#safe place

It’s the small things first.

That’s how Paige notices.

Azzi stops talking mid-sentence sometimes.

Laughs a little late.

Forgets to eat until someone reminds her.

Keeps saying “I’m fine” before anyone even asks.

And Paige knows her too well for that to work.

So she watches.

Quietly.

At first.

Then one night after practice, Azzi sits in the locker room long after everyone leaves.

Still in her gear.

Staring at nothing.

Paige sits down next to her without saying anything.

Just sits.

Minutes pass.

Azzi finally speaks.

“I think something’s wrong with me.”

Paige doesn’t react big.

She just turns slightly.

“What do you mean?”

Azzi shrugs.

Like she’s trying to make it small.

“I don’t know. I just feel… off all the time. Like I can’t catch up to myself.”

Paige’s chest tightens.

But her voice stays soft.

“You don’t have to figure it out alone.”

Azzi laughs quietly.

“It feels like I already should’ve.”

Paige shakes her head immediately.

“No.”

That’s firm.

Not angry.

Just sure.

Azzi finally looks at her.

Eyes tired.

“I keep messing things up lately.”

Paige scoots a little closer.

“You’re not messing anything up.”

Azzi looks down again.

“I’m not like I used to be.”

Paige pauses.

Then gently:

“You’re still you.”

Azzi’s voice cracks a little.

“That doesn’t feel true.”

Paige hesitates.

Then slowly reaches for Azzi’s hand.

Doesn’t grab it.

Just offers.

Azzi takes it immediately.

Like she needed that more than she realized.

Paige squeezes gently.

“You’ve been carrying too much on your own,” she says quietly.

Azzi swallows.

“I don’t know how to stop.”

Paige nods.

“I know.”

A beat.

Then softer:

“But you don’t have to do it alone anymore.”

Azzi’s shoulders shake slightly.

Not fully crying.

Just… breaking a little at the edges.

Paige doesn’t move her hand away.

Just stays.

Grounding.

Present.

After a while Azzi leans sideways.

Slowly.

Carefully.

Until her head rests on Paige’s shoulder.

Paige immediately adjusts so she’s more comfortable.

No hesitation.

No jokes.

Just steady.

Azzi exhales like she’s been holding her breath for days.

“…is this okay?” she whispers.

Paige looks down at her.

“Yeah,” she says simply. “Stay there.”

Azzi nods faintly.

And for the first time in a while, her body actually relaxes.

Paige gently rubs her thumb over Azzi’s knuckles.

“You don’t have to talk,” she adds after a moment.

Azzi closes her eyes.

“…okay.”

Silence settles.

But it’s not heavy anymore.

It’s safe.

Paige leans her head lightly against Azzi’s.

“I’ve got you,” she says quietly.

Azzi doesn’t answer.

But her grip tightens slightly.

Like she believes her.