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MidReal Story
The Truth About My Girl
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!”
Create my version of this story
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 a few months since Emmy and I started going out.
At first, she was really sweet.
But the more we hang out, the more she’s started to criticize me.
I try to be patient and understanding.
I know that relationships involve working through problems, but it’s hard when it feels like I’m never good enough.
Emmy is always comparing me to her ex. No matter what I do, I can never live up to him.
It’s frustrating and makes me feel like I’m not good enough for her.
I try to talk to her about it, but she just gets defensive and says that I’m being too sensitive.
I don’t know how to make her understand.
"Hey Jamie, what’s up?"
Natalia Hayes, a mutual friend of Emmy and mine, asks as she approaches me at the mall food court.
"Not much," I respond.
"Just grabbing something to eat. How about you?"
"Same here," she says.
"I was thinking about heading over to watch the street performers after this. Care to join me?"
"Sure," I say with a smile.
It’ll be nice to have some company that doesn’t involve feeling like I’m not good enough.
As we sit down at a table, I can’t help but notice Emmy walking toward us with another girl.
When she sees me with Natalia, her expression changes from happy to angry.
What did I do now?
"Who’s that?"
I push my chair back and rise slowly, my hands slightly raised in a placating gesture.
Emmy’s heels click against the tile as she strides toward our table, her friend following behind her.
Natalia shifts uncomfortably in her seat, gathering the wrapper from her sandwich.
"Hey Emmy, we were just grabbing lunch," I say with a smile.
Emmy’s eyes narrow as she looks between us, her perfectly manicured nails drumming against her crossed arms.
"Really? Because it looks like you’re on a date to me."
Her voice rises, drawing the attention of those around us.
I step toward her, keeping my voice low.
"You know Natalia - we’re all friends here."
Emmy’s friend whispers something in her ear, but she shrugs her off.
"Friends, huh?" Emmy scoffs, her eyes flashing with something I can't quite place.
Natalia stands up, her voice calm but firm. "Emmy, it's not what you think. Jamie's been feeling really down lately, and I just wanted to cheer him up."
Emmy hesitates, her posture softening slightly as she glances at me. "Is that true, Jamie? Why didn't you tell me?"
I nod, feeling a mix of emotions swirl inside me.
"Yeah, it's true. Natalia knows how hard things have been for me lately."
Emmy looks at Natalia, her expression softening further.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to jump to conclusions. It's just... I've been feeling really frustrated with Jamie lately."
Natalia nods understandingly.
"I get it. Why don't you guys go grab some lunch and catch up? I'll head out and watch the street performers on my own."
Emmy nods and turns to me.
"Let's go get something to eat."
I follow Emmy to a quieter corner of the food court, away from the prying eyes of the crowd.
We sit down at a table, and Emmy pulls out a sandwich from her bag.
I take a sip from my paper cup, trying to gather my thoughts.
Emmy takes a bite of her sandwich, then looks at me expectantly.
Natalia squeezes my shoulder in support before leaving us alone.
I grip my paper cup tightly, focusing on the condensation dripping down its sides rather than looking directly at Emmy.
The words I've rehearsed in my head for what feels like an eternity tumble out awkwardly - how her constant comparisons to her ex hurt me, how I feel like I'm walking on eggshells around her, how nothing I do seems good enough anymore. Emmy's expression shifts between surprise and defensiveness as I speak, her fingers drumming rapidly against the tabletop.
"Jamie, I had no idea you felt that way," Emmy says softly, her eyes searching mine.
"I just thought pushing you would make you better, like it did with him."
I take a deep breath, feeling a weight lift slightly. "But I'm not him, Emmy. I need to be enough as I am."