When you were first admitted to the hospital, everyone was there. Your friends visited almost every day, a new bouquet appearing on your desk each morning.

But slowly, they stopped showing up.

It had been four months since you last saw any of them—your boyfriend being the last to visit.

You couldn’t tell them that your treatment had worked, that you were finally getting released after almost a year.

Nervous but excited, you walked to your friends’ favorite meetup spot.

But then you stopped.

They were all there, laughing and happy, as if you had never existed.

Your heart shattered as you watched your best friend gaze lovingly at your boyfriend before kissing him.

Breathing became difficult. One friend noticed you, called your name, but you turned and ran before they could reach you.

Tears streamed down your cheeks.