close the what if ( English version )

Reconciliation / Chapter 1

(Thursday)

Léo decides to visit Rémi at his house. Rémi's mother, Sophie, welcomes him and informs Léo that Rémi is in his room. Léo walks to the bedroom door, takes a deep breath, and opens it slowly.

Léo: (with a trembling voice) Rémi, can I come in?

Rémi: (without turning) Yes, of course.

Léo enters the room and closes the door behind him. He sits on the edge of the bed, leaving a space between them.

Léo: (sighing) Rémi, I... I want to apologize. I'm so sorry for leaving you alone.

Rémi: (in a subdued voice) Why, Léo? Why did you pull away from me?

Léo: (looking at the floor) I was scared, Rémi. The comments, the looks... They made me feel like something was wrong with us, with our friendship. I thought if I distanced myself, everything would calm down. But I didn't realize how much I was hurting you.

Rémi: (tears in his eyes) You were my best friend, Léo. I don't understand why suddenly you didn't want to be with me. I felt so lonely.

Léo: (tears starting to fall) I know, I know. I realize now how much I hurt you. I let what others said get to me and I didn't think about what really mattered. You're my friend, Rémi. Nothing else should matter.

Rémi: (wiping away tears) But how do we move forward? They're still out there, with their comments and their looks.

Léo: (with determination) Together, Rémi. We can't let them dictate how we should feel or who we should be. If we're together, we can face it. We can talk to our parents, to teachers... seek help. We don't have to do it alone, and remember that I will always defend you.

Rémi: (looking at Léo for the first time) Do you really think we can do this?

Léo: (nodding) Yes, I do. Today I realized I'd rather face everything with my best friend by my side than be alone and lost. I need you, Rémi.

Rémi: (smiling weakly) I need you too, Léo. A lot.

Léo: (moving closer) So, let's promise to always support each other, no matter what others say. We'll be honest with each other and ask for help when we need it.

Rémi: (nodding) Promise. But promise me too that you'll never leave me alone like that again.

Léo: (taking Rémi's hand) I promise, Rémi. I'll never leave you alone again.

Rémi: (whispering) Léo, I appreciate and love you. I need you, and truly, when you pulled away, I thought there was something wrong with me.

Léo: (tears in his eyes) Rémi, I love you too and I appreciate you so much. I can't imagine my life without you. You're the most important person to me.

Rémi: (smiling through tears) Léo. Let's promise that we'll always be honest about how we feel.

Léo: (hugging Rémi) I promise you, Rémi. I will never hide my feelings again, and I will always be by your side.

Rémi: (caressing Léo's face) You're the best thing that has happened to me. Thank you for coming tonight.

Léo: (looking into Rémi's eyes) Thank you for forgiving me and giving me another chance. We will get through this together because I love you and always will.

At that moment, Sophie, Rémi's mother, enters the room with an extra set of sheets.

Sophie: (smiling warmly) Hello, boys. Léo, are you staying overnight?