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thealternateuniverse · 2 days

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Paranoia

Part 1Part 2

A/N: I took a break scrolling from tiktok for my sanity 😭. I appreciate the lovely comments guys. Keep it coming. Thoughts and feedbacks are open.

Edit: There was a part that was missing. I forgot to proofread. PS. This is purely fiction, some events in this story did not happen in real life.

🧎‍♀️(down bad on this photo)

Warnings: Read at your own risk

As the last quarter unfolded, USC relentlessly closing the 13 points gap, the score now standing at 76-70. Despite their efforts, Y/N's team struggled to maintain their momentum and extend their lead. Geno's frustration boiled over, his impassioned instructions during the timeout emphasizing the crucial defensive adjustments they needed to make.

As the clock winds down, the score still stands at 76-70 in favor of UConn. With USC in possession, the pressure is on to close the gap. But Azzi, has other plans. With lightning reflexes, she snatches the ball from USC's grasp and sets the stage for a thrilling sequence of events.

Spotting her teammate Nika open on the court, Azzi swiftly passes the ball. USC's Kaitlyn Davis is quick to react, shadowing Nika's every move. Sensing an opportunity, Y/N, fueled by determination, waves at Nika, signaling for the pass.

With a precision pass, Nika sends the ball sailing towards Y/N. Sensing an opening, Y/N positions herself strategically, evading USC's defense. As she receives the ball, she executes a flawless screen, creating space and thwarting Davis's attempt to intercept.

Dribbling with purpose, Y/N makes her move towards the basket, eyes locked on the hoop. But USC's Rayah Marshall has other plans. Desperate to regain possession, Marshall lunges forward, attempting to strip the ball from Y/N's grasp.

With nerves of steel, Y/N fights to maintain control, deftly maneuvering past Marshall's reach. But the intensity of the moment boils over as Marshall resorts to desperate measures, grabbing Y/N's shirt in a last-ditch effort to halt her progress.

Refusing to relinquish the ball, Y/N stands her ground, her determination unwavering despite the onslaught from USC's defense. With frustration mounting, USC's Malia Samuels joins the fray, attempting to pry the ball loose from Y/N's grip.

In a gripping display of strength and resilience, Y/N holds firm, refusing to yield to the pressure. With the whistle blowing, signaling a foul, Y/N's teammates rush to her aid, pulling her away from the heated confrontation.

"Babe, let it go," Nika urged, her grip firm as she restrained the pissed Y/N from returning to the commotion. Frustration etched on Y/N's face, she reluctantly released her hold on the ball, raising her hands in surrender.

With a defiant smirk, Y/N turned her attention to Samuels and Davis, who were being held back by their teammates. Locking eyes with them, she taunted them, a silent reminder of her unwavering resolve.

The foul earned them a free throw, a guaranteed point, bringing the score to 77-70. Paige wasted no time retrieving the ball and dashed across the court, her sights set on a crucial three-pointer. With just a minute left in the quarter, she aimed to ignite their momentum once more. However, USC had different plans. They intercepted the ball and sunk a three-pointer of their own.

With 45 seconds remaining, Y/N found herself in possession of the ball. She scanned her teammates for any openings, but USC's defense made scoring seem impossible.

"Miller, what the hell? Just do it!" she heard Paige yell, urging her to take action.

As she stood near the half-court line, Y/N hesitated. Shooting a three-pointer from this distance seemed like a near-impossible feat for her. In all her years of playing and practicing, she had never been known for her long-range shooting abilities— that was Bueckers' domain.

The pressure weighed heavy on her shoulders as she considered her options. Could she defy the odds and sink this shot when it mattered most? The doubt gnawed at her, but with time ticking away, she knew she had to make a decision—and fast. --

Y/N dashed toward her teammates after that long range 3 point shot, their jubilant cheers echoing across the court as the buzzer signaled the end of the match. With a final score of 80-73 against USC, victory was theirs. It had been a grueling game, but the satisfaction of triumph overshadowed any challenges they had during the game.

