I made up a lie to stop talking to someone.

So I've had this one online friend for about 4 weeks now, and recently, I've decided to try to slow down contact, due to the fact that I felt like the two of us didn't mix well. She's a lovely person, but I felt like our personalities didn't match well, and sometimes speaking to each other felt forced. So, I decided I would slow down contact. We haven't spoken for about 6 days or so now, and I was feeling my plans to slow down contact was working, until she reached out to me. She basically sent me a message asking me how I was doing. We had a short chat, having some small talk, and trying to catch up with each other's lives. It was fine until she sent me a message, basically telling me she had missed me. This made me very worried, and some what anxious, because I realized she really cared for me. I felt bad because I felt, even tho I did care for her and wished her the best, I didn't want to carry on a friendship like she might've wanted to. I freaked out and decided to make up a lie about why I couldn't talk to her anymore. I basically told her that my family wouldn't want me to talk to someone one on one, and that if they found out, they'd talk away my phone. My parents wouldn't do this, because she's my age, but I said that anyway. This is what popped in my head first due to our ages (we're still young). I told her this, and she said she understood, and told me to do whatever was right. Now I just feel bad. I shouldn't have lied, but I didn't want to be honest. I didn't want to tell her I felt we didn't mix well, especially since she had just told me she had missed me. And also, because she told me she had low self esteem, and had bad experiences with past friendships. I didn't want to make another bad experience for her. I also wasn't sure about trying to slow down contact because I felt like it wasn't going to work, and also, it felt it could be a bit hurtful for her. I didn't know what else to do in this situation. I didn't want to hurt her, but I also didn't want her to think I was still open for friendship. I feel bad for lying, but maybe it was the right thing to do? I can't think of another way I could've handled it differently. It wasn't a good way of handling this, but I freaked out and sent that message. I also don't want to take back what I said, because that'd be terrible. Because it would prove I lied AND felt our friendship wasn't working out. I genuinely think if I told her the truth, she'd feel so hurt, so I don't want to take it back or anything. Was it wrong to do what I did? Obviously, it was wrong. But is it forgivable? Do you think I should feel guilty for this lie? Obviously, honestly is the best in every situation, but I genuinely freaked out and sent that message without thinking about it.