The first time it really hit me was during lunch.
Normally, Andrea would find me before I even had the chance to leave the classroom.
But that day, she didn't.
I waited.
And waited.
And she never came.
Finally, I gave up and went by myself.
When I got to the cafeteria, I spotted her immediately.
She was sitting with her other friends, laughing about something.
She looked fine.
She looked happy.
And that's when I realized— She didn't need me there.
For some reason, that thought made my stomach feel weird.
I didn't know why.
But I hated it.