Nine years ago

Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro

It was the first day at school for Enzo Carvalho. Obviously, this would be his first day, but not his first day at school, because he was a student well known and acknowledged by everyone. From the owner to the parking lot security guards. And he had much to thank his colleague and great partner Vinicius Valverde, Vini for friends. And, in his opinion, this would be a day to go down in history.

- I am telling you, Enzo, this will be the best first day ever.

- Why do you say that? We come, we have classes, and we go. - Enzo was skeptical. - Why should this time be any different?

Oh, if only he knew. But the truth is that nothing very interesting happened, which frustrated Vini's plans. However, for a change, luck changed addresses, which was funny, considering that they both lived in the same condominium, the good ol' Lake.

After school was over, Enzo decided to leave Vini behind, a practice common to both of them, and walked alone down the street from the school to the bus stop. He sent a text message to Julio, the driver and his buddy, to see if it would take long to pick him up.

- 10 minutes, i believe. - Julio replied.

- Bollocks.

What was he going to do in 10 minutes? Well, as said before, Enzo's luck had changed, because a beautiful girl of his age was also waiting for the bus right next to him. Oh, he was not going to let the chance slip away. But what could he do? Well, that was no problem.

Enzo started coughing wildly, as if he was choking. The girl showed concern and looked at Enzo.

- Is everything alright?

- Yes, yes. - Enzo replied. - I think I have swallowed a fly.

- Oh, my God.

- Don't worry. It'll come out in the poop if there's any left behind. - Enzo pretended he knew what he was talking about. - But enough about me... What is your name?

- Ana. Ana Carolina.

- Enzo Carvalho. You're very pretty, Ana Carolina.

- Thank you.

- Do you live around here?

- At Dulcídio Cardoso street.

Enzo opened a wicked smile.

- Funny. So do I.

- We are neighbors, so.

- Yes, we are. - he said, before remaining silent. - Hey, up for a walk in the park? Someday?

Ana smiled. And answered:

- Of course.

But it wouldn't be the last time the two would actually meet that day. Once again Enzo's luck turned around, because as soon as Julio he dropped by with his bus, Ana gave him her phone number. It was a different era, so Ana could only give him her home number. And on that same day, Enzo called Ana, but found an unfamiliar male voice.

- Who is it?

- Is this Ana's house?

- Yes, it is.

- May I talk to her?

- Just a moment.

In the background she could hear a male voice calling her.

- Hello?

- Ana? It's Enzo.

- Hi, Enzo.

- I told you I was going to call.

- Yes, you did.

- What time should I come by?

- Why? We're going to the woods.

- We're going to the woods.

- That's okay, we're going to the woods. Be here... - Ana was silent. - 19h.

- That's great.

For the first time in his life, Enzo arrived at a location on time. And not only that, he showed up at Ana's front door with a bouquet of red roses and a t-shirt tucked into his pants. If Vini had caught sight of him, he would have laughed out loud. Even the doormen found the scene rather cute, Enzo holding a huge bouquet of flowers that covered his face just outside the gate. And, well, he would do their best to help him.

- Ana Carolina. - he said to the doorman.

- Do you know the apartment number?

Uh-oh. Problem?

- Not a clue. But I think I talked to her father on the phone. He has a banker's voice.

Banker voice?

- Oh, I know the guy. - said the doorman, bringing his face closer to his radio. - Tell Davies that a little boy wants to see his daughter.

Enzo was cleared to move. The doorman showed him the door through which he had to enter. He followed exactly as indicated. When he got into the elevator, he pressed button 22, the top floor.

- Banker. - Enzo began to laugh to himself.

He knocked twice on the door. A tall, straight-haired, well-bearded man greeted him in the hallway.

- Hello, I'm here to see Ana. - said Enzo, very confidently.

- Just a moment. - Her father turned and left him alone.

Ana appeared wearing a yellow jacket and a little red dress. Enzo smiled with excitement, which didn't make her father very happy. He was forced to withdraw his smile momentarily.

- Be back at 10 pm. - Ana's father said, not specifying who the message was for.

- I will. - Ana and Enzo, strangely enough, answered at the same time.

Enzo knew the park like no one else. It was there that he learned to ride a bike and made several friends. He knew all the hidden corners of the place.

- It's so quiet and peaceful here. - said Ana. - You know this place like no one else.

- I like to say that this is my place. - said Enzo, a blatant lie.

- How many years have you lived here?

- Many, many years. Something tells me you came to this place recently.

- I don't know anyone outside of school.

- Strange that I didn't see you in class.

- I don't remember you either.

Simply because you two weren't in the same class.

Enzo walked away for a moment to stand near some trees, leaving her alone. When he returned, he brought a small yellow flower and handed it to her.

- Thank you, Enzo. It's very lovely.

- What are you doing tomorrow?

- We could get married.

- That's a good idea.

- Do you know what married people do?

Enzo answered, five seconds after hearing the question.

- They pay bills.

- No, silly. They kiss.

- Oh. I don't think so. I've seen Vini's aunt kissing many men and she's not married.

Yes, if it was down to Enzo, Ana wouldn't get anywhere. So she took the first step. She leaned forward and gently kissed him on the lips. Enzo remained unresponsive. He felt his heart beating fast, like a sports car engine. Then she kissed him again, only longer, under a lamp.

- Are we going to be together forever? - Enzo asked, in one of those honest child-like promises.

- We will. - Ana agreed. - Together forever.

The next day Enzo waited for Ana all day at school. But for some reason, she didn't show up. At first he thought it was weird, but whatever happened, Ana would tell him, maybe. At the end of school that morning, he called her house, but got no response. And as time passed, Ana would only be a sweet memory of a time that had passed.