Chapter 12 – Home

Kari POV:

It felt a little depressing inside the airplane. I remembered all the things that happened during the trip, and all the friends I made. Too bad I left while Tom and I were on bad terms. I don't think I will ever talk to him again, it just hurt too much.

The song on my mp3 switched to 'Hilf Mir Fliegen'. Though I couldn't speak or understand much of German, I remembered a little bit of the lyric translations of this song. This was exactly what I need; for someone to help me fly to a different place that I could just feel perfectly fine, and forget the past.

Why was I so sad? I knew in the back of my mind that I was just a summer fling when it came to Tom.

I remembered that I didn't tell the girls about what happened yet. I guess I should tell them so that I might feel better.

"Hey girls," I said as everyone turned to listen to me, "I need to tell you guys something."

"What's wrong?" Taylor asked me.

I took a deep breath. "Tom and I … it's pretty much over."

Jaymie gasped quietly. "You're lying." It was a statement.

I shook my head.

Julia put her arms around me. "It's okay, hun. We still love you, okay?" She said in attempt to comfort me.

"Thanks." I said. It was nice having good friends to support me.

To keep from boredom for the rest of the plane ride home, I blasted the volume on my MP3 and closed my eyes.

Tom POV:

I didn't expect it, but somehow I missed her. Kari's tight hugs, warm kisses, the feel of her body against mine when I was holding her. Maybe it was a huge mistake at the party. My mind was occupied with Kari and everything that was related to her.

It was probably 3 a.m. in Sacramento because right now in Berlin it was 12 p.m.

"Tom, what's up with you today? You're kind of slow." Bill said.

"Oh, nothing." I replied.

"Something's wrong." He stated. I kept silent. "Tell me, Tom. Maybe I can help. What is it? Did Kari dump you?" He did a little laugh at his own guess.

I told him how accurate he was. "Yeah, that's part of it. I don't know whether to be mad at her or what."

"What happened?" Bill asked. Something in his voice sounded a bit wrong, like something happened to him too.

Just then, someone was knocking on the door.

"I'll get it." Gustav said coming out of the kitchen.

"Hey dude," Arron said while shaking Gustav's hand.

He peered over at me and said, "Tom, is everything okay between you and Kari?"

How did he know? "Why?" I asked.

"I need to tell you what happened yesterday."

"Go on." I urged.

"Okay, well at the party I was observing the guests and then

Philip, the one who works at my restaurant, he just pulls her in for a kiss. It wasn't her fault at all. I was going to go help her, but a crowd of people came and started talking to me and I couldn't get away."

I stared at the ground for a long moment before speaking. "It wasn't her fault."

Stupid, stupid, stupid! "I have to call her right now." As I began dialing Kari's number, Bill stopped me.

"I know how much you might want to talk to Kari, but right now she's probably sleeping. Remember the time?"

Damn it.

"Alright. I have to get back. See you guys later." Arron said while leaving.

"I'll wait for her then." I said to Bill.

6 hours later

She should be awake by now. I began dialing her number again. It went straight to voicemail.

"I just finished talking with Jaymie." Georg said. "She said that Kari doesn't want to talk to or see you anymore."

Scheisse! How will I be able to talk to her again?

Kari POV:

As much as I tried not to, I kept thinking about Tom. I just felt so empty inside, like it left a hole in my heart. Every time I thought of Tom, the image of him kissing the girl filled my mind.

Sometimes out of nowhere, tears would spill from my eyes. Then I would think, what good does it do to cry?

School came by shortly. Indeed, college was more challenging. I decided to put what happened in Germany behind me, and focus on school.

Pretty soon, the year passed. It finally seemed like Tom gave up on calling me. Taylor told me about the experience with Bill back in Germany. She wasn't really talking to him either. As for Julia and Jaymie, they still kept in touch with Gustav and Georg. I was glad that it was working out for them.