Priya's POV

I wipe the sweat off my forehead with my towel, getting off of the treadmill and grabbing my water bottle. I don't work out like I should, but today I was feeling inspired. I felt the need to run on the treadmill and feel the sweat on my skin. Where is this passion and drive when I'm trying to convince myself that I don't need that double cheeseburger with a chocolate shake?

I head toward the locker room, peeping the stares of multiple men as I strut pass. I ignore it, feeling gross and sweaty. Once I find the women's locker room, I go to the locker that my belongings are in and grab them as I go find a shower. My shower is quick but thorough. I'm not going to take forever in a shower that isn't mine.

After my shower, I gather my things and make my way out of the gym. My phone rings and I answer swiftly. "Hey Cay."

"Priya, what are you doing?" My best friend Cadence asks me.

"Leaving the gym. What's up?"

"Awesome. Meet me at the bar for a couple shots."

"Don't you have work?" I raise an eyebrow as I come up to my car.

"Not until about 4. President Kim doesn't really require me there until about 5 anyway. So come on, let's go."

"Alright, alright. When will you be there?"

"I'm already here."

"Damn, alcoholic."

"I haven't even drank yet!" She defends. "I've only been eating so that it'll soak up the few shots I take. Now come on."

I laugh softly. "Okay, okay. Give me about 10 minutes."

--

"Give me 10 minutes." Cadence mocks me as I walk in.

I take a seat at the bar with her, rolling my eyes. "Oh shut up. It only took me 5 more minutes."

"Yeah, yeah." She raises her hand and the bartender comes over. "2 shots of the gummy bear."

I watch as she prepares our shots and she gives them to us. We take them down easily, requesting another round. About 4 shots in, we stop. We aren't lightweight drinkers in the slightest, but anymore and we're going to be here all night.

"So," Cadence begins, taking a bite of her onion ring. "How's the dating going?"

"Horribly." I shrug, taking one as well. "I'm done. If love wants to find me, it'll find me."

"Don't give up that easily."

"And why not? You have your love."

"I do, and my husband is amazing. But did I get him from just saying 'fuck it'? No."

"I've done all the dating app shit. What's left?"

She grabs my phone from next to me and I don't fight it. She goes into my app store and types until she finds what she's looking for. "Try this one."

"For You?"

"Yeah. They find someone for you." She laughs, thinking she's the funniest person ever.

I shake my head, sighing at the same time. "Fine. I'll do it."

Cadence does mini claps as she monitors me set up this account. I really didn't want to, but what the hell. I guess it'll kill time. I finish and men start popping up on my screen. I swipe left on multiple men, much do Cadence's dislike. I just shrug. These men don't seem like my type.

"Look," Cadence says, starting to stand. "If you were just gonna swipe left on everybody, why did you let me download the app?"

I shrug, starting to standing with her. "Just to kill off some time."

"You're unbelievable." She leaves money for the bartender and we start to head out. "Well, I'm going to work. Let me know if you actually decide to swipe right on anyone."

"Will do." I make my way to my car, opening my door, and sitting inside. "I'm not going to find anyone. I'm just wasting my time."

As I swipe left on someone else, I pause my movement. This man has a picture of himself standing in front of a huge painting of The Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh. I blink, not being able to move my finger in fear that I may accidentally swipe left. I inspect his picture more, he looks rather tall which I like. The man's name is Vante. I swiftly swipe right on him, exit the app, lock my phone and toss it into my bag. The first person I've swiped right on and I haven't even seen his face. I do know, however, that he's got good taste in art. My picture itself is of me in front of a painting of an abstract night sky. So his choice of picture interested me, to say the least.

I turn my car on, buckle my seat belt, and pull out of the bar parking lot to get home. Humming to the music softly playing in my car, I cruise the streets of my town. It's a nice day, so I crack my windows and let the fresh air come in to relax me. It's days like this that I wish I had someone in the drivers seat, one hand on the steering wheel and the other holding onto my hand.

I pull into the driveway of my home and grab all my things as I head inside. I kick my shoes off, set my items down, and have a seat on my couch. Reaching into my bag next to me, I pull out my phone to multiple notifications from that dating app. Lots of people have matched with me, but I don't particularly care. As I remind myself, this is just to kill time. I notice the letter icon on my screen is red, meaning I have a message. I think. Pressing on it, I'm correct and am met with a message from the only person I've matched with on this app.

Vante:
Hello 🙂

So simple, yet so classy in a sense. No need to make the man wait any longer.

Me:
Hi! 😊

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And chapter 2 is in the books! I still feel bad that I haven't updated my other stories, but I have to get this fresh out of my system first 😩 thank you to whoever takes the time to read this! You're the best & I love you! 💜

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~S.xx