Caitlin Clark and her all-star teammates had just touched down in Phoenix for the WNBA All-Star weekend. The city buzzed with excitement, the streets alive with posters and billboards showcasing the league's brightest stars, Caitlin's face among them. But for Caitlin, this weekend wasn't just about basketball or the spotlight. She was looking forward to a break—some time to breathe, to unwind, and maybe, just maybe, to escape the relentless pace that had consumed her life these past few months.

The flight from their last game had been a quiet one. The sting of a tough loss hung heavy in the air, and the exhaustion was palpable. Caitlin, in particular, felt drained, both physically and emotionally. As much as she loved the game, the demands of being "the face of the league" were starting to wear her down. All she wanted now was to sleep, to shut out the world and let the fatigue melt away.

When the team finally arrived at the hotel, they were greeted by the staff with warm smiles and an array of gift bags, each one personalized with their names. Caitlin barely glanced at hers, too tired to care about whatever swag awaited her inside. She made a beeline for the elevators, eager to collapse in the solitude of her room.

As soon as she entered the suite, Caitlin let out a sigh of relief. The room was cool and dimly lit, the heavy curtains drawn against the harsh desert sun. She tossed her bag on a chair, kicked off her shoes, and all but fell onto the bed, feeling the weight of everything that had happened in the last four months settle over her. She was seconds away from drifting off when her phone buzzed on the nightstand. Groggily, she reached for it, squinting at the screen to see Aliyah's name flashing.

"Where are you? You were supposed to come right back down," Aliyah's voice chimed on the other end, full of energy that Caitlin simply couldn't muster.

"I'm not going down," Caitlin mumbled, rubbing her eyes. "I just want to sleep, A. I'm exhausted."

"You can sleep later," Aliyah insisted. "This is your chance to make friends with everyone, to show them who you are off the court. Come on, Caitlin. Just give it a try. Please?"

Caitlin sighed, the weight of Aliyah's words pressing down on her. It wasn't just about the party. It was about being part of the league, about fitting in with the players who would be her peers for the rest of her career. But the thought of mingling with people she hardly knew, some of whom might resent her for the attention she received, made her stomach twist in knots. Not many people knew this about Caitlin—only her closest friends and Sam—but socializing in unfamiliar environments made her anxious. The idea of putting on a fake smile, of pretending to be comfortable in a room full of strangers, felt like too much to bear tonight, but she knew it would be good for her to be there.

"Okay, fine," Caitlin relented, her voice laced with reluctance. "Give me five minutes."

"Great! See you down here," Aliyah chirped before hanging up, leaving Caitlin alone with her thoughts once more.

She dragged herself out of bed, splashed some cold water on her face, and pulled on the first outfit she found in her suitcase. She didn't bother checking herself in the mirror before heading back downstairs. This wasn't about impressing anyone—it was about surviving the night.

When Caitlin arrived downstairs, her and the girls left for a party for the league, the atmosphere was already buzzing. Music played softly in the background, mingling with the chatter of voices and the occasional burst of laughter. The room was filled with players from across the league, some huddled in tight circles, others mingling with drinks in hand. Caitlin and Aliyah headed to the bar immediately, both getting drinks, Caitlin sticking close to her friend as she scanned the room, trying to keep her anxiety at bay.

They were only there for a few minutes when Caitlin heard a familiar voice behind her.

"I thought they only invited the cool players to these things."

Caitlin turned around, and her heart skipped a beat when she saw Kate standing there, grinning at her. Without thinking, Caitlin crashed into her best friend, wrapping her arms around her in a hug that could have lasted forever.

"Kate!" Caitlin exclaimed, her exhaustion momentarily forgotten in the joy of seeing her friend.

Kate hugged her back just as tightly, laughing as they finally pulled apart. "Surprise! I missed you, Cait."

Caitlin couldn't stop smiling as she noticed Claire standing beside Kate, a knowing smile on her face. "Hi, Claire," Caitlin greeted her, before adding with a mock-serious tone, "Sorry in advance, but I'm stealing your girlfriend for the whole night."

Claire chuckled, shaking her head. "That's okay. Sometimes I think she misses you more than she misses me."

