THE SINGER AND THE SIDEKICK
CHAPTER SIX

SWELLVIEW WAS finally beginning to feel like home. The once-frequent stares from her classmates had faded into the background, her vivid pink-streaked hair a feature of herself she no longer felt the need to explain. Bonds she had formed were growing stronger, weaving a sense of belonging that dulled the ache of displacement. Though the pangs in her chest still lingered, Molly Jensen found herself settling comfortably into this new chapter of her life.

The peace of the morning shattered when her bedroom door slammed open, startling her awake. Molly shot up in bed, her ocean-blue eyes wide with alarm, scanning the doorway for the source of the intrusion.

Her shoulders relaxed as recognition set in, though a glare quickly replaced her surprise. Charlotte Page and Jasper Dunlop stood there, grinning from ear to ear, their backpacks slung haphazardly over their shoulders. Behind them, Henry Hart leaned casually against the doorway, a knowing smirk tugging at his lips.

"I actually hate you guys," Molly grumbled, her voice muffled by the grogginess of sleep.

"Mmm, no you don't," Henry quipped, stepping into her room with a mischievous glint in his eye.

She groaned dramatically, flopping back onto her bed and burrowing under the covers. She didn't want to face the day, let alone the chaos her friends were undoubtedly about to drag her into. Her head throbbed—not from fatigue, but from the relentless weight of her thoughts. Today was supposed to be special, a day for joy and celebration. Yet she felt crushed by the heavy cloud of betrayal hanging over her.

It was her first birthday without Andre. For years, he had been a constant presence, the glue that held together her most cherished memories. The absence felt strange, like an incomplete melody. She wondered if he even remembered. If anyone from Hollywood Arts remembered. The thought of scrolling through her phone to check for birthday messages only deepened the ache in her chest.

Her mind lingered on their kiss, a moment she wished she could erase. Though it had felt right then, it was now a bitter reminder of what they had lost. Their friendship, once unshakable, had been built on a foundation of creativity and trust. Why had he ruined it?

Better yet, why had she let him?

Her spiral of thoughts was abruptly interrupted by hands grabbing at her blanket. Molly let out a frustrated groan as her friend unceremoniously dragged her out of bed. She hit the floor with a thud, glaring up at Henry, who was grinning far too cheerfully for her liking.

"You've got twenty minutes," he said, hauling her to her feet and steering her toward the closet. "If you're not ready, I'm coming back to drag you out."

"You actually suck—at more than just basketball and Mortal Kombat," she shot back, folding her arms defiantly the moment he released them.

"Ha-ha," Henry replied, rolling his eyes but keeping the playful grin. "I'm letting that slide because it's your birthday." With that, he and the others left her room, the door clicking shut behind them.

His words ignited a spark in her. Anger replaced misery, and she straightened with resolve. She was Molly Jensen. This was her birthday. Why was she letting Andre Harris—who wasn't even there—ruin it for her?

Determined, she attacked her closet, pulling out an outfit that screamed confidence. Today wasn't the day for flannels and Converse. Instead, she opted for a dress with crimson lantern sleeves that faded into a black and red gradient, stopping just above her knees. A pair of black ankle boots completed the look.

After straightening her hair, the pink streaks gleamed vividly against the blonde strands. She applied minimal makeup—just mascara and a touch of lip gloss. By the time she finished, she barely recognized the somber girl from earlier.

Her door burst open again, startling her for the second time that morning. She turned, a genuine smile lighting up her face this time. Henry froze in the doorway, caught off guard. For a moment, his confident demeanor faltered.

"Uh, wow," he stammered before quickly recovering. "I mean—uh—I thought you were actually gonna make me drag you downstairs."

Molly laughed, walking over to him. "I was going to, but then I remembered—it's my day."

"Yeah," he said softly, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Well, you look great. That idiot didn't deserve you."

The girl raised a teasing brow. "Did Henry Hart just compliment me? Willingly?"

"Don't get used to it," Henry retorted, rolling his eyes but unable to suppress his grin. "Come on, birthday girl."

The two bounded down the stairs, laughter echoing through the house. Her parents and sister had left earlier, promising a family celebration in the evening, leaving her free to spend the day with her friends.

"Woah, MJ. You look hot!" Jasper declared as they entered the living room, earning a laugh from his friend.

