NOTE: So I hope this chapter shows you a side of the Joker you've never considered. The beginning is a flashback so before you get too confused haha. So this story is starting off kinda slow, bare with me, I have really exciting chapters ahead and almost everything about the Joker will be explained in full detail! I hope you guys stick with me, it's going to be a great ride! Enjoy chapter 2!

Chapter 2: Change

"Jack…HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" Sharon, Jack's mom, screamed as she presented the blue iced birthday cake to the group of excited 10 year olds. Scribbled on the cake was 'Happy 10th Birthday Jack, the Best Son a Mother Could Ask For!' She hurried past all the balloons and hungry children to the picnic table in the center of the backyard. Being a single parent, she had been proud of setting up a successful birthday party by herself. She placed the cake on the table and prepared to light it.

Jack jumped up and down in the moon bounce his mom had rented with his best friend Xavier. He was the happiest kid in the world, as most kids are on their birthday. He continued to jump, staring off in the distance, when something suddenly caught his eye. In the corner of the yard, beyond the fence, he could see a battered up grey van pull up with balloons hanging out the window. He stopped jumping and concentrated on the van intently, curiosity started to build.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, Jack got pushed down onto the bouncing floor.

"Hey!"

"Sorry dude, I thought you lost it for a second." Xavier held out his hand to help up his friend.

Jack reluctantly grabbed it and used the support to get back on his feet.

"Hey man, your mom's about to cut your cake! Are you sure you're okay?" Xavier said with a concerned look on his little face.

"Yeah…race you there! " Jack said, and before he was even finished he was out of the bounce house.

"You cheater!" Xavier exclaimed who was soon close behind.

The little picnic table was surrounded by a the ravage group of hungry 10 year olds. Jack and Xavier soon joined the fun. After the group finished their enthusiastic Happy Birthday Song, Jack blew out the 10 flaming candles, and soon Sharon started passing out the pieces of homemade cake. The party seemed to be a great success; everyone was enjoying the cake and company of their friends. Nothing could go wrong. Nothing…

"Ah!" Jack woke up in a heated sweat. He looked around his room as if to make sure it was safe. He was growing tiresome with these dreams, why can't he just put it behind him. Why must he relive it every night? He grabbed his pillow and flipped it over. The sensation of the cold side of the pillow was enough to make him fill better, but all this was flushed away when he saw it was almost time for school to start. He quickly got his stuff together and left without even bothering to do his hair. Flying down the stairs he passed his mom in the kitchen again.

"Hey mister, I'm making you breakfast! Your favorite, blueberry pancakes! I even went to the store and got powdered sugar this morning!" Sharon exclaimed with the biggest grin on her face.

"Mom, seriously I'm probably going to be late for school, I'm not hungry anyways."

A sad expression shot to Sharon's face. She slowly turned off the skillet and started to clean up the halfway cooked mess. Jack stopped and a feeling of remorse covered his stomach, it almost felt like he just went off the highest tip of a rollercoaster. He quickly turned around and ran to his mom, embracing her in a big hug.

"Mom, I'm so sorry, you know I love you!" Jack said tightly squeezing her. She responded with a tighter hug as well, as tears started to form around her eyes. "Listen cook me up those pancakes and put them in the fridge, they will make a great after school snack." He pulled back and looked her in the eyes with a smile. She grinned widely and wiped away the drops of moisture below her eyes. She quickly grabbed the pan again and continued the cooking. Jack picked a bottle of Sunny D from the refrigerator and left, giving his mom one last hug and kiss goodbye.

Jack didn't have a car, but it was okay because he lived pretty close to the school and without playing sports, the walking kept him in shape. There were some downsides though, for example the passing of the cars would often bring harsh words along with them. Phrases like "Pussy", "Fag", and the ever popular "Weirdo" were only some of the many things people would yell to Jack while on his way to school. He would often fanaticize about them getting in horrendous wrecks while in the process of this name calling. But today was different. He was nearly halfway to school and not one person had yelled to him. Happiness suddenly ran through his body, almost as a victory. But the celebration was cut short when a voice fluttered through the air.

"Hey Jack!" The voice called out.

Jack stopped suddenly in his path and cringed waiting for whatever mean words were soon to follow. He waited…and waited…but nothing came. He slowly turned around and saw Sarah waving at him out the window of her moms SUV. Jack shyly waved back.

"Hey do you need a lift? We have room in the back, it'll be no trouble!" The SUV was now parked on the side of the rode next to Jack.

"No, that's okay, thanks though." He quickly continued to walk.

"Oh come on Jack! Don't you ever get tired of walking to school? This will be a nice break."

Visions of all the torments flew through Jack's mind. He stopped and turned around. Anything was better than walking to school.

"Sure…" He finally said opening the back door. Already in the back was Morgan, who kindly scooted over to make room for Jack. Jack smiled and greeted her with a "hey" and continued to his designated spot.

The car ride started as awkward as someone might think. The only sound in the car was the tunes on the radio, to which Sarah kept changing hoping to find one that was to her satisfaction. It was finally Sarah's mom Diane who tried to break the uneasy situation.

