introspectiveextrovertive-blog

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Is anyone kicking their feet gigglin reading the fic yet cause I am 🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️

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Part 4 - Paige's Birthday

Fall - 2021

Today was Paige’s birthday. 

Azzi woke feeling giddy, excited to finally gift her best friend the gift she’s been putting together for the last two months. Her day was full with weights and classes, and although she was seeing Paige later in the evening to celebrate, she immediately found her phone and called her on FaceTime, running into a study space down the hall to not wake her roommate. It was 6AM.

Paige picked up on the fifth ring. She was surrounded by darkness, and her eyes looked swollen from sleep, face half squished into her pillow, lips slightly glistening from the drool Azzi knew escaped her mouth when she was in deep REM sometimes. Cute, Azzi thought.

“Bro, it’s 6 in the morning,” the birthday girl said groggily, voice scratchy.

Azzi beamed, angling the phone down at her face so Paige could see her full smile. “Happy birthday P Buckets!” She exclaimed. “You’re old as hell now, bighead.”

At hearing her words, Paige pushed more of her face into the pillow, feeling a smile creep up on her face. She felt a blush coming on as well and wasn’t sure why; perhaps because Azzi was the first to wish her a happy birthday, because that was such an Azzi thing to do.

“You’re the biggest head for calling me this early,” Paige grumbled, sliding a hand down her face, trying to wake herself up. She opened her eyes and smiled fondly at Azzi through the screen, “Thanks dawg, ‘preciate it.”

“Are you excited for later?” Azzi sat now on a bean bag in the room, her cow slippers tapping the floor. The team had decided they were all going out to celebrate Paige, as they had a later practice tomorrow.

“Yeah, should be fun. Gonna get you drunk,” Paige was pushing half her face into her pillow again, a mischievous smirk on her face.

Azzi slightly blanched at the thought, her body always being a temple to her. She rolled her eyes, “You can try.”

She let out a quick grunt as she got up from the bean bag, the cut t-shirt she slept in slightly falling down her shoulder. Paige’s eyes flickered to her friend’s exposed collarbone and chest, suddenly feeling warm.

“I’ve got to start getting ready for lift and class but I just wanted to call you and let you know I’m glad you were born or whatever,” Azzi said casually, slightly pacing the small study room. “And I love you, or something.” She blushed at her own words, trying hard to continue looking at Paige directly.

Paige stared at her for a moment, mouth slightly open and her lips turned up. She settled on a small smirk, “You’re so corny.”

Azzi groaned and threw her head back, “Shut up.”

Paige chuckled softly. After a beat she replied, “I love you too, Az.”

___________________________________________

Paige’s day was filled with calls and texts from friends and families, even getting a text from Geno that read Happy birthday kid. Strangers around campus even knew it was her birthday somehow, something she could attribute to the phenomenon of her celebrity. It did feel strange to have someone wish her a happy birthday that she didn’t know the name of, however. Regardless, she was on cloud 9.

Her apartment had been unofficially assigned as the pregame spot, something she didn’t mind at all. Her teammates filtered in and out of her room as she got ready, hyping her up and making her laugh.

“Oh, she looking like a dime and a half,” Nika hollered, adding highlighter to Paige’s cheekbones.

“I’m a bad bitch, you already know,” Paige sang absentmindedly, scrolling her phone as her friend did her makeup.

Nika took this distracted opportunity to slightly clear her throat. “So,” She started, “Tryna look pretty for anyone tonight?”

Paige scrunched her brows at the question, slightly laughing. She hadn’t talked to anyone like that since last spring. “Nah, dude. I can’t even remember the last time I was messing with someone like that. I got this shit on for myself,” She cheesed at her friend through the mirror. 

Nika, about to continue her subtle interrogation, was interrupted as Paige stood abruptly. “Azzi texted she’s here, be right back,” Paige said, partially out the door already.

“Mhm,” Nika said to herself.

A few seconds later, Paige walked back in with Azzi. Both held slightly flushed cheeks and smiles, Azzi with a purple gift bag in her hand. She gave Nika a quick hug, “You look so good!”

Nika smiled, “Nah, look at you – I see that belly ring out, girl. Tryna impress anyone tonight?”

Azzi stayed flush and quickly shook her head saying, “Oh my god, no” at the same time as Paige’s ��Chillllllll.”

Nika clicked her tongue on the roof of her mouth, putting away her makeup she brought over to help Paige get ready, “Well if I don’t see you talking to anyone tonight I’m gonna be disappointed.”

Azzi just laughed, settling herself at the edge of Paige’s bed. Paige gave Nika a quick dap and thanked her for helping her get ready.

