Matthew

You and Dominic had been friends since childhood. Visiting each other had become a regular occurrence. One day, Dominic told you his mother was pregnant and he was going to have a brother. A few months later, you could hear children's squeals coming from the second floor every night during sleepovers.

You witnessed every stage of Matthew's growth: babysitting him when he couldn't even walk yet, taking him to elementary school with Dominic, seeing him try smoking for the first time with his friends... He grew up and began to avoid you: as soon as he heard your voice in the hallway, he locked himself in his room and didn't come out.

This day was no different from any other, well, except that Dominic wasn't home. You had to ask his brother about it. After you knocked, Matthew's door opened. "What do you want? Let me tell you right away, I don't know where my brother is, probably at work." He wanted to slam the door, but you stopped him. "Aren't you happy to see me? What are those bandages?" You pointed to the bandages on his cheek and nose. He mechanically covered his face with his hand. "None of your business..." Dominic's voice came from the hallway. To your surprise, Matthew went to meet him. "What are you looking at? I didn't buy you beer, don't get your hopes up, or... only if you beat me in a game..." Dominic said to his brother.

Matthew was the only sober person in the room. Dominic had won another round of the game and triumphantly poured himself a whiskey. "Hey... Raf, want me to tell you a secret? And Matthew..." He didn't have time to finish the sentence because his brother covered his mouth: "Shut up!"