The early fall air was crisp as Caitlin, Kate, Claire, and Gabby made their way into the packed gym. The sounds of sneakers squeaking against the polished gym floor, the echo of whistles, and the cheers of enthusiastic fans created a familiar buzz that Caitlin had always loved. But tonight, her excitement was tinged with worry. Sam was playing in one of the most important volleyball games of the season, and Caitlin couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that had been gnawing at her all day.

As they took their seats, Caitlin found herself stealing glances at Kate, who had never seemed so happy before. During the summer, Kate had finally asked Claire to be her girlfriend. Now they were a set of best friends dating another set of best friends. Gabby sat on the other side of Caitlin, the most recent addition to their circle of trust.

The memory of the river vacation this past summer flashed in Caitlin's mind—how Gabby had accidentally caught her and Sam making out in their room at the vacation house. The two had been caught up in a moment, their lips locked and hands exploring, when Gabby had walked in, calling for Caitlin to see if she wanted to go swimming. The sound of the door creaking open and Gabby's startled gasp had brought them back to reality in a rush of embarrassment and laughter.

Caitlin had quickly pulled away from Sam, her face flushing as she tried to compose herself. Gabby, standing frozen in the doorway, had looked between them with wide eyes before bursting into laughter. "Oh, wow. I totally knew something was going here!" Gabby had teased as she pointed between the two girls, her voice light and without judgment. The awkwardness dissolved as quickly as it had appeared, with Gabby giving Caitlin a knowing wink before closing the door behind her. From that moment on, Gabby became another pillar of support for Caitlin and Sam, never prying but always offering a comforting presence.

Now, Caitlin sat beside Kate, her fingers twisting nervously in her lap as she tried to focus on the game. "Do you think Bluder is going to run us into the ground again tomorrow?" Kate asked, only half-joking. Caitlin forced a smile, her attention divided between their conversation and the tension building on the volleyball court.

"Probably," Caitlin replied absently, her eyes scanning the court for Sam. When she finally spotted her, Caitlin felt a rush of pride. Sam was in her element, focused and fierce, her athleticism and determination shining through with every move. But there was also a nervous energy in Sam's movements tonight, something Caitlin had learned to pick up on after the year of knowing her.

The game was intense from the start. Both teams were evenly matched, and the score remained close throughout the first two sets. Caitlin's heart pounded in her chest as she watched Sam dive for a ball, her body hitting the floor with a force that made Caitlin wince. But Sam got up quickly, shaking it off as she prepared for the next play.

As the third set began, Caitlin noticed the way Sam was favoring her left leg, the subtle wince she tried to hide as she moved. Caitlin's stomach twisted with worry, her fingers clenching the edge of her seat.

"She's pushing too hard," Caitlin murmured under her breath, barely aware that she had spoken aloud.

Kate glanced at her, concern flickering in her eyes. "She knows her limits. She'll be alright."

But Caitlin wasn't so sure. The set wore on, the intensity only growing as the points racked up. Then, it happened—Sam leapt for a block, her body soaring through the air with the kind of grace and power that had always taken Caitlin's breath away. But when Sam landed, something went wrong. Her foot hit the ground at an awkward angle, and a sickening crack echoed through the gym.

The world seemed to slow as Sam crumpled to the floor, clutching her knee in agony. The crowd gasped, the noise in the gym dying down as everyone realized what had just happened. Caitlin's heart stopped, her breath catching in her throat as she watched Sam's face contort in pain.

Without thinking, Caitlin was on her feet, moving toward the court before she even knew what she was doing. Kate and Gabby grabbed Caitlin's arms, holding her back gently.

"Let them help her, Cait," Gabby urged softly, though Caitlin could see the worry etched in her own features.

Caitlin nodded numbly, her eyes never leaving Sam as the trainers rushed to her side. The scene was a blur—voices shouting, Sam's teammates gathering around her, the concerned whispers of the crowd. But all Caitlin could focus on was the agony etched on Sam's face and the tears streaming down her cheeks as she was helped off the court.

Both Caitlin and Sam's phones buzzed in their pockets, pulling their attention away from the scene on the court. They shared a look as they read the text Sam had just sent them.

Sam: They're taking me to the hospital. Meet me there?

The message was simple, but the fear behind it was palpable. Caitlin's stomach twisted with anxiety. Claire was quick to her feet, already headed out of the gym.

"Let's go," Caitlin said, her voice trembling slightly as she stood up following Claire. Kate and Gabby didn't hesitate, immediately falling in step beside them as they made their way out of the gym and toward the hospital.

