DÈJÁ VÛ -Norminah-

13

"It's okay rookie, it's just your first game." Kehlani said trying to cheer the blonde up.

Dinah aggressively wiped the sweat from her forehead and plopped down on the seat.

It was now halftime and Dinah had only played 4 minutes in the first half and she had done terrible. It's not like she felt like she wasn't playing hard enough, everyone saw how bad she was playing. Her shots kept getting blocked and it was like she had slippery fingers and kept getting turnovers when she tried passing the ball to her teammates.

"This isn't how I'm supposed to start off in the new league. I'm playing awful and I wouldn't blame coach if she stuck me on the bench for the rest of the game." Dinah said into the towel, but Kehlani still heard her.

The inked woman kneeled down in front of her and pulled her hands away from her face.

"DJ listen to me. It's only your first game with this team and in this league. Just focus and remember that your family is watching you and are out there supporting you no matter what. Put on a show for them." Kehlani told her and looked her dead in the eyes. "And most importantly, play the game you love. You're talented, so get out there and show these people that you deserve a spot on this team."

Dinah nodded and continued wiping her face and hands off.

They both got up to walk out of the locker room, but stopped once they noticed the entire team - along with the coach staring at them.

"Are you both done with your dramatic movie scene? Because I'd like to get back to coaching my team." Coach said.

Dinah cleared her throat and took a seat and allowed the coach to do her job.

Meanwhile, Normani was trying to keep her nerves calm and under control as she remembered how frustrated Dinah could get whenever she wasn't having a good game.

She remembered the time when both the boys and girls basketball team made it to state championship.

Dinah was so excited about playing at such a big game. She knew that there would be scouts there watching she and her team play, so she had to be on top of her game with no exceptions.

Normani was also happy and this was big for her as well because she was told that only 10 cheerleaders could go on the road with the basketball teams, and she wanted to be one of them-and she eventually was.

She wanted to be there to support not just the teams, but more importantly Dinah. She could always support her from the stands, but it meant more to her if she performed.

Long story short, Dinah got a minor injury halfway through the game and had to sit on the bench for the second half because her coach didn't want her to play through it and increase the damage.

She twisted her ankle when she came down on it awkwardly in the middle of a fouled jumpshot.

She was so upset and there was nothing Normani or anyone could say to make her feel better. She was in a frustrated mood every moment after that until the doctor approved it okay for her to play in the remaining games.

Unfortunately, none of the colleges she were interested in-were interested in her.

They were afraid of something similar happening to her on their team. And the rest you already know... she went to play overseas.

*********
*Loud Buzzer*

The game was over now and the Dallas Wings finished with 89 points and the team they were going up against finished with 94.

Dinah alone finished with 11 points and 2 rebounds and 3 turnovers.

She knew that she could've done better and she was currently beating herself up about it while they were at dinner. She had been ever since the game ended.