“Yeah, yeah,” Nika replied as she left the room, leaving the door slightly ajar and eyes catching Paige join Azzi on the bed. She smiled to herself.

The pair now sat alone in Paige’s room, Azzi wringing her hands slightly at a curious nervousness she wasn’t used to around her best friend. She wasn’t sure when it happened, but Paige was starting to look…almost mature. Perhaps it was the makeup and the flat ironed blonde hair, but Azzi had never seen Paige’s cheekbones so defined, or noticed that her cheeks hollowed in a way that accentuated her sharp jaw line. Her lips looked full and glossy, and her eyes looked almost navy as she stared at her through long mascara-coated eyelashes.

Azzi blinked. She stood up and shoved the purple bag in Paige’s lap.

Paige looked back and forth between the bag and back up at Azzi standing in front of her knees, huffing a laugh at the abruptness. More seriously, she said quietly, “You didn’t have to get me anything, Az.”

“Sure,” Azzi motioned to the bag, “Open it.”

Paige began pulling the tissue paper out of the bag, a lopsided smile she didn’t realize she was wearing sat on her lips. Inside, sat a photo album, a few friendship bracelets, a chocolate chip cookie bucket from the Minnesota State Fair, and a new purple iPad case.

“Your case got scratched,” Azzi said, noticing Paige’s silence as she sifted through the items.

Paige opened the album wordlessly, her chest hammering. It was littered with photos from their summer together, some taken on their phones, some taken on a polaroid. Most were Paige and Azzi smiling with or at each other.

“I had them printed out,” Azzi needlessly explained, still looking to fill the silence that Paige had fallen under. “Those are all my favorites.”

Paige looked up at her then, her heart feeling so tender as she looked on and smiled at her friend. She felt so seen. She felt so loved.

“I love it, Az,” She smiled wrapping Azzi in a tight hug, rocking them back and forth, “Thank you so much.”

Paige’s head landed on Azzi’s chest, her arms wounding so tight Azzi had no choice but to step in between her knees. Azzi laughed, letting out a breath she didn’t know she was holding and hugged her back, her arms finding themselves around Paige’s shoulders.

“Yay,” Azzi said quietly as they held each other.

Paige smiled goofily at her and pulled away, her hands lingering on Azzi’s waist before falling back to the items in her lap. She got up, gently placing the bag on her desk, making a mental note to set aside several hours tomorrow to eat chocolate chip cookies and stare at each photo in the album until she had them memorized.

“Alright,” Paige said, “Let’s party.”

___________________________________________

At Ted’s, it was packed.

Paige was being greeted by everyone, and surrounded by her teammates. As Dorka went to the bar to grab the group another round, Paige cupped her hands around her mouth and yelled, “Yo, get Azzi another shot!”

Azzi, standing next to Paige with a toothy grin, looked objectively good. Great, even. This was something Paige’s tipsy brain could register. Her hair was down and looking voluminously curly, she was wearing a baby blue crop top that made her skin color pop, and her belly ring was twinkling every so often from the dull bar lights. Yeah, Paige thought, she looks good.

Paige found herself staying near the younger girl, something she chalked up to just feeling protective since Azzi was underage at the bar and new to the school still, and had only drunk a few times in her life. It definitely wasn’t because she just wanted to be close. Or because Azzi was smiling at her with doe eyes and had both dimples on display.

Paige was now being brought shots, her friends loudly cheering as she threw them each back. She grins at everyone, her mind starting to feel hazy from the alcohol. 

Azzi slides in closer next to her, her cheeks flushed from the packed bar and alcohol. She tugs Paige’s shoulder down so she can ask in her ear, “Are you having fun?” 

Paige pauses at the small second of contact of Azzi’s lips to the shell of her ear. She stares back at the younger girl, eyes half-lidded with a lazy smile, “Yeah, you?”

They smile stupidly at each other with their faces an inch apart, Azzi nodding. She turns back to the group to join the rowdy conversation, her fingertips grazing down Paige’s bicep and staying there. Paige continues staring down at her, lips slightly parted, a voice in her brain saying touch, touch, touch.

Without thinking, Paige’s fingertips lightly graze the exposed small of Azzi’s back. They stay there as both girls sip their drinks, listening to Aubrey tell a story to the group, laughing when the others do.

The voice in her head tells her more, more, more.

She lays her palm flat on Azzi’s skin, dragging her finger tips across the side of Azzi’s waist. When Azzi shifts slightly to be able to hear something Ice is telling her, her hand falls. 

