𑣲⋆purplepaigepurple⁵

Months had already passed, the buzzing noises that jeepneys let out alongside its smoke gave you a sense of nostalgia. Being back home never felt so…refreshing. You let the peace envelope you—bottling up the feelings, trying your best to forget the life you've had back in Connecticut. Trying to forget her.

Paige Bueckers. She had already dominated the league, she was the rookie of the year, and broke all kinds of records. And she did it without you—you are a fool for still clinging onto the hope that Paige will reach out to you and finally reconnect back with each other.

The shadows of her presence followed you back to the Philippines. Your family, friends…they've noticed your dimmed aura, forced smiles whenever Paige's name was brought up. Your tiktok flooded with her and azzi. Paige's Instagram story glaring back at you, your fingers hovered on top of her profile icon—will you ever truly let her go?

Begrudgingly, you stopped yourself from opening her story and opted to close your phone and focus back your attention to your family’s garden.

It was the season two of Unrivaled, you laughed at that thought. Why do you keep yourself updated to what she was doing?

Sure, when you post Paige would like it, even your stories—but not even a message. Were you that easy to throw away?

Sudden vibration from the phone pulled you back to reality,

‘Good Afternoon! Your parcel will be delivered today.’

Bitch. What was I expecting?

Standing up, you headed back inside and made a beeline straight to your room—gosh, you couldn't even scroll on tiktok because her face would just be planted all over your for you page.

And so, you forced yourself to close your eyes and let sleep take over…

݁˖˖𓂃.☘︎˖𓂃.☘︎˖𓂃.☘︎˖𓂃.☘︎˖𓂃.☘︎˖𓂃.☘︎˖𖥔

The aroma of coffee beans mixed with the sweetness of the dessert relaxed Paige's tensed shoulders. She was dragged, yet again by Sonia to try another coffee—Sonia was determined to make Paige a lover of caffeine instead of a hater.

After finding a secluded spot to wait for their order, Paige scrolled on her phone. Fingers automatically tapping Instagram—she didn't expect that when she opened it a familiar face would stare back right at her.

You.

So you were back home in the Philippines, without a second thought—she liked it. She stared at the photo, longer than normal. Stomach dropping when she remembered that the distance between you two has grown apart. You were each other's anchor—now? Just a ghost in each other's past. She missed you.

“Paige?”

The girl looked up to see Sonia already holding their order, “Who’s that?” Sonia gestured to Paige's phone.

Paige could only suck in a breath, and forced herself to reply to avoid Sonia from suspecting, “Just a friend.”

She only received a nod before Sonia gave her the caffeine she ordered, walking back to the facility—Paige’s heart couldn't stop from thumping.

Remembering your picture, how you were back home to your country, you both not communicating anymore.

How did it happen?

݁˖˖𓂃.☘︎˖𓂃.☘︎˖𓂃.☘︎˖𓂃.☘︎˖𓂃.☘︎˖𓂃.☘︎˖𖥔

@paigebueckers liked your post!

That notification made you frown mid laugh with your friends. You were finally exploring your country with them, and Boracay was the first destination in your list.

You never knew that just after a few seconds of posting a dump, Paige would be the first one to like it. Your stomach that was previously hurting from laughter was now a void—Paige.

You hate yourself that you couldn't even forget about her. The blue water reminded you of her eyes, the white sand resembled her blonde hair, everything reminded you of Paige. And you fucking hate it.

She was a ghost. Always haunting you.

You didn't post anything after that. A few of the UCONN Basketball Players kept their contact with you, they were curious to what happened between you and Paige—yet kept their silence.

Not knowing that Paige has sometimes asked them about you,

‘How is she?’ A simple ‘Okay’ was all she could receive. That made Paige feel antsy. Team USA secured their spot for the FIBA World Cup in September, you saw the posts on Instagram and Tiktok.

That tiktok with Paige and Angel? Something awakened in you…

She became more beautiful in your eyes, the glow, the light aura that radiates off of her. Life has been treating her well.

Azzi must be making her happier. And you just fizzled out at the background of their lives.

݁˖˖𓂃.☘︎˖𓂃.☘︎˖𓂃.☘︎˖𓂃.☘︎˖𓂃.☘︎˖𓂃.☘︎˖𖥔

Unrivaled.

Napheesa reached out to you, apparently Mila has been begging her to see you again. It's been a long time since you've seen Mila, the first time you met was during a practice back at Storrs. Napheesa and her family came to visit, assigned to look after Mila—she loved you the moment you gave her a candy. The little princess has always been attached to you since then.

And here you are, Miami. You were excited to explore, let loose before going back home. You steered away from the path that goes to the training room and practice court—instead went straight to the playroom. Your handbag was bulging with candies from the Philippines you wanted Mila to try—excited to see her bright smile and cute face.

Before you could even hold the doorknob, it opened. Paige.

You felt the world stop, heart dropping. You don't even know if it's because you were scared or surprised, maybe both?

