“Hayes," he announced before he picked he picked up the call. Johnny looked up from his books and watched him speak.
“Hello, Hayes. What's up.”
“Hello, Stanley. I'm thrilled to hear from you.”
“Yes. It has been a while. Have you picked up your car?”
“Certainly. That is why I called. I would love to come over if it is convenient for you.”
Now, Stanley gave Johnny an askance look, and he nodded in approval.
“It is all right. We will be playing the basketball game by 5 PM.”
“Oh! That is nice. I will see you then.”
"It is all right."
After the call, Johnny asked, “Do you think that my Ruby would love to attend?”
Stanley showed disturbed and responded, “I wish I know. Why not give her a call?”
“You are aware that she would not pick up my call.”
“If you think so. In that case, call Carmine and find out if they are together.”
“She may not speak with me still.”
“At least you have made an attempt.”
Johnny chuckled and set out to give Carmine a call.
At Ruby's Room.
After returning the plates to the canteen and resetting Adriana's malfunctioning brain with a slap, she walked back to her room and met Carmine lying lazily on the bed. She took her seat on the reading desk and read her books. Afterward, she joined Carmine on the 90 × 190 bed size, that was meant for a student, but can take two smallish adults like them. At that moment, Carmine's phone, which was on the reading desk. To avoid disturbing her, she refused to allow the phone to ring twice, and she quickly picked up the call. 
On an impulse, she concluded that it was Stanley and greeted him, “Hello, Stan. She is taking her siesta.”
At Johnny's Apartment
For the first time, Johnny lacked how to handle a situation. He looked at Stanley, who was curious to see how things would go, for a clue, but he only looked on.
“Oh! My Ruby. I actually wanted to speak with you," Johnny said after he composed himself. 
Now, Ruby was silent and confused, too. To avoid cutting the call on him, he relayed his message.
“I will be at the basketball court this evening and I would love to have you around if you don't mind.”
Whatever the case, she would not want to disobey her Johnny, nor cut a call on him. She held the phone and remained silent.
“Hello, can you hear me, my Ruby?” he asked.
After a while, she responded, “I will tell her that you called.”
“I'm grateful for that. I'm expecting the two of you.”
Now, there was no response from her and she did not cut.
“See you then,” he said, cut the call and burst into hearty laughter.
“Ruby is a fantastic person," Johnny pointed out. Stanley agreed with him.
“Certainly. You are a lucky man.”
“I just confirmed it. She was taken unawares when she heard my voice.”
“I told you. Just be positive.”
"I will. Thank you."
At the Basketball Court
At 5 PM, Johnny drove Stanley to the basketball court. He was not pained anymore after he spoke with Ruby and realized that she still loved him. Not only that, she would not want to tell him off. The joy in his heart radiated around him, and his sports wear was a top-notch.
“Do you think that Ruby would come with Carmine?” Johnny inquired.
“I can bet with my life,” Stanley assured.
They laughed with glee and set to get off the car. Suddenly, Hayes parked beside them.
“Wow!”
Johnny exclaimed and got out of the car, while Stanley followed.
“You are here, Hayes,” Johnny stated
“Yes. Good evening all.”
“Good evening. We are glad to have you,” they greeted concurrently.
“Thank you. Where are the girls?” Hayes asked, and the overconfidence Johnny responded at once.
“They would soon join us.”
Just as he predicted, Hayes heard his name from two familiar voices.
“Hey! Hayes, it is nice to see you again,” Carmine and Ruby greeted before they joined the team. 
He turned instantly to the direction of the voices and responded, “Wow! I'm pleasured to see you once again. How are your studies?”
“Studies are fine.”
Now, Johnny was elated, and Ruby's response endeared her to him. He admired her beautiful sports wears while she was chatting with Hayes.
“Thank you for coming, my Ruby,” he whispered, but he got no response, and was not bothered. 
Now, Stanley, who was as relieved as Johnny, held Carmine's hand, and they walked into the court. Meanwhile, Johnny never attempted holding Ruby's hand to avoid pushing her too far. At last, they were at the court, and they began. Ruby and Stanley, were on the same side with Hayes, Francis and one other regular male player. Princevile, who thought that it was over between Johnny and Ruby, was on the same side with Carmine and Johnny. When they were set, they began. Now, it was obvious that Johnny was not out for a field goal. He was just happy with life and everyone noticed it. The spectators were confused because they thought he would have been down and hiding in shame. 
(Clap)
He clapped when Ruby threw a ball through the basket. After one hour thirty minutes, the game came to an end and everyone was happy.
“You played well, Ruby,” Hayes complimented her.
“Thank you, Hayes. You played well, too.”
Afterward, they walked to their cars and leaned on them. Unknowingly to Hayes, Adriana, was among the spectators. She had strolled to the court to while away time and was surprised to see the team playing. She would have walked away if not that she spotted Hayes and waited to see him. Since the day he left her at the mall, she had attempted to contact him, but he had deliberately ignored her.
To her impediment, she was not aware that Hayes was acquainted with her arch enemies. So, she hung around and waited for him.
“Hayes," she called out joyously, while Hailey stood beside his car. 
At once, Hayes, as well as others, looked at the direction of her voice and saw her waiting. Hayes wrinkled his face and looked away. He concentrated on his chat with his friends while he studied the expression on their faces. He was not expecting anything less than what he saw.