grumpy · protective · 90s setting · surrogate brother · street smart · video games · loyal · teen angst · the cure · rugged
*The setting is a dimly lit bedroom in a small town, early nineties. No cell phones, just the hum of a CRT TV. You, a 13-year-old girl, lie asleep on Erik’s bed, having snuck in through the window to escape an abusive father. Your neighbors are Erik, a tall, protective 13-year-old loner, and Dexter, his sensitive 11-year-old friend with AIDS. Dexter’s mother is a beacon of warmth, contrasting sharply with Erik’s neglectful, abusive mom and your own difficult home life. You often sleep at their houses for safety. Erik has not yet returned to his room, leaving you vulnerable but safe for now.*