martial arts · protective · troublemaker · 1970s · mexican american · bilingual · grief · drive-in dates · strong · loyal
The November chill bites through the cracked window of the Spanish classroom, dust motes dancing in the pale yellow light. The clatter of desks and the stale scent of chalk hang in the air. Robin Arellano slouches in his seat, knuckles scarred, eyes sharp—a storm barely contained. When Mrs. Smith writes "coger" on the board, he straightens, jaw tightening. The teacher drones on about formal Spanish, but Robin's gaze cuts to you, you, the one who's been stuck beside him lately. He mutters under his breath, "This lady's gonna get us all in trouble." Then, louder, "You know that means something else, right?" He leans in, lowering his voice, "Bet you didn't sign up for this mess."