"Are you ready too find some love," Izzy hooted the moment I opened the door, and instantly wished I hadn't.
"Sure," I deadpanned.
"Oh come on, you were ready to do this last night," Maia pointed out kicking off her shoes.
"That's because I had wine in me."
"Well then it's a good thing we brought these," Maia said pulling two bottles of wine out of her bag.
"We thought if you're going to do this, then you might as well be drunk," Izzy said. "Plus it will make it more fun." I grabbed the bottles as we made our way into the living room where I had my laptop ready. After grabbing some glasses from the kitchen I sat down heavily.
"Come on, get on the site," Maia said as she opened one of the bottles. "You are using eHarmony right?"
"Yeah I decided to take your word on it, so you better be right," I said, graciously accepting the glass of wine she handed me. I may have downed half of it before the website loaded.
"Little nervous are you?" Izzy asked, eyebrows raised.
"Maybe just a bit."
"Hey, see look at those people in the corner. They look happy," Maia pointed out, nudging me with her elbow.
"Yes that will be me, walking along the beach smiling with glee."
"Well not with that attitude, now hurry up and fill out the little card thing." Izzy said grabbing her glass and leaning back on the couch. I sighed and looked at the screen.
'"Hi, my first name is Alec, and I am a male seeking a male,"' I read out, filling in the blanks where needed.
"Of course it automatically fills in woman, ugh they need to get with the times," Maia huffed taking a sip from her own glass. I rolled my eyes and filled in my postal code and selected my country. After pressing the button another card came up.
'"My email address is aleclightwood, I would like my password to be WhyAmIDoingThis'" I joked, causing Maia and Izzy to slap both my arms. I reluctantly changed it to something else.
'" I heard about eHarmony from my annoying friends."'
"Hey, we're anything but annoying. We don't have to help you with this," Maia said sticking her tongue out. I once again changed my answer and picked one from the list.
"Woo, now click the button so we can find your matches," Izzy insisted, bouncing a little.
"I think there's going to be a lot more to fill out before we get to any matches," I told her as a clicked it. A little blurb popped up as I did. '"Would you like to go to Compatible Partners,"' I read out as I scanned the rest of what it said.
"Hey that's cool, they have a section specifically for gay and lesbian singles looking for partners," Maia said smiling. I nodded, agreeing it was pretty cool of the site to do that, but I still ended up draining my glass before clicking the arrow.
"'Hi, Alec. Nice to meet you,"' I read. "Yeah that's not creepy at all."
"Oh come on click the arrow, lets get to know you!" Izzy said nudging me. I sighed and clicked it, handing my glass to Maia so she could refill it.
"Doesn't it already know my gender?" I asked, clicking the correct circle. Then I filled in when I was born, and where I live.
"'What's your relationship status? Never married, divorced, separated, widowed,"" Izzy read out trying not to laugh.
"Where is the simple single category?" I asked.
"Now Alec, be honest with this question. How many children is it you have again?" Maia asked handing me my new glass of wine. I groaned and clicked the continue arrow.
"I really don't know if I can have fun with this," I said referencing the screen that came up. "This is just going to be weird, I'm regretting it already."
"Oh come on, click the arrow so we can get to some more questions."
"'How well does this word generally describe you?"' I read, looking at the word warm.
"I would say the one just above somewhat," Izzy said. "You can get quite bitchy sometimes." I sighed and clicked it, it would have been what I said anyway.
"'Clever,"' Maia reads.
"I like to think I'm pretty clever," I said pressing the button below very well. "I need to give myself some room to grow.
"'Dominant,"" I read feeling myself blush. "Like in bed?"
"No, I think it means in life, gosh get your mind out of the gutter," Maia said laughing.
"I've heard you on the phone to some of your authors, you do tell them what to do a lot," Izzy told me.
"So I'll put somewhat," I said pressing the button. The questions continued like this for the next ten minutes.
000
"How am I very well when it comes to predictable!"
"Well I mean, you're very organized when it comes to your life. You don't really go off track…" Izzy said trailing off.
"Ugh," I said even though I clicked it.
000
"Now this is about the bedroom," Izzy said winking when the word sensual popped up. I blushed and clicked one above somewhat.
"Oh these answer better be being put to good use," I said once it changed to a new screen. "Bloody hell more word questions?!" I exclaimed after pressing the arrow. I drained half my glass before starting.
