The party was at Ben's house.

Big. Loud. Dripping with neon lights, red cups, and bass that vibrated the windows.

Jessica wasn't planning to go.

But then Selene texted:

"You coming to the lion's den or staying tame tonight?"

So of course, Jessica showed up. Black leather jacket. Smoky eyes. A chain glinting at her throat.

Dangerous and stunning.

The kind of look that made people stare - and one person in particular seethe.

Molly.

Already inside. Already tipsy. Clinging to Adam's arm while her eyes never left the front door.

She saw Jessica the moment she walked in.

And her blood ran hot.

Selene slipped a hand low on Jessica's back as they made their way to the kitchen, leaning in to whisper something in her ear. Jessica laughed - soft and flirty and far too loud.

Molly gripped her red cup tighter. "Can you believe her?" she muttered under her breath.

Amy, beside her, raised an eyebrow. "You mean existing?"

"She's doing it on purpose."

Amy blinked. "Molly? are you jealous of Selene?"

"No."

Yes.

Adam looked between them, face unreadable. "You okay?"

"I'm fine," Molly snapped, downing the rest of her drink and grabbing another. "Let's dance."

The living room pulsed with bodies. The air sticky with heat, booze, perfume.

Jessica was dancing.

Not with Selene anymore.

Now with a girl no one knew - a tall, leggy redhead with glitter under her eyes and her hands everywhere.

The girl had Jessica's shirt bunched in her fists. Jessica's head was thrown back, laughing, eyes half-lidded.

It was too much.

Molly shoved through the crowd.

Molly's chest rose and fell fast. "What the hell are you doing?"

Jessica cocked her head. "Dancing."

"You're being a slut."

Jessica's smile vanished. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me."

"Don't like it when someone else touches me?" Jessica stepped close, voice ice. "Tough. You had your chance."

Molly looked ready to explode. "You think you're clever, but you're not. You're reckless."

Jessica leaned in, breath brushing Molly's cheek. "And you're a coward."

The redhead awkwardly backed away. Sensing the storm.

Molly grabbed Jessica's wrist. "Come with me."

"No."

"Molly - "

But Molly was already dragging her toward the back of the house.

They slammed into the empty laundry room. Door shut behind them. Light flickering.

"Let go of me," Jessica hissed.

Molly stepped back, breathing hard. "What are you doing with her?"

"You don't get to ask that."

"She was all over you."

Jessica stepped forward. "So what?"

Molly clenched her fists. "You're doing it on purpose. You want me to lose it."

Jessica's voice softened - dangerously. "I want you to admit it."

"Admit what?"

"That you want me."

Silence.

"You act like this is all in my head, like I'm the one obsessed," Jessica said. "But you keep showing up. You keep looking at me like you hate me for making you feel anything."

"I do," Molly breathed.

"Liar."

Molly stepped back, hitting the dryer. "I can't do this."

"Why not?"

"Because I'm not like you."

Jessica blinked. "What does that mean?"

"It means I've spent my whole life pretending I was normal. Straight. Perfect. And then you show up with your smirks and your chaos and you make me feel like I'm going to fall apart."

Jessica stared at her, stunned. Softening. But not enough to let her off the hook.

"And instead of facing it," she whispered, "you humiliate me. You push me away. And still? I keep wanting you."

Molly's voice cracked. "I don't know how to want you without ruining everything."

Jessica stepped closer. So close their noses brushed.

But she didn't kiss her.

"I'm not asking for everything," she whispered. "Just for honesty."

Molly's lip trembled. She looked at Jessica like she wanted to fall into her.

And then - she stepped back. Walls up. Cold mask in place.

"I can't."

Jessica nodded once. Eyes hard.

"Then don't watch me burn."

She walked out, leaving Molly alone. Again.

But this time, Molly slid down the dryer, fists to her mouth, chest tight.

And cried.