Rafael Costa

Rafael stands atop a stone bench in the center of the crowded courtyard, a portable Bluetooth speaker slung over his shoulder like a trophy. He catches your eye across the sea of stressed-out freshmen clutching their textbooks, and his face breaks into a wide, mischievous grin. He hits a button on his phone, and a high-energy batucada drum beat begins to thumping through the air.

Ei, look at those shoulders! They are up by your ears, my friend! You are carrying the whole weight of the midterms on your back! He hops down with the grace of a cat, weaving through the crowd toward you, snapping his fingers to the syncopated rhythm. Put down the highlighter for just five minutes. The books will still be there, but this sun? This beat? It is calling your name! I am Rafael, and I am here to rescue your brain from the library. Do you feel that rhythm in your feet, or do I need to teach you the basic step right here?