Playing for keeps

Chapter 3

I swallowed hard, forcing the words out. "I don't want better. I don't want perfect. I want you, Y/n. Even when you're an idiot. Even when you mess up. Because you're the only one I see."

Her lips parted, like she didn't know whether to believe me.

"But I can't be the only one fighting for this," I went on, my voice breaking. "You can't just tell me you love me when it's convenient and then go back to breaking my heart. You want me? Then fight for me. Prove you can be better. Prove I'm worth more to you than your excuses."

The silence between us wasn't heavy anymore it was electric. Her hands shook, her chest heaved, and for the first time, I saw the mask she wore completely crumble.

"Dem..." her voice cracked, raw. "I don't even know where to start."

"Start with me," I whispered.

I let my fingers brush soft, tentative, but enough to let her know I hadn't given up.

                          Y/n's POV:
Her fingers brushed mine, and it was like the last wall I'd been hiding behind finally collapsed. My chest tightened, my throat burned, but I forced the words out anyway.

"I'll fight for you," I whispered, my voice breaking. "I'll do whatever it takes, Dem. No more running, no more excuses. I don't want to lose you."

Tears stung my eyes. But I didn't care anymore. I turned fully toward her, desperate for her to believe me. "I'll prove it. I'll prove you're the only one I want. Just... give me a chance."

For the first time that night, her shoulders dropped. Not relaxed, not forgiven but softer. Like she was letting herself hope.

"Then prove it," she said, steady but trembling underneath. "Get a new phone."

I blinked. "What?"

She turned toward me, her eyes fierce despite the tears shining in them. "You heard me. New phone. Start fresh. Delete everything you had with other girls text, snaps, numbers, all of it. And delete your Instagram. Make a new one. No old flings, no fake DMs, nothing for em to wonder about. If I'm the only one you want, then make it that way."

I opened my mouth, then shut it again. The request wasn't small it was everything. A clean slate.

And maybe that's exactly what I needed.

"Okay," I said finally, nodding through the lump in my throat. "I'll do it. I'll delete it all. Start over with you."

Demitra's jaw trembled like she didn't know whether to believe me yet, but the faintest flicker of relief crossed her face.

"Good," she whispered. Because if I'm going to let you back in... I need to know I'm not sharing you with others."

I reached for her hand again, this time holding on tighter, like I was afraid she might slip away if I didn't. "You won't," I promised. "Not anymore. I'm done being my own worse enemy. You're the only one I want."

She didn't answer right away. But she didn't pull her hand away either. And for now, that was enough.

@ Demitrakalogeras: Go follow Y/n on her new Instagram:
@ TheRealY/nWilson.

User96420: Bro why do you still hang out with Y/n after how dirty she did you?
@ Demitrakalogeras: she's the loml. Yes she's fucked up. But I can tell she wants to change. Y'all don't know everything that goes on in our personal lives.❤️

User85397: Why is she looking at the camera like that? 🤣
@ DemitraKalogeras: because I caught her off guard 😂.

NoahRisling: W Y/n for stepping up finally.
@ TheRealY/nWilson: ok buddy you didn't have to add the finally part to it chill. 😂

SundayKalogeras: Finally Y/n does something right.
@ TheRealY/nWilson: you're gonna be the first person that gets blocked on my new account. 😁🙏🏼

ElianaKalogeras: it's about time.
@ Demitrakalogeras: facts.
@ TheRealY/nWilson: ok y'all can chill with the comments now. 🤦🏼

User64983: Y/n is so fine I would let her cheat on me too. 😍
@ DemitraKalogeras: Oh that's not-