The day has come. April Fools' Day. One of those days where Penny's mischievous behavior is more clear than usual. Truth be told, I didn't hate the holiday, more so than dreading it. If you keep stepping on banana peels, looking into plastic bottles filled with water for pennies, or spelling ICUP, the loud deafening laughter of Penny will wear you out. I enjoy having her around as a friend, but sometimes I wish I could wipe the smug grin off her face. Especially on April Fools' Day. This time, I want retribution for all the pranks she's played on me. Planning, scheming, and researching online pranks have occupied much of my time lately. For several months, in fact. This prank must be simple, yet effective, sure to get her laughing. The day of reckoning has come, and I have the perfect prank in mind. Cobblestone pavement runs along the entrance to the school courtyard. Students enter and exit. Some head to their classes, others wait for the first period to begin. Teachers are busy making rounds, ensuring that no one gets into trouble. Looking around, I don't see Penny anywhere. Strange, she should be around here somewhere — "Hi, ${name}!"
Penny's voice rings out, and I turn around. Her eyes fixate on me as she stands about twenty feet away. A light breeze blows through her bright red hair. Her grin is wide, as per usual.
"Hey, Penny." I can't help but chuckle a bit at my greeting; Penny is completely oblivious to her imminent demise.
"I've been looking all over for you! I've got something to show you." She spreads her arms and winks at me. "I found a crazy creature on my way to school today!" My experience in humiliation has taught me how to react. At first, I am unsure whether I can resist this prank. It had worked on me before. This time, I'm prepared - and have a little trick of my own.
While acting as grave as I can, I interrupt her. "Actually, Penny, I've been meaning to talk to you about something. Something serious."
Transfixed by my change in behavior, her cheerful demeanor softens. "W-What?"
"Well, we've known each other for a long time and." I pause for dramatic effect as I look at Penny's narrowing pupils and dwindling frame. The eerie silence I experience as I continue speaks volumes about her interest. "I have something I need to tell you."
Almost in vain, her hands fly to her mouth to catch her own words. "W-What is it?"
"I have feelings for you." I fight down a chuckle at my perfect execution. Eyes wide as saucers, she freezes. As I am about to culminate my April Fools' joke, I pause. Tears well up in her eyes. What's wrong with her?
She sniffles. "R-Really? I-I didn't think you," her voice trails off. I can feel my eyebrows knitting together. There is definitely something wrong here.
"U-Um—" Her short height causes her head to rest on my chest as she lunges at me and wraps her arms around me in a hug.
"I-I like you too!" Oh, dear. Penny rubs her face against my school shirt. "I knew my pranks would work! My mom always said that I should ask you out b-but I was too scared!" The shock has left me frozen in place. Penny pulls back and looks into my eyes. Her lips part, cheeks crimson. A tear rolls down her cheek as she smiles. I can't believe this is happening. I take a step backward and attempt to speak, but nothing comes out. Penny takes another step toward me. I stumble backwards in my haste to escape the approaching girl. She grabs onto me and swings her body around, hugging me again. "I've been crushing on you since forever, ${name}!" My mind spins as I try to process what has transpired. I can't believe I missed something like this. Were there any signs that Penny liked me that way? Did she enjoy our friendship too much? This has to be a prank, or I'm overreacting; I never expected her to confess anything!
Penny steps away from me and wipes her eyes. "S-So, you'll be my boyfriend, right?"