"You know, it shouldn't be this hard to say goodbye after so many times." I told him quietly. "But it seems like it only gets harder."

"Isabella-"

"No, it's okay. I understand now. The pressure of being in a long distance relationship is too much for us. At least I was the first girl to get a real relationship with you."I said quietly, more to myself than to him. I can still remember the day I first met Edward Cullen.

One year ago…

"Come on Bella! You can sit with us today!" My newest friend Alice Cullen chirped as she pulled me toward her lunch table. There were already five people seated at the table when we got there. After a round of introductions I learned that the long curvaceous blond was Rosalie Hale, her older brother being the tall lanky blond, Jasper. They seemed nice enough. Next was Emmett Cullen, Alice's big muscular older brother. He actually stood up and gave me a nearly bone crushing hug before returning to his seat and putting an arm around Rosalie. Guess there an item. Last of all there was Edward; Emmett's twin brother and Alice's older brother. He wasn't as tall as Jasper or muscular as Emmett but you could tell his body was god like. He had wild dark bronze hair and the most beautiful glittering green eyes I had ever seen.

"Hello, Isabella. It's so nice to meet you."Edward flashed me a crooked smile which almost made my knees give out.

"Just Bella."I blurted out. Great, now he'll think I'm an idiot.

"Bella- as in beautiful? It suits you." He said staring straight at me. I felt my face burn up and immediately looked down. I took the seat between Alice and Rosalie. When the familiar questions about my previous school started, I could feel his eyes burning into me, so I tried my hardest to avoid his gaze. Halfway through lunch, a couple of girls came sauntering up to the table. Alice and Rosalie immediately started clinging to Jasper and Emmett.

"Hi, Eddie. First party of the year at my house this weekend. It's seniors only." The girls sneered glaring at Rosalie, Alice and I since we were juniors. "Please tell me you're going to try to make it."

"I don't know Lauren. I had plans this weekend." Edward told them, looking at them lazily.

"Aw, too bad. Maybe next one, huh?"Lauren prompted.

"Yeah, sure maybe."Edward said dismissively. The girls got the hint and walked away as the bell rang.

"What's your next class, Bella?"Alice asked while getting up from her chair.

"Um," I took out my schedule, "it looks like I have Biology."

"Shoot, I've got gym. The science building is on the other side of school-"

"Don't worry, Alice. I can escort her. I'm headed towards the science building."Edward smoothly cut in.

Alice looked apprehensive for a minute before Edward spoke up again. "Don't worry Alice. I'm just showing her where her class is."

"Well, okay. Bella, I'm sorry I couldn't take you myself." Alice apologized.

"It's alright, Alice. I can manage." I assured her. On the way to class, there was an awkward silence between Edward and I. I decided to try and break the ice.

"So, no party for you this weekend?" I asked him.

"No, I wanted to take someone out this weekend."He said while stopping at his locker. I waited for him to get his books before speaking again.

"Wow, this girl must be something if you're canceling party time for her."

"I think I'm the lucky one. This girl is very beautiful." He said, accenting beautiful.

I was a little hurt. Why hadn't I realized this before? Of course someone like Edward has a beautiful girlfriend. He would never see someone as plain as me like that. "I guess." I just mumbled.

"Very conceited aren't you?" He said in a teasing voice.

"I am not-"I started to defend, until I fully processed what he just said. "Wait, what did you say?"

"Pick you up at 7:30?" He said quietly while looking at me.

"Wha-"

"Please say yes, Bella."He pleaded. Not trusting my voice, I just nodded and scurried into class as the bell rang. Part of me felt bad that he was late for his class, but a bigger part of me was going over the fact that Edward Cullen was picking me up tonight for a date.

Back to the present…

So here we stand at the security check-point of SeaTac airport. Just waiting for that final good-bye. Carlisle, Esme, and Alice had already moved to Italy to take care of Carlisle's sick cousin. Edward and Emmett had decided to attend Oxford University to be closer to their family. They weren't planning to come back.

"I hope you won't forget about your small town life here in Forks."I whispered to him. "You need to go, Edward. You and Emmett are going to miss your flight." I looked over at Rosalie who was sobbing into Emmett's chest while he held her tightly against him. The difference: Emmett and Rosalie would see each other again. They just hurt to be apart. Just like Alice and Jasper, who were constantly emailing each other.

"Bye, Edward." I said slowly. I could feel the tears leaking out of my eyes. "Good luck on your journey." I gave him a weak smile. I felt the tears flowing freely down my cheeks.

He quickly brought me into a tight hug and I couldn't control the tears and sobbed violently into his chest. "Bye, Bella. You know I'll always love you." He whispered into my ear. He let me go and went through the security check-point.

I stood there frozen. Edward had never used that word before. Being a reformed playboy, Edward always avoided the "L word". Now, out of all times, he decides to use it-when I'll never see him again; or if I do, it won't be under these circumstances. When I got home I cried myself to sleep.