The ride to the hospital was filled with tension. No one spoke much, the silence heavy with worry and the unknown. When they arrived, they found Sam already in a room, her knee elevated and wrapped tightly. She looked small and vulnerable lying in the hospital bed, a stark contrast to the strong, confident athlete Caitlin had always known.

Caitlin rushed to Sam's side, taking her hand gently. "We're here," she whispered, trying to keep her voice steady.

Sam nodded, her eyes filled with a mix of pain and fear. "It's bad, Cait. I knew it the moment I landed."

"Let's just see what the doctor says," Caitlin said firmly, squeezing her hand. "It's going to be okay."

Claire, Kate, and Gabby hovered nearby, each offering words of comfort and support as they tried to reassure Sam that she wasn't alone in this. The doctor soon confirmed their worst fears—Sam had torn her ACL, and she would need surgery followed by months of rehabilitation.

The next few weeks were a whirlwind. Caitlin was by Sam's side through every doctor's appointment, every therapy session, and every tearful breakdown. Sam, despite her injury, was adamant that Caitlin and the others not miss any of their practices or classes. She was fiercely independent, refusing to let her injury derail anyone else's plans.

"Focus on your practice," Sam would insist, her voice firm even when her body was clearly exhausted. "I've got this."

One afternoon, after an especially grueling practice, Caitlin was surprised when Coach Bluder asked her to stay behind.

The other girls teased her lightly as they headed to the locker room. "Ooo, you're in trouble," Kate quipped with a grin, making Caitlin roll her eyes.

Once Caitlin had freshened up, she made her way to Coach Bluder's office, her nerves jangling with anticipation. When she walked in, she was startled to see someone from her management team there, a professional-looking woman with a clipboard. Caitlin's heart began to race.

"Uhmm...what's going on?" Caitlin asked, her voice wavering slightly.

Coach Bluder smiled, the corners of her eyes crinkling with excitement. "Caitlin, Nike has been scouting for up-and-coming athletes to sponsor, and they've taken an interest in you. They want to offer you a deal."

Caitlin froze, her heart pounding in her chest. "Nike wants to offer me a deal?" she echoed, hardly daring to believe it.

"Yes," her coach confirmed, pride evident in her voice. "They're looking for young, talented athletes who embody hard work, resilience, and a strong public image. You've caught their eye, Caitlin. This could be a life-changing opportunity."

Caitlin's heart pounded in her chest, her breath catching as she tried to wrap her mind around the words. Excitement buzzed through her veins, but a sliver of fear twisted in her gut—what if she wasn't ready for this?

"I don't know what to say," Caitlin admitted, her voice shaky. "This is...huge."

"Take your time to think about it," her coach advised. "But I wanted to give you a heads-up before they reach out formally. You deserve this, Caitlin. You've worked hard, and it's paying off."

After the meeting, Caitlin sat in stunned silence, the weight of the news settling over her. She knew she had to talk to Sam about this. They had always been open with each other about their goals and dreams, and this was a decision that would impact both of their lives.

That evening, Caitlin made her way over to Sam's apartment, her mind still reeling from the conversation with her coach. The thought of a Nike sponsorship was exhilarating, but it also felt overwhelming. She knew she needed to talk to Sam about it—this was too big to handle alone.

When Caitlin arrived, she found Sam sitting on the couch with her leg propped up, flipping through channels absentmindedly. Despite the strain of the past few weeks, Sam's face lit up when she saw Caitlin.

"Hey," Sam greeted, patting the spot next to her. "What's up?"

Caitlin sat down, taking a deep breath before speaking. "Sam, I have some big news," she began, her voice tinged with both excitement and nervousness. "Coach Bluder called me into her office today, and she told me that Nike is interested in offering me a sponsorship deal."

Sam's eyes widened in surprise, and then a huge smile broke across her face. "Are you serious? Cait, that's amazing! I'm so proud of you!" She reached out and squeezed Caitlin's hand, her excitement genuine and contagious.

Caitlin felt a wave of relief knowing Sam was as excited as her. "I'm so happy I get to of this with you by my side," she admitted, leaning in to kiss Sam, but Sam doesn't kiss her back.

Sam's expression froze, the look of joy on her face gone, now filled with concern. Caitlin thrown off, "What's wrong?"

Sam spoke her head, her gaze dropping to their intertwined hands. "Nothing, I'm proud really," she said quietly, her voice cautious. "You've worked so hard for this, Caitlin. You deserve it. But... I just wonder..."

"Wonder what?" Caitlin asked, her chest tightening with worry. "Sam, talk to me."

