THE SINGER AND THE SIDEKICK
CHAPTER ONE

MOLLY JENSEN was jolted awake by the blaring sound of her alarm clock, the harsh noise slicing through the quiet of her new room. She blinked, still disoriented, her eyes scanning the space around her. The room was a mix of empty walls and scattered, unopened cardboard boxes, remnants of the move that had happened just a few days before. Over the weekend, she had planned to unpack, to make the space feel like her own, but the motivation had never come. She had arrived in this strange city—a city called Swellview—with excitement at first, but it had quickly faded into a dull weight on her chest. She didn't know how to feel. She didn't know how to start over.

Before she could even sit up in bed, a familiar sound filled the air: the pounding of little feet across the floor. Without warning, Alana, her energetic and ever-smiling little sister, charged into the room. Molly couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy as she watched her sister's face light up with pure excitement. The ten year old was thrilled about this new chapter, but the fourteen year old couldn't summon the same joy. The move from Hollywood to this unfamiliar place was drastic, and it had left her feeling unmoored. Swellview? She couldn't even picture it. The thought of starting school in a new place, away from her friends, seemed almost unbearable.

Alana launched herself onto Molly's bed with a loud laugh, knocking her back onto the pillows. Her smile was wide and infectious. The older blonde groaned, half-heartedly protesting as her younger sister squirmed to lay on her chest, her enthusiasm too much to ignore.

"I think your shoulder just pushed my stomach into my lungs," Molly said, her voice muffled by the pillows on either side of her head.

"Sorry!" The girl giggled, "I'm really excited to start school!"

Molly sighed and rolled her eyes, but it was hard to suppress a smile. She wished she could be as excited as Alana. Her younger sister had a way of bouncing back from any challenge with a smile on her face, always quick to embrace new things. She couldn't help but admire that—she could never seem to shake off the uncertainty that came with change.

As the bubbly blonde giggled above her, she lay still, letting her sister stay where she was. Their father's job transfer had been the official reason for the move, but there was more to it. Molly knew that Alana's struggles with bullying at her old school had been a major factor too, though it wasn't something they often talked about. Molly couldn't understand it—why people would treat Alana that way. Alana Jensen was sweet, generous, and always willing to help, but maybe that was the problem. She never stood up for herself, always too nice, always too trusting. Molly had always been there to look out for her, but now, in this new place, she couldn't help but wonder if she could protect her sister in the same way.

The older blonde smiled softly and, with some effort, rolled Alana off her, sitting up and stretching. Her eyes caught the pink streaks hidden in her hair, a small remnant of one of her friendships back home. She grinned, "Alright, get out so I can get dressed," she said with a chuckle. "We'll eat, and then head out. Sound good?"

"KK!" Alana's voice was a mix of excitement and impatience as she bounced off the bed and ran out of the room, closing the door behind her with a cheerful slam.

Molly took a deep breath and dragged herself out of bed, her limbs feeling heavy as she scanned the closet for something to wear. She grabbed a random pair of jeans, a simple band tee, and a pale yellow flannel, before heading to the bathroom to get ready. Her reflection in the mirror stared back at her, calm and collected. But inside, she was a storm—dreading the day ahead, feeling disconnected from the life she had left behind. She wished she could go back to Hollywood, back to the days when she could hang out with her friends, making music with Andre, calming Jade down every time her temper flared, lecturing Beck to be a better boyfriend, listening to Robbie's nerdy rants and Rex's sarcastic comebacks, or just spending time with Tori and Cat. She missed it all. She even missed the ridiculous antics of their drama teacher, Sikowitz. Life here felt like a quiet abyss, a melody void of lyrics that she didn't quite know how to write.

Just as she finished tying her shoes, a buzz from her (weirdly transparent) phone interrupted her thoughts. She picked it up, her heart lifting slightly when she saw the name on the screen—Andre. Of course, he was probably already at school, surrounded by Tori and the others, gathered at their usual spot around the Vega girl's locker.

Molly answered the call with a small smile, her blue eyes meeting the faces of her two friends, who were grinning back at her from the other side of the screen. "Guys, I just woke up," she said, trying to sound more upbeat than she felt.

"Well, hello to you too," Tori laughed, her voice warm. "We just wanted to check in before your first day as 'the new girl' drives you crazy."

"I miss you guys already," Molly said, her voice betraying a hint of emotion.

