XXXI

Hi! So this is the last chapter. Sorry, I lied, but when I planned it, it all made sense to do it in one! I just had to give a prep.

End of beginning

☆彡𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑎

Narrative + Instagram

☆⋆。𖦹°‧★

"Can you just post it already and stop complaining? What's the worst that could happen?" "Well, I could post it and get no views which is embarrassing, or I could post and blow up, BUT not in a good way. A way where everyone makes fun of me and says I'm a terrible singer." "Okay, no one is going to think that." I'm about to argue my next point, but Cameron snatches my phone away. "Done." "Are you fucking serious?" "Thank me later when you blow up and become the biggest singer ever opening for Billie Eilish." "I'm going to kill you." "We both know that you wanted to post it." She gets off the couch leaving me alone. Great. "I'm taking this too." She comes back grabbing my phone. "Hello?? why?" "So that way you don't back out and delete it. Let's just wait an hour, and then decide." I  used to sing on my TikTok account back in 2020 and it's tough to wrap my head around why it's so difficult for me to do now. Maybe it's because I've gained a following due to my UConn friends or maybe it's because I'm 'friends' with Paige.

Without my phone, I dig through the couch to find the remote hidden underneath our dragonfly couch pillow. I have the gut feeling that the video is going to get 10 views which are all from friends. I sink into the couch and I turn on Hulu. It's only November, and I cannot get in that Christmas spirit, so a horror rewatch will do just fine.

✰✰✰

"It's been an hour can I have my phone back?" "I guess since Paige just texted you." I take back my phone and open to Paige's text. "Did you check the video at all?" "No. I wanted you to do it." I feel a pit in my stomach. "I can't do that its so nerve-wracking." I look down at my phone. "Fine ill do it for yo-" "Holy shit." "What?" "Paige just said 'I saw the video, you have the most beautiful voice and I think everyone agrees.' What the hell does that mean?" "Just go check for yourself you big wuss puss." I hesitate for a moment hovering over the app. The first thing I see is a notification of Paige reposting my video following my inbox with 99+ notifications. "Holy fucking shit." "What! What!?" Cam jumps up standing in front of me. "My video got over 100K views..." My jaw is on the ground. "LET ME SEE." She snatches my phone, and I watch as her eyes light up. This is unreal. "They fucking love you." I watch in her eyes as she scrolls through the comments. "Billie Eilish here we come!" I slap my hands to my mouth and she takes them jumping up and down. We then jump around squealing like little girls again, excited over seeing a new picture of our celebrity crushes.

From that day my video just grew and grew.

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"Hey, celebrity!" I look up to see KK, Azzi, Carol, Aaliyah, and Paige on the other side of the counter.  "Hey guys, what can I get for you?" Paige starts to list off their order when KK interrupts. "Girl boo, I know everyone's order." She then lists what everyone wants as I put together the items on the screen. When I finish I look finding them all just staring at me.  "Why are you guys looking at me like that?" "Cam said you have something to tell us." I meet Azzi's eyes. I completely forgot and that was honestly because I was scared of their reaction. "I may have gotten a small gig opening for another artist in a month." They all burst with noise, KK being the loudest and reaching over the counter to hug me. "This is huge!" Carol hugs me next. "Congrats you deserve it." Azzi chimes. I can't help but smile big. "When is it so we can all go?" Aaliyah asks. "January 15th." "I'll add it to my calendar." I look over at Paige who just for the first time. Her smile beaming. "Okay, people are staring and I need to get back to work." I leave the front counter making everyone's orders. After they leave the place is empty and without Oliver, I'm left to organize vinyls and restock.

✰✰✰

My phone chimes in my back pocket as I turn the open and closed sign over to closed. The stars are out but the street is still busy with people and cars. I make sure the door is locked and check my phone. It's Cam telling me she was on the opposite side. Shouldve left through the back.

"Come on! Learn how to drive!" I jump at the sound of Cam's raised voice. Her arm waving in the air as if the person in front could hear and see her. "Please don't ever do that again. My heart almost jumped out of my chest." "Sorry. Some people just can't drive!!" "Yelling at them isn't going to help anyone." She shrugs putting both hands on the wheel and changing lanes. "Thank you for being the bigger person and not getting us killed." "You are so welcome." I chuckle at her.

