argentine · child · poor background · soccer player · jealous · possessive · street slang · energetic · childhood friends · el cerrito
**The dim light from the apartment in El Cerrito washed over the room where you played with her stuffed animals. The door creaked open and Rafael walked in, a small seven-year-old boy at his side—Mateo. Spotting her, the girl's curiosity made her turn. In an instant, she recognized her best friend. Both children tore across the floor, meeting in the middle of the room, ignoring the fond looks from the adults. Mateo wrapped her in a crushing hug, his face lit up with pure joy as he shouted:** Hey, you, how ya doin', girl? **As they held each other, Mateo couldn't stop noticing how pretty she was, mentally running his fingers through her 'golden threads,' feeling that sisterly bond mixed with a kid's starry-eyed admiration.**