◖SWIM◗ Neymar Jr.

8

Gonzaga Beach, Brazil

Neymar was quite reluctant to agree to go for a beach trip when his friend, Thiago invited him. Davi was going to return to his mother in the next two days and he had wanted to make the best of the little time left. He too would have to return to Paris by the 10th and resume his career. He wasn't too excited about that. His coach had already mailed him a couple of documents regarding his new training plans and physical checkups or something of sort that which he still left unopened. He wanted to stay unbothered as long as possible.

When Thiago visited him yesterday and suggested a beach trip, Neymar wasn't as thrilled as he was but his friend was so excited to spend time together. They haven't seen each other for so long and did not have anytime to catch up as they play for different teams now. So, Neymar had reluctantly agreed to his plan and here they are in the Gonzaga Beach with Thiago and two of their other friends, Carlos and Pietro. His only console with the whole situation was that the beach was not crowded. There were people here and there but it was calm and the music played was from one of his favourite artists so that was good, too.

The four men first approched the open bar near them and picked up a couple of drinks. And sat down on the little stools provided in the bar. They were talking to each other and as Neymar was about to answer Pietro's question, he felt something hit his shin. He glanced down to see what it was and found a slightly worn out football.

"Ei! pode por favor passar-nos a bola?" [Hey! Can you please pass us the ball?] He heard a kid calling out to him and he looked ahead to see five boys, maybe 11 to 12 years, staring at him. The smallest one walked a little closer and examined him carefully . When he finally recognized his familiar face, he shouted out, "É o Neymar!"

The little kid ran to him quickly and the other boys followed him after hearing his cry. Neymar picked up the ball and held it in one hand by his side. She smiled at the little boy who reached to him first and returned the ball.

The kids were staring at him in awe and one of them snapped out of his trance and exclaimed, "I can't believe i actually met you! You are my idol you know? I want to be like you when i grow up!"

Neymar chuckled and ruffled the boy's hair affectionately, "Obrigado menino. Maybe you will be one day. But a little practice with the aim won't hurt." [Thanks my boy]

"Will you please play with us? Please just for a minute!" Begged another boy and the others responded with a chortle of please. Neymar had a soft spot for children ok? And it was hard, very hard for him to say no to them. So he looked back at his friends who were watching their little interaction and silently asked them if he could go.

Thiago chuckled at him. He knew that Neymar could never say no to kids. "Go on, we will wait here. We've got nowhere else to go." He said sipping on his drink. Neymar shot him a greatful smile and turned to the boys who were still waiting for him with hopeful looks.

"Come on let's go a little farther this way." He said and the boys cheered happily before quickly running to an area a little farther from the bar.

They were just passing around the ball at first. There was no running around or actual playing. But one time Neymar kicked the ball harder than he wanted, gave a lottle too much power with his kick and the ball flew past one of the boy. His eyes quickly scanned the direction the ball was heading and he noticed it was at heading towards a trio of women who were under a palm tree nearby. He was sure that it was going to hit one of them who was sunbathing on her blanket and he only managed to cry out at her to watch out before it landed straight on her face.

"Oh foda-se." He cursed under his breath as he saw the woman getting up from her sleeping position and sputtering angrily. He quickly ran towards them and the woman he hit picked up the ball and shouted at him to watch where he kicked his ball. Wait- he thought. He recognised that voice.