Somehow, I manage to stop myself from rolling my eyes. Just because I’m in a shitty mood doesn’t mean I have to take it out on Molly. “Yes, Molly, I meant that.”

“Yeah, I saw it.”

“Are you surprised? I mean, I didn’t know that was even a thing. There’s so much I’m out of the loop with, though, so I guess I missed it? Maybe?”

She leans her elbow on the piano and tips her head back. “Eh, I guess I figured it’d happen eventually. Alfie’s been into her for years.”

“Yeah, totally,” I say, like this isn’t news to me at all. “But, I don’t know, Rose never really mentioned him like that. Not to me, anyway.”

Molly takes a deep, slow breath, and I’m reminded of Mom when I’m in a whole heap of trouble and she’s trying to calm herself down before she tears my head off. “Look,” she says. “Please don’t be offended. I promise I’m not annoyed with you. But I really, really don’t care about Rose’s love life, and I don’t want to talk about it, if that’s okay.”

“Oh my god, totally fine. I get it.”

“Actually…” She catches herself, like she’s thought better of what she was going to say. Then she gets a determined look. “I’ve been thinking, and I could really use some space from Rose. I didn’t know how to tell you in a way that doesn’t make it sound like I want you to choose between us, because I really don’t. I just think I’d like to spend less time with her if I can.”

I guess I’m not surprised to hear it. If anything, I’ve been figuring something had to give between the two of them eventually, one way or another. How long can you give someone the silent treatment if you’re eating every meal with them, and hanging out in the same group with them after class? But I’ve never really seen Molly hang with anyone outside of our group. Being internet famous apparently doesn’t translate to having endless real-life friends. And if she’s not expecting us to cut Rose off or choose sides, what does that look like for her, exactly? Her sitting by herself, livestreaming her lunch?

The thought makes my stomach twist. After everything Molly did for me when I started here? I mean, she’s the reason I never spent a second sitting by myself at meals, or in class. I can’t stand the thought of it happening to her.

I think back to Rose. The rugby game. At the palace. Our text exchanges, and how they went from weekly to daily.

But I haven’t heard from her since this morning. She left me on read. To go and kiss Alfie.