“Shit..Hey,” Surprise was also painted on Paige's face, the smile she had when she opened the door slowly morphed into an awkward smile. “Didn’t know you were back here.”

You swallowed, and it felt like grains of sand and nails were shoved down your throat.

“Yeah…”

The awkwardness between the both of you was gruesome, good thing Mila’s scream of excitement finally broke the eye contact that you and Paige definitely didn't want.

“Sissy!”

“Hey Mila! I missed you, Bestie.” You crouched down to welcome Mila who ran to you with open arms.

Paige moved slightly to the side to give space for you and Mila, who were too immersed in your own world of candies. You excitedly handed a few candy, and Mila’s eyes glinted with that innocent spark of a kid who got their treasure.

“Yeah, P Barney is definitely down bad for Miss Girly over there.” Napheesa would only laugh when she heard that and shook her head.

“Alright, Mila. You need to let Sissy settle down.”

݁˖˖𓂃.☘︎˖𓂃.☘︎˖𓂃.☘︎˖𓂃.☘︎˖𓂃.☘︎˖𓂃.☘︎˖𖥔

Chatter around the receiving area of the building finally got quiet—you volunteered to help clean up. There were only a few left since there was a game tomorrow, Phee had a hard time peeling Mila away from you—and that made your heart full. Unaware about the stolen glances Paige has sent your way the whole time, you tried to keep your composure. Cause why the hell does Paige look so ethereal? The feelings that you kept locking away for the past months suddenly burst out of your chest.

“Hey…” That damn voice, “How have you been?”

You knew that you couldn't ignore Paige, she was a stubborn and persistent type of person. With a deep breath, you force yourself to look at her.

“I've been doing fine! Been spending my time with my friends and family..” you kept a small smile, and it hurt your cheeks—you missed the times you didn't have to fake your smile around her.

She nodded as a response, awkwardness was clear as glass—you didn't know what to do, will you just turn back around and finish cleaning up, stare at Paige and just pull her into a hug?

“How are you and Azzi?” you blurted out, and immediately regretted that decision.

Paige laughed. Genuinely laughing at you.

“You…Is that why you ignored me for almost a year?”

“Almost a year is crazy. But, seriously…you look cute together.” you turned around, not wanting to be vulnerable in front of Paige again.

“It was for PR. The fans were crazy, started spreading theories, and PR saw the opportunity to get more coverage..”

…

You didn't know what to say. Looking back to Paige, she was already staring at you—with those tired eyes.

“I'm sorry, Paige…I should've..”

Before you could even finish your sentence—Paige took a step closer and hugged you.

“I missed you…so fucking much.”

“I miss you too, P”

݁˖˖𓂃.☘︎˖𓂃.☘︎˖𓂃.☘︎˖𓂃.☘︎˖𓂃.☘︎˖𓂃.☘︎˖𖥔

Your time at Miami has finally come to an end, Paige volunteered to drive you to the airport. And she would be approximately arriving at your hotel in a few minutes—you still haven't gotten your suitcase to close. So instead, you focused on getting yourself look presentable, you would just let Paige handle the suitcase.

ding!

‘Are you gonna let me in or I'm going to eat your food?’

You ran towards the door with a huff, “Paige!”

And as expected Paige stood on the other side of the door, carrying the bag of food on the other and car keys on the opposite.

“Damn, you look like you wrestled with a lion.”

“Please, help me close my suitcase!” you stood over the wide open suitcase, and Paige who raised an eyebrow, smirk threatening to appear on her gorgeous face.

She set the food down to the table, and you hurriedly sat on a chair to munch on the food she bought. Paige, shook her head and started to close the suitcase with a grunt—a smirk on her face after successfully closing the stubborn suitcase.

Flexing her biceps in front of you, “These big guns sure did you a favor.”

You could only laugh at her arrogance, “Sure, sure whatever helps you sleep at night.”

Both of you finally got ready to head to the airport after a few minutes of cleaning up and getting ready. You felt light. During the whole ride, you kept sneaking glances towards Paige, feeling a bit nostalgic for when you two would often drive around back at UCONN.

“We’re finally. You took so long getting ready, turtle ass.”

“Okay, Barney.”

Paige didn't let you carry a single one of your baggage, believing that she could handle all the weight. You just let her, Paige is Paige. She never changed.

“So, this is it huh? You're finally gonna message me once you get back home?”

“I’ll think about it, Madison.”

Both of you stood there, looking at each other. Just staring at each other's eyes, soaking up the final moments together—you didn't know when you'll be able to see each other again.

“Call me when you land, yeah?”

“Worried about me?”

“Of course, I love you.”

The whole world paused. Looking at Paige's eyes, searching if she was joking about what she said. Nothing. Her eyes held those sincere emotions she kept hiding.

“Paige–”

She pulled you closer, “I love you.” and she leans in, her lips connecting with yours.