Selene wasn't a girlfriend. That much was clear.

She and Jessica had chemistry, sure - undeniable, electric - but it was casual. Frendly. Physical.

Which made it easy.

Which made it safe.

Which made it nothing like Molly.

They'd fallen into a rhythm: parties, lazy Sunday afternoons, sneaking into Jessica's room after closing up the bookstore.

This night was no different.

Selene laid back on Jessica's bed, her dark eyes flickering with heat, tattoos catching the warm lamplight. Jessica crawled over her dragging kisses down her stomach, her fingers already slipping beneath Selene's waistband. It was fast, messy, hungry. Selene arched her back, nails catching on Jessica's spine, hips rising to meet the rhythm.

Jessica exhaled sharply when Selene flipped her over, lips trailing down her neck, pulling a moan from deep in her throat.

It was good. So good.

But afterward, as Selene traced slow circles on her hip and murmured something about 'round two,' Jessica stared at the ceiling and thought about blue eyes.

Molly heard about it before she saw it.

The hallway buzzed Monday morning.

"Jessica and Selene are totally a thing now."

"I heard they hooked up at three parties."

"They're just screwing, right?"

Molly felt sick.

Later that day, in the quad, she finally saw it - Jessica sitting beside Selene, laughing at something on her phone, Selene's arm casually resting behind her. They weren't all over each other, but it didn't matter.

The intimacy was effortless.

Molly couldn't breathe.

Samantha leaned over. "You okay?"

Molly was quiet for a long time.

Then, "I like her."

Ben choked on his drink. "What?"

Samantha blinked. "Say that again?"

Molly's voice was steady, but quiet. "I like Jessica, I have for a while."

No one said anything.

Then Sam said, quietly, "so what are you going to do about it?"

Molly didn't answer.

Chemistry class

They were still lab partners because the universe loved drama. Jessica dropped into her seat like nothing mattered. Cool, composed, still glowing. Molly showed up two minutes late, avoiding her eyes.

They worked in silence, the space between them crackling with tension.

Jessica shifted closer to grab a beaker.

Molly finally looked at her.

Jessica's voice was barely above a whisper. "You going to pretend like you didn't just spend the entire weekend staring at me from across every room?"

Molly's jaw tensed, "you looked busy."

Jessica smiled without humour, "yeah Selene's great at helping me forget things."

The burner flame reflected in Molly's blue eyes, but her voice stayed cool. "Glad you found someone to take the edge off."

Jessica didn't answer - just let the silence speak for her, biting the inside of her cheek as Molly shifted slightly away, as if putting distance could dull the tension thickening between them like smoke.

That night, Jessica posted a photo.

Black crop top. Low slung jeans. Her hair messy and her expression unapologetically sultry. The caption:

"If I'm a problem, I hope I'm your favourite one."

Within minutes, it blew up.

Then came the notification:

Mollyhastings_ liked your photo

Mollyhastings_ 'definitely top 1.'

Jessica stared at her phone, heat crawling down her neck.

She replied: jessicadane_x: 'pretty bold for someone who doesn't text back.'

No answer.

Hours passed.

Nothing.

Friday evening, the rain had just started when Jessica stood on Molly's front porch, banging on the door.

Nothing.

She called. Texted.

| we need to talk. Meet me at the store. Closing shift. I'll be there.

Jessica paced the aisles for twenty minutes before the bell above the door finally jingled.

Molly stepped inside, soaked from the rain, jacket clinging to her shoulders. Her hair curled slightly from the damp, and her eyes were impossible to read.

Jessica crossed her arms. "Took you long enough."

Molly didn't speak.

"Why'd you comment on my post?" Jessica demanded. "You ignore me in class, but you'll flirt on Instagram like it's a game?"

Molly's voice was low, "because I can't help it."

"That's not good enough," Jessica sighed. "You can't keep playing hot and cold. You either want me, or you want me gone."

Molly stepped closer. "You think it's that easy?"

"It is," Jessica said, voice rising. "I'm not your secret. I'm not your confusion. I'm not a phase you're trying to screw your way through."

Molly's expression shattered, "I never said that."

"No, you just acted like it."

The air was vibrating between them now - words crashing like waves, anger, and heat merging into something volatile.

Jessica tried to turn away, but molly caught her wrist.

"You don't get to walk away from me."

Jessica spun around. "You're the one who's been walking away this whole time."

Then all at once -

Molly pushed her back against the nearest bookshelf, breath heavy, hand gripping Jessica's hip hard enough to bruise. Their faces were inches apart, rain still dripping from Molly's jacket onto the floor.

Jessica gasped, heart hammering. "Molly- "

And then Molly kissed her.

Furious. Desperate. Messy.

Jessica kissed back.

It was heat and teeth and months of built-up ache, Molly's hand tangled in her hair, Jessica's fingers gripping her waist like she was afraid she'd disappear.

Molly's mouth trailed down her jaw, teeth grazing her neck, breath shaky.

Jessica made a soft sound - but then stilled.

She pushed gently at Molly's chest. "Wait."

Molly froze.

Jessica looked at her - flushed, lips swollen, eyes stormy.

"What is this, Molly?" she whispered.

The room went still again.