Paige puts her hand in her front pocket, clenching and unclenching her fist. 

Azzi turns back to her now, laughing, “I can’t believe you did that.”

Paige smiled lazily, instinctually moving close, her eyes following Azzi’s straight nose and lifted lips, “Tell me what I did.”

Azzi leaned in as well, gripping Paige’s bicep. Paige unknowingly flexes.

“Ice told me last year on your birthday you had to turn down like 10 girls,” she said, still laughing, “That’s so stupid.”

Paige shrugged and stared at her with half-lidded eyes, her lips still upturned, “Ladies love buckets, what can I say.”

Azzi rolled her eyes. “Delusional,” she said, leaning into Paige’s ear, “You think you’re so cool, don’t you?”

Paige grinned, their noses almost brushing as Paige took her turn to say in Azzi’s ear, “Yeah, and you do too.”

“You’re so full of yourself,” Azzi chided, her eyes dancing on Paige’s face.

Paige tsked. “Quit playing,” she said, her voice coming out lower than she meant, they’re faces inches apart.

“Yo, is Nika good?” the pair heard Aaliyah ask the group, effectively snapping them both out of their bubble. Nika, it turned out, was not good. Aubrey had found her throwing up in the bathroom, apparently having drunk so much she felt sick.

The sophomores plus Azzi decided wordlessly they would help their friend get home safely, calling it a night. They each took turns carrying the Croatian back to her apartment, ignoring as she mumbled, “I’m Eastern European for fuck’s sake, how did this happen.”

In the end, Paige and Azzi were the two who remained until 2 in the morning, helping Nika wretch and clean herself up. Azzi, cooing and holding Nika’s hair up while she rubbed her back. Paige, picking out her clothes for bed and getting her toothbrush ready for her.

“Thank you both,” Nika mumbled, her accent sounding thicker than normal as she eventually lifted her comforter up to her chin. Azzi set a cup of water down for her near the bed, Paige placing a trash can on the side just in case. “You’re so cute together”.

Paige and Azzi paused, silently agreeing to ignore the comment.

“G’night, Twin,” Paige said quietly as her and Azzi left her room, heading back to Paige’s apartment.

As they walked together on a quiet sidewalk, illuminated only by street lamps, Paige looked over at Azzi who had tired eyes. “You’re sleeping over,” Paige told the younger girl, “It’s late.”

Azzi simply nodded, letting Paige lead her to her apartment in comfortable silence, their forearms brushing every so often.

When they arrived, they immediately began getting ready for bed. Washing their faces together, Azzi putting toothpaste on Paige’s toothbrush, and then her own (the spare Paige kept for her just in case).

Azzi wordlessly grabbed her favorite oversized shirt and boxers of Paige’s to wear, both changing with their backs turned.

“Did you have a good birthday?” Azzi asked quietly when they were laid in bed. They faced each other, fingers ghosting the other without them realizing due to their tiredness.

“The best,” Paige said softly, smiling slightly. “Thanks for helping with Nika.”

“Of course,” Azzi mumbled with her eyes closed, “You were nice to help her like that on your birthday.”

“Making sure the people I love are good is more important than drinking at Ted’s,” Paige told her simply, eyes also closing.

Azzi hummed. She opened her eyes and stared at Paige for a second, taking her in. She looked so at peace it made something in Azzi’s heart ache in a way she couldn’t place.

"It's funny," She said quietly, shaking her head slightly “Even on a day that’s supposed to be dedicated to you, you can’t stop thinking of everyone else.”

Paige opened her eyes then, staring back. She felt her mouth open and close, but no words left her lips. 

She shifted so she lay with her eyes staring at the ceiling.

“I want so much, so badly,” she started, so quietly Azzi had to make sure she was hearing her right. A few seconds later, she continued.

"I want it so much I feel guilty. I feel guilty for wanting more when I already have so much. I want to be the best there ever was. The only way I know how to offset this guilt is by pouring into everyone else around me. It makes me feel good and appreciated and loved in a way I don’t know how to pour back into myself on my own.”

They lay silently for a moment, Paige feeling Azzi’s eyes on the side of her face. Several seconds pass, and Paige thinks Azzi won’t respond to her admission when suddenly she feels arms wrap around her waist. Azzi bends her head to fall into the crook of Paige’s shoulder, nose hitting her exposed collar bone. Paige doesn’t move apart from resting her cheek on top of Azzi’s head, closing her eyes and letting herself be held. Azzi sighs quietly. 

“You’re a good person, Paige,” Azzi says. “The best person I know. I love you a lot.” 

