Unnamed

As I flipped the pages, I stared hard into the books but my mind was elsewhere.

Of course, the clock.

I couldn't wait for Mrs Linda to finish teaching. I gazed up looking at the clock. Come on! just five seconds until the summer holiday.

"Five, four, three, two, one!!" I counted in my head as the bell rang and Mrs Linda finally left.

Oh hi, I'm sure you are wondering who I am? What all the fuss about the Summer Holiday was about.

Hi! My name is Molly. Everyone thinks I'm a nerd but definitely I am not. I think I am the coolest person you will ever meet but others seem to disagree and I can't blame them. They can't seem to get along with my style as a person.

Now, back to the summer holiday.

This story is about one of my wildest summer breaks and how everything about me changed within a twinkle of an eye!

"Molly! Molly ! Molly!" Fabiola called my name out loud. Oh, yeah. Did I forget to tell you? In a world where everyone seems to think that I am a nerd, there is one person who thinks I'm cool and that's my best friend, Fabiola. She's a blonde, now imagine how pretty she is.

"Fabs, sorry I was lost in my thoughts." I responded to her calls.

"Thinking about space and rocket ships again huh?" Fabiola asked, grinning.

"Come on, my world doesn't revolve around that" I told her with a smirk.

"Now, Mols. Where on this earth are you spending your summer break?" Fabiola asked me.

"My house, my room, where else would I get unlimited peace and quiet to think about science?" I responded with a puzzled look.

"Come on Mols, not this break again. How about you follow me and my sister to San Francisco for the break?" She could sense my reluctance, so she pressed further.

"Come on! it will be fun!" She whined.

"You have to get a boyfriend this break and a first kiss, if possible. It's time you got over your nerd crush Jake with the weird braces and maybe you also do your fun science stuff there, please, please, please?" Fabiola said with a cute face pouting her lips

"Okay, okay, you know I can't resist you when you say it like that, but first I have to ask my dad. When he gives me the permission, I will go with you guys, okay?" I agreed.

"But just so you know, I am not going for the opposite sex. I have to keep this body holy" I told her.

"Yayyy!!! Come on, let's go home. My mom's outside already." Fab said, dragging me by my hand.

𖦹𖦹𖦹𖦹

The drive home was just as it always has been, Fabs talking all through, her mom laughing and all and me just keeping mute throughout .

When I entered the house, Dad was already in and had prepared dinner. I went into my room , took a shower and changed into my pajamas. Dad knocked on my door just then.

"Come in ,the door is open" I told him.

"Here, your dinner." He brought in my dinner.

"It's your favorite. Spaghetti with little hotdogs cut up in it." He told me, smiling.

"Awwn. Thank you, Dad. Dad can I ask you something?? " I asked

"Of course, baby." He responded.

"Umm, Fabs and her sister are going to San Francisco for the break and they want me to come along, but I'm really not sure about going. I don't want to leave you all alone." I told him.

"Sure, you can go as long as you are going to make sure that you will stay out of trouble and don't worry about me being alone, I just took two more jobs and I will be busy throughout. So that's fine by me." he affirmed.

𖦹𖦹𖦹𖦹

"Molly!! Pack in the bags properly!!" Fabs shouted

"Come on, you really don't have to be this excited." I replied.

"We really have to get on the road quickly , it's 49 miles away and I'm the one driving." Belle, Fabs' sister said.

After stopping at 2 rest stops, we finally got to the resort . It was really beautiful. Cattle valley ranch looked really nice. After settling down, I took a shower and slept off.

I was jolted awake by Fab's insistent knocking on her door. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I groggily stumbled toward the door, wondering what could be so important that Fabs would wake her up at this hour. As soon as I opened the door, the mouthwatering aroma of my favourite food hit her nose, and Fab's beaming face made her realise that it was time for a delicious dinner.

As we made our way to the dining area, I couldn't help but feel excited about the prospect of spending time with my Fabs and her sister. We chatted and caught up on all the latest news, but as soon as the topic of boys came up, I felt my interest wane.

