Disclaimer: I don't own "Smallville"
Chapter 2: Hothead
Sarah, Allison, and Brianna sat in the middle of their English class, listening about pronouns, and adjectives. It had been a boring day. Luckily, there was only about 2 minutes left in the class time, and then all the students were home free.
"All right everyone," the teacher started. "We only have a few minutes of school left, so I'll end the lesson for the day, and hear this announcment. Some of you may know that Smallville High has a school newspaper called 'The Torch', run by Miss Chloe Sullivan. The school board has decided that for Smallville Jr.High, that we could have our own school newspaper called 'The Jr. Torch'. Principal Ferald has informed of me the many talents of our students that would be perfect for this, so Brianna Arkin, you are Editor in Chief,"
"Yes!" Brianna whispered to herself.
"Allison Harper, you will be in charge of photography,"
"Party over here!" Allison said giving herself a victory dance.
"And Sarah Kent, you will be head reporter of the school newspaper. Brianna will be looking at your work for any errors or any false evidence, and help organize the newspaper. This program will start next Monday after school, and always will be for the rest of the year. Other students will be partcipating in this. If you would like to partcipate next year, I suggest you do a good job on this term. Class dismissed. Have a good day,"
The bell rang, and everyone headed out of the classroom. Brianna was dancing around the halls.
"Editor in Chief," she said dreamily. "I can't wait to tell Chloe. She'll be so dang surprised,"
"She'll be surprised for all of us," Allison said. "I mean, come on. She is Smallville's investigative reporter,"
"Come on," Sarah laughed. "Let's go see her. They should be getting out of class by now,"
The girls crossed the street in time to find Clark Kent (Sarah's older brother), Chloe Sullivan, and Pete Ross outside reading the High School Torch. Clark looked up and waved at the girls, gesturing them to come over. Sarah sat down on his lap and read the headline.
"'Football: Sport or Abuse?'" she read aloud.
"What do you think?" asked Chloe with a smile.
"I think you're gonna be in big trouble if you keep up with this football thing,"
"You know what I think?" asked Clark as everyone walked over to the football field. "I think you seriously need to decrease your Cappucino dependency"
Pete started to laugh.
"Pete thinks I'm being to hard on Coach Walt," Chloe said to Allison
"Who cares? We just got spots for our new school newspaper!" shouted Allison
Chloe's grin widened.
"Really?" she asked.
"Yeah," Brianna said. "I'm Editor in Chief, Sarah's Head Reporter, and Allison's the Head Photographer,"
"This is great!"
"Yeah it is...Hey Pete. Why do you think Chloe's being too hard on Coach Walt?"
"The man coached my dad, and all my brothers too," Pete explained. "He used to come over and watch the Super Bowl"
"Now, while I'm touched by the Hallmark moment," Chloe said. " You don't get points for sublety in journalisom. I'm already starting to get hate e-mail,"
"You seem very happy about that," Clark commented.
"Why?" asked Allison
"Because it means I'm hitting a nerve," Chloe explained. "Besides, between the abysmal sentance structure and generous use of obscenities, I've got a pretty good idea who's been sending it,"
"If you think my team-mates are reading the Torch," Pete sighed. "You're giving them way too much credit,"
Sarah giggled silently before she saw Lana storm off away from Whitney. She was wearing her cheerleading outfit, and Whitney was in his practice uniform for football practice.
"Whoo!" Chloe shouted. "There's something you don't see everyday-pom pom meltdown,"
Allison shook her head, and suddenly she saw the football boys coming up.
"Hey!" she said. "Here they come. Chloe, give me your camera. I wanna get a picture of the cheating jockstraps.This'll be perfect for the first issue of the 'Jr. Torch'"
"Allison we don't have any hard evidence that they were cheating," Brianna said.
"Who cares?"
"Any idea how they got that midterm?" asked Clark
"It's still a mystery, but I'm working on it," Chloe answered
Allison started taking pictures, while she didn't notice that the football players were watching. Brianna put a hand on her shoulder.
"I think we better scatter Allison," she warned
"Hang on," Allison protested. "I just need one more picture,"
"Allison watch out!"
Allison looked up, and saw a football heading her way. She ducked her head, as Clark caught it with one hand.
"Whoa!" whispered Brianna wide eyed.
"Nice catch!" Pete exclaimed patting Clark on the back
"Excuse me?" asked Allison in disbelief. "One of you team-mates attempt to assainate me, and all you can say is 'Nice Catch'?"
Clark threw the football back to the jocks, and it hit one in the stomach so hard, he doubled over in pain.
"Come on," he said to the others. "I have to get my backpack,"
Everyone followed him inside, only to find that Coach Walt was following them. He caught up with Clark.
"Hey Kent," he said. "I saw your arm out there. It's like your sisters when she throws a baseball. By the way little Kent, you trying out this summer?"
"Yes sir," answered Sarah.
"Good. 'Cause your brothers got good aim. Technique was lousy but he got a lot of power,"
"Thanks," Clark said
"So why aren't you on our team?"
"Our dad needs us on the farm,"
"Your school needs you on the field. We got a game this Friday night. We're short on players. Look, I know your dad will understand"
"He's kind of stubborn,"
"Yeah. I remember. Jonathon Kent was one of the best athletes I've ever coached. A lot of talent. It's in your genes.
"Actually I'm adopted,"
"Look, I am giving you a chance to be a part of something special, a part of history. Now I've seen you stare at your father's picture in the trophy case. Don't tell me you don't want to be a part of this. Why don't you suit up? Look at Ross here. He doesn't have a lick of narural talent, but he's got a lot of heart"
"Thanks," Pete said quietly. "I guess,"
"Let me think about it," Clark said.
"Fordman!" Coach called. "Get over here!"
Brianna groaned silently.
"Not the football captain again," she sighed.
"Hi Clark," Lana greeted as she walked up with Whitney.
"Fordman you're the team captain," Coach said. "How do you think Kent here would do on the field? I mean, considering our current preciament?"
