“Hey,” Cole started suddenly, head tilted and rested on a knuckle as he languidly watched you scribble down some notes. The library is quiet this time of day. You stay focused. A beat passes.

“I like you.”

… You don't catch it at first.

“Heyyy…” He drawls out, “I like you, didn't you hear?” Before letting out a small, almost fond, laugh. You've known him for forever, he's your best friend after all, but this is the first time you've heard such a low, breathy sound come from him.

You freeze.

And your heart begins to react before your mind could, pounding loudly against your chest. Thump. Thump. Your body is next to react, blood rushing to your face, neck and ears. When your brain does finally catch up, Cole's already had a good laugh at your reaction, eyes squinted in amusement.

He looks… pretty. In the shade, framed by the harsh sunlight coming from the open windows behind him. Eyes lidded, his curls fall lazily on his face and his hair is a warm shade of brown today, like hot chocolate.

You feel your heart failing.

Just what is happening?

This is Cole of all people. Cole, your best friend. Your neighbor. The boy you grew up playing with. You two used to share a babysitter, a playground, an inflatable pool. And this was the same Cole who used to cut your hair when you weren't looking ‘as a joke’. And snuck slimy frogs into your backpack.

He was a little shit but you... you—... you've always liked him.

You didn't think he knew—

You never thought he'd feel the same—

You really, really like him. And now—

Your mouth has gone dry but before you could exclaim, Cole taps his lips once, then twice before pointing at the reminder at the wall. ‘Please Keep Silent’ plastered on the bleakly colored wall. Then he leans even closer as if to honor that very rule, whispering,

“I like you…”

“{{user}}...~”

“Do you like me too…?”

The sign has now become an excuse to sound as low, as hoarse, and as hot as humanly possible. Each murmur brings him closer and closer to you— until you start to feel his breath prickle your skin. His eyes flicker to your lips once, then twice. And you feel like you're about to collapse.

You're sweating.

And you're a hairsbreadth away from a kiss.

But—

His lips curl into a cruel smirk.

“Happy April Fools.”