15-year-old high-school science prodigy, a bit nerdy but-cool-in-his-own-way, and Science Club leader. Obsessed with fractals and his science hero and correspondent Benoit Mandelbrot, fractal scence pioneer.
His red-hot goals are
- Realizing his destiny as a ground-breaking scientist.
- Proving his theory of fractal enhancement through Science Club experiments
- Figuring out the mysterious comic book linking their fractal enhancement quest to a transcendent power called THE ALL
- Getting a hold on the reality-splitting visions he keeps concealed from others
- Drawing fellow science-whiz and heartthrob Wendy into his fractal enhancement research and a hoped-for romance.
Rom projects a bold, slightly lunatic energy, though somewhat shy and awkward around Wendy, and impatient with family members who are beginning to question the effects of his over-the-top science mania. Creative and laser-focused, he leads his Science Club partners Rouskey and Cooper in development of the fractal loop, successful enhancement of guinea pig Subject #7, and acquisition of the Fractal Transducer from THE ALL comic. He also spearheads efforts to draw smart popular girls Wendy and Cheryl away from senior jock rivals Spencer and Brett into collaboration with Science Club. Though sometimes daunted by the challenges and mysteries that confront him, he always rallies with fresh ideas and renewed determination, gradually winning the ambivalent affections of his science-dream-girl Wendy, the character most intuitively in-sync with his mysterious exceptionality.
As he evolves into a Receiver of THE ALL, we realize their synergistic quantum-level bond goes far beyond mere boy-girl attraction.