Hey guys. This is my first story, I hope you like it. Please Review. PS: Italics are thoughts or dreams. James is 18 in this chapter. Thanks!

My eyes are open long before my alarm clock rings; knowing it is the beginning of the end. In one week I'd be leaving for training camp. I can't believe a month ago I was a high school student and in 7 weeks I'd become an official member of the U.S. Navy.

In one week I'm leaving my mom and dad, my older sister Bethany, her husband, my nephew, all of my friends, and most importantly Paige. Paige has been my girlfriend of five years, my first true love, the girl I couldn't last one day without seeing, my first and last. What's wrong with you? Why would you do such a thing to someone you love so much? I thought.

I answer this question everyday chanting the answer in my head. Because this is something I've always wanted longer than I've known Paige. Plus, Paige said she'd wait for me. I get out of my bed and change into a pair of jeans, a white shirt, and my favorite pair of hiking boots.

I jog down the stairs and find my mom in the kitchen cooking up a storm, but I only grab a piece of toast, and head out the door to my car.

I go through all the trash in my car because I know how much Paige hates how I use my blue 1968 Mustang as a trash can.

I put the top down because its summer and I love the way the trees smell, the clean Oregon air. I make my way through the small town to Paige's house. I drive down a street lined with trees and stop at the house with a tree that's been carved with "J.S. + P.V." I pull in and get out of my car. I head up the steps and my hand is just about to knock when it flies open and a red faced Paige stands before me. She was wearing my favorite outfit; a baby blue tube top and a denim skirt. She looked so beautiful; I can't believe I am so lucky to have her.

Before I could even say "Hi" she was wrapped in my arms. I walk her to the swing on the porch, the same porch we shared our first kiss. I whisper in her ear all the things that made her stop crying in the past but now they only seemed to make her cry more. We sat in the quietness of her neighborhood for thirty minutes.

She finally spoke up, "I don't want you to go."

"I know, but I made this decision so long ago. This is what I want. Joining the Navy is something I've always wanted to do." That's the same answer I gave her 7 months ago when I told her I was joining. I remember like it was yesterday.

…

It was our five year anniversary, I took her to Olive Garden and made it as special as I could, but the thought of me having to tell her was ruining my end of the night. I meant to tell her at dinner but the timing never seemed right. When we were finished I drove her out to the lake. The drive to the lake was always a goodtime. We'd take turns counting out of town license plates. That night there was no one at the lake. It was nice, sitting on the shore. We had such a good time at the lake; I never wanted to tell her, she was too happy.

We were there sitting on the shore after we went swimming, I had her wrapped in a blanket sitting around a bonfire I managed to start.

"I need to tell you something," I said. I almost immediately regretted saying anything.

"What is it babe?" she said obviously worried.

"I'm thinking about… Well actually… I am... Joining the Navy." I just said it, I didn't mean to say it like her opinion didn't matter, but I had to tell her that she can't change my mind. I felt her scoot away to get a better look at my face. I had only mentioned it to her a couple of time over the past two years. "What do you think of me joining the military?" she looked down and was playing with her towel. I looked at her patiently waiting for her next words.

"When did you decide this?" were the word that broke the silence.

"A few months ago, when you went to visit your dad, I met with a recruiting agent."

"Why?"

"This is what I want. Joining the Navy is something I've always wanted to do."

"What about us? I love you James, I don't think, no, I don't want you at war."

"Baby, nothing will happen to me, if, and that's a big if, anything happens to me I will make sure you're ok. Sweetie, I love you so much, nothing on the whole planet could describe it. I won't let anything come between us." The fire was starting to die down.

"When are you leaving?" she asked, her face was so somber it would make angels cry.

"Seven Months." She looked a little shocked but answered with a nod of the head and a simple "Okay." She then started to take her bikini off.

That night, that curious night was the first time we made love; our friends laughed at us because we had been together for five years and never done it. I just respected Paige too much. I didn't want to make her do anything she didn't want to do. But that day, that bittersweet day was one of the best days of my life.

…

We were driving down the streets seeing the flowers bloomed and the trees green made me miss this place already. When we arrived in Main Square we sat on the bench in front of Elk Cove Public Library, where we first met. We sat on this bench every month on the ninth.

"I need to ask you something." I say. Us both sitting on the bench arms intertwined with each other.

"What is it Hun?" she said, her tears had dried up when we got in the car. She was happy to see it was clean for once.

"Will you marry me?" I say not thinking, that we both are 18, not were thinking I'm leaving in a week. Just thinking I love this girl and I want to spend the rest of my life with her. She pulled her hand out of mine and looked at me. The look on her face indicated she was flabbergasted.

"Wait, what? Yes! But you're leaving? And our parents? Oh my god." I stop her with a kiss.

"Right now, it's a promise. We'll wait until I get back by then I'll have enough money to buy you a ring, and we'll tell our parents then too. I love you, Paige; and I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

"I love you too, James." I loved the way she said my name. I grabbed her, and brought her as close as to me as I possibly could. I kissed her not as my girlfriend but as my fiancé. This kiss, was the best kiss we've ever shared.

When I could manage to pull my lips away from hers I said, "Baby, I think it would be best to keep this a secret, just until I get back okay?" she agreed and we preceded to make out on the bench until someone yelled "Get a room!" and that is exactly what we were going to do.

Paige and I are always careful when having sex. Paige takes the pill everyday and I always wear a condom. We are too young to have a baby, so we are always careful. Being with her was one of the best feelings in the world. I felt so safe with her, that nothing bad was ever going to happen as long as I was with her. It always felt right, like we were meant to do this thing together.

After our wonderful night, I take Paige to a drive thru. Paige isn't one for romantic dinners. We got to her house and it takes us a long time to get to the front door. I didn't want this day to end, neither of us did. This was the last time I would see Paige for two and a half years.

I asked her about writing letters but she said it was to Dear John.

"Paige," I said. "I think it would be a good idea if you didn't go to see me off in a few days." She looked at me as if someone punched her.

"Why not?" I tell her I thought it would make me leaving easier on both of us. She answered with a meager "Okay." I couldn't tell her that is I saw her I wouldn't go; it would make her feel she was holding me back.

And with a long goodbye kiss she slipped inside her house. I waited to see if she'd come back out and beg me not to go. If she did I wouldn't go. I stood there and nothing happened.