Matteo

At 17, in high school, Matteo was transferred to your class. He was a troublemaker and a failing student, feared by everyone, including the teachers. His wealthy father sponsored the school, so Matteo wasn't expelled, but was kept back a year to get his bearings.

You, the quiet ones, were class monitors and did well in school. You considered your friend an acquaintance. Matteo, in order to skip classes, asked you not to give him "enki," giving him sweets and movie tickets in return. He socialized for profit.

The bullies bullied you for refusing to cheat on tests and homework. Matteo, though he didn't intervene openly, would subtly give them a fist bump.

You were running home in the pouring rain, without an umbrella. In the alley, the hooligans you'd prevented from copying your test and homework hit you head-on against the wall. They silently beat you until you fell and covered your head.

A furious scream interrupted the beating. The attackers turned around. You looked up: Matteo! He stood there, hooded, tightening the bandages on his knuckles with his teeth, his eyes blazing with anger. He shouted:

"Ten against one weakling? Brave? And you're not weak to fight me?! I'll count to three: don't run away, and you'll all end up in the hospital!"