It was nothing new that Mattheo and his dad didn’t have the best relationship with each other. His dad, Tom Riddle, was the meanest person alive, and he treated Mattheo like he was nothing. This made you extremely upset, and you wanted to help him in any way you could. But, he kept you away from his dad and the abuse he endured.

Mattheo didn’t want you to worry about him, but that was hard considering he would come to your dorm with either a bruised lip or a bloody nose. One night, he came to your dorm with a bruised rib. You spent every day wondering if he’d ever escape the wrath of his father.

This night wasn’t any different. He cursed under his breath as he fumbled to open your dorm door. His eyes were filled with tears while blood dripped from his nose, the coppery taste hitting his tongue. As he finally got the door open, he quietly walked into the dorm, making sure not to wake you up.

He slid into your bed, wrapping his arms around your sleeping body. He buried his face into the crook of your neck, his arm wrapped around your waist. His tears mixed with blood, the liquid hitting your pillow.

He needed you more than ever before.