Realizations

"Hi." Dayton looked up at Nika and thought he would see a smile on her face. Instead he just saw a girl who looked like she was about to kill someone.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" Seriously though, what was he doing here?

"I wanted to see you, I missed you."

"You can't show up to one of my games but you can drive 13 hours to see me? Fuck off." Nika decided to step outside and 'talk' to him on the porch. Just as she did that, the girls from the movie theater came up.

The girls who came from the movie theater could tell something was wrong when they saw the look on the girls faces in the living room. Paige was eager to find out. "What happened?"

"Look outside the window." Ice pointed to one of the windows that they could look out and watch without Nika or Dayton catching them spying. As they got to the window Kate was suddenly confused.

"Who is that?"

Caitlin really didn't want to be the bearer of bad news, but she knew what was best. "That's Dayton."

"Oh." Kate felt paralyzed. Everything just seemed like a curse.

"Don't be sad Kate, I'm sure its nothing."

"I guess. I'm tired, I'm just going to go to my room." Kate wasn't tired at all. She just didn't want anyone to see her emotions.

Outside on the porch, Nika was trying her best not to lose her temper.

"Hello, are you going to say something Dayton? You came all this way to just stand here silently? Either say something or get out."

"Babe, why are you acting like this?"

"Excuse me? Why am I acting like this? You have just been a bystander in our relationship for the whole time we've been together. You don't come to any of my games when I've came to yours, I made excuses for my family the several times you've cancelled FaceTime's on them, hell I even made excuses for you when you were too hungover to go to practice. And now you have the nerve to come all the way down here from Connecticut to tell me 'you miss me?'"

"I mean yea, you're my girlfriend and I thought it would be sweet and cool if I went and surprised you. But clearly not."

"Don't call me your girlfriend when I know there have been plenty of girls you've been sleeping with while I was away traveling. We're done."

"What?"

"You heard me. We're done Dayton, we're not together anymore. Now get out of my face."

"Well where am I supposed to sleep?"

"That's your problem." And before Dayton could say another word, Nika went inside and locked the door. Everyone inside turned their faces back to one another so it looked like they weren't trying to listen to the conversation that was happening outside.

"Are you okay twin?"

"Uhm yea, I just ended things with him. I'm not sad though really, he was a douche, cheater, and so many more things so I know I made the right decision. I'm just going to head to my room."

Paige and Caitlin looked at each other knowing that Kate was up there. They had no idea about how things might go down in a minute. They just prayed that there would be no argument.

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

When Nika opened the door up to her and Kate's room, she saw Kate underneath all her blankets with a few tears streaming down her face. She didn't notice Nika walked in until she tapped her on the shoulder.

"Are you okay Kate?" Kate looked up at Nika's eyes with a mix of anger and heartbreak.

"Yea just listening to a sad song." Kate forced a slight smile as she showed Nika the song she was listening to. Foolish One by Taylor Swift.

"I've never listened to that song but by that title I suppose I can relate to it." Nika forcefully laughed.

"How come?"

"Well my 'boyfriend' and I just broke up. But its fine, I know its for the better. He just treated me like shit the whole time. I was just so stupid to stay in a relationship with him for two whole years. Two years of my life wasted that I could never get back."

Kate was struggling with words to respond back with. All that kept popping into her mind was 'I want to be your girlfriend' or 'I like you so much.' Kate hesitated for a moment.

"You deserve so much better than him Nika. You deserve someone that will see you for you. For all the great things that you are in this world. You deserve someone who will always support you and be by your side when things get rough. Someone to reassure you when you're doubting yourself or having second thoughts."

Nika looked into Kate's eyes for a moment. Nika didn't know what to say. She didn't want to say anything at all. She moved closer to Kate and started to smile. They both sat there for a moment, there faces becoming closer together with each millisecond. But that quickly stopped when they heard the door open. Paige.

"Hey Nika I was just uhm-sorry I'll come back later." Paige shut the door immediately. She knew she interrupted something but instead of being embarrassed, she smiled at the thought of Kate getting what she wanted.

"Well uhm thank you for those words Kate. I really appreciate it."

"Yea no problem. I'm here if you ever need me"

Nika hated how she felt. She didn't like girls did she? She didn't feel anything towards any girl she's ever laid eyes on, but when it came to Kate, it felt different.

Nika decided to go into Paige and Caitlin's room to catch up with her twin.

"Hey Paige." Paige looked up from playing Minecraft to respond.

"Hey twin. Sorry about interrupting before I swear that wasn't my intention."

"It's fine you didn't know. So what did you want to tell me before?"

"Oh nothing extreme I just wanted to know if you were okay. After you said you cut ties with Dayton."

"I'm okay, thank you for checking up on me. I know you're probably stoked about it." Paige and Nika knew each other too well. One could have a poker face on, and the other could still be able to tell exactly how the person was feeling.

"Yea I can't lie, I am happy about it too. Now I don't have to deal with him and his stupid ass."

