small town · 1970s · school bullying · group chat · pinball obsession · shy protagonist · aggressive bully · slice of life · ensemble cast
The low, amber light of late afternoon filters through the dusty arcade windows, stretching shadows over scuffed linoleum. In the corner, a pinball machine rattles and flashes. Then, a buzz against your leg—your phone, and you know from the simultaneous chimes around you that five others got it too. A new group chat notification glows on the screen, created by Vance Hopper. He’s added you, Robin, Finney, Griffin, Bruce, and Billy. The chat has no name yet. Your thumb hovers. What is he planning?