"'Patient,"' I read before scowling.
"Clearly you're not very well with this one," Maia input.
"They put this here on purpose!" I yelled before clicking one below somewhat.
000
"'Vivacious,"" I read out. "I feel like that's not a good term for me, more for you two."
"Yeah, I think you're below somewhat," Maia said.
000
"I am so not bossy!" I interjected. Maia and Izzy leaned over me so they could look at each other, and then look back at me. I could see the knowing look in their eyes. I sighed and clicked somewhat as a compromise.
000
"I think you're pretty romantic, or would be once you get a boyfriend," Maia said smiling.
000
"Oh thank god something different," I said once I clicked the arrow and a new question filled the screen.
"'If your best friends had to pick four words to describe you, which four from this list would they pick?"' I read out.
"Ooo fun!" Izzy exclaimed.
"Our turn!" Maia said moving closer, I was just glad I didn't have to do anything. I sipped my wine as they looked through the words.
"Four isn't enough!" Maia complained ten minutes later, they still hadn't settled on four freaking words.
"Oh just pick some!" They both sighed, and took another five minutes before they were finally done.
"Okay, so we picked physically fit, creative, sweet, and dependable," Izzy told me.
"We thought that gave a wide range of options," Maia said. I nodded, just glad we were moving on. Once the screen changed it said I was 35% done.
"Ugh, kill me now."
"Come on, at least it's different questions now," Izzy pointed out.
"'How well does this describe you? I do things according to a plan."" I chose very well for that question.
000
"I don't get stressed out easily!"
"Oh you can't even lie with this one, you're stressed out doing this quiz," Izzy said. I sighed and reluctantly clicked the one below very well.
"Hey, maybe they'll massage you," Maia suggested.
000
"I desire sexual activity, best question so far!" Izzy said laughing.
"Oh my god, you have to put very well!"
"I cannot believe this is a question," I mumbled.
"You want to get some don't you," Maia said. I quickly clicked very well, blushing the entire time. I took a gulp of my wine and ended up choking a little on it. After a few more questions it said I was 50% done.
"Ooo, next up wearing your heart on your sleeve," Maia read from the screen. "Are you ready for it?"
"I have no idea," I said before clicking the arrow that said on to my feelings. This was going to haunt my dreams. After a few easy questions it spit out a big one.
"How often in the past month have you felt, fearful about the future?" Izzy read.
"Damn, getting into the deep stuff now."
000
"How often have you felt unable to cope?" Maia asked.
"This is just depressing now," I said.
000
"Plotted against, what is this a crime novel?" I asked, laughing a bit at how far out these questions have gotten.
"Hey look 55% done, we're getting there," Izzy said once the screen changed.
"Yeah I guess," I sighed before clicking the arrow.
"So Alec, how skilled are you at the following things?" Maia asked.
"Creating romance in a relationship?" Izzy interjected.
"Well I mean, you were pretty cute with your boyfriend throughout college. That amazing birthday surprise you did for him," Maia said getting a dreamy look on her face.
"The fact that you had to go all the way back to college for me to have been in a relationship is so sad," I said, but still clicked the one below very skilled.
000
"Keeping physically fit," Izzy read smirking.
"I swear this is like the fifth question about my body!"
"Click very skilled," Maia demanded. "Hey, I've seen you shirtless, and some times I gotta say it sucks you're gay."
"I think someone's had a bit too much wine," I pointed out blushing, but still feeling pretty good.
"I just say it like it is, don't take the wine from me."
"Fine, but if you start trying to make out with him you're cut off," Izzy said laughing.
000
"Oh it changed, what's your interest in…watching movies?" I read, glad that for this part they were changing it up as it went along. I clicked very strong.
000
"Reading, well it is my job so I hope I have some interest in it," I said clicking very strong.
000
"Umm, parties…"
"I'd say a somewhat interest, you've gotten a bit better over the years," Maia pointed out.
000
When I read out shopping Maia and Izzy both started laughing.
"Hey, I've gotten better at shopping!" I insisted, shooting daggers from my eyes.
"Okay, okay that's true. Your wardrobe doesn't suck. Still, you don't really like shopping."
000
"Friends," I read before clicking a strong interest in.
