"I hope so," he says. "Um. I do feel a bit better though. Now, I mean. Just ... telling someone about all of this, telling you, about how awful I feel, and how much it all ... hurts. It helps."

His smile is a little stronger now, though things are still by no means 'back to normal' or anything.

(And he doesn't expect it will be for a while.

At least, now, he thinks he might cope a little better.)


But then his expression sobers.

"I ... wish he never fancied me," he confesses. "It'd be easier for him. And easier for me. I really didn't think I could hurt someone like that."