Molly McGee just wanted to have a fun sleepover with her best friend Libby and her new friend Andrea. And, despite a number of unexpected occurrences, most notably Libby getting her first period just as the festivities were set to begin, fun is exactly what their first sleepover together had been. Molly's "puppy prom" had been interrupted by her dad's arrival with a carload of snacks and feminine hygiene products, but after helping to unload the car, the three girls had returned to the attic to conclude their stuffed animal session and move on to the next fun activity of the evening. Molly had returned to wearing her pajamas, and had washed all the recklessly applied makeup from her face. Libby and Andrea were still dressed in their matching outfits, enjoying the last moments of the puppy prom.
"What a magical night," said Molly, putting on a dreamy accent as she made her puppy plushie give Libby's puppy plushie a kiss. "And a big thank you to Bunnificent for chaperoning!"
"It was my pleasure!" Andrea replied, making her bunny plushie wave its hand. "A wonderful night indeed!"
The three girls put their plushies down and began giggling amongst themselves, Andrea most of all. Molly and Libby looked over at her, smiling as they saw the genuine joy in her eyes.
"I'm surprised you enjoyed puppy prom so much, Andrea," said Molly. "I know from your vlog that it's not an activity you're really used to..."
"Which is why it was so much fun!" said Andrea excitedly, giving the bunny plushie in her arms a tight squeeze. "I don't ever get to do this kind of thing... it really is fun to play like an actual kid once in a while. But you already know there's more to me than just what's on the surface, remember Geode Club?"
"True... I'm just glad you had fun, I was having trouble coming up with things I thought everyone might enjoy," said Molly, blushing slightly and rubbing the back of her neck, only for Libby to place a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"You did great, Molly," Libby replied warmly. "Even if the visit from my Aunt Flo threw a wrench in your 'Fungenda'..."
"I'm just glad Andrea was here to make sure everything went okay," Molly said, leaning on Libby. "Still sore from the cramps?"
"A little, but the snacks and medication your dad brought home did help," Libby said, placing a hand on her stomach.
"Still... maybe we could skip cornhole and go straight to the 'stay up all night' part of the evening," said Molly, giving Libby a supportive smile. "It's a pretty light game, but I wouldn't want my BFF cramping up mid-throw..."
"Speaking of your dad, I hope all that stuff he bought won't... strain your family's... budget? Is that the right term for it?" asked Andrea, leaning in. "I could leave some money downstairs if it would help..."
"Andrea, you are our guest and I insist that you do no such thing!" said Molly, gently taking Andrea's wrist before she could even think about reaching for her purse. "Anyway, I don't think it'll be a problem. Between Darryl's wheeling and dealing-"
"How in the world does he know someone prepared to buy that much frozen pizza on such short notice?" asked Libby, gripping her forehead and using her sleuthing mind to try and figure out the identity of Darryl's mystery buyer.
"...and our family's awesome new health insurance..."
"Which my dad managed to secure for every city employee, including your dad, by personally lobbying the mayor! No deductibles, no co-pays ever!"
"Yes, thank you, Andrea," said Molly. "As I was saying, buying all that stuff was only a minor strain on our family's budget!"
"And there's more than enough supplies left over for when you finally get your big moment, Molly," Libby said.
"Exactly! So no worries at all! Let's just have an awesome rest of the night, just me and my best friends, Libby and Andrea!"
Molly pulled the two girls close giving them both a tight hug. Libby and Andrea looked at her and smiled, then at each other, remembering their pact from earlier in the evening. Despite the ongoing cramps and lingering discomfort, Libby was having a great time, and was not only enjoying being with her best friend Molly, but had also grown completely comfortable with Andrea, forgiving the bullying of their past and allowing herself to form new memories of the girl's kindness and support. Andrea was also feeling a mix of emotions... warmth from Molly and Libby, who'd shown her true kindness and friendship that she'd never experienced in her entire life up to this point... but also a growing discomfort of her own. It wasn't cramps, like Libby... it was something else, quickly making its way to the forefront of her mind.
"So, what next? Stream another movie? I'm down for another vampire romance, even if I missed most of the first one!" Molly's eyes were aglow with excitement, and she was ready for whatever her friends wanted to do.
"Well, maybe you should pick the movie this time," said Libby. "I know vampire romances aren't your favorite, you prefer animated princess movies and wild sci-fi action films, and those are fun too. Andrea, is it okay if Molly picks what we watch next?"
"Yeah, sure," Andrea said, nodding her head and smiling.
"You okay, Andrea?" asked Libby, noticing the slight quiver in her lip. "I know princess movies aren't really your thing..."
