Chapter 7 [Lunch—Cafeteria]

The morning dawdled along at its own pace. Two surprise quizzes grabbed the students' attention. The teachers droned through the remaining time. With Sol shining bright and a warm breeze, eyes drifted toward the windows.

Lunch proved a welcome relief….

Clark sent a text to Martha concerning Reynolds' service opportunity. Unlike most other 'suggestions', Reynolds hit the bullseye on this one. As with the student presidential election freshman year, the astronomy workshop checked every box on the 'acceptable activity' form. He wouldn't need his gifts. He loved astronomy. It would fulfill his service requirement for Smallville High. He'd be working with Reynolds on logistics. Mr. Jorgensen, the new science teacher, was willing to talk with Martha and Jonathan on Clark's behalf in necessary. Martha and Reverend Thomas got along really well. Best of all, Jonathan and the Reverend did as well.

And maybe Chloe might want to do a Torch article on the outreach program.

Everyone got something out of it.

Win…win…win…

Lana was going to talk to me about that last night. That must be why she came over. He unwrapped his ham and swiss sandwich. Concern sagged over him. Pete had problems handling my Secret. I hope she's okay. He bit into the sandwich. Then there's that accident with the pitchfork. Wow. That had to tear her up inside. He frowned. Wish I could do something to make it up to her.

"The morning dragged for you too, Clark?" Lana stopped in front of the table. "Mind some company?"

"What? Sure! I was just thinking about you actually." He pointed to the empty chair across from himself. "Hope you're feeling better."

She set her tray down on the table and settled into the designated chair. "Considering what we talked about last night, it's a big deal, Clark. I am doing better. Thanks. Pete was really great this morning when we talked. Thanks for letting him know."

"No problem. I know he feels better about things too this way." He bit his lip. "Lana, I was almost late this morning. I was in the barn. This is going to sound really weird…."

She shook her head. "No. It's okay, Clark. Does this have anything to do with your spacing out in chemistry this morning?"

"Yeah it does. He squirmed. "I can't say I'm sorry enough for what happened. I also can't thank you enough for helping Mom and Dad." He took another bite of his sandwich.

She bit into her chicken sandwich. Each chew worked Apology and Gratitude over in her mind. Her heart skipped a beat. For a dozen heartbeats, she didn't speak or look him in the eye. She muddled over his words. She'd watched him in class and from across the cafeteria.

Lecture and Priority had made their impressions. Consideration once again ruled him.

"You're welcome, Clark." Her eyes shone into his. Her smile broke through Depression's overcast. "I'd do anything for your parents and you. I meant what I said last night."

"I know." He grinned. "It makes me really glad you have my back. I was a real jerk last spring and summer. I don't deserve friends like Pete and you."

"At that point, maybe not. Look, Clark, we all do dumb things. I've had my moments too." She rolled her eyes. "Chloe and Pete told me about your Saturday detention. Add another time you took a bullet for me." She scooped up some potatoes. "We all have." She put the spoon in her mouth.

"Yeah but how many people abuse those friendships? I threw away something great, Lana." He shook his head. "I don't expect you to just take me back. I know I have to earn that forgiveness. I put my parents and you through way too much."

"You did that, Clark." She coughed. "I really appreciate you saying that though. I'm glad you're stepping up like this. Kind of a huge leap. You aren't just assuming that it's going to be okay." She chased those ideas down with her milk.

"Lana, what happened was not okay. Not even close." He rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm glad you guys are okay. I…this is going to sound really weird. I was looking at the…you know what."

"I know what?" She raised an eyebrow. "Oh yeah that thing." Revulsion elicited a grimace from her. She looked around to make sure that nobody was eavesdropping on them. "Kind of opens your eyes. Doesn't it?" She gulped down more milk. "I wish it hadn't happened. It did. It was self-defense. As your Dad said, I had no choice. Besides they'd kidnapped you too."

"I managed to get that stuff off of my chest. Once I did, I was okay again. Then I got away." He held up the last baklava piece. "Split this with me?"

She grinned. "Thought you didn't like it."

