Rick leaned his forehead on his knees and closed his eyes; he remained silent for some time thereafter. Once again, Ion was right--but this time, Rick couldn't find a way to counteract him. How could he make good on his promises to make things better if he kept moping around in his room? What kind of example was he sending by pretending--to himself, even--that he would make things better, when he was really too afraid to face his own mistakes? And why had he even been looking for an excuse to do otherwise?

More out of frustration than anything, Rick suddenly rolled himself out of bed, though he stood in place and hugged himself with indecision. "...Yes. I--there-'s t-t-too m-much to d-do. I c-can't just--"

He eyed his sweater wearily, then snatched it off the ground.

"--I'm l-lying t-t-to e-everyone I p-promised I--I w-would make things r-right to. I-It's not..." Rick paused, thoroughly rubbing his eyes. "...I'm s-sorry. I'm...your r-roommate's a...a c-c-coward and a hypocrite. You sh--shouldn't h-have to d-deal w-w-with this."