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She's leaving today.

She's always belonged there, you suppose. Your Greek goddess is returning to her homeland. She'll fly for hours to reach that soil, and once the plane reaches Athens, Greece, she'll be home. She'll be gone.

You'll miss her.

This is a thing that goes without saying. Just seeing her now, waiting in line loading her baggage, a slight scowl on her face, makes your heart ache. In the single year that she's been here, she's become the most important thing in your life. You love her.

She sees you waiting for her, and her face lights up. She finishes checking in her luggage and runs to you. She throws her arms around your neck, and you can feel her smile pressing into your neck. It means so much for her that you're here.

She whispers the three words you treasure above all into your ear. Your arms tighten around her, and an impulsive part of you is convincing the more rational part of your brain to just not let her go.

You say, "I do too."

You let go, and she begins to cry. She is still smiling. You remember telling her that her smile is the most beautiful part of her. It's still true, even when it's accompanied by tears.

"I'll never forget this," she says. I'll never forget you, she means.

"I know," you reply. Me too, you mean.

She tells you she has to leave, her plane will be boarding in a half hour. You nod and she walks towards security. She glances back, and you wave. She bites her lip, but it's only when she's out of sight do you realize why:

For the first time since you've known her, you're crying.

If this was a movie, you know, she would suddenly come running through security. She would call your name and leap into your arms. She would have chosen to stay her, valuing you and your love more than her family, her friends, her life. It is not a movie.

You will not let her be forgotten, however. You have no future in this town. Already, in your mind, you're making plans to join her. You'll save money, and you'll keep in touch. You love her.

She's leaving today, but you two will never forget.

This, you think, is love.
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For Valentine's Day. Please leave a comment on what you think should be fixed.