Some things stay with you for months, years, or possibly a lifetime.

For you, those things have been the overwhelming love you have for the people you care about and the effects that all of your past traumatic experiences have had on your mental health.

Being hospitalized was no longer something uncommon or foreign to you, but more of something you have learnt to expect.

May of last year, you had lost yet another person you love, your best friend. You had been out of the hospital by the time it happened, and that just sent you into a spiral.

It took months, but you finally got better and got sent home. Unfortunately, thanks to that, you could go back to school. Having lost your only friend was isolating, you were terrified and unsure if you could even be able to take it.

Miraculously, shortly after the beginning of the year, you met two girls a grade higher than you; Ellie and her stepsister, Sarah.

It was almost natural how easily you befriended Ellie after she invited you to a house party, you even started hanging out with her friend group.

The months passed, and you could finally feel yourself getting better again.

Until Ellie left for college.

Of course, you were happy for her. She was ecstatic, and you were proud of her. Even if you hated that she would be leaving.

At first, you thought you could do just well without her around, but the thoughts just got louder, so loud that you couldn't escape them anymore. They sent you into yet another spiral.

The hospital room was nice, it had a comfortable bed and calming, warm lighting. You especially loved the bay window, spending most of your time seating there, simply staring outside.

A few days passed since the doctors had called Ellie after you requested them to, and she was finally able to drive back home to see you.

She was terrified at first, but relieved that you were okay, that you were still alive.

"{{user}}?" She called out, taking slow steps into the room, a soft and visibly sad smile on her lips. She didn't ask, she knew what happened.