It's a Match?

Chapter 30

By the time the app downloads, my parents have managed to sink deeper into their own worlds. I take a moment to sweep through my photo app to find the pictures that best relay my personality. 

"F**k, all selfies"

In this moment, I realize how true of a loner I am. Begrudgingly, I select a few selfies and a mirror photo to upload. I study the app a bit longer before I notice the same acronym the old man at the park seemed to be connected to. "SHOLIS" slides through the screen in bold, white lettering. Simply, yet captivating. A few profiles are demonstrated as a robotic companion walks me through how to use the app. Impatient, I skip through the onboarding process and rush to upload my first pair of pictures. 

"Profile 30% complete" sits at the tap of my profile. I look around eager to add more vitality to the page. The bio seems like the most obvious section, being that I've always had an affinity for writing. I click on the box and proceed to begin writing a few set of intros, before deleting them and starting over. Nothing seems right. For a moment, it seems borderline impossible to capture one's essence with a 500 character limit. Frustrated, I settle for simplicity. 

"A creature of great will, and even greater submission." comes to mind. I'm not sure where it comes from, but it seems fitting in the moment. Satisfied, I begin to update the likes and hobbies section when I read my first ping. I click the notification before it can disappear.

"You've received a chat from Ceasar!"

The profile looks a bit out dated. The man is seen wearing Rayband glasses with a fitted cap and a muscle shirt. 

"Hey sexy." The message reads. Without hesitation, I delete the message and return to editing my profile. A few more pings began to make way as I finalize my profile. Some likes, some messages. Many of them along similar themes. Tired, burnt out, desperate souls looking for love to distract them from their dreariness of reality. Too burnt out to utter more than a few words per conversation. I attempt to preserve my energy and close the app until a more engaging message comes through.

Before I could make my way to the next app, I receive a notification. A video notification pops up titled "A Chance Encounter!"  I click the video, curious as to what it could be about. A rather attractive young woman is seen smiling before her camera as she prepares to share her enthusiasm.

"You guys, you won't believe the message I have for you today!"

My parents look up curiously as I pause the video and rummage to find headphones. They return back to their pastimes. I resume the video.

"It's happening tonight! A destiny helper is being sent your way."

I scratch my head. What on earth is a destiny helper? I continue to listen intently. 

"Some of you have been experiencing obstacles in the form of blockages. Whether that be with your health, your finances, even your relationships. You will come across someone who has been there done that. Do not be alarmed. This person is not a threat. I repeat, they are not a threat! Be sure to be open and receptive when you meet them. They may not come in the package you expect. Okay, I have to make this one short guys. I have something to do. But be on the look out for this person. Love you. Talk to you all later!."

The video, no longer than 2 minutes, closes itself out. I remain fixated on the speaker's words before returning to mindless scrolling. A music app catches my attention as I proceed to lose myself in a playlist. I pull out kindle for added stimulation. "The Gift of Fear" by Gavin De Becker stands out particularly. 

As I proceed to read the first chapter, I can hear my father begin to snore. I look my mother's way and her eyes seem to be closed. By the time I can think to check the clock, it is 10:30pm.

I do my best to stealthily reach for the remote and lower the volume. I wave my hands in front of both of their faces to make sure they're truly asleep before attempting to get up to turn the lights off. As I stand over them, I can't help but feel grateful and protective for their sacrifice. I cover them from behind and escape into the bathroom for privacy. 

I place the toilet lid down and sit on the bathroom as if it were a seat. By the time I unlock my phone, I receive a like on SOHLIS. I click the link to see who has liked me, when the app notifies me that I would need to pay to unlock this feature. Agitated, I let out a sigh and close the app. But as the window disappears, I receive another notification. This time, a comment under a photo. The mirror selfie. I click on the notification. 

"Any more of these?" A man with a blank profile comments. Disappointed in his lack of identity, I close out the app once more. But the man is persistent. Next, I receive a message. 

"Hello Diana (:" 

I stare at the message begrudgingly. My father's light purr has turned into a roar and I realize it is officially night time. I ignore the notification and continue to scroll onto other apps when I get a notification reminder. The reminder is of the video I watched just a few moments ago. I remember the words the woman shared. "They won't come in the package you're expecting."