She continues to talk to me as I  get lost in thought. We are halfway through the year meaning I get to kiss college goodbye thank god, but what if me and Cam go our separate ways? "Promise me something." "Uhh, sure?" "When we graduate and go live our own lives you won't forget about me. I know this sounds childish but I can't lose you." "Lina, are you insane? You are my best friend, I would never forget about you or go a day without thinking about you. I love you too much. If I somehow "Forget" come slap me across the face because I'm not thinking right." We are now parked in front of our apartment complex and I try my hardest to choke back tears. I sit for a moment facing her unsure what to say. "Good, because you are like my favorite person and I don't know what I would do without you." She reaches over the middle console and wraps her arms around me. She smells like my best friend, a mix of vanilla and honey. "I love you." "I love you too."

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For the next couple of months, I continue to do as much music as I can. With the growth of that one video came the growth of people who listen to my music. I feel like I'm floating through a dream of pure bliss. How did I get so lucky?

Paige is on my bed while I'm in my closet getting rid of clothes. "What are you humming?" "I'm humming?" She chuckles and sits up. "You are." I think for a moment and replay the melody. "Oh, it's Can't Take My Eyes Off You." her face tells me everything. "You've never heard it before? I don't believe it." She looks lost in thought now. "You're just too good to be true, can't take my eyes off of you, you'd be like heaven to touch, I wanna hold you so much."  I sing the lyrics and watch her while throwing more clothes in a pile. "Oh is it from that one movie?... 10 things I hate about you?" "Yes baby, now we have a new movie to put on the list!" "On it." "You have a list?" "Of course. So if we ever are bored we have....22 movies to watch." I laugh. "looks like we need to get to work." I walk over and take her phone to look. "Dead Poets Society, Fantastic Mr fox, The Wiz..." I start to read off. "Ugh these are all so good, we should just plan a day where we watch them all." "All 22?" "Sure." I now realize I'm standing between her legs so I hand her phone back. "Back to work, I go." I turn back to my closet but stop when I feel a hand on my sides. My stomach flutters. My smile that I always try to hide grows and I turn back giving her a quick kiss. God, I love her.

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"I don't think I can do this. My mouth is dry, my hands are sweating, my stomach feels like it's been flipped inside out." I pace back and forth behind the dressing room curtain. I'm dressed in jeans, and a tank top, and I feel like every inch of me is profusely sweating. Paige is then in front stopping me. "You are going to do so good, don't sweat it." She takes my hand and I cringe because of how sweaty my hand is. "That's easier said than done." I perform in front of hundreds of people all the time. Once you are in nothing can stop you." I rub my forehead and turn away but she pulls me back. "All be right in the front cheering you on and if you need to you can just look at me." I sigh. "You think I'll be okay?" "Fo sho." I smile and notice a flicker of something in her eyes. "You okay?" "What do you mean? I'm fine." "You just...Nevermind." "No, tell me." "You just seem like you have something to tell me that you're not." She goes silent looking away. "P?" She drops my hand.

"Paige? What is it?"

"I don't know why I'm making this such a big deal, I'm guessing you already know." "What?" "Because I tore my ACL I'm staying another year." I freeze. "Oh." I don't know how to feel, my emotions are heightened and running amok inside me. I shouldn't be sad, It's good she gets to play another year to be ready for the draft, but what does that mean for us? Will it break us apart? A sense of dread shivers down my spine. "Shit, I shouldn't have told you right now." "No, it's okay. I'm fine. If this is good I'm happy for you." She smiles. "10 minutes." A crew person walks in. I get immediate flashbacks to high school theater. "You are going to do amazing." She squeezes my hand before disappearing behind the curtain.

My knees are weak and I keep imagining myself falling in front of everyone. Great. I fidget with my shirt and hair while taking deep breaths. "Ready?" A lady says to me.  I smile grabbing my guitar and heading on stage. The spotlight is bright almost blinding and the dark room starts to quiet down. My heartbeat syncs to the crowd's murmurs. No turning back now.

"Hey guys how are we doing tonight?" What the hell am I even saying? The crowd gets loud again. "My name is Evelina Ricci and I'll be opening tonight. Thank you to everyone who has helped me get her I'm so grateful, I love you all!" I had originally planned something longer that at this point, I forgot. I grab the stool and pull the mic closer. "I wrote this one about a very special person." I start to strum scanning the dark audience for her.

