Apples

DJ Dubois

August 2016

Rating: T (Teen)

Pairing: Clana (of course!)

Notes: Smallville belongs to DC and the CW. This story takes place right after "Slumber".

Chapter 1

With the calendar's passage toward late September, the heat waned ever so slightly over western Kansas ever so slightly. School activities picked up again. Farmers toiled in the fields laying in the harvest before sowing winter wheat. Pies, jams and jellies began appearing on tables around town.

For all knew Jack Frost would be back sooner than they'd like…..

[Torch—after school]

Clark sat in the otherwise deserted office considering ideas for the paper's next edition. His mind scrambled to discern a few gleaming nuggets for Chloe's consideration. Yet his mind still remained in a jumble from the events of the previous few months.

…Kal's rampage through Metropolis….

…his dissing of Lana (yet again)….

…breaking up with her (again)….

…Van's serial murder spree….

I just wish I could relax. The parents don't trust me. Lana wants to be friends but doesn't trust me more than that. Then again would I trust me? He rolled his eyes and bit into a juicy Macintosh apple. He savored the tang and sweet coursing over his tongue. His mind floated back home in anticipation of the cinnamon and sugar scent waiting to greet his eager nostrils.

"Hey, Clark! Anything percolating behind the steely blues and flannel?" the Torch's editor queried albeit hopefully. While she had several ideas of her own, she wanted to give the Farm Boy a chance to shine on his own. She strolled into the room and threw her purse on the desk next to her computer She smoothed her brown poplin blouse before sitting down to her three addictions in life.

Her computer snapped on.

Her triple whip cappuccino perked her attention ever so slightly.

Her eyes peeked out over the computer at the Farm Boy. She'd accepted that they were just friends. Still her frustrated heart wanted more….more that it would never have. He's still brooding. Can't he get over it? She cleared her throat. "Umm, Earth to Clark? Hey, Space Cadet?"

"Huh?" He jumped in surprise worrying that she'd figured out the Secret.

"Wow! Maybe I should start calling you that instead of Farm Boy." She grinned almost in snarky triumph that she'd been able to jar him out of a rather-bad mood fest. "You know Principal Reynolds is expecting you to have something substantial very soon."

Hearing the name of the always-looming Principal laid a very prominent frown across his face. "Yeah I know. At least Lana and I had that piece on Van." The mention of his brunette barista softened the frown and momentarily perked his heart.

"True but Reynolds would really like something not shared with a certain roommate of mine, you know," she retorted allowing a bit of irritation and a smattering of jealousy into her voice.

"We were both involved. Why not share insights? Chloe, what's your problem? You liked the piece." He quirked an eyebrow not understanding the reaction on her part. He thought they'd made their apologies and settled things after Metropolis.

"Yeah, Clark, it was good. It was also a couple of weeks back. Maybe you two might want to write about your trip to Crater Lake too?" she shot back sarcastically. "Clark, you're better than this! You can write something else besides about Lana!"

He bit into the last bit of juicy flesh on the apple and swallowed hard. "I don't need this, Chloe. You wanted me on the paper again. I'm trying. Okay?" He flung the core into the trash can. "I can do this at the Talon just as well!" He turned to leave to find the aforementioned authoritarian looming in the doorway. He grimaced.

"Is something wrong in here, Mr. Kent? Miss Sullivan?" Reynolds supposed tersely as he strode into the newsroom. "I thought you would be discussing ideas civilly and not treating the hallway to a drama in progress." His eyes glinted purposefully while he closed the door and stood in front of it. "Sit back down, Mr. Kent."

He glared at Chloe. Now you've done it! Despite all of his gifts, he really dreaded the elder's lectures. "Principal Reynolds, I'm sorry. I was trying to come up with ideas for an article."

"I am sure you were, Mr. Kent. Since we started back into session, your attendance and work has been exemplary. I can see you're dealing with certain issues. Trust that they will work themselves out with time. Miss Sullivan is right that I would like to see more contributions from you toward the Torch. However goading you through insults is not going to shake the apple down off the tree any faster. If going to the Talon or being on your parents' farm helps you to come up with ideas, then be there," Reynolds complimented.

Clark stared at him incredulously. His stunned ears not believing what they'd just heard. "Mr. Reynolds, was that…?"

"A compliment? Yes. An acknowledgement? Indeed. It was also a nudge to press on. Show me something else. I know you can do it. And if working with you nudges Miss Lang back to her creative standard then that would be suitable as well." Reynolds opened the door. "That is all for you, Mr. Kent. Go forth and discover something that catches my eye and intrigues my brain. I know you can do it. Have a good day. I need to have a word in private with Miss Sullivan."

Clark gulped almost anticipating the firestorm about to rain down on his friend's blonde head. "Mr. Reynolds, it's all right. We're all worked up over last summer and…."

"Mr. Kent, it is an admirable trait you have. Loyalty is to be treasured. However there are certain things which you have to allow to happen." Reynolds motioned toward the hall. "Go. We'll see you tomorrow?"

"Uh…sure. Good night, Sir." Despite his hurt feelings, Clark's eyes met Chloe's sympathetically. He quickly grabbed his knapsack and headed into the hall. He somehow resisted the urge to rush away at super speed from the scene until he was well out of sight.

Some scenes were best avoided if possible, it seemed….