Her words are simple but somehow, she says exactly what Paige needed to hear. She doesn’t try to change how Paige feels, or anything about Paige as a person. All she does is validate her and appreciate her as she is. Paige’s heart feels so full from Azzi’s affirmation that she stays quiet and ignores the subtle prickly feeling of her eyes.

And for a single second, only one, she lets herself imagine that when Azzi said “I love you a lot”, she meant it in the way they aren’t supposed to mean it. She didn’t know why. 

Neither realized, but Azzi did mean it in the way Paige hoped. 

[introspectiveextrovertive-blog]

masterlist?

I pinned it!!

[introspectiveextrovertive-blog]

Wait hey guys first fic is kinda going off! This is so encouraging and exciting since it’s my first time putting myself out there creatively like this :) I will warn you all I love a Marina Zapata level slow burn so this may take a while, but also that’s how I genuinely think their relationship played out - cause what is friends to lovers without a slow burn and painful mutual pining???? Fr

Masterlist below:

Part 1 - The Fair

Part 2 - 10AM Ice Cream

Part 3 - Best Friends

Part 4 - Paige’s Birthday

PS let’s be friends, send me Qs it’s fun :)

[introspectiveextrovertive-blog]

Your fic is so well written and adorable. Can’t wait for the next ch !!

Aw thank you this means so much!!! I was debating to post for a while hehe

[introspectiveextrovertive-blog]

Part 3 - Best Friends

Fall - 2021

“Are you good, Bro?” Nika asked on a random Sunday in September.

“Huh?” Paige looked up from her PS2 console slightly, furrowing her brow. Unbeknownst to Paige as she rambled on Fortnite, Nika had been staring at her for the past 15 minutes, trying to come up with the words for what she was about to say with a troubled expression on her face.

“You’ve been different lately,” Nika said decidedly.

Paige, feeling further confused, paused her game and turned to her friend. “What are you talking about?”

“Last year this time you were talking to a new girl every week, going out, having a time. Now you’re like…so…chilled out. The switch up is just kinda crazy,” Nika eyed her, almost suspiciously, “I’m just saying you’re moving different now. Wondering if something is going on.”

Oh.

Paige raised her eyebrows and stared off into space.

She pondered Nika’s observation for a second. Had she been acting different? She hadn’t even noticed. Even if she mellowed out, what was the issue? She turned back to her friend and shrugged.

“I don’t know man, I just don’t need all that anymore. I’m like super content with my life and focusing on basketball right now.”

Nika nodded slowly, staring at her cautiously, “Alright well, you’d tell me if something was different right?”

“Bro, of course. Thanks for worrying though.” They smiled at each other, Paige turning back to her game and Nika turning back to scroll on her phone.

About a half an hour later, more of their friends walked in - Aaliyah, Azzi, and Aubrey. Laughing and holding smoothies, they dove into a ridiculous story of Aubrey dropping her initially purchased smoothie and having to get a second.

Azzi plopped down next to Paige on the couch, smiling and smelling like some flower Paige didn’t recognize but loved. She looks like summertime, Paige thought fondly. Azzi’s hair was thrown up in a bun and her exposed legs and arms looked extra tan from her time spent in the sun the last few months. Their bodies instinctually smushed together as more of their friends tried to squeeze on the couch and watch TV. Immediately, they were tugged into the familiar warm bubble of their friendship, the one that comes from knowing a person so well they are almost an extension of yourself, forgetting the others in the room.

Azzi tilted her green smoothie towards Paige, “Want to try?”

Paige inspected it and scrunched her nose. “Looks like a liquid salad.”

“Your fear of vegetables is concerning.”

Paige stuck her tongue out at her and Azzi gave her a toothy grin that made Paige smile back reflexively. Paige grabbed the smoothie and sipped suspiciously at first, finally deciding it was half decent after four long sips.

“Not bad. Thanks for the smoothie, Bro,” Paige kept sipping dramatically.

Azzi’s eye widened, “Hey, I didn’t buy it for you! You’re going to finish the whole thing, stupid,” she said, trying to grab the smoothie out of Paige’s hand.

Paige, who always enjoyed terrorizing Azzi when given the opportunity, lifted the smoothie up and away out of Azzi’s reach, causing them to laugh and pretend to fight over it. Paige, with the longer wingspan, couldn’t help but smile lazily as her eyes danced over Azzi’s half laughing, half annoyed face.

“You’re so annoying,” Azzi huffed, but with her lips slightly turned up, “If you’re going to finish it, at least grab me a Gatorade from the fridge or something.”

