Today is September 28, so you know what that means? That's right! It's birthday time!
Happy birthday to Jesse!
Jesse was born to Heather and Collin Warren on September 28, 1982. He's another Fragmented character who's birthday occurs within the story, meaning that he turns 22 partway through the novel. As of today, in 2024, Jesse would be turning 42! He's a libra.
Jesse's an only child to two very loving parents. Funnily enough, he lives right next door to the Murphys. He grew up playing with Amber and Peter since they were neighbours, and later Noa when he moved in with the Murphys.
If you asked Jesse, he would tell you that he had a crush on Amber for as long as he could remember. When they were little and Amber wanted to play house, she would be the mom, he would be the dad, and Peter would be their pet dragon.
Amber and Jesse were always close and spent a lot of time together. Even though Celeste was Amber's best friend and Jesse hung out with the other boys in school, the two of them were always childhoods friends. They would find excuses to hang out. They'd even pass notes in class.
I haven't seen too many real life relationships like this, personally. Most people stop seeing each other after school is over. People grow apart.
I don't even know what happened to the guys I used to hang out with as a kid. Hope they're doing good.
Jesse's an interesting character. He's deceptively mellow, and I say "deceptive" because he's spent several long years grieving Amber's loss.
Her death had a heavy impact on him. Without her, he was lost. All of his future plans were obliterated and he didn't know what to do with himself. He was left alone, by himself, at a time where death wasn't something he would even seriously consider.
Loss is a complicated thing. It's hard to describe. The best way I can think to put it, based on personal experience, is… Things don't get better - they get familiar.
You get used to missing the people you've lost. You get used to them not being there anymore. Sometimes it hits you hard. Sometimes it's the furthest thing from your mind.
So, that's what Jesse's going through all the time. He really loved Amber. He can't help but think of her and miss her. He can't help but want her back.
You know, I've always wanted to write a romance, but I can only ever seem write tragedies. Somehow, for some reason, my brain needs my characters to be in pain. I don't know why, but that's how it is.
Maybe it's because I like sacrifice to be present in a love story? And I know it might seem strange to think of giving things up for someone else as romantic. Of course you want everyone to happy. That's the goal, right? But if nothing ever goes wrong, if you never have to struggle, then you don't know what will happen when hardship strikes.
Anyway, that's all for now. Two birthdays left to go! We'll get another one in October, so look forward to that!