It's Been A While

Part 2

Let's get back to the present, enough of my sob-story of a past. I'm 18, pushing 19 now. I'm still living in Southern California, attending a community college pushing for that Associate's degree, which I should have in my grasp next spring. It's nearing my birthday, so as an early birthday present, my parents gave me a ticket for a courtside seat at the Lakers first home game, which was also the season-opener against the Phoenix Suns.

I didn't mind going alone to professional sporting events, because I was bound to find a stranger to befriend for the night or day. The day of the game, I made sure I looked extra cute just in case any of the players caught my eye. According to my ticket and the seating chart, I was sitting right next to the hole where the visiting team runs onto the court, which is basically next to their bench as well. I wore my Kobe Bryant jersey, just because it was the only one I had. I tried to look cute but keep it casual at the same time, and I think it turned out pretty well.

Outside Staples Center, I snatched a quick bite to eat at Smashburger and then made a quick Starbucks run. People were let into the arena at 6PM, an hour and a half before set game time. I was super excited for this game, simply because i had an awesome seat. I never sat this close to the action for any sport, whether it was basketball, hockey, baseball, or football.

It was an adventure finding my way to my seat, but I made it. I didn't have much to do while waiting except play on my phone or watch the couple of players that were shooting some baskets. But just like I had thought, I eventually started talking to a stranger who initiated conversation with me and kept me company.

After what seemed like ages, the teams were introduced and they ran out to start warming up. When they introduced the Suns, I had my head turned and watched in awe as they ran by. They were all insanely tall, much taller than my petite 5'3'' figure.

Although it was a bit difficult from where I sat, I spent time trying to size up the competition, who were warming up on the far side of the court. I scanned over them, squinting a bit to see faces, other times sitting back to see how good they were.

While I did this, I came across one Suns player who caught my eye. He was obviously tall, had nice complexion, a bright, white smile, smaller eyes, and short afro-like hair. I set myself on him for a while, because he looked vaguely familiar.

"He reminds me of Devin," I thought to myself. It hadn't dawned on me that it could be him. It wasn't until he came toward his bench for something and locked eyes with me that I realized who he was. When we connected, he stopped dead in his tracks. Eventually, he slowly took a few steps closer to me, and I stood up from my seat.

"Brit? Is it really you?" He had a deep, masculine voice that almost caught me off guard if I hadn't heard Devin's voice in my head from the last time we spoke 4 years ago, almost a perfect match. At that point, I was in shock and wasn't sure what to do or say, so i nodded.

He continued to stand a few feet away from me, so I muttered, "H-hi, Devin. Long time, no see." He smiled, and I managed to curve my lips into one as well. Devin walked briskly over to me after that assurance and wrapped me up in that familiar hug that I longed for.

A couple seconds later, he reached down to my thighs and lifted me up, wrapping my legs around his body with me burying my head in his neck.

"Oh my gosh," he mumbled into my ear, "I can't believe this. I never thought I'd see you again." Hearing those words made my eyes tear up, but I refrained from crying. I lifted my head and held his in my hands.

Thinking back on our past, memories of how we talked about him going to the NBA flowed through my mind. In that moment, I couldn't have been more proud.

My smile brightened, and I sighed as I said, "You made it." He knew exactly what I was talking about.

"Yes, I did," he responded. He finally set me back on my feet afterward. "I should probably get back over there though, I'll talk to you later, okay?" He continued. I nodded and shooed him away and giggled as he ran off.

As I sat back down, the man whom I had been speaking to before asked me, "You know that kid? His name's Booker right?"

"Ah, yes, I do. You're right, Booker, Devin Booker. We were actually best friends since we were babies until I moved out to California a few years ago. This is the first time we've seen each other since," I answered. The man was surprised by my response, but he didn't question it. He just thought it was wonderful that I was able to reunite with him.

Before I knew it, it was game time. It was so exciting, the anticipation for the start of the season was through the roof. The crowd was electric, and the game was very entertaining. To be honest, I was nervous whenever a player came near me or in my direction, just because I feared the ball flying toward me somehow or a player running and not being able to stop from knocking me over.

Getting to watch Devin play was also a sight to see. I hadn't seen him play since our sophomore year of high school, and to see how his game has evolved over time was beautiful to me. He didn't disappoint. Even though I was there to cheer on the Lakers, I found myself yelling, "Go Dev! You got it, atta boy!" Just like I did back in the old days. I was hoping that after this game, Devin and I could be back to normal and never lose each other again.

The Lakers ended up pulling out the win, but it was a close game, 97-94. Devin didn't like losing, so I prayed that he wasn't grouchy after the game. Before he headed to the locker room, he came my way, grabbed my hand, and dragged me towards and into the tunnel.

Almost jogging to keep up with his long strides, I asked "Devin, where are you taking me? I'm not allowed back here!"

"I talked to Coach already, he said you could. Chill," he replied in a relaxed tone, relieving me of my prior worries. Before I knew it, I was standing in the doorway of the Suns locker room with Devin a foot further inside. "Guys, be decent, please. Lady coming in," he pleaded. His request was followed by a few, deep mumbles and okays. Devin started pulling me into the room, and my feet almost failed to cooperate.

I wasn't necessarily comfortable being in a room with a bunch of big, sweaty, half-naked men. It wreaked for a good 5 minutes until guys came back from the showers and started dousing themselves in deoderant and cologne. The mixture of smells almost made me sick to my stomach, but I held my own.

I sat where Devin's "locker" was, and he left me to myself while he showered up. He was back in five minutes or less, to my surprise. He sat next to me while redressing himself, and a few seconds later, in came the Suns coach, Jeff Hornacek.

Coach Hornacek and I met each other's eyes and exchanged courteous smiles and nods as he went and stood in the center of the room. Within a minute, the players all rounded up and silenced themselves. Hornacek began his after-game speech with, "Well that was fun, wasn't it?" The guys chuckled briefly so he could continue. He rambled on about different things he saw within the game, getting comments from some of the veteran players like Eric Bledsoe and Tyson Chandler. He pointed out that it's just the beginning and now they know where to start as far as learning and practicing. As for me, I listened intently and with wonder in my eyes. I always thought after watching sporting events what went on in the locker rooms and what kind of speeches were given; now I knew.

Once Coach Hornacek was finished, the guys grabbed their belongings to head back down the street to the famous Ritz-Carlton Hotel, where they'd be staying for the night before returning to Phoenix for their next game. I followed Devin like a puppy, but once we were outside, I stopped.

"Wait, what am I going to do with my car? I can't leave it in that parking lot," I whined. Devin paused his footsteps, turned around and thought for a moment before speaking up.

His idea was, "How about we go get your car, you let me drive it down to the hotel, and I'll get it parked there for the night for free?" I pondered the thought for a little while, unsure as to if it would work or not.

After a minute or so of thinking it over, I finally caved and agreed to it. "Alright then, lead the way," he said while making way for me to walk in front of him.