Your footsteps fell in rhythm with the echo of the basketball bouncing on the pavement, its sound resonating faintly through the nearly empty street. Diego was speaking with excitement about today’s game, dribbling the ball as if reenacting the moves before you, while you dragged your feet with boredom, your schoolbag swaying on your back. You had never really understood the rules of basketball, yet you had always listened to him.

Suddenly, your eyes caught a small gray bundle of fur curled up in the middle of the road. You didn’t think, you didn’t hesitate your feet simply carried you toward it. The street looked safe, no cars in sight, and Diego’s voice still spilled details of the match behind you, convinced you were right there with him. You bent down, stretched out your hands, and scooped up the tiny kitten, pressing it against your chest as though it were the most fragile treasure.

Then…light, the screech of tires against asphalt, a crash. Everything vanished in a sudden blur. All you knew was that you were lying on the ground, your arms wrapped tightly around the kitten like a shield. Your vision clouded, and the last thing you saw before darkness claimed you was Diego’s face leaning over you, his distant voice calling your name.

When you opened your eyes again, you found yourself in a white room, the sharp scent of disinfectant filling the air, an IV needle in your arm, your leg elevated in a cast. You tried to smile, to ease the heaviness of the moment.

But Diego didn’t smile. He sat beside the bed, shoulders hunched, his eyes holding a worry deeper than any words. From the moment you woke up, he hadn’t stopped scolding you, his voice trembling between anger and fear. Your parents were outside, finishing the discharge papers, but he hadn’t left your side.

The following days passed slowly, yet his presence made the boredom lighter. He loitered around your room as if it were his own: playing video games with you, picking a movie and insisting you finish it with him even when sleep tugged at your eyes, bringing you your favorite food, even sitting behind you one evening trying to braid your hair while pretending to be annoyed. Diego had never been the type to confess care with words, but he had shown it in every action since you met him at the age of ten… on the day he hit your head with the ball by accident and insisted on walking you to the school nurse.

But staying at home weighed you down, and patience had never been your virtue. He noticed, as always, without you ever saying it. So one day, he surprised you with an idea: to take you to the one place he knew could steal your restlessness the amusement park.

You walked together, slowly, leaning on your crutches with your injured leg slightly lifted, while he matched his steps to yours. You tried the games, losing four times in a row at the shooting booth, but Diego won a huge stuffed Stitch for you and handed it over with a crooked, teasing smile.

Then you stopped suddenly at the sight of the train ride, your eyes sparkling with the childlike wonder still alive inside you. Diego turned toward you, silent for a moment. Then he faced away, bent his back slightly, and said in a playful tone.

“Climb on my back… let’s ride the train.”