All in the Past

Chapter One: Begin

"But mom! I wanted to play with Pete today. Why do I have to babysit with you?!" A stern look from his mother quelled any further complaints he had.
"Now come on, Clark. You said you'd help me today." She saw his bottom lip start to wobble, sensing that a tantrum was coming and knew that Jonathan wouldn't appreciate having to fix the barn again on his day off, so she quickly added, "But if you want, you can call Pete over later and all three of you can play together, OK?" Clark stuck his thumb in his mouth and began to think it over. She could almost hear the cogs turning slowly inside his head and she smiled.
The sound of a horn from outside shook him out of his thoughts and despite his previous bad mood, he couldn't help but be curious about this Lana person. From what his mom said, she was smart and kind. He just hoped she'd be up to playing cool games, and not girly stuff like dolls.
A red pick-up truck had pulled up just in front of the Kent's farmhouse. In the driver's seat he could see the lady from the flower shop in town. The one that was always nice to his daddy. She stepped out of the truck and opened the passenger door. Out jumped a girl no taller than Clark. She had shoulder length brown hair, the fringe cut short just above her big, curious brown eyes. A cautious look was plastered to her thin, young face. He didn't know why, but all of a sudden his face felt very warm. He stared at his shoes, confused. What's wrong with me?

When he finally looked back up, Lana was stood next to his mother. She wore a denim jacket over a red shirt. Her denim jeans were neat and pressed and she had a yellow backpack over her shoulders. His mom bent down until she was level with the little girl.

"Hi, Lana!"

"Hi Mrs. Kent, how are you?" She spoke slowly and quietly, sounding nervous. But she looked totally calm.

"I'm great thanks!" Martha moved slightly to the right and motioned for Clark to step forward. He did so tentatively, eyes fixed upon his shoelaces. "This is my son, Clark. Clark, this is Lana Lang. She lives in the house on the other end of the farm." He made an attempt to smile at the new girl.

There was something in her eyes that he didn't understand. Something that, in a few years time he'd recognize. He'd realize that the strange feeling in his stomach was more than the nerves of meeting someone new.

It was pure and lucid love.

But at that moment, he had other things on his mind.

"So, Lana. What do you wanna play?" She scrunched up her nose as she thought.

"Um... how about... superheroes?!" Clark cheered in agreement and lead her into the barn by the hand.