"Thanks, Jasp," she replied, linking arms with Charlotte as they headed out the door. "So, what do you heathens have planned?"

"You better be talking about the boys," Charlotte warned, a smirk tugging at her lips. "I'm not above lecturing you on your birthday."

"I was. Don't worry."

"Hey!" Henry and Jasper protested in unison, drawing more laughter from Molly as they set off into the bright Swellview morning. For the first time in weeks, she felt genuinely excited. This was her day, and she wasn't going to let anyone—or anything—ruin it.

✰

The group found themselves laughing together in Swellview Park, each teen claiming a swing in the small playground. Molly's phone rested on the ground nearby, softly playing music that served as a gentle backdrop to their conversation. The late afternoon sun bathed the park in golden light, and a cool breeze made the moment feel almost picturesque.

She sat between Henry and Charlotte, despite Jasper's loud complaints about the unfairness of the seating arrangement. Instead of swinging properly, she swayed slightly, her boots brushing the gravel below in a rhythmic motion. She was fully engaged in a conversation with Charlotte, who was rambling enthusiastically about an invention she was in the process of building—a gadget she called the "Scream Machine." Despite its cheesy name, Molly found the concept fascinating and asked questions that only encouraged Charlotte's detailed explanations.

Henry sat quietly beside her, listening to her laugh as she nodded along to Charlotte's explanations. A soft smile tugged at his lips as he observed her. It was such a relief to see Molly genuinely happy today, after the heavy mood that had lingered around her in recent weeks. Happiness suited her—it lit her up in a way that seemed almost unfair. Hell, everything suited her. It annoyed him how effortlessly she could look amazing, no matter her mood or the situation.

His thoughts were interrupted when his phone buzzed in his pocket. He fished it out to see a text from Mr. Jensen: Everything's set up. You can bring her back to the house now.

Henry's lips curled into a knowing smile as he typed a quick reply of confirmation. Slipping the phone back into his pocket, he rose from his swing and clapped his hands together. "As much as I hate to interrupt, ladies," he said, catching their attention, "we should head back to Molly's."

Everyone agreed without question, hopping off their swings to begin the walk back. Jasper immediately claimed Molly's attention, sweeping her into another one of his oddly detailed conversations about buckets. Henry trailed behind with Charlotte, his hands stuffed into his jacket pockets.

Charlotte cast a sidelong glance at him and raised a brow. "You've got that look," she said quietly, ensuring only he could hear her. "I don't like that look."

Henry frowned, glancing at her. "What look?"

The moment his eyes met hers, he knew he wouldn't get away with playing dumb—not with Charlotte. She always saw right through him. He sighed, turning his gaze back to the path ahead. "Shut up."

Charlotte shook her head, her expression firm. "You are not making Molly another brokenhearted girl on your list."

Henry stopped in his tracks, his brows furrowed in confusion and annoyance. "The hell are you talking about, Char?"

"You know exactly what I'm talking about," she said flatly. "You're not exactly subtle with your staring."

His whispered tone grew defensive. "I wasn't staring! I have a girlfriend—"

"—Who you've cheated on before," Charlotte interjected without missing a beat.

He groaned, his frustration evident. "Who I won't cheat on again. Geez, Char, am I not allowed to just think, 'Oh, hey. Molly looks pretty today'?"

Before Charlotte could respond, the group arrived at the Jensen household. Molly opened the front door, stepping into what she expected to be a familiar, quiet space. Instead, she was met with darkness, the interior of her house unnervingly quiet. She turned back to her friends with a puzzled expression.

Then, the lights flashed on, and a chorus of "Happy Birthday!" filled the room.

Her ocean-blue eyes widened in shock as she took in the scene. The living room was packed with familiar faces, and a squeal escaped her lips as she realized what was happening. She scanned the crowd, her gaze landing on her old friends from Hollywood Arts.

Henry watched her reaction with a mix of amusement and mild surprise. He hadn't known that her Hollywood friends would be flying in for the celebration. That part must have been arranged by her family, but it didn't matter—Molly's joy was infectious.

She laughed and darted forward, throwing her arms around a small redhead. "Cat!" She exclaimed. Her friends swarmed her, all talking at once, their excitement matching hers.