"He might do all right," Whitney said looking at Clark
"He seems afraid though,"
"That's not the reason, is it, Clark?" asked Lana
"It's my dad," Clark said
"Kent, there comes a time when you step out of your fathers shadow, and be your own man," Coach said. "Now what do you say? You ready to be your own man?"
"Count me in," Clark said smiling
"Clark!" Sarah exclaimed. "Dad's gonna hit the roof!"
"I'm sure he'll understand, little Kent," Coach smiled at Sarah
"Coach," Sarah started. "Not offense, but my name is Sarah, not little Kent. Can you stop calling me that?"
"Sure thing,"
"Thanks,"
Everyone said bye to Coach Walt, Whitney, and Lana, and Sarah grabbed Clarks hand
"Clark, remind me what dad said last time you asked him to play football," she growled
"He said no," Clark said.
"He said no. That's what I thought. If dad kills you, your room's mine,"
Clark shook his head, as they said bye to everyone else and started walking home, since they missed the bus again. So, to get to home sooner, they took a faster way. Clark put Sarah on his shoulders, like he always did, and they super-sped away to the Kent farm. They found Mr. Kent in the barn fixing the tractor.
"Hey kids," he said. "How'd school go?"
"Great," Sarah said. "Guess what. I just got a position for our new newspaper. The Jr. Torch,"
"Well, congratualtions. I'm proud of you,"
"Thanks, I'm gonna go tell mom,"
Sarah ran out of the barn. When she got inside, she found her mother making dinner.
"Hey," she greeted. "Your teacher called. She told me that you're Head Reporter for the school newspaper. Congratualtions,"
"Thanks mom," Sarah said.
The sweet aroma of her mother's cooking swept across Sarah's nose
"Mmm," she whispered. "Is that spaghetti sauce I smell?"
"Yep," Mrs. Kent smiled.
"The sauce I like?"
"The meaty one? Yes,"
"Yes!"
Martha laughed for Sarah's happiness.
"I thought a good way to celebrate was making your favorite dinner: Spaghetti," she said.
"Thanks again," Sarah said going upstairs to her room
That night, Sarah was doing her homework, when she heard a knock on the door.
"Come on in," she called.
The door opened and Mr. Kent came in.
"Hey sport," he said.
"Hey dad," Sarah returned. "Oh, and speaking of sport,"
"That's exactly what I wanted to talk to you about,"
"I figured you would,"
Sarah put down her pencil on her english homework, and turned around on her chair to face Mr. Kent.
" I heard all the yelling outside," she said.
"You did, did you?" asked Mr. Kent as he grabbed a chair and sat down.
"Yep. Why won't you let Clark play? I mean, you played in high school. You even played for the same coach."
"Clark is different though,"
"Well, so am I. We're all different,"
"No, that's not what I meant. What I meant is Clark is..."
"Not from around here. I know. I know. But can't you at least trust him?"
"It's not that I don't trust him. What if he hurts someone?"
"I know Clark. He won't hurt anybody. Give him a chance. I bet if you do, you'll change your mind about Clark playing football"
The next day, after the bell dismissed everyone to go home, Sarah, Brianna, and Allison were running down the halls to get outside.
"Come on! Come on!" Allison shouted. "We're gonna miss him!"
"We're coming! We're coming!" Brianna said. "Keep your head on,"
The girls ran down the steps, across the street as usual, and around the school to the football field to get a front row seat. The cheerleaders were outside for cheerleading practice, and Allison noticed that Lana wasn't there.
"Hey, where's Lana?" she asked
"She must've gotten sick," Brianna shrugged.
The girls sat down on the front, followed by Mr. Kent who sat down beside them.
"Hey dad!" Sarah waved
"Hi Mr. Kent," Allison and Brianna greeted
"Hey girls," he said. "Practice start yet?"
"No, not yet," answered Sarah. "But I can't wait to see him in action,"
Mr. Kent nodded slowly as the football players started coming out, ready to have a good practice. Sarah, Allison, and Brianna got up from their seats to get a closer look. Clark came out with a red practice jersey with the number 89.
"Clark!" shouted Allison to get his attention
"Up here!" cried Sarah
Clark looked up and saw the girls waving their arms up, and smiles on their faces.
"Hey Sarah," he greeted. "I thought you'd be at Brianna's,"
"We decided to support you on your first day of football" Allison exclaimed
"Thanks...Hey dad. I'm glad you came here. It means a lot to me,"
"I still don't support your decision son," Jonathon said seriously. "I'm here to make sure no one gets hurt,"
Sarah looked at Jonathon shocked by his answer. She shook her head, and got up to walk off the football seats, and walked home. Brianna and Allison looked at their friend concerned, and continued to watch Clark play football. The amazing part was, when he had the ball, he practically jumped over a pile of players, and made it to the touchdown goal. The girls looked out in wonder
"Did you see that?" asked Brianna
"Yeah," answered Allison. "That guy over there is practically throwing up after the Coach yelled at him,"
"No that! Did you see Clark go over the dogpile of players. That was totally wicked!"
Meanwhile Sarah was sitting on the steps of Samllville High, reading a book. She let out a sigh. She couldn't believe Jonathon. How could he not support his own son in a decision that his son alone made? She went inside to walk around, since she was already bored out of her mind. Some of the football players were already going home, and went past her. When she walked past the coach's office, she saw Coach Walt watching a tv that was showing Clark jump over the football players. She didn't notice Principal Kwan come in when she heard voices.
"Ahh," the Coach sighed. "How's my favorite football fan?"
"Coach," Principal Kwan said. "One of the players accused of cheating has come forward and said you supplied them with the tests,"
"Oh? And what boy told you that piece of fiction?"
"I'm not at liberty to say"
"But I'm guessing you already went to the school board and asked to suspend me,"
"You have a lot of friends in high places,"
"I should have. I coached most of them. You don't understand...I'm an institution. Who'd you think the school board was going to believe? Some cheating little brat who's just trying to cover his own butt? Or the man who's been leading this school to victory for 25 years?"
