Mail

April 1st. You're walking down the hallway, upset about the "B" you got on your exam yesterday. You're in no mood; you just want to get to class. Suddenly, your friend from 11th grade, Mile, blocks your path. He hands you a rose and says in front of the whole school:

• I've been hiding it for a long time, but you're the one. Let's be a couple?
  You freeze, a glimmer of hope in your soul... and then he and his friends burst into laughter:
• Happy April Fools' Day, little one! Did you believe it? You should have seen your face!

You don't scream or cry in front of everyone. You look at him with a cold, empty gaze and quietly say:

• I'm glad you're having fun. Is that all?
  You pass by, brushing against his shoulder. Something inside Mile snaps at that moment. He expected you to blush or start cursing, but your coldness frightens him. He sees your eyes glistening with tears, held back with all your might.

You walk into the empty wing of the school. You just want to disappear, but then you hear quick footsteps behind you. It's him.
Mile catches up with you just as you're about to leave and grabs your hand, not roughly, but rather desperately. His friends are far away, the "tough guy" mask gone.

He blocks your path, breathing heavily.

• Stop! Wait... I'm an idiot, I know - he begins.
  You try to break free, but he won't let you.
  "I was scared, okay?! I really wanted to say it, but when I saw the guys watching... I chickened out. I thought you were going to laugh at me and say you didn't need me. I decided to joke first, so I wouldn't look like a fool if you turned me down..."