It's a Match! (8 page)

COLE PUT HIS
phone down and immediately took a seat at his desk. He wanted to start creating Sutton’s profile as soon as possible. He hated knowing his friend was in pain, and if there was anything he could do to help, he had to do it.
 

He sat staring at his computer, looking at Sutton’s Facebook page, wondering which pictures would be best to use. He had to use the one of her sticking her tongue out while staring at his eggplant Parmesan distastefully, of course. Sutton hated eggplant. That and raw onions were the only foods she wouldn’t eat. Other than that, she was a very adventurous eater.

Then Cole stumbled upon the perfect profile picture. The day Aiden broke up with Sutton, she and Cole had spent the day at the zoo. They’d been sitting on a bench staring at the monkeys, and she took a long sip from her blue raspberry slushy. She’d immediately gotten brain freeze. In the picture, she had a small pink flower behind her ear and her hands pressed to the sides of her face in agony. Cole had taken the picture without her knowledge and from then on, it was always his favorite picture of her….
 

Cole was folding laundry as he heard his phone beep. He picked it up to see a cryptic text from Sutton:

I need to see you.

What’s up, Sutt? You ok?

Not really.

I’ll be there in fifteen.

Cole drove to Sutton’s house as quickly as he could. He knew it must be something huge. He found a parking spot right in front of her house and walked around to the back entrance. He avoided the front door as much as possible, because he was less likely to run into her parents.
 

Security buzzed him in and he headed up to Sutton’s room. He knocked quietly, then heard Sutton meekly say, “Come in.” He opened the door to see Sutton sitting on her bed, staring off into nothing in particular. He walked over and sat next to her on the bed. “I came as quickly as I could. What’s going on?”

Sutton didn’t turn to look at him. She maintained her blank stare as she said two simple words: “It’s Aiden.”

“What happened?”

“We broke up.”

Cole’s heart instantly ached for Sutton, shocked to hear the news. “Why?”

“I’m not really sure. He just said that it was moving too fast, that it was over.”

“But he seemed so into it,” Cole said, sympathetically.

“I know. But you knew we were kind of growing apart for a while.”

“I figured that was just some sort of phase.”

“So did I. I just kept hoping it would change,” Sutton said, finally turning to Cole.
 

Cole put his hand on Sutton’s. “You’re shaking. What can I do?”

“Just be here with me.”

“I can do that.”

The two sat quietly for a few minutes, then Sutton spoke up. “Can we go somewhere? I need to be distracted.”

“Of course. What did you want to do?”

“I can’t think. My brain is on overload. You decide.”

Cole thought for a moment. “Let’s see … okay, I think I’ve got an idea.”

“What?”

“It’s a surprise. Let’s go.”

Sutton just nodded her head slowly, then stood up and grabbed her purse. She followed Cole down to his car and got into the passenger seat. She didn’t say a word during the entire ride. Cole understood, so he didn’t either.
 

Next thing Sutton knew, they pulled into the zoo parking lot. “Wow, I haven’t been here since I was a kid,” she said, wondering what exactly they were doing there.
 

“I’ve got some news for you,” Cole replied. “You’re still a kid.”

“Fair enough.”

“I know how much you love little animals. I thought it would maybe cheer you up.”

Sutton just nodded again.
 

“We can do something else,” Cole added.
 

Sutton’s voice was shaking as she replied quietly, “No, it’s fine. I’m sorry, I’m just a little in shock right now.”
 

“I know, Sutt. Did you want to talk about it?”

“Maybe … no … I don’t know. I just don’t understand what happened.”

“Did you ask him?” Cole asked, curiously.
 

“No, it seemed like he had his mind made up.”

“Yeah, but you also need your closure.”

“I guess,” Sutton replied, seemingly defeated.
 

“Come on, let’s go check out some furry creatures.”
 

“Okay,” Sutton replied. “I feel like I’m sleepwalking. None of this feels real,” she added.
 

“I know. It’s a horrible feeling. But we’ll distract you.”

Cole got out of the car and Sutton followed him to the line at the front. He purchased their tickets and told her they were going to get slushies. She nodded and they went to the snack counter. He, of course, got the Coca-Cola/cherry mixture and she got a blue raspberry one, as she always did.

“Where do you want to start?” Cole asked, as they wandered around aimlessly.
 

Sutton contemplated. “Monkeys?”

“Sure. I think they’re around here somewhere. Follow me,” Cole replied, taking the lead.
 

Sutton walked behind him and they eventually found the monkey exhibit. Sutton took a seat on the bench in front of it.
 

Cole was standing near the fence, reading the information sign. “Hey, did you know that spider monkeys get their name from their long arms, legs and tails?”

“Please don’t say the word
spider
. I’m nauseous enough already.”
 

“Sorry.”

Cole turned toward Sutton and watched her sip the slushy quickly. Then he saw the pained expression on her face as she put her hands up to her temples.

“Owwww. Brain Freeze.”

