And there it is. The reaction she knew was coming.

Her face is emotionless as she nods and then sits back down on the bed. She knew this would happen. She knew all along this couldn't be.

It doesn't hurt anymore, though. The pain has fallen away to be replaced with a complete and total numbness.

"It's not your fault," she answers finally. Her voice is even, calm - a strange thing, given the waves of emotions she's been riding all day. But her words are clipped, as if she needs a new breath for every word she speaks. "I shouldn't have kissed you. That was terrible of me. I'm sorry. Can you forgive me? Can we still be friends?"

She smiles at him, but it's hollow.

She hates that it's come to this. She hates even more than she can only blame herself for what's happened.