Paige shook her head and took one final sip, handing Azzi back her smoothie. “Nah, all yours. Did you eat though? I’m getting up - I can grab you something from the kitchen.” (Paige was not getting up; she did not know why she just said that).

Azzi perked up, “Oh maybe like a clementine, please? I just feel like snacking.”

Paige, not hungry, nodded and immediately got up to fetch herself and Azzi a few clementines from the fruit basket in the kitchen. Again, she did not notice Nika’s silent observation of her and Azzi, nor as she walked past and into the kitchen.

———————————————————————

After a few hours of laughs and making Tik Toks with their friends, Paige and Azzi found themselves lying on Paige’s bed alone. They both lay on their stomachs, scrolling absently on their phones, pausing every so often to show each other something funny.

Paige found herself getting distracted by Azzi’s shoulder pressing into her tricep, the exposed skin of her arm looking smooth and strong. Azzi leaned into her, their fingers brushing as she handed Paige her phone to let her watch a funny Tik Tok. Paige, pretending to watch, couldn’t help but notice the way their breaths mingled in the closeness of the moment. Azzi’s forehead was nearly touching hers, maybe a centimeter or less apart. Paige refused to look up, refused to watch the dimple she knew was on Azzi’s cheek, and ignored the way she knew her eyes were crunched in the way they did when she was smiling. She just laid there, and pretended not to notice the hammering in her chest, and watch the Tik Tok of the dog bouncing a basketball.

After the video was over, Paige twisted and laid on her back, staring at her ceiling with a blank expression. She drummed her fingers on her stomach as she shoved down whatever confusing emotions were beginning to swirl up a minute ago. Azzi noticed her shift and laid on her back as well, head turned towards Paige.

“What’re you thinking about?” Azzi asked.

Paige peered at her from the side, not turning her head. She’s felt her ears get warm, and she didn’t know why. “Thinking about how I outshot you this morning,” she said after a few seconds, smirk making its way onto her face.

Azzi snorted and rolled her eyes. “You literally did not.”

“Just admit I’m a better shooter than you,” Paige said, her eyes closing as she smiled softly up at the ceiling.

“I could outshoot you in my sleep.”

“Nah.” Paige laid there with her hands folded over her stomach, eyes still closed, still smiling softly at their comfortable banter.

Azzi copied her body language, languidly stretching her legs and then folding her hands on her stomach. Their elbows brushed. “Did you have a good day today?” The younger girl asked, soft but with genuine curiosity.

Paige turned her head fully to her then and watched her as Azzi had her eyes closed, smiling softly at the ceiling, waiting for her reply. It was no secret Paige had a big personality, and was basically a celebrity in Connecticut and beyond. She was a leader and she was strong and she was always being selfless with the people around her. Although she loved her life and the people in it, she was aware enough of herself that it got lonely projecting this image to others, no matter how authentic she was being. And that’s why Azzi was her favorite person in the world. Because Azzi thought to ask her how her day was, and she genuinely cared to know. She was one of the few people who would ask her that, and in the way she did, in quiet moments like this one. Because she knew Paige would appreciate it.

“I had a really nice day,” Paige replied softly. “Practice went well. Hung out with Nika for a few hours, and now hanging with you. I’m happy today.”

Azzi opened her eyes and gave her a small, genuine smile. “Good,” she replied simply. “Me too.”

“You get your project done?” Paige asked, propping herself on her elbow and twirling a string that came loose from Azzi’s tank on the collar. Azzi found herself slightly distracted by this, Paige’s fingers brushing her collar bone.

“Yeah, I’m so glad it’s over. It’s been stressing me out for weeks,” Azzi replied tiredly, rubbing her eyes. “Who assigns a massive sociology project the first week of classes? I can’t believe you convinced me to come to UConn, my professors so far are insane.”

Paige chuckled softly, meeting Azzi’s eyes and noticing her furrowed brow. She smoothed it over, deciding to ignore the way it pleased her when Azzi’s eyes closed at her touch.

“Shut up,” Paige teased lightly, “You’re so happy here. You just can’t admit I was right on convincing you to commit.”

Azzi hummed but didn’t respond. Paige stared at her for a beat and said, “I’m happy you’re here, Az. I feel…happier when you’re around. Like myself.”

They stared at each other in silence for a second before Azzi said quietly, “Me too.” Another beat later, “You’re my best friend, Paige.”

In the same breath, a loud chorus of laughter could be heard from down the hall where a few of their teammates remained, successfully breaking the pair out of the moment they didn’t realize they were having.

