Artificial Beauty
Youre kidding! You two actually broke up? No wayI dont believe it! Jess stared at her friend Tom with such dumbfounded disbelief that he felt his ears begin to burn. Her eyes bulged to comical proportions, eyebrows shot halfway up her forehead, and her mouth hung openshe simply couldnt process this news. But you were utterly smitten with Emily! I told everyone you two were the perfect couple… Honestly, your relationship was my top romantic goal!
Absolutely true, Jess, sorry to dash your hopes. Its as real as the weather outside, Tom replied, managing a dark look out the window. The London sky was in rare form: sheets of icy rain lashed the glass and trickled in hasty rivulets, drops forming constellations down the pane. The whole scene suited Toms mood perfectly. He felt hollow, as if someone had scooped him out and filled the void with bleak monotony. Five years together, now erased, and everything once warm and vibrant between them had shrivelled into a flat, iron-grey landscape. He clenched his fists until his knuckles gleamed white, his voice barely holding together as he continued, Its over, you know? Really over.
But why? Jess pressed, leaning forward and trying to catch his gaze. Emily waited six months for you while you were away on that horrid work trip! She was loyalnot even a WhatsApp flirt from her!
And youd know this how, exactly? You dont even live in London, Tom snorted, though the edge of his grin betrayed only fatigue. Girl code, is it?
Jess shrugged, utterly unfazed. She reclined and crossed her arms, a sly smile flickering on her lips, though her eyes brimmed with genuine concern. Maybe Im two hundred miles up in Manchester, but I have my spies. Plenty of friends kept one eye out. Word is Emily decided to focus on her looks, but the details were fuzzy. New hair, gym routine, a total wardrobe sweep. And all before you got back. She really did put in the effort, Tom.
And thats exactly the problem! Tom practically jogged to the hall, rummaging through his jacket for his phone. His movements were almost frantic, as if he could outrun his own thoughts. He patted every pocket, finally unearthed his mobile and hurried back to Jess. Just one photo, he thought, and shed understand the scale of the catastrophe. You remember what Emily was like before the trip?
Of course I do, Jess rolled her eyes, but her voice flinched ever so slightly, as if she were summoning up the image from memory. She was adorable. Straight, honey-blonde hair down her back, huge grey-blue eyes, the neatest little nose. Nice figure, too, just maybe lacking in the… upstairs department, but you never complained, did you?
Exactly! Tom waved his phone. She was perfectmy living ideal! I loved her exactly as she was. But the minute I left, her mates started chipping away at her confidence. Convinced her Id leave without a new and improved model. And sheshe actually believed them! She started changing, not because she wanted to, but because someone made her think she needed to. All for me! For me!
Jesss face darkened with uncertainty, her fingers gripping the armrest. She wondered, with a rising unease, just how dramatic these changes could be.
Have a look for yourself! Tom thrust the phone at her. On the screen, Emily stared backa ghostly caricature of her former self.
Her once-lustrous hair had been hacked into a criminally short bob and bleached to an alarming platinum. The severe cut laid her ears and neck bare, robbing any softness from her look altogether. Her lips had clearly suffered under the eager hand of some expertswollen, rubbery, completely at odds with her face.
Emily had dropped at least a stone, and it wasnt flattering. Her collarbones stuck out, ribs began poking through, arms turned so slender they looked fragile. Her skin was pale as clotted cream, smudges pooling under both eyes as though she hadnt slept in weeks, andjust to complete Toms horrorshed had her bust enhanced. It was like his sweet Emily had checked herself into a witness protection programme for the terminally self-conscious.
And when I saw her at the airporthonestly, I considered just walking right on by, Toms voice quavered, and with a sudden burst of frustration he smacked the wall, recoiling instantly, shaking out his smarting hand. How can you mangle yourself like that in six months? Why couldnt she see that I loved her, all of her, before?
Across the room he paced in helpless circles, hands flying with every sentence, his face flickering between anger and pallor. He pressed his palms to his face repeatedly, as if he could scrub away what hed seen.
