Graduation came fast. The days leading up to it felt like a blur, filled with endless lists of things to do and people to thank, but Molly couldn't focus on any of it. Not really.
One minute, they were buried in the library - Jessica, highlighting and post-it noting every possible angle of their final exams, while Molly pretended to help but mostly stole kisses between the pages of her own textbooks.
Then, suddenly, they were standing in matching robes, caps crooked on their heads, clutching hands behind the bleachers before their names were called.
Jessica stood at the front of the crowd, giving her valedictorian speech. Of course she was valedictorian. It wasn't even a question - her mind, her focus, her ability to bring everything to light. It was just who she was.
When Jessica spoke, her voice began steady, practiced, but then, without warning, her gaze flickered to Molly. Her breath caught.
"I used to think I had to be angry to survive. That love was a distraction. That I couldn't let anyone close because they'd see how scared I was. But then… I met someone. And suddenly, I wasn't afraid anymore."
There was a pause. And then the room was silent. The audience, caught up in her words, watched as Jessica's eyes never left Molly's. She didn't care that everyone was looking. She just cared that Molly knew she meant every word.
Molly cried - silent tears that rolled down her cheeks as she smiled, watching Jessica stand there, so open and raw. They had come so far, and now it was all out in the open.
Afterward, their friends surrounded them. Jake tackled Jessica in a tight hug. Ben handed Molly a tissue. Amy, in her usual loud voice, yelled, "Kiss her already!" and the whole crowd erupted into applause.
So Molly kissed Jessica, right there in front of everyone - because Jessica was the whole damn future, and Molly was more than ready for it.