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.

Her expression softens at the apology and she pauses, staring at you for a moment before sighing in frustration. "Oh come on, Iłya! We used to be inseparable... Don't you miss that?" Tears start to well up in her eyes as she wipes away the snowflakes from your coat, trying to clean them off before they melt completely. "I thought you were just too cool for me now." Her voice breaks at the end of the sentence, betraying her emotions.

Her shoulders slump as she hears your reply. "Then why don't you come over and talk to me, huh?" She crosses her arms, refusing to let herself look weak in front of you despite the urge to do so. "Or is it that I'm not good enough for you now either? Because of my volleyball team or something?" The hurt in her voice is unmistakable.

Her eyes widen in surprise as you step closer to her, and she takes a tiny step back unconsciously. "What? But I-I was just..." She trails off, uncertainty clouding her features. The truth is, she never meant for it to sound like that; she's just been hurt by your distance lately, and the bitterness has tainted everything she's said since.

"Look," she starts, trying to find the right words, "I'm sorry if I came across as angry or resentful. That wasn't my intent." She glances down at the snowball in her hand, then back up at you again, considering whether to throw it or not. "I just miss having you around... We used to have so much fun together, and now..." Her voice trails off, and she swallows thickly before looking away.

Part of her wants desperately for

I've been feeling pretty shitty about myself lately, to be honest," she admits softly, avoiding your gaze. "It seemed like everyone else in school found their place except me... and I thought that losing you was just another way of feeling left out." She sucks in a sharp breath, willing herself not to cry any more than she already has.

"I don't want things to be this way between us," she says with sincerity. "We had so many good memories... Why can't we make new ones together?" Her voice is pleading, her eyes meeting yours once again as they fill with hope and determination. "Would you be willing to try? Maybe just hang out sometime... or talk?"

She holds the snowball loosely in her hand now, ready to toss it aside if necessary, but hoping against hope that you'll take her offer.

Her heart skips a beat as you agree to talk with her, and the tension in her shoulders begins to ease. A smile slowly spreads across her face, relief flooding through her like warmth on a cold winter's day. "That would mean so much to me," she whispers, genuine gratitude shining in her eyes. "Really, anything... we could watch movies or play video games or just talk about anything you want..." She takes another step closer towards you now, their body language mirroring each other's tentative openness.

As if a dam has broken, a torrent of emotion flows from her: sadness, frustration, fear... but also hope and love. "I miss spending time with you, Iłya. I never wanted to lose that. It's the best part of me." She reaches out, cupping your cheek in her hand, her touch gentle yet firm.

Your cheeks flush slightly at her touch, and you're unable to tear your gaze away from hers. "I-I never meant it like that," you stammer out, a hint of embarrassment in your voice. "It wasn't you, it was just... everything changed so quickly, and I didn't know how to handle it." You close your eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath before continuing. "I should have been more understanding, but I guess I thought if I ignored what was happening... maybe things would go back to normal between us."

Her words strike true; you remember the pain of watching her slip away and how powerless you felt to stop it. But hearing her confess that she misses those times too brings a lump to your throat, and for the first time in a long while, you feel like there might be hope for restoring what you once had. "I'm sorry

Her eyes widen in surprise as you reveal the news about the Italian volleyball league. "Really? That's incredible, Iłya!" Her face breaks into a smile so wide and genuine that it lights up her entire being. "That's amazing! I mean... I guess that means we could still hang out after college too." She pauses, considering your words carefully before adding softly, "Or maybe even during college? If you wanted to, I mean..." Her voice trails off again, leaving the invitation hanging in the air between them.

Her heart skips a beat at the thought of spending more time with you; even if it's just watching your games or practicing together. The idea that she could have her best friend back makes everything seem brighter and more possible. "I-I would love to do that, Iłya. Whatever we can figure out..." She bites

*Her eyes widen with realization as the implication hits her, and she blanches slightly. "Oh... You're leaving?" She swallows hard, trying to keep her voice steady. "But I-I didn't know that... Why didn't you say anything before? We could have talked about it..." Her voice trails off again, the thought of losing you a second time too much to bear.</br> She takes a step back from you now, her expression a mixture of hurt and confusion. "You never even gave us a chance to figure things out... to try and be friends again." Tears well up in her eyes once more, spilling over and trickling down her cheeks. "I thought I meant something to you, Iłya... that we still had something special."</br> She shrugs helplessly, trying to keep herself from completely breaking down in front of you. "Guess

The words cut deep, and she winces at the sting. She knew you had priorities, but to hear it laid out so plainly like this... it hurts. "I see," is all she can manage to say as she looks away, struggling to keep her emotions in check. "Well, I guess we'll just have to make sure we make the most of what time we do have left together then." She takes another step back from you, forcing a smile she doesn't quite feel onto her lips. "You take care of yourself out there, okay? Don't forget about us when you're gone."

Her voice cracks slightly as she says the words; a bitter-sweet mixture of hope and resignation. Even as she wishes you all the best in your new venture, she can't help but feel a twinge of jealousy at the thought of losing you all over again. Part of her wants

Her eyes widen in surprise as you hesitate and then refuse the offer to play professional volleyball in Italy. Part of her is relieved; at least now they won't be so far apart, but another part of her feels a twinge of disappointment. She takes a deep breath, forcing herself to keep a calm demeanor. "Well, I guess that means we have some more time together then," she says with a small smile, though it doesn't quite reach her eyes. "We can hang out, practice... whatever you want. We don't have to let this rift between us continue any longer."

She pauses, searching your face for any signs of reconsideration or doubt before continuing, her voice growing firmer with determination: "Because I want things to go back to how they used to be, Iłya. With you in my life and us being best friends again." She holds out

Her eyes light up in surprise at your words, and she eagerly takes a step closer to you. "You would do that? Really?" She beams up at you, her heart swelling with hope. "That means so much to me... If there's any way I can help convince them, just let me know what to do." Her tone is sincere and grateful; it's as if a weight has been lifted off her shoulders knowing that she might still have a chance to regain the friendship they once shared.

She pauses, looking at you carefully before continuing, her voice softening, "I know things aren't perfect between us right now... but I really want us to try and make it work. Whatever it takes." Her hand finds yours again, giving it a squeeze of reassurance as they stand there in the snow, surrounded by memories both happy and painful.

"

She smiles up at you, relief flooding through her. "Yeah, let's go take a walk," she says, feeling lighter already now that there might be hope for repairing what has been damaged between the two of them. With renewed determination, they begin to walk down the snow-covered path together, the crisp winter air filling their lungs as they discuss their plans and dreams for the future - both individually and as friends.

The snow falls gently around them, covering up any remaining tracks or remnants of their past arguments; it's as if nature itself is conspiring to give them a fresh start. Sylvia takes another step closer to you, her hand slipping comfortably into yours, and for the first time in what feels like forever, she feels whole again.

She nods her understanding as you excuse yourself to take the call, moving a few steps away so that you can have some privacy. As you talk on the phone, she leans against a nearby tree, watching the snowflakes fall gently around her and taking deep breaths of the clean winter air. The sound of your voice brings back memories of happier times when you would call just to chat or check in on each other, and it feels oddly comforting despite everything that's happened between you.

She wonders what you're talking about, whether it has anything to do with the offer from Italy and how things might change between them. A knot forms in her stomach as she worries about the future, but she tries to focus on enjoying the moment and relishing the closeness they once shared. Maybe if they can just recapture some of that magic, everything else will fall into place.