Page 17

We spent a little over a week with Paige's family before we headed back to Connecticut. I didn't really know why we were going back much earlier then we were supposed to but I just went along, assuming Paige had good reason for us going back to school at the start of August instead of mid August like we'd originally planned.

I really enjoyed being with her family. They made me feel as if I was a part of it. You could see the love they had for each other and it was shown to everyone around them. Honestly it was the perfect energy to be around after my mess of a family.

When we got back to Connecticut me and Rose had decided last year to get an apartment close to campus. I got there and started to set up my stuff since Rose wouldn't be back until the school year actually started. The apartment felt so bare without Rose's upbeat energy and all pink decorations but soon enough she would be here and I would be yearning for the peace and quiet again. Paige was still living with Azzi on campus with most of the other athletes but it was only about a 5 minute drive to the new apartment.

A knock at the door pulled me out of my decorating. I rushed over to open the door finding Paige, Azzi, Ice, Amari and Lou on the other side. They welcomed themselves into the apartment and looked around. Lou pulled me into a side hug and kept her arm around my shoulder.

Out of all the girls I didn't talk as much with Lou but I still loved her and admired her game. I made it a goal this year to really get to know her since it was her senior year.

"This is tight Jules." Ice exclaimed, already looking in the fridge only to be disappointed that it was empty. "Okay you definitely need to go shopping."

They all sat down on my bed, barely fitting all of them because Paige was laying on it sprawled out completely. Azzi sat on her legs which caused her to move with a very unhappy look.

"As much as I love you guys, why the random visit?" I asked. It was a good question. I assumed they were already doing workouts and practices to prepare for the season. It wasn't odd for them to come visit me but five of them just felt suspicious.

"We're gonna do a pickup game at the center, you wanna join?" Azzi replied. All of them looked up at me with puppy dog eyes. There was no reason for me to be there. I didn't need to take pictures or anything so they truly just wanted me around for no reason. I smiled at them, nodding my head. How could I say no to five of my favorite girls sitting in front of me.

Ice shot up, wrapping her arm around my shoulder and leading me out the door. The rest of the girls followed before I was dragged to my own car and all of the girls except Paige got in.

"I have to pick up the rest of the girls, I'll meet you there." She said, noticing my confused face when she didn't get in. I pulled out, driving to the center as Paige went opposite, back to the dorms.

We were there for a bit before Paige, Nika, Dorka, Ines, Aubrey and Aaliyah walked in. The girls made the teams and I sat on the side watching them. They debated over teams for a while until finally settling on an agreement by making me choose. It was hard but they seemed pleased with the end result.

It was Paige, Nika, Dorka, Amari and Ines versus Azzi, Aaliyah, Ice, Aubrey and Lou. It seemed pretty even to me and then they started. I went on my phone not paying much attention to the game unless someone started screaming and I looked at them amused. Even on days off for a pickup game they were still as hyped up as they would be for a normal game. I decided to put my phone down, paying attention to the game happening in front of me.

Dorka passed the ball to Paige who started running up the court at full speed. She looked confident that she was going to make the shot as she ran straight through everyone at full speed dribbling the ball beside her.

She came to a stop and I saw her leg give out on her. She fell and immediately everyone was by her side, even me who ran up from my seat and was now kneeling down next to her.

"You good P?" Aubrey asked, looking down at the girl concerned. Everyone had the same expression. If Paige got injured right before the season it wouldn't be good for them. Paige just shook her head, clutching on to her left leg tightly.

"We need to get her to the trainers" I said, my voice very alert. I grabbed Paige's hand and helped her up. I held her waist as she put her arm around my shoulder. Azzi was on her other side doing the same. She limped off the court as we led her to their trainer. At least they could do some initial testing and see what Paige had done to her leg.

When we got there Azzi burst into the door. Some guy sitting at his desk looked up scared until he saw a hurt Paige in our arms and helped her on to the examination table. Me and Azzi sood there waiting as he looked over Paige's knee where she said she heard a pop.

I took the time to look at Azzi who looked like she was on the verge of tears. I knew Azzi had torn her ACL and Paige was by her side the whole time. Now looking at Azzi it's like she felt Paige's pain. Believe me, I was very concerned but I also had no idea what had happened, or what was going on.

"There's definitely something wrong but I would say going to the hospital and getting an MRI is the best option." The trainer spoke, now looking at me and Azzi. Paige was sitting on the bed. I couldn't even recognize her expression. She looked devastated.

"I'll take her." I said without hesitation. Azzi helped me walk Paige out to my car and I drove like a psycho to the hospital. Paige didn't say a word, just gazing out the window emotionless. I understood why, it just broke me to see her this way.

When we finally got there in one piece, shocking from the way I was driving we limped to the front desk. When the nurse saw me with a limping Paige she rushed over giving us a wheelchair for Paige. Thankfully the line wasn't long as we just waited till a doctor could see us.

My heart felt heavy for Paige, now finally seeing what could happen. The whole season could be ripped away from her because of a simple pickup game. The usual Paige who would be making jokes or poking me was just hunched in her wheelchair staring at her knee.

A nurse called out for us and I wheeled Paige over. She climbed into the bed and just sat there. Again not a word left her mouth and I didn't try to say one either.

