Jerome's POV

"So how was school honey?" my mom asks after I get home and through the door.

"Same old, same old.." I give a faint, fake smile.

I throw my backpack to the side before taking a seat at my kitchen counter-table. My mom walks over and stands in front of me, on the other side.

"No luck in finding a tutor, yet?" her tone inflicted with a pinch of annoyance.

"Nope, no one is available or even has good enough grades to." I outright lie, causing me to scratch my neck nervously.

"Well Jerome, since you're incapable of finding yourself a tutor, I'm going to do it myself." she says with such seriousness in her voice it's almost intimidating, unlike usual.

"Oh come on! I'm telling you, there's literally no one who would want to or could even tutor me! Just give up, I guess I'll just try to study harder and write better notes in class." I sigh for seeing all the work I have ahead of me.

"Promise me?"

I nod.

"Fine," she sighs, defeated. "I won't get you a tutor, just yet, that is." she rolls her almond eyes.

"Yes! You won't regret it!" I cheer happily getting up and grabbing my backpack which lays beside my chair.

******
The next day at school we have morning assembly, like every Wednesday. All students, including me, file into the auditorium for announcements, upcoming events, and etc. It's pretty much a thirty to fourty minute talk of the most boring things ever to talk about. The only I like about it is that it wastes my Math period time.

I see Jon and Lexi talking and sitting in the third row closet to the stage. I squeeze past the few students before them and once I'm next to them I ask pointing to the empty chair next to Jon,"This seat taken?"

"Oh hey! Yeah it was for you anyways!" Lexi beams a bright smile at me.

"Thanks Lex." I return the smile.

"So Jerome, Lexi was telling me that you ran off to find a tutor, any luck?" he laughs slightly.

"Nope!" I say almost too happy and cheery.

"What's all the excitement for? I thought you wanted to find a tutor?" Lexi questions in confusion.

"To be honest, I'm fine with not having a tutor. Sue me! I suck horribly at Chemistry! I really think no one can change it help it." I laugh at my realization of truth.

"Well didn't you take a look at the averages in the class?" Lex asks me.

"Oh I saw those today while I was trying to look for my classes. You want to know what's funny?! Mitch Hughes has the highest Chem grade in your class! I mean that has to be a typo." Jon exclaims causing Lexi and himself to laugh pretty much uncontrollably.

"Actually no," I interrupt their laughing spasms. "It's right, I asked and Mrs. Carlton said he was her best student...." I say.

"You're kidding me! He has an 'A' while you're failing?!" Jon continues to laugh obnoxiously.

"G'Morning students of Weston Town High!" Principal Brooks booms through the microphone into the surrounding speakers, followed by the cheering students greeting him back while I remain as silent as a rock, still quite annoyed at Jon for his stupid jokes.

"What's the matter Jerome? Is Mitch, the acclaimed dumb jock, succeeding getting to yah?" Jon mockingly whispers into my ear.

I breathe out hard through my nose and give him an aggravated glare, hoping he would shut up.

***

The assembly went on for longer than expected. Turns out we are going to be here for near two periods. Stupid honor roll ceremony got rained out and there was no rain date, so we have to have it now. Mr. Brooks went through all the classes grade by grade, starting with the seniors. I groan as he says "The Freshman, Class of 2020" (A/N go with the date :P)

"Second Honors, Carl Hollens...." he drones on and on.

"First Honors, congratulations to Mitchell Donald-Ralph Hughes for the highest average and grades out of the whole freshman class. Mitchell please come up to receive your certificate and plaque." he proudly requests his favorite student to come join him on stage.

Out to the left I hear confused whispers and muffled gasps. Near the front two people stand and I can clearly make one out as Tyde and the other would be Mitch I'm guessing. Tyde is pressuring Mitch to get on stage while he is resisting strongly. Somehow Tyde and his other buddy gets Mitch to reluctantly trudge to the stage stairs. Mr. Brooks picks up the two awards for Mitch and waits for him. Mitch appears on the right of the stage slightly covered by the blue curtain. Mr. Brooks motions for him to come closer and he, finally giving in, walks at normal pace to accept his rewards.
Mr. Brooks hands over the two items, and stops Mitch from leaving to take a picture. The school photographer Laine takes a couple shots of the two holding up the plaque, Mr. Brooks smiling like an idiot and Mitch standing there like an innocent, awkward kid wanting to get there as soon as possible.

"Yearbook worthy!" Laine exclaims with a thumbs up to Mr. Brooks.

Mr. Brooks shakes Mitch's hand firmly before Mitch exits the stage and returns to his seat.

"Highest average AND grades? Wow, that's demeaning dude." Jon mocks padding my back.

"Hey you're not up there so I wouldn't be talking." I snap at his rude remark.
"Well---"

Mr. Brook's interrupts him,"Now for the student in the Freshman class with the second highest average and grades, Jonathan Dustin Oldenburg."

"Hah, you were saying Jerome?" he laughs at me before standing up.

"Just go receive your dumb award already." I scoff at his cockiness.

"Don't worry I will." he nods his head and gives me a thumbs up.

"My god he needs to get a life." I laugh to myself.

"You got that right." Lexi hears me and joins in on my laughter.

***

How was chapter four? Comments and votes are highly appreciated, I love to hear your feedback and or comments, questions, remarks, suggestions, the list goes on and on! <3

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~Nicole <3