As Emmeline, Chloe, Clark, and Pete all left the football field, Chloe was showing her friends her newest edition of the Torch that she and Emmeline had just finished yesterday during free period.
"'Football: Sport or Abuse'?" Clark said in disbelief as he read the headline.
"So, what do you think?" Chloe asked.
"I think you need to seriously decrease your cappuccino dependency."
"Pete thinks I'm being too hard on Coach Walt."
"I mean, the man coached my dad, all my brothers. He used to come over and watch the Super Bowl," Pete said.
"Now, while I'm touched by that Hallmark moment, you don't get points for subtlety in journalism. I've already started getting hate mail."
"You seem very happy about that," Clark commented. "Why?"
"Because it means I'm hitting a nerve. Besides, between the abysmal sentence structure and generous use of obscenities, I've got a pretty good idea of who's been sending it."
"If you think my teammates are reading the Torch, you're giving them way too much credit," Pete joked.
By now, the group had reached the courtyard where they saw Lana in a heated discussion with Whitney right before Lana stormed off.
"Whew!" Chloe half-laughed. "There's something you don't see every day. A pompom meltdown!" At that moment, some of the football players came out of the school. "Ooh, ooh, here they come! Pete, I need a picture of the cheating jockstraps."
Coach Walt joined the others and started addressing those gathered around.
"Any idea how they got that midterm, Chloe?" Clark asked.
Chloe took her camera and began taking pictures. "It's still a mystery, but I'm working on it."
The players looked over at Chloe and they didn't look happy about having their picture taken. One of them threw a football at Chloe's head, and just as it was about to make contact her, Clark's hand shot out and caught it.
"Whoa, nice catch!" Pete laughed.
"One of your teammates attempts to assassinate me, and all you say is 'nice catch'?" Chloe asked Pete angrily.
She began quickly walking off as Pete called after her, "I thought you wanted to hit a nerve!"
Clark threw the football back at the jock and the force hit him so hard that he keeled over. "Come on, Emmeline," Clark said as the bell rang. "Let's get to class."
Emmeline hugged her books close to her chest and looked away when she realized a couple of the jocks were staring at her. She still hadn't gotten over that whole incident with Greg, so she was putting off guys for quite a while.
Later that day, Emmeline went to get a water bottle from the vending machine when Pete and Clark came around the corner.
"Hey, Emmeline!" Pete said.
"Hey," she said quietly.
"How's your day going?"
"It's good. I have a Calc test next class."
Both of the boys grimaced in sympathy when Coach Walt approached them. "Hey, Kent," he said to Clark. "I saw your arm out there. Technique was lousy, but you got a lot of power."
"Thanks!" Clark said with a polite smile.
"So why aren't you on our team?"
"My dad needs me on the farm."
"Well, your school needs you on the field. We got a big game on Friday night. We're short players. Look, look, I know your dad would understand."
"He's kind of stubborn."
"Yeah, I remember. Jonathan Kent was one of the best athletes I ever coached. A lot of talent. It's in your genes, Kent."
"Actually, I'm adopted."
Emmeline raised her eyebrows a little. She hadn't known Clark was adopted! It was nice that he seemed to have such a good relationship with his parents despite the fact they weren't blood-related.
Coach Walt frowned and grit his teeth, and to be honest, he kind of freaked Emmeline out. "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 that 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 natural talent, but he's got a truckload of heart." Well…at least he was an honest coach.
"Thanks…I guess," Pete stuttered.
"Let me think about it," Clark said to Coach Walt.
"Fordman, get over here!" Coach Walt called. Whitney and Lana walked over to the group.
"Hey, Clark," Lana said. Emmeline couldn't help but notice that Lana always seemed to be…well, not necessarily flirting with him, but she was acting like more than just friends with him. That seemed wrong to her seeing as she already had a boyfriend.
"Fordman, you're the team captain," Coach Walt continued. "How do you think Kent here would do on the field? I mean, considering our current predicament?"
Whitney looked Clark up and down as if studying him. "He might do all right."
"Hmm…he seems afraid though."
"That's not the reason, is it, Clark?" Lana said in an attempt to defend him. There it was again.
"It's my dad," Clark answered sheepishly.
