Everything Changes

Molly rested her head in her hands, feeling depressed, as the dancefloor filled with absurdly happy-looking couples, wrapping their arms around each other and swaying to the sappy love song that blared through the speakers. The bride (Molly's sister Michelle) and the groom (Michelle's new husband Brendan) were in the center of the dancefloor, identical stupidly-happy grins plastered to their faces. Moly's heart lurched painfully as the DJ followed up the sappy love song with an even sappier one, and all the couples remained glued together, looking blissfully happy.

"Stupid, insensitive DJ," Molly muttered to herself

"Yeah. God forbid they play love songs at a wedding." A voice right in Molly's ear made her jump. She turned and gasped.

"Aiden! What are you doing here?" Molly was sure that, after the words they'd exchanged, and the cruel way she had treated him, her best friend wouldn't even think of coming today.

"I was invited." Aiden reminded her, sitting down in the vaccant chair next to her, "Just because we're fighting doesn't mean that I need to be rude to Michelle."

"Are we still fighting?" Molly asked, looking down as chagrin flooded into her voice.

"Well, I don't take back what i said, but I'm sorry it hurt your feelings." Aiden said this very matter-of-factly, though he gave her a subtle sideways look to see if he'd hurt her again. Molly felt the scene from a few days ago replay in her head.

* * *

Molly tried to tune out Aiden's words as he spoke to her. She had heard it all before, and it was getting old.

"Are you even listening to me?" Aiden demanded.

"No." Molly turned to him, "You're wrong about him. Anthony is not like that."

"He's not?" Aiden glared at her, disbelief in every word, "You mean Anthony DOESN'T lie to you and flirt with your friends and not call you when he says he will and completely ignore you when you guys are in public?"

Molly glared at him, but couldn't bring herself to disagree.

Aiden, unthwarted by her silence, continued, "Just face it, Molly. Anthony Davis has turned you into one of those love-sick idiots who refuse to see the truth, even though it's staring you in the face."

Molly recoiled, pain blooming on her face as if he'd slapped her. She turned to him, knowing she would say something hateful before the words even left her mouth, "Shut up, Aiden. You are just jealous."

"Jealous?" Aiden was appalled, "Why would I be jealous?"

"Because I like someone that is not you." Molly spat, venom in every word, "Jealous that he likes me and I like him back. Look, I'm sorry if you've got some stupid little crush on me. But I don't like you that way, Aiden. Just get over it." Molly childishly crossed her arms and turned her back on him.

Aiden was silent for a minute before he spoke, "Don't worry, Molly. I am deffinately over it."

Molly heard him walk away and then felt the room shake as the door slammed. Her breath caught in her throat, and then the tears were flowing free. Molly sank to her knees and sobbed into her hands.

***

Molly winced as reality came crashing back down around her. She noticed the way Aiden looked at her now. His open, easy gaze was gone. His face was guarded, hurt still twinging around his eyes, though he was half-smiling.

"I'm sorry, Aiden." Molly looked at him, her eyes pleading.

And, to her intense relief, he smiled. Aiden stood up and extended his hand to her. Molly smiled back and took the hand that was offered to her. Aiden lead her out to the dancefloor and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close. Molly put her arms around his neck. They swayed in time to the music.

"Aiden..." Molly started, a blush creeping up the back of her neck.

"Hmm?" Aiden pulled back a little to look at her face.

"You were right." Molly murmered, ashamed and embarrased by having to admit this.

"About what?" Aiden looked politely puzzled, but Molly wasn't fooled.

"You know what." Molly sighed.

"Probably," Aiden agreed, "but tell me anyway."

Molly sighed again, "You're right. Anthony did turn me into an idiot." She looked away, feeling tears well up in her eyes, "He broke up with me yesterday."

"I'm sorry, Molls." Aiden ran his hand up and down her back. A very comforting gesture. "You deserve better."

"Do I?" Molly fought back her tears. This was the last place in the world she wanted to have a crying jag.

"Molly, I -," Aiden started, but was interrupted. Michelle ran over as the music switched to an up-tempo dance song, and seized Molly's arm. Molly tried to protest as her sister dragged her to the middle of the dancefloor. She called for Aiden as the crowd gathered around them, and she saw him on the fringe, just outside the throng of people. He smiled at her once, then he was gone.

