Free Matchplay by Dakota Madison

guy, isn’t it?” He furrowed his brow. “The guy, who was staring at you at the party.”
    I nodded.
    “You know he’s in The Clubhouse.”
    “I know.”
    “You know what that means?”
    I looked down at my tea. It seemed undrinkable now. I looked back up at Josh. “I think Aaron is different.”
    Josh laughed again but this time his laugh was infused with anger and bitterness. “Those guys are all the same, Rainy. Don’t fool yourself into thinking Aaron isn’t going to use you the way he’s used every other girl in his life. That’s what guys like that do. Using girls is how they entertain themselves. Guys like that aren’t good for girls like you.”
    “Girls like me? What does that mean?”
    “You’re beautiful and smart and funny and passionate. Any guy would be lucky to have you. You should be treasured not used up and thrown out like trash. I don’t want to see you hurt.”
    The look in Josh’s eyes made me want to cry. I knew he was sincere and really believed what he was saying but I just couldn’t fit his assessment of Aaron with the person I knew.
    “You’re really sweet. I know you don’t want to see me hurt. But I can’t help how I feel about Aaron.”
    Josh nodded and heaved a sigh. Then he rose and grabbed his coffee. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
    Before I could respond, Josh turned and walked out of the coffee shop. I knew I had hurt his feelings. And I couldn’t help but wonder if what he said about Aaron was true and he was eventually going to hurt me. 
     
    ***
     
    A fter class on Thursday, I could tell Aaron was excited about something. He was grinning like a little boy.
    “So?” I said as I approached him. “What are you smiling about?”
    “You’ll see. When we get to the library.”
    When we both sat down in our study room, I was getting e xcited to see whatever it was he wanted to show me. His enthusiasm was contagious.
    He removed a notebook from his backpack and opened it. “Did you know Mary Cassatt was asked to paint a mural for the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair? The mural, Young Women Plucking the Fruits of Knowledge or Science, was in the Women’s Buil ding and when the building was torn down after the World’s Fair, the mural was lost.”
    “Where did you get that information?” I asked a bit su rprised.
    “Pretty cool, huh? And this is even cooler.” He turned his notebook around to show me a photograph. “They actually discovered some photographs that were taken of the mural.”
    “That’s very cool . We definitely need to include that information in our presentation. But I still want to know your source.”
    He raised an eyebrow. “We may have to barter for that i nformation.”
    “And what do I have that you could possibly want?” I said without thinking. As soon as the words left my mouth, I realized my mistake.
    I could see him stifling a smile. “I can think of a few things. But I’ll settle for a kiss.”
    I knew Aaron had probably kissed hundreds of girls but it was a big step for me. I wanted it to mean something. I think he could sense my hesitation because he added, “When the time is right for both of us. I just want to make sure it’s preapproved.”
    His eyes were dancing. He got so much joy from teasing me. “Okay, I said. One kiss. So you’d better make it a good one.”
    “You get the information after I get the kiss,” he taunted.
    “I can live with that.”
     
    ***
     
    A fter our study session, Aaron asked me if I was hungry. I was starving, so he suggested we try the new Pizza Oven that had just opened.
    Over a deep dish mushroom, olive and pepperoni pizza, we talked about my plans for after college. Aaron seemed to be truly interested in my passion for art history and my desire to earn a doctorate and eventually teach and do research.
    “I’ve never dated someone with so much determination and passion.” 
    As hard as I had been fighting my feelings for Aaron, I had to admit, it sounded good when he said the