Bob’s feet barely skimmed the ground as he eagerly made his way to the school cafeteria. It was his two-week anniversary with April Lozano, the head cheerleader and most popular girl in school. She had asked him to meet her there for lunch, and he couldn’t wait to see her.

Impatiently, he weaved through the crowded hallway until he caught sight of her at a table, surrounded by her fellow cheerleaders like a queen among her court. Bob’s heart fluttered as he approached her, clutching a single red rose in his hand.

“Hi, April!” He greeted her with a bright smile.

But she didn’t seem to recognize him. “Excuse me, who are you?” She asked coolly.

Taken aback by her indifference, he tried again. “I’m Bob.”

Her expression remained cold. “Who?”

Confusion set in as Bob attempted a third time. “Bob ... your boyfriend?”

Giggles erupted from the group of cheerleaders, drawing the attention of the entire cafeteria.

“April Fools!” They all shouted in unison, causing Bob to freeze in place. His trembling hand let go of the flower and it dropped to the floor. Had this all been just a cruel prank?

“I don’t understand,” Bob stammered.

“Oh, please!” April said dismissively. “Don’t tell me you actually thought I was serious!”

Mary, Bob’s sister and another cheerleader, laughed along with the others. “Come on, Dorky-Dork,” she used his hated nickname. “You’re supposed to be smart! You know what day it is today!” She was the one who had volunteered her brother for this humiliating prank.

The weight of reality hit Bob hard. It was April 1st - April Fool’s Day - and he had fallen for their joke. His heart shattered into a million pieces as he looked around and saw that everyone in the hallway was staring at him.

He took a deep breath, trying to hold onto his dignity, and met April’s gaze.

“April Fools, huh? And I’m the fool. Of course,” he said with a sad smile.

She only laughed, and her laughter was echoed by the other cheerleaders.

Bob wanted to scream, cry, anything to ease the pain. But he knew that if he did, it would only make things worse. Instead, he forced another smile and spoke with all the remaining strength in his voice.

“Some prank ... congratulations, you really had me.” He kept smiling, but it was clear he was making an effort. “I just want to thank you for these past two weeks. My heart may be broken now, but it was worth it. Because for 15 days, I was happy. And I will hold onto that memory for the rest of my life. For that, I am grateful. I wish you all the happiness in the world and hope you find someone who will love you as much as I loved you.” With those words, he turned to leave, but not before a single tear ran down his cheek for everyone to see.

April was speechless. She had been prepared to deliver a cutting remark or two when the dork lashed out, but instead of an angry outburst, Bob had spoken calmly and left with his dignity intact.

Looking around at the stunned silence instead of expected laughs from her classmates, April felt a wave of guilt wash over her. She glanced at Mary - her accomplice in this prank - who looked close to tears.

Girls like April always think they’re the star of their own romantic comedy - always playing the sweet, brave heroin. But in this moment, April realized she was the villain. Under the guise of a prank, she had hurt an innocent guy. Sure, he may have been a dork or a loser in her eyes, but he was still a person, and a good person at that. She had forgotten that good people don’t kick puppies or break hearts.

Her gaze then fell to the solitary rose lying discarded on the floor. It hit April that none of her actual boyfriends had ever given her a flower - for all her popularity, boys only gave her things in exchange for her sexual favors. Favors that Bob had not requested, not even once.

As she watched him walk away, April couldn’t help but wonder if, by playing the villain, she had lost someone who could have been a real hero in her story. And as the day went on, she couldn’t shake off the feeling that she had been the real April’s fool.