* * *

Molly walked home, shoes in hand, the warm summer night air caressing her skin. The few people she passed stared at her. In a pale lavender, full-length formal gown, Molly looked like a fairytale princess who had escaped the pages of her storybook.

The reception had lasted until dusk, and Molly had stood in the crowd, smiling and showering the bride and groom with rice as they bolted to the honeymoon getaway car. Michelle and Brendan had kissed showily, and then they were gone. Molly had persuaded her parents to go home. It wasn't that far to her house, and she'd rather walk.

Molly saw someone walking towards her on the sidewalk, but it was dark and she couldn't really see. It wasn't until they were a few yards apart that Molly recognized the blonde shaggy hair, long and lanky figure, and slow, loping walk.

"Aiden!" Molly smiled. Aiden waved and smiled back, and they closed the distance between them with a hug.

"How was the rest of the reception?" He asked, turning around a walking next to her.

Molly shrugged, "Fine, I guess. Where did you go?"

"Drove around. I got to your house about five minutes ago, but your mom said you weren't there yet. She and your dad were getting ready to leave." Aiden paused, "Why are you walking?"

"I dunno." Molly shrugged, "Just wanted to."

Aiden nodded, forever understanding, "You look beautiful, by the way. I don't know if I told you yet."

"No, you didn't." Molly smiled, "And thanks." Aiden smiled crookedly at her and they walked on. They didn't speak, instead letting the comfortable silence settle around them.

They reached Molly's house and it was all dark, the air around it seeming still and sleepy.

"So, where did they go?" Aiden wondered aloud as Molly unlocked the door using the key under the mat.

"They went to stay at a hotel in the city for the night. Kind of like their own little honeymoon." Molly felt her lips turn up at the corners when she thought of the romance her parents still had for one another. She turned to Aiden and looked at him hopefully, "Can you stay?"

"I don't know. Can I?" Aiden raised an eyebrow.

"I want you to." Molly confessed, a warm blush coloring her cheeks.

"Ok. Then I will." Aiden tousled her hair softly.

"Will your dad mind?"

He rolled his eyes, "No."

Molly took in Aiden's clothing. He wore black dress pants, a white dress shirt, and an untied tie hanging around his neck.

"I've got other clothes in the car." He explained, noticing her looking.

Molly nodded and told him that she was going to go change. She left him and, once safely inside her room, slid the wispy chiffon-and-tulle dress off. She traded it for a worn pair of gray sweat pants and a frayed old Jim Morrison t-shirt. Just as she began to pull the shirt over her head, she realized, with a slight shock, that it was Aiden's.

A soft knock at the door made her jump. Trying to slow her heartrate, she called, "Come in."

Aiden poked his head around the door, then came into the room, closing it softly behind him. Molly walked over to her bed and laid down, curling into a ball on her side. Aiden sat next to her, legs crossed, and absently stroked her hair.

"Do you really think I deserve better?" Molly asked quietly.

"Yes." Aiden answered without hesitation.

"Why?"

The question hung thick in the air. Molly was about to ask again, thinking he didn't hear her, when he answered.

"Because you are the most amazing girl I have ever met. Sweet, smart, caring. The whole package." Aiden paused, "You deserve a boy that treats you the way you are. Amazing."

Molly sat up and looked at him, her long reddish-brown hair falling in gentle waves over her shoulder. "I love you, A-day." Her heart pounded as he smiled crookedly at the use of his childhood nickname.

"I love you, too, Molls." Aiden cradled a hand to her face, "I know it's in a different way than you love me, but I hope it's enough."

"It's enough." Molly assured him, "But i'm not sure it's so different anymore."

Aiden's face changed; it was almost blissfully disbelieving. "What do you mean?"

"You said I deserve a boy who treats me amazing." Molly reminded him, "You do."

"I'm no Anthony Davis." Aiden admitted, looking at her from beneath his lashes.

"No. You're nothing like Anthony Davis. Worlds apart. But only one difference matters to me: You would never hurt me." She stared into his chocolate brown eyes with her ice blue ones.

"Is everything going to change now?" Aiden very nearly whispered.

"I don't know. But I'm willing to change. For you."

At these last two words, Aiden pulled her close and held her against his chest.

"I love you, Molly." He murmered into her hair.

"I know." Molly closed her eyes, "I love you, too, Aiden."


<3 THE END :)