Mühl Madness

The car ride back to the apartment was a little bit on the longer side but felt relatively short. Many people would oppose the type of weather that Connecticut was experiencing. But for Nika, it made her smile. It meant that there was only a month and a half until March Madness/NCAA Tournaments began.

When Nika opened up the door to the apartment she immediately kicked off her slides and went straight to her bedroom, slamming the door a little bit. She stared blankly at one of her walls that had a photo of Ice and her. Nika was feeling a lot of things right now but mostly confused. She gets why Ice did what she did with Kate but it still felt like betrayal.

Nonetheless, Nika did what she always did in these types of situations and decided to go to the gym. Even if she just got back home not even 5 minutes ago.

Nika didn't have the energy though to change her clothes so she just decided to wear what she was already wearing but change her shoes. Although practice facility hours have been closed for a few hours, Nika had a special key that allowed her to workout whenever. It was a key only given to Seniors.

Outside of her bedroom was Azzi and Paige laying on the couch rewatching Bottoms for the 100th time and Aaliyah getting a few pull ups in with the pullup bar outside of her bedroom door. This all seemed somewhat peaceful currently, but it was bound to get hectic in 5 minutes if KK Arnold decided to burst through the door. If that did happen, Nika wanted no partake in what would happen to the apartment.

With the soft sound of her slides, Nika was successfully able to get to the front door without anyone turning their attention to her. Of course all of them heard the front door open but it was too late for anyone to ask her any questions about what she was doing or where she was going.

Nika sighed when she sat inside her car because honestly, she didn't enjoy being the only person in her car while she was driving. She felt like someone is always hiding somewhere in her car and will jump out at her at any time.

The drive and the mini-walk was quick to get to the practice facility. Thankfully, nobody else was there except for her. Nika made her way to the weight room and went on her phone to connect her phone to the Bluetooth speakers that spread through the ceiling of the room.

Nika didn't have a specific gym playlist. She would normally listen to a playlist or album that depicted how she was feeling.

Once her music connected she stretched for a little before making her way to the squat racks. Starting out lightly for warmups, eventually making her way to one plate and then two. Nika hit a PR of 265 pounds on squatting. She assumed it was mostly because of all the rage she had filled inside of her from Ice.

Thousands of texts were coming up on Nika's phone but she tried to ignore all that she could. The weight room and basketball courts were the two places she felt free and was able to escape from her phone for a little bit. Of course she would stop what she was doing if she saw Kate texting her.

The workout was a little longer than they usually were when Nika worked out alone. If Nika could've spent all night in there she would've but she knew her twin was going to go mental if she did.

Opening the door back to the apartment, she was pleasantly surprised to see a fearful Paige sitting at the kitchen island.

"Jesus fucking Christ Nika. Where the fuck were you? I tried looking at Life360 but you turned your location off."

Nika took her slides off placing them in front of the front door, taking her ponytail out as she leaned on the island. "I was at the gym, twin. I was just trying to get some more leg workouts in."

"As if you even need any more muscle. Look at you, you're like Arnold Schwarzenegger. Just warn a girl the next time you go somewhere alone.

All Nika could do was roll her eyes as she opened up the pantry grabbing protein powder and pouring herself a glass of water. "I needed to be somewhere alone without any of your guy's interrogation."

"You were in there to try to get ready for when you try to beat up Ice right?" Out of nowhere Aaliyah showed up in the kitchen.

"Wow look who decided to join us. Thanks Lilli. Way to call someone out." Nika began making her way towards the couch to where Azzi was there mindlessly scrolling on her phone.

"Wait. You're not actually serious about beating her up, right twin?" Paige jumped out of her seat as quickly as she could, following Nika around like a lost puppy.

Nika shrugged in response as she sat down right next to Azzi. Azzi looked Nika up and down with an 'are you serious' face put on. One thing Azzi was not going to do was be involved in any of this. Azzi was going to be a bystander unless she actually had to break up the fight if it actually did happen.

Azzi knew people better than they knew themselves. She knew Nika only cared for the people closest to her and wouldn't do anything to hurt them. If they did something very shitty then that would be a different story. But Nika did something very shitty first so was Ice really at fault? Besides Ice is 6 '3 while Nika is 5' 11 but like everyone says, Nika can switch.

