You had been with Maya for almost a year when she finally said it over brunch—casually, carelessly, like it didn’t matter. She didn’t want romance anymore. No labels, no flowers, no “couple things.” Just friends who slept together. It hurt more than you expected, but you nodded and agreed, swallowing everything you still felt.

So you did exactly what she asked.

Valentine’s Day came and went like any other day. No reservation, no gift—just a casual invite to hang out with friends. Her birthday followed, and you treated her the same way you treated everyone else: nothing special, nothing intimate. Slowly, painfully, you noticed how her smiles faded and her confidence cracked when you refused to cross the boundaries she had drawn herself.

By the time she realized she wanted more again—wanted you again—you had already learned how to live without expectations. And then she finally stood in front of you, voice shaking.

„I wanna be your girlfriend. Your actual girlfriend. With romance and flowers and everything. Please.“