Here is a concise summary of the story:
**Title:** The Crystal Girl Turned to Steel
**Protagonist:** Maria ("The Crystal Girl") from Mexico
**Summary:**
Maria was raised by an overprotective, controlling mother who kept her in a literal "bubble" due to perceived fragility. Isolated from the world, Maria's only friend was Mario, introduced by her mother at age 12. As Maria grew older, she rebelled against her confinement, eventually escaping at 17. She began fulfilling a list of lifelong dreams, experiencing freedom and happiness. However, after an accident, her mother regained custody, citing Maria's supposed inability to care for herself. Fortunately, Mario (now a doctor) reenters Maria's life, helps her escape her mother's grasp again, and the two fall in love. The story concludes with Maria writing her life story, having transformed from a fragile "crystal girl" to a resilient "steel" individual.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text, numbered and in short sentences, without opinions:
**Personal Details**
1. The narrator's name is Maria.
2. Maria is from Mexico.
3. She was nicknamed "The Crystal Girl" due to her delicacy.
**Early Life**
4. Maria's life was extremely sheltered, living in a "bubble" for protection.
5. She was homeschooled by her mother.
6. Maria had no friends and didn't participate in normal childhood activities.
7. At age 7, her mother created a protective shield around her, intensifying her isolation.
**Introduction to Mario**
8. At age 12, Maria met Mario, a boy introduced by her mother as a friend.
9. Mario and Maria were only allowed to play chess, puzzles, and watch documentaries together.
10. Under their mother's supervision, they developed a secret language through chess.
**Teenage Years and Rebellion**
11. Maria fell in love with Mario, and they shared a kiss when Maria was 12.
12. After the kiss, Mario was forbidden from visiting.
13. Maria became a quiet teenager, escaping into books and a parallel world.
14. At 16, Maria convinced her mother to remove the "bubble".
15. Instead, her mother gave her pills, which made Maria feel weak.
16. At 17, Maria stopped taking the pills.
**Escape and Independence**
17. Maria fled her home at 17 and sang on a street corner to raise money.
18. She started experiencing life, making friends, and fulfilling long-held dreams.
19. Maria traveled, tried new activities (e.g., go-kart racing, where she had an accident).
20. After the accident, her mother was called to the hospital.
**Reencountering Mario**
21. The doctor attending to Maria after her accident was Mario, now a medical professional.
22. Mario helped Maria escape her mother's custody again.
23. Maria and Mario fell in love, and he proposed, but Maria declined, not wanting marriage yet.
24. They created a new wish list together.
**Present Day**
25. Maria is writing a book about her life, titled "How the Crystal Girl Turned to Steel".