Friday night.
Basketball game. Packed bleachers. Flashing lights. Roaring crowd.
Jessica didn't even like basketball.
But Jake dragged her along, claiming Molly would be there. "You said you wanted chaos," he winked. "Serve it cold."
She wasn't planning on doing anything.
Not really.
Until Selene slid in beside her.
Selene. Tall. Gorgeous. Sharp jawline and tattoos under her hoodie. The kind of girl who looked like she didn't ask for permission, just forgiveness - maybe.
Jessica smirked. "Thought you were skipping."
Selene grinned. "Saw your story. Couldn't resist."
Down on the court, the cheer squad lined up.
And Molly spotted them.
Jessica. Laughing. Leaning into Selene's touch.
And she stopped mid-step.
Amy bumped into her. "What the hell - ?"
But Molly wasn't listening. She couldn't tear her eyes away.
Because Selene had her hand on Jessica's thigh.
And Jessica? Wasn't stopping her.
The squad hit the locker room, and Molly's hands were shaking.
Samantha tossed her a towel. "You good?"
Molly forced a smile. "Just tired."
"Looked like you saw a ghost."
"I didn't," Molly said tightly. "I saw a problem."
Outside, Jessica and Selene were leaning against the bleachers.
Selene was tracing circles on Jessica's palm. "She's watching."
Jessica didn't look. "I know."
"You trying to piss her off?"
Jessica tilted her head. "I'm trying to wake her up."
Selene chuckled low. "And if I don't want to be bait?"
Jessica looked up at her, eyes soft but direct. "Then don't be."
Selene leaned closer, lips brushing just under Jessica's ear. "She's going to lose her mind."
Jessica shivered. "Good."
Molly waited by the back doors, still in uniform, ponytail damp with sweat.
Jessica spotted her and froze. Selene gave her a look. "You want me to go?"
Jessica hesitated.
Then nodded. "Yeah."
Selene kissed her cheek. "Text me."
When she walked off, Molly stepped into Jessica's path.
"Had fun?" she snapped.
Jessica blinked. "Excuse me?"
"With her." Molly's voice was sharp, biting. "Was that for me?"
Jessica crossed her arms. "You don't get to be jealous."
"I'm not jealous."
Jessica stepped closer. "Then why are you shaking?"
Molly's mouth opened. Then closed.
"You don't want me," Jessica whispered, "but God forbid someone else does."
"That's not - "
Jessica cut her off. "You kissed me. You pinned me to a wall, Molly. You keep setting me on fire and then leaving me to burn."
Molly's voice cracked. "I'm trying to protect you."
"From what?" Jessica snapped. "From you?"
Silence.
The hallway was dim, echoing with the last of the crowd outside.
"You want me to stop?" Jessica asked, stepping even closer. "Then say it. Say you don't want me."
Molly didn't speak.
Jessica smirked bitterly. "That's what I thought."
She turned to leave.
And behind her, Molly whispered - so soft it almost wasn't real -
"I can't stop thinking about you."
Jessica froze.
Her breath caught.
But she didn't turn around.
Instead, she walked out the doors - leaving Molly alone, fists clenched, mouth full of everything she was too scared to say out loud.