The Price of Love

Chapter 23:

Chapter 23:

~ A/N ~

Last chapter D': hope you like it!

-Karla

-1 month later-

I paced the wooden floor of my living room anxiously while holding my phone, clicking it on and off.

"Call him." "No don't." I argued in my head.

I couldn't decided if I should call Leo or not. I didn't really know what to say, I just really wanted to hear his voice. Finally I dialed his number, which I knew by memory. I guess deleting his contact long ago hadn't made a difference. I continued pacing as the phone rang.

"Hello?"

I suddenly couldn't speak. The thought that Leo was actually on the other end paralyzed me in fear.

"Hello?" He repeated.

Just before he hung up I blurted,"Leo!"

There was a long pause before he answered,"Karla?"

"Yeah."

I heard his light breathing on the other end but he didn't reply.

"I'm so sorry." I whispered, "We could have gotten through it but I didn't try, I gave up."

The tears at the back of my eyes began to pour down my cheeks as the silence continued,"I know you're mad, I am too. I was such an idiot! I tried to push you out of my life but I now realize that's impossible because...you are my life."

I checked to make sure he was still on the line. He was.

"I'm sorry! If I could go back and change things I would. I miss you so much." I cried.

I waited a minute for his response but all I got was silence.

"Please say something! Anything..."

"Do you still love me?" He asked.

My heart practically jumped out of my chest,"Yes!"

The next thing I heard was a click and as I looked down at my phone I realized he had hung up.

And that's when I really began to cry.

....

*Leo's point of view*

I hung up on Karla. I couldn't take it anymore.

How could she love me if she ran off, moved away and blocked all contact with me. She broke my heart.

I sat down in my chair at my desk and slammed by head on the smooth oak. 

Looking up I could see our framed picture. I remembered that night on Thanksgiving, it was one of the best I'd ever had. Then I noticed under the picture was Karla's letter and next to it the charm bracelet. I pulled out the letter and gently unfolded it.

"Dear Leo, I'm so proud of you, all of your hard work has paid off. Well I've told you this before but I'll say it again, I'm going to miss you a lot. I hope you have a great time and don't let me stand in the way of anything. See you soon. -Karla "

Then I looked closely at the last line. I could still see 'I love you' erased behind 'see you soon'.

Maybe she did love me after all and she did all that to protect us. I really couldn't blame her for leaving if everyone mistreated her.

Thats when I stood up and headed for the door with the letter in one hand and the bracelet in the other. I knew what I had to do.

....