That awkward moment
Day 5 of Sherlollyweek2016 and I choose teenlock. I pray any OOC-ness will be excused by the exuberance of youth. As such this is teen. Some mild language.
Being in love with one of your best friends is its own special kind of hell. Particularly, when you know they do not feel the same way for you.
Molly Hooper had begun falling in love with Sherlock Holmes ever since she'd heard his deep voice enter the room before him for years before. It was infatuation from the moment she saw his tall, gangly form enter immediately behind the full voice. The curls, the hair... The devilish grin he gave her as he slid into the table beside her. She was a goner.
He, however, did not find her irresistible. That wasn't exactly a shock to her. In truth she wasn't sought after then by anyone. It wasn't easy to catch a guys attention when you were short, brace-faced, had huge glasses and most woefully of all: flat chested. To her shock however the gorgeous, popular prick was rather keen on being her friend because she, in his opinion was one of only five or six people with enough brain cells to communicate reasonably:therefore they were to be friends. Good friends. Friends who studied, debated and watched each other's back.
And yes, there'd been times over the years when perhaps they skirted the line of being a bit more than friends. Times when it seemed the possibility between of them was almost imminent. Flirting would happen over science experiments and significant glances would follow hard days were occasionally shares but nothing definitive ever happened. In short it was just enough to make Molly Hooper ever get over her crush on him.
It wasn't until the Valentine's Day dance that final year of school. For the past term Sherlock had been seeing Janine. A beautiful, fun vivacious friend that had blown into their lives along with his mate John's girlfriend Mary the summer before. Truth be told the two of them made a good couple. A couple that you saw and thought just made sense with their matching long limbs and good looks.
Molly wished that she could hate her. View her as some sort of rival yet she just couldn't. Janine was fun and surprisingly kind. Her vivacious personality gave her an uncanny knack for making Sherlock behave and not be such an ass to , much as she wished she could hate her for holding Sherlock's affection, she instead found comfort in the fact that he was at least dating someone who was good for him.
In the mean time Molly was currently single. A fact that truly didn't bother her all that much, because it's not like she was lonely, or that she didn't have offers... She'd hated. Had a boyfriend or two. But they never seemed to last even a month. Most of the offers she got were from guys that she knew better than to waste time on. There was more to life than fumbling boys who only wanted to get into her knickers. Besides its not like she was 35 and single with only a cat! She was 17 and in no rush.
But the holiday approached, and one day nearly a week before the schools dance she was approached by Victor Trevor, a guy she knew more through Sherlock than not. "So... Molly..." He scratched his chin, a nervous habit of his "Would you...ah... You want to go to the dance with me?" Victor rushed out.
Molly stared over at him. Her mind immediately No! And her mouth opened to answer immediately, but unfortunately "sure sounds great" was the answer that came out. Oh Crap.
"Great! I'll pick you up at 7, alright? We'll have a great time, I know it. Been wanting to ask you out for a while now." Victor smiled his boyishly charmingly grin at her before he moved back down the hall toward. Molly watched as he made his way over to a waiting Sherlock. When Victor told the 'good news' Sherlock clapped his friend on the back in a show of congratulations... But as Victor wept walking behind he looked to her and gave Molly an unreadable look. What was that about? She wondered. Oh who knew with Sherlock.
Victor came, dressed nicely min a new suit to her house precisely on time. When Molly came down the stairs to meet him he took one look at her before nearly dropping her corsage telling her how beautiful she looked. After mum took an embarrassing amount of photos she was escorted into Victors car before the two took off to grab dinner at Angelo's. The pizza they shared was good and Victor was his amusing self after they sat and talked a bit about school work and movies. Molly found herself relaxing. It was starting to feel less like a date and more like being with a friend. Then however, he got a strange look on his face. Molly was in the middle of discussing the book they were reading for a test the following week when she realized that Victor was no longer listening or even looking at her. "Victor? Is everything alright?"
"What? Yeah I'm fine. No go ahead, You can have it." He spoke, distracted.
"What is going on?" Victor was saved from answering by some ineffectually covered giggles. Glancing over her shoulder Molly found the table behind them filled with the four of their so called 'friends'.
"Hello, love-birds! Having a good time?" Janine called out. Mary and John giggled along with her while Sherlock sat by his girlfriends side seemingly unamused as he looked at the table where Victor and Molly sat.
Spinning round to Victor she hissed. "Did you tell them where you were bringing me?"
"No! Swear to God, Molls. I didn't say a word."
"Then how..." Molly looked over her shoulder keenly aware that Sherlock still watched them. "Sherlock."