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When my set finishes all my anxiety is gone. It's quite liberating. I thank the audience heading back behind the curtain to get my makeup together and put my guitar back in the case. I slip into the crowd finding my way to the group. Cam sees me first squealing and taking me in her arms. This grabs the attention of everyone who gives hugs and congratulates me.

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I roll over my eyes meeting with my guitar and all the memories of last night rush back. I'm still in shock. I grab my phone repost stories people tagged me in then go to TikTok. I have one video from Paige which I open. A pit forms in my stomach when I click to see the post with 70 thousand likes filled with pictures of me and Paige at the concert. The comments were filled with things about us dating. Shit.

Pbuckets🏀💚

Pbuckets🏀💚

did you see what I sent you?

Evelina 💜

Yeah.

Pbuckets🏀💚

I'm sorry but I think it's best we lay low for right now.

Evelina 💜

Okay, I understand. I love you.

Pbuckets🏀💚 hearted a message

I roll on my back letting out a huge sigh. I wish she didn't care and I wish the whole world could know. I'm just being selfish.

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A month goes by and I barely see her. I know it's not on purpose we are both busy, me with work and her with basketball. "You ready for senior night?" Cam asks while I take a bite of my toast. "Ready with waterproof mascara. " We both laugh. "I can't believe they're leaving, it doesn't feel real at all." "I know, but hey, they aren't leaving yet. We still have 3 months with them." "True." I finish my toast grabbing the car keys. "I'll be back around 4." "K, bye!" She waves before getting out ingredients to make protein pancakes, glad I had an escape.

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The arena isn't fully packed but there are still a lot of people here. Throughout the whole day and on the way here I tried to avoid thinking of this moment. My girls are going their ways and tonight makes it feel official. I look around in the stands and spot Maya who also spots me. I was not looking for her but I guess I accidentally unpremeditatedly wave at her. She gave me a hesitant smile before looking back to the girl she was with. I often think of her. She may have complicated things but I'm still grateful she was there for me and could make me feel the least bit better. I watch as the seniors line up with their families Aubrey first and Paige last. The other girls were lined up to the sides with smiles on their faces.

When the highlights start I look over to Cam who wipes away a single tear. I watch over each one trying to figure out if I remember being there are not, it's the only thing holding these tears back. When the camera pans to Nika whose chin quivers a bit I reach for Cam's hand squeezing it. We both watch as Aubrey and her family meet with Coach Geno in the middle. By the end of tonight I'm sure everyone around us will be annoyed by how loud we are screaming, but do I care? Nope. When she raises her jersey and takes a picture I wipe away the first string of tears. It's only going downhill from here. Next is Nika. She walks to the court arms linked with her parents holding back more tears. One of my favorite things to do is watch how much this team loves each other. When she holds up her jersey we scream so loud we will probably wake up with no voices. Aaliyah is next and once again we yell as loud as we can. What can I say she's my favorite Canadian. Then finally Paige. The tears hit both of us as we grab hands again. She walks with her two brothers, sister, and her parents. I've met them all briefly before and remember at first Drew didn't even look my way, but I eventually got him to warm up, and now whenever I'm with her and he calls I take the phone. I smile to myself remembering our last call. I wish I could be down there with her but it's for the best. I am an ugly crier. Me and Cam both jump up and down holding up our cutouts of their faces. I can't wait to hang these up in our living room.

As we wait for them to give their speeches I  pull myself together and spot Kayla in the crowd. Her smile is bright, and she gives a big wave. Cam and I both wave back probably looking crazy with face cutouts and tears running down our faces.

Nika comes up first grabbing the mic. "I don't think there's ever enough time to say what I really want to say, and I speak for everybody, but I just want to say thank-" She's cut off by the ringing of the mic causing everyone to laugh. She continues her speech, choking back tears which I gladly let fall, thanking everyone.

Aaliyah comes next smiling as we cheer for her. "Uconn nation!!" I laugh cheering and holding up her face. She continues thanking all the people she can think of handing off the mic to Aubrey.