"They may not believe on, but if I can have all of them step forward, the board will have no choice. They'll suspend you from coaching for the rest of your life,"
Walt pounded his fists on the desk.
"YOU WILL NOT BRING ME DOWN!" he shouted.
As soon as his fists landed on his desk, Sarah watched in amazement as the TV Walt was watching bursted into flames. Even the Principal looked amazed. When the fire died down, the Principal eyed Walt.
"What the heck is going on here Coach?" he asked before he left the room.
Sarah hid behind a wall as the Principal left. What she had seen was unlike any other. The coach could actually control fire. I mean, he could actually blast it anywhere. She turned the corner, and saw the Coach glaring at her. He grabbed her arm and Sarah could fell heat swarm on her skin. It took her her greatest effort to not scream
"What did you hear?" he hissed
Sarah let out a painful "ah" instead of answering. The coach pressed harder, and Sarah could actually hear sizzling and see steam come off her arm.
"ANSWER ME!" the Coach shouted
"Coach Walt," Sarah groaned. "Please...I didn't hear anything. All I heard was how you were gonna get suspended from the coaching job and..."
"I WILL NOT BE BROUGHT DOWN FROM MY LEGACY!"
Sarah winced at his anger. The coach bent down to look at her straight in the eye.
"You tell anyone this, especially your brother and father, I will make sure you get more than just a burn on your arm,"
The coach let go, and Sarah dropped to her knees, holding her forearm. She watched Walt walk away, and looked at her arm. Red fingerprints were scarred on her skin. She covered it with her red coat, and quickly ran outside, to run home.
When Sarah got home, Martha looked up from her phone conversation in concern.
"Honey where were you?" she asked. "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine," Sarah said trying not to hold her arm to create attention. "Is Clark here?"
"He's upstairs. But don't bother him sweetie. He got into a fight with your father,"
"I won't,"
"Thank you...Oh! Don't forget honey. You're father an I are going out tonight. I want you to behave for Clark,"
"Right,"
Sarah went upstairs to her bathroom, and locked the door. She looked in the mirror, as she pulled up her coat sleeve. She winced as it passed the burn on her arm. Instantly there was a knock on the door.
"Who is it?" she asked casually
"Sarah," came Mrs. Kent's voice. "Your father and I are leaving,"
"Now?"
"Yes. We have a reservation, and it's due in half and hour. We'll be back in two hours. Behave, all right?"
"Yes ma'm,"
"I love you,"
Sarah heard Mrs. Kent walk away, and she turned on the faucet. She got out a washcloth, ran it through the water, and put it on her skin. She winced as it stung her skin. There was another knock on the door, and Clark's voice sounded.
"Sarah, I'm ordering pizza. Mom gave the OK. What do you want?" he asked.
Sarah didn't answer. She didn't want Clark to hear the pain in her voice.
"Sarah? Are you in there? I hear water running. Is everything okay?"
She still didn't answer. She pressed harder to try and get rid of the pain.
"Sarah open the door!"
Sarah heard Clark banging on the door, and in a few seconds, Clark busted the door open, and Sarah dropped to her knees. Clark turned off the water, and bent down
"What's wrong?" he asked concerned.
Sarah didn't answer. Instead, she removed the washcloth and Clark could see the burn marks. Clark, knowing what to do, helped her up, and headed out the bathroom door.
"All right," he said to her walking downstairs. "We're gonna go to the hospital, get you patched up, and act like it never happened,"
Clark got Sarah's coat, draped it over her shoulders, and took her outside to the car. She never said anything on the way to the hospital. When they got there, Clark tried to be careful not to touch Sarah's burn. They both went up to the counter. The recptionist looked up at them.
"Can I help you?" she asked.
"Yeah," Clark started. "My sister was burnt somehow, and I need a doctor to look it over,"
"How'd she get it?"
Clark looked over at Sarah. She only shrugged instead of telling the truth. He looked back at the receptionist.
"Look," he said. "I don't know, and she probably doesn't know. Can you just get a doctor to take a look at her?"
"Yes sir," the receptionist answered. "Dr. Henson could you take this young lady to Exam Room 5?"
A male doctor stepped from behind the counter, and took Sarah gently by the arm. Sarah looked back at Clark
"Clark come with me," she pleaded as she was led away.
"Go with him Sarah," Clark said. "I'll be right there in a few minutes,"
Clark watched Sarah go away, and the receptionist gave him some forms to fill out. He had a worried glance on his face.
"Save any lives your way over here?" asked a voice.
Clark turned around and saw Lex in his overcoat, and hands in his pockets.
"Lex," Clark said. "What are you doing here?"
"I heard about the principal you saved this afternoon," Lex answered. "Is that why you're here?"
"No. For some reason my sister had some kind of burn on her arm."
"Is she all right?"
"Well usually in situations like this, she's pretty calm. But she locked herself in the bathroom trying to cover it up, is all quiet and shaky about it, and she won't tell anyone how she got it,"
"Was she there during your rescue for the Principal?"
"No. Last time I saw her she was inside after practice was over,"
"Do you think you should talk to her?"
"Why?"
"You're about the only person she trusts. I know that. I've seen her love for you when I got you off that pole in my cornfield,"
Clark nodded, and he and Lex walked down the hall to Exam Room 5, where they found Dr.Klien, the family doctor, bandaging up Sarah's arm with a tan gauze. Sarah was sitting on top of the table sort of swinging her legs a bit. When she glanced up at Clark and Lex, she sighed with relief.
"How's she doing?" Clark asked Dr.Klien.
"Well, she's doing fine." Klien said. "It's nothing serious, but she should have the gauze on for at least a week. Do your parents know about this?"
"No," Sarah answered for the first time. "But I think it's best we don't tell them now since they're in the middle of a dinner,"
"When did you get it?"