"Ohy, come join us!" John called and Victor smiled a half smile. "They're not going to leave us alone. Might as well join them." Then he hopped up dragging a chair for himself and leaving Molly to do the same (albeit wobbly in heels and her dress). The rest of dinner went well. Laughing and jokes although Sherlock was still more sullen then normal. After they had finished Mary and Janine dragged Molly to the ladies ( as per tradition! Mary giggled) where they reapplied lip gloss and grilled Molly.
"So Victor finally got the nerve to ask you out eh? You two make such a cute couple!" Janine smiled, Molly could see that she actually meant it, the brat.
Mary smiled at her as well. "That boy has been besotted with you for forever Molly. And as lovely as you look tonight it's no wonder why!"
Answering with a small smile the three headed back out to their waiting dates. Janine continued to walk forward with Mary and John continued showing something to Victor. Following behind Molly was stopped by Sherlock who gently grabbed her arm holding her behind "Everything going well?" He asked quietly.
Startled she looked up at him (something that she wasn't able to do to her own date she half noticed) "It's going alright, I think."
"Good. Good." Something in his expression relaxed but he still was nervous she could tell. "You look... Well Molly."
"Thanks. I am."
"I mean the dress and the hair." Sherlock motioned to her and her curled hair and shorter pink dress. "It suits you."
"Thanks, Sherlock." Molly chanced a smile, a smile that he answered that lingered just a bit too long as it made her heart flutter deep in her chest.
"You two coming?" Victor had rounded back popping his head into the resturant.
"Right. Just making sure my girl here is treating you as a beautiful man like you deserves to be treated. She's keeping her hands to herself, isn't she?" Sherlock teased, moving his arm to drape her cross her shoulders as he led her to the door and her waiting date.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
The music thundered and they danced in the colliding shimmering lights to the beat. The girls laughed and sang along half singing lyrics and having a truly fun time. John dragged Sherlock and Victor just off the the side of the dance floor where they sort of bobbed along but were able to talk too while still claiming to participate. Eventually, thirst over took them and they went to the refreshment table downing punch and finally taking a break to speak to the guys.
It was then that an announcement was made for the student council members to prepare for the naming of this years Heart Court. As members Janine, Mary and John went off to go preform their duties leaving the other three together. Victor spoke to them about the football teams upcoming matches but soon picked up on how little Sherlock and Molly knew nor cared all that much about the subject. As soon as he saw Greg walk by Victor quickly made excuses before darting tin and follow his captain eager for his attention and to input his thoughts about the coming game.
"You know, I almost feel sorry for Gilbert, Vic will talk his ear off for at least ten minutes." Sherlock sighed, shifting his weight and shoving his hands into his trouser pockets.
"And poor you left with only I to converse with."
"Is that bad? Do you want me to go somewhere else?"
"No! No that's fine by me." Molly said, nervously twirling a curl around two fingers.
Neither said anything more preferring to stand awkwardly side by side. Molly's toe tapped again, part in time to the music and part due to her nervousness. Which was foolish, this was her friend!
"Well, come on then." He huffed, holding out his hand.
"What are you doing?" She asked, looking at him like he's suddenly spouted a second head.
"If you insist on dancing beside me, you might as well dance with me." He spoke calmly pushing his hand toward her once more. She still looked the proffered hand hesitantly. " Come on, Hooper. What's the harm in two friends dancing?" He reached out and grabbed her pulling her nearer but still a safe distance away as he began doing a single side step to the 80's song the dj was playing. "Good. Now this is the part where you move to, I think you'll remember."
"Sherlock I'm not sure that I.. That we..." Oh screw it. How many times in her life did she think she would have the opportunity to dance with him? Molly relaxed and joined him dancing. Imagine that. She, mousey Molly dancing with Sherlock Holmes of all people. Sherlock, who was showing himself to be a shockingly good dancer as he spun her out and pulled her back in.
"See? No harm is being done to you." Molly laughed and relaxed a bit more to 'take on me'.
"You were right! Besides its not like it was a slower song." She allowed as it finished trying to put a bit more space between them now that it's over. The lighting changed right then as a slower song began its first strains. "Like this.
Molly stepped back burger but Sherlock surprised her once more by pulling her in, even closer than before and placed a hand in her waist. As short as she was, Molly's own hand rested on his bicep rather than shoulder. Close enough to his chest to feel his heart pounding a steady fast tattoo.
All the more captivating and confusing was his expression. Soft, content and happier than she could honestly recall ever seeing. The dim lights brought out the green in his eyes and Molly couldn't help but smile as she smelled an unfamiliar scent waft off of him. "What?" He asked watching her.
Blushing, Molly looked away. "Oh, nothing. I was just trying to place that new cologne you see wearing."
"Ah, yes. The cologne. Do you like it?"
"No, not particularly to be honest!" Molly chuckled. "Gift from Janine, I gather?"
