Chapter 1: Saying Goodbye

The sun was just starting to fall behind the hills. The birds now hushed as night began to creep up on us. I felt a cool, but familiar hand take mine. Edward sat down beside me and I rested my head upon his shoulder. He leaned down and kissed the top of my head. I turned, smiled, and began kissing him gently on his hard, but inviting, lips.

He stopped the kiss early, which was unusual. Disappointed, I looked back at the horizon. I could feel my lips unintentionally turn down and into a small frown, and from my peripherals I could see that he was examining my face. He looked distraught.

“Mikayla,” he whispered. “You know you’re everything to me, right?”

I nodded, still avoiding his beautiful green eyes, knowing that if I looked in them he would read me like a book. “Yeah.”

“I’m sorry,” he said pulling my lips to his once again. “I’ve just been doing some thinking.”

I swallowed hard, and looked at him curiously. I knew he didn’t mean that he was thinking about breaking up with me, but I couldn’t help being nervous. “About what?” I choked.

“Nothing,” he replied with a chuckle. His laugh always made smile, but not this time.

“Edward, tell me,” I requested.

Instead of answering me he pulled me tighter to his chest and kissed me again. I forgot all about wanting to know what he was thinking and kissed him back. I had missed him.

Edward just got back from visiting a few family members down in Illinois, and I hadn’t seen him for two weeks. But I didn’t want to think about that now, summer had just begun, and soon enough we’d be with each other every single day.

Without the sun the sky was now dark and the stars were shining brightly. The air was cold but it felt nice against my skin. Edward and I were both silent for a while, thinking. We both were deep thinkers, and friends always joked about us. They found it strange how we could both be perfectly silent and it never got awkward.

Edward suddenly broke the silence and began humming to me. The sound of his whimsical voice calmed me. I yawned and I could feel my eyelids descending. Soon enough I had fallen asleep in his arms, just like old times.

Two hours elapsed before I woke up. Edward was now carrying me up to my bedroom. His arms felt nice around me, like they always did, nice and strong. I couldn’t believe I had found the one. The one I would hopefully spend the rest of my life with. I always disagreed with people who said you can’t find love in high school. You can.

He gently set me down on my bed, and must not have noticed my awakening. He began wandering around my room.

He checked out the pictures on my wall, and the jewelry resting on my vanity. He then walked towards my dresser and picked up one of my picture frames. It was a fancy, glass frame with a picture of Edward and me. It was one of my favorite pictures of us. He began talking to himself, and the sudden noise made me jump. His back was to me so he didn’t notice.

“Mikayla, you’re my everything, and I love you,” he said. He shook his head. “No that’s cheesy Edward, think of something more romantic,” he muttered. “I love you Mikayla, and I want to grow old with you. Will you marry me?”

My jaw dropped. What? Was that what he was thinking about? Was he for real? I wasn’t expecting that at all, but it definitely was good news. I smiled and without thinking I answered him. “Yes, Edward,” I said. “Of course I will.”

I ran up to him and hugged him tightly, but when I pulled away he was frowning.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“I thought you were asleep.”

“But I wasn’t. I love you so much Edward,” I said looking him straight in the eyes.

“This isn’t how I pictured it Mikayla,” he cried. “I wanted it to be more romantic, you deserve a much better proposal than this,” he said.

I shook my head. “Nothing is more romantic than something straight from the heart. I’d rather have this proposal then something overly rehearsed.”

“Yes, but-” he tried but I cut him off.

“Edward, stop please, you’re being ridiculous. This is the greatest proposal I could ever ask for.”

“How?” he asked skeptically.

“Because it was from you,” I replied. “I love you.”

“I love you,” he replied. I could tell he was still unhappy about the way his proposal turned out, but I was satisfied.

“Now where’s my ring?” I joked.

He frowned. “I didn’t even bring it; remember I wasn’t planning on proposing today.”

“I have the perfect substitute,” I interjected before he could bring up the topic of his “unacceptable” proposal again. I ran to my vanity and pulled out a box from the drawer. Inside was a ring Edward gave me after our one year anniversary. It was perfect because inscribed on the inside were the words Forever and Always. I slipped it on my ring finger and it seemed to fit oh-so perfectly there, like it belonged. I knew it did.

The next morning I woke up with a pounding headache. I went to the bathroom to get some Tylenol and a glass of water. I looked at my reflection in the mirror and laughed. I didn’t wash my makeup off my face last night and now my eyes were black. I looked like a raccoon. Luckily Edward didn’t stay the night like he sometimes did when Gran was gone. We never did anything, but I loved falling asleep in his arms. I couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that soon enough we would be living together, as a married couple.

I decided to take an early morning shower so my hair would be able to air-dry before the party. My best friend, Jessica, is throwing a party tonight to kick off summer vacation. I couldn’t wait, but there was one downfall. Parties weren’t Edward’s thing so he wouldn’t be going, not that I blame him. Edward always seemed older than he actually was, more mature than most, and he didn’t like getting caught up in pointless high school drama.

After getting dressed I headed into the kitchen to start a pot of coffee. A few minutes later there was a knock on the front door. I slowly opened the door, wondering who would be knocking at this hour. It was Steve, a guy from school, and he looked embarrassed when he saw me.