Sarah glanced at Clark, and Lex. She started to stammer over her words
"I I I don't know," she lied
The doctor nodded and headed out the door when Lex stopped him
"Dr. Klien is it?" he asked
"Yes Mr. Luthor," answered Klien
"Klien, I want you to send Sarah Kent's hospital bill to my adress. I'll pay for it,"
"I don't think that's necessary, Lex," Sarah said nervously.
"Call it a gift of friendship," Lex wrote down something on a piece of paper. "There's my adress. Make sure I get it. If I don't...I'll still pay for it anyway,"
"Thank you Lex,"
"You're welcome. Now doctor, me and my friend here would like a moment alone with Miss Kent,"
The doctor nodded and went out the door as Clark sat on the table beside her.
"Hey," he whispered. "You okay?"
"I'm fine," answered Sarah
"How come you're not talking to the doctors about how you got that burn?" asked Lex.
"It's personal,"
"It's not personal when you're hurt," Clark protested.
"It's personal on how I got hurt,"
"Sarah, how'd you get it?"
Sarah groaned. Her brother wasn't going to give up without a fight. A light bulb suddenly went out in her head. She could lie: An easy way out of a sticky situation.
"We had a science lab activity today," she said. "And I got burnt on one of the equipment,"
"Why didn't you tell the teacher?" asked Lex.
"I thought I could handle it,"
"So you locked yourself in the bathroom just because of that?"
"Yeah,"
Sarah made an honest face at Lex, and he seemed to be buying it.
"All right then" he said finally. "But I'm still paying for your hospital bill,"
Sarah laughed silently. "Okay,"
Clark helped Sarah step down from the table, put an arm around her, and walked out of the room with Lex.
"Take care of her Clark," Lex said before taking off.
"Bye Lex," Clark and Sarah waved.
They all went their seperate ways, Clark signed Sarah out, and they were on their way to the truck.
"Are you sure that's how you got it?" asked Clark about the burn
"I'm sure Clark," Sarah said getting annoyed.
"All right. I just wanted to be sure...What do you want to do?"
"Well, can we get some pizza? When you mentioned it back at the house, I kind of developed a craving for four cheese pizza,"
Clark smiled, and ruffled her hair.
"Sure," he said. "Come on,"
The next day, Sarah met with Brianna and Allison outside for lunch. Sarah didn't tell her parents about the burn, and they didn't seem to notice.Luckily, she was just wearing a blue long sleeved turtle neck, and had gone through the morning just fine.
"OK," Brianna said sitting down. "We just about have enough money from our allowance to at least get the paint and a fun couch to sit on. The only things we can get for free is a busted TV that only has three channels, and a refrigerator that doesn't cool things, but make them hot,"
"Well, I could lend in my stereo," Sarah offered. "I won't miss it anyway. I mean come on. We'll be too busy with the Jr. Torch,"
"Do my ears decieve me?" asked Allison playfully. "Sarah, the one who listens to music practically every hour, is giving up her stereo?"
"It's not like I'm throwing it into a bonfire and letting it burn,"
"Oh!"Brianna said suddenly. "Did you hear what happened yesterday to Principal Kwan?"
"No,"
"His car got on fire,"
"Yeah," Allison answered. "Right after..."
"...he got into a fight with Coach Walt," Sarah finished softly
Brianna and Allison exchanged glances
"Um yeah," Brianna said. "How do you know?"
Sarah looked at her friends and pulled up her sleeve slowly to show the gauze that was covering her burn.
"Ouch," whispered Allison. "What happened?"
"Coach Walt did it," Sarah said.
Brianna scoffed. "Yeah right Sarah. Are you saying he hurt you with his bare hands?"
"Something like that,"
Sarah unwrapped the gauze, to show her fingerprint scars. Brianna and Allison looked at it with wide eyes.
"Okay," Allison said. "This is definately going on the front page of the first issue,"
Sarah grabbed Allison's wrist.
"This isn't going anywhere until we find some hard evidence," she whispered. "Remember that. A reproter is only good at writing what they think is true. A reporter is great at writing something they know is true,"
"OK," Brianna said. "We believe you...Coach Walt right?"
"Yeah!"
"OK OK!"
After school, Clark said Sarah could go on home with him after practice, but since they were too bored to go home, they decided to go the The Beanery to get a snack. They all pitched in for some money, and went inside with Brianna, and Allison
"Looks like this'll be our temporary hang-out," Allison said taking in her surroundings
"Hey look!" shouted Brianna. "There's Chloe, and Pete. Let's go sit with them,"
The girls smiled at their friends as the sat down.
"Hey guys," Brianna said sitting down next to Chloe
"How are my favorite journalists?" asked Chloe playfully.
"We don't even know what we're gonna write for our first issue thanks to a certain head reporter,"Allison said talking about Sarah.
"I told you," Sarah complained sitting with Clark. "We need hard evidence,"
"Evidence, smevidence," Chloe said. "Go for it. And even if it isn't a bug sucess, the hate mail is always a cheer-up,"
"What is it with you and hate mail?" asked Brianna raising an eyebrow.
"It means I'm hitting a nerve,"
"And what you'll get next is one of the cheating jockstraps hitting you in the stomach," Allison said, hitting her gut gently, to indicate what might happen
"Will you lay off the 'jockstraps' thing?" asked Pete annoyed
"I still can't believe you've been blinded by the Friday night lights," Sarah said to her brother
"Sarah, I joined the football team," Clark said. "Not a cult"
"Right. And next I'll be in the pom-pom brigade,"
"I hear there's a spot open," said a voice
Everyone looked up and saw Lana in a green apron and a notepad with a smile on her face as usual.
"Lana!" Brianna, Allison, and Sarah shouted with happiness.
"What are you doing here?" asked Clark
"Taking your order, I hope," Lana smiled nervously.
"W-What is this?" asked Chloe. "Some sort of cheerleading charity, like 'be a waitress for a night' sort of thing?"
