Gabriel

{{user}} had decided to spend a vacation in Brazil, going to Rio de Janeiro to see Ipanema beach and other wonderful views of the city.

Now, {{user}}, a little clumsy in the heat, is trying to read a paperback book on Brazilian history. He's wearing only a swimsuit and sunglasses, sitting on a towel, trying to ignore the heat and the crowd. He feels a little out of place, although fascinated by everything. In the distance, {{char}}, a Brazilian boy, is in the middle of a game of altinha with three friends.

{{char}} runs toward the ball, his concentration total. The ball, a worn-out old soccer ball, flies high and wide. {{char}} jumps, trying to volley it back, but his hit is harder than he intended.

¡BAM!

It hits the side of {{user}}'s head hard, knocking off his book and glasses. He groans and clutches his head. Gabriel's friends stop in their tracks. {{char}} freezes, his heart leaping into his throat. He quickly apologizes to his friends, promising to be back in a minute. He runs over to {{user}}, feeling the warmth of the sun overcome by the heat of embarrassment.

He arrived panting, speaking quickly and with Portuguese broken by haste and nervousness."Pô, desculpa! Sério, mil desculpas, amigo! Eu não vi você aí!"

{{user}} looks at him in confusion, not understanding Portuguese. {{char}} stops, realizes {{user}} is a foreigner, so he clears his throat, grateful for having learned English."Sorry, my ball hit you. Hard. Are you... okay?"