It's a Match!

by Zoë Marshall

  Well, that was certainly not something Sutton would do, but she approved of the match. From what she knew of Ava, this was her dream guy. Good for her.

  “So, Ava, I see Sutton has gotten comfortable with my friend. Guess I wasn’t her type. Looks like it’s just you and me, kid.”

  Sutton smiled awkwardly, still hoping she didn’t have mascara all over her face. “Yeah … looks like it.”

  “How is Hardman treating you?”

  “It’s good. Lots of parties and stuff.”

  “Totally. It’s been a blast so far. Where did you grow up?”

  Where did Ava grow up…? Oh yeah. “Portland. How about you?”

  “Austin, Texas. Pretty much opposites, huh? You would probably hate the heat there.”

  “Probably.” Sutton was over this date. Yet another swing and a miss for Cole. Once again, she began plotting her revenge.

  “Have you met any cool guys at school yet?”

  “Not really. The guys here are really different from the ones back home.”

  “I think the girls here are awesome. So many different walks of life and all that.”

  “Yeah….”

  “What do you like to do for fun?”

  “Parties and stuff.” Sutton replied, as she realized she didn’t really know what else Ava liked to do for fun.

  “Hey, me too. We’re going to get along just fine.”

  Sutton turned toward Ava just in time to see her slipping off with Caleb. Fantastic. Now she was stuck playing her roommate in a pool with the douchebag who was supposed to be her date.

  “I’m going to go grab another drink. Want one?”

  Sutton still had basically her entire margarita, so she shook her head. “No thanks.”

  Brandon headed off to the kitchen and Sutton got out of the pool to text Cole.

  This is a disaster.

  Again?

  Yes, again. He couldn’t even tell me and Ava apart.

  Wow, that’s pretty bad.

  Then Ava snuck off with Brandon’s friend. I’m probably stranded here.

  Just go back. Ava can take care of herself.

  I can’t leave her. I’ll just suck it up and wait for her to finish … whatever she’s doing.

  Come on, Sutt – you know exactly what she’s doing.

  Unfortunately, yes. Oh, Brandon’s coming back. I’ll scold you later.

  Ha ha, K. Talk to you in a bit. Hope it turns around for ya!

  Sutton put the phone back in her purse as Brandon walked back toward the pool. “So, Ava, what’s Sutton’s deal? She seemed cool in our conversation.”

  “She is cool,” Sutton replied, defending her pretend self.

  “Caleb apparently thinks so. Only a slut would sneak off with the guy who’s supposed to be her date’s friend.”

  Sutton was extremely offended. How dare he insult Ava/fake Sutton? “She’s not a slut. She’s normally quite the prude.”

  “Is that so?”

  “It is so. Look … we should really get going,” Sutton said, anxious to escape yet another awful date.

  “You guys just got here. Also, Sutton seems a bit preoccupied at the moment,” Brandon added.

  “I still have a lot of homework to do,” Sutton lied.

  “Suit yourself. Make sure to tell Sutton I have no interest in talking to her again.”

  “Gladly.”

  Sutton grabbed a towel and dried off, then searched around the house and finally found Ava and Caleb embracing on the couch. “Ava—I mean, Sutton—it’s time to go.”

  “But….”

  Sutton looked at her with a serious expression.

  Ava quickly got the hint. “Okay, let’s go. Sorry, Caleb. But you have my number. Call me.”

  Caleb seemed extremely disappointed. “All right, you ladies have fun. Thanks for stopping by.”

  “Thank you for the hospitality,” Ava gave him a hug and the girls left the house. Ava turned to Sutton. “What was that? Did something happen?”

  “Brandon called you—well, me—a slut.”

  “Ew. Good, I’m glad we got out of there. Caleb tasted like Doritos anyway.”

  “Gross.”

  “Agreed.”

