What if Bella handled it differently? What if she didn't allow herself to be useless?
"Come for a walk with me," Edward suggested in an unemotional voice.
He didn't need to tell me what was going on. I already knew. With the way he was acting, there was no denying it.
We walked into the forest behind my house.
"They're all gone, aren't they?" I began. "You stayed behind to say goodbye."
"Yes."
I always knew that someday he would get bored with me. I just didn't expect it to be so soon.
"I've let this go on much too long, and I'm sorry for that."
I looked into his eyes. They were cold.
"Know that I will always love you, Edward," I swore. "Always…"
I couldn't help but cry. Even after he promised he'd never hurt me… He was hurting me now. The pain was unbearable. It would devour me. I was suddenly leaning onto a nearby tree for support. This was the end. I closed my eyes.
"I would like to ask one favor, though, if that's not too much."
"Anything," my voice trembled.
"Don't do anything reckless or stupid," he ordered, his voice no longer detached. "Do you understand what I'm saying?" I nodded. "I'll make you a promise in return."
And what would that be?
"This will be the last time you'll ever see me. I won't come back. It will be as if I never existed."
"OK," I nodded feebly.
"Goodbye, Bella," he said.
"Goodbye…" I whispered.
I opened my eyes, and he was gone…. vanished into thin air. I walked back to my house and sat down on my couch.
What now?
I let my face fall into my hands, as tears fell endlessly. How was I going to deal with this? I couldn't feel anything. It was as if I was born without emotion. I felt numb.
No. I will not let anyone else suffer with me. I would do this on my own. I will act as if I'm fine.
But at this moment, it seemed impossible.
I heard Uncle Charlie's police cruiser. And then I heard the door.
"Bella?" he asked anxiously. "Bella, honey, what's wrong?"
"Edward had to leave…" I told him miserably. "And he doesn't know if we'll be able to stay in touch…" I would lie for him.
"Bella," Uncle Charlie wrapped his arms around me. "It's okay. Just let it all out."
I wrapped my arms around him and sobbed into his chest. This would be the last display of true emotion that I would ever give.
Ever.