Page 30 of The Romance Rivalry

Jeannette:Six points confirmed.

Me:Opposites attract—check. Went out with a guy from the lacrosse team. Jock. Doesn’t read fiction. What could possibly go wrong? Jeannette rates it a four. Harsh.

Charles:Based on details including Irene’s guffaw-heard-across-campus when said jock mentioned not even owning a book, four is generous but confirmed.

Aiden:I know that guffaw. Poor guy will never recover.

Aiden:Love triangle—check. Me and the twins from Delta Chi.

Me:God, you’re such a cliche.

Jeannette:You don’t get double points for that.

Charles:Aiden kept calling them by the wrong names. It didn’t end well. I couldn’t even figure out who actually slapped him. Two points.

Jeannette:Two points confirmed.

Aiden:I can’t convince you guys for three points? I still feel the sting on my cheek.

Me:Earned. I’ll accept three.

Aiden:I’m good. No handouts. No reason for you to claim I cheated at the end when I beat you.

Me:As if.

Jeannette:Irene is in the middle of the best grumpy/sunshine date ever. I called it. She’s especially grumpy and she’s rolled her eyes at least ten times already. Thissunshine is unfazed. He just keeps smiling and smiling and smiling. He’s having a good time. Do we score on his satisfaction or hers?

Charles:Wait, I see you guys at the bench across the quad. That guy is in my communications class. He just had dental surgery. His jaw is wired shut. It only looks like he’s smiling because that’s the only way he can open his mouth to breathe. I call foul.

Aiden:LOL

Me:This is humiliating. I’m done. Just give me credit for the trope and rack up the zero points for the date itself.

Aiden:No no no. Jeannette seems to think this is a ten-pointer. Charles?

Charles:For my own personal enjoyment, I agree. Ten points.

Me:I hate you all.

Aiden:I’m using my freebie. SHIFTER ROMANCE, baby! Check that box.

Me:...

Me:Do I even want to ask?

Aiden:Went to a Halloween party and my date was dressed as a sexy werewolf.

Me:Of course she was.

Aiden:She even lifted her tail for me.

Me:I do NOT want to know more.

Charles:The fact that Aiden is texting while still on this date with said sexy werewolf who is trying very hard to get him to make her howl, I’d say it’s in trouble from his side. Early odds... it’ll end at a five, tops.

Aiden:You’re supposed to be my second.

Jeannette:I’ll throw you a bone. Let’s record the five and let Aiden get out of there before she gets her claws into him.