Amid the chaos, Molly's eyes found Henry through the crowd. Her grin widened, and he could tell that he'd been aware of this surprise party. She mouthed a simple, "Thank you."

He shrugged, a small smile on his lips as he mouthed back, "Don't mention it."

The moment was interrupted when someone else stepped hesitantly into view. Henry's stomach twisted as he recognized Andre Harris.

Molly's expression froze. She hadn't allowed herself to think about the possibility of Andre being here, even though it made sense. She watched as he stepped closer, his hands stuffed in his pockets, his usual confidence replaced by an awkward hesitance.

"Uh... Happy birthday, MJ," he said softly.

She didn't respond right away. She couldn't. A whirlwind of emotions churned in her chest—anger, sadness, and a flicker of something she didn't want to name.

Henry instinctively moved closer to the group, keeping an eye on the interaction. His jaw tightened as he watched Andre approach the birthday girl.

Molly had been soaring moments ago, but now she felt like the air had been knocked out of her. Why did he have to be here? And why did it hurt so much to see him?

✰

She had spent the past couple of hours expertly avoiding Andre. She busied herself with the girls, relentlessly teasing Robbie's puppet, Rex, and even scolding Beck for not being a better boyfriend. At one point, she'd even taken the time to scold nearly everyone for not talking to her following her fallout with their shared friend, throwing in sarcastic remarks that had everyone laughing.

Now, she and her Swellview friends were seated on the couch surrounded by Robbie, Rex, Jade, and Beck, their laughter filling the room.

Charlotte and Jade, surprisingly, were hitting it off. They swapped stories about their idiotic friend groups, bonding over their shared exasperation and thinly veiled affection for their respective circles.

Meanwhile, Jasper and Robbie had struck up a bizarre but oddly fitting camaraderie. Their shared weirdness quickly evolved into a conversation that had everyone else cringing—or trying not to eavesdrop entirely.

Beck was more reserved, chiming in occasionally to laugh at jokes or defend himself against Jade's sharp commentary. Yet, his brown eyes frequently flickered toward Molly, his concern evident.

Henry found himself mirroring Beck's behavior. He was quiet, occasionally jumping in to defend himself when Charlotte brought up an embarrassing story, but his attention frequently drifted to the girl beside him. He noticed how her usually animated demeanor had quieted. Her ocean-blue eyes were locked on the bottle of cherry soda in her hand, the carbonation fizzing softly. She hadn't said much since Andre returned from the bathroom and started chatting with Tori and Alana.

Frowning, he nudged her gently, breaking her trance. "Molls?"

Molly blinked, turning to him with a startled "Hm?"

"You okay?" He asked, his voice soft but laced with genuine concern.

She nodded quickly, though her answer betrayed her. "Yeah! Yeah, just—uh—overwhelmed?" Her tone spiked in a way that made it clear she wasn't being entirely honest.

He considered her for a moment, his eyes darting briefly to Andre before settling on the back door. "Wanna get some air?"

Molly exhaled sharply, as if she'd been waiting for the suggestion. She shot to her feet before he could even move, muttering something to the group about getting another drink—despite her soda being more than half-full. She offered a tight smile before making a beeline for the backyard.

Jade watched her go, her sharp eyes narrowing before fixing Henry with a pointed look. "Go check on her."

"Why me?"

"Because we're talking," she said bluntly, gesturing between herself and Charlotte.

Henry sighed, casting a glance at his friend, whose expression screamed, "Don't be stupid". He rolled his eyes at her and stood, heading in the direction Molly had gone.

Through the glass patio doors, he spotted her immediately. She was standing by the railing, the glow of the pool lights reflecting faintly on her face as she stared into the water. Sliding the door open, he stepped outside.

"Hey," he called softly.

Molly didn't turn around, her gaze fixed on the pool. "Hey," she replied, her voice quiet. "Sorry I ran out."

Henry scoffed, leaning casually against the railing a few feet away. "Don't be. It's your party."

They fell into a comfortable silence. Molly tilted her head back to look at the stars, counting them in her head as a way to steady her nerves. Henry, on the other hand, stared at his thumbs, fiddling with them absentmindedly and fighting the urge to glance her way.

"Did you know he'd be here?" She asked after a moment, her voice barely above a whisper.

"No," he admitted softly. "I didn't know any of them would be here."

