As the minivan to the airport pulled away from that tiny, insignificant dot that was the last stop on the road out of a country, I could only stare backwards. there, standing in the middle of the road, she waved a final farewell.

all my closest friends had turned out to wish me all the best for the future, and there she was, and then there she was no longer. it had been two weeks since the truth had been made apparent to me. she felt for me. she would miss me. she cared what happened to me. I was leaving, and there was nothing I could do about it. we both knew that. now, at the last stop, all became clear. as my closest and dearest friends chased the van, waving, smiling and yelling their last wishes for my happiness, she stood still, far behind, raised one hand in silent fairwell, and was lost to me as the corner turned. no tears, no fighting against the cold reality. my first experience, and I didn’t even notice that it was hers too.