The weeks passed by and the four girls continued to spend time with Michael. They had all come to terms with the fact that he wasn't interested in pursuing a romantic relationship with any of them, and had decided to focus on their friendships instead.
One day, Emily received an invitation to her school's winter formal dance. She was excited to attend, but also nervous about finding a date. As she discussed her dilemma with the other girls, Lily came up with an idea.
"Why don't we all go to the dance together?" she suggested. "As friends, I mean. It'll be like our own little group date."
The other girls agreed, and they began planning their outfits and making arrangements to attend the dance together. Emily was thrilled to have her friends by her side, and couldn't wait for the big night.
As they arrived at the dance, the four girls felt a mix of excitement and nerves. The gymnasium had been transformed into a magical winter wonderland, complete with sparkling lights, glittering snowflakes, and a DJ playing upbeat music.
Michael was already there, dressed in a sharp suit and looking as handsome as ever. He smiled at the girls as they approached, complimenting them on their outfits and telling them how great they looked.
As the night wore on, the girls danced and chatted, enjoying each other's company and the festive atmosphere. Emily felt a sense of relief that she didn't have to worry about finding a date, and was grateful to have her friends by her side. Grace couldn't help stealing glances at Michael from across the room, wondering what it would be like to slow dance with him. Samantha was having a blast showing off her dance moves, feeling carefree and happy. And Lily felt a sense of contentment knowing that she was surrounded by the people she cared about most.
As the night drew to a close, the DJ announced that it was time for the last dance. Couples began pairing up, swaying to the slow song playing over the speakers. Michael looked at the four girls, a smile on his face.
"Hey, why don't we all dance together?" he suggested.
The girls nodded, and Michael took Emily's hand in his, while Grace and Samantha linked arms. Lily felt a pang of jealousy, wishing she could be the one dancing with Michael. But she pushed the feeling aside, determined to enjoy the moment.
As they swayed to the music, the girls felt a sense of camaraderie and friendship. They knew that things between them and Michael could be complicated, but in that moment, they felt a sense of unity and togetherness.
As the song came to an end, Michael leaned in to the girls, a mischievous twinkle in his eye.
"You know, I think we make a pretty great team," he said, grinning.
The girls laughed and hugged him, feeling a sense of warmth and affection. They knew that they would always have each other, no matter what the future held.
As they said goodbye and left the dance, the girls couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment. They had faced their conflicting emotions and had come out on the other side, stronger and more united than ever. They knew that they had each other's backs, and that was all that mattered.