She stared at the bottle of tequila in her hand. Maybe this was the best thing to do since she didn't want to go out and meet people in bars. Maybe, this'll bring her luck.
Oh, what the hell is she thinking?
She's just pathetic.
She clicked the "Post" button.
Wanted: Single. F.
Under 33.
Must enjoy the sun.
Must enjoy the sea.
Sought by Single F.
Mrs. Destiny.
Send photo to address.
Kim stared at the Personals section on her computer. Normally, she wouldn't even be caught dead looking at this section on the Middleton Daily website, but after a string of bad dates and a messy break-up, she was in the mood for something different.
But online dating? Do these things even work? What if it's some serial killer hiding behind a fake identity? Luring women and then...
Kim sighed. That kind of thinking would make her seem paranoid. Plus, her BFF Monique said it was time to do something different. Going to bars and clubs to meet strangers who only wanted sex was just bad... Very bad.
But, this? Out of the personals she skimmed through, only this one caught her eye. It was so simple, yet so... deep. Nothing about how she makes money, or how she likes to 'have a good time', but just enjoying the sun and sea. What did that even mean?
Kim shook her head. She bit her lip. She browsed through her folders and attached a picture - one that was more flattering of herself from several years ago.
Her inbox chirped.
Reply to Single F.
My name is Kimberly.
Cell phone number here.
Call if you have the time.
28 and bored.
Grieving over loss.
Sorry to be heavy,
But heavy is the cost.
She stared at the message. The only message she gets and it's so... cryptic. Perhaps she should humour herself and call her, no? Setting aside her book, she picked up the phone and dialled the number given.
It picked up after one ring. "Hello, Kimberly speaking."
She opened her mouth, but no words could come out. If someone took a photo, it would look like she was pretending to be a fish gasping for air.
"Hi... I got your message," was all she could muster.
She heard some rustling on the other end, as if Kimberly just put down whatever she was doing on top of a stack of paper.
"Oh, hey, uhh," there was a pause.
She took over the conversation quickly, "Thanks so much for your response. These things can be scary, not always what you want."
"Yeah" was the reply, so she continued. "How about a drink? The St. Jude Club at noon?"
"Sure."
"I'll phone you first, I guess." She trailed off. "I hope I see you soon."
Kim hung up. Well, that was definitely different. She didn't realize who called her until the woman on the other end mentioned her message. And then it hit her. They were both nervous about this whole ordeal of online dating.
She never attached the photo to her message. She hit cancel before she sent the message; her hesitation made sense - why would you want a stranger to know what you looked like before you talked to her? But, to be courteous, Kim argued, she had to at least confirm tomorrow's 'date'. She couldn't remember who hung up first, but the awkward silence was a bit too much to take, even over the phone. So she pulled out her laptop, found that picture, and quickly typed up a reply.
I never got your name, I assume you're 33.
Your voice, it sounded kind.
I hope that you like me.
When you see my face, I hope that you don't laugh.
I'm not a film-star beauty.
I sent a photograph.
Next day.
She pushed up her glasses on her nose. She was early. And sitting in the back of the club. She saw the photograph and couldn't believe her eyes. How could someone so gorgeous be single? Surely this was a ruse. It had to be.
She sipped on her coffee and pretended to read the paper. Any minute now, the real Kimberly will walk through the door and she will see who she truly is. Maybe it was some creep posing as a pretty girl to lure them away and try to-
The wind chime rang as the door swung open. She pulled up the paper and peered over the top. She was real. So real that she almost dropped her paper and blew her cover.
Kim took a seat near the window, which faced towards the club's door, hoping that whoever she was meeting would be able to see her. Who wouldn't? Crimson red hair and a body that would make any other athletic twenty-eight year old jealous. In reality, she was really nervous. What did Single F look like? Did she managed to read Kim's email before she called Kim?
Fifteen minutes later, Kim frowned. Single F was late. Where could she be? Single F called her earlier to confirm, but now it just seemed like Kim was being stood up. She hoped that wasn't the case. Single F spoke with a gentle voice and gave Kim directions to the club. Kim hailed down a waiter and asked for a coffee. Two sugars, one cream.
Thirty minutes passed. Kim's coffee was almost drained from its cup. She tapped her fingers on the table. Maybe, just maybe, Single F took one look at her and bolted out the door. Kim had her eyes glued to the door for the past half an hour and the only people who came in left immediately after they go their drinks to go from the counter.
Forty-five minutes. Kim shook her head and sighed. This was all just a silly idea. Something she won't do again, she'd have to remind Monique that 'different' wasn't good.
An hour. Someone in the back of the room left. Long hair like silk, jeans, sweater with a plaid shirt. She couldn't catch her face. Kim then looked around. There were only three other tables with customers, one of which was the person's who just left. She tilted her head. This person had a good view of her from the back... could it be? No, why would Single F sit in the back and not say a thing to Kim? Unless... unless she too was nervous. No, her imagination is just kicking into overdrive.
Kim sighed. She left change on her table and walked out the door.
Maybe love just wasn't for her.
Note to Single F:
Why did you not show up?
I waited for an hour and finally gave up.
I thought once that I saw you, I thought that you saw me.
I guess we'll never meet now.
It wasn't meant to be.
Author's Notes: Song is Personal by Stars. I know I used this before in Loud Music, but I couldn't resist using this as a basis for a one-shot story.
I've been busy with real-life things (these things just hit me like a tonne of bricks). Loud Music is sort of on hold at the moment...
