Was Your Match || Julián Álvarez

2

We had various sorts of friends we met playing football in Calchín. The town's neighborhood kids who love football unites eventually. With the infamous football ground built, they kept adding ever since.

We once had an older playmate called Antonio Cruz, one of the neighborhood kids we met on the street. We admired him and looked up at him – being older all and had experience. He was gifted with footballing skills and does unbelievable tricks that always provided us with entertainment. But then, a man in a suit appeared looking formal upfront of Antonio. It was as if we're seeing him as an important person with an adult figure, giving him an important mission. Turns out the man was a River Plate scout, brought him for try out in the club's Junior.

Naturally, as any kids with dreams do, will willingly take the offer in a heartbeat. We could assume that he will work hard enough to be a professional one day. So he left Cordoba with his family, providing full support. Leaving Suelo Vacante behind where he had built up his ability and those friends who he made along the way in order to follow his dreams to Buenos Aires.

Only now, it was hard to imagine that he would ever return to play with us again. Sad for us, but we wished him well. It just blows my mind that suddenly everyone could turn rags to riches.

I wonder if that man in a suit will ever turn up again. I looked down at the person doing curl ups in front of me, Julían Alvárez. Now that I think about it, Julían is just as good as Antonio. He has what it takes to train being a pro footballer.

"What are you thinking?" Julían asked, cutting me off from my thoughts as I'm sat on his feet holding him in place. This was his 16th rep, I believe.

"Nothing," I said. "I was just wondering if Antonio had already made it to professional yet."

"I hope he does," Julían said. "By the way, Sal, you should come over to my house and stay overnight. I just got this new comic book. You'll have to check it out."

"Alright, I'll ask my dad." I said.

***

Sun has fallen, I arrived at Julían's house right before street lights had already been lit up. I stood in front of the door, but before I could knock, I overheard shouting, a heated exchange coming from inside.

"Would you just leave it, Ma!" Julían's voice passed through the door.

"You stay out of this, Julían!"

"Fine, then I won't!"

I hesitated, unsure if it was ever the right time to visit. I waited for the situation to calm down. However, there weren't any more loud voices, just still silent. So I mustered the courage to knock on the door.

Luckily, it was Julían who answered. His face gives an unwarming and sullen expression. Then, without any acknowledgment whatsoever, he pulled me inside and came across his mother.

"Sal's staying overnight," he abruptly announced with a strained tone. Still sensing the tension, I decided I should just stay curious and keep a lay low.

His mother, Karina Alvárez, quickly wiped her tears away. after learning my sudden present. Acting in an ordinary, she softly said, "Oh hello, Salhisa."

"Good evening, Tía Karina." After greeting her briefly, Julian hastily dragged me to his room.

"Is everything alright, Juli?" I inquired in concern.

"Don't worry. My mom's boyfriend just got into trouble. Apart from that, everything's alright."

He wrinkled his nose, sniffing in my direction. "Ugh, bro. You stink!"