COURTSIDE HEARTS

mean to spill my drink

"It's okay," she said, though she didn't sound parti

ot finally looked up, immediately r

ionship had ended in heartbreak. They had tried to remain friends, but it had been too difficult for Rihanna. She had

y. But before she could speak, Mandy broke the silence. "Rihanna,

unch to the gut. Rihanna had spent so long trying to forget about her, and now she was standing right in front of her

oice cracking. "I didn't mean to ruin your night l

said, finally f

topped caring about you. I know it's been a long time, and I know I hurt you when we broke up. Bu

Mandy to leave, that she didn't want to hear any of this. But another part of her was curiou

and that I would just make things worse. But I finally decided that I couldn't go on without telling y

re, looking so vulnerable, and Rihanna could see the sincerity in her eyes. Despite everything that had happened between them, she

I just wanted you to know that I'm sorry and that I never stopped caring about you. I hope tha

ith the feelings that Mandy's words were stirring up. But another part of her wanted to give Mandy a chance, to see if they could

ou feel uncomfortable. I just wanted to tell you the truth. I hope you know that I'm not the same person I

meant what she was saying. But Rihanna still wasn't sure how she felt about it all. "I'll think about it," she sa

understanding. "I'll be her

down the hall, she couldn't help but think about what Mandy had said. She had ch

r car and drove home, lost in thought. But when she got there, she was greeted by a warm hug fro

nd support from her dad. "I'm doing okay, Da

gh a lot. But I want you to know that you have our supp

e a soothing balm,

her parents at this moment. At the

much she had missed this feeling. The warmth and familiarity of her family, the comfort of her childhoo

rt, through the good times and the bad. She knew that no matter what happened, they would alwa

seen a picture of a very beautiful woman. I put the like button

photo. She was scrolling through her notifications when she saw a comment

the person who had left the comment, and her heart skipped a beat. It was

m her nerves. What should she do? Sho

nge and reply to the comment. She typed out a quick "thank you,"

She opened it up and saw that the person had responded. "You're

on the other hand, she couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. She had hoped that the person would have said som

still a chance to connect with this person. Or maybe she was just setting herse

pond, or just

ooked at the screen and saw that it was a message from someone else.

debate. She opened the message and responded, "Hey Lily!

're feeling stressed. I'm here if you need to talk. And I'm doing prett

no hidden agenda or ulterior motive. "It's great to hear that you're doing well!" Ava typed back.

! Thanks for saying that. And it's always good to

rson, and the thought of spending time with her friend was very appealing. But she also felt a b

e the plunge. "I'd love to meet up!" she typed.

iately. "That's the spirit! I'

ur place? We can grab a coffee and catc

ng a Saturday afternoon with her friend, sipping coffee and chatting, sounded

u there! I'll bring the good vibes, y

Lily always knew how

ack. "I'll make sure to bring m

"It's a date! See you on Saturday