WHEN JENESSA woke up, she heard voices coming from the living room. Stretching and quietly groaning as her body cracks a few too many times then it should.

She rolled over and checked the time off her phone, 10:48am. She had a late night, studying for a test in her anatomy class.

JJ pushed herself out of bed, despite how badly she wanted to just rot in the warm comfort all day. She was about to leave her room when she realized all her outfit consisted of was an oversized t-shirt and a thong.

Quickly pulling on her adidas navy blue track pants and a white hoodie. When she walked into the living room, Jenessa saw Paige, Azzi, Nika and KK on the couch and floor.

"Good morning sleeping beauty!" Azzi exclaimed, clearly a morning person. Jenessa whined, putting her hood over her head before curling up on the couch next to Nika, head resting on her shoulder.

"Long night?" The Croatian asked sweetly, comfortingly rubbing the grumpy girls knee. "Mhm, anatomy test at the end of the week." She yawned, nestling her head deeper into Nikas neck.

When she opened her eyes, she was met with Paiges piercing blue ones staring back at her, practically choking on her breath when she examined the girl.

Paige had her hair down and natural, waves prominent, a pair of basketball shorts on her lower half and a Uconn hoodie on top. Paige looked absolutely gorgeous, her delicate face basically glowing in the morning light coming through the blinds.

The two zoned out the others conversation, but Jenessa was forced to snap out of it when Nika shrugged her shoulder, JJ sat up. "Sorry, whats up?" She asked.

"Well, KK and I want to go to Chick-fil-a for lunch, Azzi wants to go to Canes." Nika re-explained. Jenessa thought for a moment, debating between the two.

"Canes." She said and Azzi cheered, high-fiving her. JJ giggled at the girls ecstatic reaction. "Hell no, chick-fil-a!" Paige whined.

"Three against two, we win!" KK jumped up, flipping off Azzi and Nessa jokingly. They both groaned and everyone stood up as well. All of them dressed comfortably, knowing damn well they're going through the drive-thru, no one cared to change.

After ordering their food, Nika paid as she was the one driving. But everyone quickly sent her money afterwards. "Thanks mom!" JJ teased as the Croatian passed a bag to the back.

All the others agree and in unison, beginning to call Nika "mom."

Once they arrived back at the dorm, the group of girls all went back to their spots, passing out the food to the correct person and beginning to feast.

"So, should we like do something today?" Azzi asked the group as they all ate. The girls shrugged in response, not feeling up to doing anything crazy.

"We could go out to the movies tonight? We dont have practice soo-" Jenessa suggested, remembering about the new horror movie that came out last month.

"Yes! Oh my god yesss!" Azzi perked up immediately. The rest all agreeing. "Horror movie?" KK asked, a smirk on her face.

"Duh, I wanna go watch thanksgiving, I heard it's good." JJ smiled, Nika whined at this. "Oh cmon bae, it'll be fun. I'll hold your hand." Jenessa pushed, a cheeky smile on her face as she batted her eyelashes.

"Fine." Nika let out an exaggerated sigh, slumping back into the couch.

Paige felt her stomach churn at this, a wave of jealousy rushing through her at the sight of them both. She thinks back to when that was her and Jenessa, she was the one JJ cuddled up too, she was the one who she called pet names, she got to hold her hand. Was Nika her replacement?

Paige knew Jenessa and Caitlin got extremely close after what happened, but she never had to see it with her own two eyes, right in front of her. And what Paige and Nessa had was different, it wasn't how her and Caitlin were. But the blonde couldn't figure out whether or not something more was going on with Nessa and Nika.

Sure, it was assumed Nika was straight, but never confirmed. The Croatian girl only ever talked about guys, however JJ is someone who can easily be any girls gay awakening, just like how she was Paiges.

The blonde clenched her jaw, her nails digging into her palm as she squeezed. Mind swarming with thoughts about the two, jealousy thick as it coursed through her veins, she couldn't think straight, all Paige wanted to do was get up and pull Jenessa into her arms, where she belonged. Once Azzi bumped the blonde's shoulder, obviously trying to get her attention, Paiges eyes trailed down to her hands, crescent shaped dents displayed on her palms.

"So, thanksgiving it is! And we wont have to get all dressed up we can stay in our homeless fits." KK said smugly, gesturing to her sweatpants and hoodie.

At 8pm, the girls all re-grouped in the dorm building lobby. Most of them changing out of the clothes they wore all day into different ones to feel a little less sluggish.

