The last letter

"Has any of you seen Zoe lately?" Jonathan looked around at his friends.
"No, I haven't. Why do you ask?" answered Louise.
"Hmm, nothing. I received an e-mail from her."
"What did she say?" Typical for Louise. Just getting straight to the point.
"Nothing. That's what was so weird."
"Maybe she sent it just by accident? You never know with her."
"Yeah, maybe..."
"Why are you so disturbed about it?"
"I don't know..." That was one big fat lie. Jonathan knew why he was so disturbed about it. He and Zoe had an appointment about sending empty e-mails. They could only be sent in an emergency.

"Only send the mail when we are in an emergency, 'kay?"
"Of course, Zoe."
And when they are send, go to the other within three days. Can we make an appointment about that?"
"Of course, Zoe. But why do you ask?"
"Nothing really. I just wanted to make this sure."

They had this conversation one week ago. Three days ago the mail arrived. Jonathan knew it was time to go to Zoe's house.
"I have to go."
"To where?"
"I'm going to look for Zoe."
"Do you want to borrow my key?" Krista offered.
"No, thank you, I've got my own. Bye."
"Bye!" they all said in unison.

Jonathan arrived at Zoe's appartment. Strange, the door is unlocked... He walked in and looked around.
"Zoe? Where are you?" No answer.
"Zoe? I've received your email! I'm here!" No answer.
"Zoe?! This isn't funny!" Still no answer. Jonathan looked around again. He noticed a letter on the table. He picked it up and read it.

To the one who actually cares enough about ME to read this.

Isn't it strange, having to start a letter like that? Well, you've made it reality. The fact you are reading this is already a miracle on it's own... Because why would you waste your time on me? I'm unimportant, insignificant, that's what you thought. And not just you. Everyone. Everyone thought I was unimportant. That I was only there to listen to your problems, obey your orders and then to be forgotten about. I didn't have problems, or even feelings. That's what you all thought. You all thought of me as nothing more than an object. But I'm not. I'm a person, a human being, just like you. I have problems. I have feelings. And you have forgotten. But aren't you missing me? ME? Not the object, but the person? The person you've forgotten it even existed.

Always smiling, always happy. That's how people described me. Nothing more. They are so naïve. I'm so much more than that. But they don't see it. No one does. And when you started forgetting about me, not seeming to care about ME anymore, I shattered. The smile disappeared and so did the happiness. But no one saw it. People only see what they want to see.

I'm fed up with it. I want to be seen, to be recognized as a person. And that's why I'm saying goodbye. Will you miss me when I'm gone? Will you then finally realize I was so much more than you always thought?  But when you read this and realize it, it'll be too late. I'll be gone already. Will you miss me? Or have you already forgotten about me? I hope you haven't. The world is awaiting. There will be a place where I will be seen. And I will find it.

Please forgive me my decision to leave you. You know I love you and I always will. Live is hard. Will you cry once you've finished reading? Crying because you didn't want to read this? Crying because you regret leaving me behind? Crying because it's too late and you know it is?

I'll take my leave now. Don't worry about me. Don't go looking for me. Really, don't. I'll be fine.

Please remember me.

Zoe

"ZOE!!! This is a bad joke! ZOE!!!" Jonathan's scream filled the whole appartment.
"Why...WHY! Zoe... I never forgot you! I was always there for you! Why haven't you told me! Zoe..." Jonathan took the letter and left the appartment with teary eyes.

If his vision wouldn't have been so blurred by tears, he might had seen the curtains moving. From behind the curtains a girl stepped out when Jonathan shut the door.
"Bye Jonathan. I'm happy you found my letter. I'm sorry for leaving you behind. But I may return one day. You're the only one I'm going you miss." She whispered. She took her backpack, walked out of the appartment and locked the door.
"Goodbye, Jonathan." And Zoe was gone.