  B-A-N-A-N-A-S ARE MY favorite fruit. If you don’t like bananas, I’m definitely not the girl for you. I love a good jog in the morning, a jog to the donut shop lol. I know what you’re thinking – ‘This girl likes both bananas and donuts?’ It’s true. I represent dichotomy, at its finest. I like older guys who drive Ferrari’s and have facial hair and huge mansions. Buy me things. I like expensive things. If you aren’t over 6” don’t even bother responding. And you better think of a good opening line. I get bored easily.

  Cole: I don’t have a Ferrari, but I can grow a mean beard when I’m feeling lazy for a few days.

  Brittany: I can work with that lol.

  Cole: Good. So, do you like any fruit other than bananas?

  Brittany: I am an equal opportunity fruit eater.

  Cole: Is that so?

  Brittany: It is so.

  Cole: What’s your favorite kind of donut?

  Brittany: Maple old fashioned, obviously. You?

  Cole: I hate donuts.

  Brittany: Tell me how you really feel.

  Cole: I feel like donuts are the definition of all that’s wrong with our society today.

  Brittany: How’s that?

  Cole: Kids need to be eating carrots and shit, not pure sugar.

  Brittany: I think sugar does a body good. I mean … it certainly does this girl’s body good.

  Cole: Like milk?

  Brittany: Precisely.

  Cole: I like milk.

  Brittany: I bet you do.

  Cole: Want to meet up and jog to the donut shop together sometime?

  Brittany: Sure. But I jog in the nude.

  Cole: Don’t you get cold?

  Brittany: You bet I do. But that’s what you’d be there for – to keep me warm.

  Cole: I do run rather hot.

  Brittany: This is a perfect match then.

  Cole and Brittany decided to forgo the donut run and grab a coffee instead. Cole sat at the coffee shop staring at the door, looking for a short girl with auburn hair and blue eyes.

  Judging by her picture, Brittany was a beautiful girl. Sutton had conveniently ‘forgotten’ to send their initial Matchbox conversation, though. So all he had to go by were the pictures. Hopefully she didn’t mention anything he was supposed to already know. Damn it, Sutton.

  Brittany walked over and took a seat across from Cole. “You must be Cole.”

  “I must be.”

  “Did you find the place okay?”

  “It’s only a few blocks from campus…. So yeah, I found it just fine.” Cole didn’t mean to sound like a dick, but his annoyance with Sutton was coming out in his tone.

  “Good.”

  “I’m going to get a coffee. What would you like?” Cole asked.

  “Iced chai would be good.”

  “K, I’ll be right back.”

  Cole got their drinks and headed back to the table. He handed Brittany her chai and then began the small talk. They covered topics like where they grew up, siblings, how high school was, etc. Cole was already incredibly bored. He wasn’t a big fan of small talk. It felt shallow or something.

  “How are you liking school so far?” Cole asked, hoping the conversation would pick up a bit.

  “I’m having a blast. I just got accept into Alpha Phi. We secretly get called All for free, because we’re supposedly just a huge group of sluts.”

  “Are you?”

  Brittany laughed. “Pretty much.”

  Cole felt slightly uncomfortable and apparently it showed, so she continued, “I mean, not me, of course. But the other girls mostly are.”

  “What do you like to do in your spare time?” Cole asked, trying to change the subject.

  “I’m an art major, so I spend a lot of time drawing and stuff.”

  “That’s
cool.” Finally, something interesting. “Do you paint and stuff too? Or just drawing?”

  Brittany raised her voice to a volume that made Cole feel incredibly uncomfortable. “Just drawing? What, isn’t drawing cool enough for you?”

  “No, I wasn’t saying that. Just making conversation.”

  “I didn’t realize I was so hard to talk to.”

  And I didn’t realize you were so irrational and crazy, Cole thought.

  “I didn’t mean it like that,” Cole defended.

  “Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.”

  “Yeah, maybe not.” Cole began to get up from his chair, silently cursing Sutton.

  “Wait, no. I’m sorry, I just started my time of the month today, so I’m a little emotional lol,” Brittany said, smiling somewhat creepily.

  Cole wondered what kind of person actually said lol in a real life conversation. She wasn’t even laughing.

