Chapter Text
“So, one week of practices down. What’s the verdict?” Nika flopped down on the bench next to Evina, who threw a towel in her direction.
“Good, I think. Dorka’s fitting right in. She and Liv and Lili have adopted Amari, as expected,” Evina said.
“And our baby guards?” Nika asked, leaning down to grab her water bottle.
“Caroline’s mine, obviously. Good head on her shoulders – she'll be a great leader.”
“Yeah that's been obvious since summer session,” Nika agreed. She looked across the gym where Caroline was chatting casually to two of the coaches. “And Azzi?”
“Quieter, for sure. But brilliant. A hard worker. Christyn’s already calling her ‘my little shooter’.”
“Cute,” Nika said. “But not actually my concern.”
“Oh, you noticed that, did you?” Evina laughed, and they both turned to look at the far corner of the gym, where Azzi was trying to get some final shots up while Paige annoyed the hell out of her.
“I mean, Paige is one of my best friends. Not that kind of best friend, obviously...” Nika trailed off, amused, as across the gym Azzi shrieked and tackled Paige to the floor, poking her repeatedly in the sides. “So I know how close those two are. But I think Paige may have neglected to tell me a few details about their friendship.”
“Or - and this unfortunately may be more likely – she doesn’t realize,” Evina said.
“God help us,” Nika said, and Evina nodded in agreement. “She can’t be that oblivious, can she?”
“They’ve been best friends for what? Four years? At this point Paige is basically an extra daughter to Azzi’s parents,” Evina said. “Don’t you think it would be a little scary to risk that relationship by trying to change it?”
“No,” Nika said bluntly. Evina laughed.
“Not everyone is you, Nika-Nik. My little Croatian bull in a china shop,” Evina said affectionately. “Paige is brash on the court, but off it she’s much more cautious. And who is she most careful about?”
“Azzi.”
“Exactly. She’s not going to risk everything to rush into something that might or might not work out.”
“Rush into something? It’s been four years! FOUR!” Nika exclaimed, exasperated. Evina patted her on the back.
“Well, maybe we can help. And by help I mean my kind of help, not yours,” Evina said sternly.
“So you’re saying we can’t get them drunk and lock them in a closet?” Nika asked.
“That can be our plan of last resort,” Evina conceded. “But let’s start with some planning. I’ll grab a study room. You grab Lili and Caroline.”
The two girls got up, heading in opposite directions to put their plans in motion. Across the gym, Paige and Azzi were lying on their backs, shoulders touching, still giggling with each other.
***
They reconvened an hour later, pulling out laptops and textbooks for plausible deniability. Evina passed out snacks and then took a seat, the other three looking at her expectantly.
“What have you got for us, E?” Aaliyah asked. “Nika was being cryptic.”
“Nothing wrong with a little mystery!” Nika said.
“You said, ‘come with me – we have a secret mission’,” Caroline replied. “Forgive us if we assume something illegal’s about to go down.”
“Nothing illegal,” Evina assured.
“Just slightly questionable according to the best friend code,” Nika said.
“Oh, so this is about Azzi and Paige,” Caroline said.
“Thank god.” Aaliyah let out a breath. “It’s like they’re competing in the Oblivious Olympics. I’m not sure how much longer I can take it.”
“Imagine being me! Paige is my twin, after all,” Nika said.
“Imagine being them .” Caroline shuddered, and the other girls nodded in agreement.
“So really, we’re doing this for their own good,” Evina said. “And for the good of the team. Because if we have to deal with unrequited longing all season, we’ll all lose our minds.”
“No way it’s unrequited, right?” Aaliyah asked, turning to Caroline. “You know Azzi best. What do you think?”
“I think she’s one week into her college career, her best friend is the charismatic star of campus, and she turns into a puddle every time said best friend aims her special Azzi smile at her,” Caroline said. “No way it’s unrequited.”
“They’re as bad as each other,” Nika agreed.
“Which is both a blessing and a curse,” Evina said. “Like I was telling Nika earlier, it’s scary to risk a relationship as foundational as theirs on something that may or may not work out.”
“Oh, it’ll work out. Those idiots are soulmates,” Nika said flatly.
“But they don’t know that,” Evina replied. “And more importantly, they don’t trust that. Yet. That’s where we come in. I think we should start with some individual conversations. Feel them out a little. Lay the groundwork. Gently.”
“Hey,” Nika said indignantly, when all three girls looked directly at her. “I can be gentle!”
“Can you?” Aaliyah mused, and Nika shoved her.
“This is for my twin’s long-term happiness. Of course I can,” Nika replied.
“Ok then,” Evina said. “That’s this week’s project. Let’s meet back here Thursday to report in and figure out next steps. And remember – try not to scare them off. They’re both skittish as hell.”
The other girls nodded and began to pack up their things. Evina leaned back in her chair and sighed. Her plan really needed to work. She had a feeling their season depended on it.