Paige and Azzi both scrunched their noses at one another, both annoyed at the sudden loudness of their space, and chuckled at how in sync they were. Azzi sighed and sat up, her hands holding her up from behind. She rolled her head and stared at Paige, watching as the blonde subconsciously twisted her fingers together, staring back. Azzi watched her hands for a moment, noticing their size and strength. She closed one eye and gave Paige a quick smile.

“Should go to bed, got early classes tomorrow,” she said, getting up from the bed.

Paige got up with her, and for a moment they both stretched dramatically, their athletic bodies always aching a bit. Paige lunged deeply with her hands on her hips while Azzi tried to touch her toes, both making exasperated noises and giggling.

“Alright buddy, I’ll be seeing ya,” Paige said, sounding like the midwesterner she was. Azzi let out a breath of a laugh and they hugged, chins falling on each other’s shoulders.

Part of Azzi wanted to ask to stay and sleep over, but she didn’t know why, and couldn’t come up with a good reason. She had her own bed, her own space. And it wasn’t like she wouldn’t see Paige in a few hours at morning practice, or every day after that for that matter. But a quiet voice in her head said I want to stay, ask me to stay, and I’ll stay.

But she ignored it, shoving Paige so she fell on the bed on her elbows, making them both laugh.

“Bye, dude.” With that, Azzi left, shutting Paige’s door on the way out. She waved bye to the rest of her teammates as she headed out the front door, passing by Nika, who gave her a curious look she didn’t notice.

When Azzi was fully gone, Nika’s eyes shifted to Paige’s bedroom door. Suddenly, the Croatian smiled to herself, feeling like she just solved a 1,000 piece puzzle.

[introspectiveextrovertive-blog]

Part 2 - 10am Ice Cream

Summer/Fall - 2021

The practice court was glistening, looking polished and beautiful as ever.

Paige was absolutely gliding. Her long legs carried her from one side of the court to the other, the basketball and her hand acting like compatible magnets. Her smile was wide and her laugh echoed throughout the room.

Azzi watched her best friend practice out of the corner of her eye, trying to be present while her new coaches gathered her and the other freshmen together. She couldn’t help but smile to herself, feeling so elated to finally be here, finally be on the same team as Paige again since Team USA.

Geno finished his speech to the Freshman and told them to disperse accordingly, hooking a slight finger at Azzi, silently telling her to come speak with him one on one. She nervously obliged.

“Azzi,” Geno started, his stance wide with his clipboard under his armpit and arms crossed, “I see massive potential in you. Show me what you can do these next few weeks and we’ll talk again, alright?”

Azzi, stunned she was pulled aside and the words that Geno said, stayed quiet and nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, Coach.” With that, Geno nodded once and tapped her shoulder with his clipboard, silently telling her to get on with practice.

Although Paige was across the room with the other upperclassmen taking a water break, she caught Azzi’s interaction with Geno. She shook her head and couldn’t help the grin making its way onto her face.

“What?” Aaliyah asked, turning herself to see what Paige was staring at.

Paige nodded her head at Geno and Azzi. She took a swig of her water and said, “She’s been here for two seconds and Geno already loves her. Classic Fudd move.”

Aaliyah let out a short laugh, looking on at the pair as well, “I’m jealous. You think she’s gonna start?”

“No doubt,” Paige said confidently, feeling a large sense of pride for her best friend.

Practice flew by after that, the team running drills and acclimating the freshmen. Paige and Azzi played together like they were always meant to, reading each other effortlessly and being the backcourt team of any coach’s dreams. Every time Azzi made a bucket, you would be sure to hear Paige loudly cheer her on, causing Azzi to blush at the flamboyant praise. She would smile and shake her head, still a little unbelieving that this would be her new normal for the next few years.

When Paige was feeling hot, Azzi made sure to let her know too - subtly tapping her back and giving her a thumbs up with a smile, not yet comfortable enough with the team to be any more extroverted than that.

At the end, Paige realized her cheeks hurt from smiling so much. She didn’t realize she could be this happy, especially at 8am practice.

Later, Paige and Azzi walked out of the court together, their eyes instantly blinded by the sun and skin feeling stifled by what remained of the Connecticut summer heat. Paige looked to Azzi, “Ice cream?”

Azzi laughed, confused, “It’s 10am.”

All Paige did was raise her eyebrows as if to say So what? and lead them both to her car.

She immediately threw on her summer playlist, Mary J. Blige blasting through the speakers. “I love this song,” Azzi laughed, singing out of tune with Paige, the windows rolled down, both their arms sticking out to feel the late August wind.

Paige looked over, her right hand casually on the steering wheel. She smiled, “I know.”

