Once again, I rushed to the cafeteria, only to run into Molly. She looked thinner, probably dieting. Hesitantly, she handed me her meal card.
"I'm sorry about last time," she said softly. "Order whatever you want. It's my treat."
I froze. The once-arrogant girl seemed… normal. The forum buzz had apparently humbled her.
We sat together, sharing a tentative truce. "Why have you changed?" I asked.
Molly chewed thoughtfully. "Seeing the posts made me realize everyone disliked me before. My brother spoiled me, Stefan treated me well, and no one ever told me the truth. I had no idea I was so unlikable."
I mumbled through roast beef. "It's okay. Recognizing mistakes is the first step. You're not overweight. I'm skinny because I'm starving on £200 a month."
Molly frowned. "£200? How do you survive?"
I sighed. "My parents won't give me more. Mom says other students manage with £100. Dad says he survived on £50 in his time."
Molly's eyes widened, troubled. "Do you have a younger brother?"
"Yes," I said cautiously.
"Then your parents must know current costs. If they treat you this way, maybe they give more to him. Think carefully about the differences."
Her words planted a seed of doubt in my mind, a dark, unsettling suspicion that would not fade easily.