Chapter 1: The Boy with the Sunken Chest and Big Teeth
Pectus excavatum and a pair of big teeth—that's what made Jake Thompson stand out since middle school. His sunken chest and wide smile had always drawn teasing from classmates. They said it was just jokes, but Jake knew better. Every laugh at his expense, every nickname thrown casually across the hallway, added to a quiet ache buried deep inside.
But Jake learned to laugh with them.
By the time he got to high school, Jake had turned his pain into humor. He became the class clown—the guy who always had a clever comeback, a prank ready, or a ridiculous story to tell. Despite still being the butt of some jokes, Jake fit in somehow. He made everyone laugh, and in return, they let him belong.
He'd often get scolded by teachers for goofing off, dodging homework, or pulling tricks to make up assignments last minute. But even the strictest teachers had to admit—Jake had charm. He was quick-witted, cheerful, and impossible to ignore.
One person who couldn't ignore him, even if she tried, was Lisa Carter.
Lisa was everything Jake wasn't: top of her class, poised, beautiful, and admired by both teachers and students. But what drew Lisa to Jake wasn't his grades or his looks. It was his energy. The way he lit up a room. The way he made everyone laugh, even on the worst days. And the way he hid something softer, something sad, behind that big, goofy smile.
To her, Jake wasn't just a funny guy—he was someone special.
And Jake, while always joking and dodging feelings, never realized just how much Lisa's eyes lingered on him. Or how hard her heart beat every time he made her laugh.
The sky above Eastwood High was dull and overcast, the grey clouds mirroring the heaviness in Lisa Carter's chest. She stood by the courtyard fountain, her fingers nervously twisting the edge of her notebook as she waited. The final bell had long rung, and the once-busy courtyard was quiet now—except for her racing heartbeat.
Jake showed up a few minutes later, his usual laid-back smile in place, his backpack slung lazily over one shoulder.
"Hey, Lisa," he greeted casually. "You said you wanted to talk?"
Lisa nodded, swallowing hard. "Yeah… I do."
She took a step closer, her voice barely above a whisper. "Jake, I like you."
He blinked. "…Huh?"
"I've liked you for a long time. You're always smiling, always making people laugh—even when things are hard. I think you're… handsome, too. And—"
"Stop," Jake said sharply, his voice cutting through the air like a blade.
Lisa flinched, stunned by his tone.
"You're… joking, right?" he asked, his face darkening. "This is some kind of prank?"
"What? No—Jake, I'm serious—"
Jake's fists clenched, and for the first time, Lisa saw a storm in his eyes.
"Don't you think I know how this goes?" he snapped. "You girls. You play games. Say the right words. Make some loser like me believe for one second that he's worth something."
"Jake—what are you talking about? I would never—"
"You think I'm handsome?" he scoffed bitterly, voice rising. "Don't lie to me, Lisa. I'm not stupid. You and everyone else might think I'm some clown, but I see through it."
Lisa's breath caught in her throat. "Jake… I don't understand. Why are you saying this?"
Jake's face twisted in pain and anger, emotions spilling over like a dam breaking.
"Because I do like you, Lisa!" he shouted. "I've liked you since the first time you laughed at one of my dumb jokes! But I'm not good enough for you. I never will be."
Tears welled in Lisa's eyes, but she couldn't say anything. Her words were gone—stolen by the shock of hearing the truth buried in his rage.
"You don't understand what it's like," Jake continued, his voice cracking. "To wake up every day and pretend like you're okay. To laugh so people won't see how broken you are. Who do you think I am, huh? Some fool who jokes around for fun?"
He took a step back, as if retreating into himself.
"I'm tired, Lisa. Please… just leave me alone."
His voice dropped to a whisper.
"…And I'm sorry."
Lisa stood frozen for a second, then turned and ran. She couldn't hold back the tears anymore. She cried as she fled across the courtyard, past the fountain where she had once imagined a happy ending.
And Jake—he stood there alone, watching her disappear, hating himself for pushing her away…
…even though he thought it was the right thing to do.