It didn't take long for the world to notice.

Jessica walked into school the next morning. And was greeted by silence. Stares. Whispers.

She didn't need to ask why. Her phone buzzed with screenshots - someone has caught a picture of them. In the Hastings study. Kissing.

By second period, Jessica was called to the principal's office.

"This isn't about the kiss," Principal Carter said. "But there's been some concern over?distraction."

Jessica clenched her jaw. "So, if I kissed a guy, we'd be fine, right?"

Carter didn't answer.

Meanwhile, Molly was spiralling.

Her mom found out. It was not pretty.

"This phase," her mother had said, voice sharp as glass, "will end. It must."

Molly didn't respond. She just shut herself in her room and started at her phone. Jessica had texted once:

| I'm here if you need me.

She hadn't replied.

Later that week, Jessica found her in the hallway.

"Molly."

"I can't," Molly said backing away. "Not here. Not now."

Jessica stepped back, nodding slowly.

"Then don't," she said. "But don't expect me to keep waiting in the shadows."

The next few days were cold.

Jessica threw herself into school, work, anything to numb the sting.

Molly tried to pretend none of it mattered - but every time she saw Jessica laughing with Jake or walking with Hannah, her chest ached.

Finally, Molly cracked.

She showed up at the bookstore. No makeup, hoodie pulled over her head, rain soaking her sleeves.

Jessica looked up from the counter, stunned. "Molly?"

"I don't want to be scared anymore," Molly said, voice breaking. "I don't want to lie to myself or to you."

Jessica walked around the counter, heart thudding.

"So, what do you want?"

"I want you," Molly whispered. "God Jessica? I really want you."

Jessica didn't hesitate this time.

She pulled Molly into a kiss that made the rest of the world fall away.

This time, they didn't care who saw.