Grace's Melancholy

Althea had just gotten herself a boyfriend…

I'd never thought that I would say that sentence.

No, I guess it's only a matter of time. There was no way that guys would leave a girl like Althea alone. I remember the first time we'd met during orientation. The moment we formed into our groups to bond, a circle of boys crowded around Althea, eager to learn everything about her.

And well… I was the same.

The first time I'd met Althea, I'd thought that I had wandered into a movie set. She was that much of a beauty. A perfectly symmetrical face with body proportions to match. Her ethereal emerald eyes made her look more like a descended goddess rather than us mere mortals. And most importantly, her soft demeanour and gentle appearance made any living soul swoon.

Even as a girl myself, I could feel my heart skip a beat each time we locked eyes. Now, I have met plenty of beautiful women in my life, don't get me wrong, but that was the first time I'd ever been jealous of someone else's appearance.

Fortunately, my jealousy was quickly appeased when I learnt more about Althea and her amiable personality.

We were paired up during our orientation week by sheer coincidence, and we'd bonded relatively easily. She was a fan of dramas, and so was I. She loved shopping just like any other girl. And even with her high and lofty status, Althea was more than happy to open up with me.

Not only was she a beauty on the outside, but Althea also possessed a gorgeous soul that was hardly matched by anyone.

But there were consequences for living in this world with such a pure heart…

'That' incident with Paul.

It was a black stain on my life. While I'd managed to stop that bastard before he'd gotten too far, Althea's encounter with him had most certainly left her with a psychological scar. She'd left the dorms just to evade him; she stopped going to social functions fearing to meet other men and most painfully… Althea had developed severe androphobia.

I'd always thought back just to imagine what else I should have done.

Should I have vetted Paul a little closer? Should I be less supportive of Althea opening her feelings up to men? Should I have been with her that night? Should I have warned Paul not to do anything funny, else I would have called the police?

There were so many what-ifs, but alas… The past can never be changed.

On the surface, Althea seemed fine. She was able to meet with friends that she was already close to. She could attend lessons, albeit with a high guard whenever guys approached her, and she could go about her daily life just fine.

The problem came when meeting new people.

Before, she was okay with boys joining her group projects and study sessions. Now, however, she was adamant about never grouping with a single person from the Y chromosome.

Given her unique circumstances, I couldn't help but be worried for her. Even more so when the pandemic hit our shores. Schools closed down, and students were forced to study from home. Because of 'that' incident, Althea moved out of the dorms and rented an apartment near our school. To make matters worse, Althea's parents both had successful careers overseas and could not return to the country.

If I was able to stay over at her apartment, that would have been ideal. But my parents were firmly against that idea.

It can't be helped; they were just worried that I may be infected if I stayed in the city too long. It made sense for me to return to the suburbs to live with them while telecommuting to school.

But… There was something about leaving Althea alone that just didn't sit right with me. Yes, we would communicate via our messenger apps and sometimes even through video calls, but that was basically putting a band-aid on a grievous wound.

Althea was a strong girl and would never allow her emotions to show or let others feel sorry. However, I had been with her long enough to tell when she's putting up a tough front. And each time we had a call… I could see her tough facade evaporating.

Eventually, when Althea told me that she'd fainted, my heart almost gave out.

Fortunately, there was a helpful neighbour that brought her to the hospital and tended to her health. Althea was lucky this time, but god knows when she would collapse again. Something had to be done. I didn't want my life to be plagued with another what-if scenario.

I planned to either live with Althea during this pandemic or at the very least, visit her once every two days, just to check in on her and to keep her company.

However, before I could unveil my plans of goodwill, something strange happened.

Althea's lonely expression gradually faded away. Her eyes became brighter, her complexion, which had been deteriorating rapidly, took a one-eighty turn and became far lustier. Her gaunt face, which had been hollowed in, was slowly morphing back to the pink of health. And finally… Althea's emotions sparkled through like a puppy who had just met its owner.

I could tell…

Althea was in love.

Slowly, I came to know more about this mysterious person that had stolen Althea's heart. Desir Snow, a massive hulk of a man who towered over most people. He was the neighbour that helped her when she'd fainted. Not only that, he cooked nutritious meals daily for her, just to ensure that she wouldn't collapse again.

Every time we had a call, Althea would divulge more about this Desir Snow.

What they did that day… Where they went… What they ate… What she'd learnt about him…

It shocked me. After 'that' incident, I was confident that Althea would never take so much interest in guys again.

I had to meet this guy.

The man that melted the Snow Queen's heart and brought her back to the wonders of love.

And so, I'd arranged a meeting with Althea just to meet this Desir Snow. My first impressions of him were… underwhelming, to say the least.

Other than his massive frame and bulging muscles, the man didn't look like anything special. He wasn't handsome, and he most definitely wasn't all that charming. Whenever I'd pictured Althea's future partner, I'd always thought of a Prince in a white cloak, riding into the sunset with an armoured mount. Desir was the complete opposite of that.

However, just like my first time meeting Althea, I'd quickly learnt that appearances were deceiving. Desir cooked up a storm just to welcome me. In fact, his cooking was so good that it matched many restaurants I've been to.

Most importantly… The man was a sweetheart.

Desir was, by far, the most mature boy I've ever met. No, since he was about five years older than us, I guess he was already a full-fledged man. Just like Althea said, he was thoughtful, intelligent, and kind.

