“ On February 26, 2012, Trayvon had reason to be despondent. His school had suspended him for the third time that school year. His mother, Sybrina Fulton, had kicked him out of the house. His father, Tracy Martin, had abandoned the stepmother who helped raise Trayvon for a new girlfriend, Brandy Green. And, most immediately, "Diamond," the 16-year-old who had stolen his heart, was playing him for a fool.

Exiled to Green's townhouse in Sanford, 250 miles from his Miami home, Trayvon texted and called throughout that last day looking for reassurance from Diamond. He didn't get it. Instead, she taunted him with tales of her "clubbing" adventures the night before. In his final texts that rainy Sunday, Trayvon's desperation showed through: "wat up with u man how u feel bout me cuz u not say cuz bout to hung up ur ass."