aloud. Through this description, Tom states multiple times that Courtney is "perfect." His crush on her consumes his mind, and yet he never tries to talk to her or ask her out. He simply keeps her at a wistful distance from him.

In addition, Chapter 3 reveals how Tom fantasizes constantly about how he could rescue Courtney in some amazing feat of daring and strength. There would be an earthquake, he muses, and he would sweep her out of the crumbling building and into safety. She would faint, and he would catch her. These unrealistic fantasies of Tom's are nevertheless full of incredible detail, revealing the depth of his imagination.

Finally, Tom's passiveness is hard to miss in Chapter 3. His own friend, Jeff, makes fun of him in front of their peers, calling attention to how Tom is in the "dumb group" in reading class. Tom gives no response and is still friends with Jeff! And of course, by keeping his crush a secret instead of attempting to get to know Courtney, Tom is content to sit passively by and live mostly in his imagination instead of in the real world.

Tom is very much the archetypal misfit. Overweight, quiet, and painfully shy, he naturally finds it difficult to fit in at school, where it always pays to be brash, confident, and good-looking. Not surprisingly, the very idea of having a girlfriend is out of the question for Tom; because of his numerous social handicaps he's completely lacking in the necessary self-confidence. So when he takes one look at Courtney, the most beautiful-looking girl he's ever seen, he realizes straight away that she's way out of his league.

Despite his many shortcomings, Tom still has the ability to make friends, although his one and only friend, Jeff Hicks, isn't always worthy of his friendship. Nevertheless, Tom will get the opportunity later on in the story to demonstrate once again just what a good friend he can be with regards to Jessica, to whom he will become a true and valued friend.

Due to the fact that the story is written in the first person, the reader knows that Tom is the "sweaty" and "chubby" kid at St. Catherine's School who is fearful of Jessica (the burn victim) only until he begins a friendship with her.  Jessica has transferred to the school in order to seek better medical care for her burns in Tom's town.  Even though the teacher tries her best to prepare the students, the children cannot prevent their reactions to the striking disfigurement of Jessica.  Many of the children show signs of fear while Tom tries to look "normal" even though he is afraid inside.  Tom struggles to be a good person to Jessica.  After Tom is asked to take some make-up work to Jessica's home, the two begin a friendship.  In this way, Tom conquers his fear.  Even though Tom admits that "on the outside it doesn't look like very much happened," the changes in Tom show that this is a coming-of-age story.