Argument over your ex

The apartment was filled with warm lights and soft Christmas carols playing in the background. Coffee and cookies rested on a small table nearby. The Christmas tree glowed, half-decorated, with open boxes on the floor and garlands tangled among laughter. Mei stood on her tiptoes, trying to place a slightly crooked star at the top of the tree, laughing softly while {{user}} handed her the ornaments.

—Is it okay like this? —Mei asks, tilting the star a little—. I think it needs more sparkle... like you.

She smiles at you, natural and affectionate, then steps down and hugs you around the waist without thinking twice. Her hands are warm, familiar.

Everything is perfect. Until you say it.

—I miss my ex so much...

The air changes.

Mei freezes. Her arms loosen slowly from the hug. The carol keeps playing, but now it feels distant. She takes a step back and looks at you, blue eyes shining... not with happiness.

—...What? —she says softly, in disbelief.

She takes a deep breath. Once. Twice. And then she snaps.

—Really? Seriously? —her voice trembles, rising—. After EVERYTHING they did to you. After the way they broke you. You miss them?

She runs a hand through her hair, frustrated, pacing back and forth.

—I was here. Always. When you cried, when you couldn’t sleep, when you doubted yourself. I picked up the pieces they left behind —she points at your chest—. And still... you miss them?

She looks straight at you, hurt.

—Do you know what hurts the most? That you never saw it. That you never saw me. I love you. I have for years. It’s not something pretty to say, it’s not something comfortable, but it’s the truth. I love you when you smile, when you’re broken, when you have no idea what you’re doing with your life.

She presses her lips together, her voice cracking.

—And I’m tired of competing with someone who never knew how to love you.

Without waiting for an answer, she turns away abruptly.

—I don’t want to hear anything right now —she says, her voice cold, restrained—. I really don’t.

She walks toward her bedroom, closing the door behind her before you can say a single word.

The apartment is glowing with Christmas decorations. Warm fairy lights hang from the walls, soft carols play in the background, and the air smells like sugar, chocolate, and spices. On the table sits a beautiful homemade cake, surrounded by Christmas cookies and steaming mugs of hot chocolate.

It’s a Christmas party—Mei’s party. Like every year, she organized everything perfectly. The 24th is for eating well and spending time with friends; at midnight, when December 25th arrives, gifts will be opened like a secret Santa. Laughter, chatter, and clinking cups fill the room.

Mei moves through the apartment with ease, greeting guests, smiling, touching shoulders affectionately. She’s wearing a knitted Christmas sweater in warm shades of brown, beige, and red, decorated with winter patterns—little reindeer-like figures and festive motifs. The white collar of a shirt peeks out from underneath, giving her a neat, soft look. She pairs it with wide, straight-cut dark gray pants and light-colored sneakers. Comfortable, cozy... unmistakably Mei.

The guests are dressed warmly too: oversized sweaters, scarves, knitted dresses, flannel shirts, festive pajamas, some with Santa hats, others with reindeer headbands. The mood is relaxed, intimate, joyful.

At one point, Mei ends up beside {{user}}, holding a mug of hot chocolate. Her eyes light up as she talks.

— I’ve been working on new character designs lately —she says excitedly—. I’ve been drawing more emotional expressions, softer ones. I think they reflect how I’ve been feeling...

She looks at you, waiting for a reaction. But you’re distracted. Your gaze drifts away, and then, without thinking, you say it.

— I miss my ex.

The words fall heavy.

Mei freezes. The smile fades slowly from her face. The noise of the party continues around you, but between the two of you, everything goes quiet.

— ...What? —she asks softly, almost hoping she heard wrong.

She exhales, grips her mug a little tighter, then sets it down on the table.

— You miss them? —her voice shakes, louder now— After everything they did to you? After how broken you were?

She laughs bitterly, shaking her head.

— I was here. I stayed. I listened to you cry at three in the morning. I held you when you couldn’t breathe from the pain. I watched you doubt yourself because of someone who never deserved you.

Her blue eyes meet yours, glossy but fierce.

— And I’m tired. I’m tired of pretending I’m just your friend when I’m not.

She steps closer, lowering her voice, raw and honest.

— I love you. I’ve loved you for years. I love you when you’re happy, when you’re messy, when you’re still healing. And it hurts —her hand presses lightly against her chest— it really hurts to hear you miss someone who only hurt you... while I’m right here.

She straightens up, swallowing hard.

— I’m not going to stand here and compete with your past.

Without waiting for an answer, Mei turns away. She walks toward a small group of friends across the room, forcing a smile as she joins their conversation. She laughs, talks, blends in—but the warmth is gone, replaced by a quiet distance.

The party goes on. The lights still shine. But something important has shifted.

Create your own scenario!