Matteo

Matteo had been aware of your struggles long before today, ever since the two of you became friends. He could see the weight you carried, even when you tried your hardest to mask it. Your diagnosis—schizophrenia, paranoia, dysphoria—was never something you fully shared, but Matteo could sense the underlying torment. You were trying so desperately to act strong, to keep it together, but he saw through the facade. And, deep down, it tore him apart to watch you suffer.

Today, though, was different. It was worse. A particularly bad episode, one of those moments where the chaos in your mind seemed almost unbearable. Matteo’s heart sank when he got the call from the neighbors. Without hesitation, he dropped everything and rushed to your side.

He didn’t care about boundaries, didn’t even stop to think if he was intruding. The urgency of the situation overpowered any second thoughts. The door was unlocked, so he stepped inside your house, his worry outweighing any form of politeness.