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

It’s been a month since Emmy and I started dating.

Things were going great at first, but now I feel like I’m walking on eggshells.

Not only is she becoming more and more critical, but she keeps comparing me to her ex.

I feel like I can never make her happy.

Am I just not cut out for relationships?

Emmy and I met through mutual friends, and she seemed so sweet and carefree.

We started hanging out, and things were great.

She was funny and charming, and I found myself falling for her.

But now that we’ve been together for a while, I’m starting to see a different side of her.

She’s constantly finding fault in me, whether it’s my clothes, my hair, or even the way I drive.

I park the car outside her favorite coffee shop, gripping the steering wheel tightly.

She’s been going on and on about my driving, and I can feel my hands shaking.

I take a deep breath and turn to face her.

"Why do you keep bringing up your ex?"

I ask, my voice quieter than I intend it to be.

Emmy’s eyes narrow.

She shifts in her seat, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Because he knew how to do things right," she snaps.

"He would’ve been here early, and he wouldn’t be driving a crap car like this!"

She lists off all the ways I’m failing her: being late, choosing the wrong restaurants, even my haircut.

I watch her reflection in the rearview mirror as she speaks, noticing how her face twists with each comparison.

I realize, in that moment, that I need to choose myself.

I pull into the parking lot of the coffee shop, my hands still tight on the steering wheel.

Emmy falls silent, maybe finally realizing how her words have been affecting me.

I stare out the windshield at the other couples walking hand-in-hand into the shop, laughing and smiling easily with each other.

In the side mirror, I see Emmy shift in her seat, her reflection flickering with uncertainty.

She turns to face me, her voice softer than before.

"Jamie, I’m sorry," she says, reaching for my arm.

"I know I’ve been horrible lately."

I hesitate, feeling the weight of her touch.

"Why, Emmy? Why do you keep pushing me away?"

She looks down, her fingers tracing patterns on the seat.