The Matchmaker

"B. Hey.

What are you doing here? "

Cate's soft voice stuttered me. What was she doing sneaking out on me like that? I love to hate Cate, she's a bit extra. Short but we'll be compensated verbally.

" I had a class"

If anything, she is brave.

Ignoring me, Cate walked closer to the window I was standing a few steps away from and scanned the Auditorium.

My mind was panicking, but outside I kept it cool. How could I let her smell a slight amount of insecurities on me, she can pick smells like a werewolf.

"So, who's the guy?"

I'm trying to lie but my face is betraying me, I hardly lie. I settle for the truth, partially.

"A student"

Cate leaned against the wall close to the window. She scrutinized me, how could I lie to that little face of hers? She seems to be all-knowing.

"I can see that. Too young, don't you think?"

"Yeah, too young"

I whispered.

A few nights ago we were at my place. She brought coconut milk and a long recipe from her hospitality class to make some rice. I might have lied to her about this class, I said I had already applied for a retake. I'm caught red-handed.

"I smell a rat, do you?"

Cate smelt around before taking a deep breath off my shoulder.

That wicked face almost shook me.

"In middle school, I did what most do at the high school level, I know what's going on here. Are you trying to play middle school in college?

What the hell are you doing passing your book out to him?"

Cate took a scrutinizing glance at him

" I didn't expect you to be this nasty, a freshman? 1.2?"

"Lower"

"What the fuck, he's like fresh? And here I thought I'm the only one with the hots for younger guys. I bet he's seventeen and a half"

Seventeen? What the f…?

" That he is"

Cate smirked," I see the disappointment in your eyes, I think you like this kid. I think he's eighteen, but you can never be sure these days. Just ask for his ID card before banging him"

" He's myopic. "

" So are you, a match made from heaven. Has he been at your place? Please tell me you haven't f… "

" Don't worry, the prey is yours to hunt. I'm not into him, like at all. Go ahead "

" Don't play coy with me, I have like fifteen kids in line to bang, how can I take your only one?

But, he sure is a catch, move fast before you get sloppy seconds of a freshman girl"

" You're crazy"

" Just trying to be a feminist. What were you doing before I came, admiring him from afar? That ain't what our sisters matched for. But, I guess that's your way. "

" Glad we are on the same page "

" No! I would fuck that kid in an instant, I just wanna make sure you are comfortable with your choice. I'm being supportive here, can't you meet me halfway? "

" He just seems different to me, I don't like the kid. "

" That's what I said about my cousin's boyfriend before he died, I still regret why I didn't bone the poor guy. "

" How old was he? "

" Sixteen "

" When? "

Cate stared at him once more. " Last year. Don't be a bitch about it.

He's a catch, don't just let it be. If you want it, just go for it. You can't know what you missed until you try it, you're too young to live in regret for failing to grab the chance " " I'm sure"

" Fine, see ya"

" Actually, can you get that book and my backpack when he's done? You kinda are dying to get to meet him anyway"

"What's his name?"

"I don't know"

"Strange", Cate tapped on her cheekbone as she walked backward holding a smiley face. Like I said, she's the whole package, I weirdly like her raw ideas and lack of filtration.

****

Cate's pov

I have been friends with B for years, we go way back from high school. I know, we kinda have the same energies.

We are the different poles of the same magnetic field.

We have the glue that keeps us together. From my side, I'm honest, and in all kinds of ways.

Added to my personality, I think I'm the best.

B is as honest, but without profanity.

She's calm and quiet, never wanting the attention to fall on her even when she deserves it. The opposite of me.

But, I think she was trying to hide something from me, or at least trying to convince herself that she didn't care about the kid.

I know her, it isn't like her to lie, maybe she is trying to block any feeling she might have for the kid

That's why I'm here, as her friend, I'm going to make sure that she makes space in that cold heart of hers for the boy.

I know she wants to, but it is but a new feeling for her. She's the one friend of mine who doesn't sleep around with anybody.