She scanned the crowd, searching for her dad. When their eyes met, she waved at him, a surge of emotion welling up inside her. Despite the divorce, his presence fueled her determination throughout the entire match. She wouldn't expect her mom to be here, though. Separating from her teammates, Y/N made her way to her dad and enveloped him in a bear hug.

"Congratulations, peanut. Looks like you guys are headed to the Final 4. I'm so proud of you. You were incredible out there today," her father exclaimed as they embraced. Y/N beamed with joy; they were moving on to the Final 4.

"Thanks, Dad. Having you here means the world to me," Y/N said, disentangling herself from her father's embrace and offering him an encouraging smile.

"Why don't you invite your teammates to dinner tonight?" her father suggested.

"Dinner? Where?" Y/N asked, confusion knitting her brows. Her dad typically leaves after the game to catch his flight back to California.

"Well... I just bought some property around Storrs. Maybe you could invite them over for a little house-warming party?" Her father scratched his head awkwardly.

Y/N blinked, trying to process what her dad had just said. He had bought property in Connecticut! Was this a permanent move? She didn't know, but the thought of not having to fly to California, or her dad not having to fly to Connecticut, made her genuinely happy.

"Right, of course. We can talk about this property later. I'll let my teammates know. See you later, Dad," Y/N said with a grin.

Skipping back to her teammates, who were still celebrating their advancement to the Final 4, Y/N felt a renewed sense of excitement.

--------------

Y/N basked in the euphoria of their victory during the post-game interview, the realization of her clutch shot sinking in only now. She credited it to luck, feeling grateful for the fortuitous moment.

As the reporters turned their attention to Paige, Y/N struggled to keep her composure, finding it hard to tear her gaze away from Paige's sinfully stylish sunglasses.

"So, Paige, any plans for the WNBA draft?" one of the reporters inquired. Paige paused for a moment, her playful gesture of licking her lips causing Y/N to roll her eyes.

"For now, I think our plan is to win the championship," Paige responded mischievously, leaving the reporter slightly disappointed.

Turning her attention to Y/N, another reporter chimed in, "Y/N, congratulations! That last three-point shot was incredible. How do you feel?"

Y/N felt her cheeks warm as the spotlight shifted to her, a sensation she wasn't accustomed to. In post-game interviews, it was typically Paige, Nika, Azzi, and KK who took the lead. Now, with all eyes on her, she struggled to find her footing.

"Uhh, well... we've been practicing, but I really didn't expect to make that shot from half-court," she replied timidly, her voice betraying her nerves. "You've recently gain the hearts of fans nationwide after you guys went live last week. They are interested to know you more since you seem to be inactive in social media"

The next question caught her off guard. Increasing fanbase? She hadn't realized her popularity was growing. The mention of the recent live session with Ice and her minimal social media presence made her realize she had inadvertently garnered attention.

"Firstly, I appreciate the love. But I tend to spend less time on my phone to focus on my daily activities," she responded genuinely. Becoming a social media star was the last thing on her mind; her life was already hectic, and the thought of dealing with the pressures of online fame felt overwhelming. "Do you have any plans for WNBA draft also? Are you going to sign under your mother's agency and let her represent you?"

The mention of the WNBA draft and her mother's agency caused a flicker of unease to pass over her features. Her teammates exchanged worried glances, and Paige shot dagger looks at the reporter who asked the question.

"W-well, just like Paige said, our focus right now is on the championship. We'll address any future plans when the time comes," Y/N replied with finality not addressing the mother question, offering the reporter a faint smile. The reporter didn't ask further questions and shifted their questions back to the game highlights. ----- After the post-game interview, the team celebrated inside the dugout, cheering once again for their victory. Geno delivered his speech, and everyone showered him with water afterward.

"Okay, okay, enough, everyone. We're not done yet. We have an upcoming match against Iowa. They're a tough team to beat, but I believe in your capabilities. For now, let's celebrate. You all can enjoy the night out. Slow down on the alcohol, and no fights—yes, I'm talking about you, Y/N," Geno warned. Y/N felt a weight on her shoulders, only to see Paige already had her arm over her shoulders.

