Collision Course

Transition Game

The locker room was quiet in the way only a tough loss could make it.

Sneakers scuffed against tile, muffled voices floated like smoke, and the occasional sigh punctuated the stillness. Nika sat at her cubby, her head bowed over her hands. Her jersey clung damp to her skin, the bitter taste of defeat still sharp in her throat.

She hated this feeling—the way her chest felt heavy, her lungs too tight.

"Nik," Aaliyah said softly from across the room. "You good?"

Nika managed a weak smile and a nod. "Yeah. I just... need a minute."

Her teammates gave her space, filing out slowly. She could hear their hushed reassurances to each other, the clatter of gear being packed away.

But all Nika could think about was Jamie.

She found her outside the locker room, leaning against the concrete wall with her hands stuffed into her hoodie pocket. The hood was pulled up despite the warm air, and her headphones sat askew around her neck.

Jamie straightened when she saw Nika, her brows knitting in concern. "Hey."

Nika tried to smile. It faltered halfway.

Jamie shifted awkwardly, fingers twitching at her side like she wasn't sure if she should reach out. But then Nika took a shaky breath and stepped closer.

"Can I...?" she murmured, her voice unsteady.

Jamie nodded before Nika even finished.

The hug was hesitant at first—Jamie's arms looping around Nika stiffly. But then, as Nika exhaled against her shoulder, Jamie's grip tightened.

It wasn't the kind of hug that was casual or practiced. It was desperate in its quiet way—arms clutching like Nika might slip away if she didn't hold on.

"I'm sorry," Jamie said softly, the words nearly lost in Nika's hair.

"You didn't do anything," Nika murmured back, her voice muffled against Jamie's hoodie.

Jamie shook her head. "I know. Just... sorry it hurts."

Nika's fingers curled into the fabric at Jamie's back. The cedar-and-citrus smell that clung to her jacket filled her senses, grounding her in a way no pep talk ever could.

For a long moment, they didn't move.

No one else existed—not the locker room full of slumped shoulders, not the fans already dissecting the loss online. Just Nika and Jamie, standing in the dim hallway, holding on.

"You don't have to stay," Nika whispered eventually, though she didn't pull back.

"Not leaving," Jamie said simply.

Nika smiled against Jamie's shoulder. "You're stubborn."

"Little bit."

They stood there until the noise from the locker room faded completely.

Later

Jamie walked her back to the dorms in silence, their fingers brushing occasionally but never fully intertwining. Jamie didn't push. She just walked beside her, matching Nika's steps like it was second nature.

At the door, Nika turned to her. "Thanks for... being here. You didn't have to."

Jamie's gaze softened, one hand rubbing the back of her neck. "You'd do it for me."

Nika's chest tightened in a way that wasn't unpleasant.

"Goodnight, Jamie," she said, a little reluctantly.

Jamie hesitated, then—just for a heartbeat—reached out and tucked a stray strand of hair behind Nika's ear.

"Night, Muhl."

And with that, she turned and walked back into the quiet night, leaving Nika standing there, heart pounding in her chest.