Fake Beauty
No way! Youre serious? You two actually split up? I cant believe it! Ellie stared at her mate with such disbelief that Tom actually felt uncomfortable under her gaze. Her eyes had widened to the size of saucers, her eyebrows nearly disappeared into her hairline, and her mouth dropped open. You literally worshipped Olivia. I always told everyone you two were the perfect couple Honestly, I dreamed of a relationship like yours!
Im not kidding, Elle, its all too real Tom gazed out of the window. Londons early evening was grey and miserablethe rain hammered against the glass, racing in rivulets down to the busy street below, echoing the stormy mess inside his own head. He felt hollow as the reality of a five-year relationship slipping away cast everything around him in grim, colourless shades. It was that cold emptiness in his chestthe space once filled by Olivias shy smiles, gentle cuddles, and shared plans for a future. Now, he pressed his fists so tight his knuckles whitened, and when he spoke, his voice trembled. Its over, you know? Properly over
But why? Ellie pressed, leaning a little closer. Olivia waited half a year for you while you were working in Manchester, didnt she? Stayed faithful, didnt so much as glance at another bloke, or fall for any cheesy gifts or smooth talkers!
Come on, how would you know that? You dont even live in London, Tom managed a wry grin, just trying to take the edge off. Is this you flying the sisterhood flag again?
Oh, cut it outits not like were a world apart, Ellie replied, waving him off with a smile. She leaned back, folded her arms, but her eyes were full of genuine worry for him. Trust me, I have plenty of mates keeping an eye on her. Theres one thing I do know, thoughOlivia started taking her looks seriously. She changed her hairstyle, joined the gym, started buying herself new clothes. And she did all this while you were away. She put in a lot of effort, Tom.
Thats exactly the problem! Thats why we fell apart! Tom shot up and darted for the hallway, snatching his phone from his jacket. His movements were sharp, almost panicked, like he was trying to outrun his own thoughts. He rifled through his pockets, finally pulling out his phone, and dashed back to Ellie. Look, just one photothen youll get it. Remember what Olivia was like before I left?
Ellie rolled her eyes, but her voice faltered. For a second, she looked lost in thought, summoning up the old Olivia. Of course I remembersuch a sweet girl. Silky, straight blonde hair down her back, massive blue eyes, cute little nose She had a nice figure, well, except maybe a bit flat on top, but you never seemed to mind?
Exactly! I never minded at all! Toms voice cracked into a shout but fizzled out quickly. He gripped the phone, his face visibly hardening. Olivia was perfect for me, just as she was. I loved her for her. But the second I left, her daft mates started messing with her headtelling her Id lose interest unless she changed. She believed every word. And began changingnot for herself, but because she was told shed lose me otherwise.
Ellies brow creased, her fingers unconsciously squeezing the arm of her chair. She searched Toms face, still unsure what could have possibly gone so wrong.
Just look! Tom practically shoved the phone at her nose. On the screen was Oliviabut a version neither of them had ever met.
Olivias once-lovely hair had been chopped brutally short and dyed this ridiculous, fake platinum blonde. The sharp cut exposed her neck and ears, but instead of elegance, it just looked harshtotally at odds with her former softness. Someone had definitely had a go at her lips, toothey were now puffy and swollen, sticking out from her face in a way that just looked so wrong.
Shed lost at least a stone, maybe more, but instead of looking fit, she seemed frailher collarbones stuck out, you could see ribs under her skin, her arms were spindly, breakable. Her complexion was pale, practically see-through, and her eyes were ringed with dark circles like she hadnt slept in days. And the worst partshed had her chest done. Tom always hated that sort of thing. Hed always said he preferred things natural and never understood why women wanted to change themselves like that.
And there she was at Heathrow, waiting to greet me, and I swear, I almost just walked right past her, Toms voice wobbled, fighting emotion. He spun around, thumped the wall, then winced in pain, shaking his hand and trying not to swear. How could she do this to herself in just six months? Why couldnt she see that I loved her as she was? That none of this was for me?
Tom couldnt stand still. He paced the living room, waving his arms, stopping and starting like a caged animal. Sometimes his face went red, sometimes pale. Hed clench his fists, then rub his hands over his face as if to rub out these memories.
Ellie, bless her, knew exactly what he meant. Shed listened to ages of his whinging about that nightmare boss whod sent him away for half a year. Tom hated leaving Olivia alone, but she had her last term at uni, exams coming up, and he couldnt ask her to drop it all for him. He called Olivia every day, tried to keep her spirits up. And now, coming back, it was like hed found a total stranger.
Tom, maybe she was just trying to please you? Ellie suggested gently, getting up and walking over to him. Maybe someone told her youd like it. That youd be proud of her for making an effort
Tom let out a bitter smile, shaking his head. To please me? Elle, shes lost herself! I was in love with the real Olivia. And now now, I dont even recognise her.