"Yeah, if you don't want to watch one of my movies, we can totally do one of yours," said Molly, scooting next to Andrea as Libby sat on the other side of her. "Or... anything you want, really!"
"Well, it's just... you guys have both been really awesome to me tonight, and... I'm glad to have you both as friends," Andrea told them, reaching over and taking their hands.
"...to be fair, I was a bit nervous initially," Libby replied, squeezing Andrea's hand tightly.
"I can't say I blame you," Andrea replied, sighing softly. "I know we didn't get off to the best start."
"Awww, you mean... well, a lot of things, really, but..." Molly trailed off, not wanting to recall any specific incidents, as she could tell Andrea was starting to get uncomfortable. "It's okay, Andrea, we're friends now and that's all that matters!"
Andrea squeezed the girls' hands tighter, trying to keep the smile on her face, but failing to do so. She looked down at the floor, letting out another sigh before looking up into Molly and Libby's eyes and forcing herself to speak.
"After helping you and your family get their house back, I did a lot of thinking," said Andrea, looking at Molly first, and then at Libby. "Seeing all those people show up for you... and hearing about everything you did for everyone... it made me think about everything I've done. And sure, I've got my channel, and my Fandreas, and they're... awesome, but apart from being super trendy and super pretty, what have I actually done for anyone in this town? I mean, thinking back to the first day you came here, I'm pretty sure everyone at school was scared of me!"
Molly remembered that day well... and yeah, everyone was scared of Andrea, and for good reason. She'd threatened Molly with total social isolation just for mispronouncing her name, and had apparently been isolating Libby for years before Molly showed up. Now, Molly could see the guilt in Andrea's eyes, and though she truly did like Andrea now, and truly had forgiven her, those old memories still hurt.
"...then I went on this online message board called 'Am I The Jerkface?', and asked the question, 'I told everyone at my school to freeze a girl out because she mispronounced my name, am I the jerkface?'. ...I mean, I already knew the answer before I even posted it, but according to 99.7% of people on the board, I am, indeed, the jerkface."
...I just wonder who those other .3% of people were... thought Libby, who rolled her eyes at the revelation. But, still...
Libby immediately squeezed Andrea's hand back, and Andrea looked at her, a deep regret etched on her features.
"Libby, I am so sorry," said Andrea, struggling to hold back tears. "For everything... for freezing you out back in kindergarten... for the third grade slumber party... I know it's... way too late to be saying all of this, and I know I haven't even come close to earning your forgiveness, but I truly regret all the terrible things I did to you back then."
There it was. The apology Libby had been waiting for for eight years, but had never expected to receive. Andrea was sorry... and she was sincere, Libby could see it in her eyes, and in the first of many tears that began to come down her face. She didn't know what to say, or even how to process any of this... but as her mind raced back through her childhood, her memories were different than those of Andrea's, and though the past still hurt, it didn't hurt nearly as much as it used to. Libby was used to being picked on, made fun of, ignored... and though it didn't mean the bullying she'd suffered was any more acceptable, or that it hurt any less, it had given her the time to think about all of it, and how she would ever respond if the time came to forgive.
"Andrea, listen," said Libby, sighing softly. "When I think back on it, I'm not sure you freezing me out is entirely the reason I didn't have friends when I was little. It's like I told Molly, I'm an acquired taste... I'm... weird, and shy, and... I've always been kind of an outcast. Sure, there were days I told myself it was you... but there were other times when I did have friends and I just... chased them away. I'm glad you're sorry for what you did, but you're not the only reason I didn't have any friends."
"Still," Andrea breathed, struggling to find her voice as she choked back more tears. "What I did was awful, and... you have every right not to forgive me."
"Andrea, I've already forgiven you," Libby replied, squeezing her hand even tighter. "For that, and for the third grade slumber party. Which, to be fair-"
"Was not your fault, you couldn't help wetting the-"
Libby's hand moved up to cover Andrea's mouth, but only for a brief moment before she slid it back down.
"Sorry," Libby replied, pulling back her hand. "I just... really don't like talking about it. And no, it wasn't my fault, but it wasn't entirely yours either... those fifth graders reacted way worse than you did, you were just... going with the flow, as it were."
"I should have stood up for you," said Andrea, her voice quivering, more tears coming down her face. "I should have-"
Libby pulled Andrea in, embracing her tightly. Molly embraced Andrea at the same time... though Andrea hadn't apologized to her just yet, she still wanted to support her friend... and she was so grateful to Andrea for apologizing to Libby. In Molly's heart, that would have been enough.
"I promise I'll do better," Andrea whispered.
"I know," Libby whispered back, tightening her embrace.