Andre's smile softened, his eyes filled with a mix of sympathy and longing. "We miss you too, MJ," he said, his voice low. She could see the sadness in his eyes, the same that she felt.

Just then, Alana burst back into the room, holding a blueberry muffin in her hands like it was the most important thing in the world. "Come on, M, we're gonna be late!" She announced, her voice full of energy.

The blonde and pink haired girl sent her friends an apologetic look, muttering, "Talk to you later," before hanging up the call. She grabbed her things and followed her sister out the door. "So, what's the one thing you're most excited for?" She asked as they stepped out into the cool morning air.

"I wanna make new friends," Alana said, her smile wide and sincere. "I miss my old ones, and not having any will make me look weird."

Molly smiled softly, pulling her sister into a side-hug as they walked down the unfamiliar streets. It was a new world for both of them. She was grateful that Alana still had her optimism, but she couldn't shake the feeling of dread that lingered. At least, she thought, she could be there for her little sister. She would make sure Alana wouldn't have to face this alone.

"I'm sure you'll make plenty of friends, Bug," She reassured her, her voice warm but tinged with uncertainty.

"Really?"

Molly nodded, her blue feather earrings swaying with each step they took. "Definitely. You rock."

Alana's face lit up, her smile growing even wider as they continued on their way to their new schools. "You rock too," she said, her voice filled with such innocence and joy that Molly couldn't help but smile back.

✰

Transferring schools in the middle of the first semester was far from ideal. In fact, it was possibly one of the most awkward and uncomfortable situations a fourteen-year-old girl could face. Starting over wasn't easy. It never was.

She'd nearly collapsed from breathlessness as she stepped into the school, her eyes wide as she took in the sight before her. The rows of bland blue lockers stretched endlessly down the hallways, their dullness almost suffocating in its monotony. The air felt thick with the weight of this new place, and Molly couldn't help but feel the stark contrast to everything she was used to. The lack of creativity around her—plain lockers, unvaried outfits, and walls of a sterile orange and eggshell paint—made her stomach churn with discomfort. This wasn't the vibrant, eclectic energy of Hollywood Arts; it was something... lifeless.

She looked around nervously, rubbing her elbow as her eyes darted from one featureless corner to another. She'd never felt like this before—not in the bustling streets of LA, not even when facing a tough crowd during a performance. But here, in this strange, unfamiliar place, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was a misfit. It gnawed at her. She wasn't the type to blend in, but she wasn't used to feeling like she didn't belong, either.

It didn't take long for others to notice her. A few curious glances followed her every move, followed by confused looks exchanged in quiet whispers. Her eyes flicked from face to face, noting the lack of individuality in each. No one here seemed to express themselves in the same way. There were no brightly colored hair streaks, no personalized backpacks, and no unique accessories. Everyone seemed to be cut from the same cloth, a sea of dullness with no sparks of creativity. It felt like a world where everyone had forgotten how to be different.

Molly drew a deep breath and put on her best, most confident smile. Beneath it, however, a ripple of doubt twisted in her stomach. She was Molly Jensen. She shouldn't feel insecure, not here, not anywhere. She was a force of nature, right? So why did everything feel so... off? Still, she pushed the thoughts away, determined not to let the discomfort show. She wasn't going to let this place get to her. She was great.

Her eyes wandered through the sea of students as she walked, looking for something familiar, something that might ground her in this sea of new faces. Her gaze landed on a boy wearing a striped long-sleeve shirt. His curly brown hair caught her attention, and for a fleeting moment, she thought of Robbie—the way he would argue with Rex, even though he was the one controlling that cursed puppet, how they would all joke and laugh together. She missed her friends more than she realized. Molly hesitated for a moment, then decided to take action, moving toward the boy.

She tapped him gently on the shoulder, her voice polite and warm. "Hi, I'm so sorry to bother you, but—could you point me to the office? I'm new and haven't picked up my schedule yet."

The boy turned around, and his eyes immediately widened as he took in the sight of her—his posture straightening, his words coming out in a rushed, higher-pitched tone. "Yeah! It's down the hall to the right," he said, a bit too eagerly.

Molly bit her lip to suppress a laugh at how flustered he seemed. She had seen the same reaction from a few others back home when they'd first met her, but here, it felt different—stranger somehow. Maybe his demeanor was because he didn't have his best friends by his side to ground him. Or maybe it was just because she was the new girl, who was effortlessly pretty. Regardless, his nerves were almost... endearing.

"Thanks," She replied, her voice light, though she had to bite back her amusement.

