Middle of October, Junior Year of College

“Gosh, I hate being this alone.”

Ahyoung took a break from eating her dinner after hearing those words from one of her roommates. She looked up at the girl, Minah Bang, with confusion written all over her face. It was a rather random thing to confess in middle of their “dinner” together. And by dinner, that essentially means eating whatever they wanted and sitting in the room together.

“What’s that supposed to mean, Minah?”

The youngest of their roommates, Hyeri Lee, asked while placing her chopsticks down on the table. The topic was probably important or surprising to the girl, as it was rare for her to pause in the midst of eating. Hyeri liked to eat a little too much and took her food seriously.

“Well, I sort of want to experience love and everything! It has been forever since I was in a relationship. And I don’t want to sound desperate, but I’m ready to date! It’s just, being in college is hard to find someone, since EVERYONE is focused on school.”

The youngest tilted her head while letting that thought sink in. Soon a small pout formed on her lips as she figured it was true for her. In fact, it was probably true for all of them.

However, Ahyoung personally didn’t care for dating.

She had her fun in high school, getting boyfriends and experiencing terrible heart breaks. It was all fun then, and it was perfectly fine as it was okay to fool around during that time. But even though she did have a few heavy crushes here and there during her years in college, things have changed for her. She was now focused on reaching her goals and achieving her dreams. This was something both her and her parents decided what was right for her, along with just dating when she was done with college.

But, a few thoughts would come every now and then about a relationship. It’s not that she was seeking for someone or wanted to date, but the thought of having some cuddles at night would be nice.

“Then why not join a dating app?”

The three girls turned towards the eldest amongst them, who was in the middle of taking a bite of her dinner. They gave her a confused look, shocked by the suggestion. That was probably the most surprising thing they have ever heard from her within their two years living together.

“Why are you guys looking at me like that?”

Sojin reached over for her phone, her mind set on turning her roommates’ minds around. The girls patiently watched her as she was going through her phone. Their heads tilted when the bright phone screen was facing them.

And there it was, Milk and Cookies: Sweet Dating App opened right in front of them.

“YOU ARE ON A DATING APP?”

Sojin couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle, finding their reactions funny. She couldn’t blame them though, as she was the kind of person that was rather traditional with dating.

“Yes, I am on a dating app. There are a lot of dating apps here and there, and well I decided to do one. I was interested in going back into dating. It’s been what, two years since my rough relationship with Seunghyun? I was over the pain of it a long time ago, and well, I wanted to start dating again. However, like you pointed out, Minah, it is hard to date when you’re busy in school. So, it’s sort of convenient to be on a dating app, since whoever is on here is kind of searching for someone.”

Ahyoung raised a brow while thoughts and questions began to create within her mind. She was always skeptical about these things, and hearing her close friend doing this without mentioning about it gave hera lot of different feelings.

“But aren’t dating apps known for just hook ups? And we all know the hook up I’m talking about is the current definition of hook ups.”

Again, another chuckle escaped from Sojin after hearing Hyeri’s question.

“Well, yes. There can be people in all dating apps that really want that. However, in the end, it is up to you to decide whether you really want to do that or not. And you can honestly be forward with them before meeting them in person. It honestly doesn’t hurt too. You tell the people what you want, don’t do what others want.”

Ahyoung tilted her head after hearing Sojin’s spiel about these dating apps. It is true, as the person who’s using the app, they get to decide what they really want do when using it. There shouldn’t be any form of pressure, as it isn’t the case that they’re not meeting in person first. And having that ability to hide behind the phone gives a person the luxury to say whatever they wanted with reason, without the worry of consequences that could be experienced when talking in person.

“You can always delete the app, you know? It’s not like you must commit to it forever. If you don’t like it personally, then just delete it.”

Interest could be seen through the glisten in Minah’s eyes, and Ahyoung could tell what she was thinking of. It was surprising how Minah could easily get influenced by doing something like this, without being skeptical or inquire about this format of dating.

