A Shot at Love

Babes Night In

My legs bounce as I wait in silence. How did I end up here? I glance at my phone, the empty screen taunting me.

Four months ago, my life was a perfectly organized checklist. Engaged to marry my college sweetheart? Check. Climb the ranks as a writer at The OC Times? In progress. Plan a Napa trip with my best friend, Kat and our online lady gang, Babes Night In? Booked.

Now? Now I'm sitting here debating whether to swipe right on some stranger. I feel a knot of anxiety twist in my stomach. I never thought I'd be this girl.

The universe is funny like that. You think you've got everything figured out, but in an instant, plans can turn on you like a dime. After catching Kat and Justin together on my birthday, I've never felt so confused, so uncertain of what direction to take my life.

Desperate for clarity, I went against everything I knew and decided it was time for a fresh start. They say insanity is doing the same thing over and over while expecting different results, right? So I quit my job, leaving behind the unfulfilling fluff pieces, and set my sights on something bigger—exploring the world.

I embarked on my own little "Eat, Pray, Love" adventure. No fixed plans, no set destinations; just following wherever my heart and fate led me. I detoxed from social media and rediscovered my passion for photography, capturing moments solely for myself.

Now, here I am, alone in my new LA loft, drafting a Tinder bio. I may not have all the answers yet, but I know exactly what direction I want to take my career in, And who knows—maybe I'll find love along the way. But first, I need to nail this Tinder bio.

Hmm, I want this to be interesting yet funny and intriguing but not too serious.

I stare at the blinking cursor for a moment and begin typing:

Looking for Jim to my Pam

What if he doesn't watch The Office? Am I completely decreasing the pool of eligible bachelors in half? Who knew writing a Tinder bio could be so stressful!

Maybe something interactive? Trying again, I type:

"Two Truths & a Lie...

- I can fly an airplane  ✈️

- I drink tequila on the rocks because I like the taste  🥃

- My Godfather is Al Pacino 🎥"

I hit update and start scrolling through potential matches. The first guy looks cute with messy chestnut-colored hair and I begin reading his bio, "I like long walks on the beach with my lady friend until the LSD wears off and I realize I'm just dragging a stolen mannequin around a Wendy's parking lot." Yikes, next!

The second guy is attractive, with shaggy blonde hair that frames his chiseled face. His bio says, "I smoke a bit, what of it?" I chuckle but swipe left.

I keep swiping left, my thumb moving on autopilot, until I gasp at a man named Noah. His photo captures my attention instantly. He's a bit older, maybe in his late twenties, with tousled chocolate-brown hair and piercing blue eyes that seem to cut right through me. His mysterious gaze draws me in, and I glance at his bio: "Wanna eat cookie dough together sometime?"

A mix of nerves and excitement flutter in my stomach. I can't help but feel a rush of curiosity and anticipation. After weeks of deliberation, soul-searching travels, and the girlhood of Babes Night In, here I am, stepping tentatively into the world of modern dating.

I impulsively swipe right and nervously exit the app.

I switch over to a private Facebook group called Babes Night In. BNI is a safe space where my closest online gal pals from SoCal and I can vent, seek advice, and find solace. I can't believe how invaluable this online community has become to me. From listening to my late-night meltdowns, offering shoulders to cry on, and supporting my dreams of leaving Orange County to pursue becoming a sportswriter in LA, these women are my lifeline.

Fortunately, Olivia Lee, the group's moderator, and my real-life friend, kicked Kat out after the birthday fiasco. Olivia has been on Team Kingston from the start, backing me through everything. When the news broke, BNI rallied around me. That Napa trip with Kat? Yeah, that plan hella backfired. The girls and I are still going but minus one attendee. They are savage in Babes Night In.

I quickly type a message: "Ladies, per your advice, I JUST SETUP MY TINDER PROFILE. I ALSO SWIPED RIGHT. SEND HELP." I hit post.

Almost instantly, Olivia replies: "Yas! There's our queen! Proud of you babe. 💕"

Likes flood in, and Darcy chimes in, "Myyyyy girl! Welcome to the dark side. 😈"

I giggle and set down my phone with its quirky pineapple case. Is this what dating in the 21st century feels like? It's exhilarating and nerve-wracking all at once—uncharted territory for me.

I get up to draw a bubble bath, but as I walk away, an unfamiliar notification sound catches my attention. Curious, I return to my phone, and my heart skips a beat.

"Tinder – Congratulations! You have a new match!"

*Chapter Chat* - Have you ever matched with someone on a dating app?