Can Online Dating Ever Lead to Real Love?

Nikki waited at the bar where they had sat the last time they had been out.

She didn’t know what he wanted or what he was thinking.

But it had been an easy decision.

She had to know what he wanted.

The whole time, the whole experiment and the time before that, since he had left her, had been about him.

Now she was sure of it.

She kept looking at her watch.

He was late.

It was probably on purpose, but she didn’t care.

She had to know what he wanted.

Joachim had called countless times and she understood what he wanted.

Nikki also understood that this would jeopardize their entire experiment if Fredric wanted them to find their way back to each other.

It was about her grades but it was also about his grades.

She understood that but right now she couldn’t take it into account.

She looked at the clock again.

15 minutes ago.

Should he even come.

But he would.

Because he was now standing right in front of her.

“Hey,” he said and she fell through the ground.

He sat down and they sat silent and embarrassed like children in front of their teacher on the first day of school.

But without expectation.

Or possibly an expectation.

The one at Nikki’s.

“How have you been?” he asked and she was about to answer when he interrupted her.

“Or I know how you’ve been.

I’ve been following you.”

“On my social media?”

“On the Dating Line.”

“On Dating Line,” she repeated conclusively.

“How is your experiment going?”

“You know that, right?”

“I know you don’t always stick to the truth when you post things Nikki.

I don’t hold it against you but I know that.”

She looked down and he placed a hand on hers.

“I was wrong.

Clair told me she told you.” She looked up into his eyes.

“I was simply wrong.”

“Who was she?”

“One of the business associates.” She nodded.

“And what made you realize you were wrong?

What if you were wrong?

Did we have something together?

I mean, did it happen?”

“You.

I’ve read what you’ve been through lately.

About the experiment.

I should never have let you go, Nikki.

And…

Yes…”

“If I can take you back?” she said, looking at him with a serious look.

“Yes?”

She let go of his hand.

“I don’t know right now, Fredric.

Do you still have the same number?”

“Yes.”

“Good.

I’ll call you then.”

“When?”

“In a few days.

Maybe a week.

I have a lot to think about.”

“I understand.”

She stood up.

“We’ll see Fredric. Bye.” 

Then she turned towards the door and went out looking at the PlaynDate app and thought that the friendship mode now might be the only mode from now on.

Somewhere behind the screens, people were still hoping to be understood.