He sighed wearily.
“This has nothing to do with what I want to do or what I think I should do. This is about what I need to do. I love you. I care for you, but I can’t be with you. I know it doesn’t make sense. I wish I could give you a better reason but that’s the truth. Please don’t hate me.”
She only turned away and occasional movement of her hands to her face was the only sign that she was crying.

“Look at me?” he pleaded

She could not. He sighed again, torn once more between his instinct to comfort her and his desire not to let himself get too close. He knew they needed to be seperated but that didn’t make scenes like this any easier. Helplessly he watched as she cried, unable to decide. Then feeling that either way he was screwed he wrapped his arms around her. She quieted.

“Good bye,”
She barely managed to whisper after she had untangled herself from his arms.

“Good bye,” he answered
and they walked away, their hearts heavy with regret and loss.