"What?" Ray stopped in amusement. He looked at me, straight in the eyes. I could see the hurt in his eyes and I'm sorry I did it to
him.

"Yeah, Ray, I just can't," I cried as I sat, fixing myself up with the towel. "And I'm sorry. I finally came up to my senses  that it's not you who I really wanted... all this time."

Ray sat beside me, and hugged me, "But why? Haven't I loved you that much?"

"Yeah, I know, Ray. Thanks for loving me so much but I'm sorry I can't do this with you," I shook my head. "I just can't. I'm not too ready for this. Please un..."

He shook his head. He combed his hair with his fingers. "Is it Bob?"

I didn't answer. My eyes grew big. Oh boy. Is it really Bob?

He bowed down. "I knew it. You don't need to explain. I could see it in your eyes and I'm sorry we almost did it. I should have respected you more."

"Huh? No, Ray, it's ok," I replied. "I'm sorry, too, but I couldn't just give you the love you truly deserve."

"What do you mean?" Ray looked at me with teary eyes.

"Well, someone will love you better than me," I told him. "I'm really sorry, Ray."

"But it's you who I really wanted," he confessed. He bowed down his head and became silent.

I blushed but I summoned up the courage to say, "I think it's better for us now if we could only be friends. I'm sorry I hurted you. I hope you could forgive me. But please give me some time," I said.

Still, he didn't move. I started to pick up my clothes.

"Leigh?" he touched my hand.

"Huh?" I looked at him. Then, I sat beside him.

"You're right. Maybe it's better if we could only be friends for now even if it hurts," he told me. "And you don't need to be sorry. I should be sorry for I've caused you this."

"Oh, Ray, you didn't," I smiled at him. "You just loved me...and thank you. Thank you so much. You're truly the best." Then, we hugged.

"I'll miss you but always remember, I love you," Ray whispered. Then, he kissed me, one last kiss on the cheek. "Be happy, ok?"

"Thanks. I'll remember that. You could count on that," I replied as I put on the jersey he gave me. "How about this? Should I keep this?"

He looked at me. "It looks great on you. You can keep it... so, you could remember me."

"Oh," I sighed. "Thank you so much."

"Sure, no problem," Ray sighed, too.