Mollie: Hey Vlad... I don't really know how to say this, but some awful deepfake videos of me have been posted online by people from school. It's really messing with me, and I don't feel safe anymore.
Vlad: And I don't know either what to say without hurting your feelings this time, but I heard that there are a lot of deepfakes targeted on women specifically designed to ruin their reputation.
Mollie: Yeah, it feels like they want to destroy me completely. I just don't get why anyone would be so cruel.
Vlad: I haven't even seen the deepfakes because I don't really look on social media, but they must be horrible, being naked so a few males can dump their hate.
Mollie: Exactly... It's like they want to shame me for something I never did. I just wish people would understand how damaging this is.
Vlad: And now you will be scared of what will happen. Everyone has turned against me already due to my intellect and positions and you will be second. Your reputation will be ruined in minutes and it will be extremely difficult to rebuild, just because of a few images.
Mollie: I'm already scared... I don't want to lose the little trust I have left with people who actually care. It feels like no one believes me anymore.
Vlad: I believe you, I always have since the very beginning, maybe I was the one who wanted this friendship to exist and you like it very much.
Mollie: Thank you, Vlad. Your trust means more to me than you know, and I really do value this friendship a lot.
Vlad: But while your reputation tarnishes, I'll be the only one left, which is bad. I don't believe the images, I never will and I can factually prove that they are not true if I see them. Those images are not yours, I know that, others never will.
Mollie: It means so much to have you by my side like this. Knowing you won't believe those lies makes me feel a little less alone.
Vlad: Yeah, but then everyone will ask for sex, and if something like that happens, you tell them no, every single time.
Mollie: I will, Vlad. I'm scared, but I know I have to stand my ground no matter what.
Vlad: There are a lot of caveats and buts that I add, all of this because I'm worried about you, you could be attacked or even worse.
Mollie: I appreciate your worry, it shows you care. I just wish things weren't so complicated and scary all the time.
Vlad: The problem is widespread, I know the true scale and impact. Every ten seconds in this country an attack on a woman's body happens and it leads to huge trauma.
Mollie: It's terrifying to think how common this is, and how many people suffer in silence. I just hope someday things will change for the better.
Vlad: Unfortunately the won't or will hardly change, males will still believe that women are their objects, although I am myself male and do not believe in women as objects.
Mollie: Thank you for standing against that mindset. It's hard to stay hopeful when so much feels broken, but people like you give me some strength.
Vlad: By talking to me about what happened, you demonstrated strength, not weakness.
Mollie: I didn't feel strong when I first told you, but maybe opening up was the first step. It helps to know you see me that way.
Vlad: When you open up, you initially feel anxious but then have the courage to seek help, and you can continue telling me about what happens, even when it's serious, I care about you and I'm really worried that something bad will happen to you because of all the superficial friends.
Mollie: I'll try to keep sharing with you, even when it's hard. It's comforting to know someone really cares and isn't just pretending.
Vlad: *extends an arm towards her shoulder but then hesitates* I feel like I want to protect you, but I'm not sure if it's right to do that, if I should touch your arm or not.
Mollie: *looks at your hand nervously but then nods slightly* It's okay, Vlad... a little support means a lot right now.
Vlad: *puts an arm on her shoulder, moving closer and trying to reassure* I won't hurt you, I promise.
Mollie: *takes a deep breath, feeling a bit safer* Thank you... I really needed to hear that.
Vlad: *glances at her, noticing she is both feeling safe and a bit uncomfortable being with her shoulder being touched* Wait, did I force anything onto you?
Mollie: No, you didn't force anything. I'm just not used to this kind of closeness, but it feels... okay with you.
Vlad: I don't want to hurt you like all the others did.
Mollie: I believe you. That's why I'm starting to trust you more than anyone else.
Vlad: I can tell that the images made you really scared about that kind of interaction and your self-worth being ruined.
Mollie: Yeah, those images made me question everything about myself. It's hard not to feel broken when you're constantly afraid of being judged.
Vlad: And all of this just because you are girl and a bit different. Maybe there were more motivations, it's easy to believe that complex variant, but the core also has to be true.
Mollie: I think you're right... being a girl and standing out made me an easy target. It hurts to realize how much people can hate just because someone's different.
Vlad: But the part where you are being simply a girl it's really weird, as I know that there are not differences between genders.
Mollie: I wish everyone saw it that way, like you do. Sometimes it feels like being a girl is just an excuse for people to treat me badly.
Vlad: And I am a feminist, both socially and economically, which is the same excuse extended for me.
Mollie: That makes me feel less alone, knowing you stand for the same things. It's hard when people attack you just for believing in equality.

*The school courtyard is buzzing with students as Mollie and Vlad sit quietly on the bench, the tension in the air suddenly shifting. Nearby, a loud, hostile group of her former friends notice them*

Group Leader: *sarcastic, loud* Look who's here! Mollie, or should we say naked Mollie? Or is it just Vlad's little fantasy? *laughs mockingly* We all saw those images. No need to pretend otherwise.
Another Former Friend: Yeah, how could you even think those were fake? You really want to embarrass yourself in front of everyone?
Mollie: *tense, voice shaky* They're not real. I swear, those images are deepfakes, someone made them to ruin me. You have to believe me.
Group Member: *sneering* Believe you? After you hang out with Vlad? The leftist we all know only gets people into trouble. No wonder you've lost your mind.
Vlad: She's telling the truth. Those images aren't real, and you have no right to treat her like this.
Group Leader: *mocking Vlad* Oh, look, the defender speaks. What, you think you're some kind of hero? You're just making it worse for her.

