I do not own Twilight or its characters. Stephenie Meyer does.

Left Behind

Preface:

"I guess… I just don't understand," she said quietly tears already brimmed in her dark brown eyes. She sat next to me in the grass as a warm spring wind lifted her brown hair, tousling it in the late afternoon breeze.

"It's not that I don't love you. I will always will in a way," I sighed, I reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear like I have often done.

She jerked away from me and glared. My hand fell to my side and I tugged on strands of grass letting the wind take them from my hand.

"Then I will say it again. I don't understand why you're doing this," she stated after a moment of silence.

"I told you I sighed up for the Marines and I leave tomorrow." I closed my eyes wishing this wasn't so hard to do.

"So why does that mean we have to break up?" she demanded.

"Because after I finish training I will probably be shipped out overseas. You will be in collage at U-Dub. We will be far apart for extended periods of time. It's better this way." I explained.

"I still fail to see why this means we have to break up? We can write, e-mail, Skype, and talk on the phone." She insisted not giving up.

"I don't want to. I don't want that. It's time that we both moved on with our lives separately. " I said firmly and possibly too harshly, judging by the heartbroken look in her eyes. Her sad tears quickly changed over to what she called her angry tears. "I will always remember you fondly as my high school sweetheart," I said softer.

"You know what? You're a real jackass!" she fumed. "You bring me to our meadow…the place where you took me on our first date…the place where we first… and then just two day ago we…" She was so angry, she couldn't complete her sentences. "Fuck you, Edward. Fuck you!" she cursed.

My eyes widen slightly since she hardly ever swore. I knew she would be upset, but I still wasn't prepared enough for it.

She got to her feet and started tugging at one of her fingers. She yanked the glittering ring off her finger and chucked it at the spot in the grass between my legs. "I guess that was all just a lie then."

I looked down at the promise ring I had given her on her birthday not even a year ago.

"Please, love, it's a symbol of my promise to you that I plan on loving you forever." I told her.

She blushed slightly and bit her lip adorably.

"Forever is a long time," she commented lightly, looking at me for reassurance. She pulled the ring out of the box and slid it on her finger. She held out her hand to admire the sapphire ring sparkling on her finger.

I grabbed her hand and gave it a small kiss. "Not long enough," I smiled and kissed her lips.

I picked up the delicate circle, holding it between my thumb and forefinger. I had chosen a sapphire since it was her birthstone. At the time I had meant everything that I told her.

When I looked up she was gone. I glanced quickly around the meadow and found myself alone. I hurried to my feet, rushing to follow her. I ran through the tree line, pausing so my eyes could adjust to the shade. I hurried forward and was relieved to find her not too far ahead. She was running and stumbling along, I continued to follow. I figured she hated me by now so I let her stay ahead, but watched to make sure she got out okay.

She wasted no time getting into her rundown truck, starting it with a loud roar. She glanced at me and our eyes locked for a moment. She had stopped crying, but her eyes were red rimmed and she was biting her lower lip.

"I'm sorry," I mouthed.

She shook her head as tears started to fall again and she drove off leaving me in a cloud of dust.

I sighed heavily and opened my clenched hand to reveal the ring. It was so small that it wouldn't fit past my knuckle on my pinkie. With a heavy heart, I placed it in the breast pocket of my shirt.

I heard my phone ring from inside my Volvo. I had left it there earlier so we wouldn't be disturbed. I yanked my door opened and grabbed the phone off the console.

"Yeah?" I answered sitting down roughly behind the wheel.

"Did you do it?" My best friend asked immediately.

"Yeah, just a few minutes ago. She just left." I admitted.

"You did the right thing for both of you. Best thing I did was letting Rose go. Trust me. We are saving them and us from a bad ending." He reassured me.

"I don't know, man. This feels so wrong. I think I made a mistake." I hit the steering wheel with my fist. I wanted to go after her to apologize and promise that we could try. I doubt I would find anyone better than her.

"No, a mistake would be continuing it. If you think you're hurting now just think how hurt you would be when you get a 'Dear John," letter when she meets someone new since you're not there."

"She would never cheat on me," I snapped at him irritably.

"Maybe not. But what happens if you're killed in the line of duty. Think of what that would do to her." I frowned, because that was how he had convinced me to break-up before we left.

"You're right," I sighed.

"Of course, I am. Don't worry about it, Ed, my man, by this time next week you will be swimming in honeys that dig a man in uniform." He laughed boisterously.

"I'm not into that sort of thing." I shook my head. I didn't like the idea of one night stands just to get some. The times I spent making love to her were special, not something to do because I couldn't keep it in my pants. "Have you heard from Jasper?" I asked, changing the subject.

"Yup, that guy is just as bad as you. Though you might have fared better. Alice gave him a black eye and then sacked him in the nuts. Who knew the pixie could pack a punch?" he snickered. "We should go out tonight and celebrate before we leave tomorrow."

"Count me out. My parents want me at home and beside I don't feel like celebrating anything. I'll see you tomorrow at the bus stop," I informed him and hanging up before he could complain about me being a stick in the mud.

I held the phone in my hand and stared at her number. All I had to do was hit one button and I would call her.

She walked into Biology class and I felt as if the world turned on its axis. She was the prettiest girl I had ever seen, she also appeared to be shy. I could tell right away she was different from all the other girls — that she was special.

The teacher directed her towards where I was sitting. I moved my things over so she would have some space. She sat down and her brown eyes appeared nervous as they locked with my own. .

"Hi, I'm Edward Cullen." I held my hand out to her. She brushed her brown hair over her shoulder before she extended her hand.

"Bella Swan." She blushed as she slipped her small hand into mine.

I was hooked from the moment I laid eyes on her. Now she was gone.
I tossed my phone in the passenger seat before driving home for the last time before I left.

A/N:

It has been awhile since my last story. I first tried to expand my one-shots and wasn't getting anywhere. However, this story started speaking to me.

I know that this wasn't the happiest way to start out a story. Things may be rough for a while, but like each story I wrote before, I believe in Happy Endings. Next chapter is a four year time jump.

I will post the next chapter tomorrow after that it will be weekly postings (Fri.).

Note: this story will contain some abuse/violence (nothing too graphic), so please be aware.

Thank You For All Reviews!

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Preview alert

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Preview:

"Bella?" Jasper called out. She dropped the lettuce, turning sharply in his direction. She looked surprised and almost panicked to see him. She recovered quickly plastering a smile on her face.

"Jasper, it has been a long time." She said softly picking the lettuce and placing it in the cart.

"Four years. We just got back to the states and out of the service. We are traveling some before we decide what to do next." He pushed our cart until it was right next to hers.

"We?" she questioned, she glanced around him and spotted me. The smile on her face dropped and a frown appeared. Her eyes flickered from anger, sadness and panic before she wiped all emotion from them.