it was the biggest night of the year for paige. biggest night of her college career, even. she had a shot at winning the national championship. every year her and the rest of her UCONN teammates came so close to winning it all, but they always fell short. now, it was paige’s 5th and final year playing college basketball. she needed that natty. you believed in her. everyone did. they knew she deserved it.

through all the injuries, recovery, and hard games, she just had one goal. that one goal was within reach now. you sat courtside with your best friends, anxious for the upcoming tipoff. you previously had seats in a higher row, but paige obviously insisted on moving you closer. she spoiled you too much.

as the game progressed, paige was on fire. shooting deep threes and getting continuous and-ones in the paint, she was unstoppable. the game ended up being won by the huskies, 70-66. after hugs exchanged and many, many pictures, you, paige, and the rest of the team along with their boyfriends and girlfriends made your way to the bar off campus, ted’s. you went there after every big win, but this one felt different. more special.

you sat next to paige on a couch in the corner of the bar reserved for the team. she was talking to azzi about something, exchanging laughs. you all were pretty drunk by now, having drank countless shots and many dirty shirley’s. paige obviously put you on to those. azzi excused herself to get another drink, so paige turned to you.

“you good, ma?” she gave your thigh a gentle pat, her words slightly slurred but still distinct. “gimme like an hour or two, and i gotchu.”