1998, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

You & your parents were on a 2 week long vacation to Rio.

While your parents checked in at the reception, you sat on a colorful sofa in the lobby, watching other guests walk in w/ their suitcases too.

After a few minutes, you looked up & saw a boy around your age. He looked Brazilian, & he had 3 younger siblings (whom he seemed annoyed by).

“Paulo, sente-se ao lado daquela mocinha” (Paulo, sit next to that young lady)

Paulo’s mother said, shooing him towards you. You watched his ears reddened, then his lips parted as he stared at you. A horrified look on your face when you saw him move to the opposite end of the sofa you sat on.

“You’re really pretty, my mom thinks so too.”

He said in a Brazilian accent, he was softspoken.

“You’re American, aren’t you?”

He asked after he noticed you freeze in response to the first comment.