Parallel Plays | P.B & C.C

10. red wine supernova. SAVANNAH

Oh, God.

My stomach twists. I am not having this thought. Not now. Not ever.

I inhale sharply, forcing my eyes forward, focusing on the sidewalk instead of my rapidly spiraling thoughts.

"Everything okay?" Paige's voice is casual, but there's a hint of amusement in it.

"Fine!" I say way too quickly.

Paige raises an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. "You sure? You look like you're either about to throw up or have an existential crisis."

I force out a laugh. "Just—headache. You know, concussion stuff."

It's not exactly a lie.

Paige nods, accepting that answer easily, and I internally thank whatever higher power exists for the fact that she doesn't press further.

I just need to get it together.

We reach Nika's dorm, and before I have a chance to mentally prepare myself, Paige is leading me inside. She quickly introduces me

The smell of garlic and something else amazing fills the air. The kitchen light is warm and inviting, and I immediately spot Nika and Caroline standing by the stove, focused on whatever masterpiece they're creating.

And then—

There's KK.

Sitting at the counter, completely unbothered, dressed in nothing but a sports bra and basketball shorts.

Boobs.

I mean—not boobs! I mean—why am I even thinking about this?!

My brain short-circuits.

Because here's the thing: KK is objectively hot. That's just a fact. She's all muscle, confidence, and easy charm.

And yet.

Seeing her like this doesn't make my stomach flip. Doesn't make my brain malfunction. Doesn't make me feel like I forgot how to breathe properly.

Not the way Paige casually brushing my arm as she walks past does.

Not the way Nika's Croatian accent sounds.

Crap.

I'm in trouble.

I immediately focus anywhere else, walking toward the stove like my life depends on it.

"What's for dinner?" I ask, forcing enthusiasm into my voice.

Nika turns, smiling. "Pasta. Caroline's special recipe."

Fuck. Why was her Croatian accent so unreasonably hot?

Caroline rolls her eyes but smiles anyway. "It's literally just spaghetti with extra garlic and some secret seasonings."

Nika bumps her hip against Caroline's. "Secret seasonings that make it amazing."

Paige moves beside me, leaning against the counter. "As long as it's food, I'm in."

KK laughs from her seat. "Big words for someone who literally orders the same thing every time we go out."

Paige flips her off, and KK grins like she enjoys pushing Paige's buttons.

I just stand there, pretending like I'm totally normal, totally not dealing with some sort of sexuality crisis.

I should sit down. Maybe get water. Do normal human things.

Instead, I make the mistake of glancing at Paige again.

She's focused on KK now, rolling her eyes at whatever nonsense just came out of her mouth, but something about her expression is soft. Like this is her comfort zone. Like this—being around her teammates, her people—makes her relax in a way she rarely does elsewhere.

And for some reason, I feel like I shouldn't be seeing it.

Like I'm noticing things I shouldn't notice.

I look away again, stomach twisting.

Dinner is loud, chaotic, and exactly what I need.

Nika and KK bicker over the correct pasta-to-sauce ratio while Caroline just sighs like she's used to this exact argument happening on a weekly basis. Paige chimes in occasionally, mostly just to add fuel to the fire.

And me?

I focus on eating. On not thinking too hard about anything.

Except, every once in a while, I catch Paige looking at me. Not in a weird way. Just—checking in.

And every time it happens, my chest tightens just a little.

Because I think I like it.

And that might be the most terrifying realization of all.

A Walk and a Moment

After dinner, Paige offers to walk me back to my dorm, and I don't hesitate before agreeing.

The night is even quieter now, most students having already settled into their dorms or study spaces. The air is crisp, and I pull my hoodie tighter around myself.

Paige is quiet beside me for a while before she finally says, "You seemed off tonight."

I glance at her, surprised. "What do you mean?"

She shrugs. "I don't know. Just—like your brain was somewhere else."

Oh.

Yeah.

You know, just having a full-on sexuality crisis over here. No big deal.

I force a small laugh. "Guess I'm still just—processing everything. The concussion, missing practice... all of it."

Paige studies me for a moment before nodding. "Yeah. That makes sense."

We fall back into silence, but it's comfortable.

I don't know what makes me do it—maybe it's the quiet, maybe it's the fact that I'm still rattled from all my thoughts earlier—but before I can stop myself, I ask, "How did you know?"

Paige tilts her head. "Know what?"

I exhale, hesitating for only a second. "That you liked girls."

Paige's steps slow slightly, and my heart pounds in my chest.

Then, to my surprise, she smiles. Just a little. "I think I always knew. But I didn't let myself know for a long time."

Something about that hits me harder than I expect it to.

Paige glances at me. "Why do you ask?"

I open my mouth. Close it. I don't know what to say.

So I go with the safest answer.

"No reason."

Paige doesn't call me out on the lie. She just nods, like she understands anyway.

And maybe, that's enough for now.

Uhm 2942 words? Idk I got bored- Owner 1!