Butterflies and New Beginnings

A sliver of sunlight snuck through Cereus' blinds, painting a mocking smile across her eyelids. She squeezed them shut, the remnants of a dream clinging to the edges of her mind. Collin. Again. He was there, his laughter echoing, his touch a phantom warmth on her skin. Then, the scene would shift, the laughter morphing into a cruel echo, the warmth turning to a chilling emptiness as he walked away.

Cereus groaned, shoving the covers off—another night haunted by the ghost of a relationship. Yet, a stubborn corner of her mind refused to release its hold on him fully. It was a confusing tangle of emotions – hurt, anger, and a sliver of something…undesirable. Pushing those thoughts aside, she forced herself to focus on the present. Today was a new day, and today meant… Matthew. A giddy smile stretched across her face. It still felt unreal. The boy she'd dreamt about for months, finally holding her hand, finally asking her out. Butterflies erupted in her stomach as she envisioned his smile, the way his eyes crinkled at the corners when he laughed. Humming a tune that refused to leave her lips, Cereus picked out an outfit that felt both comfortable and cute. Every step towards the bathroom felt lighter, the weight of yesterday's dream somehow dissolving in the anticipation of seeing Matthew.

Across campus, Molly wrestled with her own tangled mess of emotions. Seeing Cereus so heads-over-heals about Matthew was a bittersweet pill to swallow. Of course, she was happy for her best friend. But a part of her ached for the familiar routine – their shared walk to class, the whispered secrets between lectures, the comfort of their unspoken bond. 

Now, that space beside Cereus would be filled by someone else. A pang of loneliness shot through her. It was not a foreign feeling, It was the same in high school when Cereus was dating Collin, it always felt a bit lonely without her best friend.. Maybe, she thought, it was time to step outside their usual circle. Maybe there were other friendships that were waiting to be explored, other connections to be made.

Taking a deep breath, Molly straightened her shoulders. Just because Cereus was moving on, didn't mean she had to stand still. With a newfound resolve, she scanned the bustling hallway, a determined glint in her eyes. Maybe today, she wouldn't just walk to class alone. Maybe today, she'd say hi to that girl from her literature class, the one with the bright smile and the stack of well-worn novels.

Taking a chance, Molly approached the girl, Jessica. "Hey," she said, offering a tentative smile. "You're Jessica, right? From literature class?" Jessica's head snapped up, a radiant smile lighting up her face.

"Oh hey! You must be Molly! I've been meaning to say hi." Her voice held a friendly enthusiasm that was instantly disarming. "So, have you finished 'The Merchant of Venice' yet?" Molly asked, already drawn into conversation.

"Just this morning, actually," Jessica replied, her eyes gleaming with excitement.

"What did you think?" Molly hesitated, gathering her thoughts. "In its external simplicity," she began, "it encapsulates dilemmas inextricable to the human condition. Yet, most interestingly, the purpose of its creation remains the biggest unknown to date."

Jessica's smile widened. "Interesting! But I actually saw it differently. To me, it felt like a commentary on societal prejudice and the destructive power of vengeance. Don't you think?"

A spark ignited in Molly's eyes. This wasn't the one-sided conversations she was used to with Cereus, who usually agreed with her interpretations. This was a debate, a meeting of minds. They delved deeper, dissecting the characters, the themes, and the playwright's intentions. Lost in their discussion, Molly barely registered Cereus entering the classroom.

Cereus, searching for Molly, spotted her friend deeply engrossed in conversation with another girl. A flicker of surprise crossed her face. Molly always saved a seat for her in literature class. But then, she saw the book in Jessica's hand – their current project, 'The Merchant of Venice'. A relieved smile softened Cereus' features. Maybe Molly was just saving the seat for Matthew, who would probably sit beside her now. Feeling a surge of anticipation, Cereus took her usual seat and waited for Matthew to arrive, humming happily to herself.