“Well, I’m sort of interested. But I don’t know, there are apps that have a bad reputation, and I don’t want to be a part of that.”

Sojin hummed softly, and soon an idea popped into mind. The smile that was painted on her lips had a hint of playfulness, and that worried Ahyoung a bit.

Because when Sojin did that, it meant everyone was going to get involved.

“How about this, when you are set to download a dating app of your choice, we’ll all join it too! You know, like a support group system! It’ll be fun, and I’ll download that app too. I’d suggest something that does things quick rather than something that’s time consuming. You can still choose, Minah, but I think Ablaze would be your best bet! Then while we all-”

“Whoa whoa, wait a minute Sojin!”

Hyeri quickly interrupted the eldest, not believing what she just heard.

“Did you just say all of us? As in, all four of us? Not just you and Minah?”

Ahyoung was quiet when Hyeri began to question Sojin’s intentions, not wanting to add on to the potential tension that could arise in their apartment.

“Yes, yes I did. I saw that look in your face when Minah mentioned wanting to find someone. You so agreed in a subtle manner!”

Sojin then turned her head towards Ahyoung, catching her by surprise as the second oldest amongst them clearly didn’t want to be a part of this.

“And you, are you just going to stay there with your imagination or are you going to go out and find someone? Don’t you think it’s about time to get over Jonghyun after he and that conniving fox of a fake friend Jinah started dating behind your back? Especially since they both knew you had strong feelings for him and he basically fed you these ideas that you two would be dating?”

Ahyoung’s eyes widened after hearing those words. The silence and tension simply increased, and no one dared to say anything. Though Sojin had a point about her getting over a traumatizing moment in her life, it was still hard for her to digest anything about that. She decided to take her time on it, even though it has been a year since that incident happened.

But everyone could agree with Sojin about moving on, because Ahyoung deserved a man that would make her happy and stay true to his words.

If anyone would take the time to understand Ahyoung, they would see how much of a giving person she was. She cared for all, and never had the time to really care for herself. She made the effort to make everyone else happy, even if she would fall behind. She has suffered so many moments in her life, and it pained her close friends and family to see that.

And so slowly, Minah parted her lips to speak.

“I’m not going to try to convince you that you should do this, but I do agree with Sojin. Even though she took a hard approach talking about it, we want you to find someone that you deserve. It might be time for you to start looking again. Or at least, putting yourself out there.”

Ahyoung sat still, trying to process all that was going on. It surprised her that her roommates felt this way about her, or at least thought of her that way. She wanted to fight back, protecting herself and the broken heart that lingered with the thoughts of her last heart break. However, if this was an issue that those close to her felt was true, maybe it was time for her to resolve it all.

However, she simply got up after finishing her food. Throwing away her garbage, she looked at her roommates with a small smile.

“I’ll think about it, but thank you for thinking of me.”

She quietly walked towards her room, closing the door slowly. Her steps led her towards her bed, where she simply collapsed on it and curled up. Tears began to swell in her eyes, as there was so much for her to think about.

But after hours of being alone and letting her mind think things through, she pulled out her phone and simply messaged the group chat with her roommates.

“Let me know when you guys decide to download whatever Minah wants, I’m in.”

 

End of October, Junior Year of College

“Ahyoung! Ahyoung!”

After hearing her name being called twice, Ahyoung rushed out of her room to see what the commotion was about. Her mind told her to go straight to the living room, in which she did to only see the rest of her roommates sitting on the floor with their phones out.

Immediately Hyeri noticed her enter, and a smile grew on her lips as she turned her phone towards the confused girl.

And there it was, Ablaze glowing on the screen of her phone.

“We’re doing it now. Come on, you agreed to do this with us.”

Ahyoung was shocked for a moment, looking like a deer in the headlights. But she remembered what happened a few weeks ago, where she texted them confirmation about joining this pact.

And so with a soft sigh, she placed herself right beside the youngest and pulled her phone out of her pocket. Fingers quickly swiped across the screen as Ahyoung was finding the dating app on her phone. Her heart was racing, as there was a slight tinge of excitement growing within her. Finding the app was rather quick, and clicking the download button added to her beating heart.