  “What are you doing later tonight?” Brittany asked, finally lowering her voice to an acceptable volume.

  “Probably doing some homework.”

  “You’re no fun! I’m going to a frat party. I thought you might want to come.”

  “Maybe next time. Like I said, homework,” Cole repeated.

  “You could just say you don’t want to hang out. I’m a big girl.”

  Cole would never say that, but it was certainly true. “I have a test tomorrow. But thanks for coming out. I’ll call you?”

  “You don’t need to lie,” Brittany pouted, as she crossed her arms like a child.

  “See you around.” Cole knew there was no use trying to reason with this girl.

  “Hope not.”

  With that, Cole walked out of the coffee shop and immediately got his phone out to text Sutton.

  Are you kidding me with that Brittany girl?

  I take it the date didn’t go well?

  You take it right. Look, it isn’t my fault cheese guy sucked and that Brandon couldn’t tell you and Ava apart. I apologize for my gender, but I would never sabotage you on purpose.

  I didn’t, I swear. Maybe we just don’t know each other as well as we thought we did. Let’s just try to be pickier from now on.

  It’s a deal.

  SOUTH PARK IS the only show that matters. I’ll let you in on a little secret – I’m the one who killed Kenny. I spend a good majority of my time at the gym, so make sure not to bother me the day after leg day. I work hard on these muscles, so you best appreciate them. I’ll give you front row tickets to the gun show if you play your cards right. Speaking of cards, I’m awesome at poker. I’m the best bluffer around.

  Justin: So, you like cooking, huh?

  Sutton: Yes.

  Justin: What do you like to cook?

  Sutton: Whatever. I like to try different things.

  Justin: Good, I’m an adventurous guy myself.

  Sutton: What about sushi?

  Justin: I am all about raw fish. Sashimi is where it’s at.

  Sutton: I tried to make sashimi once, but it’s one of those things I just don’t have the skills for.

  Justin: I’m sure you have plenty of other skills.

  Sutton: I have a few….

  Justin: Well, your smile is definitely one of them. And those eyes … Your beautiful.

  Sutton: *You’re. Sorry, I’m a writer.

  Justin: Lol. I understand. YOU’RE beautiful.

  Sutton: Thank you.

  Justin: You’re probably used to hearing that, huh?

  Sutton: Um … not really.

  Justin: You’re shy. I like that.

  Sutton: Look at you, using you’re correctly.

  Justin: And sassy. I like that too.

  Sutton: I certainly come with a side of sass.

  Justin: I’ve got a soccer game today. Would you want to come check it out? You can be my own personal cheerleader.

  Sutton: I could probably do that. And I was a cheerleader in high school, so I’m a pro with some pompoms.

  Justin: Still have your uniform?

  Sutton: Ha ha. I didn’t bring it to school!

  Justin: That’s a shame.

  Sutton: It really is. What time is your game?

  Justin: 5:30. At the east gym.

  Sutton: Okay, I’ll be there.

  Justin: With bells on?

  Sutton: Of course. I never leave home without my bells.

  Sutton arrived near the gym around 5:15. She had decided to go casual on this one, with a peach tank top, her beige skinny jeans, and a pair of short brown boots. She didn’t want to arrive too early, so she stood near the entrance for another ten minutes.

  She was prepared for the worst. It was very clear, at this point, that Cole was setting her up for failure, whether it was intentional or not. How could he have thought she would be into Chad and Brandon? They were so not her type, but she knew that was the point.

  Sutton was thinking less and less about Aiden every day. Even though the dates were disasters, they were turning out to be a good distraction. So, she guessed it was sort of serving its purpose.

  Sutton looked around the gym and spotted a scruffy Justin hanging out with some guys. He turned to her and smiled. waving her over. She shook the nerves a bit as she flashed her patented Sutton smile and headed over to the group.

  Justin gave her an entirely-too-tight hug when she walked up. Then he introduced her to his friends on the team. They seemed nice enough. Good, this may just be a normal guy, after all, Sutton thought, but she remained mildly pessimistic about it, based on recent events.

