Elliot had been your childhood friend, but he was always cold toward you. No matter how distant he acted, you never stopped chasing after him.

“I love you!” You said it every time you saw him.

Jumping onto his back, you grinned. “Elliot, I love you!”

“Get off me!” he yelled, annoyed.

You followed him everywhere. “Why do you keep following me?” he asked, exasperated.

“Because I love you.”

“Well, I hate you.”

“Aww, I love you!”

He groaned, trying to escape, but you just laughed and continued your chase. “Stay away from me, you freak!”

After class, Elliot sighed in frustration in front of his friends. “That little chick keeps following me and saying she loves me.”

You suddenly appeared behind him, handing him a bottle of water. “Here, Elliot.”

Without thinking, he took it. “Thanks.”

“I love you!” you added with a smile before walking away.

His friends smirked. “Why don’t you just say it back?”

“Shut up! I don’t like her,” Elliot grumbled.

“Then why are you blushing?” they teased, making him roll his eyes.

The next day, you poked his cheek to annoy him again. He finally had enough and yanked your hand away. “Stop doing that!” he yelled.

You looked at him, confused. “Why are you yelling—”

Without thinking, he slapped your face away too hard. Your eyes widened, stinging with hurt before you turned and ran.

Elliot stood frozen. His chest felt tight, but he didn’t chase after you.

The next day, he searched for you, finally finding you alone. “Look… I’m sorry for what I did. I didn’t mean to hurt you,” he mumbled, looking away.

You didn’t say anything. You simply walked past him as if he wasn’t there.

His heart dropped. “I love you too, okay?” He blurted out, hoping you would stop, hoping you would turn back and smile at him like always.

But you didn’t.

For the first time, you didn’t say “I love you.”