Remember Me || A Blake Griffin Fanfiction

Chapter One

Los Angeles: May 3, 2013

She wasn't supposed to be here.

At least that's what she repeatedly told herself as she sat uncomfortably in the plastic blue chair. She should be at work, earning money to help pay the bills, not sitting next to Ava and Cameron at a basketball game. As much as she loved her best friend - and tolerated her best friend's boyfriend - she just felt that she shouldn't be there.

Don't get her wrong, she was grateful for getting free tickets to the Clippers/Grizzlies playoff game from Nurse Elaine. She was glad to know that there were people like Elaine in the world; it almost made this entire situation slightly better.

Elaine even took it upon herself to call around and have the Clippers meet Dani and her friends once the game ended. After hearing about Dani's condition, the team was more than happy to comply.

Though it may seem like a dream come true for most, Dani was too stressed to enjoy herself.

"Danielle Newman, sit up in your chair and get off your phone. Your mother is fine," said Avalon from her right.

Dani sighed and looked up from her phone. "I just want to make sure she's okay working an extra shift."

"I know, I know, but she said it's fine. It's your night off, so enjoy yourself and get the stick out of your ass," Ava nearly yelled.

As much as she wanted to argue, she knew deep down that her best friend was right, although she would never admit it.

Tucking her brown chin length hair behind her ears, she refocused on the game, which was only a few rows away from where she was sitting. The Clippers were down 10 points with only 3 minutes left in the fourth quarter.

She watched as the players chased the ball up and down the court. After a few seconds, her eyes wandered over to the Clippers bench until they landed on a fairly large man who she recognized as Blake Griffin, the Clippers all-star power forward.

Her eyes trailed up from his red Jordans, to his white Clippers uniform, until she reached his face, dotted with freckles.

And she realized he was staring back at her.

He gave her a look she couldn't quite describe, causing her to awkwardly look away.

A few minutes later, the buzzer sounded and the Clippers lost their final game of the season. She rose to her feet almost immediately, motioning for Ava and Cameron to get up as well.

"Man, that was some bullshit," said Cameron as they walked through the corridors of the Staples Center about 20 minutes later.

"There's always next year," Ava assured before turning to Dani. "You ready to meet the team?"

Dani gave her a smile and nodded. "Ready for all of the pitying looks and unnecessary apologies? Definitely."

Ava rolled her eyes, but didn't respond. She knew how hard this whole situation was for her best friend. Ever since learning of her diagnosis with brain cancer in September of last year, Dani changed from her usually bubbly self to a shell of who she used to be. Even though she had surgery to remove the tumor almost immediately after the discovery, the doctor told her that the cancer may reappear. Since then, the 21-year-old has had a hard time coming to terms with life, understandable to those around her, especially her best friend.

The group finally made it to their destination: a room in an obscure area of the arena where they were to meet the team. The entire team was there, as well as a couple of other people Dani didn't recognize.

As soon as they walked in, Dani was greeted by a woman who was talking so fast, she couldn't even catch her name. She was sure she heard a few things about the "pleasure of having her there" and "what a strong woman" Dani was.