He shrugged. "It kind of grows on you. Borrow your knife?"

"Sure. Thanks, Clark. That'll make this meal great." She watched him cut it. "I wish it could always be like this. No secrets. Just us talking." Wistfulness spiced her tone. She accepted his offering. "Miri's going to be so jealous."

"Mom was trying to figure out the recipe. I think she'll go online to find it. You've got her hooked." He finished his sandwich.

"Maybe she can make some for the Talon? I meant what I said about a trial run." She finished her chicken sandwich. Then she started in on the potatoes again. "Oh by the way, speaking of your Mom, we might want to leave Friday night free."

"We?" Intrigue sparked his attention. "What's going on?"

"It's Pete." She smirked. "Apparently…a friend is coming to visit this weekend from Wichita. He wants an extra special welcome dinner."

He grinned. "So Sam's coming. Great!" Enthusiasm lit up his face and buoyed his state of mind. "We've met."

"Oh really?" She bit into her baklava. "Do share, Clark. What's she like?"

"She's kind of quiet until she gets to know you. Apparently she's really great with the violin. She's into poetry. She and Pete love this pizza place there. It's somewhere on Wichita's west side. That's where I ran into them. Dad was in Dodge. I went down there. I texted Pete. He told me about the place. Apparently, they were together there. Sam invited me to join them." Clark nodded. "Pete is really into her, Lana. I never thought I'd see the day. She's good for him."

"Well then we will definitely need to welcome her. Pete's asking her if she'll help with St. Finnigan's." She rolled her eyes. "Clark, with everything else…"

He shook his head. "Hey it's okay. We had a lot of other things to talk about. Mr. Reynolds filled me in. It sounds great. I just need to clear it with Mom and Dad. Maybe we can work together on a workshop?"

She grinned. "I'd like that, Clark. I'll talk to Lex. Maybe the Talon can cater it? I'll talk to your Mom and Dad with you. Meantime I hope she brings her violin."

"Maybe if she does, we can invite Byron over too after dark? He'd love that." He leaned close to her. "By the way, he really likes your new waitress, Sandra."

She exhaled and nodded. "So I've noticed. Miri will be glad to hear that. I'll definitely need to get Teresa in to cover that shift. We'll see how it all works out." She saw Pete hustle toward them. "Speaking of Pete…."

"Hey, Guys!" Pete landed in the table's third seat. His grin threatened to push his ears off of his head. "Everything's real cool!"

"I was telling Lana about Sam. That's awesome, Pete! I'll run it by Mom after school. You know how she is," Clark informed him.

"Your Mom's good with it. I called her just now. I'm waiting for Sam to get back to me." Pete heard his phone beep. "That's her." He studied his phone. "Lana, we need to talk with the church. She talked with her conductor. He cleared her to do some playing for them."

"Pete, that's great! Thank Sam for us. She's definitely got some treats waiting at the Talon. When is she coming?" She visualized a performance at the Talon or the church.

"I offered to drive there and get her. She wants to take the bus." Pete shrugged. "I told her it was no big deal since we have a half day. Wichita's got the day off so she's taking the morning bus. She'll be here by 1."

"We get out at noon that day. Just let me know, Pete." Clark agreed.

"Don't worry, Dude. I'll definitely do that. Maybe we can get lunch at Braum's? She loves their burgers." Pete's mouth started to water at the thought of those burgers.

"Sounds great. Lana? How about you? Go as friends?" Clark stuck by his earlier words. He did not want to push her too hard. Still, he'd take a friendly lunch.

"You know that's great with me, Clark. Wish Chloe weren't going to be in Metropolis this weekend. She'll want to meet Sam for herself," she agreed.

"Yeah. This just came up. Sam's by herself while her Dad's out of town." Pete started on his chicken sandwich. "Yeah those fries are definitely better than these." Disgust crinkled his face.

"We'll make sure of that." She smiled at Clark. Her hand touched his. "And maybe…it'll be a double date?"

Hope lifted Clark's spirits. He so wanted to be out of the doghouse.

Perhaps he could do so permanently this time….