Azzi looked over at her now, feeling her smile softening and her eyes wandering Paige’s profile. She wore her glasses now after practice, which sat at the end of the bridge of her nose. Her long arm was slightly flexed as she manoeuvered the steering wheel, and her head was leaned slightly towards the window, exposing her sharp jaw and long neck to Azzi.

Azzi blinked and turned back to the road.

They arrived at the ice cream shop a few minutes later, Paige promptly putting in their orders without asking Azzi what she wanted. Azzi didn’t mind; she would have done the same if Paige hadn’t beat her to it.

They sat outside in the sun, no umbrella at their table, strawberry and chocolate soft serves in their hands. Paige leaned her head back slightly, basking in the warmth.

“So”, she licked around her cone, chocolate slightly dripping down her hand. “What’d you think of Geno in practice mode?”

“He’s kind of intimidating but in a “I really want to impress him way”, you know?”

“Yeah,” Paige smiled, “Feeling good about committing here? About UConn?”

Azzi nodded with a soft smile. “It’s everything and more to be honest. Everyone so far has been so kind and welcoming, the facilities and staff are awesome, and my dorm only smells a little like mildew.” Paige scoffs at that, shaking her head.

Azzi stares at her for a moment before continuing, “And I guess it’s pretty cool to be playing together again for the next few years.” She says it casually, but Paige knows her well enough to know when she’s bluffing. She decides to not push her in this moment, a rarity. They stare at each other for a long beat.

Strawberry ice cream begins to trail its way down Azzi’s pointer finger, almost making it to her wrist. With no napkins, Azzi breaks their staring contest to lick it clean with her tongue.

Paige watches the entire thing, unblinking. She swallows without realizing. “Yeah,” she says finally, “It is.”

[introspectiveextrovertive-blog]

Hiiii I love Pazzi, Pazzi fics and a slow burn, so I decided to write my own :) this is my first time EVER writing one, and publishing one for others to read at that so please be kind and enjoy :) I am a midwestern lover girl down to my BOOTS so ya know, expect that energy. Lmk if you want more!

Part 1 - The Fair

Summer - 2021

Paige and Azzi have been in each other’s lives for years at this point. They are each other’s constant, and whether they recognize it or not, they both find solace in that. That is why, even technically hundreds of miles apart, they spend every possible second with each other this summer.

Daily FaceTimes aside, they had visited each other a total of 6 times between the months of June and August, taking turns visiting the other.

On the final summer visit before they head to Storrs for the year, Paige and Azzi were attending the Minnesota State Fair, surrounded by family and friends. The air was thick with summer humidity, the sky was starting to turn purple, and the day had been full with fair food and belly laughs. Paige and Azzi could not be happier.

“Yo, quit stealing my funnel cake. You literally have an entire bucket of cookies,” Paige reprimanded half-heartedly, still allowing the younger girl to subtly steal bits of her dessert.

Azzi rolled her eyes with a mouth full of funnel cake and fed Paige a chocolate chip cookie from her bucket. Paige chewed with a slight smile, not realizing she was doing it.

As they walked and ate, straggling behind their family members, Azzi rubbed Paige’s back absentmindedly. In a way it felt domestic, but Paige and Azzi didn’t know this at the time. What Paige did know was that she was just happy in this moment, being together.

“Want to play one of the games? I want a stuffed animal to take home,” Paige said, finding and pointing at a few fair game stands ahead.

“Duh. Let’s try to get a big one,” Azzi nodded, immediately excited to have an opportunity to bring home a memory from today. She was sappy like that, and Paige knew.

Paige grinned and tugged Azzi’s bicep lightly towards a plate breaking stand.

Paige went first, winding up her arm like a baseball pitcher, and let the ball cannon straight to the middle of a plate. Azzi watched, her eyes unable to pull away from Paige’s strong looking forearms and the way her tricep flexed with her throw. For a split second her mind thought, that’s attractive. Her brows furrowed slightly at the unexpected thought, but quickly decided to not let it register that it possibly wasn’t normal to think that of your best friend. She became present again just in time for Paige to snap her wrist with her final attempt, hitting a third plate perfectly down the center, ultimately winning the biggest prize.

Azzi beamed at her friend, feeling a familiar sense of pride she had always affiliated with Paige, “Nice, Bueckers.”

“Slight work,” Paige said casually, smiling lopsided and unknowingly relishing in Azzi’s praise. When the fair employee handed her a massive plush unicorn the size of her torso, Paige handed it to Azzi without a second thought. “Keep it,” Paige told her simply.

Azzi’s eyes widened in surprise, and she smiled slowly, looking into Paige’s eyes. “Really?” She said.

