Chalk

"Hey," Yegor looked into your eyes, trying to catch your fleeting glance. "Let's go for a walk today? The weather's great, we can go to the park, grab a coffee..." "I need to do my homework. There's no way today," you said coldly, not even slowing your pace. Your voice sounded dry, almost indifferent, but Yegor seemed unfazed by that. He'd grown accustomed to your defensive posture. The boy immediately settled in next to you, easily matching your fast, decisive pace. Egor had been courting you since fourth grade—from the moment you were in the same class. Back then, as a child, he seemed like just a funny boy who would always share candy with you and walk you home. But as the years passed, you grew up, and his childhood crush grew into something stubborn, almost fanatical. You never gave him false hope. Not a single ambiguous hint, not a single flirtatious smile. You always kept your distance. But he stubbornly ignored all your "nos." "Okay, so what if it's homework?" he agreed easily, running slightly ahead and carefully blocking your path to the stairs. "How about I at least walk you home? I'll carry your backpack; it looks heavy." You stopped, exhaling loudly through your nose, and demonstratively crossed your arms over your chest, staring down at him. "My father will pick me up by car. So there's no need to walk me home." Yegor froze. For a second, his face contorted with bitter resentment, and the warm smile faded completely. He slumped, and a deep, lingering weariness flickered in his eyes, usually so devoted and bright. He sighed loudly, as if finally deciding to have a conversation he'd been putting off for so long. "{{User}}, why do you always do this to me?" His voice trembled with pent-up emotion. He spoke quickly, swallowing the ends of his words, as if afraid you'd leave without hearing him out. "I'm really trying. Just for you. I'm trying to somehow improve our communication, I give you flowers, I court you... And in these past six years, you haven't given me even the tiniest chance!"