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Jerome looked at himself. Beige jeans, dark blue shirt, black waist coat. It was standard, for him that is. His hair was brushed forward, and his black satchel sat comfortably over his shoulder. It was his interview. And he could do this. After all how many applicants from his school could there be there? And who wasn't he smarter than? Leaving his room, he locked the door, not that Trudy would ever go in there, Jerome was clean enough for her to be assured there wasn't rotting food hiding under a chair somewhere. But Jerome Clarke liked his privacy.

He walked out into the sunshine, blinking at the lazy day. After only a few steps he was tired. And he wished he brought his skateboard, but that might not have made the best first impression. He walked into the midst of the city. Cars everywhere, despite the hot day, the sky scrapers, tall buildings, factories being made and knocked down at the same time, sometimes in the same place. And people. People Everywhere. He was careful not to knock anyone, cramming himself into little alleyways whenever he could to avoid getting trampled by the midday rush. Parents with children too young, old people not walking fast enough. Boisterous boys and gossiping girls, they were everywhere. Dog walkers who really should be in the park, in his opinion.

But eventually he made it to the Research Centre. As soon as he was inside, he felt calmer, it was cooler and refreshing and all the people there were peaceful. He walked up to the secretary who immediately pointed to the waiting room. He nodded his thanks, and stopped when he walked in, Mara Jaffray was sat there.

"You're not." He stated as soon as he saw her. Mara looked up from her book, and bit her lip softly, letting out a laugh

"Any chance you're applying to work with the secretary?" she asked, he shook his head, sitting beside her. Well, beside her, he left a chair between them, dumping his bag there. "This sucks," she sighed "They won't accept us both. It's one person per school."

"Well then good luck," Jerome offered her his hand, and she shook it with a wry smile

"You know you're going to get it," she sighed "It doesn't matter though, there's another science centre in this area, just as good. I won't mind going there-"

"I'll go there, it's fine," he smiled at her, but Mara just shook her head.

"Actually…even though I do like competition every now and then, I know when I'm wasting my time," she stood, picking up her purse "Good luck, Jerome. I hope you get it,"

"Mara!" he called after her, upset with himself, but for what? For being intelligent? How on earth was that his fault? Mara was a better all rounder, maybe…maybe just in science he could scrape a higher score than her.

"Jerome Clarke?" the office opened and Dr Conners stepped out. A kind looking man, with only one arm. His brown hair was slicked back, and thin silver glasses rested on his nose. "Would you like to come in?" Jerome watched Mara walk out of the doors and his shoulders slumped as he nodded yes. Jerome sat down, comfortable in the red chair, and tried to look professional "Well, you've got a good academic record, that's for sure. But, even though it is only for a week, we like people who try hard. All the time."

"Right," Jerome smiled at him, but he didn't smile back "Well…I tend to try when I'm passionate about something. Hence my high science scores. And I'm sure his will be something I'll get passionate about…and you'll get 110% of my effort."

Dr Conners nodded, apparently pleased with the answer. He looked back down at the papers in front of him. "It says you live with your Aunt…do your parents live elsewhere?"

His voice was innocent enough, but it hit a nerve deep inside Jerome. But he had learnt to mask his face. And he acted cool and collected. "Um, they passed away when I was 5," he nodded, "I don't really remember them,"

"Really?" Doctor Conner whispered "I'm so sorry…it's odd….because I knew a Clarke, who died about 12 years ago,"

Jerome frowned at the coincidence "John Clarke?"

"Yes," Dr Conner gasped "Y-you're his son?" Jerome nodded, and Dr Conner was looking at the ceiling, blinking rapidly "Jerome, your father use to be my partner. We…worked on lots of scientific discoveries…I thought you looked familiar,"

Line Break

"Go on, Eddie." Mick ordered, pushing the American toward the goth table "Dump your soup on the red head." Eddie faltered, turning to look back at Mick

"She hasn't done anything-"

"I don't remember saying she had." Mick ordered, the dumbbells behind him laughed and high fived. Eddie nodded, swallowing, walking boldly over to the table and tipping the soup over Patricia's head. The scream wasn't one of fear. It was like a warriors scream, right before they attacked. The whole cafeteria turned as Patricia stood up and pushed the American backwards, he raised his hands, afraid for a moment.

