Chapter 7: Not My Style

POV: Greg

"For Louie? Why do you need to change yourself for him?" I titled my head in dismay as I heard the words that come out of Grace's mouth.

She stared down at the ground not batting an eye. "I.. I talked with Louie and I asked him what his type was...I mean it's pretty weird for me to ask it but he sees me as a friend so he answered. He likes women that are sexy and lady-like..." Grace sighed. "Sadly the complete opposite of me... SO TEACH ME HOW TO ME GIRLY. SINCE YOU ARE LEGIT THE GIRLIEST PERSON I KNOW."

"I'm flattered but like wouldn't it be better for Louie to like you for who you are and not for what you showed you are. Remember the ABCs of relationships Grace! A for Affection, B for Boundaries, and C for Communication." I said to her.

"Come on! Please teach me! I'll treat you to like strawberry milkshakes after this. I know you like that?" Grace pleaded.

UGH. Curse my unable to say no nature... "Fine... I guess we can start our first lesson today on how to be ladylike. Just treat me to strawberry milkshakes like probably for each lesson for payment." I negotiated.

"MY POOR WALLET. But I guess I sell so I have some money... fine let's go to that cafe you like so much. My treat this time I guess." Grace said staring intently as she sees her savings being spent by me.

I mean Grace is like the cheapest person I know so I think that letting her buy my strawberry milkshake that is very expensive will probably hurt her. I pondered to myself as I look at her with a concerned look.

"Don't worry Grace," I said to her as I show her my money. "I think I can cover the strawberry milkshake." I laughed.

She looked at me with a sigh of relief that her money would still be in her savings. Trust me she isn't a big fan of spending her money on food. She's a saving freak.

"Anyways let's go. Maintaining my record of 100% win rate is like so hard... I deserve a milkshake as a break once in a while!" I said to her as I saw her walking next to me in deep thought.

"You okay? You must be thinking of something?" I asked her.

"It's just that... I honestly feel like absolute crap..." Grace looks at me dolefully.

"Oh, what's wrong? Not a big fan of milkshakes? Are you not allowed to drink milk because you are lactose intolerant." I asked...

Hmm why is she sad... anyone would be happy with milkshakes... It's like to die for... I love them!

"It's just that.. look over there." She would point to a tall, dark handsome student. It's Louie and alongside him is a short and shy as they both walked home together. "I mean like we three hang out a lot and they never even bother to let me join them walking out? It's just that I somewhat feel jealous of them..."

"Why? Aren't we walking home together? Don't you enjoy this?" I asked her.

"I mean I do but I would at least appreciate it that Louie invites me to join him to go walk home. He's always been interested in that quiet guy named James rather than me... I guess I just can't help but feel jealous... why can't he spend time like that with me..." Grace sighed her face with a haunted expression.

"Maybe ask him. Instead of waiting him to ask you why not just ask him. Be assertive Grace." I said...

I don't really know how lovesick Grace is but this is more serious than I thought... I honestly don't think the guy even cares about her feelings and just looks at her as a friend... or maybe he knows... and he's avoiding her...

"You know you're right Greg. I guess I can be a bit more assertive but that wouldn't be woman like right?" She said timidly.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"I mean like women are depicted to be the ones that should sit back and wait while the men lead the relationships, they pretty much lead everything." She said.

"You actually believe that gender role crap?" I laughed.

We both turn to see the milkshake bar to already be in front of us. It was decorated with a combination of white and pink walls all of which were pastel. The store had pictures of milkshakes everywhere and a lot of people were enjoying their milkshakes in the comfy milkshake bean bag chairs.

"I'll order us the milkshakes. You sit down okay?" She said to me.

"Alright then. I'll just pay you back since I know that you don't really like spending that much money."

"No. I insist this is the least I can do for walking home with me." She smiled as she shooed me away from the counter.

I sat down at the big sofa seats... I'm a fan of their fluffiness. I fiddled with my phone to look at Louie's profile... Kind of like stalking but I need to at least know something about him.

I scrolled to see him with a picture of his face in shades.. he is a total fuck boy... hm... he's a swimmer... well I never really swim so I would never know...

"Hey. I'm here. Here's your strawberry milkshake. I know you like it that much." She hands me the milkshake which I immediately slurped... delicious goodness.. the sweetness and sourness are just enough to put you in heaven.

"Anyways about what you were asking earlier.... about the gender role things. I don't really believe it and junk but I honestly heard that Louie's family is really traditional. They can't stand women or men expressing themselves differently. Like they would probably be annoyed at you wearing a bow in your head." Grace would point in my pink bow.

"Not going to lie. I don't think the lady-like is your style... maybe you should just be yourself... If he doesn't like you for who you are when he doesn't deserve you." I said to her...

POV: Grace

And that's when it all came to me... I don't need to be lady-like for him to like me... I just need to be myself. Fuck being lady-like I'll be me. I'm not going to obsessively lose weight or wear makeup just because I want to impress him. I'll impress him with who I am!

Tomorrow I asked to walk home with him and he agreed... I didn't really need to act lady-like or girly to just walk home with him.. although... he still mostly ignored me... I guess that's really something I should get used to at this point...

"That's why I'll just be myself. I don't need to be lady-like. I just like being me." I stood up as I looked at myself in my office mirror.

"I guess soo... but like ew... I do not want to be seen with you guys.. legit you guys are going to get treated poorly." Sungah reasoned with me.

"A person that treats someone based on their clothing is like a bad person. It's the type of person I do not want to get involved with." I said to her sternly.

"I'm glad.. you are confident now Grace. Just keep being who you are. You don't need to change for anyone." Greg comforts me.

"Anyways it's tomorrow in the evening you guys better be prepared got it?" Sungah reminds us.

Yup! I'm ready... ready to see that bastard for what he did to me... although I am a bit nervous... what would happen tomorrow.