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The breakup had been terrible for both of them, but life has a way of pulling people forward. Brady and David leaned on their friends, who rallied around them with movie nights, study sessions, and distractions that helped dull the pain. Though the first few weeks had been brutal, they eventually found their footing again.
Brady and Kelly's relationship blossomed. She had a way of making him laugh and pulling him out of his brooding, philosophical thoughts. Their shared love for literature and deep conversations brought them closer, and Brady found himself opening up to her in ways he hadn't expected.
David, too, moved on. Emily was a fellow student at MIT, in the same year, who he met through a mutual friend. David didn't expect to begin a new relationship so soon, but he fell in love with Emily's kind heart and beautiful smile.
Though both Brady and David were happy in their new relationships, there were moments--fleeting, but undeniable--when they thought about each other. Brady would sometimes hear a laugh in a crowded room that sounded like David's, and feel his chest tighten. David, in quieter moments, would recall Brady's smile, or the way his green eyes lit up when he was excited about something. They'd brush off the thoughts quickly, convincing themselves they were just relics of the past.
They both graduated summa cum laude, their families beaming with pride at the ceremonies. Brady stayed at the University of Chicago to pursue graduate studies in philosophy, with dreams of becoming a professor. His love for the subject had only deepened, and he was thriving in the academic world.
David, on the other hand, joined a couple of his former course mates to launch a tech startup. They moved to Chicago, drawn by the city's growing tech scene and opportunities for innovation. It was a risky move, but David loved the challenge and the excitement of building something from the ground up.
For months, they lived in the same city, completely unaware of the other's presence.
One sunny afternoon, Brady ducked into a busy coffee shop near campus. He was deep in thought, mulling over the outline of his latest thesis chapter, when he stepped into the line for drinks.
The shop was packed, the low hum of conversation mingling with the hiss of espresso machines. Brady glanced up from his phone to scan the menu, and that's when he saw him.
A familiar figure was standing a few places ahead in the queue. Brady's heart skipped a beat.
"David?!" he blurted out, his voice louder than he intended.
The man turned, his dark eyes wide with surprise.
"Brady?!"
For a moment, neither of them moved. They stared at each other, stunned, as the noise of the coffee shop seemed to fade into the background.