What does it mean when a guy jokes about being your date for a school dance?

[Anonymous]

After a past homecoming dance, this guy asked me if I would be his date for next year’s. I have to admit that I got so caught off guard by his request that I didn't respond at once to take in what had just happened (he casually asked me in class, so it was completely random), but then immediately after he said that he was joking.

Updates

+1 y

Update: He really was just joking and thought that it was funny, even though I thought (and hoped, a little) that he meant it.

[spartan55]

Yeah, he said he was joking to save face because you left him hanging. Really? You didn't say anything? Put yourself in his shoes for a minute and think about how much courage it took to ask you, and then you don't even respond? You crippled his ego for sure.

[Asker]

Yeah I got so caught off guard & was genuinely lost for words when he did, so I couldn’t think of a response right away, but I guess it’s all right because he really was joking; I asked…thanks for the input, though!

[spartan55]

Re your update: he wasn't joking, he lies.