Hugh wasn’t a moron, nor was he oblivious to the world of casual hookups. It was an idea he had toyed with before, but it always ended up putting him off. Something about lack of connections turned him off, literally and metaphorically.

However, for this app to be making this man this manic, along with the flat, dead tone it’s announcement was delivered in left Hugh speechless. How on Earth could a simple hookup app make someone this insane? He thought bewilderedly. He sat staring at the balding man, then blinked rapidly to clear his addled brain. He leaned back in the soft chair. “Oh, cool.” He added meekly. How did one respond to such a thing? Hell if he knew. “It’s called Merge. You should look into it, you look like exactly the kinda guy they be looking for on here.”

Do what? Did this guy just….hit on me? What does that mean, “just the guy they be lookin for”? Wait a second…

Hugh side-eyed the man, trying his best to come off cool and collected, despite his wild confusion and mild fear of being hit on by a grown man in his midlife crisis period. “Uh, well, I mean, you’re a gay, right? You look like it at least.” He added sheepishly. Hugh narrowed his eyes. Yes, he was gay, or close enough, but being called out in such a manner rubbed him the wrong way.

Was it really that obvious?

He had tried his best for some time to hide the more obvious things about it, the higher pitched voice, the flamboyant mannerisms, generally just trying to come off as a normal guy who did normal guy things. Apparently, he failed. But he wasn’t about to tell some stranger how he liked his coffee, so to speak. He leaned further back into the leather chair, which was a bit too warm.

“That’s not really any of your business.” Hugh stated coldly. Now the man flinched, recoiling into himself. “Oh, uh, sorry man.” He shuffled the other way, clearly ready to end the conversation.

Fantastic start to the day.

He didn’t think it was possible, but somehow, his mood had soured further. Although….

Maybe that man had a point. He had been looking to make some new friends, and maybe even have a hookup or two.

It probably wouldn’t hurt to try…

After finishing his morning duties, including the ever-awkward morning office visit with the weird balding guy, he headed to his classes and spent the day half-listening to his professors argue over something between themselves. While normally this would be of much amusement, for several reasons, his mind just wasn’t in it. His thoughts kept looping back to the app the man mentioned, and how it would only benefit him. While hookup culture was repulsive, and mildly unhygienic at best, hugh guiltily wanted to try new things with someone. He hasn't even had a real kiss before, even though he had dated a few people here or there in high school. Honestly, it made him bitter, the fact that most everyone in his friend group had a loving partner, had tried new things with someone by their side, and that they were happier than he was. Not that he was going to say anything, obviously. He loved his friends, and wanted nothing more than them to be happy. He was just a bitter turd who yearned for love and affection. Ya know, as usual.

As he slogged through the day, half present and oblivious, he decided to download the app before his better judgement could get ahold of him.