When Love Becomes a Cage (Melanie)



"Back in the day, I thought we were all in this together, roommates and all, giving her the benefit of the doubt. I never imagined she'd still be up to no good after all these years!"

"Now that Clyde is vulnerable, she's swooping in like a vulture. How shameless can you get?"

Jade was trembling with anger, her hands turning ice cold.

But what really chilled me to the bone was realizing there was this side to Rachel I never knew existed.

I was aware Rachel and Clyde knew each other; after all, Clyde wasn't exactly short of female attention.

Back then, they both worked part-time at the campus diner, scraping together what they could.

I never saw any harm in their friendship.

In fact, I admired Rachel for her work ethic. In an age where everyone was too proud to roll up their sleeves, she was out there making an honest buck. That was more than most of us could say.NôvelDrama.Org owns this.

But the thought that there was more to her story with Clyde never crossed my mind.

"She's got a thing for Clyde?"

I looked at Jade, utterly baffled.

Jade smacked me on the head. "You're the last to know. Even Sean Murphy figured it out!"

"We were all in the same dorm. Who didn't see through her little schemes?"

"You think Clyde stopped working at the diner for no reason? It was all because she wouldn't leave him alone!"

Jade's voice shook as she spat the words out like rapid fire.

Rachel tried to interject, but Jade shoved her aside.

That's when it hit me: there was a whole chapter in Rachel's college life with Clyde that I was oblivious to.

Back in our freshman year, we all worked together at the diner. Then Clyde quit, and not long after, Rachel quit too.

I once asked her, thinking the diner gig was a smart way to save on food and focus on studies, why she left.

She told me the pay was too low, and she wanted to pay off her student loans early.

I thought she epitomized self-reliance, practically covering her own lunch expenses every day.

Rachel's face was ashen, her grip weakening.

But she kept pulling at Jade.

"Shut up, just shut up! You're lying, all of it, it's not true!"

"How is it not true?"

Jade pushed her away. "How many 'coincidental' meet-ups with Clyde? Clinging to him for lessons? He wasn't even a design major. What lessons could he give? And how many times did you deliberately buy the same clothes as Clyde, just to stir trouble with Melanie? Melanie

was so good to you, buying anie

lunch, covering your trips, and this is how you repay her? Our roommate and I have talked to you. Should we drag our other roommate into this too?"

Jade's voice grew louder.

People around started to film, and that's when I managed to suppress my shock, pulling Jade back. "Jade, enough, let's not do this here."

"Melanie! You're too kind-hearted, single mean bone in

body. Otherwise, college..."

s

"Clyde, Clyde, what's wrong?"

Rachel's panicked voice cut through.

I turned to see Clyde clutching his head, slowly crouching down.

I quickly fished out some painkillers from my pocket.

"Clyde, take this first, it'll help with the pain."

Rachel tried to knock the medicine out of my hand.

But suddenly, Clyde grabbed me.

His eyes were filled with conflict; he opened his mouth but seemed lost for words.

I steadied my nerves, speaking softly.

“Clyde, just take the medicine first. It'll help with the headache."

"Don't you trust me? It's Melanie, Melanie."

I looked at him firmly, fighting back tears.

He repeated in a murmur, "Melanie? Mel?"

I nodded vigorously, but in the next second, Rachel had thrown the pills away.

"Clyde doesn't need your help!"

turned

to Gemma. "Why are you standing there? Help Mr. Patterson

to his office!" Content beaterson

to