A/N: Hey look at that it's a Saturday and I've actually posted something when I said I would.

Thursday, September 18, 2008: Study Group Interrogation

The weekend passes by quickly. Todd, Darien, Zion, Ellie, Alax, and I visit Dick every moment we can. So basically every time we're not doing something required of us, anytime our parents or guardians say we can, and whenever visiting hours are at the hospital. Finally late Sunday night, Dick is released from the hospital. Todd helps him along to the orphanage. Unfortunately, the doctors said he'll be out of school for a week and a half. Dick doesn't get to spend the peaceful days at school without Isaac around. Then again, maybe he gets a bonus. He doesn't have to deal with Isaac and he doesn't have to deal with school. Although Ellie is bringing him everything he misses in class.

Speaking of school, I have been noticing some interesting things happening. Mostly just at dinner. Clark has been slowly moving away from Alexis and Rachel, Isaac's other two friends. It starts off on Monday. He sits a few seats separate from the girls. The next day, Tuesday, he sits on the opposite side of the table as the two girls. Then on Wednesday, he sits at a different table, although it's not too far away. However, on Thursday, he decides to sit at a table on the complete opposite side of the cafeteria. He sits alone at an empty table.

I sit where I have for the past three weeks with Darien, Todd, Zion, Ellie, and Alax. Once Darien finishes his meal he clears his tray. A few minutes later, I notice he still hasn't returned. I take a glance at the table Clark is sitting at. I grin at the sight. Darien sits next to him. I have no idea what has been said or what they are currently saying but they seem to be getting along well.

The rest of the day is peaceful just like the morning. At the end of the day, we meet in Ms. O's room as per usual. Sadly, Dick can't be here with us this week. We came up with ideas to sneak him in but he says he doesn't want us to get in trouble. That's alright though. He will be with us for next week's meeting.

I am the first one to arrive at Ms. O's room. I take a seat at one of the desks at the front of the room. Darien walks in after me. He sits at the desk directly behind me. I turn in my seat to face him. "How'd it go with Clark?"

"Good." He replies with a smile. "I invited him to our study group."

"Okay." I shrug nonchalantly.

"You're not worried."

"Not really. I already told you what I think of him. I don't really know anything about him so…" I shrug again.

A soft knock draws our attention to the door. Clark stands in the doorway with his backpack hanging from his shoulder by a strap. He smiles softly. "Is this the right place?"

"Yeah. Come on in," I invite.

"Thanks." He sits next to Darien. "I don't think we have properly met yet. I'm Clark Lloyd." He holds out a hand to me.

I shake his hand. "Soro Brindley."

"I thought it was Bradley?" Clark questions. Darien stares at me with furrowed brows.

"Bradley's an alias my guardian wants me to use for school."

"Are you sure it's wise to give away all your secrets?" Todd plops down in the seat next to me.

"Hmm." I can feel my face start heating up. I look away from the group.

"Who is your guardian?" Clark asks.

"Lewis Brindley."

"Who's that?"

"You don't know who Lewis Brindley is!?" Darien exclaims.

"No."

"Lewis Brindley! Simon Lane! Simon and Lewis! Bluexephos! Yogpod! The Yogscast!" Darien's voice gets louder with every word.

"Haven't heard of them."

"OH MY GOD! We soooo need to change that later!" Darien declares. Todd laughs.

"Change what later?" Zion walks in.

"Clark doesn't know who The Yogscast is!?"

"Um… You do realize they're not quite that popular yet."

"That doesn't matter!"

I chuckle softly training my gaze back on the younger boy. "I didn't realize you were this passionate about it."

Darien slumps in his seat, arms crossed, face red, and lips in a slight pout.

"I'm guessing they're YouTubers. I can look them up when I get home if you want." Clark soothes.

"Whatever. It's up to you. I don't care." Darien grumbles. Ellie takes the sulking boy by surprise as she hugs him from behind and drops her notebook in front of him. He reads it and laughs. "Thanks, El."

Last but not least, Alax enters the room. She immediately stares hard at Clark. She drops her backpack on a desk. Hard. She glares at Clark with the most serious look I've ever seen on her face. "Understand this, Clark Lloyd. I don't know what you were to Isaac. And I don't care what you thought you were doing with him. But, if you have hurt Darien or any of my friends I will not hesitate to make your life a living hell."

"Understood." Clark stares back at her just as serious.

"Good." Alax nods.

"Looks like the gangs all here." Todd breaks the tension with a grin. "Let's get this party started."

Darien rolls his eyes. "It's not a party. We're supposed to be studying, Codd." He makes a strange face. "I mean Todd."

Everyone laughs.

"I like Codd," I say. "It suits you."

"Ha ha. Very funny." Todd tries to act annoyed but the grin on his face betrays him.

"It's perfect for you." Alax laughs. "You're like a hybrid fish. You're Codd Salmon!"

"Whatever." Todd sticks his tongue out at her.

"What about a hybrid fish?" Ms. O. walks into the room with a smile.

"I accidentally called him Codd," Darien replies pointing at Todd.

"Ah. I see." She pauses on her way to her desk. "Soro, is everything alright?"

"Huh." I focus on her for a moment confused. Then it clicks. "Oh, yeah. I'm fine. I just… I've heard the word 'hybrid' before." My eyebrows knit in concentration. "But it was used to describe someone. They were a human hybrid. It's weird, isn't?" I feel my face flush.

"Ehh... Maybe not," Todd decides. "I was called a hybrid once because I'm half black and half white. It could've been something like that. But I don't think it's common."

"Maybe." I shrug. "Doesn't matter. We should get to studying."

"Has your writing gotten any better?" Alax asks.

"I think," I reply as I pull out a partially completed homework assignment for them to access my writing.

"Jeez, Soro. For someone who just barely started writing two weeks ago, you sure picked it up fast." Todd exclaims.

"You just learned how to write?" Clarks asks in shock. "I wouldn't have known by looking at your handwriting."

"I've noticed it in class too," Ms. O chimes in. "You learn fast and pick things up quick."

"Thanks," I mumble. "I have a photographic memory."

"Wait! what!?" Alax exclaims. "The boy with amnesia has a photographic memory."

"Yeah."

"How do you know?" Todd inquires.

I shrug. "I just do. I remember talking to someone about it. My brothers, I think. Shortly after I met them. They were teaching me to read. I was young. I remember I couldn't say 'photographic' right."

Todd laughs. "Damn. I would have loved to have been there to witness that. Soro Brindley unable to the word 'photographic'."

"Shut up." I blush.

Todd's response is cut off by a voice coming from the PA system. "The late bus has arrived."

"Guess that's our cue to go," Alax sighs as she stands.

"We didn't even study anything." Darien remarks.

"Do we ever?"

"True."

Alax, Darien, Clark, Todd, Ellie, and Zion head out the classroom door. "Hey," I call after them. "Can you ask the bus driver to wait for me? I'll be out in a minute."

"Sure." Todd gives a thumbs up as he walks away.

"Thanks." I turn to Ms. O. "I was hoping I could talk to you about something for a minute."

"Sure. What's up?" She asks casually.

"I was wondering if you had any ideas on things I could do to organize my thoughts so I'm not spacing out as often."

"Hmm.." She considers my request for a few moments. "The only thing I can think of at the moment is to write your thoughts in a diary or journal. I have a spare notebook if you'd like to try it."

"That'd be great. Thank you." She gives me the notebook. I don't bother putting in my backpack before taking off to catch the late bus.