# **"Catfished by My Own Lie :The Day I Met My Online Alter Ego"**

A DM That Changed Everything**

The notification popped up on my screen at 2:37 AM.

**"Hey, I think we’re in the same city. Let’s meet."**

My stomach dropped. This wasn’t supposed to happen.

Three months ago, I’d created *Elena*—a cooler, bolder, infinitely more interesting version of myself. She had my face (just Photoshopped), my humor (but sharper), and a life I’d never live: world traveler, art collector, effortlessly charismatic. I’d only meant to see what it felt like to be *her* for a while.

But then I met *Daniel*.

And now he wanted to meet *Elena* in real life.

### **The Lie Spirals**

Daniel was everything I’d ever wanted—witty, kind, obsessed with obscure indie films. We messaged for hours, trading jokes and secrets. He thought *Elena* was real.

I should’ve ended it. But then he sent a voice note. His laugh was warm, his voice like honey. I was hooked.

**"So, coffee this weekend?"** he typed.

I panicked.

*"Super busy with work! Maybe next month?"*

He agreed. But a week later: **"Surprise—I’m outside your café. Saw your Instagram story."**

*Shit.*

I’d posted a fake check-in at *The Rusty Bean*. Now he was there, waiting for a woman who didn’t exist.

### **The Desperate Cover-Up**

I raced to the café, hiding behind sunglasses. And there he was—tall, tousled hair, scanning the room. My heart pounded.

I could’ve walked away.

Instead, I sat at the next table.

**"Daniel?"** I said, feigning surprise. **"Oh my god, I *thought* that was you!"**

He blinked. **"Uh… do I know you?"**

*Play it cool.* **"We met at Jake’s party last year? I’m Mia."**

His smile was polite but confused. **"Sorry, I’m actually waiting for someone."**

**"Elena, right?"** I blurted.

His eyes narrowed. **"How did you—?"**

**"She’s my cousin! She texted me—got stuck at work. Asked me to tell you."**

The lie slithered out so smoothly I almost believed it myself.

### **The Dangerous Game**

Daniel sighed, disappointed. **"Guess I’ll just grab coffee alone."**

**"I’ll join you,"** I said. *What are you DOING, Mia?*

Over lattes, we talked. Really talked. He was even better in person—quick-witted, eyes crinkling when he laughed. And somehow, *I* was funnier, sharper, more *Elena* than Mia had ever been.

Then his phone buzzed.

**"Weird… Elena just messaged me,"** he said, frowning. **"She says she’s *here*."**

Ice shot through my veins.

I hadn’t texted him.

### **The Twist: Someone Else Is Playing Elena**

Daniel stood, scanning the café. **"She says she’s wearing a red scarf."**

My breath caught. Across the room, a woman in a red scarf lifted her hand—*waving at Daniel.*

Who the hell was she?

Daniel turned back to me, suspicion flashing. **"Mia… what’s going on?"**

I opened my mouth, but the woman was walking over. Smiling.

**"Daniel? I’m Elena."**

### **The Shocking Truth**

She looked *nothing* like my photoshopped pics. But she *did* look… familiar.

Then it hit me.

*The Instagram model I’d stolen pics from.*

Realization dawned on her face too. **"Wait. You’re the catfish who’s been using my photos."**

Daniel’s head whipped toward me. **"You *pretended* to be her?"**

The café noise faded to a roar in my ears.

I bolted.

### **The Aftermath**

Daniel’s texts blew up my phone:

**"Who ARE you?"**

**"Was ANY of it real?"**

Then, the worst one:

**"I liked *you*, Mia. Not Elena."**

I never replied. Deleted everything. But months later, I spotted them together—Daniel and the *real* Elena—laughing over coffee.

At *The Rusty Bean.*

### **The Lesson**

I’d wanted to be someone else so badly, I lost myself completely.

And the cruelest part?

The version of me that Daniel liked… was *me* all along.