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Story submitted in May 2025 by Clara Verrier-Beauchesne

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I tire as I flip through unexciting profiles. I need a love that will drive me, not weigh on me. Earth and Air beings are too cautious, and Waters are… too much like me. I’ve always imagined I’d be most attracted to Fires, but opposites can’t visit each other, let alone date. Nobody ever tells us why, we just don’t, but as I look over at my friend’s app, I’m jealous of her, she’s Air.

“You’re lucky.”

“Honestly, I don’t know what you like so much about Fires. They’re so intense.”

Before I can reply, she taps my thigh enthusiastically, “Why don’t you make an Air profile and see who you match with? Use my elemental dust, the app won’t know the difference.”

“Ohh, I like you a little rebellious. Let’s do it!”

“It’s just to see though. You can’t…”

“I know.”

***

I glance at the sea outside my window. My dry skin aches for water, but my mind procrastinates on thoughts of this afternoon. While it was fun to look at Fire profiles, I still didn’t match with anyone interesting. I may have to face the possibility I’ll end up alone. Maybe I should be less picky. 

“Gah! It’s hopeless.” I’ll delete the fake account and find an acceptable being to end my days with. I open the app, which is still on the match page. 

“Him!” A shiver of excitement goes through me, my body grows warm and my cheeks are flushed, I’ve never experienced anything like it. That’s one handsome dragon. 

We decided to meet at the Saint-Cyrian volcano for a picnic. I had to pack two liters of water to ensure I endure the heat. 

I stop my climb when I finally see the back of him. His scales shine a fiery red. He turns around with a beautiful smile, one that fades as soon as he sees the lustrous blue scales that embellish half my body. 

“You’re a siren.” He backs up a few steps.

I begin to plead. “I know it’s weird, but I’m meant to be with a Fire, I feel it in my gut. Please, nobody has to know.”

He takes a good look at me, possibly wondering if he should be scared or excited. “Well, I am a curious…”

As a response, I only smile, and I can’t stop smiling while he briskly sets up the picnic. 

We talked for hours. My water bottle is getting dangerously empty, but I don’t think about that, I can only think of kissing him. I lean forward and he does the same. I stare in his orange eyes. He puts his hand on my cheek.

I recoil with a painful scream as I feel my skin under his hand craze in a web of cracks, dry as a rock. He removes his hand with a deafening roar as the fiery red of his scales turn a lifeless gray. We share a panic look. 

“Opposites can’t date.”, is the last thing I say before I faint.