Chapter Ten

Clark leaned back on the chair in the Torch office.

"How's the headache?" Lex asked.

"It's better," He answered.

"How was it you could walk down the street in Metropolis but you have problems in the lunch room here?" Oliver asked.

"What are you going on about?" Lex asked.

"Think about it, this school, the lunch room is not even close to being as crowded and as loud as the city. So why could he handle that, but not this?" Oliver asked.

Both of them look at him. Oliver had a good question. How was it that Smallville was different? Why couldn't he focus enough to handle something as simple as lunch?

"I don't know," He answered. "I've never understood my abilities or how they work. It's lucky enough that I haven't lost control."

"It's because you have us. We wouldn't let you hurt anyone," Oliver said.

"I know," Clark nodded and took a bite of his lunch.

The quiet was distracting. The time to think and to remember was…it was driving him to a place he didn't want to go. He'd survived this long because he hadn't thought of the pain. He'd been able to push it aside and dive into life.

"You going to be okay?" Lex asked.

"I really don't know. In Metropolis, I was busy with school, you two, football, training, Lois," He went on, "I didn't have time to breathe, let alone think."

"And you have too much time here," Oliver said, picking up on maybe what could be the problem.

"I try to keep myself busy with helping Dad and then here, things are really different. I just don't think I can ever get lost," He explained.

"You don't have to get lost here or anywhere," Lex said.

He leaned back in his seat and tossed his half-eaten sandwich down. "I don't really know what it is that I'm trying to figure out but," He paused and ran a hand through his hair.

"You'll fit in. Everyone is buzzing because we're the new guys. They're wondering what mark we're going to make," Oliver said.

"What mark should we make?" Clark asked.

"How long do you plan to stay here?" Lex asked.

"I haven't even thought of that. Dad needs all the help he can get. He's worse off than me and we all know I have problems," He answered the best he could.

"You don't have problems. You just like to keep everything in," Oliver said.

"I'm sorry I don't like to talk about it," He apologized.

"Don't. We can't imagine what it's like to go through what you have. We can't expect you to be perfectly fine after the fact," Lex told him.

"Maybe I need some school activities, get into things that can get my mind off of stuff," He tossed out.

"Like what? That tutoring thing?" Lex asked.

"That and Pete has been bugging me about trying out for the football team. And we all know I'm in if I want to be," Clark answered.

"If it's what you want to do. We've got your back no matter what you decide to do," Oliver said.

"I'm going to do the tutoring thing. Maybe I can piss Whitney off," He admitted.

"And get to know that girlfriend a bit better," Lex said with a smile.

"I'm not going to get into that type of trouble. I think I want to be single for a while and get myself back to normal before I put a dent into the female population," He said.

"It'll happen soon enough. Don't push yourself for normal or you'll come up short," Oliver said.

"Oliver's right. Shocker, I know. But we can't push for something we may come up short on. Let's just do what we want and let the chips fall where they may," Lex said.

"Thanks, I don't know what I'd do without you guys," He admitted.

"Don't think like that. You'll never be able to get rid of us," Lex joked.

"I believe you," He joked.

They ate a little bit more before Oliver decided to joke, "So, aren't you a little upset you can't handle the lunch room. I mean, you miss out on face time with Lana."

He rolled his eyes, "I'm joining up for tutoring, remember? I'll get plenty of face time."

"Ooo, looky, looky. Clark is moving on already," Lex joked.

"I'm not moving on. I was making a joke," He defended.

"No need to get all defensive," Oliver laughed.

"I'm not defensive," Clark argued.

"Please, you're totally signing up for tutoring 'cause you think she's hot. We call you on it and you deny it," Lex explained.

He sighed knowing he was caught. He'd admit it. Lana was breathtaking and he was intrigued by her. And from what he saw yesterday, she was intrigued by him. Or she was when he answered that question.

"Okay, so maybe I want to figure out her story," He admitted.

"You can't lie to us. We totally knew it," Oliver practically sang.

"So, I need to figure out how to get this hearing thing down so we won't miss out on any more lunch time," He said with a smile.

"Alright, we can work on it again tonight if you want," Lex offered.

"Sounds good. Dad should be out tonight, he has to work tomorrow in the morning so he's staying in a hotel," Clark explained.

"Your dad is still working for Miles Architects?" Oliver asked.

"Yeah, why not?" He asked.

"Well with the farm and the money your grandfather left, I thought your dad might do the farming full time," Oliver answered.

"I thought so too but dad loves his job," He said.

"Your dad has his work to keep his mind off of stuff. Think tutoring is going to be enough for you?" Lex asked.

He looked down at the rest of his lunch. Lex knew him too well. Clark and his dad were the same. They didn't deal with loss. More like they pushed their feelings aside and figured they would eventually be forgotten. Life would push it out of their minds and they would be okay. This situation was no different and they were going to handle it like they always do. Without dealing and just jumping back into life.

That was why he was going to do the tutoring and football.