SHOUTOUTS\ANSWERS
Windyfontaine: Thanks. Maybe. No prob. Glad you think so. Here's more.
Spuffyshipper: Thanks. Sorry it took so long. Eventually. Sorry this isn't soon enough.
Jayme: Thanks. As for Jake's identity, you'll find that out later, and the green stone has the same effect as meteor rocks have on Clark.
Raven524: Thanks. I'm glad I explained it clearly.
DISCLAIMER
Smallville belongs to the WB, which will soon be the CW. I only own Katie, Mike, and Jake. And I'm making up different schedules for Smallville High and Met U.
Meanwhile, at Metropolis University, Jason Teague was in his history class, trying to stay awake. He hadn't gotten much sleep the night before due to nightmares, and now he was trying to act like nothing had happened. A door opened and a boy groaned.
"Not again," he said.
"Mr. Teague? Mr. Teague, are you with us?" the professor's voice caused Jason to jump.
"I'm---I'm sorry. What?" he asked.
"Uh-huh. Guess that answers that question," the man said. Then, he continued with his lecture. Jason kept his gaze away from the other students and tried to concentrate. It was all he had to do: just keep his mind on his studies. Just focus and his memories wouldn't come flooding back. Yeah, keep telling yourself that Jason, he thought to himself. Fifty minutes later, the class was dismissed and Jason walked to his next class.
"Hey, Jase!" someone called.
"Hey, man," he acknowledged.
"Where ya headed next?" the other boy wondered.
"English and I'm gonna be late," Jason answered. With that, he hurried past his friend and headed for another part of the campus. Once he got there, Jason stopped outside the door. He sighed. He wasn't sure if he could do this. He wasn't sure if he could concentrate. Not only was he trying to drive away the memories of his mother, but he just couldn't bear to tell Lana. If she knew...she'd never look at him again. He jumped when he felt somebody's hand on his shoulder.
"Jumpy today, aren't we, Mr. Teague?" an amused voice queried. Jason turned around and gave a rueful chuckle when he saw his English teacher.
"Yeah, I guess so," he admitted. He followed the woman inside the room where he sat down and waited for his classmates who came in soon. Then, the woman began the class. As she talked, Jason's mind wandered. What was he going to do? He didn't know how to shake his nightmares. And Lana was beginning to get concerned. How would he ever tell her? He could just imagine the disgust she'd feel if she ever found out. His eyes clouded. He just---he just had to act normal. Like nothing was wrong. The woman continued her lecture, but Jason barely heard it. He was too preoccupied. The next thing he knew, someone was smacking him in the shoulder.
"What?" he snapped.
"Class is over, man. You spaced through the entire thing," a classmate stated with a laugh.
"Oh, terrific. Uh, you mind if I borrow your notes?" Jason queried.
"No prob. Just come by my room," the other boy responded. Together, the two walked out. What they didn't know was that Lana had taken it upon herself to come to Metropolis University.
"Hey. Who's the babe?" Jason's friend wondered. Jason followed his friend's gaze.
"Lana. Wha---what are you doing here?" he asked in surprise.
"I came to see what was going on. You're pulling away from me and I have no idea why," Lana answered.
"Lana, I---" Jason began to say.
"Just tell me one thing. Is it me? Did I do something wrong?" Lana interrupted.
"No!" Jason exclaimed louder than he intended. Then, he briefly closed his eyes and shook his head. "No. You didn't do anything," he continued more calmly.
"Then, what's going on? Jason, I thought we agreed to be truthful with each other," Lana stated, stepping closer to him.
"We did," Jason confirmed. "But Lana, I---I'm sorry. I---I just---" he trailed off. How can I tell her? She'll never look at me the same way again, he thought to himself.
"Why don't you trust me?" Lana questioned. Why is he acting this way? Why won't he just talk to me? she silently wondered.
"Lana, it's not that I don't trust you. It's just---it's more complicated than you think," Jason insisted.
"'More complicated than I think'," Lana echoed. Well, that just figured. He made a lot of noise about having a relationship built on trust and honest, but when it came down to it, he shied away from the truth. It was just like when she had been dating Clark. "Well, when you decide your problems are uncomplicated, come back to Smallville. But if you're just going to keep giving me the brush-off, maybe you should just stay in Metropolis," she snapped.
"Lana," Jason said.
"No! I went through the whole 'My problems are bigger than you think and you wouldn't understand' routine with Clark and I refuse to go through it with you. So, like I said, don't bother coming back to Smallville untill you're ready to tell me what's bothering you," Lana snapped. With that, she turned on her heel and stormed off.
"Yikes," Jason's friend murmured. Then, "Come on, man. Let's go get some lunch." For a moment, Jason stared in the direction that Lana had gone. Then, he followed his friend off the campus.
AUTHOR'S NOTE
Don't worry. I'm not getting rid of Jason. I'm just paving the way for more angst.