What hurt Tom most was how Olivia had avoided video calls for months. Every time hed suggested it, she gave some cute excuse about a surprise she was working on, saying hed be over the moon. Her sweet words sounded lovely, but deep down, Toms stomach twisted. For her to go to such lengths to dodge him maybe shed already met someone else and just didnt want to dump him on the phone? That thought knawed at him, driving him mad.
In the end, Tom crumbled and asked his mate Ian, who lived just round the corner from Olivia, to discreetly keep an eye out. Nothing major, just to ask around and see if anything odd was going on. Ian agreed, although a little reluctantly.
A few days later, Ian called.
Shes plotting some kind of surprise, thats for sure, he said, sounding cautious. Not sure youll love it, mate. But theres definitely no one else on the scene. She talks about you all the timereally cares about when youre coming back.
That reassured Tom a lot. He let himself relax, running a hand through his hair and even managing a smile. Maybe he was overreacting. At least Olivia was faithful, not lying, not seeing anyone else. Thinking she still wanted him warmed him up inside, gave him hope.
Now, Tom knows not taking Ian up on the offer to send him a photo was a stupid mistake. Ian was all, Mate, you need to see what shes up to. But Tom had waved him off: Nah, let it be a surprise. If only hed said yesmaybe he could have stopped the whole mess before it kicked off. Maybe he wouldve just quit work and rushed to Olivia that same night! And maybe had a stern word with those mates of hers, too But now, it was too late.
On the day of his return, Tom was all over the place. He couldnt keep still, kept checking his watch. On the flight, he drummed his fingers on the armrest, then picked at the seam of his jacket in the cab after landing. His palms were sweaty, heart punching his chest. In his head, he saw it all: bursting through arrivals, seeing Olivias smiling face in the crowd, her waving like mad and rushing over for a hug, that familiar scent in her hair. Then theyd go home, brew some tea, curl up on the sofa, and spend hours talking about everythingthe funny bits, the hard bits, the weird thoughts that pop up when youre apart.
The reality, though, was savage. He finally saw Olivia waiting near the arrivals exit, and just froze. That wasnt the girl he remembered. For the briefest moment, he thought hed mixed her up with a random stranger. He blinked, trying to take it in, and felt ice-cold inside.
Tom! I missed you so much! she squealed, rushing in for a hug, arms widebut Tom took a step back, dodging her embrace. Her smile wavered, confusion and hurt flashed in her eyes, her arms hung awkwardly by her sides. She paused, clearly thrown off.
Whats up with you? Its just me, Olivia! Is my surprise such a knock-out youre stunned speechless? she joked weakly, but Tom just stood and stared, processing. All he could see was everything hed lost.
Im just trying to work out what happened to my girlfriend, he managed, coldly, his voice deadened. Are you ill? Or have you completely lost the plot? Wheres your hair gone? Wheres that lovely shape? You always looked so natural and gorgeous.
You mean fat, right? Olivia bristled, lips trembling as tears welled up, but she fought them back, balling her fists and quickly unclenching them. Her matesstanding nearby for supportsnickered under their breath, making everything worse. She shot them a sharp look, but they acted like nothing was up.
Dont spare my feelings, TomI know I let myself go, she said, trying to sound tough, though her voice betrayed her. But now you wont be embarrassed to walk down the street with me! Look at meIm modern, stylish. Isnt this loads better?
And who said Id walk anywhere with you now? Toms words got harsher, each one edged with anger. He shook his head, making it clear how let down he felt. Youve gone from being this beautiful, real woman to I dont even know. I loved who you actually were. Couldnt you have at least talked to me? We always shared stuff, made decisions together. Why not just ask what I wanted?
Oh come on, Tom, Olivia could be on the cover of Vogue now! piped up one of her mates, stepping forward and giving Olivia a big showy pat on the back, like shed just won a medal. Do you know how many guys have tried to chat her up since she changed? Loads! Especially since getting her upgrades! She threw Tom a look, nodding at Olivias chest, and winked as if that explained the whole story. You should be happy! She did all this for you!
Tom swung on her, his face twisted with annoyance.
No, she didnt do it for me. She did it for herselfor for you lot egging her on! He looked back at Olivia, pain and anger written all over his face. Dont you dare blame this on me!
He closed the distance, lowered his voice to almost a whisper, but it was thick with regret.
Olivia, you always knew how I felt. I told you all the timenatural is beautiful. This This isnt what I love. You used to be wonderful the way you were. Now you look so artificial, like you arent even you anymore.
He paused, running his hand through his hair, then went on, quieter but resolute: Id bought a ring, Liv. Meant to propose the minute I was back. I wanted to start a life with you, as you were. But now Sorry, but I cant marry a stranger.
