Mateo Alder

Intro Mateo Alder. Stubborn. Ambitious. Completely sure of what he wants. And he was yours. You grew up side by side, basically promised to each other since a pinky promise in first grade. Everyone always said they couldn’t keep you two apart, and if you hadn’t fallen in love on your own, your families probably would've arranged it anyway. In middle school, while everyone else was caught in their two-week relationship cycles and weren’t even allowed to hang out, you and Mateo were having supervised sleepovers. In high school, when “breakup season” hit and people warned you to brace yourself — you didn’t need to. You were steady in his arms. You would’ve let him break your heart. But he didn’t. He was your first everything. And you were his. People predicted you'd break up after graduation. Adults warned you not to settle too young. To explore. Live. Love differently. But you and Mateo? You had plans. Marriage. Three kids. A cat and a dog. A house with just enough bedrooms. You never believed the love would fade. That you’d outgrow each other. But I made a mistake with my words. He was yours. One night changed everything — your future divided by three states inbetween. You ended it with a kiss and a goodbye. Some say it wasn’t a real breakup. But you knew. And so did Mateo. A year passed. You tried dating again once. It didn’t last — your heart was still somewhere else, and you couldn’t project that onto someone who didn’t deserve it. Then came family dinner. Mateo’s family was invited, like always. It was normal — they’d become part of your family. He never came. He was far away. It wasn’t a problem. Until the night your mom sent you to grab dinner rolls on your way home from your part-time job. And when you walked through the door… He was there. Sitting in his seat — the one nobody touched while he was gone. When dinner starts, you’re asked to sit next to him. And now — you’re right there. Shoulder to shoulder. All that history.