It's been years since her high school boyfriend broke her heart, and she has to move on.

This boy is a humble sacrifice brought to her to open that heart of hers. She has to say yes to feelings, she shouldn't turn them off like that. It might come to bite later on.

I want to get the guy to her place, after that I will let nature take its course.

If he feels the same, they will get it on. I mean, who can refuse a beautiful girl like B? Her cold expressions and cool intimidates guys from asking her out, I guess this one will be different. If he isn't, then he doesn't deserve her.

****

Cate's pov

"Hey"

"Hi", he replied.

I stand corrected, maybe I should fuck the kid myself, he's beautiful. I can see why B likes the boy, he has a scrutinizing set of eyes_ big as hers.

He's a whole package, young but with a body, a beautiful face, and a smile.

If I stare at him for three more seconds I might take him in as my next mistake. But that would destroy B, I have to consider my girl before dick. Tough choice.

I hate feminism right now.

"I'm Cate, B's friend", I have to start a conversation like normal people do. I can't scare this kid away before B scares him away for good.

He looked surprised, as he rolled his eyes at the mention of B, maybe he likes her as well. Or didn't she share her name with him?

"I guess she sent you."

"Yes. Are you done? You have shortsightedness, she mentioned that."

The kid is brave, I think he's questioning what else B has shared about him, it's working. He nodded.

Quoting Nessa Barnett, I'm a whore. If it was up to me I would have asked him to meet me at my place with a box of condoms. For a friend, I have to be decent.

"She can't stop talking about you. Do you like her as well?"

He was surprised.

Not able to hide the puzzlement, he inhaled sharply. He licked his upper lip unknowingly proving my point.

"I don't think she likes me, but I'll take it. You sure aren't anything like her, her older sister?"

What the fuck! Do I look like an older sister? He can't be insinuating I'm that old. "Why?"

He closed the books then extended his hand to grab B's bag.

"You don't look like a freshman to me"

He's really dumb, my kind of innocence, maybe I should at least kiss the confusion out of this kid's mouth before he insults me any further.

"She does?"

"Isn't she?"

Good heavens, I should run from this kid before I sign. He's making it hard for me not to wanna pin him down right now.

I had to stand up, else I would have betrayed my best friend.

"No, a junior. I mean, she's big, mature, cool, awesome, and confident. How could you think for a moment she was a freshman?"

That's an insult to call B a freshman.

"She's taking the same class as me… "

He's a bit overwhelmed, but he's going to get over that in no time, I can't frighten him away like this.

" I had an itch about it, your friend doesn't share much. Sure not like you. "

" Are you put off because she's older than you? I bet you are eighteen"

I like his smile, he's definitely a kid. Look at that innocence.

" I'm nineteen. I don't think some gap years can intimidate me, but I'm going to panic over the fact that she's a junior after we part"

"I think we will be friends, you are too easy to talk to. I wonder how you got to impress someone like her. You'll tell that later.

What's your name? I'm Cate."

" Zain"

That's playboy's name, is he a low-key playboy? Because then I'll have my chance to sin with him. I can take B's sloppy seconds.

" Cool"

Zain's pov

She took time before replying, "Cool"

I could see her struggling about something.

She washed her thoughts away as she gestured for me to follow her.

As she led me out of the hall, out through the small gate leading to apartment buildings and the golden-painted gate. I couldn't help but wonder what was happening.

Just followed.

As she rocked her hair from right to left and exchanged greetings, hugs, and cheek kisses…oh, and light kisses on the lips with the students we met.

We entered the golden main gate, climbed trails of well-lit stairs to the third floor, and walked through the corridors to the furthest door.

It was already getting dark.

Tiled floor, white walls, huge windows, lots of light now that it was getting darker, and a parking lot made it smell high-end.

She knocked and left me there, alone.

"That's her room", she said from a distance without looking back.

I was left there blank and shocked. Waiting for her to open the door. Wondering if she was expecting someone like me.

I heard a beep, tearing me from my mind.