He was groggy. It was late, or reaaally early, depending on how you looked at it. His clothes were covered with stains of food.

He stared at the television, not paying attention to the messages: Act now! Offer ends soon! Call now and also get a free potato slicer—

He sighed. It was just another night, like so many he’d experienced. He had no job, no friends, really, unless you counted Martin the goldfish. He pressed his lips together and shut his eyes tight.

His name was Theodore. He was clumsy, shy, short. He was sloppy in his table manners and he stuttered when he spoke. Nothing seems to go his way.

He slammed the off button on the TV and shuffled to his bed. Collapsing on top of the covers he stared at the popcorn ceiling. Another night…