Olivia turned pale. Tears spilled freely now, her whole body shuddering. She made as if to reach for Tom, desperate to somehow fix this, to say it could all go back, but her words caught in her throat.
Tom, wait! Please! I just wanted us to be happier! I wanted you to be proud of me
But Tom was already walking away, moving fast, refusing to look back. His mind was a chaos of anger, sadness, the wreckage of every dream hed had for them.
Olivia yelled after him, tried to follow, but her mates grabbed her arms, holding her back.
Let him go! declared one, putting an arm around Olivia. Hes just had a shock, thats allcant blame him for saying stupid stuff.
Yeah, added the other, all-knowing like only mates can be. Hell come crawling back to you. Youll see. Youre gorgeous now, everyones turning their heads. Youll get someone better, just watch!
Olivia barely heard them. She stared after Tom, mascara running in jagged lines down her cheeks. Inside she felt emptya hollow, aching loss, knowing that in trying to be better, shed sacrificed what truly mattered.
And to think, I really was about to propose Tom finished bitterly in Ellies living room, burying his face in his hands, shoulders shaking with raw, barely controlled pain. Id pictured it allher smile, her hug, both of us laughing And then I see her and it was like I didnt know her. At all.
He paused, struggling to get his breath, eyes fixed on some invisible point on the floor. Why are so many women never happy with how they look, Elle? I told Olivia every day she was beautiful. Loved everything about herher grin, her quirks, all those little things that make someone special. She just wiped it all out. To become someone else.
He suddenly lifted his head, new tears glinting in his eyes, though he blinked them away and clenched his fists so hard they shook. And you know what really stings? Her mate did it on purposemanipulated the whole thing so wed split. Im sure of it now.
What makes you say that? Ellie leaned in, heart hurting for her friend, seeing him so wrecked, so different from his usual self. She squeezed his shoulder gently.
She said it herself, Tom muttered, half-spitting with disgust. Came round to my flat. Im much better than Oliviamy beautys all real, none of that fake nonsense. I nearly threw her down the stairs! Unbelievable. He gave the armchair an angry thump and raked a shaky hand through his hair.
Tom gritted his teeth and flopped down onto the sofa, fingers trembling, staring into space as if reliving the whole, miserable mess.
And the worst bit, he continued, voice barely above a whisper, she actually expected me to fall for her. Like Id just forget all about Olivia with the snap of her fingers But Im not like that. I loved Olivia. And it hurts she let people mess her up like this.
Ellie sat quietly, not wanting to interrupta silent wave of compassion passing between them. She knew the words cost him, and she didnt want to cut him off. Instead, she just squeezed his hand, hoping hed feel less alone with it all.
Are you going to talk to Olivia? she eventually asked in a soft, caring tone. You could still work things out, if you wanted
She loves her new look, Elle. Says shes never going back. She called, tried to guilt-trip mesaid I had no right to dump her after she waited for me all that time. Tom slumped forward, elbows on knees, fists pressed together as he stared at the floor. I do love her. I love my Oliviaonly shes not there anymore. Theres just someone else, this this plastic version.
Ellie gently took his hand in both of hers, just holding him close. She didnt offer empty comfort or promises, just stayed by his side, letting the silence be full of warmth.
They sat together like that for a long while. Tom wiped his face, sniffled, and stared at the now-clearing sky outside as the last dregs of rain broke and gave way to a soft, golden glow from the setting sun.
Do you remember, he said eventually, voice barely above a whisper, a walk in Hyde Park one autumn? Leaves floating round us Olivia laughing, hood falling over her eyes, me teasing her about it? She said, Lets always stay like this. I told her, We will, love. I promise. And I meant it, more than anything.
His voice cracked as tears finally broke through, rolling down his cheeks uncheckedless a grown mans weeping, more the helpless sobs of a hurt child. Ellie simply hugged him close, not needing to say a word.
Now what? Tom asked, looking uphis eyes shining with sorrow and a desperate, flickering hope. What if Ive got it wrong? Maybe I shouldve tried to understand, not just run. What if all she wanted was reassurance, and I just made it worse?
He wrestled with himself, clinging to the idea that under all the changes, the real Olivia was still in therethe girl who loved messy bed hair and making smiley faces on foggy windows. The one who laughed at his awful puns, who could always make a rubbish day seem better.
Ellie squeezed his hand, steady and sure. Of course you have a right to feel what you feel, Tom. Its okay to want to love someone for who they are, not who they think they should be. But if you think theres a chance, maybe give her a chance to explain? Not for her sakefor everything you two shared. For all the love you still feel.
Tom breathed deeply, wiped his face on his sleeve, and gazed out of the window. The city had shifted to soft gold and pink, like the start of something new. Maybe Ellie was right. Maybe he just needed a bit of time. Time to figure out if the Olivia he loved was still somewhere behind that fake smileand if the two of them could ever find each other again.