Jenessa now wearing her white brandy melville long sleeve, the few buttons undone, making her chest slightly more noticeable. Along with a pair of white and red plaid pj pants, waistband folded over due to them being a little too big for her. Paired with her uggs. The girl couldn't remember where she got the pants, but they were one of her favourites.

KK was dressed in the same navy blue Uconn sweatsuit from before, just with her Jordan's instead of slides.

Nika was wearing a similar outfit to Nessa, with blue pinstriped pj pants and a black skims long sleeve, along with slippers.

Azzi had on a white crop top, grey zip up and grey sweats, white air forces finishing off her look.

Paige was the last to show up, wearing a brown nike sweatsuit and Jenessas jaw almost dropped. She was used to seeing Paige dressed like this but for some reason it just really got to her this time around. She felt her cheeks heat up and quickly turned her attention to Nika. The blonde didn't even look in Jenessa's direction, not wanting to admit to herself that she still had feelings for her.

"We ready to head out?" The Croatian girl asked the group and received nods. "We'll take my car!" She added on and they all walked out together.

JJ called shotgun before they even left the building, so she slid into the passenger seat with a grin on her face, automatically connecting to the aux. "Song requests?" She asked, looking in the back.

"SEXYY RED!" KK screamed excitedly, Nessa laughed and played a playlist full of the artists best songs.

"BOW BOW BOW BOW" The whole car screamed, music so loud the bass causing the car to shake. All of them giggling, feeling giddy like children.

KK was absolutely going off, singing all the lyrics while the rest of them only knew the popular parts.

"GET IT SEXY, GET IT SEXY, GET IT SEXY, GET IT SEXYYY" She yelled while pointing at JJ, signalling for her to sing the next part.

"Boy you know this ass super fat." Jenessa sung, laughing as she winked. "Fuck me good I'm throwin that shit back!" She continued, pressing her hands against the glove box and leaning forward, her back arching.

Paige genuinely choked on her breath, not only at the fact that Jenessa was wearing Paige's favourite pyjama pants from when she was 16, but also due to her heart rate skyrocketing and a slight throbbing feeling between her legs at the sight. She coughed and glued her eyes to the window, trying to distract herself.

"H-He wanna kiss me all over my tats." JJ sat back up and ran her hand down her left arm where she had a few patchwork tattoos. "Im so fucking sexy that he'll text." Jenessa finished off with a shrug. All of them minus Paige screaming and hying her up.

"Hell yeah you are!" Azzi laughed.

The song continued, the girls all recovering their breathes, preparing for the next part. Nika ran a hand through her hair, before resting her elbow on the centre console, now driving with one hand on the wheel.

KK was bumping in the middle seat, the girl having an insane amount of stamina when it came to jamming out. Azzi was behind Jenessa, her foot up on the seat and knee pressed against the door. Paige on the other side of KK, was still trying to calm herself down, not realizing how MUCH of an effect Nessa had on her.

Paige knew the brunette always had a way of causing her to get flustered, despite being one of the cockiest playgirls Uconn has to offer. But she hadn't realized how the effect had gotten worse as the two were now older, matured, and a whole lot hotter.

Snapping out of her trance when the car quickly became deathly loud again, Paige couldn't help but laugh and join in due to the hypnotic amount of energy radiating off everyone.

"LITTLE MISS SEXY WALKIN DOWN THE STREET!" They all screamed, windows open causing everyone's hair to blow wildly, luckily Nika tied hers back prior to getting in the car, expecting the wind to be crazy. So she had no trouble driving.

"IM SO FUCKIN SEXY YEA, MY SKIN IN GLISTENIN'" The girls continued, they all screamed songs until they finally arrived at the movie theatre. Now hyped up and energized after feeling a bit groggy all day.

"Okay so, movie starts in 10 but we all know that credits will be 15 minutes ish. So we've got 25 minutes to get snacks and go pee." Nika spoke, mom mode immediately being activated as she had to reign in the childish basketball players.

KK had already run off to the line for popcorn, Azzi going straight for the small arcade connected to the theatre and challenging Paige in multiple different games.

"You go get in line with KK, I'll see what the other two want then join you." Jenessa smiled softly at the anxious girl, being able to tell she was feeling a bit overwhelmed.

"You're an angel, I love you!" Nika yelled as she walked over to KK, JJ giggled and blew Nika a kiss before turning around and heading to where the others were.

The two were currently in a fierce battle on the basketball machine, mouthing each other off every time they made a shot. It was a close game, practically neck and neck in points.