"So…Jack, Sarah tells me you and her are in the same chemistry class." She said focusing on the road ahead.

"Uh, yes ma'am, she sits in front of me actually…" He said in the politest way he could.

"So what do your parents do for a living?"

"Well, my mom's an accountant, and my dad…well he abandon… I mean left us when I was little." Jack squeezed his knees hoping this awkward moment would soon pass.

"Oh well that's nice…" Diane said with a dazed look. Jack looked flabbergasted, wondering if she did not hear him correctly. He just decided not to fight it and continue on with the ride.

In what seemed like forever, they finally reached the parking lot of the school. Jack was the first one out of the car, quickly saying thanks and taking off without any further notice. Sarah and Morgan took a while to get out, and when they did they headed up to school side by side.

"Seriously Sarah, I don't know why you are even trying…he's really gross and weird." Morgan said to her best friend.

" Yeah…I dunno. I feel like there's something more to him. You, on the other hand, don't have to be so mean!" She gently punched her friend in the shoulder and giggled. "We should invite him to sit with us at lunch!"

"Nooooo! No no no! You can't! It'll be popularity suicide! And I've worked hard for this reputation!" Morgan said in a quick angry tone. Sarah just laughed at her mockingly and they both headed to their specified classes.

Jack went quickly to his first block class, thinking about all the things that had just happened. He still couldn't help but wonder why Sarah was trying to be all nice to him now. I mean a guy like him just doesn't just get that much attention from a girl like her. He found his way to his algebra class and raced to the back row, where only he sat in the room of 15 kids. He unloaded his backpack and started on his homework that was listed on the board.

The door to the classroom slowly opened as a nervous looking kid walked in, he was obviously new. He had somewhat shaggy brown/black hair and was pretty good looking. The girls in the class goggled over him and the guys looked with hate because of the girls' sudden attraction. He nervously looked among the eyes of his class mates, some filled with hate, others with lust, but he just decided to take the safe route and sit in the back row where he could see only one kid sat. That seemed to be the best bet. He put his stuff next to Jack and sat down.

"What's up man? I'm Jordan." He stuck his hand out to be shook. Jack slowly shook his hand, "Jack."

They went halfway through the class period just doing their homework, not saying a word to each other. Soon they both found themselves done with the work and nervously sitting there. Jordan opened his back pack and pulled out a deck of cards.

"Hey you wanna play?" Jordan said presenting him the deck of cards. Jack first thought of just saying no like he usually would, but this kid was in the same boat as him…to which he felt sorry for.

"Sure…"

Jordan passed out the cards and they continued to play.

"Are the Jokers in the deck?" Jack asked curiously.

"Nah, I took them out already. No need for them, they are the most useless cards. I mean seriously. I've always wondered why they're even put in the deck at the assembly line." A small laughter escaped Jordan's lips.

"The Joker has always been my favorite card…" It was almost like another word vomit moment for Jack, he sat there wishing he hadn't said anything.

"Oh… uh why is that? Maybe you can change my mind." Jordan asked curiously.

Jack sat there wondering if he should actually open up his opinions to this new kid. He soon came to the conclusion that there was nothing to lose.

"Well, you see the Joker is really the only neglected card in the deck; no one ever gives him a chance do they? Someone will open a deck of cards and simply just toss the Joker away, not seeing his true potential. Yet the Joker always has a grin on his face, he doesn't care that no one likes him. But when he does get a chance to be played, he is always full of tricks because he is a wild card, the most valuable card. He can be anything he wants to be, he can be your last hope in a losing game. I think it's just... it's just I wish I could be more like the Joker card, you know? I just wish I could be as brave as him…" Jack slowly looked down and readied himself for any response.

Jordan sat there in astonishment. "Wow man…that was deep! I never thought of it that way. Hm. Hey listen, I'm the new kid and am probably going to have to sit by myself at lunch…do you mind if I sit with you?" Jordan said while he examined his current hand.

Jack sat there surprised Jordan didn't just get up and leave like anyone else would. Maybe it'll be a good idea to not sit alone at lunch anymore.

"Sure …it'd be my pleasure to have you join me." And with that Jack put down his winning hand.

"Oh you would!" yelled Jordan, mucking his cards.

Just then something really special happened. Something so powerful that you think it might just be the beginning of the apocalypse. That is because for the first time in 4 years…a smile came across Jack Knapier's face. Maybe this was a time for change, and maybe it will even start to get better. This is the first time that Jack really felt that there was hope at the end of his tunnel. This was what he'd been waiting for…a chance.

Well that was chapter 2! I hope you liked it! READ AND REVIEW! I'm not going to lie I LOOOOOVE reviews and comments; it helps me grow as a writer and gives me motivation to finish the story faster. This story is starting slow but will get exciting trust me, I just want to introduce you to the young Jack. So you can see a side of the Joker you've never seen before. Hope you've enjoyed reading so far! :D