4. Dating App

Four

Dating App

Elena

Focusing on the glasses of wine on my tray, I stroll to the table that ordered them. Nearly there ... Someone at a table nearby scoots their chair out in front of me. I gasp, then trip over the chair legs. I stagger and, with a high-pitched clatter, the glasses of red wine shatter on the wooden floor. For a second I seem to regain my balance, but then I fall next to the wine and broken glass.

My face is on fire as I assess the mess. When I look up, everyone in the restaurant is staring at me. "I'm so sorry," I stutter, not sure who I'm apologizing to. "I'll clean it up," I say in a rush. I turn to the customers who ordered the wine. "I'll get you another two glasses."

The woman who pushed out her chair doesn't even apologize—she just turns her nose up at me and walks away. So rude!

Then Cameron is by my side, wearing his customer service smile. "I'll get you your drinks right away," he says to the couple whose drinks are now on the floor. "Can you two clean this up?" he points to Mel and another waitress. Mel's eyes widen and her mouth twists.

"Sorry," I mouth as Cameron grabs my elbow and ushers me away to the kitchen. I close my eyes when he turns to me, waiting to be yelled at.

"Are you okay?" he asks.

I open one eye. I was not expecting that. "Uh... yes."

His eyes wander over me, and he smiles wide. "I'm glad."

Guilt pricks me. "I'd better go help them clean it up." I take a step away, but he grasps my elbow again and with his other hand waves it off. "Don't worry about them. I said they can clean it." I glance at the door, then at him. He's the boss, but Mel was scowling at us as we left. She did not look happy.

After our shift, Mel and I take some leftover food in containers and go to the beach to eat it. Sitting on a chair, I slurp up my noodles. "This seafood marinara is to die for."

Mel smiles. "I love every dish on the menu."

"If I didn't work there, I'd never be able to afford it," I point out, remembering the eye-watering prices.

"Cameron has taken a liking to you," she teases. "You might be stealing my shifts." Her voice is carefree, but I'm not fully convinced she means it.

"No," I say as I shake my head. "I just started. He probably felt bad for me. I embarrassed myself in front of everyone." I take another bite.

She giggles. "You certainly did."

I flinch.

"Luckily, it's not carpet," she points out.

"I agree." It would have left a lovely stain.

"I heard you live with Lucy and her sheep," Mel says.

I pause. My eyes widen at her nasty comment. "I live with Lucy and her friends, yes. Do you know them?"

"People get to know each other quickly in this town. Cameron is always saying how hot they are. Were they bitches to you?"

I slowly shake my head. "The opposite. They've been friendly since I arrived."

She frowns. "I thought they'd be like the mean popular girl group from school, you know."

Well, this is awkward. "Not at all."

She shrugs. "I'd say they talk about you behind your back then because you're so..."

My lips press into a line. I'm quite sure I have no interest in hearing what she's got to say next. "Because I'm a bit of a nerd." I finish her sentence for her in the nicest possible way.

"Yeah... like night and day opposites. Soooo..." she says, peering at the ground, then back at me. "I may have done something... to, you know, help you meet new people."

My stomach drops. I don't like the sound of that. "What did you do?"

She winces. "Can I have your phone to show you?"

My breathing speeds up as I cautiously offer her my phone. I try to think why she would need my phone, but I can't think of anything.

"Now... don't be mad at me..."

"O-kaaay," I say.

She passes me the phone. I frown when I see a picture of myself that was taken when my parents and I went out to dinner for my birthday last year. As I scroll down, it hits me. "You made a dating profile for me?" I screech. "I'm deleting it now!" I'm horrified.

She grins a little. "Give it a chance. Live a little. You're so uptight. You should consider meeting new people."

I huff. "I'm not uptight." I look more closely. She has Elena as my profile name; "Just moved to Crown Village, where I'm working at a restaurant. I'm looking to meet new people" is the bio.

"What if my parents see this?" I ask, then flinch. Why should I care what they think?

