Fear of rejection vs. hope for reciprocation

The battle between fear and hope raged within me. Every time I thought about mentioning my feelings, I felt a wave of anxiety wash over me. The idea of being laughed at or dismissed was almost paralyzing. I couldn't help but imagine the worst-case scenarios, where not only would I face rejection but also lose a valued friendship in the process.

Yet, there was a glimmer of hope that kept me from completely dismissing the idea of confessing. I reminded myself that rejection, while painful, was a common part of life and didn't reflect my worth as a person. I tried to embrace the cold water way it could prevent my time from being wasted and cultivate a skill that would serve me long after this crush had faded.