When Love Becomes a Cage by Nora

Rachel dragged me to the small garden bench outside the hospital.

She plopped down with a sigh and patted the spot next to her, "Have a seat."

I reluctantly took the far edge, keen on keeping a buffer zone between us.

She glanced my way.

"Melanie, you're infuriatingly beautiful, even with a wig."

Her random comment threw me off, and I didn't quite know how to respond.

But she didn't seem to expect a reply, instead, she gazed up at the sky.

"Reminds me of our first day at college, kinda overcast, but oddly comforting. Melanie, I was the first person at school to meet Clyde. The very first, no one knew him before I did."

There was a hint of pride in her voice, a sparkle in her eyes.

Back in our dorm, she always seemed a bit out of place, and I hardly knew anything about her.

Just that her family wasn't well-off, she relied on scholarships and student loans, even signing up for work-study programs from day one.

that she and Clyde had shared a train ride to

remember, but he had helped a girl struggling with her luggage on

tutoring to make ends meet. He was always so cheerful and charming, always carried himself with such grace, despite everything. I thought

suddenly turned cold, her gaze

showed up, and

Clyde at first sight and had my dad

we were

some strings

she never saw it

her; to her, it felt like a

the

face.

is it fair that you throw around skin care products

treats like they're nothing, tossing

over, and she stood up, pointing

to steal him from me,

want to see me

what, I worked hard, I got my own sponsor, I don't have to worry about loans or living expenses anymore, I don't have to eat your