Twisted Loyalties

04

I wipe my eyes, trying to pull myself together as I make my way down the hall.

Just as I reach the entrance, the door opens, and there's Matteo, striding in with his usual air of purpose.

He spots me immediately, and his brows knit together.

"Sabrina," he says, voice softer than I expected. "Hey, is everything okay?"

I force a smile, nodding a little too quickly. "Yeah, everything's fine, just—just heading out."

Matteo studies me for a moment, then opens his arms, and before I know it, I'm stepping into the hug, letting the warmth of someone who actually cares wash over me.

It's brief, but it helps. He pulls back, and I see that concerned look lingering in his eyes.

"If you see Val," I say, brushing my hands over my face to make sure no more tears are showing, "tell her I said hi, okay?"

He nods. "Will do. Take care of yourself, alright?"

"Yeah. You too, Matteo." I offer one last smile, turning to leave before I unravel again.

The emptiness gnaws at me as I walk back to my car. Julian's silence, Val wrapped up in her world with Matteo—it's like everyone's disappeared, and I'm just here, on the outside.

I sigh, pulling out my phone and scrolling through my contacts until I land on Alejandro. I hesitate for a second, then press call.

Alejandro picks up on the first ring. "Hey, Sab! What's up?"

"Hey," I reply, trying to keep my voice steady. "I was wondering... do you have any plans? Thought maybe I could come over?"

"Of course," he replies without missing a beat. "Come over, I'll be here."

I nod, even though he can't see me. "Thanks, Ale. I'll be there soon."

The drive to his place is quiet, and I let myself breathe, focusing on the familiar route, hoping that maybe he can help me shake off this loneliness.

When I finally pull up and knock on his door, he's already waiting, opening it with a gentle smile.

"Hey," he says, his eyes searching mine. "Come in."

I step inside, feeling a weight lift. Alejandro wraps me in a quick hug, his arm lingering around my shoulders as he leads me into the living room.

He doesn't push or ask questions, just hands me a mug of tea and sits beside me, letting the silence speak for itself.

Finally, I lean back, grateful to have a friend who just understands without needing to know everything.

I stare at my computer screen, the last few lines of code blurring together as I wonder why it's so damn quiet.

I didn't even hear Sabrina leave. A part of me is curious, but the thought drifts away before I can grab onto it.

Then Matteo strides in, his energy filling the room like a storm front. His voice cuts through my thoughts.

"I just saw Sabrina walking out of here, crying. What the hell happened, Julian?"

My head snaps up. Crying? Sabrina was crying?

The thought unsettles me, but before I can dig into it, Matteo's impatience is already wearing thin.

I shrug, keeping my tone cool, detached. "Why do you care? Not like you have for the past month."

Matteo's face hardens. "What?"

"Forget it," I mutter, already regretting letting that slip.

But Matteo doesn't let it slide. He steps closer, his tone shifting to something dangerous. "No, tell me. What the fuck is going on with you?"

I feel something snap inside. All the months of frustration, of watching Matteo dive headfirst into his own world, barely looking up—it all rushes to the surface.

"You really want to know?" My voice rises before I can stop it. "Fine. Ever since that day with Valentina, you've been living in your own damn bubble, like nothing and no one else exists. She's all you care about now. And you know what? I get it. She means something to you. But I was supposed to mean something too."

His expression tightens, a flicker of something—guilt, maybe—crossing his face. But he just stands there, waiting.

Matteo's expression tightens, his voice low but defensive. "Oh, I'm sorry, Julian. My girlfriend nearly died. She needed me. What was I supposed to do—split myself in half?"

I grit my teeth, my fists clenching at my sides. "And you think I didn't need anyone, Matteo? I needed you, too."

He looks at me, frustration flickering across his face, as if he can't believe I'd dare say that. "It's different, Julian. Valentina almost lost her life. I had to be there for her. You don't understand the pressure I was under."

"Oh, I get it. It's only ever about Valentina now, isn't it?" I snap back. "The rest of us don't matter. I called you last month, Matteo. My mom died, and you didn't even answer."

Matteo's face pales, his frustration replaced by shock. He stares at me, unable to process my words. "Wait... what? Your mom... she died?"

"Yes, Matteo. She did," I say, my voice thick with bitterness. "But why would you know? I needed someone to lean on, and my so-called best friend was too busy to even pick up the phone. So don't act like you're the only one dealing with stuff."

He takes a step closer, guilt clouding his eyes. "Julian... I didn't know. I— I'm sorry. If I'd known, I would have—"

"Would have?" I shake my head, scoffing. "It doesn't matter what you would have done, Matteo. The fact is, you weren't there. You were too wrapped up in your own life to even notice what was happening in mine."

"I'm sorry," Matteo repeats, his voice quieter. "Really... I'm sorry."

But it's too late, and I don't want to hear it. I swallow back the anger and betrayal boiling up in me, turning away from him. "Save it," I mutter. "I'm done for the day."

Without looking back, I reach for my jacket and head toward the door, my footsteps echoing in the silence. Matteo calls after me, "Julian, wait—"

But I don't turn around. I'm tired of waiting for a friend who's already gone. I push the door open and let it swing shut behind me, leaving Matteo alone in his own mess.

AUTHORS NOTE
We are going to dive into Julian's home life soon just be patient!!
Sabrina going to Alejandro??