Caitlin laughed, the lightness of the moment a welcome relief from the heaviness she'd been carrying. But then, as the laughter faded, a thought crossed her mind. If Claire was here... did that mean Sam was here too? Caitlin's eyes darted around the room, trying not to make it obvious that she was looking for someone. But Claire noticed.

"It's just me," Claire said gently, her tone understanding. "Unlike you and Kate, Sam and I are capable of doing things alone," she added with a laugh, trying to keep things light.

Caitlin let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. She wasn't sure if she was relieved or disappointed that Sam wasn't here. She wasn't sure she was ready to face her yet, not after everything that had happened.

The party continued, the energy in the room vibrant and alive. Caitlin stuck close to Kate, the familiar presence of her best friend grounding her as they moved through the crowd. They caught up with old friends, shared laughs with new ones, and for a while, Caitlin was able to push aside the thoughts of Sam, of the past, and just enjoy the moment.

But eventually, Kate excused herself to grab more drinks, leaving Caitlin alone with Claire. The two of them sat down on a couch near the edge of the room, the noise of the party a dull hum in the background.

Caitlin glanced at Claire, suddenly feeling the weight of the apology she'd been holding in. "I'm sorry," she blurted out, the words spilling out before she could stop them.

Claire looked at her, a slight frown creasing her brow. "For what?"

"For hurting Sam," Caitlin said quietly, her gaze dropping to the floor. She felt a lump in her throat as she forced herself to continue. "I never meant to... I just... I'm sorry."

Claire was silent for a moment, her expression thoughtful. Then she nodded. "You both hurt each other," she stated, her voice gentle but firm. "You had something special, and that's worth something."

Caitlin swallowed hard, her chest tight with emotion. "Thank you for giving her space," Claire added after a pause. "I know that must have been hard for you."

"It was... it is," Caitlin admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "But I know it was the right thing to do."

Claire reached out and placed a hand on Caitlin's arm, offering her a small, reassuring smile. "I know you're dying to know how she's doing," she said softly. "She's doing good, Cait. Really good. I know it's hard, but I think officially cutting it off was good for both of you. You can learn to navigate who you are by yourself now. And she can go back to being out and proud, without all the complications."

Caitlin nodded, her heart heavy with a mix of emotions. She was glad Sam was doing well—she really was—but that didn't make the ache in her chest any less painful. Still, hearing Claire's words gave her some measure of comfort. Maybe this was how it was supposed to be. Maybe they both needed this time apart to figure out who they were, to grow in their own ways.

"Thanks, Claire," Caitlin said finally, her voice steady. "I needed to hear that."

Claire squeezed her arm gently. "Anytime."

Caitlin sat there with Claire, the warmth of their conversation still lingering as the party buzzed around them. But as time passed, she could feel her energy waning. The laughter and music, which had once been a welcome distraction, now seemed to press in on her. She could sense her social battery running out, and the exhaustion from the past few days started to settle back into her bones.

She caught Aliyah's eye across the room and gave her a small nod, as to say she was going to head out. Aliyah immediately understood. With a quick excuse to the group she'd been chatting with, Aliyah made her way over to Caitlin, her brow furrowed with concern.

"You okay?" she asked softly.

"Yeah, just tired," Caitlin replied, forcing a smile. "I think I'm going to head back to the hotel."

Aliyah nodded, also feeling tired herself. "Let's get out of here, then, I'm pretty beat too." she said. She then turned to signal Kate, who was in the middle of a conversation with a couple of other players. Kate headed to the girls, deciding to leave with them, wanting to spend as much time with Caitlin as possible.

The four of them made their way out of the party, the cool night air hitting them as they stepped outside. The streets were quieter now, the bustling energy of the evening beginning to fade.

When they reached the hotel, they lingered in the lobby for a moment, reluctant to part ways just yet. Caitlin turned to Kate and Claire, who were standing close together, their hands intertwined as they talked, leaving a ping in her heart, hoping one day she could be out and open like that.

"Are you guys going to the Skills Challenge tomorrow night?" Caitlin asked.

"Definitely," Kate replied with a grin. "Wouldn't miss it."

A thought crossed Claire's mind. "What about breakfast tomorrow? Before y'alls practice?"

