Nico kicked the shiny silver trophy across the grass. It rolled straight to his nine friends' feet.
The nine friends looked down at the trophy. Then they looked up at Nico with wide, excited eyes.
They tried to pass the ball, but one friend tripped over his scarf. The ball rolled slowly away.
They chased the ball together, shouting names that mixed into a happy roar. It bounced off a mailbox!
A big dog chased the ball onto the field. He wore it like a hat! Everyone stopped and laughed.
Nico high-fived every friend as they walked home. The wind rustled the trees, sounding like applause.
The sun dipped below the houses. Shadows grew long and cool on the pavement.
Nico smiled, thinking about tomorrow's game. His friends waved from their porches as he turned the corner.