curls the blonde had ever laid eyes on, and all paige could think about was what it would feel like to wrap her fingers through them, pulling azzi just a little bit closer.

azzi wore a simple bralette that barely managed to hold the soft, heavy curve of her breasts, leaving her smooth, honey-brown skin glowing beneath the studio lights. the thin fabric strained slightly against her full shape, offering a glimpse of shadow and cleavage that made paige’s chest tight. it was torture.

her gaze traced the way her breasts shifted subtly with every breath, down to the dip of her collarbone, and then further down to a silver belly button piercing that caught the light every time she moved, drawing paige’s eyes right to her waist.

a pair of light-wash denim jeans sat low on her hips, mirroring paige’s look, except instead of a boxer waistband peeking through, the signature calvin klein band of her underwear rested perfectly above the denim.

the older swallowed hard, a sudden, heavy heat pooling low in her stomach. it was unfair how badly she wanted to slide her hands under that waistband, to see if azzi’s skin felt as warm and velvety as it looked. if they were supposed to be shooting a scene together, paige was absolutely doomed.

but she had to play it cool, obviously.

“fashionably late, are we?” paige smirked, making absolutely no effort to hide the way her eyes shamelessly roamed over the supermodel.

azzi caught her in the act almost immediately, her expression flattening as she strode closer. “eyes up here, bueckers.”

paige’s gaze finally met hers, a crooked grin tugging at her lips. “just appreciating the fit.”

“mhm.” azzi hummed, unconvinced. “sure you were.”

“i was.”

“right.”

“what? it’s a nice outfit.” the blonde defended herself.

azzi only gave her a look before walking past. although, the corner of her mouth threatening to curl into a smile. “keep telling yourself that.”

paige watched her go for exactly half a second before her eyes betrayed her again. her gaze dropped, completely powerless against the pull, and locked right onto the heavy, perfect curve of azzi’s ass.

fuck, that bubble ass. she whistled internally, she told herself that was an accident (it was very much intentional.)

“seriously?” azzi called over her shoulder without even turning around. the older blinked innocently, “what? now i was just appreciating the shoes.”

“you are unbelievable.”

yeah, unbelievably gay. paige thought.

“alright ladies, let’s start simple.” damon called out, gesturing toward the center of the backdrop.

paige rolled her shoulders, trying to look like she wasn’t currently fighting for her life in a room that suddenly felt eighty degrees hotter.

they started with standard, professional poses. paige stood facing away from the lens, flexing her back just enough for the studio lights to catch the line of her spine through the denim jacket. azzi stepped up behind her, turning the opposite way and casually leaning her elbow right on paige’s shoulder.

the physical contact sent a jolt straight through the blonde’s entire body. naturally, she couldn't just behave.

“you’re heavy,” paige mumbled out of the side of her mouth, keeping her jaw tense for the camera. “what did you eat for breakfast, rocks?”

“shut up, bueckers.” azzi muttered back through a perfectly practiced, gorgeous smize. “stand still and look pretty… or just stand still, since looking pretty is my job.” the younger continued, causing paige to chuckle.

“next set! on the floor, on your backs, facing the ceiling!” damon yelled, the camera shutter clicking rapidly.

they dropped to the backdrop, laying side by side. they were supposed to be looking cool and detached, staring up at the lens overhead. instead, paige immediately started inching her shoulder over until it bumped azzi’s.

“you’re in my space.” azzi whispered, her eyes fixed on the camera lens but her tone sharp enough to cut glass.

“it’s a shared backdrop, fudd. sharing is caring.” paige whispered back, deliberately shifting her leg so the denim of their jeans brushed. “besides, you love being close to me.”

“i will literally kick you in the shin on camera paige.”

“do it. the fans will love the tension.”

as the shoot went on, damon started directing them into progressively more intimate setups. the gap between them vanished. hands were placed on hips, breaths were turning warm against necks, and paige’s brain was rapidly melting into mush. she was doing her absolute best to mask her sheer, desperate horniness with obnoxious banter, but it was getting harder by the second.

