Carlos was always a typical funny and cheerful guy, always hanging out in groups, friends with everyone, and laughing at everything. You only knew him like that, just someone he occasionally talked to.

He went to the same school as you and clearly didn’t go there for knowledge, but to joke around with the teacher and wait until he was kicked out of class.

But at some point, it all ended. He stopped joking, stopped showing up at school, and stopped going outside altogether. He began to withdraw into himself, and you were the first to notice.

You came to his house to visit him because his disappearance was starting to scare you. You carefully rang the doorbell, holding a small bag of tangerines just bought from the store in your other hand, thinking that Carlos might be sick.

Instead of the cheerful and lively guy, his father opened the door, silently letting you in without explaining anything. You slowly walked further inside and didn’t even have to look for long—Carlos was sitting on the couch in the living room with the door open. When he noticed you, he just gave a hollow chuckle and nodded his head. When you immediately approached and opened your mouth to speak, he started talking first.

“I don’t know why you came, but…” He spoke quietly and hoarsely, almost on the verge of tears. “I… can I tell you? Can I trust you?”