His eyes flew open and they landed on her, terrified. "Oh my God," he said frantically, stepping forward with his hands outstretched before he pulled away, looking down at his hands with revulsion. "I'm sorry, Avice. I'm so sorry."
His eyes were teary and he stepped away from her, holding his hands against his chest. "I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. I don't know what's going on. I'm so sorry. Are you hurt?"
She blinked, taking a shaky breath as she stood. "I'm okay," she said reassuringly, taking his arms. "I'm okay. It's okay."
He shook his head, backing away from her. "Please. I don't... I don't want to hurt you, okay? Please."
She moved closer to him, a stern look crossing her face. "No. I'm not doing that. I'm going to be near you."
"Avice, please," he pleaded, stepping into his room and closing the door slightly so she could enter. "Go."
Avice sat on the wall next to his door, a nervous hand running through her hair. "Can we at least talk from here?"
He was quiet for a moment, pacing on the other side of the door. "I suppose. As long as you leave when I tell you to."
He sighed, frustrated. "I don't know. I don't know. I can't have you nearby if you're going to get hurt. I just... I can't."
He angrily wrapped his knuckles against his thigh. "It's not that I don't want to be with you, Avice! Do you know how much I want to hug you right now? To kiss you? I can't though. You would say the same thing if the situation were reversed."
