Lex presses the remote locking device on the keys to his black Porsche as
he heads toward the doors of The Beanery, the popular coffee house hangout
for the teenagers of Smallville. Maybe a Latte will clear my head, he
thinks, but he knows he's mostly there on a whim that he might bump into
Clark Kent. Clark Kent is the one person he knows he can trust in talking
to, and his one true friend. Ever since the day Clark saved his life by
pulling him out of his car as it sank below the water after plummeting off
a bridge, Lex has dedicated much of his time to developing a relationship
between the two, and helping Clark out whenever he needs anything,
especially things that cost money, which the Kents lack but Lex has plenty
of. He is after all, the son of billionaire tycoon Lionel Luthor, owner of
Luthor Corp industries and the most rich and powerful man in Metropolis,
although he can't say much about the relationship between the two Luthor
men. It is a well-known fact that Lionel does not think too highly of his
son. In fact, it is why Lex has been exiled to Smallville, to "oversee"
the Luthor Corp's Smallville fertilizer plant. At first, Lex was more
angry than enthused, but lately he's begun to see his placement as an
interesting opportunity, and has begun plotting ways to assert authority
and convince his father he's capable of the job, and of his affections.
Ever since that one fateful day…Lex thinks, referring to that day 12 years
ago, when the meteor shower hit Smallville, as a young red-haired Lex
gallivanted in the fields by his father's new plant. Back then, his father
had been just as distant with him, and it was in fact his mother's idea to
send Lex to Smallville, in order to spend more time with his father. But
it just so happened that day, when the meteors hit, he was nearby one of
the impact sites, and the force of the meteor impact caused his hair to be
blown off, and since then he has been involuntarily bald, not to mention
immune to almost any disease (or so a bunch of tests have shown). After
the incident, Lionel did his utmost to get his son the best medical
treatment possible and restore him to his original self, but to no avail.
Lionel always felt guilty for what happened to his son, but obviously had a
funny way of showing it. Instead of growing closer together, Lex and
Lionel only grew further apart, especially when Lex's mother passed away.
Since then, his father has treated him like a painful burden, a reminder of
the woman he loved.
My father is never there for me, Lex thinks, but Clark is like a brother to me. I won't let anything happen to him.
Lex enters the Beanery, approaches the counter and orders the Latte. The woman at the counter smiles shyly at him, knowing who he is. Lex sighs and wishes he were not so infamous in this town. For some people, it meant nothing more than feeling unsure or a bit threatened or scared around him, for others it meant a shooting of dirty looks or undesirable encounters. The woman hands him the Latte with another smile. Lex smiles back as he turns around to get a table. The girl is pretty cute, he thinks, too bad she's not in my league. Suddenly, something or someone bumps into him, knocking his Latte back and covering his brand new purple Armani shirt with hot liquid.
"Hey!" cries a woman's voice. He looks up preparing to say something at whoever bumped into him. He sees it is a red haired woman, and his breath momentarily catches. The girl somehow looks familiar to him, and suddenly feelings Lex can't quite describe start to churn inside him. "Don't you watch where you're going?" the girl continues.
Lex snaps back to reality long enough to realize the girl's white shirt is also covered with brown liquid. He realizes she is holding a coffee cup and must've also been splashed on when they bumped into each other.
"I'm so sorry," Lex says, decidedly taking the blame for the encounter, "Here, let me help you" Lex grabs a handkerchief from his pocket and awkwardly moves in to dab at the stain on the girls chest.
"Uh…"the girls begins, feeling a bit awkward too as she realizes what the man is about to do. "That's ok…. I'm sorry about your shirt too." Lex looks at his shirt, then shrugs. "That's ok, I have plenty of shirts." The two look at each other without saying anything, seemingly unaware that the people around them are all staring. The woman at the counter finally intervenes, offering them both wet towels. "Thank you," they both say. Finally, Lex says to the girl, "Do I know you from somewhere?"
The girl looks at Lex, who to her also seems vaguely familiar. She realizes he is quite handsome, and that she is blushing. "I don't think so," she finally says.
"Well please allow me to pay the dry cleaning bills for that shirt," Lex says, getting out a business card and handing it to the girl, "Or let me pay for a new shirt."
"Well, thank you…" she says, looking at the card and reading, "..Lex Luthor."
