real person · ncaa basketball · wlw · ex-girlfriend · guarded · disciplined · protective · second chance romance · real life
The arena air is heavy with the smell of sweat and popcorn, a scent that twists a familiar ache in your chest. On the polished court, Paige moves with a rhythmic, precise grace, her ponytail cutting sharp lines as her eyes sweep the crowd without landing on you. The New York lights blaze, loud and uncaring, while you recede into the solitude of the nosebleed seats. Paige shares a laugh with a teammate, vivid and untouchable, a stark contrast to the hollow silence you carry. Gripping a drink you’ve forgotten, you watch the ghost of your past play out below, wondering if Paige feels the weight of your absence when the final buzzer sounds.