“Okay, how does this work?”

Sojin looked over to see what point Ahyoung was at, and her smile only grew as she was rather happy as the other was joining their pact.

“Easy, just link your profile from the designated social media site and your general information will be added. Then choose your pictures and make a bio.”

Ahyoung simply nodded and followed Sojin’s and the app’s directions. Her curiosity and questions only grew as she was fixing her profile. Would this app work out for her or would it just be a waste of time? Would she find her lover through here? Or would she only find the next rudest guy in the world?

Regardless of what the answers may be, she was excited to see what would happen.

After a few more clicks and confirmations, she finished her profile for Ablaze.

“And done, now what?”

“Easy, just start looking through the guys. Swipe left for a guy you dislike and swipe right for the guy you like. Once you match, start talking to them.”

Ahyoung gave Sojin a confused expression, hearing how she had to start the conversation with a stranger on the app. Though she loved to talk, she wasn’t going to try to put herself out there too much as this app clearly did a lot of that already.

“Alrightie then, I guess it’s time to start the swiping.”

And with that, the night was filled with the girls going through guys they saw, commenting and laughing about what they saw through this app.

What they all didn’t know, was what this app was going to put Ahyoung through for the next few months.

 

Current Time, Café

“So that’s how you joined the app? Because you were peer pressured into joining the app by your friends? And hold up, Jonghyun lied to you?”

Ahyoung couldn’t help but laugh at Jihae’s reactions, she enjoyed all that the female said and expressed.

“Actually no, never mind about him. Tell me about Ablaze only. You just joined because of peer pressure? Or did you actually wanted to find someone through the app? I mean probably, of course, as we both know you met your future husband through the app.”

Ahyoung simply chuckled before nodding her head, letting Jihae do all the answering for her. This was one thing she loved about her best friend, how much Jihae knew her to the point where her excitement and chattiness made her figure it all out.

“Yes, Jihae, that’s exactly how it all started. It was a mix of both. I did it because of peer pressure of what they wanted to do, and I kind of wanted to see what guys were out there who might be interested in me and vice versa.”

“Alright, I can understand that. I know you, Ahyoung. You don’t give into peer pressure easily unless you find a legitimate reason. Now go on, tell me what happens next, which I’m sure it’s going to be about the very first guy you ever met on Ablaze!”

Ahyoung nodded her head once more, shifting her body to get comfortable in her seat. She pressed her arms against the table, palms flat against the surface before connecting with fingers laced together.

“Alright, well the first guy I ever talked to was literally the next day and we met four days later..."

 

- - -

hello loves! sooo sorry about the late update, i have been so busy with school! i do hope i can update in the week after the next (though that's finals week for me so maybe not? we shall see) but eeps, here's my second chapter! i do hope you guys enjoy this. if you haven't seen my update on the foreword, i decided to make this story a non-rated story. however, i'll make a side story where all the "rated" stuff will be posted there, as there are rated things that can happen when it comes to dating apps. i'm doing this just so that anyone who is interested in reading the heart of the story can continue without needing to worry about if rated things are about to come and all. of course, some of the rated stuff will explain why Ahyoung feels a certain way later in the story, but i'll for sure write a very general, g-rated description on the main story (or this thread). 

but yes! oh! and i do have a request for you guys, like i said at the beginning, there are twelve guys that you guys will see Ahyoung interacting with. i have a few guys in mind, but i'm running out of guys to potentially put in here. so i'd like for you guys to comment who you ship Ahyoung with or would like to see her with, but i can't guarantee you that the guys you'll mention will be her husband! oh and yes, hong jonghyun is out of the picture. as much as i hate it because i'm a hardcore jongah couple, i didn't want it to be "obvious" if i were to mention him throughout the story.

so yes! i hope you guys have a wonderful day/evening wherever you are! and thank you so much for continuing this with me!

- marie ❤