The boy, still looking a little too thrilled, quickly added, "Uh, Jasper! Jasper Dunlop," and stuck his hand out for a handshake.

She took his hand with a gentle smile, chuckling softly. "Molly Jensen," she said, shaking his hand firmly before pulling back. She nodded, "See you around, Jasper Dunlop."

With a brief wave, she turned and made her way to the office, picking up her schedule. But as she walked down the hall, the sense of unfamiliarity weighed heavily on her. She couldn't help but glance nervously at the walls and the people around her. For someone who had always been outgoing and self-assured, this was an experience she wasn't used to—feeling so disconnected.

Molly spent the next twenty minutes wandering the hallways, hoping she wouldn't get lost again. It seemed like no matter which way she turned, the place just stretched on and on, each corner looking the same as the last. Her mind wandered back home—the late nights spent writing songs with Andre, hanging out with Jade and Beck, even spending time shopping with Cat. Her life back there had been a whirlwind, but it had been hers. Here, she felt like an outsider in a world that didn't seem to care whether she fit in or not.

Finally, she reached her homeroom, but when she opened the door, the room went dead silent. All eyes turned toward her. The students, sitting at their desks, stared with a mixture of confusion and quiet judgment. Molly's heart skipped a beat, and for a moment, she wished she could disappear into the floor. The teacher—a bitter-looking woman in a neon orange cardigan—glared over the top of her glasses, the expression on her face sharp enough to cut through glass.

"Can I help you?" she asked, her nasally voice cold and dismissive, as if the girl had already overstayed her welcome.

Molly's feet froze at the door, but she refused to let the woman's icy gaze make her falter. With a deep breath, she forced her smile to stay in place. "Sorry to interrupt," she said, keeping her voice steady. "I got lost. I'm your new student, Molly Jensen."

The teacher's face remained stone-like, and she barely spared Molly a glance. "I don't care," she snapped, her voice edged with annoyance. "Take the empty seat next to Jasper."

The girl nodded quickly, feeling the weight of the room's silence pressing in on her. She threaded her way between the desks, trying not to trip over her own feet, and sat down next to Jasper, who was watching her with a sympathetic smile. His expression seemed to offer a small measure of comfort in the midst of the awkwardness that had enveloped her.

As she settled into the seat, Molly leaned toward him, whispering, "Well, that could've gone better," her voice tinged with dry humor.

Jasper grinned, giving her a small nod. "Yeah, well, welcome to Swellview," he said, his smile warm in contrast to the cold reception she'd just received. Despite everything, Molly couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope at the kindness in his face. Maybe this place wasn't as bad as it seemed—if she could find a way to navigate the awkwardness.

✰

After class, Jasper flashed Molly an eager grin and offered to introduce her to his friends. The suggestion gave Molly pause, and she hesitated, unsure why. She was Molly Jensen, after all—fearless, outgoing, and unapologetically herself. She wasn't one to shy away from meeting new people. So why did her stomach twist with nerves? With a quick mental shake, she reminded herself who she was. Awkwardness wasn't part of her brand.

She trailed after the boy as they exited the classroom, the vivid pink streaks in her blonde hair catching the light as she moved. The hallways buzzed with the chaos of students between periods, but Molly could feel the weight of eyes on her again. She tried to brush it off, focusing instead on Jasper's animated commentary about their homeroom teacher, Miss Shapen.

"Miss Shapen hates everyone," he declared, his voice lowering as though the teacher might hear him. "Except for her cats. I think she has, like, seven."

"Miss Shapen?" Molly repeated, her lips twitching into a grin as she glanced at the woman's name on her schedule. "That's... extremely unfortunate for her."

"I know, right?" Jasper laughed, his enthusiasm drawing a soft chuckle from her.

They wound their way through the crowded halls until they stopped near a set of dull blue lockers close to the school's main entrance. Molly's gaze landed on two students standing there. The pair were deeply engaged in conversation, their voices lowered to hushed whispers as though sharing a secret. Molly immediately took in their contrasting appearances—one with an air of sharp intelligence, the other radiating a kind of casual coolness.

"Hey, guys!" The curly haired boy called out, his voice cutting through their quiet exchange. The pair turned toward him, their conversation halting as they noticed the unfamiliar girl by his side. "This is Molly. She's new," he announced, gesturing to her proudly. "Molly, this is Henry and Charlotte."

Molly offered a small wave, her lips curling into a polite smile. "Hi," she said softly, her voice carrying a hint of cautious optimism.