Molly nodded, exhaling deeply, but before she could respond, the door behind them slid open. Both blondes turned, their expressions shifting as someone else stepped onto the patio.

Andre stood awkwardly, his hands in his pockets. The blonde and pink haired girl immediately stiffened, and Henry caught the way her jaw tightened. From inside, she could see Jade watching them, her eyes sharp with a silent question. Molly offered her a subtle nod of reassurance before turning back to the boy before her.

"Can we talk?" He asked, his voice hesitant.

"Oh, now you wanna talk to me?" Molly shot back, her tone dripping with sarcasm and bitterness.

Henry's jaw clenched. He began to move from where he leaned, "I'll just—" he started, but his friend quickly cut him off.

"Stay," she said firmly, her eyes pleading. Henry hesitated before nodding and stepping back slightly, leaning against the railing but staying within earshot.

Andre glanced at him uneasily before shaking his head and turning back to Molly. "I'm sorry."

"That's it?" She asked, her voice sharp.

"Well—"

"You were my first kiss, got a girlfriend right after, and all you have to say is sorry?" Molly's laugh was bitter, her hands moving animatedly as she faced him. "I thought songwriters were supposed to be good with words."

"Molls—"

"No." She cut him off, her voice rising. Her expression darkened further at the sound of the nickname. Andre had never called her Molls before. Only one person called her that—one she trusted far more than him. "Andre, go back inside. I'm not dealing with this tonight."

Jade appeared in the doorway, her arms crossed, her glare unwavering. "C'mon," she said coldly, her eyes daring him to argue.

"Come on, just hear me out—"

"You're lucky she didn't just kick you out," Henry interjected, his tone sharp. His annoyance with the boy almost spilled over, especially at the audacity of him using his nickname for Molly. "Just go back inside, dude, before she changes her mind."

Andre hesitated but ultimately relented, retreating inside with Jade close behind him. She spared Henry a brief nod of approval before disappearing into the house.

Silence hung heavy in the air as Molly rubbed her temples, shaking her head in frustration.

"Thanks, Hen," she muttered, her voice strained.

"He always been like that?" He asked, still bristling with irritation.

"Nope," Molly replied flatly, staring up at the stars again.

✰

After their run-in with Andre, the night continued on surprisingly well. The girls from Hollywood had planned one last surprise, pulling Molly and everyone else into the backyard with mischievous grins.

Henry stood on the patio, watching with a grin as the girls pulled Molly over to their fourth microphone. Charlotte and Jasper were cheering her on from beside him, smiles bright as they prepared to hear their friend sing for the first time.

Molly glared at her friends, a small smile on her lips as she pulled her hair from her face. She knew they were up to something the moment they brought up the song they'd all performed before she moved.

She was in the center, Jade and Cat on her right, Tori on her left. Their friends cheered them on, Andre excluded.

Within seconds, Molly's voice echoed through the yard. "I gave you my best, but you wanted more, put my love behind a broken door. Now I'm done crying, I'm standing tall, boy, you ain't the king, I don't need you at all."

     The chorus sounded, all four girls having the time of their lives out there. It was amazing, watching Molly let loose like that—she'd never even showed them her songs, let alone allowed them to hear one.

     Alana was stood beside their father, cheering her sister on with a wide smile as their mother recorded the performance on her digital camera.

     Henry, Charlotte, and Jasper had all joined the crowd, dancing to the upbeat lyrics as they supported their friend.

     "You played your games, but I broke the rules, you thought you were slick, but I'm no fool. Now I'm shining brighter, yeah, watch me glow, while you're stuck in the crowd, watching the show."

Her eyes couldn't help but land on Andre as those words left her lips, her smirk growing more confident as her eyes fell upon her small little Swellview group. She nearly laughed at Jasper's dance moves, winking in their direction as the song continued.

Henry's stomach could've won a gold medal in gymnastics right then, and he was beyond happy that Charlotte was enjoying the song too much to notice his small freeze-up. She would've killed him.

But how could she blame him? Molly looked so happy, so free, so pretty in front of them, performing alongside her friends like she was born for it. Her voice soared, her movements exuded confidence, and her smile was infectious. He couldn't help but watch her, captivated, while the rest of the crowd seemed to blur into the background.

