See You Later

The house that had been so loud and hectic for four weeks, is now overcome with a new bizarre feeling of silence and sadness. It was now their last night in Myrtle Beach and everyone was feeling worse than they expected. They all went on this trip to be exciting and fun, and sure that lived up to their expectations, but they thought they would be hyped and excited to go back home. But they weren't. Not one of the 29 girls were. They all just wished they could lock the doors in the house and stay there forever. Their life back to reality is coming soon.

Both Nika and Kate can't even fathom it. If you would've told either of them they would be dating by the end of this trip, Nika would've probably beat you and Kate would've probably waved you off. The two girls were going to need to have a talk tonight and they both knew it. They just didn't want to face that fact.

Just like packing for here, Kate and Gabbie helped Caitlin finish packing. Paige was somewhere downstairs with the some of the girls probably drinking shots to clear their minds.

Caitlin and Gabbie were talking with each other the whole time while packing, it didn't take long for either of them to notice the silence that was showing off on Kate and how distant she was from them.

"What're you thinking about K?" Kate seemed to get out of her trance of thought and look at the two girls who were looking at her like she had just seen a ghost. Kate got up and sat right next to the two girls on the floor. Kate took a moment before answering Caitlin's question.

"What's there not to think about y'know?" Kate fakingly laughed.

Gabbie put her hand on Kate's shoulder to try and calm her down. They were best friends, Gabbie knew exactly what Kate was thinking about. Or who she was thinking about...Nika. "It's okay Kate everything will be fine. You guys can still see each other. It's not like summers over, we still have a month and a half left."

"Its not fine though. None of this is fine. If I knew that I would be this head over heels for her, I would've never came!" Kate got up and started to pace around the room. Neither of the girls budged to try and calm her down. This was a new side of Kate Martin they were experiencing first handedly.

"Don't say that Kate we know you don't mean it." To be deeply honest, it pained Caitlin and Gabbie hearing those words come out of the blondes mouth.

"This trip was supposed to be fun from beginning till end. It's not so fun now anymore. I can't bear the fact that we have to go home in less than 24 hours and act like none of this happened. That we have to go back to the way we are and be perfect basketball players. That we need to live up to everybody's expectations and we can't have one misstep in our game. That as soon as Nika touches base in Connecticut, she's going to forget all about me and fuck the first person she sees because I don't exist in that world. I only exist to her here."

Caitlin and Gabbie look at each other and decide it's probably best to step in right now before Kate's breakdown gets any worse. They run up to Kate and both lay a hand on her shoulders.

"Where is this all coming from K? You know Nika is down bad for you and will never want to threaten you and hers relationship. And the thing with basketball, you're making it seem like you hate it now. What did someone say to you?" Caitlin knew Kate loved basketball ever since she was little. Kate was a Hawkeye ever since she could remember. Now it seems like none of that mattered.

Kate leads the girls to sit on the edge of Caitlin's bed. "I don't know where this is coming from. To be completely honest, I'm having second thoughts of staying for a sixth year."

That stung the two girls beside her. All the girls on the team, especially Caitlin, have worked their asses off to try and convince Kate to stay for one last season. Now she's having second thoughts? "K, please don't say that, you love the Hawkeyes. You love basketball."

"Yea but what's the use? I'm not getting drafted anyway. I have more of a chance getting into Harvard than getting into the WNBA. I'm not good enough. You think Nika wants to be with someone who doesn't know what they want to do with their life if they don't make it into the WNBA?" Tears now started to fall rapidly down Kate's face as both Caitlin and Gabbie tried to wipe them away. "I'm sorry guys this is probably not what you need right now. Sorry for ruining your last night." Kate looks down so they can't see the rest of her tears falling but Gabbie is quick to lift her head up.

"Hey hey, you're not ruining anyone's night Kate. You're just overthinking and having second thoughts. It's okay. We promise you, you are one of the most hardworking players either of us have seen. You will make it to the WNBA. And like Caitlin said, Nika is down bad for you, you will be the only thing in her mind when she steps foot in Connecticut."

Kate wraps her arms around both of the girls. "Thank you guys"

The three girls finish packing Caitlin's suitcases but this time the mood was lighter. Kate's smile was now showing and she was now joining in on the conversation. But there always seemed to be a devil in the back of her head. Making it impossible to forget about the conversation she has to have with Nika. Every minute that passes by, is one minute closer to that conversation. And she was dreading it.

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

Kate walked down the stairs and spotted Nika sitting on the couch watching a movie with some of the girls. Nika quickly noticed the girl and flashed a smile her way as she patted the seat next to her.