  “The game’s about to start,” Justin said, handing her a crumpled one-dollar bill. “Get yourself a treat or something.”

  Sutton smiled and walked to the bleachers. What kind of treat could you even get with a dollar? Half a pack of gum? She appreciated the gesture anyway.

  Sutton loved sports, so she enjoyed the next hour and a half. Justin would look up and wave at her occasionally and she had a good feeling about this one. Finally, Cole might have gotten it right.

  Justin was dripping sweat when he came up to Sutton after the game. Luckily he didn’t hug her again. “I’m going to rinse off and change. Wait for me? I’ll be quick.”

  “Of course.”

  A few minutes later, Justin exited the locker room looking like a completely different person. His previously scruffy hair was now combed nicely to the side, like Cole’s always was, revealing his perfectly chiseled jaw. Sutton liked a strong jaw. It made a guy look … distinguished or something.

  “Are you ready to go, beautiful?”

  “Where did you want to go?”

  “It’s a surprise.”

  Sutton wasn’t sure how she felt about surprises, but Justin seemed like a decent enough guy so far, so she figured she’d give it a shot. “Sounds good.”

  “I need to stop by my dorm for a minute though. This surprise requires something special.”

  Sutton was intrigued. They walked to Justin’s dorm while they talked about their families and where they were from and whatnot. As they approached his room, Justin opened the door for her. Finally, a gentleman.

  “Just take a seat wherever. I’m going to go change.”

  “Okay,” Sutton replied, curious what he was going to be changing into.

  Justin grabbed a wad of clothes and went to the bathroom to change. Sutton looked around the room, searching for signs that this guy was some kind of serial killer, but she found nothing. The room was incredibly clean and his bookshelf was filled with books Sutton approved of. Just as she was finally letting herself believe Justin was perhaps perfect for her, Justin walked back in and her jaw dropped to the floor.

  He was beaming, and dressed in … some sort of wizard outfit. “What do you think?”

  “I’m … um…. What exactly were you planning on us doing?” Sutton was now at a loss for words. She knew this guy had been too good to be true.

  “My Magic: The Gathering group—Magic Unlimited—is meeting up for a LARP session. I thought
it would be really fun. I even borrowed an outfit from this girl Sophia. Check it out.” Justin rummaged around his closet, then pulled out a female warrior-type ensemble. “This will look great on you,” Justin continued.

  Sutton thought about running away and never turning back, but she had committed to this date and she intended to stick it through, even if it required making a complete fool of herself. “What exactly is a LARP session?”

  “Are you serious? It’s Live Action Role Playing.”

  Sutton had never heard of it, but she couldn’t imagine it was something she wanted to be a part of. “And what is that?”

  “We dress up and emulate the game, only with real people instead of cards.”

  “Oh.” Sutton was trying to figure out how to get out of this, but she was coming up short. Looked like she was going to be dressing up as a warrior after all.

  Justin handed her the outfit and Sutton smiled nervously as she went to change.

  Sutton walked out of the stall and stared at her ridiculous reflection. First of all, the dress was entirely too large. Second, she couldn’t bring herself to wear the headband.

  Suddenly, a guy walked into the co-ed bathroom and Sutton turned bright red as he laughed.

  “You know Halloween isn’t for a few days, right?” he asked, sarcastically.

  Sutton was speechless and beyond embarrassed. “Just trying on the outfit.”

  “I like it.”

  The guy smiled at her sleazily and she rushed out and back to Justin’s room. As she walked in, Justin nodded and looked at her approvingly.

  “This is going to be great. We’re going to have tons of fun.”

  “Yeah … tons.”

  “Are you ready?”

  As ready as I’ll ever be, Sutton thought. “Um … yeah.”

  “Then prepare for magic.”

  AFTER A TRAGIC couple of hours, Sutton and Justin returned to his room. Sutton changed once again and handed Justin the outfit. “This has been great … but I should really head back to my room now. You know … homework.”