Tuesday morning felt like walking into a war zone.
The school wasn't whispering anymore - they were staring. Molly walked down the hallway like she was balancing on a tightrope, every step deliberate. Samantha stayed close, chin high, eyes sharp.
"Mols," she said gently, "you don't owe anyone a goddamn explanation."
"I know," Molly murmured, forcing a smile. "Doesn't make the hallway gauntlet any less fun."
Then came the worst part: chemistry.
She slid into her seat next to Jessica. Their arms brushed. Neither of them looked at the other.
Jessica's jaw was clenched, her hand gripping the pen too tight.
Molly hated how far away she felt - even with less than an inch between them.
Molly leaned over halfway through.
"Can we talk later?"
Jessica didn't look up. "Thought we already said everything."
"I miss you"
That for her to glance sideways.
Her voice was a low murmur. "You don't get to miss me when you chose to ignore me all day."
"I was-"
"Busy? Embarrassed?" Jessica scoffed. "You only show up when it's convenient."
Molly blinked like she'd been slapped. "That's not fair."
Jessica finally turned her full gaze on her. "Then be here. Really be here. Or don't bother."
Molly was quiet the rest of the class.
That night, Jessica posted a picture on instagram.
Black top. Chain necklace. Loose back jeans. Her hair was wild, damp from a shower.
The caption?
'Not yours'
Within minutes, the comments lit up.
"Okay damn Jess"
" ma'am you're doing amazing"
"Tag her, coward"
Then, among them, one comment from @molly_hastings: 'could've sworn you were'
Jessica didn't respond.
But she liked it.
Then she unliked it.
Then liked it again.
Molly sat curled up on her bed, her phone in her hand. Adam's contact was still at the top of her messages - unopened texts, his name glaring back.
She didn't have the energy to reply.
Her eyes burned.
She was in too deep. Too much had changed. And maybe - maybe she deserved to feel like she was drowning.
The bookstore was quiet when Jessica turned the corner of an aisle and found Molly standing there.
"You're stalking me now?" Jess muttered, arms crossed.
"You said to show up," Molly said. "I'm here."
Jessica rolled her eyes. "You flirt on instagram and then ghost me at school."
"I panicked"
"You always panic."
"I'm not used to this!" Molly snapped, stepping closer. "I don't know how to be vulnerable with someone who actually matters."
That silenced Jessica for a beat.
Then, softly, "you matter to me too."
Their eyes locked.
The air shifted.
Jessica stepped around her, walking toward the back stockroom.
"I'm not doing this in the middle of the fantasy section," she called over her shoulder.
Molly hesitated - then followed.
The backroom was dim and quiet, lit only by a buzzing overhead light.
"You want me?" Jessica said. "Say it."
"I want you"
"No." She snapped. "I want honest. Not scared. Not ashamed."
Molly clenched her jaw. "I'm trying."
"Try harder."
Then suddenly, Molly surged forward, pushing Jessica against the wall, both palms flat on either side of her head.
Their faces were inches apart.
"I want you," she breathed. "I hate that I do. I hate how much it hurts. But I want you so bad I feel like I'm unravelling."
Jessica's breathe caught.
Their lips crashed together - heated, messy, hungry.
Molly's hand slid up Jessica's waist, gripping tight. Jessica kissed back like she was angry, desperate, matching her pace with equal fire.
But then - Jessica's broke away.
Chest heaving. Eyes burning.
"Is this real, Molly? Or are you just lonely?"
Molly stepped back, frozen.
Jessica waited.
"I don't know," Molly whispered. "But I'm scared it is real. And I don't want to screw it up."
Silence.
Jessica nodded, slowly. "Then don't."