the arena lights were humming above, filling the gym with harsh lights. you could feel the vibration from the speakers in your chest as music rang through the gym. your sneakers squeaked as you cut across the three point line during layup lines as your jersey was already soaking through with nervous sweat that had started as soon as you went through the tunnel

this wasnt just another game. this was THE game.

you were a guard for louisville. you had worked your way here through years of sweat and now in your home court, you were staring down uconn. it was more than that though. you were staring down paige bueckers.

your chest tightened when you thought her name. paige. she was once your best friend. once the girl who could make you laugh so hard that you nearly cried. once the girl you had been stupid enough to fall for and lucky enough to date.

for a while it had been perfect. you were on the same team, traveling, winning, and falling asleep on facetime after practices that pushed you both past exhaustion

then came the departure. it wasnt just a breakup it was also the split of paths. she went to uconn while you went your way and even though the relationship ended that little flame inside you hadnt

everybody knew it too. it wasnt a secret that you still loved her. it showed in the way you never talked about her but also with the silence that was so loud it told everyone exactly how much she still mattered

your teammate, janelle, ran up beside you while bouncing a ball "you good y/n? you look like youre about to have a heart attack and we havent even tipped yet"

you forced a small laugh, catching the pass and finishing with a clean layup "im fine. just adrenaline."

"adrenaline my ass." she smirked "this about paige isnt it?" she tilted her chin towards the other end of the court where uconn was warming up and there paige was

your throat went dry "focus on the game." it came out more like a plea than a command

"dont let her get in your head before we even start. tonights your house. you hear me? your house."

eventually the announcers voice rang through the arena. the crowd roared as the starting lineups were introduced. you stood shoulder to shoulder with your teammates at half court, lightly bouncing on your toes

"and now for you lousiville cardinals.." the announcers voice rolled like thunder, hyping the crowd as each one of your teammates were called out

when they got to you "at guard a sophomore standing at 5'9.. number 11 y/n y/l/n" the sound hit like a wave as the student section rose, screaming your name and stomping their feet so hard that you could feel it in your feet

you jogged forward, giving your teammates high fives while your chest was buzzing with energy but the second you turned back to line up with them, the uconn lineup began

"and at guard, a senior standing at 5'11.. number 5.. paige bueckers!"

the crowd erupted with cheers and boos, depending on which section you looked at but your eyes didnt leave her. she ran forward with that familiar smile, highfiving all her teammates

for just a second her gaze had flicked towards you. it was just a flicker of the tiniest glance but it was enough that you felt your breath catch in your throat like someone had just knocked the air out of you without touching you at all

as both teams huddled up, your coach clapped his hands together "lock in. were not here to admire anybodys game. were here to win. y/n you set the tone. theyve got weapons but you cant play scared. attack them early. force mistakes. got it?"

"yes coach." you answered even though your voice was tighter than you wanted it to be

when the team broke from the huddle, janelle leaned in close "block everything else out. eyes on the rim. not on her."

you nodded, trying to convince yourself she was right but as you walked towards the tip off circle with the noise of the crowd vibrating all around you, your eyes betrayed you. they found paige again who was standing across the court with an unreadable expression