My mother drove me to the airport with the windows rolled down. I remember it clearly- it was seventy five degrees in Phoenix. The sky a magnificent, cloudless blue. On my way, I savored the bright sunshine through the window, the blazing heat on my face and the wind through my hair for the last time.

I loved Phoenix. I loved living under the bright sun, the blistering heat, the ambitious, energetic city. I loved the abounding, dynamic energy. I desperately wanted to stay here. I didn't want to go to Forks. I was not ready. Was it too late to tell my mother that I changed my mind and wanted to stay after all...?

"Jane*," my mom finally said to me at the boarding gate. "You don't have to leave, honey. You can stay with Phil and I. I'm sure your dad will understand."

I looked into my mother's eyes. My poor, sweet, slightly harebrained mother- how could I possibly leave her to fend for herself? Of course she had Phil now, so the bills would get paid, there would be food in the refrigerator, gas in the car and someone to get lost, so she was safe. Still, I was used to taking care of all these tasks. Now that I'm leaving, I'm going to miss this routine and sense of responsibility that I'd gotten so used to. Still, I had to convince myself what I was doing was what was best for my mom, what was best for all of us. I had to make the move to Forks.

"I want to go." I put on my bravest, most convincing smile. I'd always been a bad liar, but I'd been saying this lie so frequently I even started to believe it, and eventually even my mom just dropped it, seeing as she couldn't change my mind. "Honest, mom, I do."

My mom smiled sadly. She took her hands in mine and sighed, looking into my eyes for the last time. "Promise me you'll e-mail me..."

"Mom, I promise..."

"...and call me as soon as you reach Charlie's place. There should be phone in your room..."

"I'll call, Mom."

"Okay." She sighed resignedly. "Tell your father I said hi."

"Okay, mom."

"Look, you can come home and visit us anytime. Okay?"

"Okay, mom, I will do. I love you, mom."

We hugged each other tightly for a minute, before she slowly, reluctantly let me go. "Take care of yourself, Jane. Listen to your father, okay?"

I wanted to cry. I wanted to cling to my mother and say that I didn't want to go, that I wanted to stay, that I wanted to go back home and unpack. Again, not too late to change my mind...

"Mom, I'll be fine. It'll be great. I'll meet new friends, go to a new school, finally spend some time with Charlie, and...it'll all be just amazing, mom. I love you..."' I stifled a sob, trying to hold the tears back, "...and if everything doesn't work out, you'll find another job soon so I can come back as fast as I can, and everything will be back to normal..."

She saw the tears rising in my eyes, and gave me one last hug. With my head on her shoulder, and her arms embracing me for the last time, I heard her voice say in my ear,

"Jane, you are a very special girl. Remember who loves you for who you are. Remember to keep in touch with them, because you never know when you could lose them." She sighed, clutching me even harder, afraid to let her baby girl go. "And I want you to remember that...no matter what happens..." I heard her trying to hold back a sob, "I will always love you, Jane..."

After a final, emotional embrace with tears from both of us, I slowly let go of her and walked towards the gate. I turn around one final time, to see my mom standing there, watching me until I was finally out of sight, tears in her eyes and a smile on her face. I wiped my own tears, gave one last goodbye smile and wave as I entered the tunnel to board the plane.

*Yeah, guys, I'm going to change Bella's name to Jane for two very good reasons:

1) Jane is a plain name, therefore an unbiased one. Bella has too many connotations like 'Beautiful' and 'That girl from Twilight."

2) The whole 'falling in love with the Byronic hero' thing is from Jane Eyre from the novel. Stephanie Meyer originally decided to name the character 'Bella because she going to name her own daughter that, except she had a son. Ergo, 'Bella' has no real literary significance. Also, 'not Bella' Jane is supposed to be this independent, fiery spirit, whereas Bella is basically SUPPOSED to be that but is a stubborn, antisocial woman who only has no friends because she refuses to accept anyone who isn't a pretty vampire with high moral standards.