The Emotional Cost of Endless Swiping

“That went well,” she said to Joachim at the coffee table shortly afterwards.

“I thought your classmates looked a little mocking.”

“That’s just the way it should be.

They can’t handle someone who’s overbearing.

Especially not artistic people.

They’re so… arty,” she said, tossing her hair excessively and laughing.

He smiled at her joke.

“So how are we going to do this?

Do you have an AI ready?”

“We can start pretty soon.

I’ll use old models I’ve tested on other projects.

With a little modding, I can make them work for this.”

“It’s great that we’re up and running.”

“I agree.”

There was a pinging sound on their table.

“Our food.

I’ll get it,” he said and headed towards the café counter.

“Thanks,” she said, fished out her phone and went to Dating Line.

#dating #extreme

Today I’m starting an art project that I thought I’d share with you when it’s finished.

I don’t think I’ll be able to do it before then.

After some thinking, I’ve come to the conclusion that dating is something that doesn’t really work in my life.

Yesterday I found out that my ex met someone new.

This project will be a whole new turn for me.

Take it easy.

I won’t break the Dating Line rules.

I’ll still post my dates, but in 10 weeks I’ll explain why I chose these people.

And one more thing…

You’ll get the full story of how I feel about each date.

And it won’t be anything you’ve read from me before.

I think I can promise that.

“Here,” Joachim said.

Nikki flinched because she was in the middle of her post and the moment she flinched, one of the Coke bottles fell over and landed on her jacket.

“Sorry,” Joachim said, looking at the stain that was forming.

Nikki stood up.

“No problem.

I’m just going to get some papers.” She quickly disappeared and Joachim put the plates down on the table.

His eyes immediately fell on her mobile where her mail was open.

He frowned.

He had never heard of Dating Line.

Would she write about the experiment publicly?

He looked over at her where she stood and tried to wipe up what he had spilled on her.

His thoughts stopped for a moment.

I wonder, he thought.

I wonder who Nikki van der Hoebooken really are?

So, he picked up his phone and bookmarked Dating Line to later create his own account there.

The hardest part was never finding someone. It was daring to feel something.