Jess watched, heart heavy. Shed spent ages supporting Tom after his boss marooned him in Birmingham for that endless assignment. He was a wreck about leaving Emily on her own, but couldnt whisk her awayher last term at university, deadlines piling up, and his office wouldnt wait. He phoned her every day, did his best to be present, said all the right words. And now, the woman who met him at Heathrow was a complete stranger.
Maybe she just wanted to please you? Jess said gently, rising and approaching her friend with caution. Perhaps someone convinced her that youd be happier…
Tom let out a hollow laugh. Please me? She doesnt even know herself now! I loved herher, not some Insta-filtered knockoff!
The worst part was, Emily refused video calls for weeks before his return. Shed always dodge FaceTime with a cheerful Just wait, lovea surprise is coming, youll be thrilled! On paper, adorablebut deep down, Tom got the creeping suspicion. Maybe Emily had met someone else and couldnt face up to him online. The thought gnawed at him, kept him anxious at work.
Eventually, Tom got so worked up, he asked his old mate, who lived in Chelsea, to do some sleuthingnothing creepy, just a few subtle questions, an extra glance amongst the mutual friends. His mate agreed, despite serious this is a terrible idea vibes.
A couple of days later, the reply came back.
Shes definitely planning a surprise, Ill give you that, his mate said, in a tone that suggested hed stepped into a minefield. I sincerely doubt youre going to love it. But shes not got anyone elseshes genuinely been waiting for your return, asking about you all the time.
Tom was strangely comforted by that. He exhaled at last, ruffled his hair, even managed something nearly like a smile. No panicperhaps the surprise wasnt so dire after all. At least she hadnt cheated or started a secret life as a trapeze artist. That was enoughhe could cling to that nugget.
Now, of course, Tom bitterly regretted waving off the incriminating photo his friend offered. Lets keep it a proper surprise, hed said. If only hed lookedmaybe then he couldve said something, stopped her before she went full reality-TV contestant. Hed have ditched work and flown straight home! Maybe locked her friends away for a decade or two. Well, too late now.
On the day of his return, Tom was a nervous wreck. He checked his watch every five seconds, drummed his fingers impatiently through his flight back to London, then nervously fidgeted in the back of his taxi. Sweaty palms, heart threatening to make a break for it, his mind painted hopeful scenesEmily waving at arrivals, running into his arms, the familiar scent of her hair, her laugh, the two of them nestled on the sofa swapping stories over tea and too many biscuits.
Reality, however, was nowhere near so kind. When Tom spotted Emily waiting by the barrier, he was thunderstruck. He briefly wondered if hed mistaken her for an entirely different person. He blinked, baffled, the whole world freezing around him.
Tom! Ive missed you so much! Emily threw her arms wide, but Tom instinctively stepped back, leaving her hanging. Her smile faltered, eyes brimming with confusion and hurt, hands hovering awkwardly in the air. She paused, trying to understand.
What, you dont recognise me? Is my surprise really that overwhelming? she stammered, voice a cocktail of hopeful anxiety, absently tugging at her bleached fringe.
I just… I dont know where my Emily went, Tom said hollowly, trying to smother the tumult of words he wanted to shout. He took another step back, eyeing her with numb disbelief. Are you alright? Honestly, Emily, wheres your hair gone? You used to be so naturally pretty, and now…
Oh, just say it, Emily huffed, lips quivering, eyes filling. You mean fat, dont you? Go ahead. I know Id let myself go. But… I thought now I finally looked good enough for you! Im modern, Im stylisharent I a proper upgrade?
And who said I ever wanted an upgrade? Tom shot back, his tone suddenly harsh. Youve gone from being a real, lovely woman towellwhatever this is! I loved you, Em. The real you. Couldnt you have even talked to me first? We discussed everythingwhy not this?
Oh darling, you should be pleased! piped up one of Emilys friends from behind, stepping forward with a silly, self-satisfied beam. She could be on the cover of Vogue now! Plus, you shouldve seen the queue of blokes lining up for her after her latest, ahem, enhancements. She nodded at Emilys chest, all but winking. All done for you, love!
Tom glared at her. For me? Hardly! For her own reflection, more like! Dont make this my problem.
