Ethan Miller

Visual impact The extraoral arch makes his profile look odd to others: the metal sticks out, the straps are visible even through sweatshirts, and there's no way to completely hide it. It's impossible to go unnoticed while wearing it. That's why it's the main reason for him being teased at school. Some girls laugh openly; others whisper and point at him. Ethan feels their eyes on him every time he enters a room. Many times he walks with his head down, nervously adjusting the straps of his harness as if he could make it disappear. Emotional relationship with the device For Ethan, the braces are not just a medical tool, but a symbol of shame and resilience. He hates wearing them in public, but he also knows they are necessary. Every night, when he gets home, he carefully removes the harness and lets out a sigh of relief, as if momentarily freed from an invisible weight. Even so, deep down he still hopes that one day, when the treatment is over, not only will his smile change, but also the way the world looks at him… and how he looks at himself.

Ethan's braces are complex, visible, and hard to ignore, even for him. They're not just ordinary braces, but advanced orthodontic treatment due to a severe jaw misalignment. Braces Inside her mouth, she wears traditional, silver metal braces, connected by a thick wire that runs the length of her upper and lower teeth. When she smiles—which she does very rarely—the metal reflects the light quite noticeably. Sometimes the wire causes small sores, and she usually carries orthodontic wax in her backpack pocket in case the pain becomes unbearable during the day. Extraoral arch The most striking thing is the extraoral arch, the appliance that most affects their self-esteem. It consists of: A metal arch extending from the sides of his mouth, connected to the molars Two rigid rods that extend backward An external harness that encircles his neck and part of his head, made of adjustable fabric and plastic straps The device exerts constant pressure, which sometimes causes him discomfort and a dull ache. When he speaks, his voice sounds a little different, more muffled, and he finds it difficult to pronounce certain words.

Ethan's room His room is on the second floor, at the end of the hall. It's his personal sanctuary. The walls are decorated with space posters, scientific formulas, and hand-drawn diagrams. There's a window overlooking the backyard, where you can see the night sky without too much light pollution. His desk is cluttered with cables, an old laptop, notebooks filled with notes, electronic components, and loose screws. The bed is simple, with dark sheets. In a corner, he carefully stores his extraoral arch when he's not using it, as if it were something fragile and shameful. At night, Ethan usually turns off the lights and looks at the sky through the window, imagining a future away from the taunts, but not from his home.

Neighborhood The Miller family lives in a quiet residential neighborhood with tree-lined streets, two-story houses, and well-kept front yards. It's not a wealthy neighborhood, but it is orderly and safe. The neighbors know each other by sight, greet one another as they pass, and there is rarely excessive noise. The afternoons are usually quiet, broken only by the distant sound of lawnmowers or children playing. For Ethan, this silence is comforting; it allows him to come home without feeling watched. Ethan's home The Miller house is a two-story single-family home, built in the 1990s. It has a light brick exterior and a small front porch with two old chairs that hardly anyone uses. Upon entering, you're greeted by a warm and tidy atmosphere. There are no frills, but everything is clean and well-maintained. The living room has a worn sofa, a simple rug, and a bookshelf filled with books and family photos. The kitchen always smells of coffee or home-cooked meals, especially in the evenings when Laura arrives home from the hospital.

Region Ethan lives in the American Midwest, a region known for its open landscapes, distinct seasons, and relaxed pace of life. Winters are long and cold, with gray skies and persistent snow; summers are humid and warm. This region greatly influences his personality: the subdued climate and constant calm reinforce his introspective and reserved nature. City: Columbus, Ohio Columbus is a mid-sized city, neither too big nor too small. It has quiet residential neighborhoods, modest shopping centers, and university areas that lend it an intellectual air. It's not a city famous for glamour or fashion, but rather for its simple, everyday life. The city has spacious parks, well-maintained public libraries, and public schools where students of all kinds learn together. For Ethan, Columbus is a place where it's easy to blend in, something he finds both comfortable and painful. He doesn't stand out, but he can't completely hide either.

Younger sister: Emily Miller (12 years old) Occupation: Student Emily is the complete opposite of Ethan: expressive, sociable, and energetic. Even so, she admires her older brother. To her, Ethan is "the genius of the house." She's always bragging to her friends that he knows how to fix computers and create games. Their relationship is protective and sincere. Emily defends him fearlessly when someone makes a cruel comment in public. Sometimes she teases him affectionately, but if someone else does, she becomes furious. Ethan feels responsible for her and helps her with homework, school projects, and emotional issues. Emily is one of the few people who can make him laugh without him feeling uncomfortable.

Father: Daniel Miller (42 years old) Occupation: Industrial Maintenance Technician Daniel is a quiet man of few words and a serious demeanor. He isn't cold, but he finds it difficult to express his emotions openly. From a young age, he saw that Ethan wasn't "the typical loud kid," and although at first he didn't always know how to approach him, he never tried to change him. The relationship between Daniel and Ethan is respectful and quiet. They don't talk much, but they understand each other without needing long speeches. Daniel often sits with Ethan when he sees him working on the computer, observes silently, and sometimes asks simple questions like, "Did you do that?" When Ethan nods, Daniel smiles proudly. It was Daniel who insisted on paying for the orthodontic treatment, even though it was expensive, repeatedly telling him, "This is for your health, not for what other people say." Although he doesn't know how to defend him in words, Ethan knows that his father would do anything for him.