"Mick!" he called, voice breaking "Mick backup!" but Mick didn't come towards him. Mick and the other jocks stood there, watching, to see how Eddie handled himself.

Patricia raised her fist and swung it, but it never reached Eddie, because Jerome had picked Patricia up and hauled her backwards. Eddie sighed in relief, and Patricia turned to Jerome in anger. "What was that for?"

"Didn't want you doing something you'd regret," Jerome answered easily. But Mick walked up to him

"You gotta learn to mind your own business, Jerome." He ordered, grabbing two fistfuls of Jerome's shirt and lifting him off the group. Jerome swallowed "That was Eddie's test, and you just messed it up."

"It's not my fault you've gotta give him physical exams just because you can't read." This was the wrong thing to say, Mick chucked Jerome to the floor and an 'oohhh' went around the cafeteria. But no one helped. Jerome curled up on his side, clutching his head, but Mick wasn't done, he kicked Jerome in the stomach hard and Jerome's cry of pain was loud.

"Hey!" Eddie called, standing beside Mick "What are you doing? He was helping me!"

"Jerome always sticks his nose in, thinks he's better than us," another sharp kick and Jerome swore he was going to be sick "Well he's not," another kick "Bill, Henry." The two jocks hauled Jerome up, grabbing an arm each, and Mick punched him hard in the face. The crunch echoed and Mara stood up from the nerd table.

"Mick Campbell!" she called loudly, heading over to the group, people muttered wondering who on earth this girl was and how she had the courage to talk to Mick. "Grow up and leave him alone." Mick glared at her, leaning down to Jerome.

"You think you're a hero, Clarke? You're not. You're just another loser. A lowlife." He nodded his head and the two let Jerome go, he slumped to the floor, clutching his stomach in pain. Mick looked down at Mara "You're lucky, Jaffray. Lucky you tutor my girlfriend."

"Lucky I tutor you!" she called loudly, as the three boys were almost at the door. The cafeteria went silent "You would have failed basic maths for the…what is it Mick, fourth time if it wasn't for me?" the cafeteria roared with laughter as the bully was put in his place. By a nerd. Mick said nothing, walking out, the two puppies following at his heels.

"Jerome…" Eddie whispered, looking at the bruised and bleeding boy "Listen I didn't mean for this to…I didn't know Mick was gonna-"

"I'm fine." Jerome hissed, clenching his teeth. He took Mara's hand gratefully and forced himself up onto his feet. Touching his cheek tenderly, praying that it wouldn't bruise. He couldn't put Trudy through that. She worried enough already.

Line Break

Jerome kept his head down, and thankfully Trudy was too tired to do too much inspecting. So he went up to his room and crawled into bed, not wanting to change his clothes. The dried blood reminding him of how stupid he could be for a genius.

"You think you're a hero, Clarke? You're not. You're just another loser. A lowlife."

"I know," Jerome moaned into his pillow. What was he playing at? He was weak. He was weak and he would always be weak. He didn't listen to his own brains reason. That Mick was a bully who probably had his own problems. He didn't listen to the fact that he had helped Eddie, and Patricia in the long run.

At least it was work experience the next week, five days away from everyone ought to sought things out.

Or change them more than he ever thought possible.

Rebecca and Rachel, the first two to review! Rebecca- I wish we had gone shopping! I bought two spiderman posters today! Having you with me would have made it more fun!

Rachel- I'm so nervous about writing that scene, I hope I do ya proud!

And to everyone else who reviews this chapter, thank you!

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