Too Young (The Jewel Project #1)

Chapter 4.2 - Christine

Sam banged his fist against Jerry's door in a rather panicky manner. Even if he'd made a point to ask Jerry about the camp, he'd put off talking to him for so long, their departure was only two days away. But he'd never caught Jerry in the kitchen alone over the past week and he'd spent the hours in which he didn't do research and brush up on his ancient Mayan with Christine who'd started turning into a huge distraction.

"Instead of trying to tear the door down, you could come in," Jerry called from inside.

Sam entered Jerry's desk infested room. The only desk-free corner was the one in which his bed and a small dresser were stuffed. Half of the surfaces were filled with chemistry sets while the other half served as support for Jerry's carefully arranged science records.

Jerry stood in front of one of the chemistry sets, which was siphoning some gooey yellow substance. Sam looked at his back, wondering how he could spend all that time in his room, like a troll in a cave.

"Make it quick. This could explode," Jerry said, though he sounded amused rather than worried.

"Jerry, I'm going to study camp."

There was a sound of clattering glass as Jerry dropped whatever his was holding and whipped around to face Sam. "What?"

Sam bit his lip. "You said to make it quick. Is there still a risk of explosion?"

Jerry looked toward his fallen vials wistfully then turned back to Sam. "No, it's gone. Anyway, what do you mean you're going to study camp? It could be dangerous."

"So you know what I'm talking about."

Jerry's eyes widened, but he kept quiet.

"So, obviously, you're on the list, too." Sam narrowed his eyes. "And you want to go." This was strange as hell. "Why would you want to go?" What skills did the recruiters see in Jerry that qualified him to go? He wasn't even into history and he was definitely not a survivalist.

"There's a biological side to this excursion too, you know." Jerry headed for one of his many desks. He turned back, holding a stack of papers. "This is all my research work."

Sam took the papers and browsed through them. Jerry had concentrated on plant proprieties, temperature, poison sources and possible antidotes. He'd never thought of that. He hadn't even known Jerry was interested in that stuff. "This is not chemistry."

"Yes it is. Everything around us is chemistry. Plus, I had a feeling you'd be on that list. How could they not pick you? You need someone to keep an eye on you."

"I have someone to keep an eye on me." The words were out before Sam could stop them.

Jerry frowned, trying to hold back a snarl. "Kyle."

"Yes," Sam said. "And don't make that face. You two could use the time together."

"Sam, Kyle and I are too different to ever get along."

"Why can't you at least try to-" Sam began.

"Let's not fight, okay?" Jerry's smile was extremely strained. He walked to the door and held it open for him. The conversation was over.

*

Sam poked at the stake on his plate, miserable thoughts swimming inside his head. Kyle had taken the news that Jerry was coming along even worse. No silly excuse, no strained smile, just an ugly swear word and a slammed door. Sam had tried to talk to the two of them, first together, then separately, but it turned out to be a waste of time. They wouldn't see sense.