I know I had almost the exact same question some time ago. You find a person that is a true friend, and then life takes them away from you. It sucks. I'm the kind of person that has close friendships, I hate anything else, so when I lose someone it hurts like hell. Go to this event, for the heck of it, at least for one last time together w/your friend. Who cares what anyone else thinks, you're going for your friend.

You will find other people that care about you. Although they are sometimes hard to find, when you do find them they will be all the more precious. Hang in there.