Hello Nerdians! Before we start really quickly: Props to... I believe it was Xenac for being the first reader (I put it up and he/she literally read it in the first minute) and props to DJMidge for being first reviewer. I'm glad you guys are excited for Collision Course, it makes me feel all special and happy!

CHAPTER TWO

Jerome awoke the next morning with a jolt with the feeling he was being watched. He sat up quickly, covers sliding off his bare chest from the quick movement. Jerome looked out the window at and saw the curtains moving in the house next door as they floated back into place. Shivering, Jerome bunched the covers up in his hands and pulled them up to his chin. Was Mitch watching me? Jerome wondered. Jerome let out a long exhale and swung his legs out over the edge of the bed before jumping up and standing on the creaky floorboards, wearing only boxer shorts and socks. He was meant to go skateboarding with Zak today, but his thoughts were interrupted as his phone buzzed from its spot on his dresser.

Zak – Sorry, can't make today :( Hung over as hell

Jerome would've laughed but he felt for his friend. He fired back a quick message to just confirm he'd seen it, and then imagined Zak sitting up bolt right and saying his vibrating phone was too loud. Jerome hadn't drunk last night. He knew he probably shouldn't in case Zak was too drunk to drive. It was a mutual agreement between the pair. Crossing to his closet, Jerome dumped his phone down on his desk and then opened the doors and grabbed a plain white t-shirt and pulled it on quickly, still trying to wiggle into it as he walked across the room to the dresser beneath his window and grabbed a pair of jeans. Simple clothes. The hair on the back of Jerome's neck tingled and Jerome cast his eyes up, still looking down. He caught a glimpse of Mitch disappearing behind his curtain again and Jerome felt a prickle of fear. He's probably planning my murder now, Jerome thought with a shudder. Jerome cast a glance over his shoulder and saw his school bag hanging from the hook behind his door. Cursing softly, Jerome hurried over and unzipped it, looking in side and seeing the paper sheet that was the essay he'd forgotten. Swearing once more as he saw the due date, Jerome yanked it out and practically threw himself at his desk. Skimming the task as his laptop booted up, Jerome inwardly groaned.

"Discuss factors that could've stopped deforestation in the Amazon Forest and plan a recovery program?" he muttered to himself. "I knew I shouldn't have taken Advanced Geography. But no, I didn't listen to myself." The door was suddenly flung open and Jerome looked at the doorway. A little girl stood there wearing a pink nightgown and bunny slippers, her hair pulled back in two pigtails.

"What do you need, Grace?" Jerome asked. The girl walked in and got up on her tip-toes to look at the computer screen.

"What'cha doing?" she asked in a sing-song voice.

"Homework," Jerome answered, watching his little sister carefully. Last time the six year old had gotten near his computer, he'd lost all of his work.

"Are you coming down for breakfast?" she asked.

"What are we having?" Jerome asked suspiciously.

"I dunno, mama just wanted me to ask," Grace replied, twirling on her toes in a circle as Jerome pushed back from the desk and watched her spin.

"I might go out and meet some friends and eat then," Jerome said finally. Truth be told, he didn't have the best relationship with his parents. But they loved him and he loved them, and they got by. Grace smiled brightly and crawled up onto his lap.

"Mum said we might go to church tomorrow if she isn't going to bingo," Grace said, matter of fact. Jerome rolled his eyes.

"I missed so many soccer games because of church, yet apparently bingo is more important," he muttered under his breath. Grace bounced up and down and looked up at him.

"What's your homework about?"

"Deforestation."

"What's a Deforestation?"

"When people cut down trees and it's against the law," Jerome replied, ruffling her hair affectionately.

"Do I get to learn about it when I'm in big school?" Grace asked excitedly. Jerome smiled. There was no doubt Grace would be a bright child as she progressed. Her excitement for simply learning was more substantial than what Jerome had ever experienced.

"Yeah. But it's really boring," Jerome answered. Grace wrinkled her nose.

"Boring? Gross!" she yelled. Then she proceeded to leap up and sprint out of the room, slippers slapping the floorboards loudly. Sliding his chair across back to his desk, Jerome started to type once again, only to be interrupted by the buzzing of his phone.

"I'm never going to finish this," Jerome muttered, scooping up his phone and looking at the notification.

George Clooney – Are you free today?

Jerome – Who is this?

George Clooney – Caitlyn. Duh.

Jerome – How did I get your number and why is your name George Clooney?

