"No."
The single syllable clogs up my throat and chokes its way out. Simple. Straightforward.
Mortifying.
I never meant to say it— really I didn't.
I could have said anything else. Anything!
Yes, for example.
And yet the declining term climbed its way up my tranchea, gripped stubbornly onto my tongue and refused to slide back.
Have I gone mad?
The love of my life just asked me to press my lips against hers, and I refused.
Would you like to go to a party with me? Yes!
Would you like to dance the night away? Yes!
Would you like to hold me close and whisper sweet nothings in my ear? Yes!
Would you like to kiss me like you've always dreamt of in every fantasy you've ever mustered in your blissful memories?
No. No.
If words could feel, could touch, could dent, Echo would be bruised beyond recognition.
"No?"
Echo takes my word and repeats it to herself, testing out its texture on her tongue. When she wrinkles her nose and her lips twist with disgust, I am informed by her expression that the word must have proved to be quite bitter. Quite confusing.
"Why." Echo whispers, a statement, not a question. Or perhaps just too monotone to sound like a question.
"I... don't know." My voice cracks on the last word. "I don't want to, I think."
She stares at me for a moment, shaking her head in disbelief. As if she were just noticing our physical bond, her hand suddenly retracts from my hold, like a spring recoiling into its default state. She can't get her hand out fast enough; I've revolted her to that extent.
She breathes out slowly.
I inhale the last of her lingering emotions.
And with that, she's gone.
It took me forever to realize why I said no.
To realize that, despite the agonizingly undeniable longing I had to kiss her, that there were bigger things on my mind.
She wasn't mine.
She was never mine, never wanted me.
She wanted the pheromones.
I wanted to kiss her, more than anything.
I wanted to kiss her.
But I could never.
If I did, it would only be half real.
She would never be truly kissing me back.
I'm sorry that was so short! But one can only ponder for so long about why they said no. I didn't want to make it too lengthy, and boring.
SO YEAH. I hope y'all aren't too disappointed! D:
Don't worry, it'll get better!