Every time Paige scored, Azzi would follow. Jenessa decided to patiently wait for them to be done before asking what they wanted for snacks, but also because she was afraid if she butted in she'd be attacked for messing up their game.

"BOO IN YO FACE AZ!" Paige exclaimed loudly, earning weird and annoyed looks from other people in the lobby. Paige had made a shot right before the buzzer sounded, making her have two more points than Azzi did as she had missed her previous shot.

"Whatever Bueckers, im gonna kill you in the zombie game!" Azzi rolled her eyes. "Sorry to interrupt, but what do you guys want for food, Nik and I will grab it for y'all." JJ butt in, the two girls turning to face her.

"Ill get a medium popcorn and a large red fruitopia please!" Azzi smiled widely, Paige stared, zoned out on Jenessa until Azzi elbowed her. "Oh uh-" The blonde tried to think, her brain shutting down as she was put on the spot.

"Medium popcorn, large iced tea and some skittles?" JJ asked, remembering what Paige would always get at the movies when the two were younger. "Yeah, please." Paige responded, her heart warming at the fact that Jenessa knew.

"Sounds good, we'll meet you in the theatre, you have your tickets yes?" The brunette asked as she was walking away. "Yup!" She heard Azzi exclaim from behind her.

Much like how she'd been all night, Paige's mind wandered and she couldn't focus during the next four games they played, still set on the fact that JJ remembered her exact order after all these years. The pair had only gone to three movies together, once being with the whole USA team yet somehow, Jenessa still had it memorized.

"Get your head out of your ass Paige, focus!" Azzi scolded as they both raced in a car game. "Sorry- sorry." The blonde tuned back into the video game. Azzi beat her by a long shot.

"Whats on your mind?" Her best friend asked, moving in her seat so she was facing Paige completely. "Jenessa." She deadpanned, not bothering to try and deny it knowing Azzi would figure it out anyways.

"Assumed so, you're still not over her aren't you?" She said, Azzi hadn't pushed Paige about their situation much, but she knew the blonde was completely in love with Jenessa and always was.

The only girls Paige got even close to dating after what happened with JJ were basically just Walmart versions of her. The rest not ever lasting more than a week, most only one night. Paige was a known player, she never stuck with one girl for long but no one minded, even just one night with Paige Bueckers was something that was sought after and craved.

"Of course I am, just- being around her all the time again makes me think back to when we were close. Thats all-" Paige tried to lie. "Are you trying to convince me or yourself P." Azzi blurted out, unwilling to deal with the blonde being stubborn.

"I- ugh. Both?" She whined, running her hands through her hair. "Jenessa is a forgiving, loving girl Paige. Im sure if you were to talk to her, and pretty much get on your knees and beg for forgiveness, you two could be friends again. Lovers on the other hand? Low, low chance. But if it's meant to be, it'll happen P." Azzi continued, her tone soft and wise, she'd been preparing this speech since the whole dumpster fire of an ending JJ and Paige were.

"Paige Bueckers doesn't beg. She's just some stupid chick I need to get over." The blonde spat, clearly conflicted with her inner feelings and just turning them into anger and resentment. "Fine, whatever. But don't get mad at me because you cant figure out your shit." The raven haired girl shrugged, standing up after checking the time and heading to theatre #3 where the movie they were watching was playing.

Paige slowly followed behind her, dragging her feet.

The girls were all sat in the middle at the very back, the theatre being mostly empty as the movie wasn't very new anymore. Just two people in the bottom right corner and three in the middle left.

"Best seats in the house, heres your snacks guys." KK smirked, passing the two their

stuff.

JJ was sat on the side of KK, Paige plopping down next to her and Azzi next to Paige. Nika came running up the stairs after peeing and whining audibly.

"JJ was supposed to sit next to me. Im scared! She promised." Causing Jenessa to giggle, starting to stand which KK immediately locked onto her wrist.

"Too late Nik, shes sitting here." KK smirked and Jenessa shot her a weird look, her eyebrow raised.

Paige realized what was going on and felt her heart beat out of her chest as Jenessa sat back down, arm brushing against the blondes bicep.

The credits were almost finished as they all got situated, JJ kicking off her slippers and curling her legs up on the seat, practically twisted up like a pretzel. Causing Paige to let out a chuckle and Jenessa to glare at her.

Nika pulled out her phone, turning on the flash and letting the girls know she was taking a 0.5, they all posed smiling or sticking out their tongues.

The movie started at they all shifted their attention to the huge screen.