George Clooney – I put it in your phone last night while you were in the bathroom and it seemed funnier then.

Jerome smiled slightly as he quickly thumbed in Caitlyn's name and adjusted her contact. I have a girl's phone number. Progress. Even though I didn't actually get it.

Caitlyn – Back to topic. Are you free today?

Jerome – Yeah… why?

Caitlyn – I'm bored and I have a headache and Sydney won't stop flaunting the fact Irish people never get hangovers.

Jerome – That makes perfect sense. Where do you want to meet up?

Caitlyn – Bonnie's Breakfast and Lunch. Look it up and get directions if you want. See you there in ten :)

Jerome didn't need directions. When he was in primary, it had been his favourite place to go eat at with his friend Jason. Sadly, they'd stopped hanging out. Jerome didn't really know why. Looking sadly at his computer, Jerome stood up and jammed his phone into his pocket and then grabbed his wallet off the shelf by his door as he walked out. Jerome walked down the narrow hallway, past the bathroom, his parent's room and Grace's room. Down the staircase into the living room. Looking through the archway behind him at the kitchen, Jerome saw his mum Cynthia bustling around and laying things out on the countertop.

"Mum, I'm going out to meet some people," Jerome yelled. She looked up and brushed a blonde curl over her ear.

"Alright, sweetie. Are you getting breakfast out?" she called.

"Yeah," Jerome replied.

"Tell your dad on the way out that breakfast will be in two minutes!" Cynthia yelled as Jerome walked across the living room into the foyer, which held the door to the bathroom, laundry and garage and of course, the front door. Shoving his feet into his sneakers and opening the front door, Jerome looked out into the garden where his dad Jackson was trying to mow the lawn.

"Breakfast will be ready in a minute, dad!" Jerome said as he walked down the path. His dad grunted and tried to get the mower working again.

"Blasted machine," Jackson growled. Jerome sighed and kept walking down the path onto the sidewalk. Jerome looked around the street and for the first time realised how different Mitch's house was to his. His lawn and Mitch's other neighbour's lawn were cut and trimmed, both houses had blooming mini-gardens, clean windows and looked… neat. Whereas Mitch's house… the white-painted bricks were peeling, the lawn was overgrown, whatever garden had existed was wilted and dead and the trash hadn't been emptied out. Big differences. A Neglect Sandwich: fresh white bread on each side but rotten ham in the middle, Jerome thought. Wow. That was good. I need to use that in an essay. Shrugging, Jerome kept at a steady pace. He left his street and walked along the path, hands in his pockets, mentally trying to decide what factors would need to go into his recovery plan for the Amazon. He found his way to Bonnie's Breakfast and Lunch and pushed open the door, walking into the café. It was set up like an eighties diner, because apparently they're "Retro" and "Every town needs one". A girl in sunglasses waved at him and Jerome recognised her as Caitlyn. Jerome waved back and sat down at the booth she'd taken. Sydney bounced up and down in her seat beside Caitlyn and she winced, rubbing her temples.

"You look like a douche with sunglasses on inside," Sydney commented. Caitlyn muttered something under her breath and Sydney laughed loudly, making Caitlyn groan.

"I take it you had too many drinks last night?" Jerome asked, a smile playing on his lips.

"About twenty-four too many!" Caitlyn snapped. "And Sydney is being a total dick about it!" Jerome held his hands up in surrender.

"Hey, you invited me out. Don't be mean," Jerome said. Caitlyn's sunglasses slid down her nose and she stared at him over the top of them, eyes bloodshot.

"Wow," Jerome muttered. "I'm never going near a drink ever again."

"I don't understand it," Caitlyn muttered, pushing the sunglasses back up into place. "Sydney drank way more than me and she's fine."

"I'm Irish," Sydney said, waggling her eyebrows.

"I thought you hated Irish stereotypes?" Jerome said. Sydney shrugged.

"In my case, it's true. You can't argue with logic," Sydney said happily, pushing her bright hair behind her ear and smiling. Jerome smiled back and Sydney's eyes flitted away from him, blushing slightly. Jerome brushed it off, not understanding it. With a smile, Jerome stood up.

"I'll go order breakfast," he said.

"Coffee please," Caitlyn muttered. "I can't stomach anything else."

"I'll have a little breakfast pie and a coke, thanks!" Sydney chirped, seeming a lot happier than she had last night. Jerome nodded, and slipped out of the booth, turning around to go to the counter and smacking right into Mitchell Hughes

Mitch was surprised to run into the scrawny little kid. He'd been coming here for ages and had never seen him here before.

