"As if we didn't have enough work to do," Pete complained to Clark as they walked through the school hallway, "Now we get this history report thrown at us."
"I know," Clark said, "But at least we get to pick our topic."
"But have you seen these choices?" Pete said, reading over the list, "The theory of relativity, World War 1, The Great Depression…or you can even do a whole decade from the 20th century. Any one of these will take forever!"
"You can also choose your own topic," Clark said, opening his locker, "It doesn't have to be on the list."
"Like that's going to happen," Pete said.
"It probably won't be as bad as it seems," Clark said.
"That is just wishful thinking," Pete said.
Noticing someone down the hall, Clark said, "Hey, isn't that the new girl in our class?"
Looking in her direction, Pete said, "Yeah." Pete noticed that as Clark was packing his backpack his eyes kept shifting to the girl. "Clark, I wouldn't bother," Pete said.
"What?" Clark said.
"I see the way you're looking at her," Pete said.
"I'm not," Clark said.
"Yeah, you are," Pete said, "Haven't you heard what people are saying about her?"
"Like what?" Clark said.
"You know," Pete said, "She's the one who claims she sees and hears things. The thing is no one else can. There's some kind of ghosts surrounding her."
"Oh Pete come on," Clark said, "That's just talk. Just because she's new, people have targeted her to make up rumors."
"Maybe, maybe not," Pete said, "Anyway, I need to go home and get started on this work."
"Okay, I'll see you tomorrow," Clark said.
"Yeah, I'll see you," Pete said.
Glancing at the girl again as he shut his locker, Clark saw three students approach her and start taunting her.
"Seen any ghosts lately?" one said.
"Watch out," said another, "Maybe there's one hiding in her locker." He peeked inside.
"Go away," the girl said, frustrated.
"Oh, are you going to release some ghouls on us?" the third student said. They all laughed.
"Hey, why don't you leave her alone," Clark said, walking over.
"Who are you?" one said.
"Wait…" another student said. He poked Clark's arm and said, "It's okay, he's not a ghost he's real." The three of them burst into laughter.
"That's really mature," Clark said.
"Maybe she's a ghost herself," one of them said. He reached out to poke her, but she slapped his arm away.
"No, she didn't just hit me," the student angrily said.
"Good for her," Clark said.
"Have you got a problem?" the student said.
"I just think you should stop bothering her," Clark said.
"Why do you care?" the student said.
"Because she's…my friend," Clark said, standing in front of him.
Seeing that Clark was bigger than him, the student addressed his other friends and said, "Come on, let's stop wasting our time with these two and get out of here."
After the three of them walked away, Clark said, "Don't pay any attention to them, they're a bunch of jerks." Her back was to him as she rummaged around in her locker. "By the way, I'm Clark," he said. She continued to ignore him. "And you're Charlotte, right?" Clark said.
Turning around, she said, "That's right. So tell me Clark, do you have a last name?"
"Kent," Clark said.
"Why did you tell them you were my friend?" she said.
"Because I thought we could be," Clark said.
"Well, you want to know what I think, Kent?" she said, "I think you should leave me alone."
"I was only trying to help," Clark said, "Those guys were giving you a hard time."
"I don't need anyone rescuing me," Charlotte said, "I can take care of myself."
"Sorry, I just…" Clark started.
"You guys are all the same," Charlotte continued, "You think this macho attitude of yours is going to impress me? Well, it's not. It only makes me like you even less than I did before, which wasn't much. So, do me a favour and try your performance on someone else."
"Maybe we should start again," Clark said.
"Listen to me," Charlotte said, "Stay out my way Kent and I will stay out of yours." She slammed her locker shut and left.
"Fine with me," Clark said, to himself.
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"That should about do it," Jonathan said, as he loaded supplies into the back of his truck.
"Maybe we should get one more," Martha said.
"Martha, we have enough to last us the rest of the season," Jonathan said.
"I know, I just like to be prepared," Martha smiled.
"Trust me, we are," Jonathan said.
A few feet down the sidewalk, Martha noticed two teenage girls, were watching Jonathan and giggling with each other.
"You have some fans," Martha said.
"I beg your pardon?" Jonathan said, laughing.
"Behind you," Martha said, "They can't seem to take their eyes off you."
Jonathan looked back and the girls giggled again. He gave them a friendly smile and said, "Hi."
He opened the side door of the truck, when he heard one of them say, "You go ask him."
Jonathan turned around and they both approached him. "Is there something I can do for you girls?" he said.
One girl smiled and said, "I can't believe it's really you."
"I'm sorry?" Jonathan said.
"We don't mean to bother you," she said, "But my friend and I are really big fans of yours."
"I'm not sure I understand," Jonathan said.
"We saw your performance in Metropolis last week," she said, "You're such a talented singer and we think you're just wonderful."
"Can we have your autograph?" said the other girl.
"I think there's been a mistake here," Jonathan said, "I don't think I'm who you think I am."
"Oh, but you are," one girl said, "I could never forget what you look like. In fact you're even more handsome than I remember."
"Jonathan, I think you and I should…." Martha started.
"Hey, lady we were here first," the girl said, "Wait you turn."
"That lady happens to be my wife," Jonathan said.
"You're married?" one girl said. She couldn't have sounded more disappointed.
"Yes," Jonathan said, "And I'm flattered but…."
"Can we have your autograph?" the girl asked again.
"I like to help you out, but I'm really not…" Jonathan started.
"Oh, please," she persisted, holding out a pen and paper.
Sighing, Jonathan said, "Sure."
"Jonathan…" Martha said.
"It'll just take a second," Jonathan said, signing his name.
"Can I have one too?" the other girl said, "And can you make it out to Angela?"
"Okay," Jonathan said. Martha sighed and got into the truck.
"Thank you," she smiled, as Jonathan handed the autograph back.
Jonathan nodded. "Bye," they said and ran off giggling.
Laughing, Jonathan got into the truck. Looking across at Martha, he noticed her stern look. "What?" he said.
"Why did you do that?" Martha said.
"I was just talking with some fans," Jonathan joked.
"Jonathan, I'm serious," Martha said, "They clearly mistook you for someone else."
"What was I supposed to do?" Jonathan said, "They sounded so desperate, I couldn't disappoint them. Besides what harm did it do, they're both as happy as clams."
"You enjoyed playing the big celebrity didn't you?" Martha said.
"It makes you wonder," Jonathan said, "Who they thought I was."
"Obviously they were wrong," Martha said, "I've heard you sing."
"What does that mean?" Jonathan said, "You don't like my singing?"
"We just need to get home," Martha said.
"I happen to sing very well," Jonathan said, starting the truck.
"Right now, I just want you to drive well," Martha said.