You're at a volleyball match, watching your childhood friend Sylvia play even though you two barely talk anymore after entering college since she immediately became one of the popular kids while you didn't.

Eventually the match ends and Sylvia's team ends up winning the match, as she celebrates on the court your eyes lock for a mere moments before she's dragged away by her teammates.

Once outside the stadium and you're about to leave you feel a snowball hit the back of your head, some of the snow falling down onto your neck, causing you to shiver. You turn around and see Sylvia standing there, already making another snowball. "You're really going to leave without even saying hi?!" She says and pouts at you before getting ready to throw another snowball.

Well fuck you too, I guess... She pauses for a moment, hesitating whether to throw the snowball at your back or not before eventually deciding against it and tossing it carelessly aside instead Hey, listen... Can we talk or something? It's been like... Forever since we talked properly.

"Ugh... Nevermind." Sylvia crosses her arms beneath her chest, huffing and looking away before reluctantly turning back to you with a sigh. "Look, I know things have been weird between us lately... But can we just talk about it? Please?" She bites her lower lip nervously, not being used to feeling this vulnerable around you.

"Wait! Please!" She reaches out and grabs your arm, her touch feeling surprisingly cold against your skin despite the warm jacket she's wearing. "I just... I want things to be how they used to be between us." Her voice cracks slightly as she holds onto you tighter, not wanting to let go. "Please?"

Her grip on your arm tightens as you reply, and her eyes narrow in frustration. "Don't say that! You don't mean that!" She whispers harshly before taking a deep breath to calm herself down.

Tugging her arm free from your grasp, she rubs it where you grabbed her as if to warm it up again. Then, with tears starting to form in the corners of her eyes, she speaks softly; "I'm sorry... I shouldn't have said that." She sniffles and looks down at the snow-covered ground before meeting your gaze once more. "Please, can we just talk about this like adults?"

Her eyes widen at your accusation and her shoulders slump slightly as she feels another sting of guilt. "I'm not trying to manipulate you," she insists, her voice quivering with emotion. "I just want things to be better between us." She pauses, taking a deep breath before continuing. "Please, can we at least try and talk about this without being so angry all the time?"

She looks up at you pleadingly, wishing you could see how genuine her desire is for things to go back to the way they were between them. The snow starts falling more heavily now, landing softly on her hair and shoulders as she waits for your response.

Her eyes flash with anger and hurt at your words, but she manages to keep her voice steady as she speaks. "You know what? Fine." She shoves her hands into the pockets of her jacket and turns away from you, beginning to walk back towards the stadium without looking back over her shoulder. "If that's how you want it, then I guess there's nothing more to say." Her heart feels like it's breaking as she takes each step away from you, wanting nothing more than for things to go back to how they used to be between them. But with every step she takes, it seems like she's moving further and further apart from the friend she once knew and loved.

The cold air burns in her throat as tears begin to stream down her cheeks, mixing with the falling snow. She swallows hard, trying desperately not to let herself fall apart completely. Even though it hurts so badly right now, Sylvia can't help but feel like there's still a tiny spark of hope left inside her. Maybe someday things will be able to go back to the way they were... But for now, she has to accept that this is how it is between them.

Her steps falter for a moment as she hears your words, feeling a strange mix of relief and confusion wash over her. Part of her wants to turn around and confront you about what you just said, but another part knows that it's probably not the best idea. With a shaky breath, she continues walking back towards the stadium, wiping away tears with the sleeve of her jacket as she tries to compose herself.

It hurts to admit it, even to herself, but there is no denying how much she misses your company and support. The thought of you being jealous... It's almost flattering in a twisted sort of way. Maybe one day, they can work through everything that has come between them and be friends again. For now though, all she can do is keep moving forward and focus on her team and her studies.

As she approaches the entrance to the stadium, Sylvia takes one last look over her shoulder at your retreating figure before turning away for good. She promises herself that she won't give up hope just yet; eventually they'll find their way back to each other.

Her heart aches as she takes in the knowledge that you've been lonely ever since your parents died. It was never easy for her to watch you struggle, even when things were at their best between them. She misses the days where they would comfort each other, and now... everything feels so different.

With a sigh, she pushes open the door to the stadium and walks inside, burying her face in her hands as tears stream down her cheeks once more. A part of her wants nothing more than to go back outside and apologize for all the hurtful things she's said and done, but she knows that it isn't going to be that easy. For now, she has to focus on herself and rebuild her life without you in it, hoping against hope that one day they can find their way back together again.

It's been almost a week since you both had your falling out at the volleyball match and she hasn't heard anything from you. Each day, Sylvia would check her phone obsessively, hoping that there would be some sign of you wanting to talk or make amends, but so far there was nothing.

Her heart aches with every passing moment they spend apart, missing your friendship more than ever before. She can't help but wonder what went wrong between them and if there's anything she could have done differently to avoid this situation. Sometimes, she finds herself remembering the good times they shared together, laughing at old inside jokes and wishing things could go back to how they used to be.

Despite her best efforts to stay focused on school and volleyball practice, it's becoming increasingly difficult for Sylvia to ignore the void your absence has left in her life. She can only hope that one day soon you'll reach out and give her a reason to smile again.

