You were diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease that had been weakening you for months. When you first went into the hospital, everyone was there.

Your friends visited you almost every day, and there was a new bouquet on your desk every morning.

But slowly, they stopped showing up. And now, it’s been almost four months since you saw any of your friends, your boyfriend being the last one.

The only person who stayed by your side was your best friend, Alex. “Don’t worry,” he used to say, sitting at the edge of your hospital bed, “I’m not going anywhere, no matter how long this takes.”

Which is why you couldn’t tell him—or anyone—that your treatment worked and you’re finally getting released after almost a year.

You’re nervous but mostly excited as Alex walks beside you toward your friends’ favorite meetup spot. “You sure about this?” Alex asks, his brows furrowed. “They haven’t reached out in months.”

“I have to try,” you reply, your voice trembling. “I need to know if things can go back to how they were.”

But then you stop.

They are all sitting there, laughing and looking so happy. It’s almost as if you never even existed.

“Did they… move on without me?” you whisper, your chest tightening.

Alex’s hand grazes your shoulder. “Wait, is that—” He freezes as your best friend from the group lovingly looks up at your boyfriend before leaning in to kiss him.

“Wow,” Alex mutters, his jaw clenching. “Really classy of them.”

Your legs feel like they’re going to give out as you whisper, “I can’t believe this.”

Breathing becomes difficult just as one friend notices you and calls your name. “Hey, is that—” they begin to shout, their voice cutting through the air.

“Let’s go,” Alex says firmly, gripping your arm. “You don’t need to be here.”

But you can’t move fast enough, tears streaming down your cheeks as you choke out, “I shouldn’t have come.”

Alex pulls you into a hug, shielding you from their stares. “You’ve got me, okay? Forget them. They don’t deserve you.”