MidReal Story

The Truth About My Girl

Anonymous

Scenario:When I first started dating Emmy, I thought she was perfect. Sweet, caring, and easy to be around. But over time, her mask slipped. A year into our relationship, and she’s turned into someone I barely recognize. Arrogant, critical, and always reminding me how her ex did everything better. Every little thing I do feels like a mistake. Tonight is no different. I’m late picking her up after her girls’ night, thanks to the traffic. The moment I see her, she’s already scowling. “Seriously? My ex would’ve been here early—and he wouldn’t be driving a crap car like this!”

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When I first started dating Emmy, I thought she was perfect. Sweet, caring, and easy to be around. But over time, her mask slipped. A year into our relationship, and she’s turned into someone I barely recognize. Arrogant, critical, and always reminding me how her ex did everything better. Every little thing I do feels like a mistake. Tonight is no different. I’m late picking her up after her girls’ night, thanks to the traffic. The moment I see her, she’s already scowling. “Seriously? My ex would’ve been here early—and he wouldn’t be driving a crap car like this!”

Jamie Bennett

boyfriend, relationships with Emmy and friends, average build, brown hair, conflicted and patient

Emmy Knight

girlfriend, relationship with Jamie and friends, slender with blonde hair, initially sweet but now critical

Natalia Hayes

mutual friend of Jamie and Emmy, supportive of Jamie

I wish I could say things never changed between Emmy and me, but that would be a lie.

Over time, she began to get on my last nerve.

Not only did she become more critical, but she started comparing me to her ex, who was a fucking millionaire.

I tried to be patient and understanding.

I mean, after all, I knew she wasn’t perfect and I was willing to work through it.

However, the more we spent time together, the more I felt like I was walking on eggshells.

There were times when I felt like I could do no right, and even when I did, it still wasn’t good enough for her.

I pull into a quiet spot at the park where we had our first date.

The engine idles as I grip the steering wheel, my knuckles white.

Emmy’s latest jab about her ex’s Tesla still rings in my ears.

I turn to face her, cutting off another criticism about my driving.

My voice comes out steady as I say, "You know, Emmy, I’m tired of being compared to your ex. It’s like you’re trying to make me feel like I’m not good enough for you."

She scoffs and rolls her eyes.

"Please. That’s not what I’m doing."

I shake my head.

"Yes, it is. You’ve been doing it for the past month. You compare me to him every chance you get."

Her face hardens.

"What are you talking about?"

I tick off on my fingers all the times she’s done it.

"The restaurants I can’t afford to take you to. The vacations I haven’t taken you on. The car I drive. The shoes I wear. The list goes on and on."

Emmy crosses her arms, her voice defensive.

"Well, maybe if you tried a little harder, I wouldn’t have to compare."

I take a deep breath, feeling the weight of her words.

I turn my gaze out the window, staring at the neon sign of the diner where we first shared milkshakes.

It feels like a lifetime ago that she used to smile at my jokes instead of rolling her eyes.

I turn back to her.

"You know, Emmy, I never thought I’d say this, but—"

She cuts me off, ranting about her ex again.

I tune her out and count the number of times she’s said his name tonight.

Seventeen.

My throat tightens as I realize I haven’t heard her say my name once.

She pauses in her rant to check her phone, probably texting her friends about what a horrible boyfriend I am.

I turn to face her, each word coming out slow and steady.

"You clearly don’t love me, Emmy. You love him."

I open the car door and step out, leaving her in stunned silence.