Paige felt warm and happy. She tucked her hands into her short pockets and rocked back and forth on her heels. “Yeah, keep it,” she repeated, “Let’s catch up with our families, they probably are wondering where we are.”

They walked together again in comfortable silence, shoulders bumping slightly every few minutes from their closeness. Paige observed the fair crowd, looking for her and Azzi’s family, Azzi’s slight blush and small smile next to her going unnoticed.

Later, as they sat and laughed with their families, Paige looked around fondly. She couldn’t be happier to be surrounding by so many people she loved, and was so grateful to have brought so many people together through her and Azzi’s friendship. With that thought, she peered down at her best friend sat next to her with a slight smile.

Azzi and her younger brother Drew were playing Sticks, and Paige instantly knew Azzi would let him win.

“Ugh, you’re cheating!” Azzi said in mock frustration, fully aware she was letting the younger boy beat her.

“I’m too good at this, right Paige?” He smiled broadly at his older sister. Paige smiled back, leaning her elbow on the picnic table they sat at and letting her cheek rest on her hand.

“Too good, man. Azzi’s also really bad at Sticks,” she teased, making the younger girl turn towards her with her mouth dropped open in offense.

“So untrue, I beat you all that time,” she harrumphed, turning back to Drew. “Since you’re beating me, and I always beat Paige, you’re like super good at Sticks then Drew. I’m impressed.”

Drew beamed at Azzi’s compliment and Paige felt the familiar warmth settle over her stomach watching the interaction. Her and Azzi made eye contact again, a sudden bubble moment happening between them. The sky was dark, but Azzi’s face was illuminated by the fairy lights hanging above their table and the lightning bugs floating around them that would show themselves every so often. Her skin looked like the smoothest milk chocolate Paige had ever seen, and suddenly she felt her mouth go dry. She only turned away when she felt Drew tugging on her forearm, pointing excitedly behind him.

“Can we go to the photobooth?” He asked.

Azzi turned to where he was pointing, seeing the standalone booth a few feet away, and jumped up instantly. She answered for Paige, “Oh my gosh yeah, let’s go.” She worked with Drew in tugging Paige out of her sat position, to which Paige gave little opposition.

“Guess we’re going to the photobooth,” Paige chuckled, letting herself be dragged by both hands by Drew and Azzi.

Paige slid into the booth first, with Azzi following. With their tall frames, it was a tight squeeze. Their bodies were flush together, and Drew sat comfortably on both their laps. Paige fished for her wallet in her short pocket, making her nose brush Azzi’s cheek from the tight proximity. They both paused for a millisecond at the accidental touch, unnoticed by Drew as he bounced excitedly on both their knees. Paige blinked and finally inserted a dollar bill.

As the timer went off, they laughed and posed quickly. First, all sticking their tongues out. Second, pretending to rizz the camera. Third, with Paige and Azzi both attacking Drew with tickles. Then last, with them all simply smiling ahead at the camera. In the final shot, Paige and Azzi’s cheeks were squished together, their eyes half closed and smiling so brightly it was almost blinding.

As their chuckles died, Drew slipped off them and hopped out of the booth, deciding he had had enough. Azzi and Paige watched as he made it safely back to the table with their family, but silently decided to stay.

“Another?” Azzi asked the older girl, but she already knew the answer.

Without responding, Paige slipped another single into the booth. For the first shot, Paige slipped her arm around Azzi’s shoulder, both tipping their heads together until their foreheads touched and they smiled straight ahead. Next, they both did silly faces, with Paige going cross eyed and Azzi making herself look like a blowfish. Azzi looked over at Paige in between the next shot, throwing her head back and laughing. All Paige could do was stare and smile fondly at her friend, not noticing the third camera flash go off. And in the final moments of the camera timer, with Azzi still laughing happily, Paige leaned over and kissed her best friend on the cheek; on her favorite dimple.

As Paige pulled away and the booth dimmed from their turn being up, they turned towards one another. They both had ghosts of smiles on their faces, silent but lips turned seemingly perpetually upward. It was a quiet understanding between the two of them to not think deeply of what was happening in this moment but to just be here now.

Later, as they slept in Paige’s bed at her childhood home, they had taken turns that night staring at the photobooth pictures without the other knowing as they both kept copies.

Paige, her eyes trailing to Azzi’s bright smile. Azzi, her focus finding itself on Paige’s sharp jaw and happy eyes. A warm feeling brewed in both their chests, one neither could name. Unbeknownst to each other, they had both decided they would be bringing the pictures to school next month.