“okay, let’s up the heat.” damon called out, looking through the viewfinder with a grin. “azzi, hop into her lap. face her. let’s get something raw.”

paige barely had time to brace herself before azzi pivoted, straddling her lap. because of the low-slung jeans and the sheer lack of fabric in azzi's bralette, the positioning meant the soft, heavy curve of azzi’s breasts was aligned directly with paige’s face. like, zero distance. paige’s vision was entirely filled with honey-brown skin and the teasing shadow of cleavage.

paige froze. her mind went completely blank. she was staring. she was staring so hard her eyes were practically burning.

the camera clicked. snap! snap!

azzi’s eyes narrowed as she maintained her fierce, sultry pose for the lens. through her teeth, she hissed, “can you stop staring at my breasts?”

paige didn't even blink. she just leaned in a fraction of an inch, her voice dropping to a low, completely unbothered whisper. “well, it’s kinda hard if it’s right in front of me, princess.”

azzi’s cheeks flushed a furious, beautiful pink. “you are insufferable.”

“and you’re sitting on my lap. look who’s winning.”

“that’s it.” azzi snapped, suddenly throwing her hands up. she scrambled off paige’s lap, marching right over to the front of the set toward the photographer. “damon, seriously, why do i have to do this with paige of all people? shouldn’t this be like… a couple thing? it’s way too much.”

paige didn't even bother getting up. she stayed right there on the floor, leaning back on her hands against the backdrop, her legs sprawled out, wearing the biggest, most shit-eating grin known to mankind.

damon lowered his camera. around the studio, the rest of the staff stopped dead in their tracks, slowly looking at each other in stunned silence. azzi fudd was always known to be the epitome of a consummate professional on set. the fact that paige had cracked her standard composure was nothing short of a miracle.

damon blinked, looking between the stressed out azzi and the smugly vibrating paige. “okay,” damon said slowly, raising an eyebrow. “do you have a girlfriend or a boyfriend, azzi?”

azzi crossed her arms, defensive. “...no.”

damon’s gaze slowly drifted past azzi’s shoulder, locking onto paige. silently asking what about you?

paige was still peacefully sitting on the ground, completely content with her life choices. without losing a beat, paige offered a loud, cheerful, “nope.” popping the p at the end.

damon looked back at azzi, a wide concerning smile breaking across his face. “do both of you wanna get paid?”

at the exact same time, like a pair of synchronized twins, both azzi and paige aggressively nodded their heads.

“then act like y’all at least tolerate each other for five damn minutes!” damon threw his hands in the air, completely crashing out.

azzi winced, she pursed her lips into a pout. meanwhile paige? yes, she was still shit-grinning in the back.

“back on the lap. let’s go!”

═════════════════════

two weeks later.

@calvinklein made a new post!

📸: paige bueckers & azzi fudd

bio : gravity pulls, but they pull harder. unapologetic, breathtaking, and entirely magnetic in each other's orbit.

@ paigebueckers and @ azzifudd in calvin klein. closer than ever. #pride

liked by angelreese5, azzifudd, paigebueckers and 1,842,904 others.

view all 24,918 comments

@bueckers.nation: WAIT??? PAIGE AND AZZI FOR CALVIN KLEIN??? IM SCREAMING 😭😭😭

╰› @fuddontop: this is like a DREAM COLLAB.

╰› @azprincess: what is life fr.

@bigbucketspb: paige is so… 🥵🤤 respectfully.

@womenshoops.vibe: HOLYY— this campaign is absolutely legendary 😭🔥

@pb5court: look at the second slide omg... paige looks DOWN BAD. she is literally staring directly at azzi’s chest like her life depends on it 💀

╰› @paigey5: LMFAO not you calling our girl out 😭

╰› @pb.wings: no but she’s so real for that.