Charlotte was the first to respond, her expression immediately lighting up with a warm, genuine smile. "Hi," she greeted, her tone kind and welcoming.

Charlotte was striking in a way that felt effortless—her espresso-toned skin glowing under the harsh fluorescent lights, her natural curls framing her face perfectly. She wore a fitted black long-sleeve top with jeans and ankle boots, her look simple but stylish.

Henry, on the other hand, looked completely caught off guard. His eyes widened slightly as he took in Molly's appearance, his mouth opening as if to speak, only to close again. He seemed... frozen, his expression one of muted surprise. Molly found it oddly endearing, even if it was a little awkward. His messy, dirty blonde hair fell slightly over his forehead, framing his hickory-brown eyes. He wore a red flannel shirt layered over a plain black t-shirt, paired with slightly scuffed jeans. What really caught her attention, though, was the peculiar watch on his wrist. Its bulky, futuristic design made her think of Ben 10, and she couldn't help but wonder what it was.

"I love your hair," Charlotte said, breaking the silence. Her smile widened as she gestured toward her pink-streaked locks.

"Thanks," Molly replied, her fingers instinctively twisting a strand of pink around her finger. "My friend tried to convince me to go green with her, but... I wasn't feeling it."

Charlotte chuckled lightly. "Pink definitely suits you better. So," she continued, tilting her head curiously, "how're you liking Swellview so far?"

Molly hesitated, her throat tightening as she debated her response. Honesty wasn't an option—not yet. If she told the truth, she'd admit that she hated it so far. The city felt dull, lifeless, and completely devoid of the creative energy that had always surrounded her back home. But she wasn't about to spill that to a group of strangers. Instead, she forced a cheerful laugh and shrugged.

"It's... alright," she smiled, her voice carefully measured. "I haven't really had a chance to explore yet. We just got here Friday night."

Henry finally seemed to snap out of his daze, his voice coming out slightly uneven as he asked, "Where'd you move from?"

"Hollywood," Molly answered with a chuckle, bracing herself for their reactions. It always caught people off guard.

Jasper let out a gasp. "Whoa. Do you know any celebrities?!"

"Nope."

Henry laughed nervously, scratching his neck, "Uh, wow. Must suck here, then."

Molly laughed softly, her lips curving into a polite smile as she worked to mask how much she actually agreed with his assessment. "It's definitely... different," she admitted, carefully choosing her words so as not to sound too dismissive. Her voice held a note of forced optimism, but deep down, the contrast between Hollywood's vibrancy and Swellview's muted energy weighed heavily on her.

Charlotte tilted her head slightly, her expression thoughtful. "Well," she said with a knowing nod, "Swellview might not be Hollywood, but it's not all bad. There's some cool stuff if you know where to look." She paused for a beat, then added with a playful smile, "We even have a superhero."

Molly raised an eyebrow at that, intrigued despite herself. "A superhero?" She echoed, her tone caught somewhere between curiosity and skepticism.

Jasper, who had been zoned out until now, finally jumped into the conversation at the mention of the man. "Yeah, Captain Man!" He exclaimed, and his tone could only be described as fanboy-ish. "He's like... the greatest superhero ever! Saves the day all the time. And! He came to my birthday party last year!"

"Captain Man?" Molly repeated, trying not to laugh. "That's an... interesting name."

Molly's mind swirled with the idea of superheroes being a normal part of life here. Back home, the closest she'd gotten to a superhero was a Beck in a cape on Sikowitz' stage. She couldn't decide if this was absurd or a little bit exciting. "Well, I guess that's one thing Hollywood doesn't have," she said with a wry smile.

"See?" Charlotte replied, nudging her lightly with her elbow. "Swellview has its perks."

Molly appreciated the effort to make her feel welcome, even if she still wasn't entirely convinced. She glanced around the bustling hallway, her eyes flicking to the bland lockers and the groups of students who occasionally glanced her way. The stark contrast to the vibrant, fast-paced life she'd left behind tugged at her chest, but something about the genuine friendliness of Charlotte, Jasper, and even Henry made the edges of her doubts soften.

For now, Molly decided to play along, choosing to lean into their warmth and their small-city charm. Maybe, just maybe, this strange little city would surprise her.

— b speaks!

bro i'm WAAAAAYYYYYY too fucking hyped for the movie to come out

also, don't be a silent reader, laughing at/responding to comments genuinely makes me happy