"Hey, man! We have a basketball game this afternoon. Do you want to join us?" David's voice rang out, full of excitement. Michael grinned at the sound of his best friend's familiar enthusiasm. They had been inseparable since childhood, even choosing the same university to continue their adventures.
David had always been the center of the party—charismatic, funny, and effortlessly charming. He and Michael got to know each other in elementary school, bonding over their shared love for basketball and sports. Their friendship was cemented during a memorable summer camp when they discovered they both had a knack for playing pranks on the other campers. From that point on, they were inseparable.
"Sure! I could do a little exercise," Michael replied with a chuckle. He figured playing basketball would distract him from thoughts of Sarah.
Later that day, they hit the gym for their usual game. David was a natural star on the court with athletic build, long curly hair, and that confident grin that caught everyone's attention, especially the cheerleaders during the intercollegiate matches.
As they played, Michael could not help but notice a group of girls cheering particularly loudly for David's team. Once the game wrapped up, he smirked and teased his friend.
"Dude, did you see the girl in the yellow top? Her eyes were glued to you the whole time! She was your cheerleader! Do you know her?"
David shot him a casual glance, a knowing smile spreading across his face. "Yeah, that's Mia. We met at a party. She has been around ever since."
Michael raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "A fan, huh? Sounds like there is a story there."
Before David could answer, Mia, full of energy and with that infectious smile, bounded over to them. "Hey, David! Great game!" She turned to Michael, her excitement still radiating. "You must be Michael! I heard a lot about you from David."
"Nice to meet you, Mia," Michael replied, shaking her hand. Her energy was like a live wire, so different from Sarah's calm demeanor.
David wrapped an arm around Mia's waist, grinning at Michael. "We are heading out for drinks. You should come too, Mia."
Mia's eyes lit up. "Absolutely! Let us go!"
Michael could not help but notice the chemistry between David and Mia. Their playful banter hinted at something more than just friendship, and he felt a twinge of curiosity. Was David ready for a committed relationship with someone like Mia? Or was it just a fun fling?
As they walked to a nearby bar off-campus, the vibe was electric. The music was pumping, laughter echoed everywhere, and drinks flowed freely. Michael tried to immerse himself in the lively atmosphere, but his thoughts kept drifting back to Sarah. Just when he thought he could lose himself in the moment, his phone rang.
With the music blasting, he stepped outside into the cool evening air to take the call. "Hello? Michael speaking."
At first, he could barely make out the voice, but then it clicked—Sarah! His heart raced. This was the moment he had been waiting for!