"Yes, it is, except for the cheerleading and charity parts, and tips are always appreciated,"
"So you're a waitress for real?" asked Clark
"Even got the perky name-tag to prove it,"
"First day?" asked Allison
"Ever,"
"Where's your necklace?" asked Clark
"Strict dress code: No jewlrey and no open-toed shoes,"
"You look very...waitress like,"
"If only I could tell the difference between a half-caf decaf and a non-fat late,"
"In that case, I'll have a regular coffee,"
"Times three," Pete said.
"Do you carry hot chocolate, Lana?"asked Sarah
"That's about the only thing I can figure out," Lana laughed
"In that case,"Brianna said. "We'll get three hot chocolates,"
"Coming right up...Sarah what happened to your arm?"
"Um..." Sarah started. "I accidently burnt it in Science class,"
"Well I hope you feel better,"
"Thanks,"
Lana left, accidenlty leaving the tray she left on the table. While Clark went to go return it to her, Chloe let out an exasperated sigh.
"What is this world coming to?" she asked herself
"What do you mean?" asked Allison
"Clark Kent is a football player, and Lana Lang is a waitress,"
"What's the matter with that?" asked Brianna
"Nothing. I just wanna click my heels and get back to reality,"
"Yeah," Sarah mummbled. "I know what you mean,"
Soon, a football player walked into The Beanery looking all nervous, but calm. He walked up to other football players and whispered something to their ears.
"What's up with your fallen breathren?" Chloe asked Pete.
"I don't know," answered Pete.
Chloe suddenly got up and grabbed her coat.
"I'll see you guys tomorrow," she said. "Ali. Come on. It's time for your first lesson in journaliam,"
"But I'm a photographer," Allison got up.
"Same thing. Come on,"
Allison followed Chloe outside confused. She watched her get the keys out to her Volvo, when she went up to her.
"I don't get it," she said. "You drag me away from my hot drink, which is very addicting to me mind you, to chase after some lame-o football players?"
"We're trying to see if they have something to do with the test's they cheated on," explained Chloe as they got in the car.
"But I still don't see why you had to drag me away from my hot chocolate,"
Chloe laughed a little bit as they drove about a mile to the Smallville High football field when it grew dark. Chloe led Allison to the field while fumbling with her camera.
"OK," she said. "Lesson 1: When it comes to taking pictures, never let anyone catch you, unless it's okay,"
"That's comforting to know," Allison said sarcastically.
"Lesson 2: When you take pictures while spying on someone, always find a good hiding place. Like, these bleachers,"
Allison and Chloe ducked behind the bleachers as Chloe readied the camera.
"OK," she whispered. "Since this is your first time to do something like this, I'm gonna let you watch me take a picture of the cheating jockstraps,"
Allison snickered as she watched Coach Walt pace around in front of the football players. The sprinklers were on, completely surrounding them. She listened carefully to hear what they were saying.
"Congratulations," shouted the Coach. "I've never seen a group of young men demonstrate such extraordinary stupidity! Now, which one of you talked?...Huh!...No one here told Kwan I supplied you with tests?"
"Coach, no college is even gonna look at us with cheating on our record," said one football player.
The players looked at the one boy surprised. Coach shook his head with a stern face.
"So it was you Trevor?" he asked. "Now, why am I not surprised?"
Allison watched as the Coach hit Trevor. Instantly, the sprinklers turned on fire, amazing her, Chloe, and the football players. It didn't seem to surprise the Coach, so he kept on talking.
"Nothing!" he hollered. "Nothing is going to stand between me and my legacy! Now you go home, and keep your mouths shut! Understand?"
The players looked at each other nervously. Allison, and Chloe looked at each other, and smiled.
"Oh," Chloe whispered. "This is going to be perfect for the front page!"
"Yeah!" Allison whispered back.
The high-fived each other and went back to the car.
Later, Allison was upstairs in her room dialing Sarah and Brianna's number. The girls had three way calling for their phones so they could talk to each other at the same time. Brianna came on first.
"Hello?" she answered the phone.
"Hey, is Sarah on yet?" asked Allison
"Hello?" came the sleepy voice of Sarah.
"Hey, I just came back with Chloe. You wouldn't believe what I've seen,"
"Surprise us," Brianna said.
"And make it fast," Sarah whispered. "I'm tired,"
"OK," Allison said. "Chloe was taking pictures while Coach Walt was yelling at the players. Apparently, we were right about the cheating jockstraps thing,"
"That's nice," Sarah yawned.
"No. It get's better. One of the players came clean, and when the Coach hit him, the sprinklers started shooting fire. Sarah you were right! It was Coach Walt!...Sarah...Sarah!"
The only response Allison got, was soft breathing.
Meanwhile, back at the Kent Farm...
Clark walked silently through Sarah's door.
"Sarah," he whispered. "Mom needs you to get off the phone, and go to..."
Clark stopped as he saw Sarah, her head and arm hanging over the bed, still clutching the phone. Clark smiled, and hung up the phone. He lifted Sarah's head and arms back on her bed. Almost going back outside, he looked back at Sarah's injured arm. With a concern looked on his face, he sat down by her bed, and unwrapped the gauze gently revealing fingerlike scars on her arm. He looked at her sleeping form. She still rested peacfully, and yet a look of worry was on her face, like she was scared. The last time he saw her scared, it was when she found out his secret. Something was inside Sarah, that Clark had to find out before it was too late.
The next night, Sarah wrapped her hair in a ponytail with a red and yellow ribbon. Clark was taking her to the High School Pep Rally, and it was the day before a big game.
"Come on Slowpoke!" Clark shouted. "We're gonna be late!"
"Who are you calling slowpoke!" shouted Sarah getting her jacket, and heading out the door.
Sarah met with Clark by the truck, and they drove to the High School Football field. When they got there, Sarah was a bit reluctant. They were having a bonfire, and ever since her incident with Coach Walt, she developed a phobia of fire. But she stayed with Clark, and knew she was always safe around him. Besides if anything went wrong, he'd get her home in less than fifteen seconds...literally. She walked around the field until she saw Allison and Chloe come up to her
"Hey," they greeted.
