Rumours picked up again. Of course they did. The school fed on drama.
"She's so obsessed with Molly."
"I heard Jessica tried to out her."
"I bet she's just mad Molly rejected her."
Jessica stayed quiet. Cold. But Hannah noticed the difference.
"Are you okay?" she asked on afternoon at lunch.
Jessica stabbed at her salad. "I'm fine. Just done being someone's dirty little secret.'
Jake leaned across the table. "Come to that party tonight. Chad's house. It'll be a distraction. Booze, music, potential hot girls."
Jessica smirked. "Tempting."
That night, the party was already alive when they walked in. Red solo cups, LED lights, bass pulsing like a second heartbeat.
Jessica wore black - tight jeans, combat boots, crop top that showed just enough skin. She looked dangerous.
Molly saw her the second she walked in.
She was upstairs, leaning against a wall with Samantha and Ben, pretending to laugh at someone's story. But her eyes locked onto Jessica like a missile.
Jessica didn't even look her way.
Instead, she grabbed a drink and slipped onto the dance floor.
That's when she appeared.
Tall, dark-skinned girl with braids, a wicked smile, and confidence that rolled off her like perfume.
"Want to dance?' she asked.
Jessica didn't hesitate. "Absolutely."
The music was slow, dirty, sticky sweet. And Jessica matched it - rolling her hips, dragging her hands down the girl's waist, leaning in close. She laughed at something, then bit her lip.
Upstairs, Molly's jaw clenched.
Ben followed her gaze, eyebrows raised. "Oh wow. That's new."
Molly didn't answer.
Sam said it plainly. "You're jealous."
"I'm not," Molly snapped.
But her grip on her cup was white knuckled. Her eyes didn't leave the floor.
Then Jessica looked up.
Straight at her.
Held eye contact. Slow. Deliberate.
And smirked.
Molly turned on her heel and disappeared down the stairs.
Jessica caught up with her near the back patio, heart pounding, alcohol making everything brighter and messier.
"Hey!" she called.
Molly spun around, fury in her eyes. "What?"
"You want to tell me what that was back there?"
"What what was?" Molly demanded. "You grinding on some random girl in front of half the school?"
Jessica stepped closer, voice like a blade. "Don't you dare act like you get to be mad."
"I'm not mad!" Molly shouted.
"You're jealous," Jessica said, low and sharp. "You're jealous because I stopped waiting around got you to choose me."
"I never asked you to wait!" Molly snapped. "You think this is easy? You think I can just flip a switch and be brave like you?"
Jessica recoiled slightly. "I'm not brave. I'm tired. Of hiding. Of being your emotional crutch. Of being dragged behind your fear."
The tension between them cracked.
Molly looked like she wanted to say something-anything- but her mouth clamped shut.
So Jessica just turned around and walked away.
This time, she didn't look back.