Stephenie Meyer owns everything Twilight. I own the rest. No reproduction/redistribution without my expressed, written consent

It's weird sometimes, how close friends can all of a sudden become strangers. You think you know someone well...that things will never change between you two, but before you know it, it happens. You distance yourselves from each other, become more guarded, and don't joke around with each other anymore. What happened to all the laughs? The teasings? The "Your shirt looks ugly"'s and "Gosh, your writing sucks!"'s?

What happened to the blunt honesty? What happened to not being afraid to hurt each others feelings, because you know you'll still be friends after it all? The late night talks over the phone, where you talk to them "just because," and can be so comfortable with each other that it's not even awkward to deal with silence?

You make new friends. Your best friend doesn't like them. Your best friend
makes new friends. You don't like them, either.

How does it happen? Where do things go wrong? Do things even go wrong in the first place? Is it inevitable? It's so heartbreaking to lose someone you shared so many unforgettable moments with. Moments you'll take with you to the grave. Moments you'll cherish forever. They know your darkest secrets and you know theirs.

Tell me. Why does it happen? Why do people drift away from each other, even though they don't want to?

That's what I want to know.

~.~.~.~.~.~

"Hi Bella."

"Hi Edward."

"Can you believe that we're graduating?"

"No, I can't. Time's gone by so fast. Can you believe it?"

"No."

Awkward silence. I'm on the verge of tears. Things shouldn't be like this between us. This isn't how things used to be.

"Is something wrong?"

"No," I lie, my voice all shaky.

He lets it slide, even though I could tell he doesn't believe me. "So, how have you been? It's been awhile since we've talked."

"I've been good. Just dealing with the last round of finals and projects. What about you?"

"Same."

"How are you and your girlfriend doing?"

"We're doing fine. Same old, same old. It's going to be our one year anniversary in a couple weeks."

"Wow, congratulations!" I smile, but deep inside a tinge of jealousy resides in the back of my mind.

"Thanks."

"Are you guys going to the same college?"

"Yeah."

"Awww...that's nice. What college?"

"UCLA. What college are you going to?"

"Seattle University. I don't want to be too far from home, you know? My dad would be all alone."

"Yeah. I don't blame you."

"Yep."

Awkward silence.

Edward clears his throat. "So...are you seeing anyone?"

"Ha, yeah right. I'll probably be single for life."

He chuckles. "Yeah right, Bella. I doubt that."

"Uh huh, whatever." A faint smile forms within the corners of my mouth.

Awkward silence.

"So...would you sign my yearbook?"

"Of course. Will you sign mine?"

"Of course." He mimmicks me. We smile at each other.

~.~.~.~.~

What the hell am I supposed to say? How much should I write? I want to tell him how much I miss him, and how much I wish we didn't drift apart. Would that be too much? Too weird? How much would he write in mine?

~.~.~.~.~

Hey Edward,

It's crazy, huh? Senior year! Time just flies by...

Okay, I can't do this. I can't write the cliche shit I began writing up there. That wasn't us. And it shouldn't be us now. That's not how we were. I'm going to be real and write like things never changed between us...when we were really friends.

I miss you so much, Edward. It breaks my heart that we're practically strangers. What happened to us? We used to be so close, and I miss it more than you know. You were my best friend, the one I could always count on. The one guy I wasn't afraid to cry in front of. You were always there for me when I needed you, and I hope you feel I did the same for you...because I wanted to be that for you. Your confidant.

I don't know where things went wrong, but if I knew what it was, I'd go back in time and fix it, so that we could be the Edward and Bella we once were. Remember when we used to play basketball during recess? You used to get angry whenever I made a basket and would curse at yourself because "girls suck at sports."

Remember that time you hugged me and held me in your arms while all of my cousins laughed after seeing me fall down at the playground in the park? You were so angry at them...you didn't talk to them for nearly a week.

Those memories are ingrained in me, Edward. Those, and many, many more. I'll never forget them. And I'll never forget you. In a couple weeks, we won't be in each other's lives anymore. We might never see each other again. That thought hurts so much. Not seeing you as often as I do now is going to be weird...hell, it's going to be sad. Even though we don't really talk anymore, you were always near by, and I always considered you my friend.

I'll always remember you, Edward. Whenever I'll look back on our memories, I'll look back with happiness. I'm thankful that I got to have a friend like you. No matter how much things have changed, I still love you, "Eddie."

Love,
Bella

~.~.~.~.~

Bella,

Time has caused us to change so much, huh? Do you remember we made a promise to each other back in fourth grade, that we would always be best friends? That we would be there for each other no matter what? Those were the days, huh?

I admit, I'm sad that we didn't follow through on that promise. But I want you to know that I still care about you. I looked out for you as much as I could, and want nothing but the best for you. You deserve the best.

I must confess that it's my fault that we're practically strangers now. During freshman year, when everyone was getting dates for homecoming, the only person I wanted to go with was you. And it wasn't just because you were my best friend and I knew we'd have a good time. I wanted to go with you because I wanted to be your boyfriend. It was then that I realized I loved you more than I ever would have thought. I wanted to give you more of me...and I wanted you to give me more of you.

Realizing that scared the hell out of me. After years of practically viewing you like a sister, then all of a sudden developing romantic feelings was overwhelming. I tried to get over it, but there was no going back. Then, I couldn't face the thought of being rejected by you, so I left you alone. I wouldn't have been able to face the rejection and heartbreak.

