A.N.: I am so sorry I haven't updated yet! Something is screwed up with my computer and I've had a ton of school lately. I will only be able to update once a week or so. One more thing. It took me forever to figure out a reason for her to need a permission slip, because I did not want her on the cheerleading squad. So, for the sake of the fic, Smallville now has a girl basketball team.clears throat Now that I've cleared that up, I hope you will enjoy the first chapter of Another Life!

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Smallville, or quite a lot of the dialogue used. I don't even legally own the character I made up….Such is the curse of the teenager.

Fifteen years ago, Smallville suffered a huge meteor shower that affected the town, and its people, for years. A boy named Jeremy Creek disappeared.One of the families changed forever were Martha and Jonathan Kent. In a cornfield ravaged by the storm, they found a small girl less than 3 years old. They adopted her, and named her Kris. This is her story.

"Kris Kent, you're going to be late for the bus!"

"Coming Mom!" Kris ran downstairs to the kitchen and opened the fridge.

"Don't even think about it."

"But Mom, how'd you know what I was going to do?

"You do it every morning, now get a glass, where did you learn your manners?

"On a farm." Sighing ,Kris got a glass and mentally cursed her mother's guessing ability. Then, her father came in.

"Well, afternoon sleepyhead." He said, tousling her already messed up hair. Martha spoke.

"Oh, don't forget, I have class tonight so you two are on your own and don't order pizza. There's plenty of food in the fridge." Kris smiled at her mother's quip, but lost the grin when she remembered what she wanted to ask about.

"Hey, whadda ya have there Kris?" Her father motioned to the paper in her hands.

"Permission slip. To the basketball team." All conversation stopped and both parents turned to look at her.

"A couple of spots opened up and they have tryouts this afternoon. Come on Mom, you played in high school."

"That's different Kris."

"Why?" Her dad interrupted.

"You know why."

"What if I run at half speed and don't hit anybody?"

"Things happen in the heat of the game."

"But since I'm a freshman, I probably won't even play! I'll probably be on the bench half the season. I can be careful, you guys!" There was a long pause.

"I know you can be careful, but what if there's an accident? Look, Kris, I know this has got to be hard for you, but you just have to hang in there like we promised." She suddenly calmed down

"I'm sick of hanging in there. I just want to go through high school without being a total loser." She got up and walked out of the house. She sighed to herself as she watched the bus drive away.

"Things just keep getting better."

On the bus, Chloe turned to Pete and collected her five bucks.

"I can't believe you bet against your best friend." Chloe snickered.

"Statistical fact: If Kris were any slower, she'd be extinct."

Kris grinned as an idea came to her. She sped off through the cornfields and raced to school.

Meanwhile, the bus arrived. Chloe turned to Pete and said,

"Anyone asked you to the dance?"

"Not yet."

"Well, if nothing pans out with 'you know who,' maybe we could"

"Chloe, I've told you a million times, I'm not interested in Kris!" She looked at him and said sarcastically,

"Your vehement denial has been duly noted." Moments later, Kris walked up behind them.

"Hi guys." Pete sputtered disbelief for a few seconds until Kris said,

"I took a shortcut."

"Through what, a black hole?" Pete put an arm around Kris's waist and walked away.

"Excuse our intrepid reporter. Kris. Her weird-dar is on Defcon 5 this morning."

"Just because everyone else chooses to ignore the strange things that happen in this leafy little hamlet doesn't mean that they don't happen!"

"We'd love to join you and Scooby in the mystery machine for another zany adventure, but we have to go sign up me for football, and Kris for basketball, right Kris?"

"Actually, I'm having second thoughts."

"Kris listen, this is the only way."

"Wait, wait, wait, you guys are both trying out for sports teams?" Pete grabbed Chloe and dragged her over to a more secluded area. He whispered,

"I'm trying to avoid becoming this year's scarecrow."

"What are you talking about and why are we whispering?!" They both shushed Chloe.

"There's a homecoming tradition. Every year, one of the freshmen are chosen. The football players strip them down to his boxers, tie him up like a scarecrow and then paint an 's' on his chest." Chloe grimaced.

"Geez, sounds like years of therapy waiting to happen. Wait, that explains you, but why are you trying out for basketball, Kris? Kris?" Kris had left the building because there, standing next to Lana Lang was him, Whitney Ford and the guy Kris was head-over-heels for.

"I'll, I'll see you guys in class." She started walking over to him and they started the countdown.

"Give her ten seconds." Chloe counted.

"Five." Pete counted.

"One, two, three, four, fi-" She tripped all over herself, and, of course, all the jocks and preps laughed, including Whitney.

"Statistical fact. Kris Kent can't get within five feet of Whitney Ford without turning into a total freak show." She said, collecting another five dollars.

Kris scrambled to get her books, when someone handed her one. She looked up. A lesser friend, more like acquaintance, Lana Lang was helping her out.

"Nietchsze." Her necklace sparkled green as she made polite conversation. "I never realized you had a dark side, Kris."

"Doesn't everybody?"

"I guess so." Whitney finally stepped up to say hi to his girlfriend.
"Lana." He kissed her. Kris looked away, incredibly jealous. She didn't pay attention to the resulting cuteness between Lana and her crush. She was too busy trying not to throw up. Lana noticed her nausea.

"Kris, are you feeling alright?"

"I'm fine, I'm fine." Whitney turned around as they started to leave.

"You forgot one, Kris." He tossed it toward her, and in trying to catch it, dropped all her books again. She didn't notice his laughing as he walked off. The bell rang. Could this day get any worse?

Jeremy Creek stood at the old trophy case and smashed it with his bare fist. He picked out a picture of the old football team.

"Payback time." He whispered.

A.N. again: Well, that's the first chapter. Hopefully you liked it. Lex and Clark will meet in the next chapter, which I will try to post by next Saturday. Surf safe! waves

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