Perfect Match

2

Avery

I want James. 

I never expected it would get this far. I talked to so many guys, but James just stuck out to me. I fell head over heels the second I saw his profile. He had wavy, brunette hair that reflected the sun in a way that made him look like a Greek god. He had very noticeable biceps and pecs under his bronze skin. His light hazel eyes and adorable freckled cheeks distracted me from school for weeks.

James's looks made me swipe right, but I really fell for his personality. He volunteered at the animal shelter; the first picture in his profile was of him reading to a cat. He's really good at his welding job. He respected my boundaries and never sent any unsolicited pics. But it wasn't just that he was a good person. We had perfect chemistry. He even listened to my rants about English literature and asked me questions! I've never had someone be this interested in me.

Yes, I lied to him just to feel some sort of romantic connection, but I was planning on breaking it off, I swear! I just wanted to hold on as long as I could. Our online relationship seemed so perfect. Most of the time, I forgot I was even posing as a girl. It just felt so natural. I didn't think twice when he asked me for my address. He said he wanted to send me a love letter. Really, I should have broken it off there. But the prospect of getting a letter was so enticing. Even when I broke up with him, I would always have that letter. It would serve as a reminder that I could be loved. 

I almost fainted when he showed up at my door. My dream boy showing up at my doorstep was the last thing I expected. Seeing him be nice to all of my friends, but cold to me felt like falling off a cliff. He got most of their numbers, too. What if he started dating one of them? The thought made me nauseous. 

Maybe I had been drinking too much, but my feelings were overwhelming me. I needed to go after him. Him moving to LA is a sign from the universe! I have to make this work now that it's within reach; I can't give up. I went to my room to get a light jacket and then headed towards the door, but I was stopped by my annoying roommate. 

"Woah, brah, where are you going?"

"To get James." He was shocked at this response. 

"Why?" he replied. "Oh, no, you're not trying to fuck him, are you?"

"'Trying to fuck him' is an incredibly heartless way to put it, Josh," I retorted. 

"Why is this guy so special to you, man? Where'd you even meet him?" Josh probed. 

I paused. Should I tell Josh the truth? I decided, fuck it, he's my roommate and I'm a terrible liar. 

"I catfished him on tinder, and now he's going to end everything with me. I want to show him that I'm worth keeping." Josh's jaw dropped. 

"Woah, brah, you actually talked to a guy on that girl account we dared you to make?" I nodded solemnly. "And you totally lead this guy on, for how long?"

"Five- five months," I stuttered, embarrassed. His jaw somehow dropped even further. 

"Five whole months? Bro, not radical at all!" he laughed. "And you're trying to go after this guy? I think he wants you to leave him alone,"

"Well... look, I like him. I spent five months pining over him and he showed up at my door. This has to be fate or destiny or something. I have to try," I protested. Josh laughed condescendingly. 

"Avery, I think you've had too much to drink. You can't just go grab this guy and take him home. Besides, how do you even know where to look?"

"James always has his location turned on in Snapchat, for some reason," I explained.