"First I just want to start by saying thank you to everyone here. Thank you for making these four years special to me, and have you guys heard I'm coming back next year." Cam and I along with the student section burst into cheers. I smile as I watch her smile and pass the mic to Paige.

"I can't put into words what this program has meant to me, what you guys have meant to me, the best student section in the country." She points over, and the students explode into noise. "Everybody wants me to address the elephant in the room... Unfortunately, this will not be my last senior night at UConn. " The crowd roars again, me and Cam trying our hardest to be the loudest. When she finishes I turn to Cam, who is also laughing through tears.

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The weather is still cold but we are all outside waiting for food. It has been a couple of weeks since senior night and this will probably be the last time I'm with Paige Paige before the Big East game. I missed out on this version of her in the previous year and from what Cam has told me she locks in. I personally don't think she needs to, she is a great player all the time and I might just be biased. We had to move a couple of tables to fit all of us because the group has extended. Nika brought her boyfriend and Aubrey brought her girlfriend two people I was very excited to meet. I'm in between Paige and Azzi who won't stop eating the free bread. We are now on the second basket.

"You guys are going to be so full by the time the food comes." "But it's so good," Paige says stuffing another piece in her mouth. "Just try it." She grabs a piece handing it to me. "Wow, that is good bread." "Right!" Azzi chimes in. When the second basket finishes I sit back leaning on Paige listening to a story KK's telling. I was honestly scared for tonight. We were all out in public and I didn't know if Paige would keep a distance. But we occasionally steal glances are eyes communicating. I put my hand down on my lap and feel something lightly brush against it. I look down at Paige's hand next to mine. I look up at her and she gives me a light flicker of a smile before her fingers brush against the open palm of my hand. Her fingers then curl around mine bringing our hands up so she can test on them. I smile looking back to KK trying to focus on her story.

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"Has anyone seen my other slide?" KK rushes holding up one. I sit on a table in the locker room waiting for Cam to be done taping or doing whatever she does. "Did you check under that pile of towels?" I point to a stack of white towels that KK starts digging through. "Yes!" She holds up her other slide slipping them both on. The big east game against Georgetown was in 2 days and there was an energy that left the air thick. I could tell they were all nervous by the way some would fidget during practice and pace in the locker room. I wish there was something I could do to help. Cam keeps telling me that staying out of the way helps best, I can't lie I'm offended because I'm never in the way. I still listened to her and sit on the empty table in the corner.

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"We are outside now." The voice cuts.  "Okay, be there shortly!" I pull into the many pick-up lanes trying my best to spot my family. They spot me before I do waving and jumping up and down as I pull to the curb. "My Baby!!" my Mom raises her arms leaving my Dad with the bags and running to hug me. "Hi, mama."  "Oh, I missed you so much." She kisses my cheek before letting me see the rest of my family. My dad wraps me in a big bear hug for a few seconds, "So good to see you my Bella Ceilito!" "EVVEE" Gaby runs up wrapping her small arms around me. "Hi! Hi! I missed you so much!" She squeezes tighter. "I missed you too Gaby." She lets go jumping into the car. Matteo is off to the side airpods in. "Oh you must think you are so cool." a smile creeps to his face. "Come here!" I grab and pull him into a hug. "Welcome to Connecticut!"

"So, how was the flight?" I say turning out of the airport. "It was short but you know how JFK is, always packed." My dad responds beside me. "Well glad you guys made it! We excited for the game tonight!" I get a response of various yesses the loudest being from Gaby. "You think they'll win?" "I can't say anything I don't want to jinx it." "What if you just say the opposite of what you think then?" Matteo continues. "If I do the opposite then I will have put it out in the universe so for now I'm silent." My mom laughs. "I think you guys will have fun, I love going to these games and you know me." "Do we get to meet any of the team before?" "No, they all have to get ready, but you can meet them after." "Okay! I wanna meet Paige and Nika!""I can make that happen."

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"Ready for the grand tour!" "We've seen your apartment before." "On Facetime, it's not the same. facetime does not do justice." I unlock the door and am met with a Cam and the pop of confetti. "Welcome to our home Ricci family!!" Gaby giggles playing with pieces in the air still. "Wow, you guys this is beautiful." "Thank you, we have worked hard these last years." "And you are keeping it pretty clean." My dad says feeling the counter. "Dad!" he chuckles. "Why do you have these." Matteo points to the wall above our couch. I look too cam and laugh. "We are supporting our fellow seniors, you want to take one to the game?" "Nah, I'm good." "Someones got too cool for school," I whisper to my mom who laughs. "He is just going through that time."

