39. Real Friends

I'm no stranger to surprise

This paper town has let me down too many times

Why do I even try?

Give me a reason why

*lets take a moment and appreciate lil freshmen— shorthaired jenna..*

3rd persons POV

*flashback 2020*

Kate Martin.

Redshirt Junior.

And gosh was little freshmen guard Jenna Midow intimidated by the 6'0 guard.

It's like... everything she would normally say or do just completely flies out the window everytime she sees her. Gone is the Jenna who can always toss around a witty joke, who lets anything roll right off her back. Instead, she's a fumbling, stuttering mess and no matter what she just can't help it.

And it's not like Kate is mean, or anything.

Intimidating? Yes. Intense? By far. Driven? Oh, most definitely. But mean? No, no way.

Kate was just that good.

And Jenna knew she was a goner immediately. There had been a moment, when Kate was guarding Jenna and she kept pulling on her jersey trying to fire the freshmen up at the rough play, causing Jenna to push her should back hard sending Martin to the ground. Quickly she turned making eye contact with her teammate for one of the very first times before sticking her hand out to help her up, only for it to be hit away as Kate got up herself.

"That's a foul Freshmen— just to let you know.." Kate winked before running towards the end of the court.

Afterwards, when they were still on the court and Jenna was desperately trying to catch her breath after a friendly scrimmage — first of many, Kate had actually come up to her . Skin shining with sweat, stray hair peeking out of her headband, and she'd stuck her hand out to Jenna, then, and said, "Good game."

That's when Jenna choked. Like, actually choked. As in, swallowing down her spit at the wrong time only to start letting out these hacking coughs like a fucking crazy person, doubled over and trying to catch her breath, feeling like the world's biggest dumbass. Meanwhile, Kate just stood there; outstretched hand beginning to waver in the air as her eyes grew wide.

Jenna knew kate was hot... and she wouldn't lie if she said she didn't have the hugest freshmen crush on her upperclassmen teammate.

The first time she ever liked someone else besides Paige.

But Kate definitely thought Jenna hated her as she was all quite around her older teammate.

Part of her wondered if she was really about to go full monk and take a vow of silence around Kate, and the other part was sure with the sick inevitability that something would have to give soon.

A full month later her hunch is proven correct when Kate corners her after practice.

"So, what's your damage?" she asks.

It's a little startling to hear her voice directed, like, right at her.

It's only then that her question finally gets processed. It feels like Jenna's swimming through molasses, struggling to keep up and lightyears behind. "Huh?" she finally manages to get out, nearly face-palming at how dumb she sounds.

Kate lifts a brow, seemingly unimpressed. Jenna fights the urge to fidget on the spot.

"I said— " Kate leans forward now, right into her space. Her voice is low in the quiet of the locker room. Jenna's breath catches in her chest. "What's your damage ? Do you have a problem with me, or something Freshmen?"

"n-no.." The small freshmen stuttered.

"Then what is it— don't look at me with those big green eyes and expect me to read your mind kid.."

"Nothing! Nothing at all."

A grin that's starting to stretch across Kate's mouth; something warm and teasing that exposes a sharp little eyetooth that has Jenna blushing again for some goddamn reason. "Mm, I don't think that's good enough for me."

"o-oh... so what do you think it is?"

"something different.."

"like what?"

"you tell me freshmen."

"Well for starters Martins," Jenna gets up looking up at the upperclassman, "i have a name— learn it and get it right, im not like all these other girls you can fool around with — and trust me when i tell you this, once i get comfortable here, your spot on the court is mine."

"hm..." Kate smirks crossing her hands over her chest looking down at the girl, "kids got some bite—".

Biting her lip, Jenna decides to vault over the next hurdle, not looking back as she looks the blonde up and down before rolling her eyes and grabbing her backpack, "get back to me when you figure out who your dealing with Martin." She smirks walking past the girl hitting her shoulder lightly.

"Jenna Midow..." Kate yells making Jenna turn on her heels, "i know more then just your name freshmen, don't worry.." Kate winks.

"Then get used to it being said around here."

"we'll see about that."

Jenna

*flashback, 2023*

"So when were you going to tell me you were leaving.." Kate's voice makes me jump from my desk as i turn towards my door.

"Jesus Kate, you know there's something called knocking, maybe you should try it out.." I joke before taking my glasses off and fully turn towards her.

"Jenna— when were you going to tell me you were leaving." Kate says more sternly, anger shown in her voice.

"Kate— i- it's not even set in stone—"

"It's not set in stone Jenna? Headlines everywhere are on about you going to Uconn, what the hell do you mean it's not set in stone!"

"I still am not sure yet Kate.." I sigh getting up to walk toward her.

"Don't lie to me Jenn..."

"Kate I—" I clench my jaw as our eyes stayed locked before tears begin to fall down my cheeks, "you know i can't stay here Kate.."

"Why— i-i don't understand, you have me and Cait, what is not enough for you?"

"Kate Iowa isn't my dream anymore, i can't look or step on the court without hearing my own screams! What do you not understand! Basketball is my dream— But Iowa is yours!"

"It once was yours too! I don't get it — you, you're not even giving this a second thought? At all? Too selfish!"

"Selfish! Kate do you hear yourself? Is there anything wrong if I want to reach my dream?! Look at you, you are achieving your goals, you are doing what you love. Am I different? Am I not allowed?!"

"While you're reaching for you dreams, you're changing."

"So what, you're going to stop me? You're stopping me from reaching my dreams? Everyone changes Kate, you're changing too!"

"I don't know you anymore. You're not the Jenna I once knew and love."

"I'm still me — no matter what uniform i wear Kate!"

"You're different The way you talk, the things you stand for, your priorities – it all changed."

"I TORE MY FUCKING ACL KATE! THATS WHAT CHANGED! MY CAREER, EVERYTHING IVE WORKED FOR IS GONE!"

"Jenna i'm-"Kate soften, she finally is realizing what the role this injury has taken on me.

"Kate..." I shake my head as tears fall, "say it now or forever hold your peace..."

"I'm head over heals for you— more then anyone i've ever loved in my entire life, i am so in love with you it makes me insane, ever since that day in the gym when you introduced yourself, i-i knew exactly who you were and i couldn't stop myself from wanting to know you, i needed to know you. o-or the way you love mangos and wear one purple shoe lace on your right foot — o-or your stupid blue light glasses that are so fucking cute i can't stand it, and the way your eyes light up on the court, the way you Jenna Midow are not just one with the game but your embedded into this game, my game" She shakes her head, "So if you're really leaving, i want to tell you this, so you know, because god Jenna Midow i'm so in love with you..."

"Im sorry, I need to move on Kate.."

"Why can't i be enough for you?"

"You are Kate.." I shake my head before walking over to her grabbing her face in my hands softly as i press my forehead against hers, "i-i just cant give Iowa what they gave me anymore Kate, I can't give you what you need... We are in two different parts of our life, a-and our paths are now separated. I- i need you to understand.."

"How am i going to do this without my best friend?"

"Your stronger then you know— plus you still have Caitlin to be a pain in your ass..You are one of the most important, most stubborn, intelligent woman i know.... I couldn't imagine my life without — because without you i wouldn't be who i am or even half the basketball player i am " I try and smile softly through the tears we both were crying now, "I never wanted to hurt you Kate.."

"But you are.." Her words hit my chest like knives as i flinch.

So that was it. It was over.

We were.

authors note..

hi... ily...

don't kill me

just adding some

SPICE