The Price of Love

Chapter 22:

Chapter 22:

~ A/N ~

I recommend listening to "The Harold Song" by Kesha while reading this. Idk I liked how they sound together.

-Karla

....

-1 year later-

"Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!" People chanted.

Ben leaned in towards me and kissed me on the lips. Everyone cheered around us as I sat in shock. He blushed and looked away as I caught a glance at us on the jumbo screen.

We were at a baseball game, as friends, and had been put on the kiss cam.

My heart started racing wildly. Did I like Ben?

He finally turned to face me once the moment had died away.

"Karla?"

"Yeah?"

"I really like you."

Before I could say anything he continued on.

"Will you be my girlfriend?"

The home team was up to bat and their best guy was at the base.

"Do I like Ben?" I asked myself.

The guy swung early and missed the first throw.

"Do I still like Leo?"

I slapped myself mentally. What was wrong with me? I hadn't spoken to him in over a year, it was over.

The guy swung late and missed the second throw.

I was totally confused when the batter hit the last throw and sent it flying across the field.

My heart was racing quickly like the guy sliding through the bases.

As he touched home base and hit a home run I turned to Ben and smiled,"Yes."

....

-1 1/2 years later-

"Happy 6 months!" Ben exclaimed handing me a bouquet of roses.

We were sitting at the edge of the woods having a romantic picnic to celebrate our 6 month anniversary.

"Thank you, happy 6 months." I smiled.

With the help of the soft candle light around us I watched Ben lean in to kiss me, wrapping his arms tightly around my waist. I hung one arm loosely around his neck and stared at him. His eyes were closed and he seemed happy, I on the other hand wasn't feeling anything.

"To us." Ben smiled handing me an orange soda as he pulled away.

"To us." I muttered half heartedly, clinking my can with his.

We sat peacefully eating the salmon he had cooked before picking me up in his car. I was almost done when Ben put his hand over mine. I looked up at him, my heart racing wildly.

"I love you Karla."

My stomach dropped and I felt like I was going to throw up. Ben had said he loved me, for the first time. But I don't think I felt the same way.

"Yes." "No." "I don't know." Bounced through my head and I began to cry from emotional stress.

"Are you okay?" He asked concerned.

"Yeah." I replied wiping the tears away while trying to smile.

Then I blurted out the biggest lie in my life.

"I love you too Ben."

He kissed me again and this time I shut my eyes, but all I could see was Leo.

....

-2 years later-

"I don't think this is working out."Ben said sitting next to me on my back porch.

We were into our last weeks of school until summer vacation and he was breaking up with me, after a year.

"What?" I gasped,"Why?"

"I think you're still in love with Leo." He whispered, looking at his dangling feet.

"No I'm not!" I lied.

He sighed and placed his hand over mine as we stared at the sunset.

"But I'm not!" I cried.

"Don't lie to yourself. I can tell by the way you smile at me, or by the way you kiss me, or when you say I love you."

I tried to explain but he cut me off.

"We can still be friends, but I can't be your boyfriend."

"No, please Ben! I really like you."

"And I really like you, that's why I have to let you go."

I watched him stand up and walk around to my front yard. He lingered a bit at the gate but I didn't chase after him like I've seen people do in movies. Maybe I didn't want him to stay after all.

I looked at the pink clouds that were slowly fading into the night. The scene looked so similar to the one back home.

Home.

I missed my house. It held so many memories from my childhood. I missed my school and it's beige, crowded hallways. I missed my friends and my teachers. I missed my taekwondo dojo.

I began to cry furiously because I had lost everything I loved.

And then I remembered Leo.

I missed his hugs, his kisses, the feel of his smooth hair, the smell of his jackets. I wanted to hear him say "I love you" at least one more time. But more importantly I wanted to go back to the day Jason asked me if I was sure and say no. I'd take all that abuse all over again if I could just have Leo.

But it's too late for all that now.

~ A/N ~

Karla couldn't hide her feelings for Leo through Ben forever.

1 more chapter and we're done D': Noooooooo!!!!

I love you guys so much! Thanks for all the support, you all encourage me to follow my dreams of being an author when I'm older. I just love you guys!

-Karla