Chapter 78 [Next Morning—Smallville High School]
Gwen leaned back against the Ferrari's passenger seat. Nerves banged against her stomach. Expectations seemed dashed. "I hope I'll do all right."
"You'll be great, Kid." Peter squeezed her hand. "Clark will be back helping out tomorrow. Meantime today's a meet and greet. There's nobody better on her feet than you."
Crimson streaked her cheeks. A tear welled up in her eye. "Because you're in my cheering section, Mr. P." She kissed his cheek. "Do some great research at the Ledger. All right?"
"You'll both do great." Lex smiled. "Think of this as an unexpected opportunity rather than a curveball. I can't believe I'm going to say this." He pointed toward the front door. "Go and talk to Mr. Reynolds. See what he suggests."
"I'll be with you tomorrow to talk to the Journalism class. Then I'll tag team with the chemistry and biology classes." Peter rubbed her shoulder. "You have this."
She got out. Her hands smoothed the dark emerald blazer and black skirt. "Thanks. Think great thoughts now!"
"With you always." Peter squeezed her hand. "Love you."
"Love you more." She squeezed his hand back. "Thanks, Lex."
"You've got this, Gwen. We'll get something great later at the Talon." Lex nodded. Helpfulness and Support bubbled through his smile. And there's what Peter said. We always have confidence. Knock them dead."
Peter nodded. He waved to her. Then he and Lex drove off.
So much for how things were supposed to go! Pete needs to get that stuff done for Mr. Jameson. He might as well get that done. She shook her head. Will he take the Planet's offer? She walked through the school's front door. She remembered to turn left for the front office. Here goes! She sucked in a deep breath. "Good morning."
"Good morning!" The office assistant glanced up at her. "Miss Stacy, correct?"
"Yes, Ma 'am. I'm here to work with the science classes. How are you?" Gwen cleared her throat. "I'm sorry. I should know where I'm going."
"Given everything that has happened, your confusion is completely understandable, Miss Stacy. It is good to see you this morning." Reynolds strode out of his office. He shook her hand. "I am sorry about the internship."
"I know. Mr. Reynolds, maybe it's just another opportunity. I'd like to be a researcher. Nothing wrong with being a science teacher though. I can help students. Got to see the up side." She smiled.
"I like the way you think. Excellent point, Miss Stacy. I'm sorry we were not ready for Mr. Parker this morning. I'll look forward to working with you both tomorrow. For today, you'll work with Mr. Sanders and Mrs. Kowalski. Maybe you might have a good chance to observe? You can assist with research questions. I'd be keenly interested in seeing you handling some lectures under their supervision of course," Reynolds proposed.
"Of course. I'm looking forward to it." Gwen sucked in a deep breath. "Maybe I can get some great experience. If I do well enough, I'd like to think about a teaching degree."
He filed that thought away. "We'll talk more about that at a later time. For now, this is a new internship. You're a support person. I appreciate Mr. Parker and you being here. I know the students will as well." He saw a middle aged balding man with a brown suit and glasses waddled into the office. "Ah! I believe that is Mr. Sanders now! Good luck, Miss Stacy."
"Thanks again, Mr. Reynolds. I'll do my best." She shook his hand again.
"I know you will." Reynolds nodded to Sanders. Then he headed back into his office.
"Mr. Sanders, good morning." Gwen put her best smile on. She offered her hand.
Sanders shook her hand firmly. "Good morning, Miss Stacy. I have to say that this is unexpected. I expected Mr. Parker and you to be over at LexCorp more than here. We're all sorry about Dr. Connors. Perhaps we can help make it up to you? Did I hear you say that you were possibly interested in teaching?"
"Yes, Sir. Since I get the chance to watch and work with everyone, it's a great opportunity. Hope you don't mind." She let a composing breath out to beat back her nerves.
"Mind? Why we'd be delighted! Just follow me. We're due in class in about ten minutes. Did you need to use the rest room or anything?" Sanders led her out into the hall.
