This is an experiment. I got inspired by a review on Swipe Right. No, this is not the sequel you asked for, but I am having fun. Hope you enjoy it too.
A few weeks after her breakup, Chris realizes the constant Couchsurfing just isn't for her. She could kick herself for moving in with them so naively, even though she'd still been on the fence about being in that sort of triangle relationship. It had never been an equal relationship.
It hurts to know that she never was important enough.
Chris knows one thing right now: she needs stability in her living situation, and then she can think about the future more. A few deep breaths later, Chris finally rounds the final corner to her uncle's house and pulls into the driveway.
She didn't get any if she'd expected "I told you so" or bad words. Her family took her in, just like Annie and Deacon had.
This move gave her back the stability she needed, and yes, Chris decided to focus on work. All those pesky dating apps she'd mocked Street for in the past had been deleted from her phone since the thrupple had been official, but she couldn't help but long for something. Someone to understand her. Someone to talk to who won't judge her.
So when the ad for a new texting-based, blind speed dating app pops up on her screen Chris swipes to download almost on autopilot. She'd never heard of 'Spark' before, and she couldn't really imagine falling in love with someone over text. But what the heck? She sets up her profile and expects to be prompted to put in her name and upload a profile pic, but she gets a set of questions about herself instead.
And somehow, that led to her profile name, foca roja; Spanish for red seal.
Ah well, what could go wrong?
Chris presses accept and then sees a loading screen. Apparently, the first round of speed dates would start right then and there.
Chris can't help but be intrigued, and yes, the first few rounds are boring but entertaining. She is quite sure some of the people are just trolling and it is in part entertaining. And then the first conversation that actually sounds interesting with someone actually called Golden Retriever starts.
Chris chuckles, typing, "Hi, so I guess you love dogs then? ;)"
"What gave you that idea? :) The name was a surprise after filling out the survey; don't tell me you got to pick yours.
"No, filled out all the questions, and the app chose. I kinda like it, even though I probably wouldn't have chosen it for myself."
Quite a long time passes before Chris sees the animation of the other person typing again.
"Sorry, my roommate needed some help with something. So what would you have chosen for yourself?"
Chris takes a moment, and just when she begins typing, the virtual bell rings and cuts their connection. Darn it, how would she get back to this conversation? She doesn't have long because the next conversation countdown already blinks, but this time it actually tells her it will be the last round. Maybe after that, I can get a screen and choose who to meet again?
"Hi, interesting name. What does it mean? Is it Spanish?" her new 'date' types. Chris takes in the screen name 'Denim Hawk.' God, that already sounded weird.
"It is Spanish for red seal," she types, and her finger hovers over the send button. Should she ask about the other person's screen name?
"Is there a fun story behind Denim Hawk? This is my first time on this app..."
"So I am guessing you like seals and the color red..." Hawk replies and ignores her question, which angers and intrigues Chris at the same time. Hawk is the first one not to answer something.
"I love all animals, both on land and under the sea," she types back and tries to figure out how to get back to her question. "What about you? Any pets? Or do you work with pets?"
"You really wanna talk about work? *raised eyebrow emoji* I hate to disappoint I don't work with pets, my roommate has a dog, though."
"So where is the hawk coming from then? Don't be afraid, I won't mock you for wearing glasses ;)" Chris types and hopes to land the joke.
"No glasses for me. I have the eyes of a hawk. But good try. Do you wear glasses? There is no need to be insecure about that, you know."
Chris chuckles to herself and wants to type something else, but the session is over.
She is now faced with a screen listing up all the names she talked to tonight. She is supposed to click on the ones she wants to talk to again. If the other person chooses her too, the app will make the connection the next day.
She is a little disappointed because she sort of would have loved to talk to both Hawk and Retriever some more if they chose her too. She clicks their names and clicks out of the app.
The next day at work, Chris is sort of glad to have something to do at all times, but somewhere in the back of her mind, she is always waiting for a notification. Anything to indicate that the conversation can continue, which feels ridiculous to her because she barely knows these people. Are they even real?
She shakes her head and focuses on the task at hand, being the liaison officer for the kidnapped officer's parents, even if that proves a lot harder than she anticipated at first. Not telling them everything and omitting details feels wrong to her.
Chris is beaten after the day is over and falls into her bed after getting home.
Only the next morning when she reaches for her phone to silence the alarm and spots the notification from Spark, she remembers the anticipation.
"Are you ready to continue the conversation with Denim Hawk?" she reads and immediately feels her lips curve up. She swipes at the notification and waits for the app to load.
Their first conversation is in the text chain but no new message from Hawk, but maybe they are waiting on her? It was her turn last, anyway.
So Chris decides to type. "Morning, no glasses for me either. At least not to see things correctly. But I do have a love and appreciation for sunglasses. Sorry for not getting back to you earlier, but yesterday was insanely busy. Plus, this is my first time using the app."
"Don't apologize, and I am just figuring this out myself. So, are you working outside a lot and have that sunglasses appreciation for that reason?" Hawk types back pretty fast. Chris hasn't even managed to get out of bed.
"Now, who is talking about work? ;-)" she shoots back and adds, "But I need to get ready now. So maybe let's talk more later?"
She takes a moment to watch the app, but nothing happens, so Chris pushes up and finally gets ready.
Ten minutes later, she grabs her phone and notices the two new notifications.
"Absolutely, but we can also, maybe, try connecting throughout your day if you have access to your phone, that is."
And the second one must've come in just now. "Guess you're already busy. Stay safe out there. Whatever you do."
Chris smiles.
This person has no idea what she does for a living and still manages to send her the best message. She climbs into her truck and types out before starting the engine: "Stay safe yourself. I should be home around 6 pm."
"I'll definitely aim to be home by then too, just maybe need to entertain my roommate for a bit, too."
It's weird to Chris, but it feels so easy and natural just to exchange messages with Hawk. She feels like she can be herself with him. They usually stick to easy topics, but somehow, Chris felt comfortable enough to let it slip that she is staying with her aunt and uncle's family right now.
"Ah, yeah, housing in LA sucks, I get it. That's sort of why I am living with my roommate. You're lucky you can stay with family."
"I kinda wish I still had my apartment, but that was barely on the market before it was rented out again."
"Why'd you give it up if you don't mind me asking?"
"I was in a relationship, and we moved in together," Chris types back.
"Didn't work out, I take it..."
"I wouldn't be here otherwise, would I?"
Chris puts the phone away for a bit and curls up on the small sofa. It still hurt to think about the fact that she simply put just wasn't enough for Kira.
"I am sorry, I didn't mean to imply... I just. What happened? Isn't moving in together a big step? Something you do when you're sure?"
Chris frowns at the screen. Why did he ask that?
"I guess I made a mistake. I somehow never was the priority. Everything else was, and that's why I am on this app now. Why are you here?"
"I've been dating this girl casually, and it was going great. I mean, probably leading to all the steps you took there, moving in and sharing more than just a few moments," he must've hit send accidentally because Chris can see the animation he is still typing, but she can't help herself and ask. "You're not dating her anymore, right?"
"What do you take me for?" comes back after a short break, and then he adds," Like I said, it was going great, but I guess it went too great, and I got scared. I've never had a real long-term relationship. I want to, but this went too quickly, and had a few complications I really don't want to talk about and bore you. Long story short, I am looking for something easy that has potential. Which is what Spark advertised, right?"
"I am not sure we're a good match. I am really not looking for something long-term right now. Just something easy."
"Where you can't get hurt, right?" Hawk calls her out, and Chris closes her eyes for a moment.
How could he know her so well after just a few days of texting?