Chapter 19: The Apology
Cagalli stood, with her head hanging low and her fingers fidgeting, in the nearly empty gymnasium. Dearka stood in front of her.
"So—" she inhaled "-I'm sorry."
Her gaze slowly rose to meet his. Dearka stared at her with a blank expression. Cagalli's heart pounded harder than it did when she approached him a moment ago. But soon his expression changed to an apologetic smile. It confused her.
"I'm sorry, too," he said.
"What do you have to be sorry about?" she shouted.
Dearka threw his arm behind his head and began rubbing it. Cagalli couldn't help staring at his lean, but muscular, arm. She also noticed that it glistened under the gym lights.
"I'm sorry because I wish I was someone you trusted." His arm fell limply to his side.
Cagalli's shoulders slumped. She fell silent, not knowing what to say. Not once had she thought about whether or not she trusted Dearka. But the way she acted had proven that she didn't, and she doubted that she could convince him otherwise.
"I...I just," she choked.
What am I trying to say? She thought. That I wasn't thinking when I automatically blamed him? I came at him with blind rage? That I'm sorry? I already said that.
Dearka let out a sigh. "It's fine,: he said, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"It's not!" her eyes were glossy.
He placed a hand on her other shoulder, giving her a gentle squeeze before pulling her into a tight hug. A soft gasped escaped her. With a flushed face and rapid heart, she was stiff in his arms.
"Take care," he whispered. "I'm here when you need me."
After he pulled away, they stared at each other for what seemed like a very long time. For the first time, Cagalli noticed that his eyes looked sad. Then, with a small smile, he walked passed her and out of the gym. As soon as she heard the doors shut behind him, Cagalli wanted to fall to her knees.
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