"What are you guys doing here?"asked Sarah. "Chloe I know you only come to Pep Rallies for pictures, but Allison absolutely despises them. What's going on here?"
"Didn't you listen to me last night?' asked Allison
"No. I was tired,"
"OK. This is the last time we're saying this. We know that Coach Walt supplied the football players with tests. What we want to know is that wether or not he's behind the water spinklers blowing fire,"
"And we just got pictures of it," Chloe said. "Feast your eyes Sarah Kent,"
Sarah looked at the pictures on Chloe's digital camera, and what she saw was true. There was fire blowing out of the sprinklers.
"And there's one more thing," Allison said.
"What?" asked Sarah
Allison glanced nervously at Chloe. Sarah grew wide-eyed in realization.
"You told her!" she asked
"What was I supposed to do?" asked Allison
"Oh, I don't know. Not tell her! Did you tell Clark?"
"No,"
"Thank goodness,"
"At least not yet," Chloe said.
"Why?"
"Why? Why didn't you tell Clark that Coach Walt threatned you and abused you? Why didn't you tell us about his abilities with fire?"
"FYI Chloe. He threatned me! I couldn't tell anybody. He fried my arm,"
"We're telling Clark, when we get the chance Sarah. You should've seen his face at school yesterday. He was worried about you. He thought you weren't telling him the truth,"
Sarah groaned.
"You guys have your fun,"she grumbled. "I'm gonna wait in the car,"
"It's been nice knowing you Sarah," Allison joked.
Sarah walked away, and Chloe put a hand on Allison's shoulder.
"She'll be fine as long as it's Clark yelling at her," she said. "Now come on. It's time for Lesson 3: Blackmail,"
"Yes!" whispered Allison.
Allison and Chloe walked down by the bleachers where Trevor Chapell, the guy the Coach hit the other night, was waiting for them.
"Why'd you call me?" he asked "What do you want?"
"We want to know if Coach Walt supplied you with the tests," Chloe said.
Trevor stayed silent.
"Look," Allison said. "You can talk to us know or later. Either way, this picture's gonna be on the front page of tomorrow's Torch. Both Jr. High, and High School,"
Chloe showed Trevor the picture they took the other night. Trevor only glared at them.
"Just leave me alone," he whispered threateningly
Trevor walked away, and Chloe and Allison smiled at each other.
"Now what?" asked Allison.
"Lesson 4: Publishing," Chloe said. "That's the fun part,"
Chloe and Allison went inside the High School Torch room, and started what they were doing. Allison was doing excellent jobs on her grammer, and her ability to get the reader's attention was extraordinary. When Chloe read it, she was absolutely amazed.
"Are you sure the teacher gave you the right position?" asked Chloe playfully
"Well we help each other in all our jobs so we get an equal share," said Allison. "Are we done yet? Because I want to get a good seat for tomorrow's game, and I have to get up early,"
"We just need to post the picture up. Hang on,"
Chloe took over Allisons spot for a while, since she was the only who knew how to work the digital camera to the computer. Allison watched her with amusement, until she could smell smoke. She sniffed loudly.
"Do you smell something burning?"she asked disgusted.
"No," answered Chloe. "You're probably just..."
Suddenly, Chloe's computer bursted into flames. She gasped and quickly got up from her chair, and wrapped her arms behind Allison to protect her. The flames spreaded across the desk and onto the floor. It was insane! The fire seemed to follow them everywhere. Allison opened the window that overlooked the football field. Chloe joined her in their cry for help.
"CLARK!" they shouted, waving their arms.
Clark seemed to have heard them, and started sprinting toward the school. Allison and Chloe tried to get out. Chloe grabbed their jackets, gave one to Allison, and they covered their heads as they crossed the burning room. But fire caught on their jackets, and they knocked them off, as they reached the door. However the door was surrounded by fire.
"Oh no!" shouted Allison, really scared.
Suddenly, and somehow a wonderful miracle, the fire died down, as Clark busted the door open.
"Chloe! Allison!" he shouted.
"Clark!" they both shouted.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
"We're okay," said Chloe.
"Allison are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Allison shakily said.
Clark looked around, and smiled a bit.
"The Torch torched," he reamarked. "How's that for dramatic irony?"
The girls glared at him.
"Just trying to get you guys to smile,"
"This is more than just arson Clark," Chloe explained. "It seemed like the fire knew what we were doing,"
"And you believe Coach Walt was somehow controlling it?"
"Uh...YES!" shouted Allison "Look at the facts. Principal Kwan launches an investigation on the cheating scandel. Coach Walt tries to fry him in his car. Sarah is threatened by Walt and he burnt her arm..."
"Wait wait wait. Coach Walt did that?...He couldn't have. Not with his bare hands,"
"Well, Clark, he did,"
"But Sarah would tell me something like this. I tell her everything,"
"What do expect Clark?" asked Chloe. "She was threatened so good, it scared her. Beside's the Coach is obbsessed with winning his 200th game, in a row mind you, he wants his boneheaded players to pass so bad so he could get his pantheon in high school sports,"
"Do you have any proof?"
"Besides Sarah's arm, it's kind of hard to recover the files," Allison said dryly.
"I'll talk to Sarah. If she doesn't talk, you don't have any proof,"
"There's Trevor Chapell," Chloe said.
"What about him?"
"I'm sure he's the one who talked to Kwan about the cheating. He wants to talk. I know it. But he's still scared to talk to us. But I think he might open up to you,"
"All right, I'll see what I can do. Where's Sarah?"
"In the car waiting for you,"
After Clark talked to Chloe and Allison, he walked outside where most of the players had gone home. He found his truck on the other side of the parking lot, and found Sarah in the passenger seat sleeping. He smiled a bit, and shook her a bit.
