Context–We texted for 2-3 days, not a whole lot, small talk.

We went on one date, which was okay, but not great. Towards the end of the date, he asked me several times if we could see each other again, which kind of put me on the spot so I panicked and said yes.

Next day

• He texted me to work out the details, but it was raining a lot that week, so I said we should probably avoid something outdoors. He replied it might be hard to find something and asked if I had suggestions. Here’s the thing–I thought I responded to that, but it turns out I didn’t.

2 days later

• He texts again to ask if I want to meet up again still and says he can suggest something. I do not see his text at the time, so obv there was no reply from me.

2 days after that

He texts again to ask if I want to meet up or if I’m ghosting him. He sounds a little passive aggressive. At that point, I see all of his pasts texts and now idk what to say.

The first date was meh, and I thought that I could give it another try, but by now any chemistry that might have been there has faded.

Also, while not texting him back was an honest mistake, and I get why it would be frustrating for him, I’m a little weirded out by the fact that he wasn’t getting a reply and still sent 2 follow up texts (with the second one being passive aggressive). It just seems a little too intense for 1 bland date and some small talk.

So, I’m torn between

1. not replying at all (cons: bit of a dick move; pros: saves me from further passive-aggression or straight up aggression–which is usually what happens when I say I’m not interested) OR
2. replying and letting him know I’m not interested, but I wouldn’t even know how to begin to word that without cringing, OR
3. go on a second date because I can’t take the anxiety of options 1 or 2. But then I’d have to deal with options 1 or 2 again. Or I could just marry him to avoid the anxiety.

Please help! If I go with #2, I don’t know how to word it and would love serious suggestions (I realize the comedic opportunities that this provides, but that’s no help).