"Call me Lex," Lex says, "And I'll buy you another Latte." Lex goes over to the counter.
"That's really not nec…" the girl starts, but sees he has already ordered another. Lex comes back over and stands in front of her, his hands in the pockets of his dark colored suit. They stand looking awkwardly at each other, each of their eyes looking at the other and than to the floor in a series of awkward glances. "Well," Lex says finally, "I apologize but I better get going. Important business meeting." He wonders what the girl is thinking now that she knows who he is, that is, if she didn't already know who he was before. He doesn't think he has ever seen this girl in Smallville before, which is unlikely considering how tiny the town is. "Send me the bill for the shirt,….I'm sorry, what was your name?"
"Lena," the girl says, "Lena Thorul."
Lex smiles. "Your Latte's ready." Lena watches him go through the door and get into an expensive looking black car that's parked out front. She goes over to the counter and gets the Latte, smiling as she sits down at a counter to drink it, totally oblivious to her soaking shirt.
Lana Lang slips on her pair of fuzzy pink slippers, yawns and stretches. She has slept late today, a rare occasion, as she is usually up early to help her aunt out with the housework or to help out somewhere else. Her schedule is always jam packed, but unlike most people, Lana is pretty good at juggling all kinds of things. Her most recent project was the complete recovery of the Smallville theatre The Torch, which she undertook due to sentimental reasons. Her parents had first met there, and when she found out that Lex Luthor had plans to turn the old theatre into a parking garage, she did all she could to convince him to support a rebuilding of the theatre, rather than a demolition. It was the least she could do to retain the memory of her parents, who had both died in the meteor shower when Lana was little.
Today, for once, Lana doesn't have anything to do all day, so she figures she'll get up, see what she can help out with, then head over to the Beanery. But first, she remembers that she has to call Whitney, her boyfriend. He has been acting funny lately (which isn't unusual, seeing as how his father has just undergone a heart operation, and on top of that, Whitney had been involved in a robbery recently when he got caught up in the wrong crowd…) but Lana has forgiven him. She has learned as a result of her parent's death to nurture every relationship she forms, and to not take anyone for granted, for they could be gone before you know it. So Lana strives to keep her relationship with Whitney strong, despite her feelings that she and him are not meant to be. She knows she cannot break it off with Whitney; not when he's going through so much. But she also cannot deny her feelings for Clark Kent. He is one of Lana's closest friends; but lately, she has been seeing him in a new light. The way he looks at me with those deep blue eyes, and smiles that charming grin… Lana thinks, and smiles to herself. Then, she feels a guilty pang of conscious when she realizes she was supposed to be phoning Whitney. Lana sighs to herself. Sometimes, she wishes she didn't have to carry on this air of stability and strength all the time. Even though she knows she is strong, she thinks she is also human, and human beings have weaknesses and faults, right? Lana is tired of everyone thinking she is so strong because she handled herself being an orphan and all that other stuff. Maybe I won't call Whitnye right now, she thinks, and with that, gets up and heads downstairs to make breakfast.
Mr. and Mrs. Kent sit at the kitchen table, sipping coffee that had gone cold ten minutes ago. Neither knows exactly what to say. They both know what is on each other's mind. Lena. Why she had suddenly turned up after years of no contact. The real reason she is here. But neither knows what to say, especially to Clark. He is the one person who they believe cannot know the truth. Finally, Mr. Kent sets down his coffee mug and looks at his wife.
"Martha," he begins, just as Mrs. Kent begins "Jonathon.." Both stop and laugh nervously. "I'll go," Mr. Kent says after a beat. "I know what you're thinking, and well, I'm thinking that too. But, we both know it's best not to tell Clark, and to just welcome Lena like nothing's happened since she left."
"I agree," Mrs. Kent says, "For Clark's sake, and Lena's. It's best if we just let her stay here as long as need be, and pretend like nothing ever happened," says Mrs. Kent.
"Like what never happened?" comes Clark's voice suddenly. Mr. and Mrs. Kent start to see their son has just entered the kitchen.
"Clark," says Mr. Kent, taking a deep exhaling breath, "We didn't know you were there."
"Like what never happened, dad?" Clark repeats a bit more menacingly (well as menacingly as he can get with his parents before they shoot him their parental look of disproval). Clark averts his parent's stern glances and retreats to the table where he sits down a bit more humbly.