"No thank you. I'm fine. Let's meet everyone." She followed him down the hall and up the stairs toward her next hurdle.
[Room 215]
Restlessness lagged across the Chemistry class. Eyes looked at the clock. A few fiddled with their notes. Gossip hissed between the guys much as it did with Desiree. Most wished they were still on break.
Lana frowned. She tapped her fingers on the desk. Toxic Attitude burned at her. "Can you believe this?"
Chloe rolled her eyes. "You think they'd have learned after Desiree." She shook her head.
"Yeah, Sullivan! You just wish you looked like that intern." A big jock rolled his eyes at her.
Chloe shrugged. "The intern has a name. She, as you'll learn, is Miss Stacy. She's really nice. Lana and I talked to her at the Talon last week. Her fiancé is really great too. Biff, just keep your eyes in your head. Okay? I don't want drool stains all over my new blouse."
"You can wish. All you do is type on that keyboard all day. Now I…."
"Hey, Biff, lay off. Sam and I talked to her weekend before last too. Miss Stacy's really cool. I expected her to be geeky. She's anything but. Mr. Parker helped Chloe score her first professional headline. That's awesome as far as I'm concerned." Pete shook his head at them. "You might ask Clark. He's going to be helping her."
"Kent?" Biff sniggered. "He gets to be with her? Then again, he's so desperate…."
"Excuse me?" Lana wheeled around. "Clark is NOT desperate. He's a thousand times the gentleman Whitney, you or most guys are here!"
Chloe smirked. "That's right, Guys. You didn't get the alert. Did you?" She motioned toward her housemate. "Lana and he are dating now. Guess you'd better pay more attention?"
"You're pitying Kent?" Biff snorted. "Thought you had better taste than that, Lang."
"My taste is fine." Lana narrowed her eyes. Her back reared ever so slightly.
"Yeah. Guys, now you've done it." Pete shook his head. "I'm really not involved in this. Nope. Uh uh."
"Says the guy dating the Wichita Nerd. My cousin says she's so pathetic. What's the matter, Ross? Can't get any?" Biff coughed.
"Excuse me?"
"Yeah what?" Biff turned his head to the right.
Gwen frowned. She shook her head at him. "I believe you're talking about Samantha Cooper. I talked to her while she was here. She's very nice and very skilled with the violin. I was disappointed we didn't get to hear her perform. Maybe we'll get another chance. Thank you." She marched back up to the front of the room. "I'm sorry, Mr. Sanders."
"You're fine, Miss Stacy. Thank you." Sanders closed the door. "Good morning, Everyone. I hope everyone enjoyed their break. Before we talk about chemistry, just a reminder. We have to respect each other. What Miss Stacy and I just heard in the hallway was appalling. Biff, you're to stay after class. Lana and Pete, I'm sorry you just had to deal with that. For the record, Pete and I have both heard Miss Cooper perform with the Wichita Symphony. She is superb for her age. Perhaps there will be another opportunity?"
Pete shrugged. "Lex said she's got a place to stay at the mansion. I'll drive Sam back and forth no sweat. Mr. Sanders, we'll have to see. She'll be here weekend after next actually for Mr. Parker and Miss Stacy." He grinned. "Sorry if I ruining any surprises."
"Thank you, Pete. Please thank Samantha for us. We're really looking forward to that," Gwen expressed. "Mr. Sanders?"
"Yes well that will be good for Smallville." Sanders motioned toward Gwen. "This is Miss Stacy. She's a LexCorp intern who will be with us for the rest of the school year. She'll be observing what we do here. I'll have her assisting on your research questions. She'll also be guest lecturing for us on biochemistry in a couple of weeks. Those of you taking biology will be seeing her and Mr. Parker there as well. So welcome, Miss Stacy."
"Thanks, Mr. Sanders." Gwen nodded. She took a seat to the side of the classroom. She opened a notebook and watched him.
"Then let's get started…."