The hug continued for several more moments as Andrea cried into Libby's chest and Libby gently stroked Andrea's back, while Molly held onto both of them. Molly and Libby were both beginning to tear up as well, and Libby looked over Andrea's shoulder for a moment to look into her best friend's eyes and make sure she was doing okay. The two smiled at each other, before Libby and Andrea finally parted from the hug, holding each other's hands tightly.
"...for the record, I forgave you the moment I learned you helped Molly and her family keep their house," said Libby. Andrea briefly turned and saw Molly smiling behind her, then looked back into Libby's eyes, where she could see more tears flowing out. "Molly's been my best friend since the moment she came here to Brighton, and she's helped me come out of my turtle shell, so to speak... she means so much to me, so when I learned that you're the reason she got to stay, well... I didn't care whether you were doing it for clout, or fans, or out of the goodness of your heart, all I knew was that you cared enough to help my best friend stay here, and... I decided that if you truly wanted to be our friend, I could give you a chance. And... I'm glad I did, Andrea."
Andrea sniffled, but before she could reach up to wipe the tears from her face, Libby did it for her. She then turned to Molly, whose lips had grown into a beaming smile from Libby's kind words. She clenched Molly's hands in her own, knowing Libby wasn't the only person she owed an apology to.
"Molly... I'm sorry for how I treated you when you first came here. I tried to freeze you out too... I... know even Libby was scared to talk to you at first... I almost kept you and your best friend from even becoming best friends, didn't I?"
"It's okay," said Molly, sniffling and wiping her eyes. "I... I wouldn't have given up on Libby that easily...!"
"Oh, Molly..." Libby replied, scooting over and placing a hand on her shoulder.
"...and... not just that, but... I ruined your movie..."
"We still got to make it," Molly replied. "You make an excellent scream queen, by the way."
"Thanks," Andrea replied, blushing. "But... I know that's not the movie you wanted to make. ...while I was going around being completely self-absorbed, you were going around... enhappifying the whole town! Oh, and by the way, I had the trademark on 'enhappify' transferred to you. I know it's your word... sorry for trying to steal it."
"Andrea, it's okay... I forgive you too, for all of it," said Molly. "I'm just glad to have another friend... and I still haven't thanked you enough for saving my family's house. I know you didn't do it for clout... but... why me? I mean... why am I your BFF, Andrea? I figured you already had lots of friends... you're smart, you're pretty, you have an amazing website..."
"Thank you," said Andrea proudly, unable to resist praise even during an emotional moment. "But... I just told you, everyone in school was scared of me. I had admirers, Molly... groupies, hangers-on, Fandreas... and, I mean, I love and appreciate every single Fandrea I have, but they're not my friends, Molly. You... and Libby... are the first two people I've ever met who saw the real me and still wanted to be my friend. You saw me at my stuck-up, self-absorbed, clout-chasing worst and... instead of shunning me, or being scared, like... maybe you should have, you... were nice to me. Even when I didn't deserve it."
Andrea turned to Libby, who scooted closer to her with Molly. She looked at the two of them, and they held her hands again, listening as Andrea continued to pour her heart out.
"And you forgave me... even if I didn't deserve it," said Andrea.
"Forgiveness is a choice, Andrea. I didn't have to forgive you... and even after I did, I had some... second thoughts... I worried that you'd go back and hurt me, or... that you'd hurt Molly. But I wanted your words to be sincere... even if I took some offense to you calling yourself Molly's best friend, I did want you to be a friend to her... and maybe even to me. And now we are, and I feel warm inside... I'm glad I chose to forgive you."
Andrea listened carefully to Libby's words, and hearing that Libby had second thoughts about forgiving her at one point did sting... but only because she knew she'd hurt Libby enough to make her feel that way.
"And I'm glad I forgave you too, Andrea," said Molly, pulling Andrea closer. "You're actually a lot of fun to hang out with... and you were super supportive of Libby tonight... I didn't know the first thing to do when she got her period, but you knew exactly what to do, and how to make her feel better. I mean, I know there's a 'girl code' and all, but still, you didn't have to do any of that stuff for Libby, and you did all of it."
"I know it's not enough to make up for the awful things I did before," Andrea replied, "but I'm glad I was able to help you, Libby... and I'm glad you trusted me enough to let me help you. It... it means a lot that you'd trust me with all that."
Libby just smiled and tightened her grip on Andrea's hand, and Molly did the same.
"Seriously, Andrea... you were amazing," Molly continued. "I'll never forget what you did for Libby tonight."
"And I'll never forget it either," Libby said. "You were... really kind to me."