Claire smiled as Caitlin nodded, but then Caitlin remembered. "Actually, I have a therapy appointment before practice. What about lunch instead?"

Kate exchanged a glance with Claire before nodding. "Lunch sounds perfect. We'll be there."

Caitlin then turned to Aliyah. "You want to join us?"

Aliyah grinned. "Of course. I wouldn't miss it."

With plans set for the next day, the group finally headed to their respective rooms. Caitlin walked down the hallway to her suite, feeling a little more at ease now that she had something to look forward to. The anticipation of spending time with her friends, and the knowledge that she had an appointment with her therapist to help sort through everything she was feeling, brought her a sense of comfort.

When she finally reached her room, Caitlin kicked off her shoes and crawled into bed, the exhaustion of the day catching up with her all at once. But as she closed her eyes, she couldn't help but think about the next day—the therapy session, lunch with her friends, the Skills Challenge. It would be another busy day, but at least she knew she wasn't facing it alone.

With that thought, Caitlin let herself drift off to sleep, ready to face whatever tomorrow would bring.

---

The next day began early for Caitlin, with her therapy session scheduled for early-morning. After grabbing a quick coffee from the hotel café, she made her way back to her room, sitting at the desk. As Caitlin's phone began to ring, Dr. Mitchell showed as the caller, Caitlin immediately starts to feel more at ease.

Dr. Mitchell, smiled warmly as Caitlin's face appeared on her screen. "Good morning, Caitlin. How are you feeling today?"

Caitlin hesitated, adjusting her position in the chair as she gathered her thoughts. "I was doing better. At least, I felt like I was," she started, her voice carrying a trace of uncertainty. "But this morning, it's like... everything just came rushing back."

Dr. Mitchell nodded, her expression encouraging Caitlin to continue.

"I've been working hard to move on, to focus on the present and not let the past weigh me down," Caitlin said, her eyes drifting to the window, where the city buzzed with life. "For a while, I wasn't thinking about Sam constantly anymore. The pressure of being what everyone wants me to be in the league—it wasn't bothering me as much. But now..." She trailed off, feeling a familiar tightness in her chest.

"What brought these feelings back today?" Dr. Mitchell asked gently.

"Claire," Caitlin admitted. "Seeing her last night, being reminded of Sam, it stirred everything up. She said Sam was doing really well, and it made me wonder... was I the problem the whole time? Maybe now that I'm not around, Sam's finally happy and good."

Dr. Mitchell leaned forward slightly, her gaze steady and reassuring. "It's natural to wonder about that, Caitlin. But relationships are complicated, and it's rarely ever one person who's at fault. You've both been through a lot, and sometimes, distance can bring clarity, even if it's painful."

Caitlin nodded, but the doubt still lingered. "I just can't shake the feeling that I held her back. That maybe if I hadn't been so wrapped up in my own stuff, in the pressure and expectations, we would've been okay."

"Relationships require space for each person to grow individually," Dr. Mitchell said. "And from what you've told me, you both needed that space. It's not about blame; it's about recognizing that growth sometimes happens apart rather than together."

Caitlin let out a slow breath, trying to absorb the truth in Dr. Mitchell's words. "Yeah... maybe. But it still sucks, you know? To think that maybe she's better off without me."

"It's okay to feel that way," Dr. Mitchell reassured her. "But also remember that you've been doing a lot of work on yourself, Caitlin. You're learning to navigate who you are outside of that relationship. That's important growth too."

Caitlin gave a small, almost reluctant smile. "I guess you're right."

They sat in silence for a moment before Dr. Mitchell spoke again. "You also mentioned feeling overwhelmed by the All-Star weekend. Can you tell me more about that?"

Caitlin shifted in her seat, the tension returning. "Everyone's treating it like it's this huge deal. And I get it, it's the All-Star weekend, but it's supposed to be fun, right? A break from all the competition. But it doesn't feel like that. It feels like everyone's putting so much pressure on me, like I'm supposed to be the one to carry the team, to go out there and destroy Team USA. They want me to prove a point or something, like I should make them regret not putting me on the team in the first place."

"That's a lot of weight to carry," Dr. Mitchell observed.

