A/N - Hello all, just remember that in every ending, there is a beginning...

Chapter Eleven: Goodbyes

Lauren's nasally voice invaded my lovely dream of a romp with Edward.

"Bella, if you fall asleep, I'm going to punch you in the boob."

My reaction was unconscious, I swear – my hand reached out, of it's own accord, and smacked her in the face.

"OWW, THAT HURT," she shrieked. Alice clamped a hand over her mouth.

"Do you want to draw the attention of the RA's?" she hissed.

Lauren glared balefully at me, attempting to push Alice off. "Bitch."

I was fully awake now. Not that anyone could sleep with Rosalie howling with laughter the way she was.

"Rose, shut up – we need to be quiet."

"Oh, can it, midget," she said, rolling her exquisitely blue eyes. "It's almost time for us to get out there, anyway. It's a little past five."

I groaned. This meant that I had been up for twenty-four straight hours. Alice and Rosalie had bombarded me with questions after the dance, but had been easily diverted when I had asked them about their little make-out sessions with Emmett and Jasper. After all discussion had been thoroughly exhausted, they informed me that, as per camp tradition, no one was allowed to go to sleep on the last night, expected to stay up until the closing ceremony.

At this point, Lauren showed up under the assumption that she was welcome at our sleepover. Alice didn't have the heart to turn her away, and ignored Rosalie's pointed looks, which suggest kicking her to the curb, quite literally.

"Bella, what are you going to talk about?" Alice asked kindly, stifling a yawn.

In explaining the closing ceremony, Alice had told me that it was customary for all of the campers who were too old to return to write a short speech or tribute to the camp, which was presented on the quad at dawn.

"Oh, er…" I had been too busy trying to nod off to sleep while escaping the notice of the others to come up with anything profound. "You'll be surprised," I told her.

"Okay," she said excitedly. "Rose, what did you – "

"Time to go," Rosalie declared, exchanging a knowing look with me on the pretense of glancing at her watch.

Far too early, we rose and headed down to the dewy quad, ethereal in the fog that curled over the ground. I shivered in a cami and boxers as Alice laid a blanket on the ground, a sort of make-shift sunrise picnic. Somehow, there wasn't enough room for Lauren.

She pouted as she was forced to sit on the damp ground; I contented myself with laying my head in Rosalie's lap while Alice combed her fingers through my hair. And then the wait began.

Drowsy campers with sleep-crusted eyes began trickling out of the dorms. Each time I saw a silhouette emerge from the boys' dorms, my heart went wild, beating out of control. I couldn't help it. I had encountered entirely too many fictional romantic scenarios involving dawn and strapping figures striding through the fog.

My friend's attentions were quickly occupied once Emmett and Jasper showed up, and I found myself shunted onto the grass as the two couples became absorbed into their own little worlds. I closed my eyes, so as not to disappoint myself by searching for Edward. Instead, I set about making my apparent slumber as attractive as possible, incase he should show up – licking my lips, letting loose what I hoped were a few sexy sighs, and curling one leg over the other while my hands stretched above my head.

"Bella, what are you doing?" Rosalie laughed. "You look ridiculous. Sit up, the ceremony's about to start."

Grumpily, I obeyed her, but not because I wanted to. Looking around the circle, I grew unhappier with each passing face. The one I wanted was missing.

The circle quieted as the speeches started. I was surprised to be mentioned in several of them, touched the most by Emmett's shout out to his "Baby Sister Bella."

And then it was my turn. I was a little shaky in standing, but I was too sleep deprived to feel much stage fright.

"I never expected to learn so much in three weeks," I said, looking around at my friends, my family. "I actually resisted when my dad made me come, but I'm so glad I did come. You all changed my perspective on life, but more importantly, you changed my perspective on people. I learned, a little too late, not to be afraid to just talk to someone, to just do it. This place is a world of its own, somewhere you can let go of your inhibitions. I've made such wonderful friends, and I wish I had been able to make them sooner. Thanks to you, I hope that's a mistake I won't make again."

Alice was in floods when I sat down again, and she flung her little arms around my neck. I hugged her back, her tears contagious. Rose glared at us, before she too burst into tears and hugged us both.

Four hours later, I had no more time, three boxes of stuff, and a dozen goodbyes to say.

I attempted to cart my stuff out of my room by myself, but Emmett and Jasper wouldn't allow that. They fought over who would get to carry my things for me, and waved away my protests.

"...not necessary," I mumbled at their backs.

"Don't be silly, sis," Jasper grinned.

"Yeah." Emmett stopped in his tracks and cocked his head to the side. "You know, I have this instinctive urge to protect you."

I started sobbing then, and threw my arms around Emmett's big arm, which was about as much of him I could reach. He patted my head in some alarm, and took my box down the stairs. I followed, and stood dumbly on the edge of the quad, watching students and their parents flit about like flocks of suitcase-laden butterflies.

"Bella!"

I turned as Edward came running over, dark shadows under his eyes, and hair messier than ever.

"You missed closing ceremony."

"I overslept," he explained ruefully. I said nothing. "Listen, what time are you leaving?"

"Now." I couldn't help if my tone was a little curt. I was out of time, but maybe it was a blessing.

He sucked in a sharp breath. Suddenly, the weight in my arms disappeared as he lifted the box, ignoring my protests, and set it on the ground. And then, Edward pulled me into a hug. There was no kiss, it was not what could be called a passionate embrace, but energy crackled between us as he held me tightly, and I suddenly broke down, sobbing on his shoulder.

Alice came running over, and she demanded why I was crying as Edward and I broke apart.

"I'm l-leaving," I explained. From under Edward's arm, I had spotted my beat-up truck and my curly-haired driver pull into the lot across the street.

"Now?" she asked in shock. I was too glum to do anything but nod. After living with my new best friends for three straight weeks, I couldn't imagine or remember my life without them.

I found myself passed from tearful hug to bone-breaking embrace, all around the circle of my friends. Charlie honked the horn, never one for emotional scenes. I was sure he could spot the tears from here.

"Bye," I whispered, one last time to Edward. I bent down to retrieve my box, but he already caught it up in his arms.

"I'll walk you," he said.

We walked in silence across the quad, waving at everyone we passed. We reached my truck and Edward opened the door and slid the box inside.

"Hello, Mr. Swan - my name's Edward Cullen. I hope you two have a safe trip home."

Charlie harrumphed in his astonishment, and Edward turned to me.

"I'm really going to miss you," he admitted.

"I'll miss you, too," I choked. "So much."

"We'll see each other again," he promised.

Edward shut the door, and I closed my eyes as we drove away, knowing it would hurt too much to watch until they faded from view.

"Was that your boyfriend?" Charlie inquired awkwardly.

"No."

On a sudden inspiration, I pulled out the cell phone that I rarely used. I now had exactly one contact, in addition to Charlie.

Bella: I just wanted to say, thank you for being so kind, and for taking the time to get to know me. I truly appreciate it - it's been a pleasure to know someone so amazing, and I'll never forget you.

Edward: Thank you for being so open and friendly with me as well - you're one of the few absolutely genuine people in this world. I know we'll stay in touch. You're too good of a friend to let go.