Sam sighed, looking up to meet Caitlin's eyes. "It's just... with all the attention this will bring, what happens if people start asking questions about us? About you?" She hesitated, the fear in her voice evident. "Cait, you're not out yet. And I don't know if you ever will be. It won't be easy to keep this private. How do we handle that?"

Caitlin felt the sting of those words, her mind racing. "Sam, I... I'm not ready for the world to know. But that doesn't mean I'm ashamed of us," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "It's just... it's complicated."

"I know it's complicated," Sam replied, her voice softening but still edged with uncertainty. "But I need to know if you see a future where we're not just a secret. Where we can be honest about who we are. This deal... it might make that impossible."

Caitlin felt tears prickling at the corners of her eyes. "Sam, I love you. And I want to be with you, more than anything. But coming out... it's not something I can do right now. It's scary."

Sam nodded, understanding but clearly pained. "I get that, Cait. I really do. But it's hard sometimes, pretending that what we have isn't real in front of everyone else. I just... I don't want to lose us in all of this. And I don't want you to lose yourself."

Caitlin squeezed Sam's hand tighter, her heart aching. "I don't want that either," she whispered. "We'll figure it out, Sam. We'll take it one step at a time. But please, just be patient with me."

Sam's eyes softened, but the uncertainty didn't completely fade. "I'll be here, Caitlin, I love you," she said, her voice steady but tinged with sadness. "I just need to know that someday, we won't have to hide. That you'll be ready to be open about who you are... and who we are."

Caitlin nodded, a lump forming in her throat. "I promise I'm trying, Sam. I don't want to lose you either."

For a moment, they sat in silence, the weight of the conversation settling between them. Caitlin could feel the fear and doubt lingering, but she also felt Sam's love and support, even if it was tinged with uncertainty. It wasn't a perfect resolution, but it was a start—a promise that they would face the challenges ahead together, even if it wasn't easy.

By the time she left Sam's apartment that night, Caitlin felt lighter, remembering that despite everything this was a huge accomplishment . As she drove back to her apartment, Caitlin couldn't help but smile. Most importantly she couldn't wait to tell Kate about it.

A week later, the atmosphere in Caitlin and Kate's apartment was electric with excitement. Sam, Claire, Kate, and the rest of the Iowa team were busy decorating the space, hanging streamers, and setting up a celebratory spread. The room was filled with laughter and banter as everyone worked together, all while eagerly anticipating Caitlin's arrival. The reason for their gathering? Caitlin was at a meeting with Nike, officially signing the deal that would make her one of their sponsored athletes.

The apartment was nearly ready by the time Caitlin's meeting wrapped up. Sam and Kate double-checked everything, making sure every detail was perfect. Sam couldn't help but grin, thinking about the special touch she had added to the celebration—an ice cream cake stashed away in the freezer, waiting for the perfect moment.

Soon, Caitlin arrived at her apartment with her family, the excitement from the meeting still buzzing around her. As she opened the door, she was met with a burst of confetti and the sound of her friends and teammates shouting, "Congratulations!" Caitlin's heart swelled as she was enveloped in a wave of hugs and cheers.

"Thank you, thank you!" Caitlin said, her voice filled with emotion as she hugged everyone, her eyes sparkling with joy. She felt overwhelmed by the love and support surrounding her.

As Caitlin made her way through the crowd, she noticed Claire heading toward the freezer. A moment later, Claire emerged with an ice cream cake, the words "Congratulations Caitlin" written in icing across the top. The room fell quiet as Sam stepped forward with a playful grin.

"It's coffee-flavored," Sam announced, a teasing note in her voice. "The flavor only you will eat because, let's be honest, it's kind of gross."

Caitlin laughed, her heart warming at the familiar joke. Sam had made it a tradition to get her a coffee-flavored ice cream cake whenever she accomplished something big—partly because it was Caitlin's favorite, and partly because she knew no one else would touch it. It was a small, personal gesture that never failed to make Caitlin feel special.

Trying to keep her composure, Caitlin resisted the urge to pull Sam into a kiss, knowing that this cake was Sam's way of showing her love and pride. Instead, Caitlin met Sam's eyes, a silent understanding passing between them. The celebration continued around them, but for that moment, it felt like it was just the two of them, sharing in the joy of Caitlin's achievement.

"Thank you, everyone," Caitlin said, her voice thick with emotion as she looked around at her friends, teammates, and family. "I couldn't have done any of this without you all."

The room erupted into cheers again as the celebration carried on, but Caitlin's gaze remained locked with Sam's, a silent promise between them that they would always be each other's biggest supporters, no matter where life took them next.