"Yeah, it is," Caitlin agreed, her frustration bubbling to the surface. "I'm just one player. And I'm on a team with these incredible athletes—people I've looked up to for years. Why does it feel like it's all on me?"

"Why do you think that is?" Dr. Mitchell asked.

Caitlin sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Because everyone's been calling me 'the face of the league' since I got drafted. It's like they expect me to live up to that title every time I step on the court. And honestly... I'm not sure if basketball will ever be fun for me again. Not with all this pressure."

Dr. Mitchell's expression softened with understanding. "It's difficult to enjoy something when it feels like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. Have you been able to communicate these feelings to anyone else? Your teammates, for example?"

"I've tried, but it's hard," Caitlin admitted. "I don't want to seem like I'm not up for it, or like I'm letting them down. And part of me knows I should step up, that I can handle it. But I don't want to lose myself in all of this."

"It's important to find a balance, Caitlin," Dr. Mitchell said gently. "Between being the player everyone expects you to be and staying true to who you are. It's okay to set boundaries, even with something as significant as your career. You're allowed to enjoy the game again, on your own terms."

Caitlin nodded, the knot in her chest loosening slightly. "I want that. I want to find a way to enjoy it again."

"And you can," Dr. Mitchell said with a reassuring smile. "But it's going to take time and effort, just like everything else you've been working on. Give yourself permission to not have it all figured out right away. It's okay to take things one step at a time."

Caitlin let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. "Thanks, Dr. Mitchell. I think I needed to hear that."

"You're welcome, Caitlin," Dr. Mitchell said. "And remember, you're doing great. You're allowed to feel conflicted, to have doubts, but you're also allowed to enjoy this time, to take pride in how far you've come."

Caitlin smiled, a genuine one this time. "I'll try to remember that."

As their session came to a close, Caitlin felt a little more grounded, a little more ready to face the day ahead. The All-Star weekend was still daunting, and the thoughts of Sam and her past relationship were still there, but they didn't feel as overwhelming as before.

---

After practice, Caitlin and Aliyah met up with Kate and Claire for lunch at a cozy, laid-back café not far from their hotel. The sun filtered through the large windows, casting a warm glow over their table as they settled in, menus in hand.

"How was practice?" Kate asked, as she browsed through the menu.

"It was actually fun," Aliyah said, looking up from her menu. "Although everyone really wants to beat team USA tomorrow."

Kate laughed. "Of course, y'all are competitors it's in your blood to want to win. Just don't get hurt or start any fights."

"I'll be sure not to and stay out of trouble," Aliyah quipped, flashing Caitlin a mischievous grin. "Unless Caitlin here decides to cause some drama on the court. Then I might have to step in."

Caitlin raised an eyebrow. "Me? Cause drama? I think you've got that backwards."

"Oh, come on," Kate jumped in, grinning at Caitlin. "I remember a few instances in college where I had to pull you back from getting into it with someone. Literally shove my hand in your face. You're not always as innocent as you look, Clark."

Caitlin rolled her eyes but couldn't help smiling. "Okay, maybe once or twice. But that was only because they started it."

"Sure, sure," Kate said with a laugh. "But now it looks like Aliyah's taking over my old job of keeping you in check."

Aliyah puffed out her chest in mock seriousness. "It's a tough job, but someone's gotta do it. I'm like Caitlin's personal bodyguard on the court."

Claire giggled. "Do you get hazard pay for that?"

Aliyah pretended to think about it. "I should! Caitlin's a handful."

"I am not!" Caitlin protested, though her smile betrayed her amusement.

Kate leaned in, giving Caitlin a teasing look. "Don't worry, Cait. We all know you're a softie underneath that tough exterior."

Caitlin laughed, shaking her head. "You guys are impossible."

As their food arrived, the conversation flowed easily, a mix of playful teasing and genuine camaraderie. They talked about everything from the upcoming Skills Challenge to their favorite places to eat in the cities they'd traveled to. Caitlin found herself relaxing, the weight of the past few days slowly lifting as she enjoyed the company of her friends.

At one point, Claire brought up the subject of their college days, reminiscing about the pranks they used to pull on their teammates. "Remember that time y'all dressed up in costumes and we went around scaring your teammates." she said, giggling at the memory.

Kate groaned. "How could I forget? I got tackled