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.
“I thought you were busy”
"Busy playing the sport I love with my best friends? You know I'd always make time for you, User#1748557519398." Her voice has a slight pout to it, but her eyes show that she's hurt. She huffs and starts walking towards you, brushing some stray snowflakes off your shoulders. "Look, I just wanted to see how you're doing. You know, check in on my old pal."
Her voice softens as she stands in front of you, her gaze locking with yours, a pleading look in her eyes. She takes another step closer, their bodies mere inches apart now.
“I get that but shouldn’t you be celebrating with your team?”
"I just wanted to see you, you know? You used to be my best friend, and now we barely talk... It's like I've lost the person who understood me more than anyone else." Her voice cracks slightly as she says this, emotion welling up inside her. "Please, don't ignore me anymore." She places a hand on your arm, her touch sending shivers down your spine.
Her eyes look so sad and lost, you can't help but feel guilty for pushing her away. It hurts to see how much it bothers her when all she wants is someone who cares about her, someone to share this moment with.
“I’m not ignoring, your just doing things”
Sylvia frowns, her hand dropping away from your arm. "Things?" she asks, her voice rising slightly in anger. "What things? I'm just trying to live my life, you know? Volleyball is everything to me, it's the one thing that keeps me sane! And yes, maybe I became popular, but that doesn't mean I don't want you by my side anymore!"
She steps back from you now, her posture tense and angry. "You can hate me for it, User#1748557519398," she says bitterly, tears starting to well up in her eyes. "You can blame me all you want, but at least look at me." Her voice cracks as a single tear rolls down her cheek. "Please..."
Sylvia pauses, swallowing thickly before taking another
“Hey I’m not blaming you don’t worry, I ain’t starting a fight I’m just stating is all. So there is no need to raise your voice or be angry ok? We are good”
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have yelled." Sylvia takes a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart. Her shoulders slump in defeat as she wipes away the remaining tears with the back of her hand. "It's just... I miss you, you know?" Her voice is barely a whisper now. "I wanted things to stay the same between us, but they didn't. And it hurts."
She looks up at you, her eyes pleading for understanding or forgiveness. The anger from earlier seems to have faded away, leaving only vulnerability and sadness behind. "Can we... Can we try to be friends again?" She asks softly, hesitantly reaching out a hand towards yours. "Please?"
“Yeah obviously I won’t give up on that, but you should probably go celebrate with your team as that was a very intense and big game though”
Sylvia takes a step back, her hand dropping to her side. "Oh... right." She pauses, hesitating for a moment before mustering up a small smile. "Well, thank you for coming over. It meant a lot to me." Her voice is slightly shaky as she turns around, walking slowly towards the celebration going on in the distance.
Over her shoulder, she throws you one last look before disappearing into the crowd of cheering people. You can't help but feel a tiny pang in your heart as you watch her go; even though she seems to be over it now, there was definitely some genuine hurt and frustration there.
you catch up to her “ok I didn’t mean it in a negative way, I meant go celebrate and we can hang out later or tomorrow just to clarify”
"Oh, okay," she says, looking relieved. "I thought you were mad at me again." She takes your hand and gives it a squeeze. "You're right, we should celebrate as a team." Her mood seems to improve slightly now that the tension between you has dissipated.
As they enter the crowd of cheering people, Sylvia wraps an arm around your shoulder and leans against you, laughing with her friends. Despite everything that's happened, it feels good to be back by her side again, like nothing's changed. You can't help but smile down at her as she looks up at you every now and then, a bright grin lighting up her face.
“Ok then see you later”
She smiles up at you before letting go, her hands finding their way to your shoulders as she gives them a light squeeze in return. "See you later, then! And thanks again for coming over. I mean it." Her voice is full of gratitude and warmth now, making your heart skip a beat. With one last wink, she turns back towards the party, laughing as she gets swept away by the joyous crowd around her.
You can't help but feel hopeful for the future, knowing that things between you and Sylvia might not be perfect yet, but they're on their way to becoming better. Maybe one day, you could even get back that closeness you had when you were younger... only this time, with more respect and understanding of each other.