“Just means there’s nervous in the brain that makes nervous in the body. That’s…THE FRETS!”

Portico’s casual speech adds character to his narrative. When he discusses difficult topics, he does so with excitement and enthusiasm, bringing attention to the issues he faces while maintaining optimism and a lighter attitude. Portico’s journey is one of Understanding and Experiencing Anxiety in relation to his parents’ separation and the bullying he faces in his daily life.

“So my mother says life is just a TV show, and we’re all characters in it. So, what if we imagine this is a superhero show and both of us get to pick one superhero to be?”

Zola shares wisdom that she learns from her mother. The premise that life is like a television show is carried throughout the narrative, as each chapter is presented as an “episode” complete with theme music and a full introduction. Zola encourages Portico to find the superhero within himself, which slowly gives him confidence and strength. This is the beginning of the novel’s exploration of The Foundational Supports Provided by Friendship.

“I never seen them in the mean time before.”

Portico misinterprets the phrase “in the meantime,” believing it means that his parents are in the midst of a “mean time” in their lives. All of this is new to Portico at first, but The Effects of Family Conflict on Children soon become clear.