The Price of Love

Chapter 19:

Chapter 19:

I was scrolling through Facebook later that evening when a friend back home messaged me. It was Stacy Maxwell from student council.

"Hey Karla."

"Hey Stacy, what's up?" I messaged back.

"Well you're not going to like what I have to show you." Stacy typed adding a frowny face at the end.

"What?" I asked feeling my stomach drop.

She sent me a link to an online celebrity gossip page. The article was titled "Leo Howard's Fake Girlfriend"

"Since Disney's XD Kickin' It star Leo Howard's return to Hollywood he's been seen holding hands with a cutie from his previous home. But could the relationship be a scam?

Leo's done nothing but give the girl, named Karla Sanders, gifts. Such as jewelry from Tiffany's, dinner, hotel reservations, clothing, but she turns up her nose at everything." I read in disbelief.

Below the paragraph were pictures of Leo showing me the cashmere sweater and giving me the bracelet. My expression did look like I disliked the gifts but I only did it to prevent things like this from being published.

"When questioned she dramatically runs away and hides. To avoid spilling the truth? Yes!"

There was another picture of me hiding under the table on the side of the paragraph. I felt sick looking at the misleading article and then I scrolled down to the comments.

"Wow she's so fake."

"She's just using Leo for fame!"

"Isn't it the same girl who killed that guy?"

"Oh my gosh it is! She killed a guy not even a year ago!"

"Stupid slut Leo is mine!"

"She's not even pretty!!"

"Gold digger!"

I turned my phone off and flung it at the plush chair across from me. I began to cry angrily squeezing a pillow in my hands. The creators of the article had made me look like a complete brat, they twisted everything around. But not just that, I was also being insulted by millions of girls online.

My phone vibrated from its spot across the room and I got up to see what it was.

"Are you okay?" Stacy had messaged me.

"Don't worry, I'm fine." I replied through hot tears.

....

"Hey can I talk to you?" Leo asked coming into my room the next day.

I was looking in the mirror deciding if my outfit was appropriate for the movies and lunch. Skinny jeans and a chiffon shirt were appropriate right?

"Yeah."

"I saw this thing online, I don't know if you've seen it." He continued sitting on my bed.

My heart dropped down to my feet,"What thing?"

"It's about you being my girlfriend and the bracelet and a lot of stuff."

"But could the relationship be a scam?" I quoted the article, spinning the charms on my bracelet.

"You saw it."Leo gasped standing up.

"Yeah."

Suddenly I couldn't speak and tears began streaming down my cheeks. I hid behind my hands and turned away. Leo stood up and hugged me from behind.

"I'm so sorry they're doing this to you."

"It's not just them," I cried,"Paparazzi, complete strangers, your fans!"

He rubbed my back as I continued to cry into his shoulder.

"I can't do this anymore." I whispered.

"What?" He asked looking into my eyes.

They were red and damp as I stared back at his,"I can't be your girlfriend anymore."

"No, we can't break up just because of gossip!"

"I don't want to but they're going to continue hurting me, you, us!"

"Please, we'll find a way!" He begged.

I began to cry harder and I threw myself into his arms.

"I can't do it, I'm just not strong enough."

"I understand."

We stood there for the longest time, both of us crying our hearts out.

~ A/N ~

Ahhhhh! I'm crying!

Did you guys see their breakup coming or was it a major plot twist?

-Karla