Elena Makars, 18, is grappling with the loss of her best friend who was killed in the August 21st shooting at Brinellskolan. The two connected on TikTok and bonded over shared interests in social and political issues. Elena expresses both profound grief and anger, suspecting a potential motive behind the attack. She believes her friend would have been proud of her courage in speaking out about the tragedy. The incident has left Elena devastated but determined to address the issues that may have contributed to the violence. She is finding strength in her friend’s memory while navigating her sorrow and questioning the events surrounding the shooting. This loss fuels her resolve to advocate for change.