A Hopeless Romantic

2

"Woah, what's gotten into you lately?" 

Melanie grinned at Elaine. She hadn't grinned like that in ages. It was a giddy, stupid grin.

"Oh, you know the usual,"

"Uh-huh," said Elaine, totally unconvinced.

Elaine was in Melanie's English class. Susan had introduced her to the Southeast Asian girl one evening at dinner when she'd asked who she was.

Elaine had looked unapproachable at first. It was a fact even she admitted to be true. With her angular pale eyes contrasting against caramel skin and her towering height, she was bound to be a little intimidating.

Luckily Melanie was not one to be intimidated and they soon found out they had English together.

It turned out Elaine was quite friendly and liked having someone to talk to.

Friday would want me to do this, she told herself when she hung out with Elaine and guilt panged in her stomach.

"I'm being serious, nothing has happened." Melanie insisted, although in a way, that wasn't true.

"Right, well you better spill it during English."

Mrs Cannon never taught English according to the recommended way, but her teaching methods worked nonetheless. This meant the class had a lot of spare time.

They filed in, taking up a front seat.

"Right class," began Mrs Cannon. "I would like you all to take out either an assigned copy of this semester's text or a book of your choosing and read quietly for half an hour.

"But doesn't the session go on for only fifty minutes?" asked Susan from behind Melanie. "We will be reading for more than half the session?"

"Yes, Susan dear. Why? Is there a problem?"

"Oh no, just double checking."

Mrs Cannon shrugged and picked up her newspaper. 

"Right," started Elaine, turning to Melanie. "Cough it up. I know you're dying to tell me anyway,"

"Ooh, what's this about?" asked Susan, leaning forward. 

"Mel's got something she's not telling us," Elaine raised her eyebrows meaningfully.

"It's not a big deal," said Melanie, opening her assigned text. "I've just met someone, that's all,"

Susan squealed. "Oh my gosh, who?"

"Just some guy in my history class,"

Elaine scoffed. "Not a big deal she says,"

"It isn't though," protested Melanie, but even then she was smiling softly. "We're just friends I guess,"

"Just friends?" repeated Susan, appalled.

"I guess,"

"Okay, you're holding back way more than you're letting on," said Elaine. "Start talking,"

It didn't take long for Melanie to explain how she'd met Casper and how they'd gotten to know each other. It turned out they also had maths together and he was proficient at the subject so Ms Franelli didn't mind if they talked quietly. 

She'd learnt he too was the youngest out of his siblings. Three older sisters, he'd told her. They'd laughed about the random things they'd picked up from them.

As she explained this, she didn't mention his name. She knew her friend would start hunting him down if she did.

"And he's cute right?" confirmed Susan.

Melanie nodded. "Oh very,"

"Single?" asked Elaine.

Melanie shrugged. "It's never come up,"

"Well we'd be missing something if he weren't interested," said Mrs Cannon, making them jump.

At that moment the classroom door burst open and everyone turned to see who it was.

Hannah stood at the doorway, blonde curls dripping water down her shoulders, cheeks flushed and large blue eyes assessing the classroom.

"Sorry I'm late Mrs Cannon," she said, walking in hurriedly, taking the seat next to Susan.

"Quite alright dear. Are you okay? You seem a bit flustered."

She took out her books. "Oh I just slept in and then realised I needed a shower and then got held up in the hallway on the way here-," she looked up and realised everyone was staring at her. "um, sorry about that,"

She grinned sheepishly at Melanie. 

"Oh perfect timing," said Susan. "we were just discussing the contents of Mel's love life,"

"Oh?"

Susan waved her hand. "They're just friends apparently,"

"Not for long though," added Elaine before Melanie elbowed her. "But you're not the only one with progress, you know," 

Melanie sat up. She liked helping out with this stuff. "Really? What happened?" 

"Hannah here has a boyfriend," 

"Really?"

Hannah grinned. "Yup,"

Melanie smiled. "Well? Who is he? We need the details."

"Uhm," she glanced around. "We're trying to keep it on down low for now,"

"That's fine, I respect that,"

"We'd known each other for a while. He was good friends with a childhood friend of mine. We only just started to talk to each other and then one thing led to another..."

"I see. Mateo right?"

Hannah nodded. "Our mums were friends so I've known Mateo for ages,"

"And does Mateo know about this?"

"Yeah, he knows. He's been pretty chill about it,"

Melanie pursed her lips but smiled and relaxed in her chair. "I'm happy for you Hannah,"

"Thanks, Mel. I hope everything works out for you too,"

She gave a short laugh in response.