"...I want to promise both of you something, something I'll never forget," said Andrea, releasing the girls' hands and scooting back to face both of them, looking sincerely into both of their faces. She wiped the last of the tears from her eyes, clenching her hands to her heart and focusing on her new best friends with every bit of honesty and sincerity she could muster. "I swear to both of you that I will never, ever, ever bully you or anyone else again. I will always think about what I do and what I say and if it might hurt someone... and if I ever hurt anyone with my words or actions again, I'll do everything I can to make it right. Molly, Libby, you're my best friends, and I want to show everyone the same kindness and compassion that you've both shown me. From this day forward, from the bottom of my heart, for the rest of my life, I, Andrea Davenport, promise to show only kindness, starting with the two of you... my best friends forever."
Andrea extended her hand toward Molly and Libby, who both reached out and placed their hands on hers. As Molly's hand touched Andrea's, she could hear a faint voice in her ear.
"Mol," whispered Scratch, out of sight and out of earshot, "I can make that promise an unbreakable curse, if she ever bullies anyone again her soul's as good as-"
"No, Scratch," Molly quietly replied, looking up at him for a brief moment when Andrea's eyes were focused on Libby. "I trust her."
The three girls then laced their fingers together, sealing Andrea's promise. As the three smiled at each other, tears began rolling down their faces, Andrea's most of all. Molly and Libby then both hugged her at once, and the three girls shared a laugh together, Andrea's laughter mixed with crying and emotion.
"...I've never felt this good before," said Andrea, sniffling as the three girls parted from their hug.
"That's because you just resolved to become a better person," said Libby, smiling warmly. "In Hebrew, we call it teshuvah, or, the return to the path of righteousness and our fellow human beings that becomes possible when one decides to atone for their past transgressions."
"It's because when you enhappify others, you enhappify yourself!" Molly squealed, enthusiastically hugging Andrea a second time. "The word enhappify is a registered trademark of Molly McGee! ….oooh, that feels so good to say!"
The girls continued to laugh together, enjoying their sleepover more than ever now that the massive emotional weight had just been lifted from Andrea's shoulders. All three girls had been forced to confront an obstacle that evening... Libby confronting a potentially embarrassing bodily function in the present, Molly confronting her fears of a future where her two best human friends were leaving her behind, and Andrea confronting the cruelty of her past... and resolving never to revisit it again. Now, the three could stay up all night until they inevitably fell asleep... but with all that emotional turmoil, none of them felt as if they'd be able to sleep for quite a while yet.
"So... Molly, you were going to pick a movie for us to watch, right?" asked Andrea, handing over her phone. "I'm subscribed to every streaming service there is, so take your pick, whatever you want!"
"Actually," said Molly, handing Andrea's phone to Libby. "I think maybe I'll let Libby decide what to watch next?"
"You sure, Molly? My tastes in cinema are somewhat... esoteric, apart from my love for vampire romances. You want me to pick out one of my favorites for us?"
"Go for it, Libby!" said Molly excitedly, as the three girls scooted over to a large beanbag chair surrounded by plushies. "Whatever you want, no matter how... esoterical!"
"Well, all right, I'll go for something somewhat mainstream," Libby replied, scanning through the massive list of available films. "Okay, this one's perfect! It's a horror mystery movie from the late 1970s, said to have inspired some of the later work of David Lynch."
"Um, how... scary is it?" asked Molly, blinking her eyes.
"Well, it's more of a psychological horror film, but don't worry, I've seen it quite a few times, so I know where all the jumpscares are."
"...at least we'll all be able to cuddle up nice and close, huh?" said Molly nervously, looking over at Andrea.
"Ooooh, nothing bonds three new BFFs better than a terrifying movie! ...does it have any romance?" asked Andrea, as she and her two new friends scooted onto the beanbag chair together.
"Well, only if you count the macabre relationship between Eddard van Patten and his paramour from the depths of night- oh, I'd better not spoil anything, let's just start watching!"
And as the three friends began to watch their movie together, Andrea could feel a warmth like she'd never experienced before in her life... except for the day she'd helped save Molly and her family from losing their house.
She'd rarely done the right thing purely for its own sake before that fateful day... and even then, thinking on her previous actions had given her doubts. Had she really helped Molly out of the goodness of her heart, or had she just done it to atone? Maybe both?
But now... now as she lay in that beanbag chair with the first two real friends she'd ever had, Andrea knew she'd done the right thing... and that she wanted to keep doing the right thing.
Not for her millions of Fandreas, but for her two best friends... Molly and Libby, who'd opened their hearts to her before she realized who she could truly be.
And from the bottom of her heart, Andrea promised to never hurt them again.