Two weeks before starting the 11th grade, Lois Lane had arrived in Smallville, Kansas on her father's insistence, she and her sister needed a more stable environment, whatever that meant.
He was barely around, so what did he care? Still, Lois loved her aunt and she was grateful the woman had agreed to take both girls in. Lucy was fourteen and starting in school while Lois was going into her second to last year. To tell you the truth, she was sort of grateful she got to keep an eye on Lucy during her early years in high school even if she planned to flee back to Metropolis the moment she turned 18 and was legally an adult.
"I'll come visit soon, once you guys have settled in." Her father had said as soon as he helped them carry their things to the car.
"See you soon Daddy." Lucy had said with a smile as she hugged Sam. Lois did the same but she was not as eager.
She'd have to wait and see if her father kept his promise.
Their aunt and uncle were kind and only had a son to care for, Evan was a sweet ten year old boy who adored his cousins and was beyond excited they were coming to live with them, for a kid who was an only child, it was nice to have company, specially since he spent most of his time confined to a wheelchair.
"I'll call you as soon as my plane lands in Kenya." Sam told Lois. "You take care of each other and listen to your aunt and uncle, they are in charge now."
Sam's sister Amy was a kind woman and her husband Simon was everything her father wasn't. Of course, she'd listen to them, mostly.
"They will be fine, you just don't forget you can visit whenever you want." Amy told her brother.
More like can, Lois said to herself.
She and Lucy would have to share a room for the first time in their lives, although her uncle had promised that if they got around to clean the attic, she could move up there a little later down the line.
Lois would be fine with a bed and a lamp to move up there, but she knew her aunt and uncle would never allow it.
"I was thinking we could go into town and get you girls some housewarming presents to make your room feel like home." Her aunt said.
"I'm up for it, what about you sis?"
"Sure, why not?" Lois said, putting down one of the last boxes she owned on her bed.
They drove into town but decided to park near the diner and walk through town. Lois pushed Evan's wheelchair as he told her all about the town. He'd been born in Smallville and everyone knew him.
They knew their aunt and uncle too.
"Amy, Simon." A lady inside the diner said as they entered. "Evan, how are you sweetheart?"
"I'm good, thanks, these are my cousin's Lois and Lucy, they are moving in with us."
"Oh yes, I had heard about that, how are you?"
Lois and Lucy greeted the girls politely. "Excited about starting high school Lucy?"
The younger girl smiled shyly. "I guess."
"Everyone is really nice, my boys and one of my girls will be in school with you girls." Mrs. Kidder said. "It's a very close community, so if you two ever need anything, you just let me know, alright?"
"Thanks Marge." Amy told the older woman kindly. "Come on, everyone, let's find somewhere to sit."
Lois glanced around the diner, it was Friday in late summer so the place was full of family, a couple kids on dates and old men having their six afternoon cofee.
The bell rang, to announce someone new had come in, it was a couple and a young boy about her age. "Kents, how nice to have you visit us, what can I get you?"
"That's Clark Kent." Evan whispered to Lois. "He and his parents live on a farm outside of town."
Lois hadn't realized she'd been staring. "They are really nice people, I've been over to their farm a couple times, Clark is teaching me how to ride a horse."
Clark.
"Really?" Lucy said with genuine interest. "How cool."
"Yeah, nobody thought I'd be able to, but Clark and his Dad came up with this saddle set up and it seems to be really working." Evan said with a grin.
"Oh yeah, the Kents really are exceptional people, always going out on a limb to help others." Simon told the girls.
Lois realized then that that boy Clark was looking right at her. "Hey Evan, Mr and Mrs. Coulter."
"Hey Clark." Evan said happily. "These are my cousins, Lucy and Lois, they will be going to school with you."
Clark smiled at both girls kindly. "Nice to meet you."
"Likewise, what year are you in?" Lucy asked.
"I'll be a junior." Clark said.
"Oh, same as Lois." Lucy said excitedly. "It'll be nice to at least know one person when we go in. Won't it?"
"Uh, yeah sure."
"Anything you need, you just let me know Miss Coulter." Clark told her charmingly. He turned around when he heard his mother calling for him.
"It's Lane, actually." Lois corrected him. "And I just go by Lois."
"Oh, sorry. Lois." Clark blushed. "Um, I should go, anyways, it was so nice to meet you both, Evan, I'll see you Wednesday buddy?"