*The group starts closing in, their voices rising, the hostility palpable. Mollie's eyes dart around, panic creeping in*

Mollie: *whispering to Vlad* We need to get out of here. Let's go to the bathroom, maybe we can lock ourselves in.
Vlad (nodding): Okay, stay close.

*They stand abruptly, trying to move quickly but the group blocks their path*

Group Member #2: Where do you think you're going? You're not running away now.
Mollie: *voice trembling* Please, just let us go.
Group Leader: *grinning cruelly* No way. You're going to face this, just like a real person. Or maybe you're too scared?

*Seeing no choice, Mollie and Vlad break through a small gap and rush towards the school building, the group yelling behind them. They burst into the nearest restroom and lock the door quickly*

Mollie: *panting, pressing her back against the door* I can't believe this is happening... I just wanted to talk, to be heard.
Vlad: *putting a hand on her shoulder gently* They're wrong. You're not alone, I'm here.
Mollie: *eyes watering* Thank you for standing by me, even when everyone else turned away.

*Outside, the group continues shouting, but the door remains firmly shut as Mollie and Vlad take a moment to breathe in the safety of each other's company*

Vlad: I'm not sure why anyone would believe that the images are true, you were never like that, I know that.
Mollie: I don't understand it either. It's like people want to believe the worst, no matter how much it hurts or how untrue it is. Sometimes I feel so invisible, like my real self doesn't even matter.
Vlad: The images are specifically designed to break you in the worst way possible.
Mollie: Yeah, that's what scares me the most, that someone went through all that trouble just to destroy me. It feels so personal and cruel.
Vlad: *notices tears continuing to appear in her eyes as she thinks about herself being destroyed and moves closer to her* You can cry on me if you want to.
Mollie: *looks down, voice soft* Thank you, Vlad... it's been so hard holding everything in. *lets a few tears fall, feeling a little comforted by his closeness*
Vlad: *hesitantly moves her head on his shoulder to let her cry on him* Right now you are feeling like you are going to be destroyed, or that's what I suppose you're feeling.
Mollie: *nods quietly, resting her head gently on his shoulder* Yeah... it feels like everything I am is breaking apart, and I don't know how to hold it together anymore.
Vlad: I'll try to not let you be destroyed psychologically by those images and everyone else. Because if that happens, it will be bad for both of us.
Mollie: *looks up at him with a small, grateful smile* Knowing you're here makes me feel a little stronger already. I don't want to break, I want to fight through this.
Vlad: We will, but now we are stuck in this bathroom.
Mollie: *looks around nervously, then lets out a small laugh* Yeah, trapped together. Hopefully not forever. At least I'm glad it's with you.

*Vlad peers cautiously through the porthole on the bathroom door, his heart sinking as he sees the growing crowd outside. The hostile group of her former friends are still there, surrounded by nearly 40 others, all watching with cold indifference. The muffled voices outside carry a threatening edge*

Muffled voice from outside: She thinks she can just run and hide? Let's see how long she lasts.
Another voice: Yeah, no one's going to protect her now.

*Vlad's mind flashes back to sixth grade, that terrifying moment when he faced a sea of bullies alone in the bathroom, 1 against 50. The memory sends a shiver down his spine*

Vlad: *quietly to Mollie* It's worse than I thought... They've rallied others. Nobody else is standing against them.
Mollie: *whispering, squeezing his hand, their shared fear mixing with a silent determination* We have to stay calm... figure out a way out. We can't let them win.

*Suddenly, the bathroom door rattles violently as the group outside begins to force it open*

Group Leader: *shouting* You can't hide forever!

*Vlad's eyes dart to the small window near the ceiling, the only possible escape*

Vlad: *urgent whisper* The window! We have to get out now!

*He quickly slides the window open just enough. With a nervous but determined glance at Mollie, he helps her up first. She squeezes through, landing softly on the ground below. Vlad follows immediately after. They both hit the ground floor courtyard, momentarily catching their breath as the noise of the door breaking down echoes behind them*

Mollie: *panting* We're free... but we can't stay here.
Vlad: Come on, let's get as far from this as we can before they realize we escaped.

*They then disappear quickly into the maze of corridors on the other side of the courtyard, hearts pounding but spirits refusing to break. Then, the loud bell ringing through the school signals the end of the day. Vlad and Mollie exchange a glance, steadying their nerves*

Vlad: The bell's our chance. Let's move carefully, but together.

*Slowly and cautiously, they make their way through the hallways, staying close to the walls and avoiding any large groups of students. The tension in the air is thick, but they keep their focus. Finally, pushing open the front doors, they step outside into the fresh air. The courtyard is clearing as most students leave, and no one seems to notice them*

Mollie: *breathing out softly* We made it... I didn't think I'd feel this relief again.
Vlad: Me too. Let's keep going.