Still, guilt gnawed at him. He shouldn't be thinking this way—not when he had Bianca. Even though she wasn't there tonight, she was still his girlfriend, and she deserved better than this. She didn't deserve to have him staring at someone else like this, not again.

But the way she lit up the yard made it impossible to look away. That spark of attraction was growing stronger, and the thought scared him. If he wasn't careful, it would turn into something more than simply thinking she was pretty. He'd been with Bianca long enough to know she deserved his honesty, but the truth was, he wasn't sure how he felt anymore. Was it better to end things before it spiraled into something neither of them could come back from?

When the song ended, and he saw Molly approaching, every thought vanished from his mind. He'd think about it later—tonight was her night.

✰

"It's so not fair that you were hiding that from us this whole time!" Jasper whined, a wide grin plastered on his face as he flopped dramatically onto her bed, his arms spread out as if he were auditioning for a role as a fallen star. "That was awesome!"

She burst into laughter, her head tipping back as she sat in one of her beanbag chairs, her hands tucked comfortably around her knees. Henry and Charlotte had claimed the other two beanbags, their faces lit with smiles as they nodded in agreement.

"Seriously!" Charlotte beamed, her voice full of excitement as she practically bounced in her seat. "You've got to sing at my wedding when it happens."

Molly raised an eyebrow at her, trying to hide her amused grin. "Didn't you say you find dating stupid?"

"Not the point." The curly haired girl deadpanned, though her smile threatened to break through as she exchanged a look with her blonde and pink-haired friend.

She chuckled softly, pulling her knees closer to her chest. After everyone else had left for the night, she'd changed into cozy sweatpants and a hoodie, finally feeling like she could relax. She'd let her friends into her room, the four of them now gathered in a comfortable bubble of familiarity.

"You were amazing." Charlotte continued through the laughter, her brown eyes full of admiration as she nudged her friend's ankle with her foot. "I feel like a proud mom."

Molly laughed, shaking her head in mock embarrassment. "Thanks, Mom."

Henry, who had been quiet for a bit, shot a mischievous smirk at her, his dark eyes locking with her blue ones. "Plus, Andre was pissed." His voice carried an amused edge. "Like, he finally realized just how bad he messed up."

Her lips curved into a small, satisfied smile. "Good." Her gaze lingered on him for just a moment too long—longer than she'd intended. The silence between them felt charged for the briefest of moments, and she quickly tore her gaze away, redirecting her attention to Jasper, who was already asking her about other songs she'd written.

Henry felt a small jolt in his chest, his heart inexplicably quickening as he processed the moment. "What the hell was that?" His mind raced for an explanation. Maybe it was just the exhaustion from the long day, maybe he was imagining things, but it felt different—like something unspoken passed between them.

He tried to shake the thought off, pushing it to the back of his mind. After all, the day had been draining. He was probably just tired. Yeah, that was it.

✰

The next morning, after Charlotte and Jasper had left—each with their own excuse for leaving early—Molly, Henry, and Alana found themselves in the living room, laughing over their ongoing video game tournament. The atmosphere was lighthearted and fun, a sharp contrast to the tension that had lingered the night before.

Alana had crawled onto her sister's back, grinning mischievously as they argued playfully about their Mario Kart match. "You cheated!"

"I did not!" Molly protested, trying to wiggle free as Alana clung to her shoulders, giggling uncontrollably. Henry laughed at the sight, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "It's not my fault you suck at Mario Kart!"

"I do not!" The girl squealed, her grip on her sister's shoulders tightening. "You cheated! You had to!"

Molly laughed, trying to pry the girl off of her. With one swift motion, she tossed her little sister to the side, immediately switching tactics. She launched herself into tickling her, who collapsed in a fit of giggles as they both slid to the floor.

"Admit it! I won fair and square!" She declared, her voice filled with playful menace as she hovered over her sister, relentless in her tickling assault.

"N-Never!" Alana gasped between peals of laughter, squirming to get away.

The sound of footsteps caught Molly off guard. Before she could react, Henry tackled her back onto the couch, poking her sides. Her laughter escalated, and she pushed weakly against him. "Traitor!" She cried between gasps for air. "You've betrayed me, Hart!"

The boy grinned wickedly, his fingers still at her sides. "I dunno," he teased, "I think I'm siding with Lana on this one."