"Hello Paige. I'm Dr Manuel, mind telling me what happened?" A tall, slim guy walked in. Looking at his clipboard before looking at the emotionless Paige who laid in front of him. Dr Manuel seemed to be in his late 40s, maybe even early 50s but he still had a young face and obvious love for the job because the look of concern in his eyes became more evident.

"I was playing basketball and my leg just gave out. I heard a pop before I fell over." She mumbled and he approached her, Paige was wearing shorts so he could see her leg clearly.

"I'll get an MRI set up for you and we can figure out what's wrong with your leg." He smiled before walking out. Leaving me in the silent room with Paige.

Eventually a nurse came and got Paige, bringing her to get the MRI done. I took the time to call the other girls, updating them on Paige. I could tell they were all on edge. Seeing one of your players fall to the ground in pain isn't the best way to start the season. When Paige rolled back into the room she kept quiet and laid in her bed.

Dr Manuel chirped back into the room. I could tell he was trying to fake a smile.

"So Paige, we're still a little unsure about your knee and I would like to keep you overnight and take a second look in the morning." He looked over at Paige who didn't lock eyes with him once. She just nodded, her face managing to fall even more. Obviously when doctors said that it either meant something really bad happened that they couldn't even tell what, or they knew what happened but didn't want to say it yet.

"Do you mind coming with me?" He motioned me over and I followed him into the hallway just outside Paige's room. My heart fell, definitely knowing that this wasn't a good sign either. "We think Paige tore her anterior cruciate ligament, her ACL, in her left knee. We could be wrong, that's why I'm keeping her but I doubt it."

My blood felt like it went cold with his words. I wasn't really certain what an ACL tear meant for basketball but I knew it wasn't good.

"What does this mean for her basketball?" I asked, a lump forming in my throat. I felt like I already knew the answer but just hoped I was wrong, that maybe it was just a minor setback.

"I'd say she's going to miss the whole season."

I looked down, trying to figure out how to repair her injury with my bare hands. If Paige found this out it would kill her. It would kill the team and now I was the one who had to keep quiet until the doctors confirmed it in the morning.

I took a second to compose myself before walking into Paige's room. Now I understood the expression Azzi had. She knew what happened to Paige and she wasn't grieving losing her as a teammate for the year she was grieving for Paige. Now that's what I was doing. I knew how much this would affect Paige. Basketball was her everything and the whole year without it just felt like it would break her.

Obviously Paige could tell something was wrong by the doctor pulling me out but she just stayed quiet. Eventually she dozed off without a word and so did I on the uncomfortable chair in the corner. I couldn't sleep the whole time and I woke up early with a very sore ass. I got up, grabbing something to eat for Paige and myself. When I got back to the room Paige was still asleep. It was the first time all day I'd seen her look okay and not stressed or heartbroken.

When Paige stirred in her sleep and turned to look at me the sad expression was put back on her face.

"I called your parents and the team." I whispered, for some reason scared to even talk too loudly because of the silence between us since it happened yesterday. She nodded in response, sitting up and wincing when her leg moved. We stayed like that until Dr Manuel walked back into the room with an emotionless expression on his face. I knew what he was about to tell Paige and I had to hold myself back from clasping my hand over his mouth and keeping Paige happy.

"Well Paige you tore your anterior cruciate ligament in your left knee." I saw Paige's face fall. She understood what this meant because she'd seen her teammates go through the same injury. Still she looked back up with a glimmer of hope in her eyes. He understood what she was going to ask and spoke before she could.

"You won't be able to play for at least this season. You're going to need surgery and lots of rehab to recover and regain full use of your leg again." Even he seemed upset by the information he was saying. Paige looked down fully, putting her head in her hands and I just wanted to hold her in that moment. Comfort her and tell her everything would be okay but I couldn't guarantee that. I couldn't magically heal her leg no matter how much I wished to.

"I'm good to discharge you now, until we book the surgery which needs to be as soon as it can be." Dr Manuel spoke again, not even letting Paige comprehend that he had just told her she couldn't play. He didn't understand how much this was really going to affect her this year.

They continued talking, booking the surgery but I zoned out. Looking at the tears that tried to stay in Paige's eyes. Once they were done I wheeled Paige back to the car and to her dorm. I told the team about the news and informed them that Paige was in no mood to be around anyone.

The drive was silent again and she gazed into space. We got to her dorm and Azzi helped me get Paige to bed where she was supposed to be for the next few days until the surgery. I walked out, grabbing water for her and putting it by her bedside table. I wasn't really sure what to do so I stood there awkwardly.

"You can go Juliette." She mumbled and turned away. I nodded, trying not to be offended at her words. I understood that this was a hard time for her and if she needed her space then that's what I was going to give her until she was ready.

"If you need anything please call." With that I walked out of her room and out of the dorm. Azzi was sitting on the couch just waiting till Paige needed help and she would be there to help. When I got to the car all the events that just happened hit me. I rested my head in my hands, suddenly overwhelmed and exhausted now that I was alone.

I had no idea how this was going to affect Paige but I loved her. I wouldn't leave when things got hard, no matter how much she pushed me away. And I had the feeling she was going to be doing a lot of that.