𝐒𝐎 𝐇𝐈𝐆𝐇 𝐒𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐋 || 𝐂𝐀𝐈𝐓𝐋𝐈𝐍 𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐑𝐊

I stay when you're lost and I'm scared

Caitlin sat on her bed, her phone in hand, staring at the draft post she had prepared for Instagram. Her heart raced as she reread the words, her nerves making it hard to hit the "Post" button.

Victoria sat beside her, one hand gently rubbing Caitlin's back in soothing circles. "Hey, it's going to be okay," she said softly, her voice filled with reassurance.

"I know, it's just... it makes it so real," Caitlin replied, her voice trembling slightly. "Once I post this, there's no turning back."

Victoria nodded, understanding the weight of the moment. "You've worked so hard for this, Cait. You've earned it. Everyone is going to be so proud of you."

Caitlin looked at her, searching for the confidence she lacked in Victoria's eyes. "What if I mess up? What if I'm not ready?"

Victoria took her hand, squeezing it gently. "You're more than ready. You've been ready for this for a long time. And even if things get tough, you'll have me, your family, your teammates. We're all here for you."

Caitlin took a deep breath, trying to absorb Victoria's calmness. She looked down at her phone again, her thumb hovering over the screen. "I just... I don't want to disappoint anyone."

"You could never disappoint me," Victoria said firmly. "And I know everyone else feels the same way. You're going to do amazing things, Cait. I believe in you."

Caitlin closed her eyes for a moment, letting Victoria's words sink in. When she opened them again, she felt a surge of determination. "Okay," she said, more to herself than to anyone else. "Okay."

Victoria smiled and leaned in, kissing her on the cheek. "You've got this, Cait."

Caitlin nodded, took one last deep breath, and finally pressed the "Post" button. The screen refreshed, and there it was – her announcement to the world that she was declaring for the WNBA draft.

"It's done," she said, exhaling a long breath.

Victoria pulled her into a hug, holding her tightly. "I'm so proud of you."

Caitlin hugged her back, feeling a mixture of relief and excitement. "Thank you, Vic. For everything."

They stayed like that for a while, just holding each other. Caitlin's nerves slowly began to fade, replaced by the excitement of what was to come. Victoria continued to hold Caitlin close, sensing the shift in her girlfriend's emotions from nervousness to a growing anticipation. As they lingered in the embrace, Victoria gently stroked Caitlin's hair, silently offering her support.

After a few moments, Victoria pulled back slightly, her eyes bright with a hint of mischief. "You know what might make this moment even sweeter?" she said, her smile widening.

Caitlin looked up at Victoria, her curiosity piqued despite herself. "What?"

"I have chocolate chip cookies," Victoria announced with a playful grin, knowing well that they were Caitlin's absolute favourite.

Caitlin's face lit up with a surprised yet delighted expression. "You do?"

Victoria nodded, still grinning. "Freshly baked this morning. Just for you."

Caitlin couldn't help but laugh softly. "You really know how to make everything better, don't you?"

Victoria shrugged nonchalantly, but her eyes sparkled with affection. "What can I say? I know my audience."

Caitlin leaned in and kissed Victoria on the lips, a tender gesture filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Vic. You always know exactly what I need."

Victoria returned the kiss, savoring the moment. "I'll grab the cookies," she said with a wink before releasing Caitlin and heading towards the kitchen.

As Victoria disappeared down the hallway, Caitlin couldn't help but smile to herself. With each passing second, the weight of her decision to declare for the WNBA draft felt a little lighter. She knew challenges lay ahead, but having Victoria's unwavering support and a batch of warm chocolate chip cookies made everything seem a bit more manageable.

Victoria returned from the kitchen with a plate of warm chocolate chip cookies, their enticing aroma filling the room. She set the plate down on the counter, and Caitlin joined her, the tension of the moment easing as they prepared to indulge in their favorite treat together.

As they each took a cookie, Caitlin couldn't help but smile at Victoria, her heart overflowing with warmth. "Vic, there's literally nothing more that I want than a future with you," she blurted out suddenly, her voice soft yet filled with conviction.

Victoria paused, caught off guard by Caitlin's heartfelt declaration. She looked into Caitlin's eyes, seeing the sincerity and love reflected in them. A rush of emotion swept through her, and she smiled tenderly. "Cait... I feel the same way," she admitted softly, her voice tinged with happiness.

Caitlin's smile widened, relief flooding through her as Victoria's words washed over her. She reached out and gently took Victoria's hand, intertwining their fingers. "I've never been more sure of anything in my life," she confessed, her gaze unwavering.

Victoria squeezed Caitlin's hand gently, her heart swelling with love. "Me neither," she murmured, leaning in to kiss Caitlin softly on the lips.They stood together in the warmth of their embrace, sharing a moment that felt like the beginning of everything they had ever hoped for.