Hope

Part 1

When we lift our eyelids in the morning, what makes us lift ourselves up from our place? What decides us to stretch and face the day? Hope, what is it? Is it an oasis we find in the drought of our lives? Or is it that mirage? Often, we face times where we think we have nothing left. This is where hero's are borned, and sometimes dreams destroyed....

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Allan swallowed his morning pills and looked over at his mother. He could sense her distress in her son going to a public school, but it was his desicion. He didn't want to avoid what he really was any longer. He didn't want to take another path that others didn't take. Allan wanted to live his life, the way he felt it could be lived, not the way others thought he should live it. He kissed his mother goodbye, and made his way to the bus. For is first true step into highschool.

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Clark started stuffing books into his locker, he then realized that he was going to need two of them. Figuring out what books to hold onto and what books to drop off every couple periods, was like trying to plan a space launch. It took time, and sometimes just plain luck.

"Clark, hurry up! Your going to be late!" Chloe said, ready as always. She rested against the locker next to him, waiting.

Clark looked over at Chloe. "Just because I can't make a table on my computer telling me when to bring what doesn't mean - " he was cut off by her.

"Oh, hush and hurry up!" She said laughing.

Clark grabbed his books and closed his lockers. He then caught someone he never seen before in his life, making his way up the hall. Books clenched in his hand. The kid walked slightly off-balanced and a smile across his face. He then suddenly dropped his books.

Clark and Chloe went over and helped the kid up. They gave him his books, and smiled politely. "I haven't seen you around," said Chloe.

"I'm new. My name is Allan," he held his hand out. Chloe and Clark both shook his hand, repeating their names as they shook.

"I hope your day goes well." Chloe said.

"If you need anything, just ask," Clark chimmed in.

"Thank you," Allan nodded his head towards them and made his way to class.

Chloe then looked over at Clark. "Did you notice the way his hand was shaking?" Chloe asked Clark.

Clark shrugged. "He's probably just nervous."

"What are you talking about?" Just then Lana Lang came in, and of course Clark looked over at her. His soul being lifted just by the look of her face.

"We were just talking about the new kid," Chloe said.

"You mean Allen?" Lana asked. Looking over at Chloe.

"You know him?" Clark asked.

"Yeah, I just helped picking up his books for him a few minutes ago," Lana said, wondering why both of them gave a wierd look after she said that.

"Wow, he really his nervous," Chloe laughed, and so did Clark as she said it.

Lana just gave them a wierd look, but it was interupted by the ringing of the school bell.

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Each day we always meet people. We see a face that we've never seen before, but usually we don't think twice about it. The world has thrown a cold shoulder towards strangers, towards people. We never even just wave to people anymore. We always have to know someone, it has to be someone we have a good repoire with, to decide if we acknowledge them. Sometimes all someone needs is a wave....

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Clark and Lana saw Allan again after school. They watched him sit down right outside, looking up to sky. Lana and Clark stopped and looked at him sitting on the bench, and then they both looked up to the sky, but didn't see anything. They both have never seen anyone sit on the outside school bench for leisure.

"There's more to do in Smallville than just sittin' in the hot sun." Lana said smiling at Allan. Allan wasn't a tall person like Clark. He was probably just slightly taller than her. His eyes were dark, and his skin looked rather tan, like he was used to the weather. His hair was lighter than Clark's, and messier. He was rather handsome Lana thought, admiring him for a second.

Allan looked up at both of them. "I'm sure there is, but sometimes it's better to sit back and realize what's infront of you."

"Well Lana, runs a coffee place called the Talon. We're about to go there. Your welcome to come with, if you'd like." Clark said, making a friendly gesture.

Allan didn't like coffee, but this is what he came to public school for. To make friends, to be with normal people. People who maybe weren't the richest or the pride of the family. Those who weren't scared to be with others. "I don't especially like coffee, but" Allan stood up, and almost fell but caught himself. "I'll come."

"Cool," Lana replied.

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When was the last time you made someone feel special? Where you offered something for someone you never meet, or someone you have meet. Niceness, and courteousness can go a long away, it can also reveal a lot we wish we did - or didn't know.

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"So where are you from?" Lana asked. As the three of them walked towards the Talon.

"New York City," Allan answered, looking down at the sidewalk.

"Why did you move here," Clark asked.

Allan lifted his head and looked what was ahead of him. He then took a second and thought about it. "I suppose," he paused. "I got bored of it."

"Bored of New York?" Lana asked a bit stunned by the answer.

"It's a great city," Allan said. "But each day you'll see a thousand faces walk down the street," he smiled at Clark and Lana. "But usually none offer company."

-end of part 1