"I know… I mean, I would consider him a friend because I would find it hard not to. With my personality, it's usually 'friend until proven otherwise, but even if proven otherwise, I wouldn't want to stop being friends with them because that would be rude'." Lucas sighed. "It can be a bit problematic."
"Hmm, I see." Susan mumbled thoughtfully.
"What?" Lucas looked up at Susan. "What do you see?"
"Figure of speech."
(Hello? Are you online?)
"I know, but still. What's made itself obvious to you based on what I said?"
"I was just saying I understood you."
"Really? I mean, I've found that it's really hard for me to say no to people. I just feel so bad, and I feel like I've disappointed them… is that normal?"
"No, it's an unhealthy submissiveness that will not serve you in later life." Susan said.
Lucas looked down at his feet. "But how do I stop it? I hate to disappoint people. I've done it so much already, and I hate the feeling of it."
"You say no. If you don't want to do something, say you don't want to. Honestly, after saying the word 'no' once, you find it makes a very big difference."
"But sometimes people ask a question as though you have a choice, but they're really expecting you to say yes." Lucas said, sounded conflicted. "Wouldn't that upset them?"
"If your you don't want to do something, then don't." she insisted.
"B-But… nnngh." Lucas groaned, hiding his face in his hands. "But it's not that easy. At least not for me…"
"Fine then. I'm asking you, no, ordering you, to say no when you don't want to do something. There, follow that instruction, will you?"
Lucas seemed conflicted. In order to do what he usually did, he'd have to say no to her. If he said yes, then he'd be obliged to follow the order. "Y-Yes ma'am. I mean… no ma'am? Gah! Can't I choose both?"
"You may choose only one." she said.
Well, I don't really want to do what she's asking me to do, and I'll disappoint a lot less people. After a few moments of mustering up his courage, Lucas answered. "…N-No." He did his best to stop his voice from shaking, but the tremor was still noticeable.
"Hey, you still managed to say no. That's a start." she said.
Lucas's heart was pounding, and he felt very tense. "Is… is it? How long till I can do it without wanting to curl up under a table and cry?"
"If you make it a habit, it's easy, trust me."
"…Are you sure? I don't think I could ever really get used to that. You're sure you're not upset?"
"I'm more upset you refuse to say no than you actually saying no."
"But I can't say no to everyone. That would be awful for all parties involved!"
"If it's a life or death situation, I permit you to say yes." she sighed.
"What if it's something that I want to do, though? Am I allowed to say yes then?"
(I gtg to bed now. Byeee)
"Yes, you are." (Byeee)
"But wait… I don't technically have to do that anyways. I said no to you."
"That you did."
"So… does that mean I do or don't have to follow the instructions?"