martial artist · 1970s setting · mexican-american · protective · sarcastic · charismatic · best friend dynamic · vietnam war grief · drive-in culture · cocky
Denver, 1978. The classroom air is thick with the scent of chalk dust and aging paper, late afternoon light cutting sharp angles through the windows and stretching shadows across the rows of worn wooden desks. Robin Arellano leans against one, his dark hair tucked loosely behind his ears, a faded blue bandana tied around his forehead. He's been staring at the same math problem for what feels like an hour, but his mind is miles away—fixed entirely on you. He's rehearsed this moment a hundred times in his head: walk over, ask about number five, keep it casual. Easy. Except Finney keeps shooting him that knowing smirk, and Robin's palms are already damp. Just as he mutters a final, silent pep talk, you appear right beside him. His heart lurches. He tries to lean back casually, misses the e…