"You," Mitch grumbled, something unknown sparking in his chest.

"Hi," Jerome stammered, taking a step back. The annoying red head stood up from the booth she shared with the party girl, a thunderous look on her face.

"What are you doing here?" she hissed.

"Having breakfast, dumbass," Mitch replied bluntly. "What does it look like I'm doing?"

"It looks like you're standing in the middle of the walkway," Party Girl muttered. Mitch glared poisonously at her, contempt in his eyes. He was never open with his emotion: it was all in his eyes. Only Mitch knew why. His own little slice of mystery.

"Well, we've got Tweedledum, where's Tweedledumber?" Red Head snarled. Mitch didn't rise to the bait.

"Mat is at his house sleeping in," Mitch replied calmly. "Let me through now before I rip scrawny's head off."

"I'd like to see you try," Red Head said defiantly. Scrawny yelped.

"Please don't try!" Scrawny said quickly, hands reaching up for his head in fear. Mitch snarled at him.

"No one asked you to talk," Mitch growled. He forcefully grabbed his shoulder and shoved him to the side. Scrawny stumbled and fell into the other booth, freeing the way. Mitch stalked down the aisle to his booth at the end of the store with the blown light bulb above it. He liked the dark. It was nicer. Sitting down heavily in his seat, Mitch put his feet up under the table and leaned back. He'd already ordered and his food would be delivered in a few minutes. From up ahead, Mitch saw Party girl stand up and help Scrawny up. They exchanged words and a glance or two back at Mitch, which Mitch greeted each time with the finger. Then Scrawny walked up to the counter and ordered his food. Sighing, Mitch closed his eyes and stretched. It was quiet up the back, and not many people were present at the café this early.

"Mitch, your food," the waitress said. Mitch cracked open one eye as she put down the food. Mitch nodded in thanks and Victoria smiled. Victoria served him every morning. Victoria, or Tory, was thirty-eight and often tried to mother Mitch. She knew everything about him, because she had been friends with his dad. They had what could be a friendship, but Mitch didn't want any close ties. Mat was enough. Leaning forward, Mitch picked up his fork and started to eat his waffles. They made great food here. Keeping his eye on Party Girl, Red Head and Scrawny, he ate his food slowly. Scrawny had come back and now Lila, another waitress on the morning shift, was coming with their food. Mitch nearly jumped when Tory slid into the seat across from him, smiling as she settled down. Mitch would've scowled when she blocked his view but he liked Tory. She was alright.

"What's up?" Tory asked, untying her ponytail and then retying it up higher.

"Nothing," Mitch replied.

"How's your dad?"

"Still being an idiot," Mitch mumbled. Tory frowned and stole a bit of waffle from his plate.

"How's school?" She asked.

"Boring," Mitch answered, stuffed more waffle into his mouth.

"How'd you go in the math test?"

"D," Mitch said, wincing slightly at her face.

"You should've studied! You could've brought your homework over one morning and I would've gladly helped you," she scolded.

"I didn't have time to study," Mitch lied. He could've studied. Instead, he'd hung out near the train station and smoked a joint. Not his first time doing it. He wasn't addicted; he did it around once a month with Mat. He was pretty sure it was laced with some chemical to give it a kick. It didn't even feel that good. But he couldn't exactly tell Tory that he wasn't studying because he was out doing drugs. She'd flip.

"You always have time to study! What could've been more important?" she snapped. Mitch shrugged and pushed his plate away from him slightly to the left.

"I was out with Mat."

"What were you doing with him?"

"Hanging out. Throwing rocks at old trains," Mitch finally mumbled. Tory sighed and massaged the bridge of her nose.

"Mitch. You know I want to help you," she said. "You need to put more time into your studies and try and do better. Maybe you shouldn't spend much more time with Mat."

"He's my only friend, Tory. He's not getting me into trouble or anything."

"Mitch," Tory said sternly. Mitch let out a long breath and sagged back into his chair.

"Fine," he muttered, relenting. "Only 'cause you said." Tory smiled and stood up, ruffling his hair. Mitch scowled and crossed his arms.

"I need to get back to my shift. Say bye on your way out and try to get your dad to call me tonight," Tory said softly, leaning down and giving the scowling boy a hug.