╰›@uconnforever: nah she just gay.

@ballersparadise: THE crossover i never knew i needed. the chemistry in these photos is actually insane.

@fuddszn: azzi looks INSANE in that bralette omg but can we talk about the lap pose??? the way paige is looking up at her??? they are not just coworkers your honor.

@paigeypov: paige is fighting for her actual life in that lap picture. I GET HER, LIKE MOVE TF OUT BLONDIE.

╰› @azlover: NO BUT HOW DO I BECOME AZZI. like i wanna sit on paige’s lap. 🤠

@hoopsandhearts: what does paige have that i don’t 💔😞

╰› @bucketcharts: a lot honey, A LOT. 🫩

@damonshotsofficial: y’all don’t wanna know what i went through for this.

╰› liked by calvinklein

ⓘ UNEXPECTED GAME 1

wnba! paige bueckers x model! azzi fudd — 4.6k wc

Paige Bueckers is the franchise star player of the Dallas Wings. She’s known to be this generational talent both in basketball and in… women, apparently. Azzi Fudd, one of the most known names in the model industry. doesn’t care about basketball nor this ‘Paige Bueckers’ that her best friend has been fawning over. So, when her best friend got her courtside season tickets to the game, she’s forced to attend. From the moment she locks eyes with the star player, she knew Paige was nothing but trouble.

Girl code exists for a reason. Azzi knows better than to cross that line. Well, the only problem is… she wants to. and Paige seems more than willing to break them with her.

dedicated to my dear anon who came up with this highly requested prompt awhile ago.

obviously feel free to tell me what you guys think 💭 ‼️

—。Presented and written by, azzidefender.

═════════════════════

chapter one : move one

dallas college park center was deafening. excitement buzzed through the arena, the energy crackling in the air as the crowd erupted into thunderous cheers every time a wings player scored. azzi could feel the vibrations beneath her boots, the atmosphere unlike anything she’d ever experienced.

it couldn’t have been more different from the world azzi is used to. her workplace was subdued, almost sacred, where the loudest sound was the rhythmic click of heels against the runway, the background music and the soft instructions murmured from behind the camera.

the contrast was almost jarring, yet somehow fascinating. in a way, she understood the thrill.

fashion wasn’t always quiet either, backstage was a different story entirely. a beautiful kind of chaos where stylists rushed between racks, makeup artists made last second touch-ups, hairdressers fixed every strand that dared fall out of place, and someone was always counting down the seconds until the next look.

she’s learned how to slip in and out of outfits in record time while voices overlapped around her, calling her name, adjusting a sleeve, straightening a collar, reminding her where to stand next. it wasn’t all that different from what she was witnessing now. different worlds and uniforms, but the same adrenaline pulsing beneath it all.

how did azzi end up here? she doesn’t really know…

yesterday, she was catching up with julia and somehow now, she’s sitting court-side at a dallas wings game against the atlanta dream.

she doesn’t even like basketball. well, doesn’t like is a strong word. she more so… doesn’t understand it. if she doesn’t understand it, how can she possibly enjoy it, right?

angel is on the atlanta dream though, which is exciting to see. azzi and her met two years ago, during a shoot for skims. she was surprised to find out that modeling wasn’t angel’s main job, considering how talented she is at it. since then, they became close friends and meet up once every couple of months.

angel snagged the ball after it bounced off the rim. a rebound, azzi thought. at least she was pretty sure that’s what it was called. years of overhearing her basketball-crazy parents yelling at the tv had to count for something.

azzi clapped, earning a few side glances from the wings fan besides her. one of them including her best friend, julia.

