During my first semester at Holy Cross College, I failed to make academics a priority. But I returned the following fall with my priorities realigned, motivated to work hard and driven to excel. Over the next year, I began to fulfill my potential. But six months ago, a devastating loss brought my goals into focus. Nick was my best friend. We met in the sixth grade and did everything together. He was my brother at heart. We were inseparable. Nick and Joel just rolled off the tongues of our parents, our friends, and our teachers. It was never just Nick, never just Joel. It was always Nick and Joel. Nick stayed in Fort Collins after high school, but whenever I came back, we picked up right where we left off. Initially, Nick hid his drug abuse