I couldn't help but feel uninterested in the topic, and I knew that my Fabs and her sister felt differently. They talked about all the different types of guys they liked, and I felt like I was on the outside, looking in. I tried to listen to what they were saying, but my mind kept wandering to other things. I was more interested in exploring the resort and trying out some of the activities than I was in meeting someone new.

By the time dinner was over, I was relieved that the conversation had moved on to other things. I knew that my friends meant well, but I couldn't help but feel like I was missing out on something. As we made our way back to our room, I felt a sense of unease settle over me. I knew that I needed to find a way to enjoy the trip, even if it wasn't in the way that my Fabs and her sister were hoping for.

The next day I went down to get a cup of coffee at the lounge, going back to my room , I bumped into a guy, but I just walked off like nothing happened, come on he wasn't injured , so I didn't feel the need to apologise.

Later in the day, I decided to go back to the mini garden to read my book. As I was walking, I saw the same cute guy from the morning sitting on the bench. I hesitated for a second, unsure of what to do, but then I decided to just walk past him and find a spot to read.

As I was walking past him, he suddenly stood up and blocked my way. "Excuse me, miss," he said, "but you just bumped into me again. Don't you think you should apologise?"

I was surprised and a little annoyed. I knew that I hadn't actually bumped into him, and I didn't appreciate him accusing me of something I didn't do. But I didn't want to cause a scene, so I apologised again and tried to walk away.

But he wasn't done yet. He grabbed my arm and pulled me back towards him. "I don't believe you," he said. "You're not even looking where you're going. You need to be more careful."

I was taken aback by his aggressive behaviour. I didn't know what to do or say. I just wanted to get away from him as quickly as possible.

After a few tense moments, he finally let go of my arm and walked away. I was left standing there, feeling shaken and confused. I didn't understand why he was being so aggressive towards me, and I didn't know what to do next.

When I got back upstairs , I told Fabs what had happened and she couldn't stop laughing.

"Fabs stop it. I realised today that sometimes people can be unpredictable and evil. I'm glad that I was able to get away from him without any further incident, but I still feel uneasy thinking about that encounter. I hope that I never have to deal with someone like him again." I told Fabs still pissed at what had happened earlier.

"Is that a crush that I am sensing there? " Fabs asked with a mischievous smile.

"Stop it ! Why would I have a crush on someone like that and I have told you that I didn't come here to get to know about boys" I responded.

"You don't have to be so serious about this , Belle has gone for dinner with a guy she just met, can you imagine? Anyway let's go for a swim " Fabs replied.

"Finally, something to calm my nerves." I said breathing a sigh of relief.

I changed into my swimming suit and went downstairs to the swimming pool with Fabs.

"Oh shit, I forgot my phone in the room. I need to go back and get it." Fabs said.

"Do you need your phone? Come on, we are swimming, you don't need it. " I responded.

"I need it. I have to capture every moment." Fabs said and hurried back up.

I sat at the edge of the pool, my legs in it enjoying the cool water on my skin. Suddenly, I saw the cute guy from earlier walking out of the pool. I didn't even realise that he was there. He was wearing nothing but shorts and was dripping wet. He shook his hair, sending droplets of water flying everywhere. He looked so hot and sexy that I couldn't help but stare.

He noticed me staring and walked over to me. "Do you like what you see?" he asked, mischievously.

I was flustered and didn't know how to respond. "No," I replied, trying to sound nonchalant.

He laughed and came to sit next to me. "Don't worry, I won't bite," He said. "Why aren't you swimming yet?"

I was still feeling a little embarrassed, but I decided to take him up on his offer. I got up and started swimming around the pool. He followed me, splashing water in my face and making me laugh.

We swam and played for a while, and I found myself having a great time. I was glad that I had decided to take a chance and talk to him. He was funny, charming, and a great swimmer. I knew that I wanted to get to know him better.