Kate sat down next to Nika and Nika pushed Kate's body down so she was laying on her chest. They stayed like that throughout the rest of the movie while stealing kisses from each other. This. This right here was the life. Both of the girls could get used to spending hours in each others arms. But still that devil in Kate's head still wouldn't vanish.

Nika noticed Kate's leg started to shake non-stop which meant she was having anxiety. Nika started to rub her hand up and down Kate's arm to calm her down which worked. After the movie was over, Nika whispered into Kate's ear. "Are you ready to talk?" Kate began nodding her head slowly. She really wasn't ready to talk.

The girls decided to go out on the porch sitting on the swinging bench. They sat there for a moment, hand and hand, not sure who should initiate the conversation.

"This whole trip has been so great with you Nika. I just don't want it to end." Kate turned to Nika with a small quiver in her voice. Nika couldn't look at the girl just yet, it felt to painful to finally accept what would be happening for the two girls for now on. "Although it was unbearable at first, I can't stop being near you. Right now we're one centimeter apart from each other and in a day we'll be an 18 hour drive."

Nika turned to face the girl. "We can still see each other. I can come visit you in Iowa and you could do the same for me in Connecticut. We have time, this won't be the last time we ever see each other until a game. You know that Kate."

Kate nodded her head as tears started to pour down her face again. Nika tried to wipe away as many tears as she could but they just kept coming. "I'm just scared that you'll forget me. That I'm just a summer fling to you and once you're back in Storrs that I'm invisible to you. Everyone who sees you falls in love with you. It pains me to know that there's someone there that will just swoop you right off your feet and I just won't be a thought in your brain anymore."

Nika tilted her head and put her hand on Kate's inner thigh. "Oh baby, you know I would never do that. You know how crazy I am for you. No man or woman that isn't you has ever came up in my mind since this trip. I don't see that changing when I get back home. I would do anything for you Kate. I had the same thoughts too Kate, but I trust you. So will you trust me?" Kate nods her head as Nika pulls Kate into a hug.

Kate buries her head into Nika's neck, and Nika feels Kate's tears glide down her neck. Nika's fingers start to comb through Kate's hair. "I'm here to reassure you whenever you need baby, I care for you so much."

This hug was what they both needed at the moment. The last time they could both feel safe and secure in each other's arms. They just wanted to stay there forever and never let go. The sobs coming from Kate didn't go unnoticed. Tears began to fall down Nika's face slowly. She couldn't cry in front of the girl in her arms. Nika had to act tough. She couldn't let Kate know she was so fucking scared and afraid to. She can't be vulnerable.

They both woke up in the morning connected to each other's bodies for one last time. They were as close as they could be to each other with Nika's arm around Kate's waist and their legs tangled together to be able to soak it up one last time.

"Good morning, Princess." Nika kissed Kate's temple as she felt Kate smiling.

After the very intimate and emotional conversation they had with each other yesterday, they decided to talk about how they would communicate when they get back home. They promised to text each other every morning, night, before practice or a game, and after. They also promised to FaceTime each other whenever they could. Even if that meant in the shower. They only had a one hour time difference which wasn't too horrible but in some cases, it might be.

"Are you ready to leave today?" Nika looked into Kate's eyes caressing her arm, as she saw the blonde girl shake her head 'no.' "It's okay baby, it will work out. Everything will be fine, trust me." Truth is, Nika didn't even know if she trusted herself.

While they got dressed, Kate decided to put her favorite sweatshirt on. The one Nika gave her. Nika noticed this action and decided to put on her now new favorite, the one Kate gave to her in return. It was a black hoodie with Iowa Women's Basketball in yellow and on the back it said 'Martin/ 20.' They were all meeting in the living room at 11AM. It was now 10:55 and they decided to get their suitcases and head down.

"All right everybody listen up." Paige was standing on the coffee table while everyone was looking up at her. "Uhm I just want to say, thank you for making this trip probably the most memorable I'll ever have." Everyone started to cheer.

"It has been an honor to grow closer with you Iowa girls and I can't wait when we verse each other."

"We're gonna kick your ass!" Caitlin's comment made everybody chuckle.

"Thanks CC, I'm glad you have confidence and faith in yourself. But yea as I was saying, I am very blessed to do this trip with you two group of girls. I wouldn't want to do it with anyone else. Which is why I am proposing, we make this an annual trip." Everyone looked at each other with shock and confusion. "Before any of you obey, I am suggesting, every year we pick a new place so like for example next year is Seattle or something, and we spend a month in the summer there or when both College and WNBA is off. Obviously people will be graduating and people will be coming in but its your choice. I just think whoever wants to do it, should because I think it would be fun."