Mrs. Kent sighs and reaches to take hold of Clark's hand. "Clark, I'm sure you know by now that there are some things better kept hidden." She begins.
Clark understands of course, but it doesn't stop his insatiable curiosity from kicking in. "I understand," he says, "I'm sure if it were important you guys would tell me, right?"
His parents smile at him. "Of course, Clark," his dad says, "We wouldn't let anything happen to you. But…" Mr. Kent hesitates.
"What is it?" Clark said slowly.
"Well," Mr. Kent continues, "Just be careful, son. And if you feel something…isn't right, just avoid the situation. And with Lena…well, we know you want to revisit with your cousin, but be careful. There are things about her you don't know, just like all of us. Promise us you'll be careful, son."
Clark smiles reassuringly at his father, even though he doesn't completely understand what he means. "I promise," he says, although he doesn't know exactly what he's promising. And what is it about Lena that his parents are so worried about? Is it the way she makes him feel queasy? Or is it because of what she might know? Clark isn't sure of either, but just like his parents, he has many doubts and questions about the mysterious Lena Thorul.
My father is never there for me, Lex thinks, but Clark is like a brother to me. I won't let anything happen to him.
Lex enters the Beanery, approaches the counter and orders the Latte. The woman at the counter smiles shyly at him, knowing who he is. Lex sighs and wishes he were not so infamous in this town. For some people, it meant nothing more than feeling unsure or a bit threatened or scared around him, for others it meant a shooting of dirty looks or undesirable encounters. The woman hands him the Latte with another smile. Lex smiles back as he turns around to get a table. The girl is pretty cute, he thinks, too bad she's not in my league. Suddenly, something or someone bumps into him, knocking his Latte back and covering his brand new purple Armani shirt with hot liquid.
"Hey!" cries a woman's voice. He looks up preparing to say something at whoever bumped into him. He sees it is a red haired woman, and his breath momentarily catches. The girl somehow looks familiar to him, and suddenly feelings Lex can't quite describe start to churn inside him. "Don't you watch where you're going?" the girl continues.
Lex snaps back to reality long enough to realize the girl's white shirt is also covered with brown liquid. He realizes she is holding a coffee cup and must've also been splashed on when they bumped into each other.
"I'm so sorry," Lex says, decidedly taking the blame for the encounter, "Here, let me help you" Lex grabs a handkerchief from his pocket and awkwardly moves in to dab at the stain on the girls chest.
"Uh…"the girls begins, feeling a bit awkward too as she realizes what the man is about to do. "That's ok…. I'm sorry about your shirt too." Lex looks at his shirt, then shrugs. "That's ok, I have plenty of shirts." The two look at each other without saying anything, seemingly unaware that the people around them are all staring. The woman at the counter finally intervenes, offering them both wet towels. "Thank you," they both say. Finally, Lex says to the girl, "Do I know you from somewhere?"
The girl looks at Lex, who to her also seems vaguely familiar. She realizes he is quite handsome, and that she is blushing. "I don't think so," she finally says.
"Well please allow me to pay the dry cleaning bills for that shirt," Lex says, getting out a business card and handing it to the girl, "Or let me pay for a new shirt."
"Well, thank you…" she says, looking at the card and reading, "..Lex Luthor."
"Call me Lex," Lex says, "And I'll buy you another Latte." Lex goes over to the counter.
"That's really not nec…" the girl starts, but sees he has already ordered another. Lex comes back over and stands in front of her, his hands in the pockets of his dark colored suit. They stand looking awkwardly at each other, each of their eyes looking at the other and than to the floor in a series of awkward glances. "Well," Lex says finally, "I apologize but I better get going. Important business meeting." He wonders what the girl is thinking now that she knows who he is, that is, if she didn't already know who he was before. He doesn't think he has ever seen this girl in Smallville before, which is unlikely considering how tiny the town is. "Send me the bill for the shirt,….I'm sorry, what was your name?"
"Lena," the girl says, "Lena Thorul."
Lex smiles. "Your Latte's ready." Lena watches him go through the door and get into an expensive looking black car that's parked out front. She goes over to the counter and gets the Latte, smiling as she sits down at a counter to drink it, totally oblivious to her soaking shirt.
