Two days past eighteen, he was waiting for the bus in his army greens. He sat in a booth at the café, and gave his order to a girl with a bow in her hair. He was a little shy and she gave him a little smile. When she came back with his order came back he said ". Do you mind sitting down for awhile , and talking to me. I'm feeling a little alone."

"I'm off in an hour, and I know where we can go." she answered.

So, they went down and sat on the pier. He said "I bet you got a boyfriend, but I don't care. I got no one to send a letter to. Do you mind if I send one back here to you?"

She grabbed his hand and gave it a squeeze answering his question. "What's your name?" She wondered out loud.

"Well, miss, my name is Edward Cullen. What might your name be?" He asked.

"Isabella Swan, but you can call me Bella." she replied.

"Nice to meet you Miss Bella."

"Nice to meet you too, Mr. Cullen." she smiled

"We better get back, so I don't miss the bus." he smiled sadly.

"I guess so." he got to his feet and helped her stand.

They walked hand in hand back to the café, where the bus was loading. Goodbyes, were being said all around them. Husbands saying goodbyes to there wives and children. Men saying goodbye to their fiancés and girlfriends.

"I guess this is goodbye Bella." he said as the rain began to fall.

"I… Goodbye Edward. Don't forget to send me that letter."

"I promise."

"Goodbye."

"Cullen, on the bus." the commander said.

"Bye Bella."

Angela walked out of the café to get Bella back inside once the bus took off. "Who was that?" she asked, once they were inside.

"Edward Cullen." she said shortly.

"Oh."

She cried ", I'm never going to hold the hand of another guy."

"Be careful of the love of a traveling soldier."

"He's going to send me letters." she said strongly.

1 month later

Bella,

I'm writing from an army camp. These men have no human compassion, they're monsters. Secretly, I'm glad it's the men that go to war, instead of the women. This camp is brutal. Obstacle courses, where you crawl under barbwire and up high walls. Hanging on to ropes that you slide down. It's a physical and mental work out.

I can't stop thinking about you. My heart hurts because your not here beside me, I'm in love with you. Even though we've met one time, talked one time, and now I'm writing this letting telling you how I feel, because I don't know if I'll ever get the chance to see you again.

I have to stop writing, before I get caught by Commander Peterson. We're not suppose to be writing to loved ones, but I can't help myself. I love you.

Love,

Edward Cullen

The first letter came from and army camp in California. The rest came from far away and were less frequent. They came from an army camp in Vietnam. Most letters said it was getting rough over there and not to worry that he wouldn't be able to write for awhile.

Shereceived a letter one night that said Soldiers coming home. She started to cry at the thought of her love, and how much she wanted to him in her arms. They could finally be together without a war and an ocean being in their way.

Bella walked to a football game one Friday night, the lord's prayer said and the anthem sang, a man stood up and said ", Folks, bow your head and lets pray for the local soldiers that has died in service."

No one cared except for the girl with a bow in her hair. The rain started to fall when she heard his name, she couldn't believe her love was gone. She never got a chance to say I love you to him. She untied the yellow ribbon from her ponytail and hung on the fence in his honor.

A/N: This story was inspired by the song Traveling Soldier by the DIXIE CHICKS. I suggest you listen to it. Thank you!

-Courtney