A Hopeless Romantic

4

Melanie had not known Elaine and Hannah were roommates.

They seemed like good friends, best friends even.

But she had not expected the way the friendship had started.

"We hardly talked," Hannah said while folding her laundry on her bed. "I was genuinely terrified of Elaine"

The two had asked if Melanie wanted to hang out with them while they did their weekly room reorganisation.

She'd agreed, so long as she didn't have to help.

"Really?" Melanie squinted at her from the carpet. It was hard to find Elaine scary now that she knew her.

"You have no idea," said Elaine, picking up a crumpled blue shirt, and frowning from her bed. "how often I get told that."

Hannah gave a sheepish grin. "Sorry, but look at us now."

Melanie tilted her head, watching Elaine who was frowning at her clothes. "It could be your resting face."

"I beg your pardon?"

"Relax your face and don't put on any expression."

Elaine narrowed her eyes before doing as she was told.

"Hannah, does she look scary?"

Her eyes widened for a moment. "She doesn't look scary. Just a little mean,"

Elaine smirked. "I'm guessing that's how I look half the time."

Neither of them answered. They didn't need to.

"You're not mean though," said Hannah. "I think you're lovely,"

She gave a small smile and grabbed her duffle bag. "I'm flattered, Han."

Even though she sounded nonchalant, Melanie could hear the flustered note in her voice.

"Where are you going?" she asked.

"I've got lacrosse training," she grabbed the doorknob before looking back at them. "You guys will be fine together, right?"

"Of course," said Hannah, confused. "Why wouldn't we be?"

Elaine shrugged, glanced at Melanie and left without another word.

Melanie and Hannah looked at each other, an awkward silence stretching between them.

They'd talked before, just not one on one.

"Um," started Hannah. "How's it going with you and you know who?"

"Oh, it's just the same as usual," said Melanie, but that wasn't true.

"Really? Nothing?"

She turned her head away. Of course Casper liked Hannah. She was blonde and beautiful and kind. She may have been awkward but she was lovely all the same.

And Melanie was just Melanie.

"I don't think it's going to work out," she said, looking up at Hannah, who was watching her.

"Why not? Not too long back we were all sure of it," 

She shrugged. "Things change I guess."

They didn't say anything for a moment, with Hannah gently assessing Melanie, her big blue eyes wandering over her.

"Okay," she smiled kindly. "But if you want to talk about it, let me know,"

Melanie swallowed. "And you?"

"Sorry?"

"You and your boyfriend, how's that working out?" she figured since Hannah had asked her it was only polite to do the same. "You guys didn't exactly get along when you first met, according to Elaine.