I can’t believe I’m actually here…
Standing in front of Tyler’s apartment door…
About to meet him in person for the first time.
We met on a dating app a couple of months ago…
And hit it off right away.
He’s funny, sweet, and incredibly cute.
We’ve had a lot of Zoom dates and FaceTime calls, but…
We haven’t met up face to face yet…
Tyler invited me over to his apartment to hang out…
But I’m frozen in front of his door, too terrified to knock.
What if he thinks I look different in real life than I did on camera?
What if he doesn’t even recognize me…and turns me away?
No! Tyler wouldn’t do that.
I trust him, and I know he’ll accept me for who I am.
My heart is pounding as I knock on the door.
Seconds tick by, until finally the door clicks open.
But it isn’t Tyler who answers.
He’s much taller than Tyler, and has emerald green eyes.
I stare at him, unsure of what to say.
Guy
Right, I’m Tyler’s roommate, James.
James
Tyler’s just getting out of the shower.
For a second I thought I’d been catfished…
Although I don’t think I’d mind being catfished by James.
James is looking at me skeptically.
James
And you are who exactly?
Amy
I’m Tyler’s girlfriend!
Amy
Sorry, I should have led with that.
Wow, I am so nervous to meet Tyler.
James
Gotcha. Come on in.
James opens the door and lets me in.
I walk down the hallway into the kitchen…
And he follows close behind.
I set my bag down on a chair and look around.
James
So, you must be Becca.
Amy
Uh, no…my name is Amy.
James squints at me, as if he’s trying to see if I’m joking.
James
Becca is Tyler’s girlfriend.
Amy
*I’m* Tyler’s girlfriend.
What is James talking about?
Why would he say Tyler’s girlfriend’s name is Becca?
James
Okay sorry, I’m probably just mixing-up names.
Amy
Yeah, I think you are.
I stick my chin up indignantly.
James
I’ll go get Tyler and let him know you’re here.
I try not to think about the name mix-up…
But it keeps nagging at me.
It was just an honest mistake…
I turn around, and all thoughts of the name mix-up melt away.
His smile sparkles and his messy blond hair falls into his eyes.
He walks up to me and wraps his arms around me.
And feel completely at ease.
I’m safe in his warm embrace.
Tyler
You’re even more beautiful in real life.
Amy
Stop, you’re just saying that.
Tyler turns to James, who’s coming back into the kitchen.
Tyler
Isn’t Amy beautiful?
James nods, a distracted look on his face.
I pull Tyler closer to me.
Amy
Well, you’re even more handsome in real life.
Amy
And you smell like a tropical breeze.
Tyler takes my hands and smiles.
Tyler
Come on, let’s go out for a walk.
Amy
Oh, I thought we were going to hang out here for a bit.
Tyler
Nah, we can do that later.
Tyler
Let’s go out to the park.
Amy
Okay, but can I at least have a quick tour?
I give Tyler my cutest puppy-dog expression…
But he looks away toward the front door.
Tyler
We can do that later.
Tyler looks at me and puts on a smile.
Tyler
But we need to leave now.
Amy
I thought you invited me over to hang out here.
Tyler checks his watch and suddenly looks serious.
Tyler grabs my hand and starts to pull me towards the front door.
What the heck is going on with him?
I turn back to wave goodbye to James.
He just watches us leave, shaking his head.
Tyler opens the front door…
And stops dead in his tracks.
And see someone standing outside on the front stoop.
She’s incredibly pretty, around my age, and wearing a velvety dress.
Tyler has gone white in the face, and turns to me.
Amy
Why did she call you “babe,” Tyler?
The girl spots me behind Tyler.
I step out in front of Tyler.
Amy
I’m Tyler’s girlfriend.
Amy
Who the heck are you?
Girl
No, *I’m* Tyler’s girlfriend.
I feel like a giant wave has just hit me, and I stumble back.
Tyler looks feebly from Becca to me.
Tyler
This is all a big misunderstanding.
Becca
What is going on here, Tyler?!
Amy
I can’t believe you’d do this.
Amy
After all the hours we’ve spent talking…
Amy
And getting to know each other…
Amy
And sharing our dreams and secrets.
I shake my head, and realize that I’m crying.
Tyler
Amy, I didn’t mean to hurt you.
Amy
Well, you did hurt me.
I push past Tyler and run out of the building and down the street…
I can hear Tyler calling after me in the distance…
And I don’t stop running until I’m out of breath.
I collapse onto the curb and sob.
Dating apps have always been a disaster for me.
But I let myself believe that maybe, just maybe…
An app would work out for me this time.
You can never meet a genuine person through a dating app.
This proves that beyond a shadow of a doubt.
My eyes are closed, and suddenly I feel a gentle hand on my shoulder.
I look up into a pair of brilliantly green eyes.
I burst into tears again.
Amy
This is so embarrassing.
Amy
You knew that something was wrong from the start, didn’t you?
Amy
From the moment I said my name wasn’t Becca.
James nods solemnly, and sits down next to me on the curb.
James
Yeah, but you looked so happy when you saw Tyler.
James
I just couldn’t break it to you.
Amy
Wow, that’s actually kind of sweet.
James
It shouldn't have been my job to keep Tyler’s secret.
James
But if it’s any consolation, I think he and Becca broke up…
James
Right after you ran away.
James
It seemed like he really liked you…
James
And I can’t blame him.
Amy
I can’t forgive him that easily.
Amy
It’ll take more time.
James picks up something next to me and holds it out.
James
Here, you left your bag in the apartment.
James
I figured you probably didn’t want to come back to get it.
I smile, sniffling, and take my bag from him.
I look up at James, who smiles back at me.
There’s a warmth that generates from his gaze…
And a faraway sadness in his beautiful green eyes.
I feel like something has changed between us…
And, looking into James’ eyes, I realize that maybe I was wrong:
Maybe you can meet a genuine person through a dating app.
