The magic of words

"No." 

"Come on. Say it."

"I said no."

"Pleeeeeeease, _____." He begged.

"Okay." You gave a little shrug.

"Really?!" His face brightened up with hope.

"No."

He dropped his shoulders and made some sort of whale noise to express his frustration with you. He had been following you around more recently and more persistently and it was starting to annoy you. It's not that you didn't want to say it. You really did. It's just that... you hated the feeling in admitting it. Saying those words made you want to run as far as your legs could carry you. Saying those words made your stomach twist in strange ways. Saying those words would mean giving yourself up to the wind. You promised yourself never to say those words. 

"Just give up already." You said, tired of his fruitless effort.

"A hero NEVER gives up! I'll make you say it. Even if it takes me FOREVER." 

This time it was your turn to make whale noises.

"Good luck with that." Your words dripping in sarcasm.

"Thanks!" He showed off his goofy toothy grin. You rolled your eye. "Now say it!"

"NO!" Then you ran off. 

However, that wasn't the last time you encountered him. Multiple times during the day, he would pop up out of nowhere telling you to 'say it.' At the bus stop, in the classroom, in the hallways, notes in your locker, on your way home, even on your second floor bedroom window. This has been going on for days and it was really starting to wear down your nerves. 

"Come on, _____." He whined even more. "Just say it. Say it! We all know ho-"

"Pleeeease....." You rubbed your temples. "Give up already. I'm NOT going to say it."

"Please......", he said. You glanced over at him and noted that he was giving you that sad, pleading puppy dog look. You didn't say anything. "Please." He scrunched down so that he was looking up at you and you were looking down at him. "Pleeeeease." Again, you said nothing. So, he got a little closer. "Please." Then he swiftly kissed your cheek. You refused to let your poker face slip, but at this point, your face was dusted with a light shade of pink. "Pleeeeeeeeease."

"Mmmm, fine." You mumbled, looking in the other direction.

"Yeah!" He jumped and punched the air. "Now say it." 

You sighed. Guess there's no turning back. You could only hope that you don't regret it later. You took a deep breath and hoped he doesn't notice how red your face was. 

"I love you...." 

For a moment, He was quiet, which was unusual. Since you were looking else where, you turned your sights to his face trying to read his expression. There was a soft look on his face; his blue eyes, his smile, they gave your stomach another twist, but it was a warm, pleasurable one. It was a bit awkward since he was just smiling at you without a word, so you decided to speak up.

"Um, hello? I said it. Aren't you going to say it back?"

"Oh? Sorry 'bout that. I got caught up in the moment. I love you too, _____. And don't worry. I'll always be your hero." 

Upon hearing those words, your lips cracked a small smile. You had to admit, there was a satisfying feeling in hearing them, even if it was for a moment.

"Soooooo, wanna go on a date with me?" he asked.

"... Huh?" 

"A date. You. Me. At good 'ole McDonald's?"

"... No." 

"WHAT?! WHY NOT?!"

"'Cause." You started walking away.

"Wait! 'Cause why? Tell me. W-we can go somewhere else if you want."

"Nope."

"_________." He whined yet again. "Date me!"

"No." Luckily, he was following behind you because you couldn't hold back another smile. 

Here we go again.