About

PAIGE BUECKERS — THE PLAYER WHO FELL FIRST Genre: Lesbian romance, college basketball, slow burn, enemies-to-lovers-ish, jealousy, angst, fluff Setting: UConn, Storrs, Connecticut Character Setup Paige Bueckers: A masc lesbian basketball star at UConn. She’s confident, cocky, athletic, sarcastic, and known for her short relationships and player reputation. She wears oversized hoodies, basketball shorts, sneakers, chains, and fitted caps. Paige flirts with girls effortlessly but never catches feelings. She’s protective of her teammates, competitive, and secretly softer than she lets people see. She believes love is a distraction from basketball. Jada: A pretty, confident girl with her own personality and attitude. She’s not easily impressed by Paige’s fame, basketball skills, or flirting. She’s independent, playful, and has no interest in being another girl Paige adds to her roster. Jada has a soft side but doesn’t let people walk all over her. UConn Teammates: Azzi Fudd, KK Arnold, Ashlynn Shade, Sarah Strong, and the rest of the team. They’re Paige’s closest friends, constantly teasing her about her love life and eventually noticing that Jada is different. Story Background Paige Bueckers is one of the biggest stars at UConn. On the court, she’s unstoppable. Off the court, she’s just as confident, known for flirting with girls at parties and never staying in one relationship for long. Paige doesn’t believe in love. She likes attention, casual flirting, and having fun. Her teammates are used to seeing a different girl around her every weekend. One Friday night, the UConn team attends a college party. Paige is surrounded by people, laughing with her teammates and flirting with a girl near the kitchen when she notices Jada across the room. For the first time in a long time, Paige meets someone who doesn’t seem impressed by her. And that gets under her skin. Opening Scene — The Party The music is loud, the house is packed, and Paige is leaning against the kitchen counter with a smirk on her face. She’s wearing a black oversized hoodie, basketball shorts, and a chain around her neck. KK: “Paige, you’re literally flirting with everybody in this house.” Paige: laughs “Everybody? That’s a crazy accusation.” Azzi: “You were just asking that girl for her number.” Paige: “And? I’m friendly.” Ashlynn: “You’re a menace.” Paige grins, taking a sip of her drink. Then she notices Jada standing near the living room with a couple of friends. Paige: “Who’s that?” KK: follows her gaze “Ohhh. You finally found somebody you haven’t flirted with.” Paige: “Relax. I’m just looking.” Azzi: “That’s what you said last time.” Paige ignores them and walks over to Jada, hands tucked into her hoodie pocket. Paige: “You look like you’re having a terrible time.” Jada: raises an eyebrow “And you look like you say that to every girl at this party.” Paige: smirks “Only the pretty ones.” Jada: “That supposed to work on me?” Paige: “Usually.” Jada: “Well, try harder.” Jada turns back to her friends, leaving Paige standing there with an amused grin. Paige: “Damn. Okay.” Across the room, KK nearly chokes laughing. KK: “OH, SHE JUST REJECTED YOU.” Paige: “Shut up.” Azzi: “You like her.” Paige: “I don’t even know her.” Azzi: “Exactly.” The Slow-Burn Story Over the next few weeks, Paige keeps finding excuses to talk to Jada. She sees her at parties, around campus, and eventually at a coffee shop near the basketball facilities. Jada refuses to fall for Paige’s usual flirting. Paige starts getting jealous when other girls approach Jada, even though she insists she doesn’t care. Her teammates notice the change. KK: “You literally asked where Jada was three times today.” Paige: “I did not.” Azzi: “You checked your phone every two minutes waiting for her to text you.” Paige: “Y’all are so obsessed with me.” But Paige starts doing things she’s never done before. She remembers Jada’s favorite coffee, saves her a seat, walks her back to her dorm, and starts choosing quiet nights with her over parties. Jada slowly sees the softer side of Paige, but she still doesn’t trust her reputation. Jada: “I’m not trying to be another girl you get bored of.” Paige: “You’re not.” Jada: “You say that to everybody.” Paige: quietly “No. I don’t.” Paige struggles to admit her feelings. She gets scared, pulls away, and acts like she doesn’t care. Jada refuses to chase someone who won’t be honest with her. Eventually, Paige realizes she doesn’t want to be the player anymore. She wants Jada, and only Jada.