Lana Lang slips on her pair of fuzzy pink slippers, yawns and stretches. She has slept late today, a rare occasion, as she is usually up early to help her aunt out with the housework or to help out somewhere else. Her schedule is always jam packed, but unlike most people, Lana is pretty good at juggling all kinds of things. Her most recent project was the complete recovery of the Smallville theatre The Torch, which she undertook due to sentimental reasons. Her parents had first met there, and when she found out that Lex Luthor had plans to turn the old theatre into a parking garage, she did all she could to convince him to support a rebuilding of the theatre, rather than a demolition. It was the least she could do to retain the memory of her parents, who had both died in the meteor shower when Lana was little.
Today, for once, Lana doesn't have anything to do all day, so she figures she'll get up, see what she can help out with, then head over to the Beanery. But first, she remembers that she has to call Whitney, her boyfriend. He has been acting funny lately (which isn't unusual, seeing as how his father has just undergone a heart operation, and on top of that, Whitney had been involved in a robbery recently when he got caught up in the wrong crowd…) but Lana has forgiven him. She has learned as a result of her parent's death to nurture every relationship she forms, and to not take anyone for granted, for they could be gone before you know it. So Lana strives to keep her relationship with Whitney strong, despite her feelings that she and him are not meant to be. She knows she cannot break it off with Whitney; not when he's going through so much. But she also cannot deny her feelings for Clark Kent. He is one of Lana's closest friends; but lately, she has been seeing him in a new light. The way he looks at me with those deep blue eyes, and smiles that charming grin… Lana thinks, and smiles to herself. Then, she feels a guilty pang of conscious when she realizes she was supposed to be phoning Whitney. Lana sighs to herself. Sometimes, she wishes she didn't have to carry on this air of stability and strength all the time. Even though she knows she is strong, she thinks she is also human, and human beings have weaknesses and faults, right? Lana is tired of everyone thinking she is so strong because she handled herself being an orphan and all that other stuff. Maybe I won't call Whitnye right now, she thinks, and with that, gets up and heads downstairs to make breakfast.
Mr. and Mrs. Kent sit at the kitchen table, sipping coffee that had gone cold ten minutes ago. Neither knows exactly what to say. They both know what is on each other's mind. Lena. Why she had suddenly turned up after years of no contact. The real reason she is here. But neither knows what to say, especially to Clark. He is the one person who they believe cannot know the truth. Finally, Mr. Kent sets down his coffee mug and looks at his wife.
"Martha," he begins, just as Mrs. Kent begins "Jonathon.." Both stop and laugh nervously. "I'll go," Mr. Kent says after a beat. "I know what you're thinking, and well, I'm thinking that too. But, we both know it's best not to tell Clark, and to just welcome Lena like nothing's happened since she left."
"I agree," Mrs. Kent says, "For Clark's sake, and Lena's. It's best if we just let her stay here as long as need be, and pretend like nothing ever happened," says Mrs. Kent.
"Like what never happened?" comes Clark's voice suddenly. Mr. and Mrs. Kent start to see their son has just entered the kitchen.
"Clark," says Mr. Kent, taking a deep exhaling breath, "We didn't know you were there."
"Like what never happened, dad?" Clark repeats a bit more menacingly (well as menacingly as he can get with his parents before they shoot him their parental look of disproval). Clark averts his parent's stern glances and retreats to the table where he sits down a bit more humbly.
Mrs. Kent sighs and reaches to take hold of Clark's hand. "Clark, I'm sure you know by now that there are some things better kept hidden." She begins.
Clark understands of course, but it doesn't stop his insatiable curiosity from kicking in. "I understand," he says, "I'm sure if it were important you guys would tell me, right?"
His parents smile at him. "Of course, Clark," his dad says, "We wouldn't let anything happen to you. But…" Mr. Kent hesitates.
"What is it?" Clark said slowly.
"Well," Mr. Kent continues, "Just be careful, son. And if you feel something…isn't right, just avoid the situation. And with Lena…well, we know you want to revisit with your cousin, but be careful. There are things about her you don't know, just like all of us. Promise us you'll be careful, son."
Clark smiles reassuringly at his father, even though he doesn't completely understand what he means. "I promise," he says, although he doesn't know exactly what he's promising. And what is it about Lena that his parents are so worried about? Is it the way she makes him feel queasy? Or is it because of what she might know? Clark isn't sure of either, but just like his parents, he has many doubts and questions about the mysterious Lena Thorul.