"We'll be on our best behavior, coach," Paige said confidently, raising a thumbs-up, though doubt still lingered on Geno's face.

"Well, um, if you could, my father invites everyone for dinner. He just moved in,"

The team whistled at the invitation, they all agreed to come.

"Nice!" KK exclaimed. It would be their first time formally meeting Y/N's parent. They do see her father and exchange hellos whenever he is at the game, but they never got the chance to be formally introduced.

"Seems like a housewarming party. We haven't prepared anything, Y/N," Azzi said, a slight worry on her face.

"Don't bother, Az. It's just dinner, and it'll be us and my dad only."

All of them decided to come together to Y/N's father's newly bought house. Nika and KK kept teasing her as "richy rich" while they packed their stuff. No one just decides to buy a property on a whim during a divorce around Connecticut, knowing the estates are damn expensive.

In Y/N's defense, she is not rich; it is her father who could afford it, not her. While it is good to know her father moved here, Y/N will still remain in her apartment. She will give her father his own space, and she is old enough to be staying under her parents' roof.

-------

The house was beautiful when they arrived, a surprise to Y/N how her father managed to pull it off. It wasn't extravagant, fitting right in with the other houses in the Storrs neighborhood. Y/N suddenly felt embarrassed as they were greeted by their family chef in the kitchen. Her father didn't have to go this far by bringing their chef all the way from California. Her teammates exchanged glances, their anticipation evident as they looked forward to a rewarding full-course meal experience after a tough match. "Welcome girls and apologies for the short notice, thank you though for coming. Congratulations in your game earlier and I think you deserve this full course meal." Craig Miller greeted and the girls introduce theirselves, shaking hands with Y/N's father.

"Please, call me Craig. Well, I let you have your meal in peace. If you need anything don't hesitate to ask chef here, indulge yourselves."

The girls thanked Craig before they choose their respective seats. ----

Paige listened quietly while her teammates conversed. She responded from time to time, but the steak made it hard for her to stay fully engaged. It was the best meal she had ever tasted, and every bite felt like a reward after their victory against USC. She silently thanked Y/N's Father for arranging this feast and for their wealth, may they be continued to be blessed. Of course, she was only kidding about the latter, but she couldn't deny the unexpected level of luxury her family had.

What struck Paige the most was Y/N's humility. Despite their wealth, Y/N never flaunted it or mentioned the things she could afford. Paige's heart swelled with pride as she thought about how low-key Y/N had always been. She was privileged, but she never took advantage of it.

"Well, you can ask Paige, Craig. Her and Y/N are close even they banter all day." KK urged Craig, while looking towards Paige, a grin plastered on her face.

Paige literally choked on her mashed potatoes. If looks could kill, KK would be buried six feet under by now.

"Is that so?" Craig glanced at Paige and towards his daughter knowingly. Y/N just gave him a shrug.

"Well, can't help it, your daughter is neck and neck with Paige Bueckers," Y/N responded, her tone laced with airy amusement.

"How about you, Paige? I hope my daughter doesn't give you all a hard time; she can be a bit temperamental," Mr. Miller inquired with a chuckle.

"A little competition is good, Craig, and she's really good. I don't want to get on her bad side, though," Paige remarked, turning towards Y/N's direction and giving her a wink—a subtle reminder of the almost-brawl they had witnessed last week.

"I'm really glad you all got along. Y/N rarely invites her friends back to Stanford, so I haven't really gotten to know them," Mr. Miller remarked.

The mention of Y/N's Stanford friends piqued Paige's interest. Y/N had never mentioned anything aside from team practices, game highlights, and her MCL injury. Paige wondered what her friend's life was like during her time at Stanford. "Speaking of, why don't you invite Cameron here? If she is not busy. Have you two been calling each other?" Paige couldn't help but notice that Y/N's smile faltered at the mention of Cameron's name. She's suddenly itching of curiosity what's with Y/N and Cameron.