"Well now you're single and ready to mingle. So Nika, I'm tryna see you living your best life now." Nika slapped Paige playfully as they just sat there and laughed,

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

It was now the following day, and half of them decided they wanted to go into town and shop. The other half wanted to just relax at the beach. Nika and Kate both decided to go into town. It was an even split of UConn and Iowa girls.

They had gone into a few stores and so far Caitlin had the most stuff. She said that she wanted to expand her clothing palette so she has more than Iowa clothes in her closet. No store really grabbed Kate's attention until they were passing by a music store.

"Can we go in there please." Kate begged and prayed that some of them would wanna go in with her. She gave Caitlin her puppy eyes because she knew that would work on her.

"Ugh fine I'll go with you Kate. Whoever wants to come, come, and whoever doesn't just go to the store right next to here."

Kate, Caitlin, Jana, Azzi, and Nika all went into the music store. This place was Kate's definition of Christmas. Kate has always had a soft spot for guitar. She used to play it a lot when she was a teenager but hasn't had time to play it since she went to college.

"Where are you guys going to go, I think I'm going to look at some guitars."

Jana's eyes kept darting towards the drums. "Those drums look like they're calling my name." As Jana started to go towards the drums, Azzi joined her. Caitlin went towards the keyboards because she wanted to show all the people in the store how good she can play 'Runaway,' the only song she knew how to play. Nika and Kate were left.

Kate was trying her best to remain calm. "So where are you going to go?"

"I'll probably stay with you since I don't know where I'm doing and you seem like you have an idea of what you're doing."

Nika and Kate went over to the guitars and both of them were amazed.

"What one do you like the most, Nika?" Kate turned to Nika who still looked completely blown away by the guitars.

"I really like that beige one on the second row near the right." As soon as Kate said that, she grabbed it and plugged it in to an AMP. Kate took this as an opportunity not only to just start playing guitar again but to also impress Nika.

"Sorry if I'm a bit rusty." Kate took a minute to find her rhythm. Once she started to find her rhythm, she began to play her favorite song she loved to play on guitar, 'Cherry' by Harry Styles. The muscle memory kicked in and Kate didn't miss a note.

Nika just watched Kate with adoration and admiration in her eyes. She couldn't stop herself from smiling. The way the girl was so focused and into the music. This was something Kate didn't tell many people about, but something she was so passionate about. Nika realized there's more to Kate than she hadn't noticed before.

"So did you like it?" In all honesty, Nika zoned out the minute Kate started playing and just focused on the girl in front of her.

"Yea, I thought it was really beautiful. Are you going to buy it?"

"You said you liked the guitar and I honestly like it too so yea I think I will. This will probably be my first and last souvenir from here considering the price."

Once Kate bought the guitar, her and Nika decided to wait outside for the girls who were still in the store and the girls in the store right beside it.

When Azzi walked out with the other two girls, the first thing she noticed was the massive guitar case Kate was holding. "Kate what is that?"

Kate looked at what she was holding then back to Azzi. "Its a guitar."

"You play guitar?!"

"Yea it's not something I tell most people of but it's kind of a secret talent of mine."

"Are you good? Nika, did she play for you? Is she good?"

"Yea she's really good." Kate was trying to hide her red face when Nika complemented her.

As the human being she is, Caitlin had to find the bad news in the moment. "So you're going to be carrying that all day?"

"Fuck off Clark, why do you always find the bad in a situation. But yea I didn't think about that before the purchase." The 5 girls just laugh at Kate acting before thinking. But it was something the girls found special in her.

The girls from the other store soon came out and they all went shopping for a few more hours.

They all decided to go out for dinner today. This time they had a massive booth so there was no need to be divided into separate tables.

Coincidentally Nika and Kate sat across from each other. Although they were talking to other people at first, they kept stealing glances from one another.

It had been time for desert and the waiter was coming towards the two girls to see what they wanted.

"And what would you like?" The waiter smiled down at Kate waiting to see what she wants. Kate really wanted dessert but she knew she wouldn't finish it all. So she turned towards Nika.

"Nika if I get a lava cake would you split it with me?"

"Hell yea lava cakes my favorite dessert." Kate started to giggle when she saw how excited the girl looked when speaking about lava cake.

"So well just split a lava cake."

"Alright you got it." The waiter smiled at Kate one more time before going down the table asking for more of the girls orders.

Once they got their bill, Kate couldn't help but focus on the girl who sat across from her. Everything about her was perfect. Her chain, her earrings, everything. She thought it was so cute seeing how Nika put lime into everything she was drinking.

"What?" Nika felt the blood rush into her cheeks as she saw Kate looking and smiling at her.

"Nothing, I just think you look cute how you put lime into everything." Nika's cheeks got even redder. Nika put her hand on her face to try and cover her blushing. "Don't be shy now Nika its okay. I personally think its weird to put Lime in all of my drinks but that's just me."

"So what do you put in your drinks then?"

