Hope Whispers

Chapter 5 | Love at First Sight

Chapter 5 | Love at First Sight

I pulled Molly into the Girl's bathroom and unzipped my backpack. I pulled out my black hoodie I stuffed in there this morning and handed it to her, but she just looked at it confusedly.

"Take it," I simply said, scrunching my eyebrows together. Why wouldn't she take it? Would she rather wear the shirt she has on now with spaghetti sauce all over it?

"I-I can't, you already have done so much, I-I feel ba-" I cut her off, holding my hand up to stop her and shook my head.

"I haven't done enough. Please take it, I have a million of hoodies at home, don't worry about it," I said, smiling at her. I shook the hoodie in front of her, hoping she would just take the damn thing.

She slowly nodded her head and gave me a sad smile. She took off her shirt, and handed it to me. I grabbed it, and in return she grabbed the hoodie.

As she was putting it on, I went to the sinks to scrub off the sauce on the shirt. I got most of it off, but the shirt was soaked. I put it under the dryer's and turned to Molly.

"My name is Madi, by the way." I held my hand out. She looked at it cautiously, but shook it.

"I know who you are, everybody does," She let go of my hand and fidgeted. "I'm Molly."

"I know who you are," I joked, trying to lighten up the atmosphere. She glanced up, giving me a half smile.

"Thank you for helping me, I- um, she never went this far before. She's been picking on me for years, but-" She sighed, looking down. "This is the first time in front of an audience." Her cheeks flushed, embarrassed of what happened.

My heart sunk, feeling sad for her. This has happened for years? What the actual shit?

"You'll be off her radar for now. If she ever picks on you again, please let me know. Bullies don't sit well with me,"

"I always knew you were different," she said, her eyes widening with admiration. "You're so unique, no one would've helped me the way you did. You have the whole package, y-you know. You're so confident and beautiful, I wish I could be like you." She finished, gazing at the sinks.

Wow. Wow is all I thought. I took her words in, my heart swelling with happiness. They say actions speak louder than words, so I did just that.

I walked towards her, my arms coming around her for a hug. She was surprised, but hugged me back.

"You are those things. But you're also more than words, you're incredibly strong for putting up with Victoria," I pulled back, smiling at her. "Just keep your head up. I'll see you in English tomorrow, Molly." I said, pulling back completely.

Her shirt was dried by now and I handed it to her. She gave me a grateful smile, and I gave her one back.

The bathroom was suddenly feeling claustrophobic, so I walked past her and left the bathroom.

I was expecting the hallways to be crowded, but I guess lunch wasn't over yet. I let out a breath and leaned against the lockers. That was crazy. I can't believe I did that.

And the fact that Molly thinks I'm confident and beautiful is even more crazy. I swear I'm in a dream, this doesn't even feel like reality anymore.

I stood up to a bully, yelled at the whole school, and got called beautiful.

Wow. Go me, am I right?

The lunch bell rang, surrounding the whole school. Students piled in the hallways, trying to get to their next class and get to their lockers.