He snagged my number and by the time I returned to my room, he'd already texted me. "Hey Molly, you made my evening." His message left me grinning, but I ignored it and didn't respond.

The next morning, his text caught my eye. "Good morning..." I wrote back, realizing I didn't know his name. I sent it anyway, sparking our chats. His messages had me in stitches, grinning like a fool. Two days before we took off, he asked me out to an amusement park.

I rushed to the living room, "Fabs, I've got a date!" Her eyes widened.

"I know, it's odd, me going on a date. Maybe I shouldn't..." I mused.

"No, no, no, it's just surprising. Nerdy Molly on a date? Miraculous!" she quipped.

I smiled, a cocktail of emotions swirling inside me. But I'd agreed, so I'd go.

"Firstly, we're getting you a dress. You need a makeover," Fabs declared.

"No, no... it's casual. We're just hitting the amusement park. I'll wear a baggy shirt and joggers," I countered, raising an eyebrow.

"I'm not about to overhaul my look for a guy. I'm comfy in my baggy clothes and glasses." I told her

"But if you're not up for shopping, how about I lend you some of my clothes? You're not changing for a guy, you're just trying something new, for fun!" Fabs insisted.

I sighed, but part of me was thrilled. Maybe this summer was about more than a break from school. Maybe it was about stepping out of my comfort zone.

After much coaxing, Fabs got me into a crop top and cargo pants. I didn't want to stray too far from my usual style. Standing in front of the mirror, I felt strange. I didn't like my visible navel or the makeup I'd put on for this date. It's not a big deal, it's just my first date.

"Can't you see you look amazing?" Fabs asked. I just shrugged.

A notification pinged on my phone. It was him, saying he was already out. I told Fabs, she hugged me, and just as I was about to step out...

"Wait, these have to go," Fabs said, removing my glasses.

"Why do they have to go? I feel better with them," I replied.

"Just trust me," she said.

I met him at the lounge and we headed to the park. It brought back memories - the last time I was at an amusement park, mom was still alive. We bought tickets and went inside. As we walked, he held my hand. Surprisingly, I didn't recoil like I usually do when boys try to touch me. It felt good. I didn't want to let go.

"Which ride should we try first? Or do you want to check out the haunted house?" he asked.

"How about we get ice cream first?" I countered.

"Umm, there's a big line at the stand. Why don't you sit here while I go get us the ice cream?" he suggested, pointing to a bench.

I nodded, watching him go for the ice cream. I was scrolling on my phone when I heard my name. Looking up, I saw him coming back. For the first time, I really admired him. He was strikingly handsome, with curly hair and perfect, small pink lips. He looked about 6.5 feet tall. He handed me the ice cream and we headed for a ride. He screamed the entire time, like a total scaredy-cat. It was hilarious.

"Why did you suggest a ride if you're afraid of heights?" I asked as we got off.

"Scared? Me? No, I just screamed to make you laugh," he replied, wiping sweat from his face.

I giggled. He was really cute. We went to get cotton candy next.

"Hey, you've got something on your face," he said, pointing to the cotton candy on my cheek.

I tried to brush it off, but couldn't reach it. He offered to get it for me. Our eyes locked and I felt fireworks in my head. Was this one of my K-drama moments? He leaned in, staring into my eyes. We were about to kiss when his phone rang.

Startled, we both jumped. He picked up his phone, his eyes apologetic. "I have to take this," he said, stepping away. I watched him, my heart pounding, as I slowly finished my cotton candy.

As he talked on the phone, I glanced at the vibrant carnival around us. I wondered if this was what my wild summer break was supposed to feel like.

He returned after a few seconds, explaining there was a family emergency. He needed to leave. Even though I didn't want the night to end, I understood. Nothing could be more important than family.

He drove me back to the resort. We shared a hug and he gave me a quick peck on the cheek. I walked into the room to find Fabiola grinning from ear to ear.

"Spill it! What happened? I want all the details," she demanded. I giggled and shared the entire story.