Jenessa took a sip of her coke, the bubbly liquid sending a burning type sensation down her throat. She opened her sour patch kids and chucked one in her mouth.

The opening scene was disgusting, way more so than JJ anticipated. When a woman tripped and got ran over, her scalp being ripped off by the wheels of shopping carts she felt her stomach twist and turn.

Wincing at the sight, she unknowingly pushed herself up against Paige, who was completely unbothered by the movie but aware of Jenessa's weak stomach. The brunette adored horror movies, but could never handle them. So, Paige was her guinea pig who had to watch them with her and hold JJ in her arms when she got scared.

Paige's muscle memory kicked in, snaking her arm through Jenessas and interlocking their fingers. A pang hit the brunettes heart at the feeling of Paiges hand in hers again. The blondes hand was always warm, where JJ's was always cold. She could feel the callouses from years of basketball on Paiges palm, Jenessa had them as well but hers were much less aggressive.

As the movie went on, Paige would gently caress her thumb against the brunettes skin every time she jumped or gasped. But when a dead chick showed up on screen posed like a turkey and seasoned, JJ decided that was it for her and basically ran out of the theatre, the girls all jolted to follow but Paige waved them off.

"I'll go see whats up, you guys enjoy." The others slowly nodded, not wanting to ruin whatever was going on at the moment.

Paige creeped into the bathroom, noticing all the stalls were open but one. "Jenessa?" She gently called out, her tone soft. A quiet mumble coming from the closed stall.

"Wanna open up ma?" The pet name slipping out of Paiges mouth before she could stop herself, luckily enough, she heard the lock shift. The blonde grabbed the top of the door easily, opening it and seeing the brunette sat on the floor.

Jenessa looked up, moving her elbow off the toilet and pressing her back against the wall. "You okay?" She asked, crouching down to join JJ on the floor. "You don't have to sit on this gross movie theatre floor with me Paige." She laughed watching Paige sit.

"Hey, I don't care about that right now. Are you alright? Did you puke? You wanna go home?" The blonde questioned, but JJ felt her heart swell as she called the dorm 'home' for the first time. "I didn't puke, just felt like I was going to, and yeah- I wanna go home." Jenessa said as she pushed herself off the ground and fixed her hair.

"You think the girls will be upset if we leave without saying bye?" She panicked as they were about to exit the front door. "No, no, they all saw you leave and I texted saying I was going to take you back to the dorms after I called the uber. None of them are upset, just want you to feel better." Paige reassured.

The two didn't want the night to end, their connection rekindled and neither knowing when it would end. "Can I- sleep in your room? I know it's stupid but-" Paige cut her off. "You're scared and will have a nightmare unless i'm there, I remember J, of course you can." The blondes hand found the small of Jenessa's back and guided the girl into her room.

The brunette actually hadn't been in Paiges room before, and her eyes scanned around it. Seeing pictures hung up on the wall, curtain lights dangling off the roof. Posters of her favourite music artists and basket all players decorated the walls. A huge Uconn sign with their husky logo placed above her bed which was layered with millions of pillows and multiple blankets. A desk in the corner with a circle rug beneath it, but what Jenessa's eyes glued to was the few polaroids from back when the two were younger.

A photo of them and Caitlin from team USA, one of them tangled up on the ground laughing as they held each other that their friend took, and one of JJ holding the camera, Paige behind her with her arms wrapped around her neck, a huge cheesy smile on her face.

Paige jumped into her bed, grabbing the remote and turning on her TV, Jenessa awkwardly stood to the side, not knowing what to do. "C'mere" The blonde gently smiled, opening her arms up and JJ crawled onto the bed, quickly slipping under a blanket and into her comfort place, Paiges arms wrapped around the brunette.

Jenessa rested her head in the crook of her neck, leg thrown over Paiges hips. The blondes vanilla and lavender perfume filling her nose. A sense of comfort and familiarity washing over her, immediately causing JJ's eyes to grow heavy.

Soon enough, Paige heard soft snores coming from Jenessa, a smile formed on her face as she combed her fingers through her long brown hair. Paige shifted slowly, trying to get comfortable but also not wake the sleeping girl.

Eventually, she drifted off. The quiet snores coming from Jenessa acting like a nursery rhyme, completely hypnotizing her to the point where Paige forgot to turn off her curtain lights and the TV which was still playing some show.

DENNY'S CORNER

LONGGG ass chapter

hope u all enjoyed

dont get too excited about ur favs being cute

yk ur girl loves angst 🤫