[The person on the other end of this conversation just keeps throwing him for loops. Why is he sorry. Shouldn't I be? he thinks, with a little suspicion, a little wonderment. It had seemed for a very long time that "sorry" was the right thing to say in most situations. Now he's not sure what answer to give her. Not just for appearances, but genuinely, from the criss-cross qualities of his heart.
...]
If they think about you later on, you did something. Even the smallest something. You might not know it, though, because it could be a long time from now. So you have to think, yeah, maybe you were able to do that. You could still be in their thoughts.
["Have to" might be a little strong. He can't really tell other people what to do, but he's very sure that this is right, and he's sure it would be good for this person (because he wants it to be good for this person)—he is, after all, sixteen. Sometimes, at that age, you think you've found a universal truth.
no subject
...]
If they think about you later on, you did something. Even the smallest something. You might not know it, though, because it could be a long time from now. So you have to think, yeah, maybe you were able to do that. You could still be in their thoughts.
["Have to" might be a little strong. He can't really tell other people what to do, but he's very sure that this is right, and he's sure it would be good for this person (because he wants it to be good for this person)—he is, after all, sixteen. Sometimes, at that age, you think you've found a universal truth.
Maybe he should go back and address...]
I didn't want to say the wrong thing
Which is why
[The apology.]