So this happened a few nights ago, and I’m still thinking about it. I (21M) had the idea to do a little stay at home date with my girlfriend (20F) where we’d both paint something with watercolors. It was supposed to be lighthearted and fun—just two people vibing, making art, nothing serious. We set up everything in my living room: brushes, paints, a playlist I prepped, even snacks. I was honestly excited. I’m not great at painting, but I put in a lot of effort and tried to make something that would make her smile. We decided to paint portrates of eachother. Cheesy? Yeah, a little. But it was it was supposed to be cute.
She wouldn’t let me see hers until we were both done, and I agreed. The big reveal comes—and the moment she looks at mine, her whole face changes. Not in a “haha this is cute” way, but like I had just insulted her personally. She immediately starts laughing and says it looks like something a 5-year-old would do. I laughed it off at first, thinking she was just joking. But she kept going—mocking the colors I used, the shapes, saying things like “Were you even trying?” I told her I didn’t think it was funny anymore, and she just rolled her eyes. Then she grabbed my painting and RIPPED it in half. Just like that. No warning. I was stunned. We got into a huge argument. I told her it was disrespectful, childish, and honestly mean. She kept saying it was “just a bad painting” and I was “being dramatic.” I said if something that small makes her lash out like that, I don’t think we’re as compatible as I thought. She called ME the asshole for "ruining the night," grabbed her things, and stormed out. We haven’t spoken since. I really don’t know what to make of this. I know it’s just a watercolor painting, but the whole thing felt so... cruel? Like it wasn't about the painting at all. AITAH?