The fear of empty spaces

I am scared of being alone.

My circle is wide, yet hollow,

so many friends,

And still, so few.

I call them my closest,

my best,

but I am not theirs.

I am the shadow outside the frame,

the voice unheard,

the promise forgotten.

We swear we’ll meet after class,

and I return to the spot 

where laughter should be,

only silence greets me.

A message reveals the truth

they’ve gone on without me.

They’ve hidden secrets,

let whispers grow with my name,

and wrapped lies with smiles.

Still, I stay.

Still, I call them my friends.

Because what terrifies me most 

is not betrayal,

or exclusion,

or the weight of their silence,

but the thought of standing

utterly alone.