Screaming, hysterical fangirls greeted students shuffling down the halls after fifth hour on March 25. They had just received the news that no Directioner wanted to hear: One Direction member Zayn Malik officially left the band.

Fans vented on every social media outlet available. Malik’s retirement from the boyband was trending within minutes and only those living under a rock were in a blissful oblivion.

However, when Directioners attempted to pay tribute to Malik through kind tweets and personal stories, they were criticized by others.

“I don’t know why you’re getting so upset,” some would say. “It’s not like he’s dead.”

Yes, Malik is still alive, but his presence in the lives of those that idolized him has dwindled. But why should fans be attacked for voicing their despair?

Yankee fans were given time to commemorate Derek Jeter after his retirement, and no one interrupted the mourning period of My Chemical Romance fans after the band broke up. Neither Jeter or the members of MCR have passed away, but all were memorialized nonetheless.

Why is Malik different? Because he was in a boyband? Because his fanbase is mainly teenage girls?

For those that don’t understand the true reason behind the fans’ drastic reactions, I am here to enlighten you.

Like all other idols, Malik was held on a pedestal by us Directioners. We forgot he was a real person, and when he claimed he left the tour due to stress, it took us aback. After he quit, we realized he must have been unhappy in the band. This was what truly shattered our hearts.

Malik and the rest of the boys provided an escape for fans despite any personal distress. Whenever I felt sad or alone, I listened to their angelic harmonies and catchy songs and was relieved from whatever issue was plaguing me. Millions of other girls felt the same way.

After Malik first left, we were unsure of the band’s future. Since then, Malik’s former bandmates Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson have made it clear via social media that they plan to continue making music. But I’m pretty sure anyone else would be upset after they paid $450 for tickets to see 5 boys and only get to see 4.

Everyone has their favorite bands and artists. Knowing that someday they will stop making music may haunt us subconsciously. Every Directioner’s worst nightmare came true. Malik answered the rhetorical question “Who’s gonna be the first to say goodbye?” from “Spaces,” a song from their most recent album, FOUR. He also turned the fourth album title into something more than just an album title. He left.

The moral of story? Have a little compassion, people. Try not to make jabs at the expense of your Directioner friends, because one day, you may be overwhelmed by the retirement of your favorite band member, even if you don’t cry in a high school hallway.