And based on how he was acting… Desir wasn't like the immature, horny boys at our school. He was a gentleman, and there was never once he looked at us with dirty eyes. Particularly with Althea. His gaze was more of a doting father rather than that of someone our age.

Alas, that came to bite us in the butt when Althea decided to chase a man for the first time in her life.

Throughout her relationship with Desir, Althea would contact me about the best way to attract the man. Initially, I'd told her of the many things I did with my ex-boyfriend. However, Desir didn't seem all that interested in our childish attempts.

Skinship? He waved it off.

Going on dates? He hardly cared.

Casual flirtings? He was too thick in the skull to notice.

Every night, Althea would come complaining about her failures and every night, I had to sit there and listen to her boy problems.

Wow, I'd never thought that the shoe would be on the other foot. Just a few months ago, I was the one complaining to Althea about my ex-boyfriend and today, she was the girl doing all the talking.

Rather… Wasn't Althea getting more and more smitten by the day?

Even after all of her complaints, Althea would start monologuing about how wonderful her future boyfriend was. She had gone from a girl that could hardly speak in front of a man to a woman who wouldn't shut up about one. If all of those thirsty men at our school could see her face… They would likely cry tears of blood.

Eventually, after months of listening to her talk about Desir all day, Althea's persistence paid off.

They became a couple!

Althea, the campus beau and the girl who had survived… actually became a girlfriend!

Let alone myself, everyone that we've told was shocked at that fact.

Needless to say, all of us were happy for her. Althea had overcome her mental demons and managed to put the past behind her. At the same time, she found a stud of a man, one that would treat her with respect and kindness.

I was happy for her; I truly was…

Until…

"Ahhh, open wide."

"... Althea, do you think that I'm a child?"

"Why? Can't I feed my boyfriend some of the casseroles I've made?"

"... Fine."

I watched, mouth agape and eyes wide, as Althea guided her spoon into Desir's mouth. After some grumbling, Desir relented and allowed his girlfriend to do as she pleased. Happy with the result, Althea beamed brightly, her lips spread so wide that they nearly touched her eyes. Speaking of those eyes, Althea's emerald pupils dilated in bliss as they tracked the colour of Desir's own lips.

What the hell? Who was this lovestruck girl? I've never met her in my life!

I was invited over to celebrate Althea finally getting together with Desir. It was going to be a simple affair where Althea would showcase the cooking skills she'd learnt under Desir, and we would have a nice casual lunch.

But what the hell?! What were these assholes doing in the middle of the afternoon?! Do I even exist in their rose-coloured world?!

"How is it?" Althea asked cautiously.

"It's delicious," Desir replied with complete honesty. "Your cooking skills have really improved. To think that you could make a casserole from scratch."

"Hehe, I'm nowhere near your level. I think that it still needs a little more seasoning."

"Althea, it's good enough. I know that you have been working hard on your cooking. For someone who had no motor skills in the beginning, this casserole is a great improvement!"

"A-Ah, thank you..." Althea blushed after receiving her boyfriend's unadulterated praise. "B-But to say I have no motor skills..."

"It's the truth, no?" Desir smiled teasingly. "Ah, but you're still the lovable klutz I know."

"G-Goodness, stop teasing me!"

Unable to take it anymore, I voiced my discontent: "Hey… Do you guys remember that I'm here?"

"O-Of course we do, Grace! W-What are you talking about?"

Althea faltered as she replied. Really, Althea? That's how you're going to lie? I could tell that you were flustered when you heard my voice. Seriously, where was the extraordinary beauty that I once knew? Who was this imposter?

"Sorry if we made you feel left out, Grace," Desir replied in my best friend's stead. He scooped out an additional serving of casserole and placed it on my plate with a smile. "Here, have some as well."

"Oh ho? Are you bribing me now?"

"Most definitely. I need to hear stories about Althea's clumsiest moments after all."

"D-Desir?!"

"Hoh… That would take more than just some casseroles."

"G-Grace?!"

"How about sushi? My treat. I'll buy some for dinner if you're staying."

"Deal!"

"Y-You guys..."

Althea flailed her arms about like a child throwing a tantrum. Seriously… What an adorable way to show her discontent. I could see Desir looking at her with warm eyes as well. Argh, how long has it been since a boy looked at me like that?

"Hah… If you're this happy already, I can only imagine how you will be a few months from now. I'm rooting for you, Althea."

"G-Grace, what are you saying all of a sudden?!"

Blushing, Althea tried to brush off my comments. Her face was totally one of a person who was deeply infatuated with her significant other. Hah, to think that Althea has become a girlfriend…

"Urgh… What's with all this sugar so early in the day? I've lost my appetite..."

I pushed my plate away and washed down my mouth with some hearty earl grey tea. "Why aren't there any good guys like Desir around? Hey, Desir… Do you think you could recommend one of your friends to me?"

"Haha, sorry, but I don't have anyone that's suitable for you."

Desir politely rejected me, but I could feel that there was something more to his disapproving gaze. Did he think that I wasn't appealing to any of his friends? I just want one good guy to spend the summer with. Is it that hard to ask?

It didn't help to watch my best friend flirt so blatantly with her boyfriend for hours…

Urghhh… I want a loving boyfriend too.