"I want to apologize."
Her mouth dropped. "Huh?"
I took a deep breath. I could feel my face reddening.
"Recently, a large mirror was held up to me. I was an ass to a lot of people, whether intentionally or not. And you're one of those people."
"Me?" She sounded genuinely surprised.
"I knew you liked me more than you let on. I pretended not to notice; I took your word that you weren't catching feelings."
Her cheeks bloomed, and her eyes dropped from mine. "Don't flatter yourself!"
I paused, giving us a moment to gather our thoughts and to make sure she was okay.
"Either way, I shouldn't have led you on," I delicately continued, "And I shouldn't have slept with Lissa."
She rolled her lips in, and a sheen of moisture filled her eyes. God, I was a piece of shit.
"Being drunk was no excuse. I knew you two were best friends. Even though I don't...feel that way about you," I gingerly said, "it doesn't excuse my behavior. I should've been more considerate of your feelings and never should have messed with your best friend."
"Ex-best friend," Maria firmly amended. "I cut her out of my life."
Considering the noticeably missing photo in her apartment, I wasn't surprised by that revelation. "I'm sorry I caused that."
She shook her head and sighed. "No. It was a long time coming. I mean, yes, what happened between you two was the catalyst," she confessed.
"But the truth is, she's treated me like dirt for years, but I stayed friends with her out of loyalty and pity."
"Pity?"
She rolled her eyes. "Well, she's not exactly Miss Congeniality around here. She's always been a mean girl. I mean, I fully know I can be a bitch, but she's abitch," she stressed. "I was her only friend." She gave a dry laugh. "So much for loyalty."
I didn't know what to say to that. Losing a friendship, especially a decades-long one, was always sad. But I couldn't say she didn't make the right choice. Hanging out with Maria meant that I was also exposed to Lissa. I always thought the other girl was...well, a bitch. Which considering what an ass I was at the time, it was remarkable that I could recognize toxic behavior. It was always a chore to hang with her, but now I could see why Maria allowed her to tag along. The girl literally had no other friends.
"Well, I'm glad you've cut her out of your life, then. But I am sorry that I had a part in it."
She shrugged, shifting on her feet.
"Anyway," I started, sensing the shift in mood.
"So this "new leaf" you've turned over. Is this all down to Sofia?"
I nodded, not wanting to sugarcoat the truth. "She's the best thing to ever happen to me."
A shadow crossed her face. "You must really love her," she wistfully murmured.
Instead of answering, I gave her a gentle smile. I didn't want the first person I confirmed my love to be Maria. I wanted Sofia to hear those words first.
"You take care, okay?"
She nodded and gave me a small smile. "Bye, Simon."
I exited her place with a spring in my step and a lighter heart. That soon sunk like a sandbag when I heard a familiar gasp.
I swung around, catching Sofia looking stunned as her eyes moved from me to Maria's door and back again.
With my heart in my throat, I quickly held out my hands in desperation.
