Sorry this is quite a short chapter and the quality really isn't great, but it's just a filler until the good stuff.

This is OCxPeter but maybe Gwen will make an appearance, it's not decided yet (:

Thank you so much for all your nice reviews and advice! :)

As the rain bounced off the pavement, I pulled the hood of my coat closer over my head. It was on days like this that I was grateful my house was located just down the street.

As I walked, ignoring the fact that water was seeping in through my flimsy shoes, I debated how I could thank Peter. I didn't have his number so I couldn't call, and I didn't know his address so I couldn't stop by but maybe I could leave a note.

The familar row of town houses came into view, so I pushed the ideas to the back of my mind for now. Ascending the stone steps, I rang the bell because the door was always locked. I was told it had to be kept locked even if someone was inside, because my parents couldn't risk anyone stealing their work.

My mother answered in her usual attire, random leaves sticking out of her curly ginger hair and a white labcoat with a pocket full of pens. ''How was your day?'' she asked as I hung up my parka on one of the hooks.

''Fine,'' I replied as I always did, hoping to avoid conversation and relieved that my fringe covered the stitches. She said nothing else as I headed for the stairs.

Throwing down my backpack and kicking off my shoes, I collapsed on to my bed and let out a sigh, disturbing my cat who had found himself at home on the cream and purple bed covers. My bedroom was the only place I felt completely safe, peering around the walls there were posters of various authors, musicians and a large bookcase containing a variety of genres.

After a while I must have dozed off because I awoke to the sound of my mother calling me down for dinner.

We rarely ate together as a family. They were always working late in the lab and I was never allowed in so I took the chance to ask them about what they were working on.

''So,'' I began, helping myself to some salad, ''what have you been doing recently, any new discoveries?''

My father took a sip of his water, still and bottled like he always had it, ''Well,'' he said looking at my mother, ''we have been working on some fossilised plants lately, and we may have discovered a new species, although we cannot be certain,''

''A new species? Wow,'' I replied, generally surprised.

''Yes,'' my mother said, putting a dish of hot meat loaf down on the table, ''we have extracted some of its DNA and successfully created a copy of the plant itself.''

''Indeed we have. The species shows some fascinating characteristics, for example, when threatened it creates an unsual layer of needle like leaves, quite similar to the thorns on a rose, to protect itself. These spikes contain a sting, we are not yet certain what the effects of this sting could be so handling the plant is out of the question.''

''Amazing...could I see it?' I asked, already guessing what the answer would be.

''No,'' my mother said, ''not until we know more information about it,''

''We have collected samples of its leaves and roots, which are kept in a glass cabinet in my office, you are welcome to look but you're smart enough to know not to touch them,'' my father said, cleaning his glasses and then getting up to clear his plate.

''Sure,'' I nodded, and that was the end of the conversation.

After dinner I went back to my bedroom to do some studying. Taking my books, a notebook and a couple of pens, I climbed out of the window and on to the fire escape. It had stopped raining and the air was cool against my skin. I had an essay due next week, and thought it better to get a start on it.

Four pages of continuous writing later, it had started to get dark and the street lights didn't provide enough light for me to see what I was doing. Switching on my computer and desk lamp I typed up what I had completed so far, it was 3am before I was finally getting to bed.

Laying awake, I planned how I would give the thank you note to Peter. I was sure his locker was seven across from mine and if I was quick enough I could slip it in without anyone seeing or suspecting anything. For once I was actually eager to get to school, although it was likely Flash would find some way of humiliating me again like he had been doing for the past three years.

Chapter 3 is in progress

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