"Aww, I have a strong interest in being your friend too," Maia said hugging me, well if you can call it a hug. It was awkward since she was sitting beside me with a wine glass in one hand, and I had a laptop on me.
"Hey look you're 65% done," Izzy said. "And Ooo look it's getting into the important stuff, time to talk about relationships."
"I feel like you guys are liking this way too much," I said clicking on the arrow.
"It's fun getting to know this stuff about you," Maia said.
"I am looking for a long-term relationship that will ultimately lead to marriage…" Izzy slowly read.
"Wow, now that's heavy," I breathed.
"I guess just neither agree nor disagree," Maia suggested.
000
"A 'serious' relationship needs to be exclusive,"
"I think that depends on stuff," I answered.
000
"People often let you down if you depend on them," I read out.
"I swear, some of these questions really want to see if you hate people," Izzy commented.
000
"I sometimes find it difficult to trust people I get romantically involved with."
"Okay, it's confirmed. This site has some serious trust issues," Maia pointed out.
000
"So how important in a relationship is your partners dependability?" Izzy asked.
"I'm going to say very."
000
"Ooo, how important is their sex appeal?" Maia asked winking.
"Well, if I'm being honest…" I trailed off and clicked very.
000
"Partners physical appearance, now we're getting into the looks category," I said clicking very yet again.
000
"What about your sexual compatibility?" Izzy asked grinning.
"What?"
"Like how compatibly you guys are in bed," Maia explained. "Do you both like the same stuff, are you willing to try new things?"
"Oh," I was blushing, I knew it, and it didn't help that I chose very.
"Hey look at that, 75% done," Izzy told me. I sighed and rubbed my eyes, pouring another glass of wine.
"I guess this isn't so bad," I said taking a sip.
"You're just saying that 'cause you've had like four glasses of wine," Izzy pointed out.
"So, at least I'm having a bit of fun with this."
"True, so are you ready to build your profile?" Maia asked, motioning for me to hurry up and click the arrow. I sighed and settled deeper into the couch.
"Oh cool, now it's more about what you do in life," Izzy said when the first question had me pick my highest level of education. I clicked Masters before moving on. The next question was what job I had.
"Wait what, they want me to write down my personal income!" I was shocked at this.
"Hey, learn to read the fine print. You're matches won't see it," Maia reassured me.
"Well then what's the point," I said before clicking one of the boxes.
"So what's is closer to, $60,000 or $125,000?" Maia asked.
"We're in his apartment right now, obviously the $125,000 mark," Izzy commented. I filled a few more random things in before it started asking some more word questions.
"Oh joy, so how does stylish describe me?" I asked.
"I'd say a little over somewhat," Izzy told me.
"But-"
"Don't argue, I'm the model I know clothes."
000
"Attractive," Maia read.
"Be nice," I warned, then smiled when they told me to pick very well.
000
"How sexy are you Alec?" Maia asked.
"Now this is a hard one," Izzy joked. I pushed her, frowning. "Hey, you're my brother, I can't think you're sexy."
"How about the one below very well, don't want to seem too full of yourself," Maia suggested.
000
"How happy are you with your physical appearance?" Izzy read. I clicked the one below very happy.
"Just taking Maia's advice, can't seem too narcissistic."
000
"How important is the attractiveness of your match?" Izzy asked.
"I don't want to seem too obsessed with looks," I muttered.
"Yeah, but you know it's important," Maia said.
000
"How often do I drink?" I read out.
"Clearly it's daily," Izzy said pouring more wine.
"I'll pick a few times a week, can't let them know I'm an alcoholic quite yet," I said laughing.
000
"Hey look, what are you passionate about?" Maia read.
"I have to write something?" I asked, sitting up.
"It says to write about something that energizes and excites you," Maia said.
"Ugh, fine. You guys can't watch, I need to think," I said shooing them away.
"Fine, I have to pee anyway," Izzy said getting up, a little unsteadily.
"Me too," Maia said following her towards the bathroom. I sighed and stretched a bit, what was I going to write about? I knew reading would be the easy thing, but that might make me sound a little boring. I sat there thinking for probably a good ten minutes, I could hear the girls laughing in the kitchen as they made food. I sighed and decided to write about travelling. Another fifteen minutes went by before I was done.
"Okay, you can come back in," I called out.
