209 back to being best friends

 Leo felt his heart shatter as he watched Claire cry; although he loved her, he didn't want her to feel uncomfortable because of his love for her.

''Please don't cry; I'm so sorry. '' Leo pleaded, closing the gap between them; he enveloped her in a hug. Claire wept in his arms; ''I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.''

She cried, her hands gripping his shirt tightly; ''God, Claire, please don't apologize; it's not your fault. I was the one who fell for you, and I'm sorry for making you cry, I'm so sorry. ''

Leo patted her back; although he would have wished for her to feel the same way about him, he didn't want it to be at the detriment of her own happiness.

They hugged for the longest time before Leo let go of her;

''I'm sorry for making you uncomfortable, I promise it would not happen again.'' Leo apologized sincerely. Even though she didn't love him back, he didn't want their friendship to end.