"Oh, what a shame! You almost had your first kiss! How was it in that moment? Was your heart pounding? Did you feel butterflies?" Fabiola bombarded me with questions.

I laughed at her excitement. "Slow down, Fabs! Yes, my heart was pounding. It was like a drum in my chest."

"And the butterflies?" she asked, her eyes wide.

"More like a zoo!" I confessed, my cheeks flushing. "I was so nervous."

Fabiola squealed, clapping her hands together. "Oh, I wish I could've seen it!"

"I'm just glad he was so understanding about the whole thing. He was really sweet about it."

Fabiola's grin widened. "So, are you going to see him again?"

"I don't know," I admitted. "I hope so."

"Maybe next time you'll get that first kiss!" she teased.

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't hide my smile. "Maybe, Fabs. Maybe."

We resumed school the following week, and I couldn't believe my eyes as I walked into the building the next morning. Standing by his locker, there he was—the new guy everyone had been talking about. It turned out to be him, the same guy! My heart skipped a beat as he looked up and our eyes met. I quickly averted my gaze, feeling a mix of surprise and unease. How could this be happening? I had never anticipated that the guy I had already formed a connection with would end up transferring to my school.

Meanwhile, Fabiola couldn't contain her excitement as she approached me in the hallway. "Molly, you won't believe it! The new guy is here, and oh my gosh, he is so cute!" she gushed.

I forced a smile, trying to hide my inner turmoil. I wanted to be happy for Fabiola, but deep down, the news shattered my hopes of experiencing a blossoming romance. I knew I had to tell Fabiola about my own connection with the new guy, but should I do it now or wait for the right moment? The weight of the secret I carried grew heavier with each passing moment. I couldn't bear the thought of Fabiola finding out about my connection with the new guy.

"He's cute, don't you think?" Fabiola asked me as we walked down the hallway together.

"Yeah, he's just there, I guess," I replied with a straight face, trying so hard not to show it.

"Come on! He's hot. I don't expect you to find him attractive. He's not the type of guy you usually go for—you always crush on the nerdy guys with glasses," Fabiola said, teasing me.

I chuckled nervously, grateful that Fabiola didn't suspect anything. "Well, maybe I'm branching out this time," I quipped, hoping to divert her attention from the truth.

"Stop it, he's not that special," I said, feigning ignorance. Deep down, I knew he was more than just cute. He was the epitome of perfection—his hair, his height, his lips, his face. He had it all. But I couldn't show any interest in him. I had to keep this secret forever.

"Anyway, I'm going to try to get close to him. Let me see if his physical characteristics match his behavior. I'm going to find out what classes he takes. Also, you have to help me. If you see anyone who likes him, tell me so I can make sure they don't get under his radar," Fabiola pleaded with her puppy eyes.

Those eyes were impossible to resist. This was the first time Fabiola had shown such intense interest in a guy. Even if it meant enduring some heartbreak, I had to help Fabiola. After all, she was my best friend.

"Okay," I answered, my voice filled with determination.

Over the next few days, Fabiola and I devised a plan to gather information about the new guy, whom we now knew as Alex. We discreetly observed his class schedule, noting the subjects he excelled in and the extracurricular activities he participated in. Fabiola was determined to make a good impression on him, and I was equally determined to support her.

One afternoon, while Fabiola was busy discussing her plan to catch Alex's attention, I caught Alex's gaze from across the hallway. His eyes held a hint of curiosity, as if he sensed something unspoken between us. It was a fleeting moment, but it left me breathless.

Days turned into weeks, and Fabiola continued her quest to capture Alex's heart. She orchestrated chance encounters, participated in the same clubs as him, and even managed to sit next to him during class whenever possible. I watched from the sidelines, supporting her every move, but my heart ached with each passing day.

One evening, as I sat alone in the school library, contemplating whether I should reveal my feelings to Alex or continue to keep them hidden, fate intervened. Alex walked in, his eyes searching the room until they met mine. He smiled, and my heart skipped a beat.

