Page 101 of A Vampire's Pain
“Why is that scary?”
“Because if you love you can get hurt,” I said. “And I have already gotten hurt so much.”
Lara sighed and then walked over to me, sat down beside me, and then wrapped her arm around me.
“Yeah, I get that. I get that better than anyone,” she said.
“Really?”
“I couldn’t accept Dominic’s love right away either, because I simply didn’t want to believe we could fit together. He was king and I was just a half-blood. I knew people wouldn’t accept us together, so instead of trying to fight and risk getting hurt. I just … I tried to run, but I realized what I had with Dominic was worth fighting for,” she told me.
“Wow …”
She smiled at me.
“And I think what you got with Gabriel is worth it too,” she said.
“I want to believe it.”
“Then believe it!” she told me.
“I don’t know … I don’t know if I can,” I said.
Lara just nodded a little.
“I understand. It takes some time. I had already run away when I realized I wanted to stay and fight,” she said.
“You had already run away?”
She nodded and smiled.
“But I turned around, or … Gabriel found me sitting on some lonely little curb, and he just sat down beside me and we talked. He made me realize some things. I know what people say about him and think about him, but he is actually my best friend. I have never had a better friend than him,” she explained.
“Really?”
“Yeah, he is amazing and kind and really funny,” she chuckled.
I laughed too, knowing she was right.
“I understand if you are not ready to fight yet, but I hope you will be,” she said. “Just don’t wait too long. Some things can be salvaged but not if you take too long.”
I slowly nodded.
“I understand.”
“And don’t let people tell you what to do,” she said. “It gets tiring pleasing everyone else.”
I nodded.
“You’re right, but the one I’m trying to please isn’t just anybody.”
“No, I get it. He is your brother, but don’t you think, as your brother, he should support your decision?”
“I would love to think he would,” I said.
“Maybe don’t be so scared and tell him how you truly feel. Tell him you don’t want to live without Gabriel and then go get him.”
“I don’t know if I can,” I whispered.
