Perfect Strangers

Chapter 4

"No, it's nothing." she insisted.

You see, the thing about Molly is that she will fuss over those she cares for, but she won't want to burden them. It's not the same as whining to them for minor things, and she would never want to burden Heather.

Unlike Heather, she grew up in a warm family and with parents that gave her everything she ever needed. Back when they were small, kids used to call her a stuck up because she was always helping others out as her parents taught her and being praised by the teachers who all loved her. They envied her and shunned her, saying 'nobody likes a teacher's pet or a goody two shoes' and it hurt. There was a time that she tried to change to be accepted, but then she lost sight of who she was and ended up attracting users that were just looking for someone to step on to feel better. She wanted genuine friendships, but she couldn't find that when she wasn't being true to herself. Besides, those so-called friends of hers were quick to call her fake and turn on her when convenient. So, from then on, she remained true to herself and never stopped reaching out.

She was only human, she wanted to be accepted no matter how long it took, and she was glad she never stopped reaching out when she came across Heather. Heather just wanted to be loved, and she wanted to be accepted, they could do that for each other, and they became like sisters over time. Heather was just sad that she had lost sight of that because of one man. She was loved all along, and she didn't need to suffer.

"Molly," she called sternly, knowing what her friend was like.

"It's really nothing!" she insisted. "Just Mathew being a jerk as usual. It'll pass after a couple of days," she grumbled.

With the topic dropped, Heather just sat there with Molly lying on her lap complaining about the rubbish on TV. She had missed this, the time they would spend discovering new music and shows to fangirl over.

"Hey, Mathew." called out a delicate voice behind him in the hallway, stopping him in his tracks and making him turn.

"Oh, Helen," he greeted, recognising one of the more outgoing girls from his degree, and averting his eyes from the tight clothes squeezing her silhouette to enhance her curves and bust line. "What's up?" he asked with his usual easy-going smile as she approached.

"There's another party tonight, you coming?" she asked, dropping her voice a little and looking up at him through her eyelashes which would look cute and appealing if you were interested, but he simply found himself discreetly looking away again.

"That depends," he replied his smile turning mysterious.

"On?" she pushed, closing in on him some more.

"Well," he began dragging out the word. "I've grown tired of parties," he sighed dramatically. "Maybe if you make it more interesting for me, I'll consider it," he said in his usual charming, teasing manner.

"I can do that," she whispered seductively, closing in on him and unexpectedly planting a kiss on his cheek, making him freeze.

Sure, he often flirted, teased, and charmed, often went to parties, or just hung out instead of spending time with his girlfriend, but never did anyone but Molly ever kiss him.

"Quite comfortable, aren't we?" cut in another delicate, soft voice, that sounded rather angered just when Helen was about to say she could make things more interesting than this, making them both turn to Molly who was standing stiff, her usual joyful expression turned into a scowl as her arms remained crossed over her chest.

"Molly." immediately called Mathew a bit panicked as he stepped back, putting distance between him and Helen.

"You still know how to call me?" she snapped back, her cold gaze landing on him alone, and it was safe to say he messed up big time this time.