The gym was practically empty after last period.
Most of the cheer team had cleared out after practice, leaving the girls' locker room quiet - except for the hum of old fluorescent lights and the distant plink of a leaky faucet.
Jessica was there late. Detention made her miss her usual gym slot, so she stayed behind to shower after.
She was tying her hoodie back on when the door creaked open behind her.
Molly.
Wearing her practice gear - tight black spandex shorts, white sports bra, ponytail hanging loose from a messy bun.
Jessica's heart dropped into her stomach.
"You following me now?" Jessica asked, voice dry, trying to play it cool while her brain screamed.
Molly closed the door behind her. "You left your notebook in chem."
"Could've given it to me tomorrow."
Molly leaned against the lockers, arms crossed, biting her lower lip. "I didn't want to wait."
Jessica raised a brow. "Why?"
Molly didn't answer right away. Her eyes dropped down Jessica's frame - her damp hair, her hoodie slipping off one shoulder, the smooth expanse of skin above the waistband of her leggings.
"You always look like this after gym?" she asked quietly.
Jessica smirked. "Like what?"
Molly stepped closer.
"Like you want someone to lose control."
The air shifted.
Jessica's breath hitched. "Maybe I do."
Molly's eyes flicked to her lips.
The room felt like it was closing in. Everything silent but the rush of blood and the faint echo of a cheer whistle outside.
Jessica didn't move. Neither did Molly.
But the space between them crackled.
"You're playing with fire," Jessica murmured.
Molly stepped in until they were chest to chest. "Maybe I want to burn."
Jessica's fingers twitched at her sides. Don't touch her. Don't start this again if she's going to run.
But then - Molly leaned in. Close enough for Jessica to feel her breath against her jaw.
And whispered, "Do you want me?"
Jessica finally gave in - grabbing Molly's waist, spinning her back into the lockers with a clank.
Their faces were inches apart. Jessica's hands pinned Molly's hips in place.
"I want a lot of things," Jessica growled. "But you keep acting like I can't have them."
Molly tilted her head. "Maybe I'm done pretending."
Jessica hesitated.
Then slowly, almost painfully slow, pressed her body up against Molly's - nose brushing hers. Not kissing. Not yet. But every inch of her screamed for it.
Molly's eyes fluttered shut for half a second. "God, you drive me insane."
"I know."
Still no kiss.
Just heat. Breath. Contact. Need.
Molly's voice was barely a whisper. "If you kiss me right now… I won't stop it."
Jessica exhaled shakily. "That's not what I'm afraid of."
Another beat. Silence stretching like elastic.
Then, footsteps.
They jerked apart.
Amy's voice echoed from the hallway. "Molls? You in here?"
Molly swallowed, eyes wide, cheeks flushed, breath uneven. "Shit."
Jessica pulled back, backing toward the benches.
Molly turned, grabbed the notebook she brought, shoved it into Jessica's hands.
Then, like nothing had happened, she called out, "Yeah! Just changing!"
And she left.
Just like that.
Leaving Jessica alone with shaking hands and a heart ready to explode.