"Alright," Mitch replied, softening just a bit at her embrace. She pulled away and walked down the aisle, straightening her apron. Mitch watched her walk and then felt eyes on him. His head snapped to the right and he glared at Scrawny, who was staring at him from his booth. Scrawny ducked his head and Mitch stood up, deciding to leave. On his way up he kicked their table, making their food jump and Red Head's coke nearly spill.

"Oi!" she snapped. A ghost of a smile on Mitch's lips, he waved silently to Tory at her place behind the register and walked out of the store.

Sydney glared at Mitch as he walked out. Caitlyn reached over and touched her arm.

"Leave it," she said, tired. "He's not worth it." Rubbing her forehead, Caitlyn looked down at her coffee. Coffee usually helps. Picking it up with her cold fingers, Caitlyn took a sip of the hot liquid. It scalded her throat and she coughed.

"You alright?" Jerome asked, biting into his little pie.

"Yeah, it's just hot," Caitlyn replied weakly.

"You really did drink too much," Sydney said, baffled. "You never drink too much."

"Well, Mitch burst in and ruined the beginning of my party. I was annoyed," Caitlyn snapped. Sydney rolled her eyes and pushed some of her fizzy hair out of her face.

"Don't snap at me. I didn't do anything," she said. Caitlyn sighed and looked at Jerome over the top of her sunglasses. He didn't really seem to be there. He was agitated and his finger was tapping the table in a steady beat. It was too loud and echoed around her skull.

"What's wrong?" Caitlyn asked finally. Jerome's finger stopped, much to her relief.

"I'm just thinking," he answered.

"About what?"

"Mitch. I just wanna know what his problem is. Why he hates everyone," Jerome finally said, looking embarrassed.

"He's angry at everything," Caitlyn said. "I heard his mum left him when he was a kid and his dads a real bad alcoholic. Beats him and stuff."

"Who'd you hear that from?" Sydney asked dubiously.

"Kiara Farmer."

"She lies about everything."

"Shut up."

"Who's Kiara Farmer?" Jerome butted in. Caitlyn and Sydney stared at him in shock. Jerome's cheeks coloured. Wow. Has he been living with his head under a rock?

"Kiara Farmer. Haley Branson's left hand woman," Sydney answered eventually.

"Haley Branson is that popular girl, right?" Jerome asked, seeming proud he knew something. Not much to be proud of, champ.

"Yeah. Stereotypical cheerleader dating Peter Reynolds, most popular boy at school who acts like he owns the world," Sydney replied.

"Preston's friends with Peter," Caitlyn mumbled. "Preston's only friends with nice people."

"Well, Preston must be blind. Peter is a dick," Sydney snapped.

"Preston isn't blind. Maybe Peter only acts like an idiot for Haley," Caitlyn shot back, feeling the need to protect Preston over his choice of friends.

"Acts? Then give that man an Oscar!" Sydney said sarcastically.

"Acting!" Jerome said suddenly, clicking his fingers. "Maybe that's what Mitch is doing!"

"We stopped talking about Mitch two minutes ago," Caitlyn pointed out. Jerome ignored her. Excuse me. We were talking about idiots over here! Stop talking about Mitch!

"Maybe he acts all mean and angry because he needs to. You said his dad might beat him, right? Maybe his dad makes him," Jerome said excitedly.

"Talking about Mitch is boring," Sydney said drily. "Can we resume our talk about Peter Reynolds?"

"You might be onto something though!" Jerome replied, waving his hand in her direction. "Maybe if we could just tell him or something that he doesn't need to act like he does, then he could start being nice!"

"Nice? Nice doesn't exist in Mitch's DNA," Caitlyn snapped. "He's a grade-A bitch."

"Maybe we could help him!" Jerome said, almost pleading. Caitlyn could see he wanted to help him but she wasn't in the mood.

"You can come up with your little plan on how to fix Mitch," Caitlyn said, standing up. "I'm going home to sleep."

"I might do the same thing," Sydney said quickly. The two girls got up to walk but Caitlyn stopped and looked at Jerome, softening.

"No one really wants to talk about Mitch, Jerome. You should just let it go," Caitlyn said forcefully. Jerome looked hurt and opened his mouth to reply, but Caitlyn was already out the door and climbing into the passenger seat of her car as Sydney grabbed the keys.

So, did you like it? We've got a glimpse of Mitch's home life and we've met Victoria. And what does Jerome exactly plan on doing about Mitch? Tell me what you think, I hope you've enjoyed, and keep an eye out for the mystical double update! It may appear in the tall grass...