"Hey," he whispered. "Wake up,"
Sarah moaned, and opened her eyes a bit to see Clark smiling at her.
"Tired?" he asked.
"Yeah," Sarah mummbled.
"Why don't we go home and get some rest?"
Sarah yawned in response. Clark laughed a bit, and started to drive home. Sarah slept soundly against the window dreaming silently.
Sarah sat by the fire with her family laughing and playing. Clark had his football jersey on and a football in his arms. It looked like he won the winning touchdown for Smallville's winning championship game. He tossed it back and forth to Sarah and they were having a lot of fun. But when Sarah tossed the ball to him, she found she was all alone. Clark was gone, including her parents. All there was was the fire in front of her. She looked closely at it, and once she did, the fire's flames enlarged and were thrown at her.
Sarah sat up with a yelp escaping from her lips. She found herself sitting up on the couch with a blanket over her. She was home and safe, and the fireplace wasn't showing any flames. Clark came in suddenly.
"Hey," he whispered in a soothing voice "What's wrong? Did you have a nightmare?"
Sarah kept on breathing slowly. Clark sat down by her and hugged her.
"Clark," she whispered shakily. "I have to tell you something. I can't keep it a secret anymore,"
"Is it about your burn?" asked Clark
"Coach Walt did it. I couldn't tell anyone. He said he'd hurt me if I told anyone. And I didn't think anyone would believe me that someone would scar someone with their bare hands. I'm sorry,"
Sarah hugged Clark tightly, so that she could feel safe. The nightmare she had felt so real, and right now, she wanted to be secure. Clark rocked her back and forth.
"I'm glad you told me the truth," he said. "Why didn't you tell me sooner? I would've helped you solve this,"
"I don't know," Sarah said. "I got scared. I was petrified,"
"Then why did you Brianna and Allison?"
"Because I thought if I trusted them with your secret, I could trust them with my secret. I didn't know if I could trust you..."
"Sarah listen to me. I love you. I want you to be safe. Remember when you went after Greg, you and Allison got caught in a web, and I got there just in time to keep you from cracking your head open? And when I took you to the hospital when you locked yourself in the bathroom to cover that burn. You have a lot of people who care about you. And sometimes, just because they love you, they do stuff they don't want you to do...You understand?"
Sarah nodded her head and bit her lip.
"What about Coach Walt?"she asked
"I'll deal with him,"Clark said. "Right now, just go to sleep,"
Sarah nodded again, and laid down as Clark turned off the light. What was Clark going to do about Coach Walt? Whatever it was, she'd have to find out about it.
The next day, Sarah found that Clark had already gone to the game, and decided to get ready to go with her parents. She wore a red Smallville football jersey with a white tank top underneath, that she bought at a Smallville Sports shop, and black pants with tennis shoes. Like the other night, she put her hair in a ponytail with red and yellow ribbons tying it. She met with her parents outside an they drove to the stadium. It was really loud, and everybody was there. Luckily, for Sarah, there was no fire, but then again, Coach Walt wasn't there yet. Something was going on. She felt it as they saw Chloe.
"Hi Mr.Kent! Hi Mrs. Kent! Hi Sarah!" she waved for them to sit down by her.
"Smallville's resident cynic have a change of heart?" asked Mrs.Kent playfully.
"Well I decided to put my personal polotics aside to support my friends,"
"Yes, we're trying the same philosophy,"
Mrs. Kent looked at Jonathon when she said this.
Meanwhile in the locker rooms...
Clark found Coach Walt in the sauna.
"Kent," he said. "Why aren't you in the locker room suiting up?"
"I'm not walking out on that field," Clark replied. "And neither are you,"
"Look, I don't know what the heck your problem is, but you do not want to tick me off right now,"
Suddenly, Clark was feeling a bit weak. He looked over to the rocks in the sauna and saw green glowing rocks being heated up. He looked at his hand and saw that it was losing its color, and it started to sort of morph.
"I saw what you did to Sarah's arm," he said.
"Sarah!" shouted Coach as he got up. "She should've kept her mouth shut!"
Clark started growing weaker by the second
"What's the matter Kent? A little hot for you?"
Suddenly, Coach Walt punched Clark in the gut and threw him into the sauna. During the process, he accidently spilled the bucket of meteor rocks that fell by Clark's head.
"You'll excuse me now," Coach said. "I've got a game to win,"
And so the Coach left, leaving Clark locked in the sauna lying by the meteor rocks.
Back at the field...
"Hey Chloe, where's Clark?" asked Sarah. "The game's already started,"
I don't know," answered Chloe. "I was supposed to meet him before the game, but he didn't show. I thought he was with you guys,"
Jonathon nodded and got up.
"Dad wait up!" she shouted
"Stay there Sarah!" Jonathon shouted over the crowd.
Sarah grumbled as she sat down.
"Mrs. Kent, can you excuse me and Sarah for a moment?" asked Chloe. "I'm just taking her to get a hot dog and soda. My treat,"
Martha nodded, and Chloe took Sarah to the the field instead of the snack bar. Pete was sitting on the bench watching the game with amusement until it was his turn to go out there.
"Pete!" shouted Sarah as she went up to him. "Have you seen Clark?"
"No, I haven't seen him all day," answered Pete.
"Sarah! Chloe!" shouted Mr. Kent as he came up. "What are you doing here? I thought I told you to wait in the stands,"
"Jonathon!" Coach Walt came up as Sarah got behind Chloe. "You know the rules. No parents on the sidelines"
"I'm looking for Clark,"
"Join the club. I neede him out here. Guess he doesn't have what it takes to be a winner, huh?"
Jonathon shook his head, and walked with Chloe and Sarah away from the sidelines to the entrance that led to the inside of the school
"Nobody's seen him," he explained to them.
"I think the coach is lying," Chloe protested.
