Keep Holding On

chapter 01

The aroma of various lunches filled the air as teachers chatted, unwinding from their morning classes. As Molly settled at a table with her lunch, her colleague Sarah joined her with a curious grin.

"Hey, Molly! Spill the beans. How was your weekend?" Sarah asked eagerly. Molly chuckled, taking a sip of her tea.

"Oh, you know, the usual. Lesson planning, grading papers, and a bit of relaxation." Sarah leaned in, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

"Come on, Molly. I know there was something more exciting than that! What was the guy's name again?"

Molly blushed slightly, a shy smile playing on her lips. Sarah's eyes widened with excitement. "Details, please! Are you gonna meet again?"

Molly giggled, "It's not like that, Sarah. It was just a casual dinner. Nothing more. And I don't think he'll want to meet again."

"But you'd like to meet again?" Sarah raised an eyebrow, a mischievous grin forming. Molly chuckled, realizing she wasn't going to escape Sarah's playful interrogation.

"His name is Mark, and I liked him. I'd give it some time, you know... One dinner is not enough, and he had potential, but I could tell when we were saying goodbye, he is no longer interested. Maybe I scared him. I don't know."

Sarah nudged Molly with her elbow. "Oh, come on. He has no idea what he's missing out on! Plus that's good if he ain't playing you! Didn't get your hopes up! There'll be another!"

Molly hesitated for a moment before speaking again "Yeah.. when? I'm honestly so fucking done with those dating apps. I can't do this anymore. I'd very much prefer to meet a guy in you know... normal life. Real life! Those dates from the internet are just sooo depressing!"

As Molly and Sarah continued their lively conversation in the break room, the door swung open, and Regina, another colleague, entered with an enthusiastic grin on her face. Her eyes lit up as she spotted the girls.

"Hey, ladies! What's the gossip today?" Regina chimed in, joining them at the table.

Sarah, always ready for a good tease, turned to Regina with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Molly here had a hot date over the weekend."

Regina's eyebrows shot up with intrigue. "Really? Do tell!"

Molly blushed but couldn't help smiling at her friends' excitement. "It was just another dinner with another guy from the dating app. Nothing too exciting. We won't meet again!"

Regina leaned in, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "No second date? Well, at least you had a fancy meal at a restaurant. Did he pay?"

"No." Molly said through her teeth.

Regina frowned, "Oh... well... enough about unsuccessful dates! Molly, are you free this Saturday? Both Sarah and Kurt are joining Alan and I! We're planning to hit the karaoke joint downtown. You should join us!"

Molly smiled, glancing at Sarah, who nudged her playfully. "Come on, Molly! A night of karaoke sounds like so much fun!"

Despite Molly's outward enthusiasm for her friends' invitations and plans, a subtle unease lingered within her. As Regina and Sarah chatted animatedly about the upcoming karaoke night, Molly couldn't shake the feeling that they might be extending the invitation out of pity for her single status and what seemed to be a less eventful personal life.

As the conversation continued, Molly found herself lost in her thoughts. She appreciated her friends' efforts to include her, but the unspoken assumption that she needed companionship to fill a perceived void stung a little. In truth, Molly enjoyed her independence and the quiet moments she spent pursuing her passions. Although part of her yearned for someone special, she liked her peaceful, simple life.