As I waited for Bella at school, I knew I would have to fight to keep my emotions from her. She would know there was something wrong, and I hoped my eyes wouldn't betray me. I had to remain cold and remote, or else I would change my mind and stay. It was awful knowing that these would be the final days I would be with her, but I also knew it was the right thing to do.

When Bella pulled into the parking lot, I made my way over to her.

"How do you feel?" I asked.

"Perfect," she lied. I knew she would be fretting after last night, but I couldn't reassure her. That would be wrong. I couldn't comfort her, in any way. I needed to stay strong for when the time came for me to leave. I had to at least try and carry on as normal, and it was going to be hard to do.

Neither of us began a conversation during the morning. My mind was struggling to stay in control, so I was silent, fighting the urge to stay with her. Bella was also silent, probably due to my lack of emotion this morning. I couldn't afford any type of emotion, so I assumed my expression was just as blank and empty as I felt.

"Where's Alice?" Bella asked as we headed to the lunch table.

"She's with Jasper," I answered, not looking at her.

"Is he okay?"

"He's gone away for a while."

"What? Where?" she asked, slightly shocked.

I shrugged in indifference. "No where in particular."

"And Alice, too," she whispered, and I looked down at her, wanting to comfort her, but didn't.

"Yes. She'll be gone for a while. She was trying to convince him to go to Denali."

Bella swallowed, and the little crease between her eyes formed. I had to look away. I couldn't stand to see her in pain.

"Is your arm bothering you?" I asked as a deflection from Alice.

"Who cares about my stupid arm?" she muttered.

I didn't answer her, and she put her head down on the table. I didn't even want to know what she was thinking now. It would be too much for me, and I had to stay complacent.

The rest of the day went like the morning had, both of us silent. I walked her to her truck at the end of the day.

"You'll come over later tonight?" she asked.

"Later?" I asked. I didn't think it would be such a good idea, but then again, one more night wouldn't hurt. Would it?

"I have to work. I had to trade with Mrs. Newton to get yesterday off."

"Oh." It was all I could say.

"So you'll come over when I'm home, though, right?"

"If you want me to."

"I always want you to," she whispered.

I swear I could feel a crack forming in my dead heart, right then. I always wanted her, too, but I had to push the thought away, or I would be in danger of backtracking on my plans.

"All right, then," I said in a detached voice.

I kissed her on the forehead, and turned to walk to my car.

When I got home, the house was more or less packed up. The others were finishing covering the furniture in large, white sheets. Esme came to me with a pained smile on her face.

"I'm sorry to do this to you all," I mumbled.

"Edward, it's alright. If you feel this is best, then we stand beside you. We haven't done your room yet, but as you're staying a while …"

"That's fine, Esme. I'll see to it," I said, trying to smile, but not quite managing it.

Oh, Edward, she thought, sensing my distress.

"I'm fine, Esme," I lied.

"Edward?" Alice asked. "Would you like me to help pack your room?"

"Yes, Alice. That would be good. Thank you."

She smiled, and we headed upstairs. I knew she just wanted to talk to me, but used this as an excuse. We went into my room, and she closed the door behind us.

"Are you sure this is the right thing to do, Edward?" she asked, stepping into the middle of the room.

"It has to be, Alice. I can't risk her life anymore."

"But don't you think you are risking it anyway, by leaving her? Alone, and unprotected?" Her voice was a whisper, but it was intense.

"She won't need protection once I'm gone, Alice," I snapped.

"I don't see it happening like that," she said, looking into my eyes intently.

"Why? What have you seen?" I asked anxiously, searching her mind. There was nothing but flickers and blank spots, nothing discernible.

"I haven't seen anything. But I know it will crush her, Edward. She is insanely in love with you. Don't you think your leaving may break her, anyway?"

I had thought about that. She was human, and couldn't possibly love as much as our kind could. And Bella was resilient, and humans had a tendency to forget, after a while, and move on.

"She'll be fine," I told her, looking away. "She will forget about me eventually, and she will live a safe and happy life. She will move on from me. To someone better."

"Okay. So maybe she does. What about you? What if, in the future, you find out that she has moved on? How will that affect you? And don't try lying to me, Edward. I don't need visions to tell me it would destroy you." Her voice was raising to a higher octave.

"I wouldn't know, because you are not going to look for her future. We've done enough damage. With us gone from her life, that damage will heal. She is human, after all," I said, harshly.

"As you wish, Edward," she said, sourly, closing her eyes. "But know this," she said opening her eyes again, and they were blazing. "It is not a good idea. This will destroy one of you, or both of you."

I hung my head. It may destroy me, but Bella would get over it. As long as she was happy and safe, I would be fine.

"It's the only way," I repeated, in a soft whisper.

"Can I at least say goodbye to her?" she asked.

"I'd rather you didn't, Alice. I think a clean break is best."

Alice didn't answer, but walked over and hugged me. "I know you're not coming with us, but call me, please, Edward. I shall need to know that you are well."

"Of course, Alice. I promise. I need to go and say goodbye to the others."

"Well, Rosalie and Emmett left earlier. Emmett told me to wish you good luck, and Rose … well, you know Rose, and I think you have enough on your mind without her comments."

I chuckled slightly. I didn't really expect anything else from Rosalie.

"Thank you. I'll do my room later. Let's go down before you have to leave," I said, kissing Alice's forehead.

When we got downstairs, the others were almost ready to leave. Jasper looked at me, looking ashamed.

"Edward, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry I made this happen. I was such a fool …"

"Jasper, please. There is no need to apologize. If it hadn't have been that, it would have been something else. And it didn't help that your own thirst was intensified by all of ours. None of this is your fault." I tried to assure him as best I could.

"Thanks," he muttered, smiling warily.

"I'll miss you, Jazz. Take good care of Alice for me."

I hugged him close, but he hesitated, unsure. After a moment, he hugged me back. "I'll miss you, too," he whispered.

I turned to my parents and saw the look in Esme's eyes.

You're not following us after you leave here, are you? she thought.

"I'm sorry, but I feel I may need a little time on my own. I will keep in touch, and when I'm ready, and if you will have me, I will come back," I said, as I watched the pain crease on Esme's face.

"Of course we'll have you. You are our son. I'll miss you terribly, Edward. Please don't be a stranger to us."

"I won't. I promise, mom," I said, kissing her cheek.

I turned to Carlisle, and he smiled warmly.

"Carlisle, I …"

"Don't apologize, son. And there is no need to explain. This is what you want, and we respect that. Just make sure you look after yourself," he said, hugging me.

"I will."

"Okay," he said. "Our flight leaves soon. We better get going. Goodbye, Edward. Take care, and come back soon."

"I will." It was all I could say as I watched them leave. Then I was alone, and a silence filled the house unlike any other, and the weight of my decisions was starting to make me fold. I gathered my thoughts quickly, but barely, together, and headed to Bella's.