Dating : A Day for Single People

I am drowning in couples. There are couples on the street, stopping to make out every fifth step. There are couples on the subway, holding onto each other instead of a pole. There are couples at the gym, sneaking kisses on the stationary bikes. There are couples at the grocery store, rubbing each other’s backs in line. There are couples at the laundromat, flirting over detergent. There are even couples on dating sites, seeking a third.

As they go about their days together, I generally go about mine alone. I walk down the street, stopping every fifth step to itch my ankle. I ride the subway, holding myself up between strangers. I go to the gym, sweating through my shirt on the treadmill. I shop at the grocery store, wondering if I’ve bought too much to carry home. I clean my clothes at the laundromat, trying not to let runaway socks falls to the floor. I use dating sites, seeking a second.

No matter how good a day I’m having, it gets a little worse as soon as a couple appears (although exceptions can be made for couples I actually know). There’s a part of me that’s happy for them, happy that they’ve found each other and happy that there’s love in the world. But a much larger part is jealous that I don’t have what they have and angry that I have to be reminded of that when all I want to do is live my life.

So all I want is one day each year. One day when all the couples have to stay inside and I can enjoy the world without being bombarded by love. One day when I can sit on a bench in the park and not have to watch some girl play with her boyfriend’s hair. One day when I can be alone in peace.

Just. One. Day.

And then if I ever find someone, if I ever get to be that annoying couple, I’ll gladly do my time indoors.