"Definitely." Evan smiled at the boy as he waved goodbye.
"Lois?" Her sister hissed to get her attention, she again, hadn't realized was staring at Clark until he disappeared out of sight. "Earth to Lois?"
She composed herself, thankfully it seemed only her sister had noticed.
The next few days were boring to say the least, but Lois would accompany her aunt on errands and she enjoyed getting to know small places in town, like the local paper. Wednesday was a special exciting day because Evan would go on his lesson to the Kent farm, both girls had offered to come with.
"This is a farming town, so a lot of people live out here." Evan explained. "Clark and his parents run the entire place and Mrs. Kent set up the stables."
Lois smiled at her cousin, he was the most outgoing little kid she knew. "My friend Matt's brother is best friends with Clark so he was the one who suggested riding to Mom, I really like it. Almost makes me feel normal."
Lois glanced at him. He knew things hadn't been easy for Evan since he had been born, but his parents really tried to allow him to be a kid as he could possibly be.
They parked right outside the house and saw Clark come out of the house, with his Mom in tow.
"Mrs. Kent, Clark." Evan smiled at them both as his mother helped him out and into his chair. "You remember my cousins? They've never been to an actual farm, they are from Metropolis, so…"
"We've been to farms, just not… not like this one." Lucy said. "Yours looks like farms usually do in movies."
"Well, I certainly hope my apple pie tastes better than it might look in the movies." Martha smiled at Lucy. "Why don't you girls come inside while Evan and Clark get to their lesson."
"Actually, I wanted to watch, if it's not too much trouble." Lois said, as Clark shot her a curious glance and Lucy fought the urge to roll her eyes. "I've always been interested in horses."
Of course she was.
"Sounds good honey." Amy told her niece. "I'm sure the boys won't mind the company."
Lois followed Clark who pushed Evan's wheelchair to the other side of the farm where the stables were.
"So, is this what your Mom does? Works with kids and you what? You got into that side of the family business?" Lois asked. She lived for the people's stories.
"No, not really, we only have two horses in our farm, we're not into breeding or anything like that. Lightning was a present from my Dad to my Mom and Thunder is a rescue. That's pretty much it." Clark said shyly. "Evan is practically the only one who's ridden either horse outside the family."
"Yeah, but I keep telling them they should let more people know." Evan said as Clark laughed adorably. "It's good business."
"It is, I've read about ranches that make a lot of money outside Metropolis working with kids and animals." Lois said.
"Oh, yeah Lois is always kind of reading, she wants to be a reporter for the Daily Planet." Evan said.
Clark shot her another curious look. "Really?"
"Of course, is there anything cooler than being at the Daily Planet?" Clark shrugged.
"I guess." He said casually. "So how come you left Metropolis if you want to work in such a big paper one day?"
Clark noticed Lois had suddenly turned serious, even a little sad. "My Dad, he thought it would be a good idea for me and Lucy to live in the country for a while."
Clark sensed there was more to the story but he didn't want to push further into the subject. He grabbed Evan's saddle from the estables and got the horse ready for him.
"He's so beautiful." Lois commented as she admired the horse.
"He really is. Even though he is a rescue, he's one of the kindest horses I've ever encountered." Clark said. "He and Evan really like each other." Lois smiled. "You can pet him if you want, he's really friendly."
Lois nodded, reaching to touch the grey horse gently, he responded to her happily.
"Thunder, this is Miss Lois Lane." Clark said and Lois felt herself blush slightly at him saying her name like that. "Lois, this is Thunder."
"Hey there buddy. It's nice to meet you." Lois moved her hand even more confidently to touch the horse again. She hadn't even realized Clark wasn't even beside her anymore. He was getting Evan from his chair and placing him gently on the saddle. Lois saw how Clark carried her cousin gracefully, effortlessly, even if he was only 16 and didn't appear to be strong by any means, she guessed working on a farm would grant you some kind of extra strength. She saw how both boys chatted away, Evan holding on to the rope on the saddle to keep his balance and Clark focused on the task at hand as he lead the horse from the rope and she found herself smiling.
Time passed rather quickly as she watched them. "You can give it a try too if you want to." She heard Clark say as they stopped where she was standing. "It's completely safe."
"I'll have to take you you on that Clark Thank you."
She saw him smile at her. And her heart suddenly skipped a beat.
"Anytime Lois."
