Summer #shortstory - The Day Dave Broke the Internet - 3

Dave didn't know he was lonely until his friends pointed it out. But when he gives in and tries an online dating site, something catastrophic happens - talk about a bad omen.

(Previous episodes)

The Day Dave Broke the Internet

by Tara Tyler

RECAP 2: Were they trying to teach him a lesson? Dave tilted his head as he watched them walk away. They acted like he'd betrayed them. What was wrong with being single?

3

Once he got home, he was ready to relax with some Call of Duty or maybe a movie. He changed into sweat pants, made a hero sandwich worthy of its name, and settled in for a marathon night of killing the enemy. The perfect Friday night.

But when he turned on his Xbox, it started to smoke. What the...?

Well, it was too late to bother going out to buy a new one so Dave flipped on the TV and searched for a new movie. Nothing drew his attention. He'd seen all the good ones. Only the sappy sad ones or rom-coms were left. Chick flicks. No thank you.

That left him two options. Go out with his friends—the thought made him chuckle—or surf the internet. He didn't enjoy surfing the net as much as he used to. It felt more like he was at work staring at his screen. But it had been a while since he checked his social media, maybe he'd find something interesting or a few funny Youtube videos.

Unfortunately, Youtube was fruitless, so he switched to Instagram, then Twitter, then Tik-Tok. Dave scrolled and scrolled. Nothing but happy couples and families. They were on vacation, telling goofy stories, singing, dancing, cooking. Ugh. What was up with the world today? Were there no single people left?

He came across yet another video of Sunni and Kyle announcing their engagement. He clicked like for his friends. It was the least he could do.

Two seconds later, Sunni sent him a pouty-faced snap. "Dave, come hang out with us."

Unfortunately, Sunni knew he was online and bored if he was liking pictures of couples on social media. Though she was right, he wasn't going out.

He sent back a forehead shot. "Sorry. Busy. Try to have fun without me."

":(  At least activate your account."

He was just bored enough to check it out. And maybe a little curious. He opened the dating site and read over his profile. They'd done a pretty decent job. He wasn't a bad guy. But was he ready for a woman to take over his life?

Dave was a man of numbers, formulas, and programs. As a creature of habit, he did things his own way and liked his freedom to go anywhere, any time. Not that he went anywhere, but he could. And a woman would screw all that up. He'd be forced to consider her when making decisions and deal with whatever faults or bad habits she had. He'd lose the majority of his free time. And there was always the possibility that after all that work, she'd leave him. Logically it just didn't make sense.

On the other side of the coin, there was the possibility of a lasting connection. With many of his friends leaving single-hood, it intrigued him. Maybe he was ready. Or maybe he needed to find some new friends--which would be just as difficult.

A message flashed on the screen.

Still not sure? Try a free preview of a few members who match your questionnaire results.

Well, what a great idea.

"Don't mind if I do." Dave clicked OK.