i'm only given clues

Chapter 4

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The visit the stingrays and the manatees, the sea lions and the sharks. Normani stands behind Dinah the entire time and watches her as she looks at the animals the same way she does everything else, with the utmost respect and adoration.

She chuckles as she watches Dinah calmly talks to the sharks. She rolls her eyes when Dinah claps along with the sea lions. When she asks where the stingray's students are, Normani holds up a hand to stop Quincy from telling her that it's a different kind of ray than the one in Finding Nemo, and that they aren't really the educators of the ocean.

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It's not until they get to the dolphins that Normani struggles to hold back the expression from her face. Her eyes well up with tears as one of the trainers beckons Dinah forward and encourages her run her hand over the moist, slippery skin of the dolphin's nose.

Dinah's eyes are sad and happy at the same time and Normani can't believe she was so stupid to forget a younger and more easily disappointed Dinah telling her how she's always wanted to be a marine biologist. It's always been her dream, just so she can dance and swim with the dolphins, while making sure that nobody hurts them or makes them into tuna sandwiches.

When she thinks of that day, when she asked Dinah why she told their teacher she didn't know what she wanted to be when they're older, the look on her friend's face is still burned to memory like a photograph. The shame that had coated Dinah's features had burned at her stomach and the words had bugged her for days when Dinah pointedly told her there was no point, she'd never be able to become one because she was too stupid to get into marine biologist school.

Normani had thought that Dinah could do anything – she still does with every bit of her being – but right now, she knows that this isn't just excitement on Dinah's face. It's not just awe or happiness that she witnesses as Dinah whispers hello to a suddenly subdued and calm Bottlenose dolphin that pushes back into her hand as she strokes its nose.

It's one of her best friend's dreams coming true, and the greatest thing is that she gets to see it.

Not until Ryan's hand rests at the base of her back does she realize that she's actually crying. Ryan frowns at her, confused, but she adamantly shakes shakes her head against Ryan's concern.

"I'm okay," she whispers so Dinah or Quincy don't hear. "I'm fine."

There's nothing more she can say, the silent pride and relief on Dinah's face says enough.

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Normani links their pinkies as they head towards the sea turtles after Dinah insisted they go there because they're Normani's favorite.

She might hear that chastising voice in her head, but she ignores it.

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They meet everyone else for a late lunch.

When Normani discovers they're all still fighting, the automatic reaction to rest her hand on Dinah's thigh is instinctive. She squeezes when Lauren scoffs at Ty or they all fall into an uncomfortable silence.

When Dinah curls their fingers together and struggles to eat her sandwich because she refuses to let go of her, something Normani thought was strong inside of her begins to unravel.

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The thing is, Normani hates roller coasters. She hates roller coasters and she hates unnecessary speed. It's probably why it's taken them so long to get this far in their trip.

It's been the same since she was a kid and she feels a little nervous as they stand in line for an hour with the others, waiting to ride the Manta, listening as Lauren tells them how they've already ridden it three time and it's totally worth it.