"What did you get for number four? I got 5, 463, 892, 461, 032, 458 but of course, that's just from doing the math in my head," said Kara.
"You are such a show-off," Kal-El responded, "you think because you got moved up to my math class you're a genius. I have news for you, cousin, you still have 3 years to complete and except for math, it won't be easy."
"You're just jealous!"
"Of what? My gifts just don't happen to be in math."
"Then where are they? If it weren't for Lois, you would have the worst math skills on the planet."
"Leave Lois out of this."
"It's true. I'm not mean enough to make fun of her because I was raised better than that but it is true. I heard that she couldn't even answer 1+1 when she was 3 years old."
"She can't help it. Kryptonian children have the technology to give them a little intelligence boost. Even though she had to repeat this year, it's amazing that she's come this far. She's the smartest person I know."
"Don't get so touchy. I think somebody has a crush."
"Grow up, Kara. You're 14!"
"You do, don't you? You have to tell me the truth. Look on the bright side, Val-Lor spoke out and a good thing happened. He made the people bond together and fight against the invading aliens, who were enslaving them That's why we celebrate. It might be a good thing to tell me the truth."
"Mom!"
Lara came in the room and asked, "are you children doing your homework? You two should have been brother and sister. Now what could you possibly be fighting about now?"
"Kal-El won't tell me the truth," Kara piped up.
"Kal-El!"
"It's about a girl, Mom. She's being too personal!"
"I'm sorry, dear but if she asked, you have to tell her."
Kal-El glared hard at his little cousin and said, "yes, I like her."
Kara laughed and asked, "do you like, like her? Do you love her?"
"Mom!"
"Sorry, sweetheart but there's nothing I can do."
"Yes. Are you happy?" he grumbled.
His mom looked interested now and asked, "what girl?"
"Not you too, Mom! It's Lois."
"The alien girl?" his mother asked.
"Yes! Now quit asking me questions, please!"
That's when his father came into the room and asked, "did somebody say something about the alien girl?"
"Yes, Dad. I go to school with her, remember?"
"And he's in love with her, Uncle Jor-El!" Kara laughed.
"Is that true, son?"
"Did I do anything to you all because if I did, I'm sorry," Kal-El pleaded.
"I hear about her in science circles. I have some friends that are working on her case. I've never thought about working on it myself but it might be fun at that. I'm not really working on anything important right now. Hey, do you think you could get her to come by the house?"
"Believe me, Dad, I've tried. She thinks I'm up to something."
"It doesn't really matter right now. I have to think about it and get some more information. You should get to know more about her, Kal-El and keep trying to get her to come over. Anything might help."
"Honey," his mother said, "I don't know if that's such a good idea, if he has feelings for her. He is betrothed to Zara."
"You're right. It's a shame parents can't figure out who their children will fall in love with instead of purely the practical side and once they've been made there's no going back. We were lucky," Jor-El said, as he kissed his wife on the cheek.
"I can handle it," Kal-El said," I won't let my feelings get in the way of a simple friendship and getting the information to help her."
"Are you sure?" his mother questioned suspiciously.
"I'm sure," he replied.
---
It was the first class of the day, history but why wasn't Lois here?
Kal-El looked around.
"I want everyone's helmets on and I will begin to transmit the information on the Clone Wars."
Kal-El stood up.
"Can I help you?" the history teacher asked.
"I have to go," and he rushed off before the teacher could object.
Kal-El went outside to where all the vehicles were parked. He wanted to see if Lois' blue airship was there. It was.
He then spotted Lois aboard a Jor-El, getting ready to fly off. A Jor-El was something his father had invented. It covered every way of traveling you could think of from water to underground. Practically every family owned one. His father was a household name.
"Lois, what are you doing?" he called, running as fast as he could to get to her.
"What does it look like, science boy?"
"How did you get out of going to school?"
"I had my aunt request a day of learning."
"Then why are you acting suspiciously?"
"My parents are overprotective and think I should stay in the safety of school. Aunt Mora is more free spirited."
"You mean she lied for you."
"You could say that. I brought my airship as a decoy because my dad rides by here on his way to work. Aunt Mora left me her Jor-El to use. It's nicer than an airship and it's equipped for my extra weight. Now if you'll excuse me…"
"Where are you going?"
"None of your business."
"I'd tell you where I was going."
"I'm going to the Scarlet Jungle."
"Are you crazy! That place is dangerous."
"I've already made up my mind."
"Then let me go with you."
"I don't think so."
"I bet the school would love to hear about how you conned your way into a field trip."
"Are you blackmailing me, Kal-El?"
"I guess so."
She rolled her eyes but motioned for him to get in and he did.
"You do realize you are skipping school and that you are on your way to becoming a criminal?" she asked.
Kal-El didn't say anything. He was too alarmed, as they shot off at top speed.
TBC