The world begins to slow down as I think through what seems like a multitude of scenarios. Something urges me to message back, but I resist. Instead, I turn back to Kindle and decide to read until Chapter 2. By then, sleep has caught up to me and I decide to rest my eyes. Before long, I begin to dream. 

A lake is seen nearby with a flower wilting over it. I walk up to the flower, charmed by it's beauty. The flower, once wilted now stands proudly. 

"State your name."

I hesitate, but respond accordingly. 

"Diana" 

The flower grows silent from a moment. From a distance, I can feel the grown begin to tremble. I widen my stance and spread my arms in attempt to maintain balance. The flower crosses it's sepals, which appear similar to arms. It seems unmoved by the chaos happening all around. Suddenly, a slew of flowers pop up from the ground. All beautiful, unique, and exotic looking in their own right. What was once a simple lake has turned into a floral fortress. I walk past the many flowers as they wink and flirt. I am charmed and begin to giggle as I engage in what seems like a dance with them. Flirting back through touch and compassion. 

As I am distracted, an Angel appears behind me. A wind takes over the gardens as the flowers begin to sway and tilt. They tuck themselves in an return to their budding state. I turn to greet the angel.

"Hello there! Who might you be?"

"Well Hello Diana, I am Uriel."

The Angel's voice is light and melodic. His face is delicate and unassuming. I continue to study him in awe as he patiently floats before me.

"Are you enjoying the garden?" Aware of my awe, he attempts to demystify himself. 

"Um, yes! These flowers. They're so beautiful!"

"Yes, there are many options here indeed."

I nod before turning around to gauge the flowers once more, noticing their recently budded state. 

"Why have they tucked themselves away?"

"Out of respect."

"Respect?"

"Yes, as angels, we do not judge off of appearances. But intentions alone."

"So what intentions have the flowers had that caused them to go into hiding upon your appearance?"

"To seduce you, of course."

I grow embarrassed. 

"You are a guest here Diana. Many enjoy the innocence of the novice. It reminds them of simpler days. Before humanity became plagued by sin."

I scratch my head and continue to gaze back at the flowers. The angel takes note and begins to move through the garden swiftly. I follow after him.

"I'm sure you are taken away by being surrounded with so much beauty. Is there any flower that stands out to you in particular?"

"Uh, I can't really decide, they're all so beautiful."

Uriel smirks, before looking off to the side as if a thought had crosses his mind.

"Is there anything that could help you to commit to at least one of the flowers?"

"Umm, I guess getting to know more about their individual attributes?"

Uriel turns around as if a light has been illuminated. 

"Ahhh, I see." He says pretentiously. There is an exaggerated heir to his responses, as if he were subtly dropping hints. 

"So maybe I should learn more about their attributes?"

"It's up to you. Is that what you'd like to do?"

I pause before responding. It seems as if I must proceed with caution.

"Why does this feel like a pop quiz or something?"

Uriel laughs as he turns around to face me in full.

"Very well then Diana! Let this be your first assignment. You will need to choose one flower between now and the time you wake. Take your time, but choose wisely." He warns.

Before I could respond, he disappears without a trace. I look around and notice the flowers beginning to bloom again. I feel as awestruck as when I initially encountered them. Uriel's words echo through my head. "Choose wisely." I look throughout the field and notice I have a lot of land to cover and very little time. I begin to walk forward. It is quiet at first, the flowers watch me pass by and smile. I walk by them shyly, tilting my hair behind my ear. The first demonstration of the night begins. 

A Boltonia flower sways back and forth as smaller Boltanias appear around the base of its stem. It begins to sing. 

"Gravity is working against me

And gravity wants to bring me down

Oh, I'll never know
What makes this man, with all the love that his heart can stand
Dream of ways to throw it all away"

I recognize the song and decide to stop to listen and full. The smaller, floor based flowers begin to join the head flower in unison. 