He looked at Emily, voice dropping in volume but growing heavy with sorrow. Emily, you knew how I felt. Ive never cared for all this artificial stuff. I loved your natural beauty. I wanted to propose when I got backhad the ring and everything. But… I cant marry a stranger.
Emily went as pale as a ghost. Tears spilled down her face. She tried to speak, but the words tangled in her throat. Her friends closed in, whispering consolations about men never understanding anything, or promising shed find someone better now that she looked proper fit.
Emily barely heard them. She stared after Tom through blurred vision, watching his shape grow smaller and smaller, and felt a cavernous emptiness ache inside hera gnawing realisation that in trying to become perfect, shed lost what mattered most.
Tom sat in Jesss lounge, recounting it all, shoulders shaking. Honestly, Jess, I wanted to marry her. I pictured the whole thingher smile, the laughter, sharing our daft stories. But after seeing her like that He stopped, voice raw, swiping at his eyes. Felt like my Emily was gone. Just… gone.
He paused, blowing out a long breath, staring at the faded spot on the carpet.
Why are you girls always unhappy with your appearance? he murmured, voice barely above a whisper. I complimented her every daytold her she was beautiful, unique, that I loved her quirks. And she just… erased it all, trying to be someone else.
He stopped again, knuckles whitening with the grip he had on the chair. And the worst part? It was one of her so-called friends who orchestrated the whole thingjust to split us up, I swear.
Jess edged closer, heart breaking for her friend. She squeezed his shoulder in silent solidarity.
She even told me as much, Tom spat, the memory making his jaw clench. Came round my place, actually had the nerve to say she was better than Emily, all natural while Emily was manufactured. I nearly threw her out the front door.
He leaned back, eyes fixed somewhere far away. And she actually thought Id run right into her arms. Like Id forget everything Emily and I had built together, just because of a few words? Im not that daft.
Jess listened quietly, choosing not to fill the silence with platitudes. The pain radiating from Tom was palpable, the realisation that everything hed treasured could crumble so easily under outside pressure.
Have you tried to talk with Emily? Maybe its not too late. Jesss touch was gentle, eyes soft with hope.
She likes how she looks now. She rang only to guilt me about leaving after she waited so long. I love her, JessI really do. But the girl I loved is… well, shes not there anymore. Whats left is just a mannequins version of her.
Jess squeezed his hand. She didnt try to tell him everything would be fine, just sat with him in the space where friends belong when words fail.
After a while, Tom stared into the garden, unfocused. You know, once in Hyde Park, we were mucking about as the leaves fell, and she said, I wish this could last forever. And I said, It will, love, it will. I honestly believed it.
He wiped his eyes again, voice cracking once more. And now what? Now she looks in the mirror and thinks shes a star, but I look at her and see a stranger. How did it fall apart in such a short time? Why didnt we talk it through?
This time, he didnt bother hiding the tears, just hunched over and let them gostripped of bravado, as lost and bewildered as a child.
Jess pulled him in for a hug, as if she could transfer some warmth or reassurance by osmosis.
Its not your fault, Tom, she murmured fiercely. You did everything rightloved her, supported her, told her she mattered. This isnt on you, no matter what those jealous friends say.
Tom glanced up, eyes raw with pain and confusion. What if I got it wrong? Maybe I should have tried to understand, stuck with her through it, helped her see she was enough all along. Maybe she thought she had to change, and I ruined it the second I walked away.
Jess looked him straight in the eye. Youre allowed your feelings, Tom. Youre allowed your boundaries. But if you want to try and fix it, thats also alright. Give her a chance to explain, if you need to. Be honestlet her tell you what she felt, and you tell her whats in your heart. Only then will you know if its gone for good or if theres still a spark somewhere. Either wayyoure not alone.
Tom nodded, pulling himself together, watching the after-rain sunlight struggling through the clouds over London. Maybe Jess was right. Maybe all he needed, for now, was a bit of timeto figure out who he loved, and if she might still be waiting beneath the shiny new exterior, hoping for real happiness, not just a makeover.