"Very good Molly, you are remembering your deductive skills!" How pleased he was by that.
"How could I ever forget those lessons humm, Sherlock?" She teased.
"Mmhmm." Sherlock mumbled. "You're wearing a different scent too, I can't help but notice. This one is more bright and floral. Not at all like the raspberry one you tend to favor for school."
"Is it bad?" Molly asked, feeling self-conscious, even though she reminded herself that his option really shouldn't matter.
"No." He coughed. "It's not bad at all. It just makes you seem different tonight." Sherlock's thumb had begun circling her back and his fingers glided around. It reminded her of the nervous habit he had, almost like his fingers wished they were playing a violin. The sensation however gave her chills and she felt her skin go all tingly as a result.
"Is different bad?" She whispered looking up at him. No answer was said though because they were no longer alone. "Found this one trying to talk Greg's ear off. Brought him back to Molly so Greg could finally ask Sally Donovan for a dance. He's been dying to for ages now that he and Anne are on another off moment." Mary announced, giving Sherlock a pointed look. Sherlock for his part was actIng completely unapologetically for having been interrupted dancing with Molly. Rather than jumping away from Molly (as she had tried to do to him) he simply brought her captured hand to his lips before proclaiming loudly, "thank you for the dance, fair maiden. It was my honor to escort you on the floor when your own gallant knight left you alone in his pursuit of sport. "
His antics eased the tension of the group, who laughed (well not Molly, as she had only blushed furiously.) After the hand kiss, he released Molly, and she found herself suddenly in Victors arms, now continuing the slow dance. The position and movements wasn't as elegant as her previous partners was, but it helped her calm her head and Molly was grateful.
From over Victors shoulder she smiled as she watched Sherlock do a mock court bow to his girlfriend who laughed again at him curtsying in mock manners. If Janine was upset she didn't say a thing merely smiled as she pulled Sherlock in for a dance, a much closer hold with both her arms draped around his neck and his around her waist. She said something low, and private to him that made Sherlock laugh loudly. "Oh Molly," he looked straight at Janine, "I love you."
Molly had looked up at the call of her name and had seen the whole thing play out. Victor froze, mid rock and looked up at his friend. From the side John could be heard saying "oh, shit" before Mary stamped her heel in his instep to stop him from saying more.
It was only a span of a breath before Sherlock was blinking and speaking. "Janine. Janine! Right because you are Janine. And Molly is... Molly is there and she's not you and it's you I..."
"Sherlock!" Janine laughed out in an only slight chocking manner, was she amused... at least she seemed to be. She certainly didn't push him aware as he looked to expected her to do.
"Oh my God!" Was Mary's input into the situation. While Molly could only say 'oh god' Worse however was Victor who said absolutely nothing, and looked like he'd just been made the biggest fool of, and that made something in Molly snap. "Sherlock, what the hell? Is your mind trying to do one to many things at once? Because your slipping." Badly.
Shaking his head to clear it he groaned. "God it must be this music. It's lowering my bloody IQ!" Bending his head he balanced his forehead on his girlfriends and slowly, slowly the couples began to breath and move again swaying to the final chorus of the song pounded from the speakers.
Victor turned Molly away from the other couples and softly chuckled, "well that was strange. Particularly of him."
"Yeah... Yeah it was. Weird. It's been a weird night though."
"I don't know. It's been pretty great being with you." The boy blushed.
"Oh, um... Thanks. I was a bit worried about saying yes you know, to coming. But you've been, I mean it's been-"
"Molly, I love you." Victor rushed out.
Well that was unexpected. Therefore she did the only thing she knew to do. Molly laughed a small panicky giggle. "That's funny, Victor."
"It's not-"
"Would you mind excusing me? I need to pop to the loo. Be back before you know it." As calmly as she could, Molly pulled away and headed toward the loo in what she hoped was a normal pace. Hoping that no one could see how nauseated she was.
This whole night had been unfair. Why did this happen to her? Sherlock was with Janine. She could accept that. Hell, she could be happy for them even! But then the bastard had to go and act like he had feelings for her to and THAT WASN'T FAIR.
Not just feelings he told you he loved you. He loves you! Sherlock Holmes loves you!
But he didn't really. He had said it to Janine. Not her. He meant it's her that he loves. Not you. A simple slip of the tongue; an accident and nothing more. Ignore the looks, the dance the feeling of his skilled fingers soothing her. An accident. Stop it!
It wasn't real. It couldn't be. But if it was...
Groaning Molly reached the sink, turning the cool water in and pouring it over her hands and patting her burning cheeks. "Oh God, what am I going to do now?"
Yes, beingin love with one of your best friends was its own special kind of hell. But realizing that he may in fact love you too but not enough to actually be with you was worse.
Much, much worse.