"She's busy, dad. Taking a break." Y/N answered shortly. "Oh okay." Craig didn't press further about Cameron. They continued until they finished the five-course dinner, thoroughly enjoying every bite. The girls praised the chef for the spectacular feast they had indulged in and of course Craig who then resigns to his study. He left them to take advantage of the house to rest or do what they want for the night.

-----

All of them decided to have Margaritas only on the patio. The firepit was already lit, warming the chilly air of spring . The girls decided to take some photos for the gram, capturing the essence of their post-game celebration night while the music blaring.

"Those USC players are tough; we should really watch out for Juju next season," Aubrey remarked, shaking her head in acknowledgment.

"Agree, it was nerve-racking earlier. I could feel the tension from the bench," Qadence added, nodding in agreement.

"We've got to prepare for Iowa next week. We'll be facing Clark. They're as hungry as we are," Azzi chimed in, emphasizing the importance of their upcoming game.

"Loosen up, suckers; we'll think about it tomorrow. Why don't we play some games until we wear each other out?" KK suggested, earning groans from her teammates.

"It's always chaos when you suggest games, K," Nikka remarked, leaning her head back and throwing a pillow towards KK.

"What? No. We won't move an inch. Plus, it's margarita night."

"Okay, bring it on, K. What are we playing?" Paige chimed in.

"Hm, something low-key. It's called Paranoia," KK replied with a mischievous grin. A whisper of doubt brushed against Paige, suggesting that this might not be a good idea. It seemed that KK was up to something mischievous. They all exchanged glances, silently contemplating whether they should play along with KK's suggestion.

"Okay, fine. How do we play?" Y/N clapped her hands.

"Easy, I'll be the starter. I'll just whisper a question about the group into the ear of the person on my left. The person who was asked the question replies out loud with their answer. If the person whose name was spoken or anyone curious wants to know what the question was, they take a drink. The person who said the name can either choose to respond or take a drink instead," KK explained, and the team listened eagerly, intrigued by the game's rule. "Man, that's boring. How did you even come up with the idea?" Paige objected, expressing her disinterest. "Come on now, Bueckers, don't be a killjoy," Y/N said, shooting Paige a glare. Paige felt herself gulp. She sat across Y/N.

They all settled into a circle, with KK sitting beside Azzi on her left and Ice on her right. Anticipation filled the air as KK started whispering to Ice, a mischievous grin forming on her lips.

"Ah, easy. It's Nika," Ice responded confidently.

Nika's head shot up. "What? What did I do?"

"Drink, girly, if you wanna know," KK replied with a wink, causing Nika to frown.

"I'm starting not to like this game," Nika muttered, declining to take a shot to find out.

"Don't be a buzzkill, Ice, next to your left," KK instructed, keeping the game going.

Anticipation filled the air again as Ice whispered to Y/N this time. Y/N burst out laughing.

"Easy, peasy. Paige," Y/N replied with a grin, causing all eyes to turn towards Paige, who raised an eyebrow in curiosity.

"What?" Paige asked curiously, but Ice and Y/N only exchanged grins.

"Drink up, P. It's just a Margarita," Ice nudged Paige, urging her to take a shot.

"Hell no," Paige rejected the Margarita firmly, refusing to play along.

"Come on, guys, I'd rather have a hangover than a crippling anxiety," KK mused, acknowledging Paige's reluctance to participate further in the game.

"Final answer, P?" Ice asked Paige one last time, hoping she'd give in and take the shot.

"No thanks." Paige answered while making a face.

"Alrighty, mighty. Come here, Aubrey," Y/N leaned towards Aubrey on her left and whispered.

Aubrey pondered for a moment, not giving an answer right away.

"I think... Paige," Aubrey finally replied, her choice causing a stir among the group, more like to Paige only.

"What the fuck is even the question?" Paige reacted violently, but her teammates didn't seem to care as Y/N and Aubrey high-fived each other.

