joke's on you

Today was the day. I would do it. This is what I have been dreaming to do.

It's April Fool's. The perfect time for a confession. After all, wouldn't I just be able to reverse my words? Twist those feelings, send them back into the vault?

It was my chance. My only chance.

"Hey," I said, walking up to one of my friends, Willow. They were tall, with eyes that looked like caramel. They typically wear a sophisticated look, something along the lines of layered clothing, silver jewellery, and nails painted in colours I can't distinctly remember. But this time, it seemed like they didn't really bother to dress up. After all, it was just a regular day at their house.

"Mhm, hey, what's up?" They replied, with their glances filled with curiosity and with such inquisitiveness.

"I want to tell you something."

"Go on."

My tongue felt like it was tied and knotted, like a bundle of rope, entangled in its own mess. But, I had to get it out. Somehow.

"I... I've sort of," I said, with hesitation lingering in my words, "liked you for a while."

"Sorry?"

"Yeah. I like you."

There was a silent pause. This didn't sound good already.

"Well, in... what way, specifically?"

"The... like like way."

"Romantic way..?"

"Yeah."

There was a sudden shudder as I said that very affirmation. Yeah. How could I just... confirm that? There was anticipation, maybe fear, maybe anxiety. It started creeping in, closer and closer to my mind. Endless noise swarming, regrets formulating. I just needed to wait a little longer.

"Well... I... let me just... think."

"Okay."

What's taking them so long to respond? Why does it feel so right, yet so wrong?

"Well, Enki, I..."

Their words. I can feel it. Feel the incoming doom.

"I'm sorry but... I don't like you... in that way," they replied, finally finishing their sentence.

It felt like my heart had dropped to the floor, like there was a firm wall that had crumbled into various pieces. Irreparable. But wait, it was April Fool's Day.

"That's okay... because it's April Fool's!" I exclaimed, hiding my sadness and anger and confusion and pain and whatever other emotions had been bottling within that response, all with a smile to ensure that they wouldn't worry about anything. To let them believe that everything is okay, to hide it. To keep it calm and safe.

They chuckled, laughing consequently. "That was a good one," they spoke, soft and warm in their tone.

We locked eyes. It was silent, only for a moment. Something felt off about it, like they knew that maybe... I wasn't joking.

"I think I'll just get some water from the kitchen," I said, breaking the silence, "can't believe I got you fooled there."

"Yeah, can't believe it either..." They said, their volume gradually lowering as they said those words bit by bit.

As I sipped my glass of water, I had realised something. It's really time to get myself over with this.

Yeah, I need to get over this.

Just a tiny short story about being rejected on April Fool's and trying to hide it all under a joke :)

Don't worry, nothing too serious here! Let me know if you want a Part 2... maybe...

Sincerely,

Davo