So the only way for Paige or anybody else to stop harassing Nika was to lie. "Of course not Paige I would never do something as stupid as that and you know that. That would be so fucking immature of me and I'm not an immature person. You of all people should know that twin." Lie.

Paige chose not to argue with the Croatian more than she already did so she just took a step back while still being suspicious of the girl. If Paige bothered the girl more, Ice wouldn't be the only person that Nika beats up.

The night was coming to an end so everyone decided to head back to their rooms except Aaliyah. Nika was exhausted from her flight and her workout and Paige and Azzi were probably tired from other things. They also acted like a married couple so that could've been another possibility for their exhaustion.

Nika so badly wanted to go on FaceTime with Kate right now but she decided not to. So instead she just texted her.

Nika ♥️

Goodnight princess

I love you.

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

Today was the big day. Not the Final Four or the WNBA Draft Pick, something much more different. Something that anyone wasn't expecting besides Nika. Ice knew what she was signing up for when she decided to trick Nika with Kate. So if Ice didn't expect this then that was just extremely pathetic of her.

Nika woke up a little later than usual, around 11AM. They had practice today at 3PM so Nika had just enough time before then to do whatever that she needed to do. The first thing she did was check her phone.

Nika ♥️

Goodnight princess

I love you.

Read 12:17 AM

Princeza💘

Goodnight baby ♥️

Delivered 12:19 AM

She sighed looking at the text and how Kate didn't say 'I love you' back but Nika understood. Kate shouldn't feel obligated to do so considering what Nika did to her. So instead Nika decided to just move on and got out of bed. She did her hair, got sweats on and made her way to the hallway without a peep.

Ice, Caroline, and Azzi's hallway was only a floor below Nika's so it was a rather quick walk. The earlier Nika did this, the earlier she would be done.

Ice, Caroline and Azzi's Apartment

It was currently 11AM and Azzi had just arrived back at the apartment a few minutes ago. Ayanna and KK were currently here, sitting in the living room. Those two were always here because they would always hog Ice's PS5 that she got gifted but rarely even uses.

They were playing NBA 2k24 with often screams from either of them. Azzi was pretending to be interested after KK forced her to watch while Caroline started practicing violin, her new hobby, and Ice sat on the couch, scrolling on her phone.

Everything was a vibe with the sunlight piercing through and the chill music in the background. On cue when NBA 2k24 was paused, the door was banged on very loudly. So loud it felt like the door was about to be knocked down.

"I'll get it." Ayanna got up, sprinting to the door as quickly as she could so the door wouldn't collapse. "Holy fuck stop fucking banging. If you break this fucking door, you're paying." Ayanna peeped through the tiny window hole to see Nika staring right through. Ayanna had a warm, bright smile as soon as she opened the door for Nika. "Oh hey Nika! What're you doi-"

Nika had no time for conversation as she started bolting towards Ice.

"Oh shit." Azzi immediately got up from her seat as KK was already holding the Croatian, trying to prevent her from getting to Ice. Ice sat there with a slightly shocked face but she expected this to happen at some point. Just maybe not at 11 in the morning.

"Get the fuck off me and let me beat Ice's ass." Nika was shouting at Ice in both English and Croatian, cursing Ice out in Croatian assumingly. "I swear to God Ice when they get off me I'm gonna fuck you up so bad."

"Okay okay that's enough Nika. We can do this without any violence so how about me and KK hold on to you while you and Ice have a nice chat." Azzi sighed as her and KK dragged Nika further into the living room.

"No Azzi this is personal and private shit. I'm not doing it with you four in the room."

"Girl boo, we all know damn well you gonna try and beat up Ice Ice Brady if we let you in a room with her alone. I'm not trying to have two of my best slays risk getting hurt or their chances of playing. Nobody is being suspended on my watch."

Nika glared at KK with a devious look. How could you say no to Azzi or KK? You couldn't. Especially if it was the two of them together. Now, that was a deadly-sweet combo.

