The Perfect Way

She tried not to hurry in high heels and excitement filled the air while she arrived in front of the sunset garden to talk about retiring the practice of Earth Day.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I am so proud to tell you that our efforts to reverse the actions of pollution have happened. I am not surprised that as a result we have generated new jobs, more financial freedom in the race to improve the environment. I love that everyone agreed it was best to create more remote jobs at the start of being committed to protecting the Earth. This allowed the option for people to spend more time with their families. It also prevented the rise of diseases spreading. It also allowed for new technologies and explorations in regards to online meetings. Now we live in a world where people can choose their avatars for meetings and any background that allows people to get a sense of a person’s cultural identity or preferences to remain neutral. This structure has allowed for more peace as racism is no longer an appropriate way to judge someone. We no longer know anything about a person instead we just know what they present. I am so grateful that this has contributed to less divided conversations. Lastly, I am grateful that we have solved our problems in this state of not commuting and created options to expedite the Earth healing. My heart is filled with gratitude for these things as I am sure they are for you.”

Alyssa walked away contemplating how much technology has changed online dating. In this day and age, you no longer needed to be worried so much about how you looked. Because it was the looks of your avatar that mattered. And you could choose to bring that image into the real world through bodysuits and fake skin that shows the projected image instead of the real one.

In her high heels, she walked over to the restaurant to meet Anthony who was a dreamy guy with light blue skin which likely meant he used technology to alter his looks. She used pastel green that made most people think of soothing meadows. When their eyes locked, she couldn’t help wondering what he really looked like. And if it would ever matter to her to know. Wasn’t love about the person not necessarily how they looked? When you live in a day and age where you can be anything, then what is the point if you are not that? It's not like she ever had to see the real him. She most certainly didn’t need her to see the real her.

Although she was content with her natural looks, it didn’t seem to be attracting many people. It seemed that everyone was gravitating towards the avatars. When she did go on some dates with people as herself, she found the conversations awkward and narrowly focused on her. They brought up questions of how or why she was so comfortable with herself. “Hey, is it ok with you if you never see the real me?” “Do you think I am insecure for not sharing the way I naturally look?” “Do you think this is a good look and if so why?” She was tired of feeling judged and even shamed for being who she was and how she was naturally. It was a surprise to learn that people became insecure because she was secure enough to show herself.

Yet here she was a year later being someone else so a guy could feel ok with himself. There was a slim hope of him being someone who could just see her and be with her. After six months of dating, she was searching online for answers to when is the right time for your partner to see you without your avatar. The first article said “relationships can be hard to navigate. One person may be dying to see the real you. Whereas another has no desire to see you. They may like the mystery. They may have fallen completely in love with this image of you. They may be unwilling to show themselves due to deep insecurities. It is always tricky to navigate this and we recommend asking these questions upfront. It takes away the deeper levels of anxiety that happen after people become interested in keeping the relationship.”

“Great”, Alyssa muttered under her breath to no one. She thought about how much she would miss Anthony. It was perfect that they had the same initials. And she noticed that she wanted to see him. She wanted to be seen. Isn’t the ultimate act of loving someone accepting them as they are? Yet society has now created the perfect way to masquerade, strengthen social odds through visual control, and hide whatever flaws or issues you have with your body.

She skimmed through a few more articles before she got ready for her date with Anthony. When she arrived, Anthony was smiling brightly at her. They had a pleasant enough date and as he walked her out before he closed the door on the electronic cab he leaned in. He had a deep smoldering voice when he said, “I’d like to get to know you better. Would you be willing to do a weekend trip with me?”

“Of course! I would love that.” He closed the door. Then her brain thought oh crap. He will see me as I am because my model needs to charge at night. This was followed by wondering if she would get to see him or if he had a spare or a better model.

When she woke up the day of the trip, she had the opportunity to step into knowing whatever happened would be fine. When she arrived at the airport, she found him waiting to whisk her away to the hotel. There appeared to be a terrace at every double door window room. At the lobby doors there was a bell man who grabbed their bags and followed them to check in.

They arrive at the room and her suit starts to glitch. Anthony looks aghast at the change. He tries to turn away and pretends he didn’t notice. Alyssa grabs his hand but finds him pulling away. He ends up telling her that he doesn’t see them as a match. The bell man hears them and says “I think you look perfect as you are. And I am confident your soul is just as beautiful as you are.”

She left that trip and never masked how she looked again.