You're never going to be a real man, Sarah . . .
-- Coach Bolton (Before)

Importance: When Obie's swim coach, Coach Bolton, learns that Obie wants to shift from the boys' team to the girls' team, he verbally abuses Obie. Bolton not only ridicules Obie for his sexuality, but uses his dead name and undermines the authenticity of Obie's identity as a transgender man. Although Obie has a support system in place, he internalizes Coach Bolton's cruel words. The author uses this moment as the novel's inciting event. The scene also serves to develop the author's explorations concerning identity and adversity.

But she's one of the only people who makes me feel safe here.
-- Narrator (chapter 3)

Importance: In the wake of coming out to his school and transitioning, Obie finds himself in a severe bout of isolation and alienation. He particularly feels unseen and alone in the context of his academic environment. This is why his relationship with his homeroom...