“did you forget we’re here to support the wings azzi?”

azzi shrugged unfazed, “i don’t know any of em, we do know angel though, so you should clap for her too jules.” she called out, they should show their friend some support.

julia gaped as she stared at her best friend. “az, that’s not how it works. we live in dallas, we should support our home team.”

azzi raised an eyebrow, “says you. aren’t you just here for paige beukers—

“it’s bueckers azzi, b-u-e-c-k-e-r-s. how many times do i have to repeat this for you to get it right? julia cuts off, spelling the star player name one by one.

azzi rolled her eyes, “yea her, anyways. you weren’t even into sports a week ago, let alone basketball. so you have no right to question who i support.” she sassily replied.

julia thinned her lips into a straight line, not even questioning the younger anymore, she had grown used to it. “but isn’t paige so hot? i mean, look at her az. that’s my future wife right there.” she continued, bringing her hand up in the air towards the blonde player with the number 5 attached on the back.

azzi simply stared at julia blankly. this is the third time her lesbian best friend has had a crush on someone this year, and it’s all thanks to her obsession with watching thirst trap edits. tho, azzi would say this one was the worst so far.

“i can’t believe you bought court-side tickets after seeing her on your, for you page.”

julia waved her hand dismissively. “we have too much money to spend anyway, might as well.” azzi let out a quiet laugh, shaking her head at the ridiculous logic of her redheaded best friend.

“oh! azzi, look! we’re on the jumbotron.” julia exclaimed excitedly.

azzi lifted her head towards the massive screen hanging above the arena. sure enough, there they were, front and center. azzi fudd & julia ricardo, with supermodel displayed beneath their names. the crowd erupted into cheers the moment they recognized the pair. after all, they were the most famous supermodel duo in dallas.

julia threw both hands into the air, waving so enthusiastically as if the jumbotron wasn’t already impossible to miss. azzi, on the other hand, only let out a soft chuckle before flashing the camera a small, dimpled smile accompanied by a subtle wave.

with the game paused for a timeout, most of the players instinctively looked up at the jumbotron, puzzled by the crowd’s sudden burst of cheers.

azzi noticed several of the players looking pleasantly surprised at the sight of them on the jumbotron. smiles spread across their faces almost instantly, with a few even nudging their teammates to look. angel, in particular, beamed the moment she spotted them.

but that wasn’t the main thing she noticed. azzi couldn’t shake the feeling of a certain blonde’s gaze crawling beneath her skin. while the other players quickly looked away, she didn’t. she kept staring at them… particularly at her.

across the court, bueckers sat on the dallas bench, chest rising and falling with heavy breaths as the coach drew up the next play. a bottle of gatorade rested in her hand, taking the occasional sip, yet her eyes never once left azzi.

their view were directly across from one another.

azzi had never been one to lose a staring contest. if anything, she welcomed the challenge. so instead of looking away, she held the blonde’s gaze without hesitation, one brow slowly arching as if to silently ask, what?

seconds stretched between them. the noise of the arena faded into the background as neither of them blinked first.

then, just as the referee signaled for play to resume, the blonde let out, on what it looks like the faintest chuckle. a smug grin tugged at the corner of her lips before she pushed herself off the bench and jogged back onto the court, leaving azzi watching after her with a confusion she couldn’t quite explain.

okay, she’s hella weird. azzi internally thought. they didn’t even know each other.

“omg, az! did you see that?” julia squealed suddenly, shoving azzi’s shoulder with a grin so wide it looked like her cheeks might split. “paige was a thousand percent checking me out! did you see the way she kept staring? she was basically eye-fucking me with her eyes!”

the brunette chuckled awkwardly, “yeah… i saw that.” she couldn’t bring herself to burst her best friend’s bubble, especially when she wasn’t even sure what had just happened herself.

“ugh, thank god i did my hair today. i knew it would pay off! she’s totally into me.” julia declared, dramatically brushing her thick, fiery red hair over one shoulder with an impossibly smug smile.

azzi rolled her eyes once again, unable to hide her amused smile at julia’s unwavering confidence.

to be fair, her best friend is gorgeous.

she couldn’t exactly blame julia for assuming the blonde had been staring. the last two gay women julia had developed a crush on had ended up in her bed, so her confidence wasn’t exactly unfounded. maybe this blonde would be next.

and maybe… julia was right.

maybe azzi had simply mistaken the direction of the stare. they had been sitting shoulder to shoulder, after all.