Hannah was quick to respond. "I for one will love to keep this as an annual tradition. But I don't think we all have the money to keep this all up."

"Trust Hannah, when you're with me, I've got everything covered. No need to worry. So whos with me?" It didn't take long for everyone to start cheering again. An annual trip tradition?! Sounds fun.

"So we will need to start planning our next trip in a few months!"

Everybody was now outside loading their suitcases into their assigned car. Everybody was in the car with the same group of people as they were before. As Kate was finishing putting her suitcases in Gabbie's car, Paige came over to dap Kate up. Kate gladly accepted it as Paige pulled her into a hug afterwards.

"Me and you highkey became such close best friends throughout this trip and I'm glad we did Kate. I want to make sure we stay in touch." Paige and Kate broke away from the hug and smiled.

"Can't be the underdawg blonde duo if I don't have my other half." Kate managed to get a giggle out of Paige as she fist bumped her. "I'll miss you Paige."

"I'll miss you too blondie." When Paige started to walk over to get into Azzi's car, Kate saw Nika standing and staring a few feet away from her. They began to walk towards each other with both of their arms out to embrace each other in a warm hug for one last time.

"I'm going to miss you so much baby. I don't want to be apart from you." Nika decided to let her guard down and let the tears flow. Kate needed to know how much Nika would miss her.

"I'm going to miss you so much too. Just promise me you'll kick any girl or boy's ass who stares in your direction."

"Promise." The rest of the girls had now gone into their designated cars. Nika and Kate were the only ones still standing. But nobody seemed to care. They all knew how important and meaningful this last embrace was for the two girls. They were in each others arms for what felt like hours but really was just a minute or so.

They leaned their foreheads against one another's and looked into each others eyes. All they could see was the beautiful memories they created here, and the beautiful memories they can't wait to create. Their lips connected for one last, long kiss. This felt different than any other. Before, they knew their lips would meet each other at some point very soon. But now, neither of them were sure when, or if it will ever happen again.

They let go of their hug and Nika started to walk away to Azzi's car as Kate walked. After a moment Nika decided to turn around one last time. "See you later, princess."

"See you." Was the only words Kate managed to get out. Tears was already coming out of her eyes. Kate wasn't even sure if her throat would allow her to get anymore words out before breaking down. So the two girls made their way to their designated cars, not knowing how long it would be until they saw each other again.

Gabbie's Car

They had been on the road for a few hours now and the only noise was the in and out sobs coming from Kate. Hannah tried to reassure and calm her down but it was no use. The blonde girl would start to overthink everything and cry harder. She was grateful for Hannah trying to help her and appreciated the younger girl dearly.

Caitlin being the person she is decided to break the silence. "So who had a good time on the trip I did!" Caitlin raised her hand as she got 'me's' out of Gabbie and Hannah. She noticed Kate hadn't said anything though. So she turned around to call her out.

"So you didn't like the trip K?" Kate lifted her head up from her hand to respond to the girl who just called her out.

"No, I had a great time. It was probably one of the best trips I've ever been on."

"Then why do you look so depressed and sad?" Gabbie wasn't afraid to point out how Kate was feeling. As annoying as it was, it got Kate to speak the truth and pour all of her feelings out. "It's because of Nika isn't it?"

Kate let out a very long sigh. "I just miss her, I feel like I'm going to forget her voice even though it's all over social media. I've never done a long distance relationship, I'm new to this. I don't know how it's going to go, what to say. I just don't." Kate looked out her window into the mountains of West Virginia. This was the kind of location both Nika and Kate wanted to live. Maybe not in West Virginia, but a scenery like it. Maybe like, Washington or Colorado.

"I get it, it's hard Kate. But all you have to do is just trust Nika, and most importantly yourself. Don't think about how long it's been since you last saw her, start to count down the days until you see her again."

"Thanks Hannah, that's actually some really good advice."

Hannah smiled at the girl appreciating her advice. "That's what I'm here for."

"So what is everyone looking forward to when we get back to Iowa." Everyone groaned at Caitlin's comment. They all loved Iowa but honestly that was the last thing on everyone's mind. How do you go from a beautiful place by the beach with palm trees, to flatland? No one decided to speak up on Caitlin's question so she just decided its better to initiate the first answer.