Alana, ever the opportunist, threw herself on top of them, determined to join in the chaos. They were a tangled mess of laughter, tickling, and playful resistance, the joy of the moment spreading through the room like an infectious wave.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang, and the youngest girl jumped up, rushing to answer it. Henry stopped his assault, smiling to himself as the sound of their laughter faded. The room seemed to shift in the wake of their shared moment.

Molly hadn't realized how close they were until the noise died down. A lump formed in her throat as their eyes met, her heart racing for no particular reason. Her lips curled into a smirk. "You're gonna have to try a lot harder than that for me to admit defeat, Hart," she teased, her voice suddenly lower, breathless from the laughter.

Henry's heart gave a strange flutter when their eyes met. It was subtle at first, a quick skip in his chest that he almost didn't notice, but the way she looked at him—playful, confident, and completely unaware of the way his chest seemed to tighten in response—made him feel like he was standing on the edge of something he couldn't name.

He could still feel the warmth of her laughter in the air, the sound of her voice mingling with the excitement that had filled the room only moments before. It was as if the space between them had shrunk in an instant, leaving him acutely aware of every detail—the way her hair fell in curls around her face, the softness of her lips as she spoke, the way her smirk made his own lips twitch in response.

He didn't respond right away, his mind spinning for just a moment longer than it should have. For the briefest of seconds, he forgot about the game, forgot about their usual banter. It was as if, in that single moment, everything else faded away. The chaotic tickling, the laughter, the lightness—it all seemed distant now. All he could see was her, right in front of him, her eyes fixed on his as if waiting for him to say something. Or maybe it was just the way the quiet had settled between them, wrapping around them like a fog.

It was ridiculous. He was overthinking it. He tried to convince himself of that, but there was this undeniable pull—a magnetic force he couldn't explain.

He cleared his throat, trying to force himself to play it cool, but his voice came out a little deeper than usual. "Is that so?" His words were more playful than he intended, but the feeling bubbling in his chest had a strange way of leaking through his tone. "I'll take that as a challenge."

She raised an eyebrow at him, her smirk only growing. But for a split second, Henry saw something shift in her eyes. It was fleeting, but it was there—something vulnerable, something that made her look almost unsure of herself for just a moment. His breath caught in his chest as he wondered if she noticed the same thing in him.

Before another word could be spoken, Alana's voice echoed through the room, causing both of them to jump apart, the air between them now crackling with strange, unspoken tension.

"It's Andre," she informed, her voice laced with surprise.

He watched Molly for a moment longer than he intended, his thoughts a chaotic mess. He wasn't sure what was happening, but it felt like a door had just cracked open, offering him a glimpse into something he wasn't ready for. His mind raced to catch up, to make sense of what was slowly dawning on him. Maybe it was just the way she had looked at him, or the way her laugh had lingered in the air, but something had shifted.

He ran a hand through his hair, trying to shake the feeling. It was nothing. Just a moment. He'd known Molly for months, and this was how their friendship had progressed. They were close, they joked, they had fun. But in the back of his mind, something gnawed at him, making him question everything.

She groaned, the playful mood instantly draining from her. Her smile faded as she followed her sister outside, wrapping her arms around herself to shield against the cool spring air that hadn't been warmed by the sun yet. She could already feel the familiar irritation rising in her chest as her gaze fell on the one person she hadn't wanted to see.

Andre Harris stood awkwardly in the driveway, scratching the back of his neck. "Hey, MJ. Henry."

Both of them gave him a curt nod, but Molly was the first to step forward. "What're you doing here?" She asked, her voice flat.

"I was wondering if we could talk?" He shrugged, the casualness in his stance at odds with the tension in the air. "You didn't really give me a chance last night—"

"I wonder why," she interrupted, her tone sharp. "Not like it was my birthday or anything."

She stepped onto the pavement, arms crossed defensively. Henry leaned against the porch beams, arms folded as he observed the interaction with cautious eyes, silently making sure things didn't escalate.

"I'm sorry," Andre sighed, his voice carrying an unexpected sense of vulnerability. His eyes were pleading as they met hers. "I freaked out because of the distance, and I didn't know what to do, so I... I moved on. Or, tried to."

Molly scoffed, her brows knitting together as she shook her head in disbelief. "I thought songwriters were supposed to be good with words? That was pathetic."