If I could take back the last four years, I would. It's been such a waste of time not having you around like you used to, when you should have been. Instead of making you laugh and seeing your eyes twinkle when I'd tell you a funny story, other people got to do it instead. It made me jealous. Hell, it made me furious, to be honest. And it still does.

High school's been such a lousy experience without you, Bella. I apologize for making things between us this way; I wish I'd taken the chance, consequences be damned. I wish it didn't take something like graduation to finally tell you the truth, but I guess it's better to tell you now then never to have told you at all.

And with that, I should wind things down. I hope you don't mind that I took up so much of your yearbook space, but if you're still the same Bella I know, which I'm sure you are, you wouldn't mind. :P

Love,
Edward

~.~.~.~.~

"Here you go." Edward hands me my yearbook.

"Thanks. Here's yours."

"Thanks."

~.~.~.~.~

When I'm home and in my room, I open my yearbook to where Edward wrote. I read his message. I cry. I read it again. I cry some more. Why didn't I notice it sooner? Does he still feel the same way? What do I do now when I see him...act the same? What. Do. I. Do?

The hell with it.

I stand up, about to grab my truck keys, when I hear a tapping at my window. I turn around and see an anxious Edward, grabbing on to a tree branch with shaky hands.

I rush to window, unlock it and let him in.

"You know you could have knocked on the door."

"I know. I just couldn't wait. I saw you from outside."

A pause. "Oh."

"Don't give me that 'oh,' crap, Bella."

"Okay."

Edward laughs. He knows I'm being a smart ass.

"Come here."

I take a step towards him, but being the impatient Edward I remember, he walks over, grabs me and pulls me into his arms.

I sob.

"I've missed you so fucking much, you don't even know," Edward voice cracks. He inhales the scent of my hair.

"I think I have an idea." I try to giggle but fail. It sounds more like a hiccup instead. Tears continue to stream down my face.

"Do you?"

"Yes."

"Is that so...?"

I lift my head from his chest and look into his eyes.

"Yes, Edward."

I stand up on my tiptoes, trying to reach his height enough so I could properly wrap my arms around his shoulders, and place my lips against his. It's just a soft graze, but it's still enough to send chills down my spine. Edward and I moan at the same time.

We continue to kiss even though I couldn't stop crying. Before I know it, I feel wetness I wasn't expecting. Tears are coming from Edward's eyes, too. I bring my hands to cradle his face and use the pad of my thumbs to wipe as many away as I can.

I pull my lips away from his and take a small step back. "Don't cry."

"I can't help it. I love you."

My heart skips a beat. It's one thing reading it on paper, but a whole other hearing the words come from out of his beautiful lips.

"I love you too, Edward Cullen."

His chest heaves, his breathing heavy. His eyes look so intense, and I see the beauty of his soul right in front of me. So full of vulnerability. Passion. Emotion. Love. "Oh my God, what are you doing to me?" He pulls me back into his arms and kisses me on the lips, softly but passionately. He takes my hand and leads me towards the bed, where we lay down and hug each other tightly, threading our limbs together.

"What are we doing, Edward?"

"I don't know, and at the moment I don't care. I just want to be with you. It's been too long."

"I know, but what about your girlfriend?"

"I broke up with her."

"You did what?"

"I broke up with her. She shouldn't be with someone who loves someone else more than her."

"Then why were you with her for so long?"

"Because I really thought I loved her enough. But lately everything's been put into perspective for me. After reading what you wrote to me...I couldn't pretend anymore."

My hold on him tightens. "But what about college?"

"U-Dub was one of the other schools I applied to, and I got accepted there. So..."

"Isn't it too late to respond?"

"No. I have until the fifteenth to respond, so just in time."

"Wow. And you would go there?"

"In a heartbeat."

My heart pounds intensely. This is too good to be true.

"Really?"

"Of course, Bella Marie," he smiles my smile. The crooked smile I haven't seen in years.

I return his smile and my insides melt into a puddle. "You haven't called me that in a long time."

"I know, Bella Marie," he says, kissing my lips slightly more than chastely. "I still love saying it."

"You love it, huh? I never knew that." I blush.

"Of course. No one else was allowed to call you that but me. Have you allowed anyone to call you that since?"

"No."

"Good." He turns his attention toward the shell of my right ear and sucks on it.

I sigh, my breathing becoming more labored.

"Do you like that?" He continues.

"Yes," I pant.

"Do you want me to continue?"

"Yes., Edward."

"Damn...hearing you say my name after so long is just...indescribable. You've got me undone," he sighs and continues, gradually making his way down my neck towards my collarbone. I can feel his breaths getting heavier with each passing moment.

"Did you really miss me?" he asks, inhaling my scent.

"Of course. How could I not?"

"I'm not making this up? This isn't a dream?"

"It's real Edward. I don't remember your mind being that creative," I tease while ruffling his copper hair. "I love you. More than I've ever loved you before."

"Like how I love you? Not just as a close friend?" he asks with an intense, hopeful look in his eyes.

"Yes." I smile sheepishly, feeling put on the spot. "And you were never just a close friend. You're more than that."

He returns my smile. "Wow. Finally."

"Yes," I agree. "Finally."