KK and Azzi sat on either side of Nika with their arms fully locked around her. Across the couch was Ice with protection of Caroline and Ayanna on either side. The four did feel bad listening into this private conversation but they would rather that than two beat up girls.

The silence was loud for a quick minute with Ice looking Nika up and down a few times, waiting for the girl to begin. "So are you going to say anything or was your full intention to just beat me up."

"To just beat you up." Nika clenched her jaw as she looked between the two girls on her sides. "Fuck it. So why did you do it Ice? You're my friend and you pull that stunt with my ex-girlfriend. You knew how I felt and how I regretted what I did every single damn day. Why the fuck did you do it?"

Ice raised an eyebrow as she sat up straighter. "Because no one else was holding you accountable for your actions. The difference between you and I is I knew what I was doing. I knew how fake talking to Kate would make you feel. I know for a fact you never considered how Kate was going to feel when you broke up with her."

Caroline so badly wanted to butt into the conversation. She feels like she has heard the same conversation topic over and over again for the past few months. Still, it was an interesting conversation and new information seemed to be dropping every passing day.

"I know my mistakes and I regret them and I'm so grateful that Kate took me back. Although I br-broke up with her I was still devastated. You know how crazy I was and am for her and then you just did all that shit. That pissed me off so fucking bad Ice you have no idea."

All Ice did was put her hands up in defense. "What're you gonna do Nika? Beat me up? Thought you were going to change for Kate. Trying to beat me up is not going to be pleasing to Kate and things will go back to the way they were or worse."

Ice was right. Kate would definitely never speak to Nika ever again if she beat up Ice. Nika managed to get herself out of Azzi and KK's grip and just decided to accept defeat and made her way towards their front door. Nika did want to change for Kate. It would be hard but getting the things you love doesn't come easy.

March 22th, 2024

Today was currently the last day before the first round of the NCAA Tournaments began. UConn was playing at home in Gampel and Iowa was also playing at home in Carver. As much as either team didn't want to sound too cocky, both were very confident they would make it through to the next round. But you never know with basketball. At some point the worst seed team can beat the number one seed team.

UConn hoped to make it back to the Final Four this year after missing the cut last year. It was devastating for everyone not just because they had made it back to the Final Four for 14 consecutive years beforehand, but because they felt like they had failed everyone. Including themselves. On the other hand, the Hawkeyes couldn't wait for the NCAA Tournaments to run back up and give it 110%. They made it back to the Final Four for the first time since 1993 and they couldn't wait to make it back again.

All basketball talk aside, Nika and Kate were striving. They would have nightly Facetime basketball practices. When they were the only ones alone in their gym, they would practice working on whatever. If it was threes, the one who wasn't shooting would count for however how many misses or makes the other one made.

It did seem kind of corny but it was the highlight of both of their days. They got to play the one thing they loved while enjoying company with their loved one. Kate has yet to say 'I love you' which Nika is still okay with. Nika tells Kate how much she love hers every chance she gets. She wants the blonde to know that she is loved and that Nika is seriously changing.

Nika never beaten up Ice but things with them are still somewhat rocky. There would be times during practice or games where Ice would be wide open and Nika would refuse to pass to her. Ice really did nothing in return. She could if she wanted to but she knew better then to do that. They would still talk but things definitely did feel the way they used to. Both were sure and confident that they needed to speak to each other one more time so both could get the honesty and closure they needed.

Currently Nika and Kate were on Facetime with each other, both just laying in bed wearing the other's sweatshirt.

"So how are you feeling about your game tomorrow? You nervous?" Kate couldn't help but smile while she looked at the Croatian who was on her screen.

It was close to midnight and both girls had to be up early tomorrow. They couldn't tell if it was dopamine or anxiety that was keeping them up.

"Not really, I think we've got it in the bag." There was a brief moment of silence on each end before Nika decided to speak up again. "Every bucket I make or every assist I get, they all go out to you. Our games are about the same time I think so if you go home and watch my game and see my blow a kiss at the camera, just know that it was for you. You nervous too?"

Although Kate's room was filled with darkness, the blush on her face was still visible because of the camera light. "I'm only nervous because we have to actually prove to the people that it wasn't just luck that brought us to the championships last year. We are an actual team that needs to be taken seriously."

