The boy on the bus gave a thumbs up to the kid swimming because of his t-shirt.
It helps build their confidence
Hey There!!
☀️ Friendship is one of life's greatest treasures. Friends that are loyal are always there to make you laugh when you are down, they are not afraid to help you avoid mistakes and they look out for your best interest. This kind of friend can be hard to find, but they offer a friendship that will last a lifetime. Other friends may not be quite as loving. The pain caused by a friendship marred by betrayal is not easy to overcome. In fact, many poems find their inspiration from the joy brought about by a loving friendship or the pain caused by a failed friendship.
Hope It Helps!~
I think the author chose to start the book 19 years before the main events of the story so the reader could absorb things. The author technically wanted the reader(s) to understand something before reading the real story.