-1Chapter Eight- Coach Teague
Clark woke the next morning and followed his routine. Today was a simple red t-shirt, black jeans, his boots and his leather jacket. He combed his hair and grabbed his sunglasses. He didn't bother going to breakfast, he'd rather have something from the vending machine at school. He grabbed his bag and headed for the garage. Lex was waiting for him in the garage.
"Morning Clark." Clark had barely gotten into the room when Lex greeted him. He rolled his eyes behind his sunglasses.
"Morning." He said climbing onto his bike.
"I just had a question for you." Lex said coming to stand next to Clark. He just looked over at Lex and waited to hear his question. No way it would have something to do with his girlfriend, Lana. "I need you to let me know what Lana does in school. There will be a reward with any information I find interesting." Lex said.
"Sounds more like an order than a question." Clark replied starting the bike.
"Yes, well I rarely ask. After all I had you placed in all of her classes. Just keep an eye on her, even after school." Lex said.
He handed Clark a envelope and walked back into the house. Clark opened the flap and pulled out the wad of one hundred dollar bills. He must have earned an allowance cause it was a serious amount of cash. He pocketed the money and revved the engine. With a squeal of rubber on concrete, Clark sped out of the garage and down the driveway. He followed the same path to school, speeding by cars and trucks that got in his way. He tightly turned into the parking lot and came to a sharp stop in his parking spot.
He didn't see the trio anywhere as he jumped off his bike. He shifted his backpack and walked through the front doors. He went to his locker and dumped his backpack inside and grabbed his first class materials. He slammed his locker shut and locked it. He walked down the hallway and saw Chloe talking to Pete, Lana wasn't with them. He stopped and looked down. He knew he should apologize, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. He was truly mad at Lois, but he didn't need himself seen with Chloe and Pete actually getting along. Someone was coming to help him out and that would only get in the way.
He'd received an email for Mr. Edge himself. Clark was his most valuable asset at the moment. If Clark could somehow find his way into Luthorcorp he could get away with the blueprints and security codes. Edge and his men could get in and take what they wanted.
All Clark had to do was stay on Lex's good side and keep away from others who may alert Lex to the betrayal. Also, his friend coming from Metropolis wasn't going to like Chloe or Pete, not even Lana. If Clark didn't hang out with or be nice to them, then Max wouldn't have a problem.
He sighed and made his way past Chloe and Pete into the classroom. Chloe looked up at him but he didn't even acknowledge her existence. Pete wrapped his arms around her shoulders when she tensed from the cold shoulder. Clark had been her best friend and now he was someone she didn't even recognize. Somehow, someway, she was getting her Clark back.
The day passed without any real troubles. Chloe and Pete sat relatively close to Clark during the classes they had together but Lana had tried to put as much distance between themselves. For some odd reason that bothered Clark. He didn't like that Lana was trying to stay away from him, and that she was obviously hurt by what had transpired between the two of them last night. What could possibly have hurt her so much by his question? She was with Lex because she cared for him, right?
Clark dropped his stuff into his backpack and made his way to the coach's office. Lex had called yesterday and let the coach know he was stopping by today. Clark wasn't going to be able to get out of having practice. Without hesitating he knocked on the door and let himself in. The coach was leaning against the desk with his arms folded across his chest. He was talking to someone when Clark entered. He stood and turned to him holding his hand out.
"Must be Clark." He said.
Clark nodded and took his hand and shook it firmly. "I was hoping I could tryout." Clark said.
The other person in the room turned to look at him, her expression surprised. Clark saw her out of the corner of his eye and wondered why Lana was in the coach's office.
"Sure, you look big enough." The blonde said. He wasn't as big as Clark but he had the 'football frame' so to say. "What position?" He asked.
"Quarterback, I have two years experience." Clark said, "Coach…"
"Teague, actually Assistant Coach Teague. I'm in charge until the Coach gets back from his leave of absence." Coach Teague said. "Glad to have you with us. Tryouts are tomorrow after school. Don't be late."
Clark nodded and turned to Lana. He wanted to say something but instead closed his mouth and left the office. He cracked the door behind him and stayed to listen.
"Sorry about that Lana, what was I saying?" Coach Teague asked.
"Something about legal matters." Lana said. Clark leaned close and tuned out the noise in the hallway.
"Right, this matter with Lex is tricky but my lawyers are working on it. However, Lex can afford better and easily get himself out of trouble by throwing around money. This is going to be a hard fight, especially if you want to get the Talon from Lex." The Coach said.
Clark pulled back went on down the hallway. Lana was with Lex because of the Talon. She did seem to be the manager of the place when he'd been in there yesterday. Was that the bribe between her and Lex. Of course knowing Lex for the short time that he did, the man was likely to offer anything for whatever he wanted and who wouldn't want Lana Lang?
Clark sighed in frustration as he walked down the hallway to the parking lot. He understood where Lana was at. The Talon must mean a lot to her if she was willing to be with a creep like Lex Luthor. Now she was looking for a way out without losing her investment. Perhaps he could help, with a little help of his own. He had an email to write.
