𝘾𝙍𝙔 𝘽𝘼𝘽𝙔 , 𝙘𝙖𝙞𝙩𝙡𝙞𝙣 𝙘𝙡𝙖𝙧𝙠

𝟎𝟎𝟏, watergirl

chapter one

the life of a WNBA watergirl is one lea's always dreamt of. okay not exactly, but this is the most entertaining side quest she can have as a college student. it's a seasonal job she began last summer after her brother devon snagged a waterboy position for the indiana pacers. he studied sports journalism and his girlfriends dad is a sports analyst for the league.

its simple nepotism. she got to hydrate the team that got the number one draft pick for two years in a row. last year the star rookie was aliyah boston and this year it's a six foot guard from des moines, iowa.

lea doesn't watch sports events in general. she understands basketball from working with the top basketball league of course, but that's where the knowledge is cut off. to her every game is the same. the players are relatively always the same besides the rookies who she is always unaware of.

with that being said, the name caitlin clark has been shoved down her throat for a straight year. the most lea has seen of her going into this is clips on social media. devon has tried to educate her on the effect she's had on the game and sure it's understandable.

"okay so she makes three pointers from like really far away?" lea reworded as she buckled herself into the passenger seat. "because that's what i've gathered."

devon gave her a deadpan look. "yes? but, way more people are gonna be watching women's basketball because of her."

"good for her." lea nods in acknowledgment. her gaze is fixated on the cracked sidewalk as the car begins to move down the road.

a pent up sigh escaped his lips. "good for her? you work for the league she'll be playing for."

lea runs her fingers through her hair that she's recently cut right above her shoulders and exaggerates an eye roll. she does give a shit! she doesn't need to know every players stats, fun facts, and daily routines.

"i'm not going to be working for her specifically, devon! i'm aliyah's water girl."

"they change it up every year." he says with squinted eyes as he looks into the side view mirror. "you're aware, right?"

"not true."

devon taps his index fingers on the steering wheel, his eyebrows furrowing the longer he stares at traffic. "two years ago i had myles turner, last year i got jalen smith, and this year i have tyrese haliburton. so yes, they do switch it up."

lea looked at him for a moment.

"so who the hell am i getting this year?"

•

that answer would be confirmed today. training camp has been going on for three weeks now without the hydration hive. it's not a good name but the five watergirls came up with it last year and no one thought of anything better. hydration five got close but they all agreed that sounded too tacky.

they've all received emails saying they're wanted back today, which is why devon kindly drove his sister to gainbridge fieldhouse.

it was eleven in the morning and lea had tossed her corduroy tote bag in her locker from last year, number 111. it was just outside the actual locker room for players. basically the staffs office. she can't believe she's considered staff. it sounds professional.

she went to tie her hair back into a mini low ponytail as she faced the lockers. it's one of the only styles she can do with this length of hair.

she feels a light tap on her shoulder that she doesn't acknowledge at first. when she feels a firm grip take its place she jumps and turns around. the snort of her fellow watergirl rachel causes lea's cheeks to puff up in embarrassment.