"Kent, there comes a time when you gotta step out of your father's shadow and be your own man. Now what do you say? You ready to be your own man?"
Clark paused and then smiled. "Count me in."
Emmeline looked at Clark. She hadn't expected him to cave so easily.
"Good. I will see you at practice today, 3:00. Don't be late."
Coach Walt walked away and Emmeline wasn't going to lie that she felt way more at ease when he was gone.
"Hey, Clark," Pete said as he pointed to his ear to make a point. "Hey, um, remind me what your dad said last time you asked him to play."
"…He said no."
"He said no. That's what I thought. Call me when the hurting's done. Okay?"
Pete walked off as Emmeline smiled at his comment. Clark looked at her. "You think I made the right decision, right?"
Emmeline sighed. "It's not my place to say anything," she answered quietly.
"No, really, I want your opinion."
"You're…you're following the crowd. You just want to be one of them, but you're not. You're Clark Kent, and that name doesn't end with 'football jock'."
She walked off before he could say anything more.
The next night, after everyone, especially Clark, needed a break, the group decided to go get some coffee at the Beanery. Pete had so eloquently explained to Emmeline and Chloe all about how Principal Kwan had been caught in a fire in his car and he had been the "hero" because he got the paramedics. Everyone knew Clark was the real hero because he was able to actually pull Kwan from the car.
"You guys, it doesn't make sense," Chloe said as they walked down the street. "Cars don't just spontaneously combust."
"The cops said it was faulty wiring," Clark said.
"I've already got my headline: 'Jockstrap Saves Principal From Burning Car'."
"Will you lay off the 'jockstraps' thing?" Pete asked, annoyed.
"I still can't believe Clark's been blinded by the Friday night lights."
"I joined the football team, not a cult," Clark defended himself.
"What's the difference?" Emmeline said under her breath. Evidently, Chloe had heard her and she smirked at her.
"Yeah, next I'm gonna be joining the pompom brigade."
"I hear there's a spot open," Lana's voice suddenly rang out as she walked in between them all.
"Lana, what are you doing here?" Clark asked.
"Taking your order, I hope."
"What is this? Some sort of cheerleading charity, like be-a-waitress-for-a-night sort of thing?" Chloe said. Emmeline couldn't help but hint the ever so slight disdain Chloe hid in her voice.
"Yes, it is, except for the cheerleading and charity parts, and tips are always appreciated."
"So you're a waitress for real?" Clark asked.
"Even got the perky name tag to prove it."
"First day?" Pete put together.
"Ever."
"Where's your necklace?" Apparently, Clark was in too much shock to do anything but ask questions.
"Strict dress code. No jewelry and no open-toed shoes."
"You look very…waitress-like."
Finally, something other than a question.
"Now, if I could only tell the difference between a half-caf decaf and a nonfat latte."
"In that case, I'll have a regular coffee," Chloe said.
"Hey, times four," Pete added. Emmeline, Pete, and Chloe all sat down at a table while Clark decided to return Lana's tray and go talk to her. What a surprise.
"Clark Kent is a football player and Lana Lang is a waitress," Chloe remarked.
"What's the matter with that?" Pete asked her.
"Nothing. I just wanna click my heels and get back to reality. Next thing I know, Emmeline is going to be a public speaker."
Emmeline smiled at her little joke because the idea of her becoming a public speaker was quite comical.
One of the football players came in and said something to his teammates that Emmeline couldn't make out. Almost immediately, they got up and left.
"What's up with your fallen brethren?" Chloe asked Pete.
"I don't know."
As if she had just gotten struck by lightning, Chloe bolted out of her seat, grabbed her jacket, and headed for the door. "I'll see you both tomorrow."
"Chloe?" Clark said in confusion as Chloe bolted past him.
"Relax, I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"
As Lana came to the table with their coffees, someone bumped into her and the glasses went splattering all onto the floor. The place applauded and Emmeline wanted the earth to swallow her up for her. If there was anything she hated more than confrontation, it was public embarrassment.
"Where's Chloe going?" Clark asked as he sat down.
"I don't know," Pete answered. "She just saw the football players and suddenly took off. I guess she got some inspiration or something."
"That does sounds like her."