Once they finished observing our apartment from top to bottom, picking out every little detail, Cam got them out and to a restaurant before the game. If me and Cam go anywhere before a game we accept the 'crazy school spirit' looks we get covered head to toe in UConn merch. I'm wearing blue sweatpants with a husky, Paige's jersey, a Paige shirt underneath, and a UConn beanie. Just in case I get cold. "So, how are you and Paige?" My mom whispers nudging me. "We are good...really good," I respond quietly. "'That's good." She moves away going back to her food. I smile finishing my burger.

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I was able to get tickets that were close to the student section in case they needed anything. While Cam had gotten me, she and Kayla tickets closer to the bottom. This game was a big deal and everyone was showing it. Over the last year, I've gotten so into basketball that I start to freak out and sit on the edge of my seat when it comes to the final minutes. Paige, Ice, Ashylnn, Nika, And KK all get on the court, Paige going to the middle to do jump ball. Georgetown gets the ball first but Ice quickly gets it back, KK shooting the first point of the game. We all jump to our feet in a roar.

✰✰✰

"We cooked them." Cam moves my gaze from my family and back to the scoreboard. It's the fourth quarter with one minute left and we are up by 35 points. Paige has been taken out so now it's just KK, Ines, Ice, Ashlynn, and Q. Even though it was nearing the end everyone was still playing like they hadn't for the last hour.

Ten seconds left in the game and KK was dribbling down the court the cheers are deafening and the whole bench was standing. They just won the Big East tournament. Me, Cam and Kayla all jump up and down in a big hug as we cheer for our girls. The feeling of victory in the air is addictive. We continue to watch as they get their hats and shirts, dance around, and get interviewed. Not once did I stop cheering. The girls all get together and watch Coach Geno get handed the Big East trophy. Large cannons of confetti shoot making it hard for us to see them. I feel a tear roll down my cheek as Paige is announced as the most outstanding player of the 2024 Big East tournament.

When the award ceremony, media, and speeches finish the three of us run back to the locker room. We line up in front of the door ready to pop the confetti that we hid earlier. The second the door opens we scream and the confetti explodes over the team. The victory is still present as they all cheer. Cam and Kayla disappear in the crowd as I move to the side waiting for Paige. I spot her behind Jana, her smile big with confetti still in her hair. When she spots me I run up and wrap my arms around her. "You did it!" Without a word, she puts her hat filled with confetti over my head and laughs. "I was looking for you." "Well, I guess you find me." She squeezes my arm before disappearing deeper into the locker room.

That night she met my family, Gaby immediately loved her and Matteo tried to seem cool but I could tell was impressed.

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April is probably the biggest month so far. Between school and work kicking me in the ass, the final four games, and the constant feeling like I'm always running. is exhausting. Since Aubrey and Paige are coming back it means this is my last month with Nika and Aaliyah before they are big-time stars. Paige has been busy doing her work outside of basketball leaving me with more time to spend with them. I feel a bit selfish for never leaving the two alone but I need to soak in as much of them as I can.

They just won the game against USC meaning they would be in Oregon playing against Iowa, From what I've been told they are also an unstoppable team with Caitlin Clark and Kate Martin. There is no way for me and Cam to make our predictions because we truly don't know.

On the day of the last game, just me and Cam sit in our apartment both anxious. Our girls were across the us playing a pretty big game. Along with us, the whole world would be watching.

"Here you go." Cam sits beside me handing me a bowl of popcorn. "Thanks." I take a handful passing it back. We watch the game for the next hour on the edge of the couch the whole time. Now in the fourth quarter with seconds on the clock, the score is 69 to 70. "Oh, I can't watch." I cover my eyes. I feel Cam's hands on my arm pulling them down. "We can still win this. They just called timeout and we have 3.9 seconds on the clock." "I hope so." My heart feels like it's exploding inside my chest. When they come back from time out Caitlin gets fouled by Paige. "Oh my fucking god I can't take this, I'm going to rip out all my hair!!" The seconds keep going and with 1 second left in the game, Caitlin bounces the ball off-page, My heart sinks. Iowa won. We both sit in silence as we wait for the post-game conference. When Nika, Aaliyah, and Paige take their seat my heart aches watching their sad faces.