“Hey,” he said smiling.

“Hi.”

“This may sound funny, but my mother told me to go see if you have two eggs we could borrow,” he laughed. “She’s making a cake for my little brother’s birthday and she didn’t think of checking for eggs before starting to mix up the batter.”

I looked around outside. “Is this a joke?” I asked. “Where’s the hidden camera?”

“No, really it’s not. I wouldn’t have come if I knew you lived here.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I quipped putting my hands on my hips as if I was offended.

“Why do you live here?” he asked. “My mom told me an old couple lives here.”

“An old couple does live here. Come on in,” I said opening the door wider allowing him to enter. “I’ll get those eggs for you.”

He followed me into the kitchen and sat down on one of the bar stools.

I grabbed two eggs from the refrigerator and stood across the counter from where he was sitting. “This is my grandparents’ house,” I said handing him the eggs. “My mom died when I was born, so I’ve been living with my dad.”

“So your dad lives here too?” he asked.

“No, I wasn’t finished. Um, about two years ago my dad was diagnosed with brain cancer and a year later he died.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay,” I assured. “You better get those eggs back to your mom, and tell your brother happy birthday for me,” I said leading him back to the front door. I held it open for him.

“Thanks,” he said smiling. “Oh and are you going to Jessica’s party?”

I nodded, “yep.”

He left and I was alone again. Gran and grandpa wouldn’t be back for another week, and my only company was my pet fish, and she wasn’t much of a talker.

With the surprise of Steve’s visit I hadn’t noticed my headache vanish. I was pleased and I went back up to my room and began listening to music. The music on my iPod was great, but in my opinion none of the singers’ voices leveled up to Edward’s. His voice was so beautiful and calming. I wish he was here with me now.

I couldn’t wait for the annual Fourth of July talent show. Edward was going to sing a song that we were writing together and I would play guitar. I was nervous, but with Edward around I knew I could do it. Edward always boosted my confidence, telling me I could do anything. Like work in the fashion industry. I never thought I could ever get work at a fashion magazine or as a stylist, but Edward has given me the confidence to try.

The rest of the day went by slowly. I did a few chores around the house, cleaned my room, tuned my guitar, and called Edward. Edward said that he wanted to see me before the party, so I told him that I would stop by his place beforehand.

I went into the bathroom to do my hair. I straightened out my naturally wavy hair and pulled it back into a headband. I put on a light layer of mascara and a rosy shade of lip tint. After finishing off my look with a little powder I was ready to get dressed.

I decided to wear a blue and white tank top, white shorts, and black sandals. I decided to bring my black sweater in case it got cold. I think she said something about having a bonfire, but I wasn’t sure.

I began driving to Edward’s house and within ten minutes I was at his door. I didn’t even have to knock, he was expecting me, and he opened the door just as I got to it.

“Hey,” I said hugging him. “Where did you run off to last night?” I teased.

“You were really tired, and I didn’t want to disturb you.”

“Oh Edward, you never could disturb me,” I admitted. “Are you sure you don’t want to go? It will be fun.”

“Mikayla you know I don’t like parties. Drunken people and immature drama is not my idea of fun.”

I nodded. “Yeah I know. I was just making sure.” He cradled my face in his hands and kissed me softly. “What is your idea of fun?” I asked pulling him closer.

He chuckled, and wrapped his arms around my waist. “You better get going.”

“You’re right,” I said attempting to turn and leave but Edward didn’t let go of my waist. “Edward?”

“I don’t want to let you go,” he said smiling.

“You don’t have to, I’m coming right back,” I said. “I love you, Edward. And we will be together forever, okay? So don’t worry,” I assured.

“‘Til death do us part?” he asked.

“That’s the plan,” I said kissing him one last time.

One Year Later.

“Are you sure you can do this?” Taylor asked. Her large hazel eyes had a look of concern as she parked. “You’ve visited his grave every day since it happened, and two months is a long time.”

I nodded. “He wouldn’t have wanted me to give up this opportunity. I have to do this…for him.”

“Want me to come with you?”

“Thanks, but no thanks. I’d like to say goodbye alone.”

I stepped out of Taylor’s car and walked into the cemetery. I easily found my way to Edward’s grave and kneeled. Tears began forming in my eyes as I gently nestled the red rose in between the other flowers planted there. His mother came by each week and planted flowers. Every flower and plant she chose was beautiful, just like him.

The tears began streaming down my cheeks and my breathing became heavy. I always needed to remind myself to breathe. With a shaky hand I traced the letters of his name on his grave with my fingers. EDWARD JOHN MASON.

“Edward, I’m going to New York for a short time, but I’ll be back soon. And I promise to visit every single day when I get back. I wish you were here with me, but you know that and I’m sure everyone else does too.”

I sat there for a while until I heard someone walking behind me. I felt Taylor’s comforting hand on my shoulder.

“We have to get going, so you don’t miss your plane.”

“I have to go now. I love you.”

The calm day was interrupted by a sudden gust of wind that shook the branches of the trees around. I smiled. “Goodbye.”

Taylor wrapped her arm around me while we walked to her car. She drove slowly to the airport. Through my own tears I could see her own begin streaming down her cheeks.

“Taylor, I love you.”

“Love you too girl,” she replied with a slight smile.