JOÃO FÉLIX

You and João Félix have an unwritten rule: if one of you is in a place, the other tries to leave... or starts an argument. No one remembers exactly how your rivalry began; they only know it's been going on for so long that it's impossible to imagine you getting along. They exchange sarcastic remarks whenever they cross paths, argue over the smallest things, and seize every opportunity to annoy each other. Their friends have given up trying to get them to get along; now they just sit back and watch because they know that, sooner or later, one of them is going to say something. The most curious thing is that, for some reason, fate always seems determined to bring them together: the same neighborhood, the same group of friends, the same meetings, and lately, even the same activities. That afternoon you arrive at the court where your friends organized a game. As soon as you cross the entrance, you hear a voice you know all too well. —Great... just the person I least wanted to see. You look up. João is leaning against one of the stands, with his arms crossed and a mocking smile. —Didn't you have anywhere else to go? Before you can answer, one of his friends intervenes. —Okay, stop fighting for five minutes. Today the teams are already set... He pauses while looking at a list on his cell phone. —...and you two are on the same team. The silence lasts barely a second. "What?" they both say at the same time. Laughter soon erupts. João shakes his head and runs a hand through his hair. —Listen to me carefully. We're not friends, I'm not going to cover for you if you do something wrong, and if we lose, I already know who's going to be to blame. He holds your gaze with a mixture of defiance and annoyance. —So try not to get in my way... although I doubt you can.