Cole quickly got out his phone and took a picture of Sutton as her eyes were closed. “Adorable.”

Sutton opened her eyes again. “What is?”

Cole put his phone away quickly. “The monkeys, of course.”
 

Cole picked out a few more pictures: One of Sutton in the kitchen cooking her famous shrimp fettuccine Alfredo, another of her and Cole at the bowling alley. He decided that would do for now. Now for the profile….

He wanted to keep it short and sweet. He began to type:

“I remembered that the real world was wide, and that a varied field of hopes and fears, of sensations and excitements, awaited those who had the courage to go forth into its expanse, to seek real knowledge of life amidst its perils.” – Jane Eyre.

I love the beautiful words that dance among the pages of the classic love stories. I can be mildly jaded when it comes to the search for somebody to share smiles with, but I still believe in happy endings, above all else. I decided to pursue writing as a result of my love of reading. I am a master chef and I have the sweetest laugh you’ll ever hear.
 

Cole nodded to himself, satisfied with how well he knew his best friend. He debated whether to start searching for suitable dates for Sutton or to work on his biology homework. He quickly decided his best friend took priority over the various organs of the human body.
 

First, he changed the location preferences to the area her college was in, then he set the age range at eighteen to twenty-three. He knew twenty-three was a bit on the steep side, but her Prince Charming might just end up being five years older. A grad student, perhaps? He began the search and shook his head at every guy he saw, swiping down to everyone. Then he paused as he realized he was going to have to be less picky. He had high standards for Sutton, but he knew he needed to let that go a bit. He needed to be open-minded.
 

Cole spent the next hour or so fooling around on Sutton’s Matchbox account. He had chosen to swipe up for a few possible matches. Now, all he had to do was wait to see if they found her suitable as well.
 

SUTTON WASN’T SURE
what to write on Cole’s Matchbox profile. She knew him really well, but she couldn’t exactly post things like his irrational fear of garden hoses or that time he threw up all over his gym teacher sophomore year. She closed her eyes for a minute, trying to think about what she would want to read on someone’s profile. She then began to type:

I’m not sure what I’m looking for on here. I’m just a city boy turned small town football player. I have no idea what I’m going to major in. All I know is I want to enjoy the ride. I want someone to laugh with, someone to make happy. There’s nothing I love more than making someone happy. I won’t prattle on about how I love the outdoors and country music, like mostly every other guy on here does. I don’t like country music and I don’t like bugs. I live a simple life. I just want someone to enjoy it with me. My deepest, darkest secret is that I went to a Britney Spears concert once … and I enjoyed it. My family and friends come before all else. I’m a loyal guy and I always hold the door open for a lady.

Sutton figured that would do for now. She could always edit it later. Now to pick out some pictures. She chose a few of her favorites from his Instagram photos. Then she started searching.

She shook her head as she flipped through the crappy selection of girls near his college. None of them seemed like his type, but she guessed the whole point was that they were forcing each other away from their respective types. So, she decided to be less judgmental.
 

She found a couple girls who could possibly be a good fit. One of them was a horseback rider from Wisconsin, another a gymnast from New York City. Now for the waiting game.

I’M A COUNTRY boy with an affinity for cow-tipping. If you’re looking for a blanket on a cold night, look no further. I’ve got you, girl. Stepping over a puddle? Guess who’s got a jacket to lay down for you? Me, I do. Flat tire? You bet I’ve got the jack you need. I’m the cherry on your sundae, the milk in your cereal, the waves in your ocean. Whatever you need … look no further. Because all you need is a little Chad in your life.

Chad:
I know what you’re thinking. ‘Cheeses Christ, I’m grate but this guy could be cheddar. O queso, he has some humor problems, but I don’t want to make him brie forever provolone, because then he would be bleu. I just swiss I could make sure he was a gouda guy so I could get parmesan to get to know him more….’

Hi, I’m Chad. I like cheesy puns and am also having a surprisingly boring day at work.

Sutton:
Who doesn’t like a good cheese pun?

Chad:
I know, right? So, do you go to Hardman?
 

Sutton:
Yeah, I just started. What about you?

Chad:
It’s my second year. Do you have a major yet?
 

Sutton:
Creative writing.

Chad:
Nice! I’m a psych major. I decided on that major last year when I took human sexuality. It was really interesting.
 

Sutton
: I bet.

Chad:
LOL. Not like that!
 

Sutton:
Suuuuure.

Chad:
So, do you need an experienced navigator to show you around campus sometime?

Sutton:
Experienced navigator, huh?

Chad:
Yes, indeed.
 

Sutton:
Maybe I’d be foolish to pass on that opportunity then.
 

Chad:
Totally foolish. So, Sutton, how’s this Friday night for you?

Sutton:
I think that works.
 

Chad:
Awesome. I know a fun little place we could get dinner, then maybe walk around the poor excuse for a downtown that we have here. Do you like Italian food?

Sutton:
It’s my favorite.

Chad:
Okay, perfect. Send me your number and we’ll solidify the deets.