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When Paige and the teams get home Cam and I are both hesitant if we should go over. "I think it'll be okay,  let's just go." She swipes the keys of the island. "But what if we make things worse." "The only person Paige probably wants to see right now is you, so come on." She opens the door for me. The decisions that weigh on me are getting heavier and heavier. I sigh and slowly leave the apartment. When we pull up I put a smile on my face and wait for someone to answer the door. Aubrey smiles when she sees us. I can immediately feel how sad everyone is, KK is here and isn't cracking any jokes just sitting on her phone next to Paige. It makes me sad watching them. Paige doesn't realize I'm here till I sit next to her. "Oh hey." "Hi," I hesitate. "How are you?" "I'm okay." I take her hand in mine leaning my head on her shoulder. "I know it might be tough for a bit but you should be proud of yourself, you played with so much heart and if anything  I'm proud of you and so is everyone else." I pay no attention to anyone else in the room just her breathing and the feeling of her thumb rubbing against my hand.

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April 15th, draft day. Azzi and Paige are both gone to support Nika and Aaliyah while the rest of us huddle around the TV. We are all excited and ignoring the fact that it's s possible they couldn't get drafted to a good team. They are both great players so no way that would happen. "Eve, Paige texted you." I reach over to grab my phone from Ashlynn. I open it to a picture of Paige in her draft fit which is an all-white suit. Oh my fucking god. I hope I'm not foaming at the mouth. "What's got you so giddy?" Cam asks. I just look at the picture. If I wasn't already on the ground I would've fallen to my knees by now. "Earth to Lina." I hold out the phone. "Oh wow, she looks so good." Oh, I know." I know. I open Instagram and the first thing is a video of Azzi, Nika, and Paige. "Oh my god." "What!" I show her the video. "Look at them. I think I'm going crazy-look at Nikas grillz!" All the girls crowd around now. "They clean up nicely." I hear Ice behind me and we all laugh.

When the draft starts, I bite my nails every time a new team is named. When the sixth pick, the Washington Mystics, picks Aaliyah, we all scream. I look over at Cam, who is crying, which gets me started. The tension rises as team after team doesn't pick Nika, but on the 14th, the Seattle Storm calls her name. We all jump up, screaming.

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Graduation is in 5 days and our apartment is covered in boxes. It's weird to see it so bare it makes me so uncomfortable. By the end of this month, this place will no longer be home and we will go our separate ways. Cam going off to a DPT program for physical therapy and me going to Italy. I got a small job helping on the set of some movie an honest dream come true. I'll be able to perform my music, be on a movie set, and live all in the place I grew up. Recently I've been losing sleep over what happens next. We have it all figured out but I'm still wrestling with what will happen between me and Paige. She promised me it won't change anything but it didn't feel like a true reality. I wake up every morning to my cap and gown and a wave of happiness and dread rises and falls. It's a very exhausting feeling. We said goodbye to Nika a couple of days ago and all we did was cry and hug. She was among the first to invite me in and make me feel loved in a sea of unknowns. I'll never forget how she welcomed me into her world, her smile, her laughter, and how funny she is. Not seeing her and everyone else almost every day will be a struggle but I know it's not goodbye just see you later. Cam and I put together a big present for both her and Aaliyah to prepare them for their new life. We got everyone to help out and I'll always remember when they both opened it bursting into tears. I keep telling myself that wasn't it, this isn't goodbye I see them in a couple of days for graduation, but it's not working and I continue to shed a tear when I think about my girls.