"To be honest, nothing. I hate and I mean hate when there's a lemon in my water. Like I asked for water, not a lemon." Nika was shocked at the news she was hearing. Well, you learn something new everyday.

"That's extremely weird of you Kate, your water needs flavor and the waiters and waitresses know that. That's why they put limes or lemons in there. Flavor Kate."

"Yea I know but I feel like if I wanted it I would ask for it. It shouldn't be an unspoken rule to just put a lemon in my water. Like what happens when they start charging me when they put a lemon in my water, then what?"

Nika's smile just kept growing when she saw the blonde girl talk. Kate was so humorous and had so much more personality than Dayton, not that she was thinking about him. The more Nika talked to Kate, the safer she felt with her. She never felt that with Dayton. In fact, she felt more fearful when she was with him. But with Kate, it felt like nothing could stop them. Despite there being about 30 girls at the table with them, it just felt like it was the two of them there.

"So tell me something Nika." Kate took a sip of water then began continuing. "Tell me something about you that might be controversial to other people."

Nika was uncertain whether to say this or not. But after all, Kate did ask her a question. "Personally, I think The Notebook sucks. I just personally don't get the movie at all."

Kate's jaw dropped. How could someone hate The Notebook? "Are you crazy?! It's one of the best movies ever."

"I know and I really tried to like the movie, it's just, I don't know I find it stupid."

"Well you just have to watch it with the right person and maybe you'll like it."

"Well see." Kate is the right person. Kate knew if Nika watched The Notebook with her, she would enjoy it. Kate would do the same exact things Noah did for Allie. Nika just didn't know it yet.

Nika (@nika.muhl) started following you

Kate (@katemartin03) shared a new post

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

❤ Liked by nika.muhl, azzi35, and 63,938 others

katemartin03 Does lime and lemon belong in water?

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user1 Uhm yes it belongs in water also you guys are so cute

user2 Kate and Caitlin are cowgirls now

→ caitlinclark22 Yeehaw🤠

→ user2 OMG PLS MARRY ME CAITLIN

aaliyahedwards_24 Yes Kate that's a no brainer are you okay?

→ katemartin03 I expected more from you Lilli😪

user3 NIKA AND KATE?!

→ user4 RIGHT WHY IS NO ONE TALKING ABOUT THIS

→ user5 why do I lowk ship

→ user3 I see it tbh

hannahstuelke You actually ate the cowgirl hat down

→ katemartin03 Thanks Hannah! Glad someone loves it

caitlinclark22 omg finally a good photo of me 🥰

→ katemartin03 Good photo of you where?

→ caitlinclark22 why you always bully me?

→ user6 The girl on the left rlly ate!

user7 suddenly I'm guitar strings

→ user8 AYOOO

→ user9 Let's pause for a minute

→ user10 guitar strings is crazy

paigebueckers My fav blonde

→ katemartin03 You're my fav blonde too pookie

→ user3 Omg my worlds are colliding

→ user11 Idk what blonde I want more

user12 Didn't Nika and Kate just hate eachother?

→ user13 Its enemies to lovers duh

→ user5 How we feel about Muhltin?

→ user13 LOVE IT

nika.muhl Kate delete that. That photo of me should not exist

→ katemartin03 I think you look charming in it 🤭

→ user3 OMGG OMGG OMG

→ user14 EVERYBODY STAY CALM ITS HAPPENING

monika_czinano You're so cute

→ katemartin03 Not cuter than you

Kate (katemartin03) started following you

Nika (@nika.muhl) shared a new post

(@katemartin03)

❤ Liked by ice.brady, katemartin03, and 102, 583 others

nika.muhl Myrtle Beach has my ❤

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user1 I wanna be like Nika when I grow up

user2 Just bought plane tickets to Myrtle Beach btw

user1 You have my  ❤

paigebueckers TWINNN

→ nika.muhl TWINNNN 😝

user3 I forgot how to breathe when I saw the second pic

user4 Oh. My. Gosh.

caitlinclark22 Very cool photos Nika 😊

→ nika.muhl Thanks Caitlin!

user5 KATE IN NIKAS POST WHAT

→ user6 Yea when did this happen? Are they friends

→ user7 I think they're dating. Someone saw Kate playing guitar for her

→ user5 No way

aaliyahedwards_24 Nika how do I look like you

→ nika.muhl Real question is how do I look like you

user8 Suddenly the fight doesn't exist and I ship Nika and Kate

→ user9 Real I feel like they would complement each other so well

→ user10 They prob just friends

janaelalfy8 This is so pretty

→ nika.muhl So close to being prettier than you!

Katemartin03 Me and you are gangsta 😜

→ nika.muhl Only w/ you ❤

→user11 WOAH HOLD UP

→user12 I JUST DIED DEAD

→user13 THE HEART?!?!

→ caitlinclark22 kicking my feet rn

→ user3 ARIANA WHAT R U DOING HERE?!

gabbie.marshall I'm ur biggest fan

→ nika.muhl I'm urs too

Authors Note:

Progress has been made! For now 🤭😉