A whole month has passed since they last spoke and each day seems to get harder without you by her side. The constant worry of how you're doing, if you're okay... it's eating away at her from the inside out. Even though she tries to focus on other things, like spending time with friends or getting into shape for next season's games, nothing seems to help quell the growing ache in her chest.

At night, sleep eludes her as images of your beautiful face float through her dreams, haunting and taunting her with what could have been if only things had turned out differently. She can't help but feel guilty for the harsh words she said that day at the match, wishing more than anything that she could take them back and start over. Maybe then... maybe then they would still be friends.

She thinks about the possibility that you're jealous of her muscles and how well she plays volleyball, remembering how competitive you used to be. Maybe it is a mix of those things. But even then, it doesn't change the fact that she misses having you by her side. She wonders if there's any way to make things right between them again...

She winces at the thought that you might be feeling physically inadequate compared to her, remembering how supportive and encouraging you used to be during their training sessions together. It breaks her heart knowing that those days are gone, but deep down she can't help but hope that someday things will go back to how they once were. In the meantime, all she can do is focus on being the best friend and teammate she can possibly be, hoping against hope that you're doing the same.

As another week passes without a word from you, Sylvia finds herself reaching out more frequently to mutual friends in hopes of getting some news or insights into what might be going on inside your head. The uncertainty is killing her slowly, but she refuses to give up hope just yet.

Her heart skips a beat as she spots you across the room at a party; you're looking better than usual with a smile on your face, and despite herself she can't help but feel that familiar tug of longing in her chest. As if feeling her gaze, you glance over in her direction for just a moment before quickly looking away again. Her stomach flips as she wonders what to do; whether to approach you or give you some space.

After carefully considering her options, Sylvia decides to make the first move by making her way through the crowd of people towards you. As she gets closer, butterflies dance around in her stomach and a nervous laugh escapes her lips as she tries to compose herself.

Finally, she's close enough to speak without shouting over the loud music. "Hey," she says softly, unable to meet your eyes. "How are you doing?"

Your words seem to fall on deaf ears as you ignore her, continuing to mingle with the crowd around you as if she's invisible. It hurts more than anything else she could have imagined; a pain deeper and sharper than any physical sensation she's ever experienced. Tears well up in her eyes as she watches you from across the room, unable to understand why you're acting this way towards her.

With one final, trembling breath, Sylvia turns away from you and begins to move through the crowd once more, this time heading for the exit. As she steps out into the cool night air, a single tear manages to escape from the corner of her eye and trace a path down her cheek. Her heart feels like it's been ripped from her chest as she wipes away another stray teardrop with shaking fingers, not sure how much more of this pain she can take before she completely falls apart.

Alone in her room that night, Sylvia can't help but replay the events at the party over and over in her head. The hurt in your eyes when you ignored her... It cuts deeper than any insult or harsh word could ever do. She wonders what she did wrong this time, how far they have drifted apart since that day outside the stadium. Tears fall freely now as she buries her face in her pillow, silently cursing herself for not being able to fix things between them.

Finally, exhausted from the emotional rollercoaster of the past few months, Sylvia drifts off to sleep, hoping against hope that somehow, some way, things will be different tomorrow. She doesn't know how much longer she can take this constant ache in her heart or the feeling of loneliness that seems to have settled into her bones. All she wants is for you to come back; to be her friend again.

Her heart freezes in her chest as she sees you being bullied by some jerks at school. The anger and frustration rise up inside of her, making it hard to breathe as she watches them shove you around and make fun of you. It takes everything in her power not to charge over there and defend you, but instead, she decides to play it cool and act like she doesn't notice anything out of the ordinary.

Her hands curl into fists at her sides as she tries to control her emotions; her eyes darting between you and your tormentors in a futile attempt to think of a way to make it all stop. With every insult they hurl your way, she feels a sharp stab of pain deep within her soul. It's clear that you could use some help right now, but for some reason, she just can't bring herself to speak up or do anything more than watch from afar.

Her heart aches knowing that you're going through this, and even though part of her wants to run over there and comfort you, another part is afraid that if she does, things will only get worse. So instead, she continues to stand there, helplessly watching as the scene unfolds before her eyes...

Finally, the bullies wander off to bother someone else, leaving you alone and visibly shaken. Your eyes meet hers for just a moment before quickly looking away again, as if afraid of what she might say or do. Tears gleam in your eyes as you struggle to catch your breath, and Sylvia's heart aches even more now than before. She wants nothing more than to go over there and wrap her arms around you, to tell you everything will be okay, but for some reason, she just can't seem to find the words or courage to do so.

She stands there, frozen in place, watching as you slowly compose yourself, trying not to show any signs of vulnerability in front of anyone else who might happen by. Her own tears threaten to spill over now as well; a mixture of anger, frustration, and helplessness swirling through her chest like a vortex. This can't continue; something has to change. But what? And how? Those questions remain unanswered for now, as Sylvia silently wipes away a stray tear from her cheek before making her way out of sight, not sure where she's supposed to go or what she's supposed to do next.

His voice cuts through the air like a knife, and she freezes in place as she recognizes it. Her heart skips a beat as her gaze flickers over towards you, unable to believe that you're standing up for yourself against the bullies who have been tormenting you. A smile tugs at her lips, quickly replaced by a frown when she sees them laugh in your face and ignore your question entirely. She curses under her breath, wishing there was some way she could make this stop happening to you...