Molly had never done anything quietly.
Not when she entered a room. Not when she laughed. Not when she loved.
So why should this be any different?
It took two weeks. And a lot of bribing.
Ben handled logistics."I better be your maid of honour one day."
Samantha made the poster. "I want full creative control."
Amy contacted the choir. "You're making me care about school spirit. I hate this."
It was all coming together. Terrifyingly fast.
And Molly?
She was practicing what she'd say. Over and over. In her mirror. In the shower. Whispered into the pillow.
She wanted it to be perfect.
It was Friday. Lunch period. The quad.
Everyone was there. Students. Teachers. Even principle Carter, who probably thought it was another flash mob protest.
Jessica was standing by the vending machine, textbooks in one hand, granola bar in the other, squinting suspiciously at the small crowd gathering.
She saw Ben first. Then Samantha.
Then Amy, standing at the front of the choir wearing glitter sunglasses and mouthing "oh my god it's happening."
Jessica froze.
Then she saw her.
Molly stepped into the centre of the crowd, holding a mic, and looking like she was about to puke. Or cry. Or both.
She took a deep breath.
"Hi. Um- hi. I'm Molly. Which, like, yeah, obviously."
A few giggles. Jessica was still frozen.
"I used to be really good at pretending. That nothing bothered me. That I didn't care. That I could keep everything under control."
She looked directly at Jessica.
"I was mean to the girl I liked because I was scared of what it meant. I hurt her. And I've spent months trying to be someone worthy of being in her life again."
A hush fell over the crowd.
Mollys voice cracked, but she didn't stop.
"So I'm done pretending, I like girls. I like one girl. And she's smart, and sharp tongued, and has the kindest eyes I've ever seen."
Jessica's hand rose to her mouth.
Molly lifted the mic higher.
"Jessica Claire Dane…will you go to prom with me?"
Samantha turned the poster around.
It read:
I BULLIED YOU, THEN FELL FOR YOU. NOW I JUST LOVE YOU. PROM?
Amy gave the choir a thumbs-up.
They broke into a harmony of "you belong with me" by Taylor Swift. Half sincere, half chaotic, fully ironic.
Jessica stared. Then she walked forward.
Everyone held their breath.
She reached Molly. Took the mic from her.
Paused.
Then kissed her. Deep. Public. Fearless.
Molly dropped the mic. Literally.
The crowd screamed.
Ben actually cried.
They sat in Mollys car, windows rolled down, parked under the stars.
Jessica was quiet.
"You okay?" Molly asked.
Jessica nodded. "You came out. In front of everyone."
Molly smiled. "Yeah. For you."
Jessica looked at her, eyes glinting. "You're insane."
"Maybe."
Pause.
"But you're mine now," Jessica whispered.
Mollys heart exploded.
"Yeah," she said. "I am."