"Told ya, that's why it's called Paranoia for a reason, P," KK remarked with a smirk, enjoying the chaos she had stirred up.

"But I'm curious, so I'll take a shot. So what was the question, Y/N?" KK sipped from her margarita, intrigued by the mystery.

"If we're going to play a team mode in Fortnite, among KK, Azzi, Nika, Me, and Paige, who are you not going to choose?" Y/N revealed, causing a collective gasp from the group.

"Wait, that's not fair! Give me a break. I'm a much better player than Azzi!" Paige protested, sensing the injustice in the situation.

They all grinned at Paige. "You suck, P," Qadence chirped.

Paige surrendered. It was one against all.

"Aubrey, your turn," Aubrey, who then whispered to Aaliyah. Aaliyah immediately responded "Paige."

"What the fuck," Paige muttered, feeling increasingly targeted.

"Still not drinking, P?" Ice teased.

"I don't know, you guys. It seems like you all want me to have a hangover," Paige remarked, still refusing to touch her margarita. If it were a Shirley Temple, she'd gladly chug it down.

"Alright, Ines. Your turn," Aaliyah whispered next to Ines, who answered without hesitation, "Y/N."

It was Y/N's turn to be curious. "Hold up," Y/N said, taking a sip of her margarita. "Okay, what is it?" she asked, curious about the question that had been whispered to Ines. "Who do you think is the most attractive player you will date if given a chance to?" The group fell silent, waiting for Y/N's response to the revealing question.

"Oh wow. really? Thank you, I guess?" Y/N response elicited a mixture of laughter and awkwardness from the group as they processed her answer.

"Ines got a little crush on our girly here," KK teased, while also giving Paige a knowing look, which only added to the playful banter among the group. Ines on the hand, blushed as Y/N joined teasing her too. For some reason it annoyed Paige. KK's game will seriously ruin some friendship.

"Alright, you next Paigey."

Paige shook off her annoyance and allowed Ines to lean towards her to whisper her question.

"From which school did the person you liked go to?" Ines asked quietly, sparking curiosity among the group about Paige's response.

Paige's eyes briefly landed on Y/N, who was obliviously chatting with Aaliyah. She quickly looked away before she could linger and get caught.

"Stanford," Paige responded quietly, her gaze fixed on the firepit, hoping her answer wouldn't draw too much attention. The group went silent. "Wait, wait, wait, I'm curious. What's the question?" Azzi asked, breaking the tension with a drink. One by one, KK, Nika, Aubrey, Ice, and finally Y/N followed suit, each taking a sip, eager to discover the secret question that had been whispered to Paige.

"What? Fuck no! This game is over," Paige declared, her frustration evident as she refused to continue playing. "Paigey, you're a buzzkill. Come on Ines, let's have a team huddle."

They all had a team huddle, excluding Paige, to discuss Ines's question.

The whispering turned into collective murmurs of surprise after Ines spilled the question. Y/N met Paige's eyes and gave her a teasing look.

"Ah, I know who! I remember how you look at Hannah Jump!" Y/N exclaimed, prompting a mix of laughter and gasps from the group, most likely from KK.

Fuck this shit! Paige mentally cursed, feeling embarrassed by the revelation. Paige felt a surge of frustration at Y/N's teasing remark, for someone who has high IQ in basketball, she is dense.

What the hell just happened? She'll kill KK and never ever let her suggest stupid games next time. "Nice one, P! Hannah Jump, huh?" KK patted her on the shoulders, still laughing, but Paige only offered a tight-lipped smile in response, feeling a mixture of embarrassment and annoyance. "I'll kill you later K."

---------- Will have a bit more of Y/N and Paige's interaction in the next chapters.

#azzi fudd #kk arnold #paige bueckers #uconn wbb #paige buckets #uconn huskies #aaliyah edwards #paige bueckers x reader #ncaa women’s basketball #paige bueckers x oc #qadence samuels #paige bueckers fic

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