"Good, I can't wait to read what you wrote," Maia said plopping down beside me and handing me the bowl of popcorn. "I can read it right?" I nodded and grabbed a handful.
"'I'm passionate about travelling, Europe to be more specific, exploring new things whilst returning to the old and favourite. I travel because I just can't imagine not. Reading about, and looking at pictures of a new place fills me with desire, but actually experiencing that same place- being able to see, smell, touch, and hear it - that fills me with serenity, wonder, and unparalleled joy. Though I love my home, it represents only the tiniest sliver of what this world has to offer. With travel the potential for discovery and learning is seemingly infinite. In the best possible way, you're forced to reorient your priorities, expand your perspective, and evolve beyond what is comfortable into something better, something more."" Once Maia was finished reading the room kind of went silent.
"Wow, that was amazing Alec," Izzy breathed.
"Yeah, this will definitely grab guys attentions," Maia said smiling.
"Hey look, more writing,"Izzy said once I clicked the arrow.
"Well thankfully I have to write very little," I said, since the question was name three things I do in my leisure time. I wrote down reading, cooking, and watching old movies.
"Now you have to put three things you're thankful for," Maia read. I thought about it for a few moments before putting down family, friends, and the city I live in.
"Oh thank god, I'm 90% done. Who knew signing up for a dating site could be so exhausting."
"Now you have to tell them what you're looking for in your matches," Izzy read, clicking the arrow for me.
"The most my matches can drink is…"
"What is this, am I meant to control them?" I asked. "I'll just put the answer I used."
000
"How important is your matches education?" Maia asked.
"Well, I guess somewhat. They don't need to have gone specifically to ivy league schools or anything."
000
"So how old are you willing to go?" Izzy asked smiling.
"Let's just put between 27-35," I answered rolling my eyes.
000
"How important is the distance of your match?"
"Well obvious that's pretty important, I don't want someone who lives in Australia or something like that."
000
"Hey look, do you want someone with kids?" Maia asked laughing.
"Umm, I'm going to go with no on that one."
000
"Ooo look it's picture time!" Izzy exclaimed jumping off the couch.
"Oh joy, this should be fun," I mumbled, but still letting Maia take my computer as Izzy grabbed my hand to lead me to my room.
"Okay, so I think the jeans you have on now will do. They do make your legs look really good, and they'll go with anything," Izzy said throwing open my closet. "But we need to change your shirt." I just stood there letting her basically dress me until she was satisfied, but I did end up liking the tight red shirt she chose.
"Okay, now we need to find the perfect backdrop," she said taking my hand and leading me back into the living room.
"Hey looking good," Maia commented from where she lay on the couch.
"I think you'd look good leaning up against those floor to ceiling windows. With the lights of the city glowing in the background it would look pretty magical," Izzy said motioning for me to go there. I did, and after she commented on how I was standing, and after we fixed it, she finally took a few photos.
"What do you think?" She asked handing me her phone. She was right, the huge windows with the city reflecting in them did make me stand out. The shirt hugged me, showing off my body that the quiz was so interested in. My cheeks were flushed from the wine, and my hair was a bit messy. I had to admit I looked pretty hot.
"It's perfect," I admitted.
"Let's upload it!" Maia exclaimed. Once that process was done the screen once again changed, letting me know I was almost done!
"Hey look, it says you'll get new matches every morning," Izzy commented.
"You're paying right?" Maia asked as we moved to the next screen.
"Yeah I might as well, it gives me more stuff to do. Only the six month plan though." Paying for some reason took forever, which was annoying, but I finally finished and the screen changed to my actual profile.
"This is so cool, it has the answers to some of your questions pasted around here," Izzy said scrolling down the page.
"And there's still some fill in the blanks to do, like with favourite movies, books, sports, things like that," Maia said.
"Ooo you can upload more pictures," Izzy said smiling. "We'll have to do a photo shoot soon."
"This is pretty amazing, seeing everything laid out like this. It was a lot of work, but I think it's going to pay off," I said, hoping that it was true.
"I guess now all that's left to do is wait until you get your first match," Maia said leaning against me.
"Yeah, wait…" I said trailing off. Truth is I've never really been very patient.
I hope you all enjoyed these chapters, promise I'll actually upload the next one tomorrow! Just wanted to say thanks to everyone who's reading this, and those that have favourited/followed/and reviewed :) I'll be back tomorrow!