Chapter 6: First Matches
The notification sound came softly at first, then again. And again.
Linda stared at her phone like it might explode.
Mathilda, on the other hand, grabbed hers immediately.
"Oh my God," Mathilda said, already smiling. "I have matches."
Linda blinked. "Already?"
"Yes," Mathilda replied proudly. "Plural."
Linda swallowed and slowly picked up her phone. Her hands felt warm. Her heart felt louder than usual.
She had matches too.
Not many—but enough to make it real.
"This feels strange," Linda said quietly. "Like… people are actually looking at me."
Mathilda flopped onto the couch beside her. "That's because they are. Welcome to online dating."
Linda exhaled slowly. "I don't like it."
Mathilda laughed. "You don't like anything new."
Linda gave her a look. "I like stability."
Mathilda grinned. "And I like excitement. Which is why this is perfect."
They leaned closer together, phones glowing in the dim light of the living room.
"Okay," Mathilda said, scrolling. "Let's review."
She clicked on her first match. A smiling man with neat hair and confident eyes.
"He's cute," Linda admitted.
"Very cute," Mathilda said. "And he messaged first."
Linda raised an eyebrow. "What did he say?"
Mathilda read aloud dramatically. "'Hey Mathilda, you seem fun. I'd love to get to know you.'"
Linda nodded. "That's respectful."
"I know," Mathilda said. "But watch this."
She typed quickly.
"Heyyy 😊 what caught your attention?"
Linda groaned. "You added emojis already?"
Mathilda shrugged. "Flirting is an art."
Linda shook her head and opened her own match.
Her screen showed a man with a calm smile. Nothing flashy.
He had written:Hi Linda. I enjoyed reading your profile. You seem thoughtful. How's your evening going?
Linda stared at the message for a long time.
"Well?" Mathilda asked. "Say something."
Linda frowned. "I don't want to rush."
Mathilda laughed. "It's a message, not a marriage proposal."
Linda typed slowly.
Hi. My evening is calm. How about yours?
She read it three times before sending.
Mathilda rolled her eyes. "You're overthinking."
"I'm being careful," Linda replied.
Minutes passed.
Mathilda's phone buzzed again.
She squealed softly. "He replied."
Linda glanced over. "Already?"
"Yes," Mathilda said. "He says he likes my energy."
Linda smiled faintly. "That's nice."
Mathilda typed back without hesitation.
Linda watched her fingers move fast, confident, playful.
"How are you so comfortable?" Linda asked.
Mathilda shrugged. "If it doesn't work, it doesn't work. I'm just having fun."
Linda nodded slowly. "I wish I could think like that."
Mathilda leaned closer. "You don't need to be scared, Linda. Talking doesn't mean commitment."
Linda looked at her screen again.
Another message popped up.
Her match replied politely, asking about her work.
Linda smiled a little.
"He's asking real questions," she said.
Mathilda glanced over. "See? That's a good sign."
Linda typed carefully, answering honestly but briefly.
"I don't want to give too much away," she said.
Mathilda laughed. "You act like men steal secrets."
Linda shrugged. "You never know."
As the night went on, the contrast between them became clearer.
Mathilda laughed out loud at messages, sending voice notes, teasing lightly.
Linda read each message twice, thinking before replying.
"Why are you taking five minutes to answer?" Mathilda asked.
"Because words matter," Linda replied.
Mathilda shook her head. "You're adorable."
Another match appeared on Mathilda's screen.
"Ooo," she said. "This one's interesting."
Linda leaned in. "What's his name?"
Mathilda paused. "Daniel."
Linda froze slightly. "Not another Daniel."
Mathilda laughed. "Different Daniel. Hopefully."
The man messaged confidently. Compliments, charm, humor.
Mathilda blushed.
"He's smooth," she admitted.
Linda frowned slightly. "Be careful with smooth."
Mathilda waved her off. "Relax."
Linda returned to her own conversation.
Her match talked about values, goals, calm interests.
She liked that.
"He seems serious," she said softly.
Mathilda nodded. "That's your type."
Linda smiled. "I think so."
Suddenly, Mathilda's phone buzzed again.
Her expression changed.
"Wow," she said quietly.
"What?" Linda asked.
"He wants to FaceTime… later."
Linda sat up. "Already?"
Mathilda bit her lip, excited. "Is that bad?"
"No," Linda said carefully. "Just… fast."
Mathilda laughed. "Life is fast."
Linda's phone buzzed again too.
Her match asked if she'd like to keep talking tomorrow.
She smiled.
"He's patient," she said. "I like that."
Mathilda leaned back, stretching. "Tonight feels different."
Linda nodded. "It does."
There was a pause.
Then Mathilda said, "Promise me something."
Linda looked at her. "What?"
"No matter what happens with these men," Mathilda said, "we don't let it come between us."
Linda didn't hesitate. "I promise."
They bumped fists.
Neither noticed that among Mathilda's messages, one name appeared again later that night.
The same calm tone.
The same words Linda had read earlier.
The same man.
But for now, there was only excitement.
Hope.
And the quiet beginning of something that would soon change everything.