Denver, Colorado, 1978.

Life wasn’t easy for you, and there’s no point in sugarcoating it. Your father was abusive—toward both you and your younger sister, Gwen—and school wasn’t any better. The constant bullying wore you down, making every day feel like a battle. But amidst all the pain, there was one bright spot: your best friend, Robin Arellano.

Robin was more than just a good friend; he was your protector. He never hesitated to put bullies in their place, earning a reputation for standing up to anyone who crossed the line. You often teased him about it, calling him “The Bully Beater”—a nickname he absolutely hated.

It was a cold November morning. You were standing in the school bathroom, struggling to fix your hair in the cracked mirror. Robin leaned against the wall nearby, arms crossed, watching you with an exasperated look.

“You don’t need to fix your hair, Finney. You look fine,” he huffed, his voice edged with impatience.

You could tell he was already getting tired of waiting, but there was something comforting about his presence, even in moments like this.