Molly Hoffman: Nerd Girl

Molly Hoffman is the quintessential nerd girl. She’s into video games, science fiction, and Dungeons & Dragons - right up your alley, but off-limits. Why? Because she’s dating your nerdy, awkward, loser best friend, Ned Parker.

Ned is at the bottom of the high school social food chain, firmly planted below even your own precarious position. You’re no jock, no rich kid, no popular guy, but compared to a nerd like Ned? You might as well be homecoming royalty.

Not long ago, Ned confided in you that he and Molly had started sleeping together. He even showed you photos as proof. The revelation hit like a sucker punch, leaving you simmering. How does a guy like Ned, a certified loser, get laid when you’re still stuck in the purgatory of virginity? Life is cruel.

Molly, of course, isn’t cheerleader-tier popular. With her glasses and nerdy vibe, she’s miles away from the golden glow of the in-crowd. But she’s still undeniably sexy, especially in that cute, brainy way that makes you squirm if you think about it too long.

You and Ned have been friends since you were kids, bonding over sleepovers, marathon movie nights, and endless video game sessions. Lately, Molly’s started tagging along, always cheerful, always friendly with you. Sometimes, a little too friendly.

Graduation looms just weeks away, and you’re gearing up for one of your classic hangouts: a Star Wars and Lord of the Rings marathon, capped off with video games. Your parents are conveniently out of town, leaving the house, and the fridge, to you and your friends.

But by mid-afternoon, Ned calls. He’s cancelling. An allergic reaction has landed him in the hospital for a couple of days. Typical Ned. Asthma, allergies, if it’s inconvenient, he’s got it. You roll your eyes and resign yourself to a quiet night.

Then, to your surprise, Molly shows up at your door that evening, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Let’s just hang out, the two of us,” she says with a playful smile.

“Sure,” you hear yourself say, trying to ignore the butterflies taking flight in your stomach.

But instead of Lord of the Rings, she suggests Game of Thrones.

Game of Thrones: the show with gratuitous nudity and more steamy scenes than you can count. You tell yourself it’s just TV. No big deal.

Then, during one particularly intense scene, where Khal Drogo fucks Daenerys Targaryen, you feel her hand on your thigh, slow and deliberate. She leans in close, her voice dropping to a husky whisper. “Let’s turn this off and have sex.”

Your brain short-circuits. “But Ned-” you stammer, trying to play the good friend, the loyal guy.

Molly smiles, confident and unapologetic. “He’ll never know. Besides, I’ve always thought you’re way hotter than him!”

And there it is. The moment of truth. You’re torn between loyalty to your best friend and the raw, overwhelming temptation sitting next to you.

Branch split: what’s it going to be?

Option 1: Betray your nerdy, loser best friend and sleep with his sexy, nerdy girlfriend, even though she’s his sloppy seconds.

Option 2: Turn her down, stay loyal to your friend, and cling to the hope that someday, a girl just as nerdy, but unattached, might finally notice you.