":Whoa, whoa

Gravity is working against me
And gravity wants to bring me down

Oh, twice as much ain't twice as good
And can't sustain like one half could
It's wanting more that's gonna send me to my knees"

I smile and fold my arms as I assume a more comfortable stance. The performance is captivating. The flower continues to sway as it winks. Suddenly, an oriental Lily is seen spurting water high into the sky. I grow distracted and inch myself towards its direction. The Boltonias continue to sing their rendition of John Mayer's Gravity. 

I walk towards the Oriental Lily as I notice a water show beginning. I clap and run quickly to get a better look. The Lily's work together in accordance to create a stunning performance. I am thrilled and watch attentively. The sky suddenly begins to resemble a rainbow as fireworks shoot up into the sky. I turn around and notice a Zygopetalum Orchid conducting magic tricks. I turn back to the Lily's once more to show gratitude before running off. They spritz my face with a light stream of water, as if extending a kiss. 

I run off towards the Zygopetalum which seems to be a one man show. Fire stands around its stem as it begins to conduct tricks so captivating even the other flowers gather around to watch. I stand behind the flowers, watching the performance rather enchanted when I see what looks like a summersault back flip occur in the distance, behind the Orchid. I sneak away as I attempt to find out what the commotion is about. The ground is suddenly illuminated by fire flies that fly in a rather neat formation. I hold my chest in adoration, when I see but another summersault happening in the distance. I begin to run towards the direction when I notice a Venus Fly Trap throwing Himalayan Poppy's in the air.

"Woah! This is fantastic!" I cheer. The Venus Play Trap stands strong and with authority. A pink rose bush is found nearby. The flowers roll their eye and giggle at the fly trap, as it tilts its head in their direction and lets out a low, husky groan. The roses continue to giggle. A bit overstimulated, I step towards a less populated area of the garden. Foxgloves extend for a few meters before I am met with a lone standing flower, sitting in the dark, with no flowers around it. I stare at the flower hesitantly. The other flowers continues performing and engaging with one another, but this flower continues to sit alone. 

As I inch closer, I notice that it's a lotus. The flower sits perfectly still, not performing nor engaging with me as I approach. The closer I get towards the flower, the more the other flowers begin to grow quiet. As I am in close orbit with the flower, I notice that the rest of the garden has manage to shift its focus on to this encounter. A thick stillness fills the space as a light wind is introduced. The wind whistles and howls a bit, but the Lotus remains strong and silent. I come closer, as I attempt to touch a petal. I can hear some of the flowers let out cautious gasps. I stubbornly commit to reaching for a petal when a sonic boom erupts out of think air.

The rest of the flowers sway and bend wildly. I am knocked on to my bottom. The wind picks up and becomes so fierce that is difficult to stand up against. I put my hand over my eyes and continue to gaze at the Louts, that is still standing strong. It's as if all the chaos is managing to go around it. The wind continues as the other flowers begin to panic and return to their budding states. I hold my position on the floor and do my best to wait the wind out, being sure not to lose sight of the Louts for a moment. After some time the wind settles. I look around, and the flowers have returned to the same hiding state they assumed when angel Uriel presented himself. The only flower left standing in its radiance was the lotus.

"It's so captivating." I say as I begin to approach it once more. As I manage to get closer, I pause out of fear of another strange occurrence happening. After a moment of stillness, it seems safe enough to try again. I reach towards the petal once more and make contact when a shock shoots through my buddy. I am stuck in time as a serious of memories flash through my mind at lighting speed. The wind begins to pick up again and the garden begins to spin in a slow, circular motion. The wind is so strong, I begin to levitate, not once letting go of the petal. Eventually, the encounter begins to feel too all consuming and I attempt to let go, but my hand is glued to the lotus' petal. The visions continue to flash before my eyes against my will. 

"Help!" I scream, as the visions continue. The wind remains strong, the other flowers have permanently closed themselves off.

"Someone, please help!" The visions continue to flash before my eyes. Some pleasant, some not so pleasant. Towards the end, I see what looks like the future version of me. She is standing in a uniform, she looks very serious, she stares at me with some sort of emblem tucked under her arm. We make eye contact for a moment. Then a force slams me down to the ground, and the woman fades away. I lose consciousness and everything around me goes black.