MidReal Story

The Truth About My Girl

Zel Claudius

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

It’s been three months since Emmy and I started dating.

At first, everything was perfect.

However, over the last month, I’ve started to notice that she’s different from the girl I fell for.

Now, she’s nothing but critical of me and my decisions.

She’s constantly comparing me to her ex, who cheated on her.

Now, she doesn’t trust me and questions every single move that I make.

No matter what I do, it’s never good enough for her.

I feel like I’m walking on eggshells around her, making sure that I don’t set her off.

I don’t want to give up on our relationship, and I’ve been patient with her, hoping that she would go back to being the girl I first met.

I thought that giving her time would help her get over her fears and trust issues.

However, things have only gotten worse.

Last night was the final straw.

We were at dinner with some friends, including Natalia Hayes, who is a mutual friend of ours.

Emmy had found it necessary to embarrass me in front of our friends by telling me how stupid I am and how I’ll never amount to anything in life.

I’ve had enough.

I’m done with the way she treats me.

I’m done with her constant belittling of me.

I’m done with her comparing me to her ex.

I’m done with her treating me like I’m not good enough for her.

I’m done with her making me feel like I’m worthless.

I follow Emmy into her apartment, my hands shaking as I grip my car keys in my hand.

She throws her purse onto the couch and turns to face me, already scowling.

"You parked like an idiot. You’re practically in the middle of two parking spots."

Instead of nodding along like I usually do, I clench my jaw and interrupt her mid-sentence.

"Why do you always do this?"

My voice is quieter than I intended it to be, but Emmy spins around to face me, her eyes narrowing.

"What are you talking about?"

Her voice is defensive, but I continue anyway.

"You’re constantly putting me down. You’re always comparing me to your ex. What happened to the person who used to support me?"

Emmy takes a step closer to me, jabbing a finger into my chest.

"Maybe if you were more like him, I wouldn’t have to remind you of how pathetic you are!"

I step back, creating some distance between us.

Her living room is dimly lit, the only light coming from the lamp in the corner.

I clench my hands into fists, trying to keep them from shaking.

Emmy continues her tirade, not noticing my reaction.

"He was so much better than you. He was successful and smart. He had a good job and made a lot of money. He never would’ve embarrassed me in front of our friends."

I glance out the window, watching as the street lamp flickers on and off.

I catch a glimpse of myself in the reflection of the window.

My shoulders are hunched over, my head lowered.

I look small and weak.

Suddenly, I realize that I’ve let myself become this way.

I’ve let Emmy make me feel this way.

I straighten my posture and turn back to face her.

She’s still talking about her ex, but she stops when she notices my expression.

"What’s wrong?"

Her voice is softer than it was before, but I don’t answer her question.

Instead, I take a deep breath and meet her gaze.

"I think we need to talk about where this relationship is going."

Emmy’s face hardens, her jaw clenching.

"What do you mean?"

She takes a step closer to me, her eyes narrowing.

"What are you saying?"

Before I can answer, there’s a knock at the door.

Emmy and I both freeze, looking at each other in surprise.

I glance through the peephole and see Alex standing there, his brows furrowed.

I open the door, and he steps inside.

He looks between Emmy and me, his expression softening.

"Natalia called me. She was worried after dinner."

Emmy scoffs, rolling her eyes.

"She has no right to interfere."

Alex shrugs, stepping closer to me.

"She’s worried about you."

Emmy crosses her arms over her chest, glaring at us both.

"What are you doing here?"

Alex moves to stand beside me, his hand resting on my back.

"I came to make sure that you’re okay."