Disclaimer: Twilight and characters belong to Stephenie Meyer.

There wasn't anything in a million years that could be more perfect than that moment was for Bella. She wasn't psychic. She didn't know for sure what Edward planned on telling her, but she had an idea. Her young heart swelled with the possibility that he was going to tell her he loved her…or at least liked her. He had never been so forward before… never been so affectionate. Not when they were younger and especially not the last few months. They were not only touching, but hugging. He was holding her. She could feel his skin where her fingers grazed his hairline and wrapped around the collar of his shirt. It was warm and soft. Yes, she could literally die right now and not care.

"Bella, you smell like strawberries." Edward laughed into her hair.

Well, that really wasn't what she thought he'd say next, but at least it was a start. Reluctantly, they both let go and looked toward the ground. They were too shy to face each other right away.

"Yeah, it's my shampoo. My mom only buys the cheap stuff, and she has a thing for beauty products that smell like fruit." Immediately Bella regretted saying all that. She brought her hand up to rub her other arm. She did it only because she was nervous, but her actions made Edward respond.

"Are you cold? Shit, I should have told you to bring a jacket." He brought both his hands up to rub her arms. She didn't correct him right away. He was touching her again, so she just went with it.

"Edward, I'm fine. It's alright. What did you want to tell me?" she finally asked.

Edward's face fell. He removed his hands from Bella and stuck them in his pockets. That was not the reaction Bella was hoping for.

"Bella…I…shit!" Edward began digging in the dirt with the tip of his right shoe. There was a whole lot he wanted to tell her. He wanted to tell her that hugging her just now was better than his first kiss. That he has been thinking about her every day since he saw her again at the mall. That he missed their friendship so much.

"Bella, I'm moving." That is what he said instead.

Of course, Bella already knew this, but his words still made her gasp. She wasn't sure if it was because she had been anticipating something else or that her fears were vocalized.

"You're moving? To where?" She prayed that is was just around the block.

"Illinois….Chicago to be exact."

Bella let out a silent curse. Her body went weak and she instantly crouched down to the ground. Resting her weight on her legs, she wrapped her arms around her knees. The trim of her dress skimmed the ground.

Edward scratched his head and started tearing the leaves off a bush.

"When are you leaving?" Bella asked.

"Tonight."

"So soon?"

"My dad is having a little sendoff party at work, and then we fly out around seven….of course we'll have to leave early for the airport."

"Ah."

It was at that moment that it started to rain. Wispy liquid specks sprinkled down on them from the heavy canopy above. Drops caught in their fuzzy flyaway hair, which could only be blamed on the humidity. Now Bella was cold.

She got to her feet and started to make her way back to the car. The sky opened up and poured down. Gone was the gentle mist. Her sudden departure jarred him from his stance. He only knew that he had to chase after her.

"Bella, wait…where are you going?" he called out to her.

He couldn't see her expression or that her face was scarlet, so he wasn't expecting her response.

"What the fuck Edward! Why the hell did you bring me all the way out to butt-fuck-Egypt to tell me that? You couldn't just call me on the phone… or tell me at my house?" Bella yelled back over her shoulder. She stopped walking at the end of her tirade and huffed.

Edward was momentarily distracted by the snugness of Bella's dress. Her soggy clothes decided they were going to cling to all her curves with vigor. It was the best view of a backside that he could ever recall. Her colorful language was doing nothing to help his…situation.

"Is that all you wanted to tell me? You wanted me to go for a friendly hike in the woods to tell me you were leaving…tonight?" Bella said it without a tone. She seemed to be almost pleading.

"I wanted to tell you I was going to miss you. You didn't give me the chance, yet. So, Bella… I'm going to miss you." He sighed afterwards and then ran his hands through his hair in frustration. She really needed to cover herself up before he lost his mind.

She turned towards him. Water trickled down her face and spilled over her lips.

"I'm going to miss you, too." Bella paused and then continued, "Please take me home. I'm cold."

She wanted to tell him that he was an asshole for leaving her… abandoning her, again. He was going to move away to start a life without her and leave her in a hell he helped create. She would have to endure school alone after she had put all her hopes into Edward being there to protect her. She knew it was silly. He had only wanted to stick up for her. He had no idea what kind of week she had. So, she didn't say anything. She told him what was more important. She was going to miss him… more than he would ever know.

She turned back to make her way to the car again.

"Wait. Bella…wait," Edward begged. He took her hand in his and brought her body close to him. He wrapped his arms around her tight and rested his chin on her shoulder. Her body was cold to the touch. She hadn't been lying or using it as an excuse to leave him.

With both his hands, he pushed the dark tresses of hair from her face. Holding her head in his hands, he closed his eyes before meeting her lips… with his. It was very soft and sweet and wet. He released her after only an instant and stood back.

"Let's get you home."

Recommended song for this chapter (the song in my head today): Laura Marling - Old Stone

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