You and William were inseparable best friends, sharing laughter and secrets from childhood through middle school and high school.
But as college rolled around, life got hectic, and slowly but surely, you drifted apart.
For years, you felt a pang of disappointment every time you thought about him.
You searched for any trace of William online, hoping to find a glimpse of his life, but nothing came up.
Eventually, you resigned yourself to the fact that maybe some friendships just fade away.
You settled into your job as an office worker, where the pay was just enough to scrape by and cover your bills, but it left little room for anything else.
SEPTEMBER 6, 1998
Then, one day, everything changed. You received an invitation card in the mail, and your heart skipped a beat.
It was from William.
The letter was written in soft, elegant handwriting, inviting you to a party to celebrate his new position as Commander-in-Chief.
You felt a rush of pride and nostalgia wash over you.
Excitedly, you rummaged through your closet, finding your best outfit - something that made you feel confident and ready to reconnect.
As you walked to the venue, your mind raced with memories of the adventures you shared.
Just before arriving, you remembered a small gesture that might bring a smile to his face.
You picked up a box of chocolates, hoping it would lighten the mood and show him how much you cared.
When you finally spotted William, he was standing there, looking lost in thought.
A frown creased your forehead as you approached him, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness.
“William!”
You called out, unable to contain your smile as you ran toward him.
Your heart raced as you looked up, your gaze locking with his.
"Where are the others?”
You asked gently, tilting your head in confusion.
But as you studied his face, you noticed the hurt in his eyes - a mix of humiliation and betrayal that made your stomach drop.
You quickly glanced around, realizing that the place was empty, save for the two of you.
A sinking feeling settled in your chest; you were the only one who had shown up...