"Hey, Molly. Mind if I join you?" he asked, taking a seat across from me.

My voice caught in my throat as I mustered the courage to respond. "Not at all. Please, sit."

"I noticed that you've been avoiding me," he said, taking a seat across from me. His warm smile made my heart flutter.

"It's not as if I was avoiding you," I replied, my cheeks slightly flushed. "It's just that we never crossed paths."

I leaned back, studying his face intently. I had a feeling something was up. "Is everything okay?" I asked

He hesitated for a moment

"Actually, there's been a lot going on. The other day at the amusement park, I left early because... well, it's a long story."

I nodded, encouraging me to continue. "I'm here to listen, if you want to talk." I told him smiling

Taking a deep breath, I began recounting the events that had unfolded since we last saw each other.

"Now, will you tell me me you have been avoiding me ? He asked

"You see, my best friend... she has feelings for you. And I've been struggling with that because I wanted to set you two up."

His eyebrows furrowed in surprise. "Really? I had no idea. But why would you do that?"

A mixture of emotions swirled within me as I tried to explain. "I care about both of you, and seeing her happy is important to me. I thought if you two got together, it would be the best thing for everyone involved."

He leaned forward, his expression thoughtful. "Molly, I appreciate your intentions, but I have to be honest with you. I don't have romantic feelings for your best friend. In fact, I've been hoping to get to know you better."

My heart skipped a beat, and I couldn't help but feel a surge of hope. "You... you're interested in me?"

He nodded, a genuine smile spreading across his face. "Yes, Molly. I've enjoyed our conversations and spending time with you. I've been meaning to tell you that, but I didn't want to complicate things."

A mix of relief and joy washed over me, filling the air with newfound possibilities. "I can't believe it. I've been keeping my feelings hidden all this time because I wanted her to be happy. But if you feel the same way, maybe we can explore where this could lead."

He reached across the table, gently taking my hand in his. "I'd like that, Molly. Let's take things one step at a time and see where this journey takes us."

As we sat there, our hands intertwined, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation.

However, as I processed his words, a wave of guilt washed over me. I couldn't ignore the fact that my best friend, Fabiola, had genuine feelings for him. The thought of potentially hurting her was unbearable. I hesitated, unsure of how to proceed.

"I don't know," I finally spoke, my voice filled with uncertainty. "I don't think we can work out, honestly. My best friend likes you, and I would not want to break her heart in any way. Imagine if she hears that you like me or finds out that we like each other. How do you think she would feel?"

Just then, someone asked the question we had been dreading. It sounded a lot like Fabiola. I turned back to see that it was indeed her, tears glistening in her eyes. Panic surged through me, uncertain if she had overheard our conversation.

"You like each other?" Fabiola's voice trembled with a mixture of hope and despair. Her eyes met mine, searching for answers, desperately hoping for a different outcome.

My heart sank, seeing the pain etched on her face. I couldn't bear to witness her heartbreak. In that moment, I knew that I had to prioritize our friendship over my own desires.

"Fabiola, I... we were just talking," I stammered, my voice filled with regret. "It's not what you think. There's been a misunderstanding."

Fabiola's gaze flickered between us, her expression a mix of hurt and confusion. Without saying a word, she turned around and ran away, her emotions overwhelming her. I stood there, frozen for a moment, not knowing what to do.

My heart ached as I realized the magnitude of the situation. I had unintentionally caused pain to the person I cared about most. Guilt gnawed at me, and I knew I had to find Fabiola and explain everything.

I dashed after her, my mind racing with apologies and explanations. I finally caught up to her in a nearby park, where she had sought solace on a bench beneath a willow tree. Her tear-streaked face tugged at my heartstrings, and I took a deep breath, preparing to face the consequences of my actions.

"Fabiola," I said softly, sitting down beside her. "I'm so sorry. I never meant to hurt you or betray our friendship. It's true that he expressed interest in me, but I immediately thought of you. I couldn't bear the thought of hurting you or jeopardizing our bond."

