Chapter 8: The call

Leah walked out of the bathroom, towel drying her hair as the phone rang. She sighed and picked it up, taking the towel off.

"McNichol residence," She yawned.

"Hey Leah-Bea!" The English accented woman gushed.

"Mom?"

"Hiya, sweetie. How are you?"

"I'm fine, Mom...What's wrong?"

"Does something have to be wrong for me to call my daughter?"

"Yes." Leah sighed and sat down on the couch. "You either want money or you got divorced...again. Which is it?"

"Neither. I'm calling to tell you about a decision your father and I made. You're moving back to England with me, unitl your father's done in Toronto."

"Woah, move back with you? You know Dad's never going back to England. Besides, I actually like it here."

"Darling, you's have a better life here, rather than moving all the time."

"Mom...I have a good life here. I have a boyfriend who loves me, and a bunch of close fiends. Don't make me move away from all of it."

"Leah--"

"I have to go. I have a date."

"Your father already has your plane ticket. You're leaving tomorrow afternoon." She hung up, leaving Leah crying on the other end.

The doorbell rang. "Come in," she called between sobs.

Toby walked in, a boquet of flowers under his arm, to find his teary-eyed girlfriend. He ran over to her, kneeling next to the couch, hugging her tightly. "Leah, what is it?"

"My mom..." she sobbed. "She's making me move back to England."

Toby's eyes went wide with shock. "She's what? Leah...Leah, you can't leave me."

"I know, Toby. What am I going to do?"

"I don't know. C'mon, Leah. Let's not think about it. I'll talk to your dad later. For now, let's watch the movie I brought."

Leah nodded, moving over to make room for him as he put the movie in. Leah smiled when she saw the familiar Last Exile eye catch pop up. She hummed along to the theme song, laying her head on Toby's lap.

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After the movie was over, Toby was still stroking Leah's hair. She had fallen asleep peacefully.

Mr. McNichol walked in, humming to himself. "Ah, Toby, how nice to see you."

Toby looked at him. "Excuse me, sir, but I need to speak with you about Leah. Is she really moving?"

"I'm afraid so." Fred sighed. "I'm terribly sorry."

"Why?"

"Her mother misses her."

Toby sighed. "Please don't let her leave."

"I already have her ticket. She's leaving tomorrow."

"Tomorrow." Toby looked down at his sleeping girlfriend, stroking her hair once again. "Is there anyway I can move with her?"

Fred sighed, taking some papers from his bag and a green pen to grade them. "Your parents, Toby. You can't leave with out their permission. Besides, we only have one ticket. I'm sorry, Toby, I am."

Toby stood, careful not to wake Leah. "I guess...I guess I'm going to go. I'll be at the airport tomorrow. What time?"

"Her plane leaves aat five in the afternoon."

He nodded and bent down, kissing Leah lightly. "See you tomorrow, Leah."