I never really knew who I was as a young boy. But as I grew older, I started to want a girlfriend. Every time I asked someone out, though, I got rejected. So yeah—my name is Jake. That’s my real name, and I’m from America.

  Let’s just say my story started off normal… but eventually became terrifying in ways I never expected. It all changed when I met him—a boy with bck hair, really tall—like 6'6". But more than anything, he was wise.

  It all began back in junior high. Even when I was just a kid in elementary school, I always thought about having a girlfriend. That never really changed.

  "Hello, Jake. I heard your grades are dropping. You might want to try to fix that," the teacher said. "Your grades are failing, and you might not pass grade 11. The year’s almost over—it’s almost June."

  In the background, Jake could hear ughter.

  “Oh my god, Jake's no good, bro.”

  “Seems like he’s never gonna pass school.”

  “I heard Jake was pnning on getting a girlfriend this year,” someone said as they all started gossiping and ughing.

  Jake just ignored it. He let it be.

  He thought to himself, I never thought people would get this cruel. Back in grade 6, they weren’t this bad… but now? Now they’re just getting worse.

  He sighed, looking down at the floor, his mind heavy. I never thought this day would come. I thought the years would be normal. But here I am—suffering.

  Still, there was one small hope in his heart.

  I still haven’t asked Sophie out… maybe next year. I still got confidence, though.

  “How long are you going to sit on that branch thinking to yourself?” he said calmly, his voice smooth like the wind. “It’s no wonder you’re still here. Are you thinking about someone? Because I can feel the vibe—you’re definitely thinking about someone.”

  He paused for a moment, then continued with a gentle tone.

  “Also, maybe reconsider staying out so te. Your parents might be mad. You might get in trouble. But don’t let it get to you anyway.”

  A small smirk crossed his face.

  “Oh, and by the way—my name is Chryson Whitebear.”

  “Oh, you're right,” Jake said, his voice shaking in shock. “I—I gotta go home!”

  He was watching Chryson in stunned silence, not fully processing what had just happened. His mind raced, and the panic started to sink in.

  Suddenly, he turned to run, his heart pounding. But in his haste, he didn't notice the pool ahead. He tried to veer around it, but his foot caught the edge, sending him stumbling.

  “Ah!” He barely managed to avoid falling into the water but smmed his head against the edge of the pool. Dazed, he quickly shook it off, ignoring the pain, and kept running.

  “I can’t— I can’t let him catch me!” Jake thought, pushing himself forward, ignoring everything else.

  Chryson chuckled to himself, watching Jake scramble away. “Wow, he must’ve hit his head pretty hard,” he said with a smirk. “That boy really knows how to get himself into trouble.”

  He leaned back slightly, a thoughtful look crossing his face. “But that’s what I like about people like him. He’s got potential—he’d make a great addition to my Fighter Team.”

  Chryson paused for a moment, his eyes narrowing as he considered it. “Maybe next year, I’ll ask him. Yeah, next year for sure."

  The next year came around quickly, and Jake found himself standing in front of Sophie, his heart racing. He had been thinking about this moment for so long, and now it was finally here.

  He took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves before asking, “Hey, Sophie… would you mind if you became my girlfriend?”

  He watched her closely, waiting for her reaction. His heart was pounding in his chest, every second feeling like an eternity as he waited for her answer.

  Sophie scoffed, her gaze looking down at him with a hint of amusement. “Why would I go for someone like you?” she said, her voice dripping with indifference. “You don’t have the looks. You’re just... average. Compared to my type? You don’t even come close.”

  Jake stood there, frozen for a moment, his face flushing with embarrassment. Sophie didn’t even seem to care as she continued, “I don’t go for average people, Jake. So... yeah, maybe try someone else.”

  “Damn, she just said that right in front of his face?” one of the boys muttered, shaking his head. “That boy’s dead. He ain't alive after that. He ain't coming back from that rejection.”

  Another boy nodded, gncing over at Jake, who was standing there, trying to keep his cool. “Yep, this is why I’ll never understand him,” he said with a sigh. “His motives? I think he’s stupid. He’s too average for a girl like her. Honestly, I’d be totally dead if I were him. I don’t know how he’s gonna bounce back from that.”

  Jake dropped to his knees, his hands gripping his hair in frustration. “Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!” he cried out, his voice cracking like a goat’s bleat. He buried his face in his hands, sobbing dramatically. “This was my shot... I thought I would’ve nailed it... but I failed it. Who would’ve thought a boy like me would be rejected this bad?”

  His body shook with the weight of his emotions, the sting of rejection hitting harder than he’d expected.

  “Could you quit acting like that? It’s really pissing me off,” Chryson said, his voice firm and confused as he carried a stone in his hand.

  Jake, panic flooding his mind, screamed, “Are you going to kill me with that?” Fear washed over him, his heart pounding in his chest. In a rush of emotion, he fainted and colpsed to the ground.

  Chryson stared at him, raising an eyebrow in disbelief. “What the hell are you doing? You’re acting like a little kid. Yeah, I can be wise sometimes, but acting this stupid in front of me? It’s kind of weird and... it’s pissing me off.”