✰✰✰

I spot my family next to Cam's in the crowd while we are in line waiting for our names to be called. Paige, Azzi, and Aaliyah were all in one line next to each other, me and Cam in the other. Cam is in front of me and before her name gets called she squeezes my hand. The four of us down here clap and our families scream. Azzi goes next then it's me. I had my card and looked over at Paige who was already looking. I smile and take a deep breath before walking. If I told junior in high school me that I would be doing this I would have had a stroke. Paige goes next and I look back to see her griddying. She is so unserious I can't

After graduation, we all meet up at a venue Paige booked for our party. The whole team is here along with my family, Cam's, Paiges, Aaliyah's, Azzi's, and Aubrey's. There is a small stage on the back wall where we are supposed to be giving our speeches and Cam's acting like it's a piece of cake. Meanwhile, I memorized flash cards. Cam goes first and I cry like a baby, then Azzi, then Aubrey, Aaliyah, and Paige. When Page finishes her I quickly wipe my tears and try my best not to stumble up the small steps. All of a sudden I just can't walk in heels.

"Hey guys."I breathlessly say into the mic. "First off I just want to acknowledge this incredible accomplishment that took four years. When I was in high school I never dreamed of being where I am, I did what I could and told myself it didn't matter. Then my beautiful Cameron said something to me that changed my views immediately. I then started working to get better I did research, applied for scholarships, and wrote a shit ton of essays. When we both got accepted into UConn it was surreal that my best friend would be going through one of the biggest moments in life together. For my first two years here they weren't the best, I didn't make many friends and would solely focus on school to distract myself. That all changed when some very special people came into my life," I pause to look up so I can delay the tears. "Now I just can't believe how much has changed in these last two. Through these people, I was able to discover myself and truly find what makes me happy. I met such beautiful souls who are leaving me with things I'll never forget," I find Paige's eyes. "During my time here I met someone so incredibly beautiful inside and out and I am so grateful to have gotten to know her. She is so special to me, my person. I'll miss you all - but I'm excited for all the adventures you guys will have. Just know you'll always have a place in my heart. Thank you." At this point, the tears won't stop and my vision is blurry as walk down the steps. When I reach the bottom I'm met with a group hug from all the girls that squish me right in the middle. When they all pull away we all laugh at how much we are crying.

After I stop crying I can talk to people normally again. I knew this would be bittersweet but not this bittersweet. "Eve..." I turn and it's Paige. "Can we talk?" My heartbeat picks up. "Sure." She pulls me outside into the cool night. I pick at the skin on my lips as I wait for her to start. "With you going away to Italy and me staying here it's going to be hard." "I know." I sigh in defeat. This is it. "I just want you to know that no matter how hard it gets I'm going to try. Long distance is difficult but I can do it. You mean everything to me. I love you, Evelina." Now we are both crying. "I love you too, Paige." I pull her face to mine.

When I was led to her I knew she was the one for me.

In that moment, I swear the whole world could feel my heartbeat.

She wrapped me up in the color of love and gave me the Kiss of Life.

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Tagged: @paigebueckers

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Tagged: @cambennett

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Tagged: @nika.muhl @aubrey.griffin44 @aaliyahedwards_3

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Tagged: @azzi35

Liked by paigebueckers and 2789 others

evelinaricci that's a wrap! Forever a husky 💚

nika.muhl I am going to miss you so much 😢

➬ evelinaricci don't even get me started on how much I'm missing you rn.

cambennett im so happy I got to spend these last four years with you. I love you so much 💕

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paigebueckers love you 💜

➬ evelinaricci 💚💚💚

aubrey.griffin44 missing our goat 🐐

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azzi35 so lucky to have met you!

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matteoricci 🔥

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𝗟𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀

˚. ✦.˳·˖✶ ⋆.✧̣̇˚.

That's it! We ended with almost 7000 words! I hope you guys enjoyed this story as much as I did. I remember last year being so obsessed with Paige but never imagining writing a fanfic. How the tides turn. I'm so thankful for all the support and all the people telling me to keep writing when I would go through periods of writer's block and just could not write. You guys motivated me fs.

This isn't goodbye. Just see you later since I'm aiming to make another chapter once Paige is drafted and is living her WNBA life. Evelina will become a WNBA wife! Lmao.

I loved creating Evelina and Cam and giving them fun personalities, making them good at the thing I wish I was good at, and reading your reactions to them. They are just better versions of me!

If you like arcane and specifically Vi you should go check out my other fic Our Love which is being planned while I finish up this one. (Just had to plug my other works yk)

Okay, time to go back to revise and cringe at how bad some of it is!

Hope you all had a good holiday season.

With Love,

-J