"I'll beat the shit out of anyone who doesn't take you seriously princess. Remember, I'm only one call away and I will book a flight to wherever you are in an instant." Both girls smiled at each other until Kate let out a yawn. "Alright my love, I'll let you go."

"Probably best if we get some rest. Hey that rhymed." Every second Kate's eyes seemed to grow more heavy and Nika's voice seemed to grow more raspy. "Alright goodnight baby."

"Goodnight princess I love you." Nika let out a sigh as her and Kate coincidentally hit the hang up button at the same time. Nika had to earn Kate's love back but it still hurt. Nika knew this tournament was a good way to show how truly serious she was for Kate.

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

"Wake up twin. Stop being a lazy dumbass and wake up." Paige was hovering over Nika right now shaking her to get the girl to wake up. "Don't make me pull that Camp Rock scene on you and poor water all over you."

Nika refused to open her eyes but managed to fling her leg to the side and kick Paige with her twin telepathy.

"Ow Jesus Christ twin what the fuck. It's game day and you're going to make me not be able to walk."

Nika finally opened her eyes as she got up from her bed, taking off Kate's sweatshirt, leaving her only wearing a black sports bra and grey sweatpants. "That's what she said. Besides Paige I didn't even hit you that hard so stop being a pussy. You know everyone on the other team is going to be on your ass today."

Paige sat on Nika's bed as she watched Nika comb her hair in front of her mirror. "Can you believe that this is your last first game of the NCAA Tourneys? Next year this time it won't be both of us. It will just be half."

Once Paige stopped talking, Nika chucked her brush directly towards the blonde. "Don't say that Paige. Don't try to make me feel guilty about something I'm not even guilty of. You didn't have to stay another year. And no, I cannot believe this is my last first game of the tournament. It's really hitting that these are my final games at UConn because we really never do know when we're going to lose. Today could be the day."

The Croatian turned around as both girls looked at each other. The 23-24 season was coming to an end and neither of them wanted to accept that that was the case. This whole season was the most exciting most of them had. To know that all of this is going to be gone in less than a month just felt surreal.

"Welp I'm going to leave this musty room before tears start flowing. I might bother Lilli. Peace bitch." Paige made her way to Nika's door, lightly shutting it behind her so Nika didn't scream at her.

After looking at her closed door for a moment, Nika decided to get up and finish changing as quickly as she could. They had to be at Gampel in thirty minutes and Nika still needed to find time to eat and go for a quick jog.

"Alright everybody now listen up! The starting 5 is going to be the same starting 5 as its been." There was roughly 30 minutes until game time and everybody was locking in one more time before they had to go back out and do warm ups. Coach Geno Auriemma was currently giving his pre-game speech and statements. "Paige, Nika, Aaliyag, Ashlynn, and KK. You 5 will be out there first."

All 5 girls nodded as they were all huddled up around Geno and CD. Geno was probably, if not, the most experienced NCAA Tournament Coach of all time. Whatever he would say, everyone would agree and follow.

"Remember ladies, don't use all of your energy in this game. We've got plenty of other and harder teams that we're going to face and we cannot be all worn out or get injured during these first few games. Got it?"

There was a collective repeat of 'got it' throughout the locker room. Geno gave one more semi-inspiring speech before all the girls cheered and he left the room.

Paige was listening to her gospel music one last time while Nika was listening to the complete opposite.

Time seemed to be going extremely fast as they were now heading back onto the courts to finish warming up. This was a big first to last game for Nika, Aaliyah, and Inês. Today marked the journey of completely winning Kate's heart back and to winning a National Championship. The other teams have no idea what is about to hit them.

Authors Note:

Hey guys..........

If u couldnt tell Ive been very unmotivated to write mainly bc I don't think the part of the book I was at was very interesting therefore very unpleasant to write about. I do however love NCAA so this part should be more exciting imo atleast

I've also have like not been on this website/app at all since I uploaded the last chapter so pls dont flame me

Happy thanksgiving to those who celebrate (its tuesday stop)

But yea hope yall enjoyed

Also sorry iuf tge chapter bname is stupud. March Madnesss...Mühl madness....