"Alright fine, since no one wants to answer my beautiful question, I'll go first. I think I'm most excited to get back onto the basketball court and get yelled at by Coach Bluder. I'm also excited to get to sleep in my precious bed and fall asleep to the quietness outside."

"Wait Caitlin, you might've cooked with this question." Caitlin shrugged her shoulders in response to Gabbies comment. "I'm definitely excited to see my boyfriend again, I'm excited for the mid dining hall food, I'm also excited to get back on the courts as well."

It was now Hannah's turn. "I'm so ready to get back to eating at Estela's." Everyone nodded and 'mmm' in agreement. "Most definitely basketball as well, but what I'm most excited for is not having to hear Kate and Nika going at it every night like they were at the end of the trip." This caught Kate off guard and everyone laughed at the girl whose face was full of embarrassment.

"Not cool Han. I'm so going to get you back for that. But yea, I'm ready to be back in Carver-Hawkeye Arena, I'm so original, I know. I'm also ready for the quietness in the town and also to get back to Illinois."

The reason why both groups of girls are going back to their colleges is because they both have basketball summer camps running for a few weeks. After that, they all part. But the graduated seniors such as Monika and Dorka, are meeting their parents outside someone in the team's dorm and flying or driving to their hometown. So that was very exciting for the graduated girls.

Caitlin couldn't take the silence in the car any longer and so she decided to blast Taylor Swift. The three girls started screaming to her with the windows down as Kate rolled her eyes and looked out the window. She looked up at the sun setting, wondering if Nika was looking too.

Azzi's car.

Nika was looking at the sunset just taking everything in. The nowhere in the middle of Virginia seemed so beautiful. It was oddly peaceful. This was the kind of place Nika could go to clear her mind off of things. Connecticut was kind of the same but she knew it would feel different here.

"How you holding up back there twin?" Nika looked up noticing Paige in shotgun, talking to her.

"I'm fine. Clearing my mind you know."

"Don't lie, we know you're a toughie on the outside but I think we all know how you truly feel." Azzi slapped Paige slightly earning a slight wince out of the girl.

"Don't force her to say anything she doesn't want to, babe."

"No Azzi its fine." Is it really? "It's no secret that you guys are thinking that I'm thinking of Kate, because I am. We had a talk last night about everything and what was ahead for us. And to just see her breakdown in my arms, it just gutted me and broke my heart. I hate to see my baby cry, especially knowing it was because of me. Not in a bad way of course. Just seeing her cry made it impossible for me not too. But Kate can't see me as vulnerable, I'm supposed to be tough."

"We know you're a shithead sometimes but don't feel that you have to act tough in front of people at all times. We all care for you Nika, and letting you're emotions out is a good thing." Did Paige actually just say something not stupid for once?!

"For my few years of knowing you Niks, I can't recall the last time I've seen you cry. I don't think I ever seen you cry. Just like that, you never take off your tough guard face. But when I see how you are with Kate, its different. You don't have a bitch face, you have a smile on at all times and your eyes don't look like they want to kill someone, they look like they want to protect someone. Hiding your feelings is just another way to become an insane person. There could be a million people in a room and when you two are together, its like nobody else exists. You need to cry in front of Kate, she wants that, she wants to see you feel comfortable knowing its okay to do that in front of her."

Those words coming out of Aaliyah's mouth really stung Nika. Aaliyah was right. When did she become so inspirational?

"Thanks Lilli. Thank you to all of you guys, it really means a lot to hear those words come out of you're guys mouths and to know you guys care so much for me."

"We will always care for you Nika." Azzi put her hand behind the center console to reach for Nika's hand which Nika gladly accepted.

Maybe the two girls can get through a long distance relationship. Everyone's right, they still have a month and a half left to visit each other before school starts up. But Nika wouldn't want to make Kate fly to Croatia if she doesn't have to. Maybe Nika could fly with her. Communication is key and honesty is the best policy. They were starting to become really good at both of those things. So maybe their long distance relationship can work out. They will just have to wait and see.

Long-Ish Authors Note:

Sry for my very inconsistent posting I promise I'll try to get it better before school starts.

Tried to make it a lil longer to make up for it.

Im so happy WNBA started up again. Sabrina today was just so🥰

I feel like Im a good luck charm cuz ever since I bought and worn her jersey, liberty haven't lost

Cant wait to see Fever and Storm both play tmrw and them play against each other Sunday.

GIVE NIKA SOME MINS PLS STORM (ik they a stacked vet team.)

Also I love Liberty but please kick some ass Saturday Aces. Thanks love you

Once again, hope yall enjoyed this chapter.