Unraveling Letricia

Chapter 16: A Heartfelt Apology

Mason and I woke up and got ready for campus. We met our friends for breakfast, and I had invited my cousins, Max and Xander. We laughed and joked, and the boys planned to go clubbing while the girls had a sleepover at my house. We attended our classes and watched the boys' afternoon training. Mason was a bit angry, but I knew being a captain was hectic.

I watched Leon train, and memories of the past flooded my mind. He saw me looking at him and smiled, waving. I smiled back, acknowledging him. After training, Mason talked to the team while Leon approached me. "Hey, Letricia, can I talk to you?" he asked, inviting me for a milkshake. I agreed, giving him my number.

Later, Leon and I met at the milkshake shop. He apologized profusely, "I'm sorry, Letricia... so sorry for never trusting you, for being a douchebag and not appreciating you. I'm sorry I ended our friendship when it should have come first. I'm sorry it took me too long to find you, and I'm sorry I wasn't fast enough to look for you these past 8 years."

He poured out his heart, tears streaming down his face. "I'm sorry for my actions, for the guilt and mistrust. I'm sorry I wasn't there when you needed me most. I'm sorry you had to pretend not to know me, and I got mad when you didn't acknowledge me. I'm sorry I'm jealous... I'm in love with you, Letricia. I always have been, but I couldn't tell you because you saw me like a sibling."

I sat there, shocked, as he confessed his feelings. I asked him what he meant by jealous, and he replied, "I'm jealous because I'm in love with you. I have always been, but I couldn't tell you because you looked at me like a sibling, and I hated that. So I dated your sister because you're twins, and she looks like you, making it easy for me. But it was always you. Those 8 years, every day, I would tell myself I was too late for everything – protecting you and confessing my feelings. When I saw you again, I was shattered because I knew I hurt you so much that you didn't want to reach out to me."

I sat there, tears falling, as he cried too. He knew I was in a relationship and didn't want to complicate things. "Just know I love you, and that's enough for me. I'll give you time to process everything, and when you're ready to forgive and want me as a friend, just text me."

I texted my friends to pick me up, and before I left, Leon held my hands, hugged me, and kissed my forehead, thanking me for listening. As I drove away, I felt a mix of emotions – shock, sadness, and understanding. I knew I needed time to process everything.