"MJ—"

"Andre, I didn't ask you to kiss me. I didn't ask you to disappear on me for weeks." Her voice turned cold, hard. "And I damn sure didn't ask for you to mess things up. This is your problem, not mine."

Andre dropped his gaze, frustration evident as he stared at his feet. "I know. I just wanted to tell you that I'm sorry. You're my best friend."

"Was," she corrected him sharply. "I was your best friend." She sighed, a touch of bitterness creeping into her voice. "Have a safe flight back."

Turning to walk away, she was stopped by a hand on her wrist, gripping her tightly—a desperate final attempt to try and mend things. She turned back, her eyes flashing in irritation. "What the hell, Andre?"

Before she could say anything more, Henry was suddenly there, pushing him back with just enough force to make his point clear.

"What the hell, man?" Andre snapped, his voice low with irritation.

"She's clearly done talking," Henry stated, his tone cutting through the thick silence. "So leave."

Andre, for once, stood his ground. He squared up to the boy, chest puffed out in defiance. Molly could see the tension mounting in the air, the threat of things escalating, but it didn't sit right with her. His aggression felt forced, it didn't suit him.

"What's your problem?" He sneered.

Henry's gaze narrowed, his body language exuding confidence as he addressed him. "She's done with you. Don't you listen? Leave."

"Molly doesn't need you to speak for her," he shot back, his frustration mounting.

"And she doesn't need you trying to crawl back, either," the blond retorted sharply, the words feeling like a punch to the gut.

Andre rolled his eyes, moving as if to brush past him. But before he could make it, Henry shoved him back once more, the frustration in his movements evident. He didn't take kindly to that, nearly swinging at the boy, but the blow never landed. Henry, easily used to bigger confrontations, had no doubt he could take him down if it came to that.

The air was thick with tension until a small, soft hand pressed against Henry's chest, gently pushing him away. It was Molly. Her back was still turned to him, but her arm swung behind her in an effort to keep him from getting involved.

"Leave," she repeated, her voice louder, more forceful.

"MJ—"

"I SAID LEAVE!" Her voice rang out, final and unyielding.

Andre's shoulders slumped, and with a deep sigh, he gave one last, lingering glare at Henry before turning away. He didn't say anything else as he walked off, his presence finally disappearing into the distance.

The moment the driveway was empty, Alana bolted through the door, her face bright with curiosity. "What happened? Did Henry kick his butt?"

"He wishes," Molly said with a mischievous smirk, finally feeling like she could breathe again.

"Kinda," he added with a slight shrug. "Molls yelled at him to leave."

The girl pouted, disappointment filling her eyes. "Awe, man. I was recording!"

She proudly showed them the footage, including the dramatic ending where she dashed downstairs in hopes to catch the boys facing off on the driveway. By the time she reached the scene, though, Andre had already disappeared.

Molly smiled, glancing briefly at Henry. "Oh, dude! If it's cool with you, this would look sick in a music video."

Henry raised an eyebrow in amusement. "Music video?"

Her smile morphed, almost sheepishly now. "Yeah, I've been working on a song about change. You know—the usual. Moving, making new friends, losing old ones. It's kind of a personal thing, but I thought it could be cool. But if you don't want to be in it, I totally—"

"Sure." He interrupted, his grin threatening to spread across his face. "Looking like the badass best friend in a music video? Count me in."

Alana squealed from beside them. "Can I be in it?"

Molly rolled her eyes, but her smile widened. "Of course, Lana. That was a stupid question."

She grabbed both of their hands, dragging them upstairs to show them the lyrics she'd written so far—some of which she was still deciding on. As they made their way up the stairs, Henry's thoughts were occupied by something else entirely. He realized that he had to break up with Bianca soon. The last thing he wanted was for his growing attraction to Molly to turn into something more while with her.

She deserved better than that.

— b speaks!
heyyyyyyyyyy
what is up
my guy?

look i'm sorry ts is so delayed i've had such a rough couple of weeks. BUT i will state again that i am a mother and will never prioritize my writing over my daughter.
got an issue? don't read my shit :).

also, i know i said that weekends won't be getting updates, but i've been itching to get this out and have been writing while my daughter and fiancé sleep. it's been a constant on and off of writing.