CARO: Both of our parents were really young when they had us. My parents were teenagers when they got married, and they had dropped out of middle school. We're from different countries — I’m from Brazil, Jhadley’s from the Dominican Republic — and we both moved to America when we were 12. I grew up in Mato Grosso, where my closest neighbors were a native tribe. No electricity, no running water, no anything. We were so poor. When I started living with my mom, we were in the inner city of São Paulo, and she was just trying to keep us out of bad situations.

JHADLEY: When I was growing up in the Dominican Republic, our roof was made out of zinc. It had holes, and every time it rained it would leak everywhere. We got to Boston and things were still tough at home. There would be no food in the fridge and our only meal would be what was at school. I have a younger brother and at the time it just felt like, if I don’t take care of him, he has nobody. 

I’d come to Hyde Square Task Force and I’d just sit here at the piano, writing music. Or playing my guitar or singing. That was my way of shutting the world out. 

CARO: We spoke different languages. We were raised by single moms. Think about a regular awkward 13-year-old kid, then add all that. We were so outside of our realm that I think it was hard sometimes to be properly social. When you’re young, sometimes you don't realize how much in common you have with other people. And some of those things you aren’t ready to talk about until you’re a little bit older. 

JHADLEY: We went through a lot. And our friendship went through a lot. What’s funny is I do remember how we reconnected. We fell out of touch for a year or two and then I saw you at this gym I was going to in Hyde Park. I was like, oh, shoot. I Venmoed her $15 and said, hey, lunch is on me tomorrow.