JENESSA GROGGILY opened her eyes, the pilots voice loud over the speakers, announcing that they've landed. She stretched her arms out, yawning lightly.

Everyone quickly grabbed their things, trying to rush off the plane. JJ never understood that, knowing that no matter how fast you stood up, you'd still have to wait.

Switching her phone off airplane mode, she was met with many notifications she received while flying over, clicking on the ones from instagram.

@IOWAWBB has tagged you in a post!

liked by nika.muhl and 25,363 others.

iowawbb As much as we hate to see you go, we're glad to see you grow. We love you ❤️ @jenessajayde

nika.muhl so excited to have her!

caitlinclark22 love you J, no matter what school is on your jersey

—> jenessajayde i love u cait ur my girl 4eva

user29348 bffr we know yall didnt believe in her 🙄

uconnwbb cant wait to have you jenessa!!

user1020 OMG WHAT?

Jenessa sighed as people began exiting the plane, grabbing her backpack off the floor and double checking she has everything. She stepped into the aisle, lightly smiling at the old man who stopped to let her cut in.

As she walked in line, her phone pinged, Jenessa looked down, a smile creeping onto her face while she reads it. A feeling of excitement and nerves rushed through her veins.

Nika!

hi girl, me and few others are here out front whenever you're here

Nessa

ok perf! im just getting off the plane, then have to head to baggage so probably like 10-20 mins

Nika!

sounds good nessa, so excited to see you!!

Jenessa liked the message, then began following the people infront of her to baggage claim, feeling a bit lost in the airport. Once she grabbed her two suitcases off the belt, she dragged them to the main exit and was met with 3 girls smiling and waving.

She walked up to them with a large smile. "Hi guys!" She said while giving Nika a hug. "Hey! Im Ice, and this is KK." A tall girl with braids introduces herself and the other who Jenessa doesnt know. She smiled and shook their hands. "Im Jenessa, but everyone calls me Nessa or JJ, nice to meet you all."

"Oh cmon girl boo, we know who you are!" The shorter of them, KK, said to her and laughed. A small chuckle left JJ's mouth and Ice grabbed her suitcases, easily lifting them into the trunk.

"So, are you a freshman?" She asked KK as they all slid into the car. "Yup, and im ready to take over." She said confidently but with an obvious playful tone. "You and me are gonna get along-" JJ laughed and wrapped an arm around her.

The car ride to the campus was better than expected, conversation flowing easily, all four girls bonding. Preseason practices began in the middle of August so the girls still had 2 weeks to settle in after summer break. A few of the other girls have yet to arrive according to Nika and Ice.

Once they arrived, they all piled out, Ice insisted on carrying Jenessas suitcases, and they bickered until agreeing on each lugging around one. JJ threw her backpack over her shoulder and followed the girls who were leading the two newbies towards the gym where they'd meet up with Geno.

"Geno's a good coach, he can be really tough sometimes but honestly hes just like a father figure to all of us. He said he's got all of your guy's stuff so we'll grab that then get you to your dorms!" Nika smiled as she spoke, her Croatian accent making Jenessa hang off her every word, loving the sound of her voice.

Once they walked into the gym, Jenessa took a look around. The freshly waxed floors, rows and rows of blue bleachers. Banners hung up, showcasing all of the team's championship wins. The sound of a basketball dribbling on the floor fills the silence as the girls heads turn.

"Aaliyah hey! Meet the new girls, Jenessa and KK!" Ice yelled out and a very tall girl with purple and gold braids jogged towards them. "Hey yall, nice you meet you. Coach is in his office if you're looking for him." Aaliyah smiled at them, Ice broke off and walked with her. Leaving Jenessa, KK and Nika to wander into the coaches office.

Once Geno spotted them, he stood up with a warm smile. Before immediately turning around to grab a bunch of stuff, handing JJ and KK practice uniforms, lots of Uconn merch, a map of the campus, dorm numbers and other random stuff.

"Glad you two made it safely, first practice is August 17th, but you have access to the womens athletics gym starting friday. As you know, you're required to stay in the dorms for your first year, however 90% of the team lives there anyways due to it being cheaper than an apartment and on campus. Hope you settle in easily." Geno smiled, filling them in.

They head out of the gym, and back into Nika's car. "So, what are your guy's dorm numbers? Im in room 309, Ines and I are roomates." She asked as she started the car.

"Umm-" Jenessa rifled through the stuff in her arms before pulling out a sheet of paper. "Room 418." She looks over at Nika as her eyes widen. "What?" "Uh- nothing! What about you KK?" She nervously laughed. "221" KK replied before looking through the other things.

"Okay, we'll drop you off first then."

After leaving KK, Nika and Jenessa entered the elevator again, clicking the 4 button. "So, you excited?"

"Yeah, super. I mean I havent played in almost a year, ive practiced a lot but nothing super serious, I wasn't technically cleared up until a little more then a month ago..." Jenessa scratched her neck as Nika laughed and shoved her arm.

"Well im glad your back, womens basketball isnt the same without your name being all over." Which caused Jenessa to crack a smile. "Dont gas me up too much Muhl!"

Nika lead her down a hallway until they were infront of a door reading 418, she opened the door and waltzed in as if she'd been there before. Jenessa raised an eyebrow in confusion, but followed behind nonetheless.

There she sat, sprawled out on the couch focused on her phone. "Hey Paige.." Nika says, causing Paige to look up and start to say hello until her and Jenessa make eye contact. Both freezing up in shock.

"Surprise...you're roommates!"