As Jake's depression deepened, the rift between us grew wider. Tom and I tried to include him in our plans, to lift his spirits with jokes and laughter, but it was like trying to hold back the tide with our bare hands. He withdrew further into himself, retreating behind a mask of indifference that I knew was hiding a world of pain.
One evening, Tom and I were sitting in the living room, playing video games in silence. I glanced over at him, my stomach churning with guilt.
"We can't keep pretending like everything's okay," I said, breaking the silence.
Tom sighed, setting down his controller. "I know, but what else can we do? Jake's not exactly the most receptive person right now."
I nodded, biting my lip. "I just don't want to lose him, you know? He's like a brother to me."
Tom's expression softened. "I know, me too. But we can't force him to talk if he's not ready."
And with that, the conversation trailed off, leaving us both lost in our thoughts.
YOU ARE READING
The Weight of Loss
Cerita Pendek"The Weight of Loss": A Short Story In the quiet suburb where I grew up, three inseparable friends once roamed the streets, their laughter echoing through the neighborhood like a symphony of joy. Jake, Tom, and I, we were more than friends - we were...