“yeah, your hair looks great, jules. as always.” azzi said with a soft laugh, indulging her best friend’s ego. julia grinned triumphantly before leaning her head against azzi’s shoulder. “thanks babe, you also look absolutely stunning.”

she’d admit it, she did look good as well. but she was starting to regret wearing the leather mini skirt. it wasn’t exactly the most comfortable thing to sit in, especially with courtside seats in the very front row.

the game carried on, just as intense as it had been all night. neither team was willing to give an inch, and before anyone knew it, regulation had come and gone.

overtime. the arena buzzed with anticipation as every possession suddenly felt like it could decide the game.

then, in the blink of an eye, number 10 from the wings lost her handle. the ball slipped from her fingertips and skidded across the hardwood, bouncing dangerously toward the sideline—right where azzi and julia were seated.

before either of them even had the chance to flinch, a blonde blur darted into view.

bueckers lunged without hesitation, stretching every inch of her frame to snatch the loose ball inches before it sailed out of bounds or into the hands of an atlanta player. one fluid motion later, she had already shoveled it back to a teammate before crashing into the courtside barricade.

without thinking, azzi instinctively reached out a hand to help. she was the closest to the blonde, after all.

bueckers looked momentarily dazed from the collision, blinking a couple of times before her eyes found azzi’s. after a brief beat, she slipped her hand into azzi’s and let the brunette steady her back onto her feet.

“you okay, princess?”

the words were barely above a murmur, low enough that azzi almost convinced herself she’d imagined them.

princess?

her brows furrowed, who the hell did this woman think she was? calling her princess.

“i think you should be asking yourself that.” azzi replied, raising one of her eyebrows in amusement.

the blonde’s grin widened ever so slightly, as if she’d gotten exactly the reaction she was hoping for, paige winked playfully before jogging back into the game.

“damn,” julia sulked dramatically. “i should’ve taken your seat earlier.” she slumped back in her chair with an exaggerated sigh after instinctively shrieking to the other side when the collision happened. “i could’ve touched her strong veiny hands.”

azzi shot julia a look, equal parts entertained and incredulous. “okay… now you’re just making it weird jules.”

julia continued to pout beside her while azzi found herself glancing down at her own hand, she couldn’t help but to agree.

paige bueckers did have nice hands. strong, warm, and surprisingly gentle.

okay, stop. you’re the one being weird now. azzi shook her head, forcing the train of thought out of her mind.

once the final buzzer sounded, signaling the end of the game, angel made her way over to them. “hey, ladiesss.” she greeted with a grin. “didn’t know you were coming to the game, you should’ve give me a heads up fudd!”

azzi wasted no time wrapping the girl in a hug. “hey, angel. i didn’t even know i was coming until 9 p.m. last night, so… i couldn’t exactly text you a heads-up.” she replied with a sheepish laugh, sending julia a knowing glance.

julia rolled her eyes dramatically. “fine… it was my spontaneous idea, az. blame me.” she said, raising her hands in mock surrender.

she stepped forward to give angel a quick hug, which the taller woman returned with an easy smile. while julia and angel weren’t nearly as close as azzi and angel were, they’d crossed paths on enough projects over the years to know each other well enough for the greeting to feel effortless.

“great game by the way, you killed it.” azzi added.

“it would’ve been if paige hadn’t come in clutch,” angel replied with mock annoyance. “she’s so damn irritating when she does that, which is all the time.”

the mention of one particular player immediately caught julia’s attention.

“you know her?”

azzi and angel turned to look at her at the exact same time. even azzi, who barely knew the first thing about basketball, knew the answer to that.

her best friend squeezed her eyes shut for a second, realizing she’d just asked a pretty stupid question. which, to be fair, she had.