"I don't think," Sarah grumbled. "I know"
"What's going on here?" asked Jonathon to himself. "All right, Chloe you check the school. Sarah and I will check the locker room,"
Before Jonathon could start going inside, Sarah was already running to the school, breathing hard, making herself not stop until she got to the locker rooms
"Clark?" she called out. "Clark!"
Jonathon came up behind her, and started to search around the locker rooms. Sarah just walked slowly as she felt heat coming toward her. It put moisture on her skin, and it grew hotter when she got closer to the sauna door. She looked at the window and saw it was broken, and on the floor she saw a glowing green rock on the ground. It all came togethor then. Coach Walt spent so much time in the sauna, he was exposed to the meteor rocks, and it caused him to control fire. She looked through the window, and saw Clark on the ground, surrounded ny meteor rocks.
"Clark!" she said pounding on the door, trying to open it. "Clark!"
Jonathon ran up to the door, and gently pushed her aside. He rammed his shoulder to the door, and it busted open. He and Sarah knelt down beside him.
"Clark," Sarah whispered. "Can you hear me? Are you all right?"
"It's the meteor rocks," Clark said weakly.
"Let's get him out of here," Jonathon said.
Jonathon out his arms under Clark's arms, and started to drag him out of the sauna. Sarah held open the door for them, but when they came out, she saw Coach Walt right behind them
"Dad! Clark! Watch out!" she shouted.
The warning was too late. The coach brought down the fire exstingusher he had on Jonathon, and he and Clark fell on the ground, knocking them away from the sauna. Sarah backed away quickly as Coach was trying to hit her. Meanwhile, Clark looked at his hand, and saw that his color had returned, and it wasn't morphing. He saw Walt trying to hurt his sister, and as he was about to hit her, Clark blocked it with his arm, and threw the Coach away from her. The Coach fell on a bench, and onto the floor looking stunned.
"Coach, you need help," he said.
"What I need is to win this game," the Coach growled getting up.
"It's too late for that,"
Suddenly, the Coach closed his eyes, and fire exploded around the room. A circle of flames surrounded Sarah, and she couldn't get out. Clark looked behind him, and Sarah in the fire prison, and went through the flames. The Coach, again, was scared and amazed.
"How did you do that?" he stammered.
Clark took off his burning coat and threw it aside.
"It's in the genes," he said.
The coach tried to hit him, but Clark dodged out of the way, and threw him into the shower room, hitting a wall.
"Give it up Coach! You lost!" he shouted.
The Coach let out an inhumane cry as flames rose. The showers blew fire around, and cremated the Coach to ashes...Well okay. Not really. He was just burnt to death. Flames were still everywhere, and as Jonathon got up from the ground, Clark grabbed the fire extingusher, and took the flames out that held Sarah prisoner. She started coughing, a few brownish-blackish spots were on her face, but luckily she wasn't burnt in any place. Firemen started to come in, and took out other flames that were still hanging around. One took Jonathan, Clark, and Sarah outside to the fire truck. It was night-time, and the football players were wondering what was going on. Even a few other people standed around, trying to get a look of what was happening. Mrs. Kent, Chloe, Pete, Allison, and Brianna came rushing up to them.
"Are you all right?" Mrs. Kent as Jonathan, and her children.
Sarah coughed in response. A fireman took her by the arm gently.
"Excuse me ma'm," he said to Martha. "We need to give her some oxygen,"
"I'll go with her," Clark said putting a hand on her shoulder.
The fireman took Sarah to the fire truck and told her to put a mask over her mouth. Clark sat her on his lap, as Chloe, Pete, Brianna, and Allison ran up to them.
"Are you OK?" Allison asked.
"I'm fine," Sarah said taking her mask off
"Put your mask back on," Clark said pushing the mask gently on Sarah's mouth.
"So is your phobia of fire over?" asked Brianna
Sarah only shrugged in response.
"I'm glad you two are okay," Chloe said.
"Did we win?" asked Clark hopefully.
"Oh yeah," Pete said laughing happily. "15 to 4,"
"We're gonna go for some ice-cream," Chloe said. "Do you guys wanna come after Sarah's breathing okay?"
Clark looked at Sarah.
"You wanna go?" he asked
Sarah shook her head no.
"We're gonna take her home," Clark explained.
"All right," Allison said. "See ya guys later!"
Clark and Sarah waved goodbye at their friends. The fireman came up.
"All right missy," he said. "You can stop now,"
Sarah took one last breath of oxygen, before she let the fireman take the mask. She rested her head against his shoulder, and closed her eyes sighing.
"I'm glad you're safe," Clark said.
Jonathon came up slowly.
"Clark," he said. "I'm sorry you didn't get to play,"
"Were you here to make sure I didn't hurt anyone?" asked Clark a bit disappointed.
"I was here to support my son,"
Sarah smiled.
"Some of the things I said..."Clark said. "Was out of line,"
"Look, son," Jonathon. "I-I do trust you. I do. I guess there's always gonna be a part of me that's a little bit afraid. But that's just being a parent,"
"Thanks dad,"
Jonathon smiled.
"Now," he said. "Did I hear someone say that their friend turned down a chance for free ice-cream?"
Sarah rolled her eyes with a smile. Jonathon took out a ten-dollar bill.
"Clark, take your sister out for some ice-cream down at the parlor," he said. "My treat,"
Clark took the money, and he and Sarah began walking down the road into town.
"Clark, I want to thank you," Sarah said. "For helping me through this,"
"You were scared," Clark put an arm around her. "Besides, nobody messes with my sister. Except me,"
Sarah laughed.
"Oh you do not want to mess with me," she laughed. "Tell you what. I'll race you to the parlor. No super-speed."
Clark smiled, and ran for it, not using his powers. Sarah ran after him.
"Hey, I didn't say you could go!" she shouted.
Clark laughed, as he raced inside the parlor. A minute later, Sarah came inside.
"You cheated, you little stinker,"she said, punching him in the arm playfully.
"Get used to it," Clark smiled.
Sarah shook her head with a smile, and hugged her brother.
(Review please!)