She turned to look at me, her eyes red and puffy. "But why didn't you tell me? Why did you keep it a secret?"

"I didn't want to complicate things or make you feel uncomfortable," I replied, my voice filled with remorse. "I care about you too much to risk our friendship.

"Fabiola," I pleaded, my voice filled with regret. "I am truly sorry for keeping this from you. I didn't realize the impact it would have on our friendship, and I never wanted to hurt you. Please understand that I was trying to protect our bond. I care about you deeply, and I would never want anything to come between us."

Fabiola's eyes glistened with a mix of anger, hurt, and confusion. "But why didn't you trust me enough to tell me? We've shared everything since we were kids. I thought we could always count on each other."

Tears welled up in my own eyes as I tried to find the right words to explain. "I was afraid, Fabiola. Afraid of losing you, afraid of making things awkward between us. I didn't want to risk our friendship for a potential relationship. It was a difficult decision to make, and I understand if you're angry with me."

Fabiola let out a frustrated sigh, her emotions evident in her trembling voice. "I can't believe you would keep something like this from me. It feels like a betrayal. I thought we had each other's backs, but now I don't even know who you are anymore."

Her words pierced through my heart, and a deep sense of loss washed over me. I had never imagined that our friendship would come to such a breaking point. But I was determined to make things right, to repair the damage I had caused.

The following day, Fabiola was absent from school. Concerned and anxious, I went to her house after school, hoping to talk to her and resolve our issues. To my dismay, it was her sister who answered the door and delivered the news that Fabiola did not want to see me.

Days turned into weeks, and Fabiola continued to avoid me. I felt a void in my life without her, and the guilt weighed heavily on my shoulders. I missed her infectious laughter, our late-night conversations, and the way we understood each other without words.

Unable to bear the distance any longer, I decided to write a heartfelt letter to Fabiola, pouring out my emotions and apologizing once again for my actions. I poured my heart and soul into the words, hoping that she would find it in her heart to forgive me.

Days passed, and there was no response. Doubt and fear crept into my mind. Had I irreparably damaged our friendship? Was there any chance of reconciliation?

Then, one afternoon, as I sat in the garden, lost in my thoughts, I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder. My heart leaped with anticipation, hoping it was Fabiola. But as I turned my head, I was met with the sight of Alex standing behind me. At that moment, he was the last person I wanted to speak to, as his presence had inadvertently caused this mess in our lives.

Avoiding eye contact, I looked away, unwilling to engage in conversation. However, Alex persisted and took a seat beside me.

As Alex spoke, his words carried a sense of sincerity that touched me. I could feel his remorse and genuine concern for the situation that had unfolded. Despite my initial reluctance to engage with him, his words began to soften my heart.

I turned to face Alex, looking into his eyes. "I appreciate your apology," I replied, my voice tinged with a mixture of sadness and resignation. "But it's not just about Fabiola and me. It's about the trust that was broken and the pain that we all experienced."

"I understand that you didn't mean for any of this to happen," I continued, my voice softening. "But it did, and it's going to take time for things to heal. Fabiola and I have been friends for a long time, and this has been a really difficult situation for both of us."

Alex nodded, his expression reflecting understanding. "I know I can't change the past, but I want you to know that I never intended to come between the two of you. I valued your friendship, and I still do."

There was a moment of silence as we both absorbed the weight of the situation. The garden around us seemed to hold its breath, as if waiting for the resolution that would shape our futures.

Finally, I spoke, my voice filled with a mix of vulnerability and hope. "I don't know what the future holds, Alex. But maybe, with time, we can find a way to rebuild what was broken and move forward. And maybe, just maybe, Fabiola and I can find a way back to each other."

Alex nodded again, a small smile playing on his lips. "I'll give you both the space you need. And if there's anything I can do to help, please let me know."

With that, we sat in the garden, both lost in our thoughts, but somehow connected by the desire to mend what had been damaged. The path ahead was uncertain, but in that moment, I felt a glimmer of hope that things could eventually be set right.