She gives me an odd glance. "I didn't realize you were fourteen years old."

Annoyance simmers. "I grew up in a strict family." I just moved here. It's hard to click my fingers and change my thoughts after years of worrying about my parents' opinions. I'll be defaulting to that for a while.

"And you still let your parents dictate what you do?" She chuckles.

"I don't get it..." I stare at her, confused. "Why would you do this? You're already on the app, and you hardly know me."

Her pout makes me think I shouldn't have said that. "I was trying to do a nice thing."

Oh dear. I think I offended her. I swallow down my irritation. I bring my phone to my face again. "Where'd you get this photo from?"

"I got it from your Instagram account. See, fifteen guys want to connect with you already."

I blink slowly. I'm waiting for her to say she's joking, but she doesn't. "You didn't...?" is all I can say because I'm reeling.

"You need it. Meet some new guys. Have fun." She glances away. "I may have already swiped yes on one of them."

My jaw drops. It just gets worse. "Who?"

"A guy called Axle."

I scoff. "What an absurd name."

"I've been on the app for a while, and I've never seen his profile. He recently joined, like you. He's from Crown Village, and he's so sexy. Trust me, you want to talk to him."

"Well, why don't you talk to him then?"

She pauses, then says, "It's my gift to you. I've heard he's good fun, and I think that's what you need." Her critical gaze runs over me again, but then she smiles. "You're not getting married to the guy. Just talk to him."

"How do you know him, and why do you say he's fun?" I ask.

"I've seen him around. It's a small town." She takes a moment before she says, "He sticks to himself and his group of friends."

"So he's not some frat guy?"

She laughs. "No, definitely not... quite the opposite."

The message icon at the top of the screen shows the number one above it. I hold my breath and let my finger hover over it for a second before I press on it.

Axle

Hey, how are you doing?

I just stare at the message.

"See... it's not the end of the world," Mel points out.

I get out of the message and click on his profile. He's very handsome, and I'm sure he knows it. Short brown hair and a beard. His profile is minimal, like mine. It says he's a mechanic and, according to his bio, "looking for someone special." I melt a little at that. Maybe there are nice guys on the app after all.

I can't deny I'm curious to talk to him. No one as handsome as him has ever shown an interest in me. "But I'm not looking for another relationship," I say. I shove my phone back in my bag with more force than necessary. He must have gotten my profile mixed up with someone else's.

When I get back to the house, it's quiet. Everyone must be at class. After a shower, I lie on the bed. My stomach churns. I glance down at my bag beside the bed. I'm itching to grab my phone. My fingers tap on the bed until I can't resist the urge any longer and give in to the temptation. I pull out my phone and with a deep breath, I unlock it and tap on the dating app.

I look at Axle's profile picture once more. I should just delete the app, but I can't stop myself from responding to his message:

I'm good, thank you. How are you?

I stare at the screen and place my phone on the nightstand, face down. I can't believe I just did that. I replied to a stranger. I run my hand over my face. Mel could be right, even though it's out of character for me. I should step out of my comfort zone and try to make friends.

My phone buzzes on the table. Here goes nothing...

Fantastic now that I'm talking to you

I stare blankly. I start typing and then delete it.

You're beautiful babe. Your profile says you just moved here. Are you enjoying it?

My face heats.

The people are nice.

I'm nice.

I laugh. I bet he's nice to all women.

How old are you?

Early twenties. How old are you?

Ha... don't give too much away now. Early twenties.

I'm getting banter and sarcasm vibes.

What brings a pretty little thing like you onto a dating website?

I decide not to go with the truth.

I want to make some new friends.

I'm an amazing friend. You're so lucky you replied to me.

I giggle.

Someone is full of himself.

Only stating facts, babe. I'm funny, I'm sexy as fuck, I'll listen to all your problems, and I'll be your shoulder to cry on. Trust me, we are going to be good friends.

I smile. Maybe the app isn't too bad after all.