Chapter 51 – The Launch
March 14, 2007
Two days before launch
Jake adjusted the collar of his button-down shirt as the camera operator counted down from three.
"—And we're back with an extraordinary guest," the anchor said, her smile tight with curiosity and just a touch of disbelief. "He's only thirteen, but he's already the founder of FaceWorld, the company behind the massive new social media platform, and now he's preparing to launch a revolutionary device: the FacePhone. Please welcome Jake Harper."
Jake gave a polite wave as the audience clapped, mostly out of obligation. He felt the bright studio lights on his face but stayed calm.
"You've been called the next Steve Jobs, the next Bill Gates… but you're still in middle school—or you would be if you weren't enrolled at Caltech. What's that like?"
Jake smiled. "It's definitely not normal, but I like it that way. I wanted to build something that didn't exist yet. Something people would use every day—not just to call or text, but to connect, create, and live online. That's what the FacePhone is."
The host tilted her head. "You don't ever just want to be a regular kid?"
Jake paused for a moment. "Sometimes. But I've never been very good at doing things halfway. I get an idea and I can't stop until I make it real."
The host smiled politely. "So what makes your phone different?"
Jake reached into his jacket, pulled out a sleek, black FacePhone, and placed it on the table.
"It's not just a phone. It's a platform. It comes preloaded with FaceWorld, YouTube, SoundStack, secure messaging, and a smart OS that adapts to your habits. You turn it on, and it's like the internet lives in your pocket."
The camera zoomed in on the glowing display. The host blinked. "At thirteen, I was trying to beat level six on Super Mario."
Jake smirked. "I still play Mario. But now I do it in between engineering meetings."
The audience chuckled. Jake allowed himself a small smile.
---
March 15, 2007
The day before launch
Jake appeared again—this time on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, where the tone was far less serious.
"So you're twelve—wait, sorry, thirteen now?" Conan asked, leaning in with a dramatic flourish. "And you're launching a global tech company. I mean, I just figured out how to use a microwave last week."
Jake grinned. "Maybe I can build you one with a touchscreen."
"Oh good," Conan shot back. "Now my Hot Pockets can crash while updating."
Jake laughed. "Just make sure it doesn't overheat during popcorn mode."
Conan leaned back, impressed. "You're smart, you're rich, and you're a hit with the tech world. Be honest, are you from the future?"
Jake smiled. "I just like building things. The future is where I'm aiming."
---
March 16, 2007 — The Launch
Jake stood in the FaceWorld boardroom that morning, watching the livestream screen as Callum took the stage at the main launch event downtown. The press was packed. Reporters, photographers, influencers—FacePhones in display cases under LED spotlights.
Jake wasn't there.
He'd chosen to skip it.
While Callum shook hands and gave speeches, Jake quietly slipped into the backseat of his mom's car with a duffel bag. His birthday party was waiting in Malibu.
Judith glanced at him as she merged onto the freeway. "So… the world's biggest product launch, and you're spending your birthday at Charlie's house with cake and beach chairs?"
Jake leaned his head against the window. "I can't keep making everything about the company. I wanted one day to just… be a kid again."
Judith nodded slowly. "I respect that."
There was a pause. The kind that meant something else was coming.
"I've been meaning to talk to you about something," she said, cautiously.
Jake raised an eyebrow. "Uh oh."
She gave him a half-smile. "It's about Herb."
Jake blinked. "Your boyfriend."
"Yes. We've been seeing each other for a while now—since just before that dinner a few months ago, remember? Things have been going really well, and I've been thinking… it might be time to ask him to move in."
Jake was quiet. His mind wrestled with thoughts and emotions.
"I don't hate him," he said at last. "I just… I don't really know him."
Judith nodded. "That's fair. I'm not asking for a yes. Just… think about it, okay?"
Jake turned his gaze back to the window, watching as the beach came into view. "Okay."
---
Jake stepped out of Judith's car and immediately smelled ocean air and grilled meat. The glass doors to Charlie's Malibu beach house were propped open. Music drifted through the living room.
The banner hanging above the entry read:
> "Happy 13th Birthday, Jake!" "Now try acting like it!" – Uncle Charlie
Jake laughed under his breath. "Classic."
Inside, Berta was barking at the caterers. Charlie handed out drinks like he was hosting a Hollywood wrap party. Guests filled the living room and spilled out onto the patio.
Charlie spotted him. "There's the kid of the hour! Birthday genius! Everyone—this kid built a phone, a social network, and probably a doomsday device. Round of applause!"
Jake blushed. "Thanks, Uncle Charlie."
Charlie clapped him on the back. "FacePhones are flying off shelves. You're trending in places I didn't even know had internet."
Jake smirked. "Guess I should've ordered more inventory."
"Eh," Charlie said, sipping his drink. "Learn on your second billion."
---
Haley arrived a few minutes later, slipping in with that confident smile Jake always noticed. Her sundress caught the breeze as she stepped inside.
"Hey, birthday boy," she said, handing him a gift bag.
Jake smiled. "Didn't think your mom would let you come."
"She didn't. I'm just very convincing."
He laughed. "Lucky she didn't hire a bodyguard."
"She tried. But I'm cuter."
They walked to the patio, leaning against the railing.
"You know," she said, "when I first met you, you were kind of a dork."
Jake raised an eyebrow. "Gee, thanks."
"Now you're just a cool dork. Big improvement."
Jake rolled his eyes. "You really know how to compliment a guy."
"I try."
---
Later, Jake led her down the hall.
"Wanna see my room?"
"Obviously."
She flopped on his bed, grinning. "This is nicer than I expected. Cozy."
Jake sat beside her. "Thanks for coming."
She looked at him. "Where else would I be?"
There was a beat. Then she kissed him—gentle, warm, completely sure.
Jake blinked as they pulled apart. "Wow."
Haley smirked. "Happy birthday."
Jake grinned. "You really didn't have to get me anything else."
"Oh, I'm not done."
She kissed him again.
---
The next morning
Jake woke late. The house was quiet.
On the fridge:
> Proud of you. Call me when you're free. Love, Mom.
He pocketed the note.
In his home office, metrics exploded on-screen:
FacePhone activations: 3.2 million
FaceWorld signups: 11.7 million
SoundStack testers: 620,000
Jake whistled. "It's happening."
---
That afternoon, he joined a video call with Callum.
"We've hit sellouts in twelve markets," Callum reported. "Retailers are begging. We need more stock."
"Push production," Jake said. "Top ten regions get priority. Keep shelves full."
"Oh—and FaceWorld just passed 100 million users. You're officially a phenomenon."
Jake rubbed his temples. "Let's hope I survive it."
---
That evening, Jake stepped outside. The sky burned orange and purple.
Charlie lounged nearby. "Your phone got name-dropped on Kimmel. You're cooler than me now."
Jake laughed. "Took thirteen years."
He checked his FacePhone.
> Haley: "Still thinking about yesterday. You're totally famous now. Guess that means I have bragging rights?"
> Jake: "Only if you don't switch to MySpace."
> Haley: "Deal. I still want that smoothie date though."
Jake smiled.
Charlie glanced over. "New girlfriend?"
"Sort of."
Charlie raised his glass. "Just don't let it make you boring."
Jake laughed. "Not a chance."
That night, back in his room, Jake opened a document titled:
> Phase Two: Expansion Strategy
The future was his. And this time, he wasn't chasing it.
He was leading it.