Twisted Loyalties

06

The house was too quiet. It'd been that way since... since Mom.

Since that night I got the call from Dad, his voice rough but empty, telling me she'd been found in some run-down motel on the edge of town.

An overdose.

He hadn't sounded surprised. If anything, he'd sounded relieved, like he'd just shed a weight. But me? I didn't know what to feel.

Mom and I weren't close—she was in and out of my life, usually more trouble than comfort. Still, she was my mom. And now, she was just... gone.

Dad's been a ghost ever since, vanishing into his own shadows. It's probably better that way. He didn't care enough to stick around for her, or for me. I'm not surprised he hasn't shown his face since.

It's like this family wasn't real to him. Just some inconvenient mess he could pretend didn't exist.

And now, I'm stuck here, just... alone.

Then there's a knock at the door. Persistent, like whoever it is won't leave unless I answer. I sigh, dragging myself up and bracing for whatever hassle is about to come through that door.

When I open it, Matteo and Valentina are standing there. Matteo's face is hard to read, but there's something in his eyes, like regret mixed with guilt.

Valentina's right beside him, her expression soft and sad, like she's hurting for me in ways I can't bring myself to feel right now.

"What are you guys doing here?" I ask, my voice rough, worn out.

Matteo clears his throat, shifting uncomfortably. "Julian... we came because I'm sorry." He holds my gaze, and for a second, I see it—he really means it. "We should've been there for you. I should have been there for you."

Valentina steps forward. "I'm sorry too, Julian. I didn't know... about your mom. I didn't know how alone you were."

I almost laugh, a bitter sound that catches in my throat. I want to shrug it off, tell them it's fine. They've got their own lives, their own issues. I'm not their responsibility.

But the truth is, their words are cracking through the numbness, hitting something raw.

I nod, swallowing hard. "It's... whatever," I say, but the words feel hollow. I can't bring myself to brush them off completely.

I don't know if it's pride or anger, or maybe some old reflex to hide, to keep everything locked up.

Before I can push them away, Valentina closes the space between us and wraps her arms around me. Her hug is steady, unflinching. And something in me breaks.

She pulls back, her hand still on my shoulder, looking at me with this unwavering kindness.

"You don't have to be alone in this, Julian," she says softly. "We're here now. We're not going anywhere."

For a moment, I want to believe her. Standing here with them, I can feel some of the weight start to lift, like maybe—just maybe—I don't have to carry this all by myself.

Ale leans back on the couch, running a hand through his hair as he talks about work, his voice low and a little tired. "Things have been fine, I guess. But it's weird seeing Val now and then... mostly because of Matteo. We don't exactly get along. So it's like I don't really get to see her anymore. Just—she's there, but she's not, you know?" He shrugs, his face tightening a bit as he stares past me.

I nod, a sad smile tugging at my lips. "I get it. She's different now. I barely see her, either. It's like she's wrapped up in Matteo, which is good, I guess, since he's been helping her get better... but yeah. I just miss her. A lot."

Ale looks at me, his expression softening. "It sucks, doesn't it?" He gives a small laugh, but there's no humor in it. "I mean, im happy she's doing okay now, but it's like... it feels like we're being left behind, a little."

I feel my throat tighten at his words. "Exactly. I'm glad Matteo's there for her; it's just... I feel like she doesn't need me anymore, you know?"

Ale nods, understanding flickering in his eyes. "I think she still needs you, Sabrina. It's just... complicated." He reaches over, squeezing my hand lightly.

His words bring a comfort I didn't realize I needed. It's like, for the first time, someone actually understands what I'm feeling.

Ale glances over switching the topic, a soft smile forming as he asks, "How are your parents doing?"

I nod, a small smile tugging at my lips. "They're good. Things are... really good, actually. I'm lucky." I don't say more, but in my head, I feel a swell of gratitude.

My parents have always been supportive, always there for me. We've had a few ups and downs, sure, but overall, I know how rare that is.

Especially after everything I've been seeing lately.

Ale lets out a small laugh. "That's nice to hear."

I tilt my head, watching him closely. "And yours?"

He shrugs, giving me an easy grin, but there's something behind his eyes, a glimmer of something he's not saying.

"They're fine. You know how my Ma is, always a little too involved, always up in my business." He says it lightly, but I catch a hint of affection in his voice.

I smile, catching his eyes. "I don't know... you seem to like it."

He laughs, rubbing the back of his neck. "Guess I do. She keeps me grounded."

I laugh feeling like I'm finally okay again.

                       

AUTHORS NOTEE

              I'm so happy Matteo and Val are finally there for Julian now!

(Just to let you guys know Matteo and Val are not bad friends and they didn't mean to forget about their friends but everyone is dealing with something else!! Matteo has been solely focused on Val getting better.)