#silence.

I COUNT AS A DEMIGOD HERE I CONDEMN MATTKINI!

part 3. paige bueckers x fem! reader

part 1.

part 2.

Silence is the ultimate keeper of secrets. It speaks volumes if you just listen.

Paige plays for UConn, and you're casual acquaintances through KK. It's all been stolen glances, run-ins at practice, then at home games. And hanging out with the UConn team. You and Paige are always so close, yet so far away.

A notification from Paige. Surprise. Your fingers start flying over the keyboard, trying to figure out what to reply. At that moment, everything else loses meaning except Paige—everything except her message.

“Hey, P. I’m okay, thanks for the compliment! But honestly, you’re more like him. You know that yourself.”

Meanwhile, a couple floors down, Paige is screaming into her pillow. KK is laughing out loud at her reaction. Yeah, your compliment about Paige might seem like just another thing, but it’s your compliment to her. That’s why it means so much to her. KK hints to Paige that you two should meet up, find a reason, and spend some time together. Paige gets that too, but hearing it from the outside makes it easier to think clearly.

Because of all the training, extra doctor visits for check-ups, and many absences, they’re justified, obviously. But one professor is really strict about the missed classes, so Paige needs to take a couple of tests for the first semester—which she missed. She doesn’t have the notes, but someone else does. That someone is you.

A perfect excuse to meet up at least twice: first, so you can give her your notes, and second, so she can return them.

“Hey, I’ve got some issues with one subject from the first semester—I’m behind. Can I borrow your notes?”

Instant reply: “Oh, that. Yeah, I’ve got them. I remember the prof yelling at the stragglers. You can come by tomorrow morning, I have class starting at the second period.”

“Thanks so much!! I’ll definitely stop by. I owe you big time.”

And there it is—that warm feeling spreading between you two. KK feels it too, because her two favorite girls are together. Almost.

Morning. Somehow, your alarm didn’t go off. A knock at the door wakes you up. You jump out of bed—after all, you promised Paige the notes yesterday. You throw on some shorts and a t-shirt. (Let’s say you were sleeping in just your underwear, because hey, I like it that way, haha.) You open the door, and there she is—the blonde girl, wearing a UCCon hoodie, Nike sweatpants, hair tied up in a high ponytail. When you open the door, she’s looking at her phone, about to call you. In a second, her eyes shift from sad to full of joy.

“Hey, good morning,” Paige says with a sweet smile, her eyes studying you. “Oops, sorry for waking you.”

“Ah, no worries. Come on in, I’ll find the notes you need,” you say, stepping aside and heading to your desk.

Paige looks around your room. Above your desk hang photos of KK, from Uccon matches, with their women’s basketball team. The photo of your ex is right in the center—where you’re kissing. You broke up before New Year’s. She studied in a neighboring state; you rarely saw each other, but it was intense. She wasn’t very kind to you—it was a painful love. You suspected she cheated on you. Yeah, it was bad. Enough said.

You turn to Paige just as she’s staring at that very photo. You lose your mental composure, sensing her thoughts drifting deeper into that situation. You tear the photo off the wall and toss it into the trash under your desk.

“That’s my ex. We broke up before New Year’s. I always wanted to take that photo down, but…” you start.

Paige interrupts softly, “It’s okay, you don’t owe me any explanations.”

“Thanks,” you say, turning back to hand her the notes.

“Thank you. I owe you,” Paige says, pausing at the door. She hugs you gently. You hug her back. You feel the height difference between you. Another sharp memory flashes in your mind—those same kind of hugs with your ex at the start of your relationship. You feel weak, your body tenses up in the hug. It’s hard to keep control because those past relationships are a literal trigger for you.

“Bye, and hey, I wanted to ask—are you free tonight?” Paige notices you’re feeling a bit off. Her eyes show confusion, but she’s trying to act like everything’s cool. And honestly, she almost pulls it off.

“Yeah, probably. I’ll text you when I’m done with class,” you say. You feel a little warmth inside knowing Paige invited you out, but starting something new always freaks you out a bit. You don’t wanna go through the same old stuff again. Still, you’ve heard a lot about Paige, and people don’t talk badly about her unless it’s true. So, you’re holding onto hope for what you two might have.

“Awesome. I’ll be waiting for your message.” She smiles and walks out of your dorm.

･ﾟﾟ･:.｡..｡.:ﾟ::✼✿

Classes are finally over, but your mind’s been buzzing all day with everything that happened. You wanna talk it out with KK, so you two agree to meet at her dorm while Paige is at the library.

You flop down on Paige’s bed like it’s your own—obviously, she doesn’t know you do that. KK’s lying on her bed.

“So, what happened?” she asks.

You spill all the details.

“I get it, Paige’s an amazing person, super kind, and obviously she’s not gonna be like Emily. But, you know... I still feel those scars on my heart. I don’t love her anymore, I’m almost over her, but it’s tough. I know she wouldn’t hurt me, but I’m scared I’m not good enough for her. She’s like a total star, super famous, with a huge future and an awesome career. I don’t wanna be the one holding her back.”

“Girl, I totally get you. But listen, you’re jumping to conclusions without even knowing how she feels about all this. And here’s the thing—she literally looks at your pics before she goes to sleep. I sent them to her ‘cause she begged me. She whispers your name in her sleep, and you seriously think she’s just gonna give up on you that easy? Nah, she’s not that kind of person, you know that. And honestly, I think maybe being with you could even help her play better.”

After an hour or so of talking, you actually start feeling way better thanks to KK. You get up to head back to your place and text Paige about meeting up.

But just then, the door swings open—Paige walks in.

“Hey KK, I’m starving. Got anything to eat?” Paige looks over at KK, then notices you lounging on her bed, trying to fix the blanket like you’re just chilling there.

Paige bursts out laughing, and KK joins in.

“Well, here we are! Wanna grab dinner together?”

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Don't worry I'll get things off the top shelf for you ❤️