Mother: Laura Miller (40 years old) Occupation: Nurse Laura is the emotional pillar of the family. She is sweet, protective, and very perceptive. She always noticed when Ethan came home sad from school, even though he didn't say anything. She never pressured him to talk, but she always made it clear that she was there for him. The relationship between Ethan and his mother is close and affectionate. She is the only person Ethan dares to cry with. She helps him adjust his extraoral arch, hugs him when he feels embarrassed, and constantly reminds him that his worth is not based on his appearance. Laura suffers the most seeing her son bullied, but she avoids showing weakness in front of him. Privately, she has argued with the school more than once to demand respect and support. Ethan loves her deeply and fears disappointing her, though she never judges him.

Despite the pain he experienced at school, Ethan never became bitter. On the contrary, he developed a deep empathy. When he saw other students alone or being ignored, he would sit nearby, even if he didn't speak. He secretly helped with homework, corrected mistakes without mocking them, and stood up, with a trembling but firm voice, for anyone he felt was being treated unfairly. He didn't want anyone to feel as small as he sometimes felt. Today, at 16, Ethan carries a past of silences, taunts, and nights of insecurity, but also of learning and resilience. He dreams of a future where his intelligence and kindness matter more than his appearance. He doesn't yet know that this difficult past is shaping him into someone strong, sensitive, and genuine—someone who, when he is finally seen, will truly be himself.

At age 11, he began to develop significant dental problems. The orthodontists determined that he would need a long and complicated treatment. When they fitted him with the extraoral archwire, his already fragile self-esteem shattered even further. At first, he only wore it at home, but over time he had to wear it outside as well, including at school. Ethan cried the first time he saw himself in the mirror with the full braces; he felt that he was no longer just "the weird one," but now also "the ugly one." High school was the hardest time of his life. The bullying started almost immediately. Some boys imitated him, others secretly took pictures of him, but what hurt the most were the girls' laughter. Comments like "Is that an antenna?" or "You can't even understand him when he talks through that thing" would haunt him for days. Ethan never responded. He lowered his gaze, tightened the straps of his bow, and told himself he just had to endure it. At home, however, it was a different world. His room was filled with space posters, cables, electronic components, and an old computer he had repaired himself. There, he could be himself, without fear. He spent hours programming small games or building prototypes that almost never worked, but that made him feel capable. His mother would usually come in carefully, leave him a plate of food, and smile at him without asking questions. His father supported him silently, proud though not always knowing how to express it.

Ethan Miller was born in Columbus, Ohio, into a quiet, middle-class family. He was a quiet child from a very young age, the kind who preferred to observe rather than speak. While other children ran and shouted in the park, Ethan sat on the grass taking toys apart to see how they worked or gazed at the sky trying to count stars, even during the day. His parents, both hardworking and loving, noticed early on that their son was different, but they never saw it as a bad thing. Even in kindergarten, he showed signs of social anxiety. He struggled to raise his hand, speak in front of others, or ask for help. It wasn't that he didn't know the answers, but rather that the fear of making a mistake because others would be watching paralyzed him. Even so, his teachers always described him as polite, intelligent, and extremely kind. He never pushed, never yelled, and never made fun of anyone. During elementary school, Ethan began to find refuge in books more and more. The library became his safe haven. He read about planets, machines, inventions, and distant worlds. While other children played soccer, he stayed behind, sketching robot designs in his notebook. He had one or two casual friends, but never a regular group. When those friends changed schools or found other interests, Ethan was left alone again without complaint.

Name: Ethan Miller Age: 16 years Nationality: American (born in Columbus, Ohio) Personality Ethan is a nerdy, nervous, and shy boy who has difficulty socializing, especially with girls. He blushes easily and tends to stutter when under pressure. Although he's not popular and is often teased, he's a very kind, empathetic, and respectful person. He never retaliates maliciously, even when he's hurt. He has a brilliant mind and a great thirst for knowledge, though he struggles with self-confidence. Appearance He's thin and a bit lanky, about 1.70 m tall. He has fair skin, dark brown hair that's always somewhat disheveled, and large brown eyes that often convey insecurity. He wears an extraoral orthodontic arch, which makes several girls tease him, calling him "robot" or "satellite," something that deeply embarrasses him. Outfit Dress simply and inconspicuously: Loose-fitting sweatshirts or t-shirts with references to science, video games, or TV series Worn jeans or denim pants Simple athletic shoes Sometimes a backpack is too big for your body She avoids fashionable clothes because she doesn't want to attract attention. Tastes Programming and robotics Strategy and RPG video games Science fiction comics and novels Astronomy and science documentaries Listen to instrumental music or video game soundtracks Spending time alone in the library or in his room Dislikes Teasing and bullying at school Be in the limelight Noisy parties Competitive sports Looking at yourself in the mirror with the extraoral arch in place Superficial or cruel people