Val opened the app, again. A wand swooshed across her cracked screen. Elegant words read "Spellbindr" before her homepage loaded. No blue dot by her notifications and zero messages.

Great. Her date's late and not replying.

Val tapped on her own profile to pass the time. A photo appeared of her smiling, half drunk, in a paper crown. It was a little on the nose.

Valentina

Prince "Charming" didn't appreciate when Sleeping Beauty woke, she was "woke". Looking for anyone without a crown or a d!ck.

She cringed, pocketing her phone. Was that too much? It seemed funny at the time.

Val joined Spellbindr on a whim. A dating app for fairytale folk hiding as humans? Sounded fantastic. But after "Penny" was two goblins in a trench coat and Callista, the half-dragon, got too excited making out and torched her car, Val vowed to be done after one last date. A mermaid this time, who picked the strangest spot to meet: outside a police station.

A siren blared. Val understood selling stuff to strangers here but a date? Loitering awkwardly, she watched officers stroll by. Her shoulders tensed. Their uniforms reminded her of him.

"Val? Sorry I'm late." A woman rushed up and Val’s stomach dropped.

"Marilla?"

Marilla smiled, only faintly resembling her profile picture. Instead of silky hair the color of the evening sea, Marilla's was graying and frizzy. Wrinkles replaced sunkissed skin. Were those... whiskers? Val gritted her teeth.

So, the mermaid's a catfish.

"Hungry?"

"Actually... I'm tired," Val stepped away, flashing a fake smile.

"Please don't go. I know... I know. H-how about a walk?" she pleaded. Guilt cut through Val. Was she really that superficial?

"Sure."

Marilla led Val down the street. "I'm sorry. It's been a rough year. A witch stole my tail and forced me to clean her house. It's insane this still happens in 2025!"

Val's stomach twisted and she picked at her hem.

"I'm worked to death and when I try to have some fun, everyone runs. Even after explaining the spell!”

"I'm sorry. That sucks," Val said. She'd judged Marilla just like the rest. What a hypocrite.

They crossed the bridge behind the station. Marilla watched the babbling river with such longing, but hope shone in her chestnut eyes.

"I haven’t talked to anyone in so long. Thanks for listening to my complaining.  You're sweet. That prince is a dummy if he couldn't see that."  

Val's stomach flipped. Warmth swelled in her chest.

"Actually... how about that dinner?" Val offered. Following the fizzy feeling in her belly, Val leaned in. The moment Val's lips touched Marilla's cheek; the woman vanished in a puff of smoke.

"The river!" Marilla cried from Val's feet. An actual catfish stared up at her. Val jolted and lifted the slimy fish off the concrete. Stumbling to the edge, she threw her in. Marilla splashed before surfacing.

"Thanks! Princess kisses really do break spells!" Marilla called and disappeared. Val stared.

"Wha-what?!" That's it. She’s deleting that app.