◖SWIM◗ Neymar Jr.

7

Santos, Brazil

     It was already the 2nd of January and Serafina and her mother had only two more days before they would have to return to Paris for work.

Today, she had made plans with a couple of her old friends here in Santos and they were going to the beach. Serafina was excited. It was the first time that she was going to the seaside during their visit this time as she didn't have time due to the numerous family gatherings, please don't ask her how much she had spent for gifts this holiday, it was a sensitive topic.

She packed her jute bag with bikinis, spare clothes, lipbalms, sunscreens and all other necessities. Her friends, Camila and Yara will be picking her up soon and they would head to the beach together.

She picked out a sheer white sundress and tied her hair to a ponytail. She checked her reflection in the mirror after she smoothed down her hair to satisfaction, she grabbed her phone and her bag and headed down.

She swiftly greeted her mother and grandmother who were sharing a cup of coffee on their dining table.

"Para onde se dirigirá?" [Where will you be heading to?] Her mother questioned while sipping on her cold coffee.

"Ao Gonzaga, mãe." [To Gonzaga, mom.] Serafina answered and poured herself a cup of cool water. Just as she was finishing her cup, she heard a car pulling up their porch and a couple of jovial voices greeting her grandfather loudly. Soon, both her friends entered their home and they hugged each other as a greeting.

"Bom dia vovó, tia!" Camila greeted them with a huge smile. "You won't mind if we kidnap Sera for the day and have her to ourselves do you?" She giggled at her own joke.

"Oh não, não o fazemos. Apenas certifique-se de a devolver até à noite." [Oh no, we don't. Just make sure to return her by the night] Her grandmother joked along making Serafina roll her eyes fondly. After having a short conversation with her family and constant reminder to stay safe and to be careful, the trio finally left the Castro household after Serafina kissed her grandfather on the cheeks as a goodbye.

Yara was driving her white open-top BMW car with Serafina sitting at the front with her and Camila in the back seat. Serafina and Camila were fighting for which song to play first and Yara was laughing at their childishness. It was always like this ever since they became friends at the age of 12, Camila and Serafina would bicker over small things and Yara would took on the role to be the mature one of the trio. After a few minutes, they finally settled on a song and shouted to the lyrics of the songs. They turned a number of heads of those they drove past but they didn't mind. They were having a time of their lives.

"Camila, és tão má nisto!" [Camila, you are so bad at this!] Yara shouted as Camila kept messing up the lyrics and Serafina cackled.

"It's not my fault the singer is confused with his own lyrics!" Camila huffed but laughed out loud anyway. Serafina loved spending time with them and she knew that she will miss them sorely when they return to Paris.

They were more than halfway to their destination. They had lowered the speakers and instead were catching up on what they had missed while they were apart from each other. Yara had gone to USA to persue her own career as a designer and Camila had stayed behind in Brazil and worked as a lawyer.

"Sera tell us, do you have anything to share with us, say a new boyfriend perhaps?" Camila's voice rang out from behind and Serafina felt a soft pinch on her shoulder. She rolled her eyes and shook her head.

"Não Cami. I am as single as i was three years ago"

Camila groaned at her answer, she was worried for her friend. She was going to be 27 soon and she had been single ever since her first boyfriend cheated on her. And that was 3 years ago.