Chapter 4 [Next Morning—Smallville High]

School primed itself for another day. Teachers applied final polish to lesson plans. Students parked their cars and headed toward lockers. Custodians cleaned bathrooms and hallways. Lectures awaited.

Still, for a certain not so ordinary student, Apology would come first….

[Principal's Office]

Clark sat by the Secretary's Desk. Sleep had eluded him on the previous night. Stress ruined his appetite. He'd wanted to run to the next farm over and spill all the beans…every last one of them…

…if only his father hadn't been in the way…

Dad, I know you want to protect me. Still, how am I supposed to have a life if I can't learn who to trust and who not to? Mom wanted to tell Lana after the twisters. She wants to tell Lana now. We can trust her! I'd say Lex too but you'd never agree on that. He rolled his eyes at that particular thought.

"Mr. Kent?" A tall dark haired man in a bullet-gray suit approached him. "You're here early." He glanced at his watch.

"Sorry, Mr. Gibbons. I wanted to talk about the other day in person." Clark stood to face him. Despite previous day's email, he had to deal with this particular situation first and foremost. Then, he could go back to Class and Studies. "I know you're busy. I…"

"Actually, Mr. Kent, I would like that very much." Gibbons motioned toward his office. "Follow me please. I understand from your mother's and your messages that you were attending to things yesterday?" He unlocked his door. "Annette, I'll be a few minutes. Can you hold my calls?"

"You bet, Mr. Gibbons. Thank you." Annette made a note to herself. As with everyone else, Clark's sudden wardrobe and attitude changes disturbed her. I hope that young man can get some help if he needs it. What happened? She saw Clark follow Gibbons into the office. Then, she went back to her tasks.

Gibbons closed the door. Conflicts raged throughout his thoughts. On the one hand, Resentment boiled over as pertaining to Clark's defiance and stand in front of the other students. Word had reached him over Jonathan's injuries. Still, as soon as Clark's situation—whatever it was—had cleared up, he'd reached out on his own volition. Now, he followed up with an in-person visit. "Please take a seat, Mr. Kent. Thank you for coming to see me. It actually saves me from having to pull you out of class later." He straightened his tie and took his own seat.

"Thanks, Mr. Gibbons." Contrition weighed on Clark as he took the offered chair. He struggled to keep a hold of his emotions. Shame burned at him over Kal's actions. "I was just thinking of something Lana said yesterday."

"Lana?" Gibbons leaned forward. "You mean Miss Lang?"

"Yes, Sir. She and I had a couple of talks yesterday." Clark bit his lip. His mind spun over his next words. "I guess about accounting for our actions. I embarrassed and hurt her. I apologized. She needs to think it over. I at least tried." He shrugged. "Anyway, sorry for interrupting you."

"No…no. That's fine. I'm glad you both talked." Gibbons exhaled a deep breath. "I know she and you are friends. I might've said there were feelings between you both as well. Sometimes it takes someone close to make an observation. I remember her actions during that pollen outbreak last year. Mr. Kwan left notes in her file. She's actually quite fortunate to be alive as I recall. So's your father, Mr. Kent. Her actions were caused by the flower pollen. Would you say that your actions had a similar cause?"

Clark nodded. "I had an extreme reaction to something. I know it would be an easy excuse, Mr. Gibbons. I'm not using it like that. I know what I did. I'm here to take what's coming to me." He slowly raised his eyes to meet the official's.

"What's coming…?" Gibbons rubbed his chin. Then Understanding dawned on him. "Ah. I see. Well, the situation with that new student has been resolved. I've been led to believe her father and her have left town. You're back in your usual attire. I appreciate your thinking over the situation on your own. You've addressed the situation with Miss Lang. I trust you talked with your father as well?" He shook his head. "That's between you both. I don't need to know about that. Mr. Kent, I appreciate the prompt apology even if you weren't here yesterday. It means a great deal. Frankly, it changed my whole line of thinking on your punishment."

"It…did." Clark gulped in spite of himself.

"Oh yes." Gibbons nodded. "I was prepared to suspend you for a week. I can't have students defying me and assaulting people here on school grounds, Mr. Kent. There have to be rules. In the case of the girl, there has to be a dress code. However, there should be grounds for mitigating circumstances. You're willing to face the consequences without being pushed to do so. I think there should be an example made for that as well." He let those words linger in the air. "I'm giving you three Saturday detentions. Perhaps, that would be sufficient to let you think the matter over further. It will also let your classmates know that I do understand how to temper matters. Just be aware. If this happens again, I will not hesitate to suspend you as per the Student Handbook's Code of Behavior. Am I clear?" Purpose stabbed from his eyes into Clark's.

"I understand, Mr. Gibbons. Thank you, Sir. I'll be there starting this weekend." Clark agreed. "Again, I'm sorry."

"I know you are, Mr. Kent. Let's do those detentions and the matter will be closed. Meantime, you have a good day. Thanks for coming by. I do appreciate it." Gibbons held his hand out.

Clark shook the offered hand. Relief eased his mood. "Thanks, Mr. Gibbons, for seeing me. You have a good day too."

"My door's always open, Mr. Kent. Remember that." Gibbons watched Clark walk out and leave the office. He scratched his head over the sudden behavioral change. Whatever happened to cause Mr. Kent to act out like that? Will it be spreading like that flower? He shook his head. He had other matters to deal with. Right now, a certain jeweler needed to be contacted. Class Ring reflected Sol's light.

Irony, it seemed, wasn't done playing out quite yet….