The three remaining members of the group decided to call it quits on their outing early and it wasn't long before Clark offered to walk her home.
"So, are you going to the pep rally tomorrow?" Clark asked.
"That's…not really my thing."
"Then what is your thing?"
She smiled sheepishly. "Locking myself in my room with my homework and then a good fantasy novel."
"We have to get you immersed in school spirit."
"One thing at a time, Clark. I've joined the Torch and right now, that is enough for me."
"Well, maybe the longer you hang out with Chloe, the more her extroverted personality will rub off on you. Although, perhaps not completely, because she tends to get herself in some weird situations because of that."
Emmeline smiled. "I like that about her. She's not afraid to go out and get what she wants and she speaks her mind."
"You want to be able to do that too, huh?"
"More than anything. Sometimes I feel like there's this wild girl inside of me who is kicking and screaming to get out, but this shy girl won't let her."
"Then we'll just have to coax her out ourselves."
By this time, they had reached Emmeline's front porch. It hit her that the last time they had stood here together was when he had delivered her home after Greg kidnapped her. The thought made her fingers start to shake a little.
"Hey, are you alright?" Clark asked.
"I'm fine." From the look Clark gave her, it was obvious he didn't believe her. "I guess I'm still a little on edge from what happened a few days ago."
"I understand."
"If you hadn't been there…"
"Don't think that way, okay? It's in the past, and Greg can't hurt you anymore. I promise."
Emmeline looked up at him. She couldn't over just how gorgeous those green eyes and that smile were. He just made her feel so…at ease. "Thanks, Clark. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Night, Emmeline."
The next day, Emmeline walked into the Torch office to find Chloe cleaning up an absolutely scorched place.
"What happened?" she asked in shock.
"I'll tell you what happened. I went to go print an article about Coach Walt going nuts and he fried everything."
"Wait, what?"
"I don't know how he did it, but Coach Walt can somehow…command fire. Like he's gone all Firestarter."
"Normally, I would think you're crazy, but after everything that happened with Greg, I've found myself willing to believe a lot more than I did before."
For a while, the two girls attempted to clean up what they could in the office, but after some time, it was clear the rest was for a professional.
"Clark was supposed to meet me here," Chloe said. "But Clark Kent not showing up. What else is new?" Emmeline laughed lightly at her comment. "He's probably with his parents. Why don't we head down to the game?"
"I think I'll pass on that one."
"Come on, just this once? You'll be among friends."
"…Alright, fine."
"Yay!" Chloe grabbed Emmeline's hand and they went to the bleachers to watch the upcoming game.
"Chloe! Emmeline!" they heard. They turned to find Mr. and Mrs. Kent coming to sit next to them
"Hi, Mrs. Kent! Hi, Mr. Kent!" Chloe called.
"Smallville's resident cynic have a change of heart?"
"Well, I decided to put my personal politics aside to support my friends."
"Yes, we're trying the same philosophy."
"Where's Clark?" Jonathon asked.
"I don't know," Chloe answered. "We were supposed to meet him before the game, but he didn't show. I thought he was with you guys."
Chloe, Emmeline, and Jonathon all went to the sidelines to see if anyone knew where Clark was.
"Jonathan, you know the rules," Coach Walt said to him and Emmeline and Chloe came down. "No parents on the sidelines."
"I'm looking for Clark," Jonathon answered.
"Join the club. I need him out here. I guess he doesn't have what it takes to be a winner, huh?"
Jonathon came back over to the girls. "Nobody's seen him."
"I think the coach is lying," Chloe said.
"What's going on here, Chloe?" Chloe chose not respond and that told Jonathon what he needed to know. "All right, I'll check the locker room, you guys check the school."
Now Emmeline may have been shy, but she was also really smart and could think logically since her antisocial behavior gave her a lot of time to work her brain. Knowing Clark, she put together that he had most likely confronted Coach Walt before the game which most likely took place in the Coach's office. If Coach Walt had tried to light up Principal Kwan and Chloe, then he probably did something to Clark too.
She took a shortcut and headed to the coach's office even though girls weren't supposed to be in there since it was inside the guys' locker room. Hopefully, no guy was in there or she would never want to show her face in school again.
Luckily for her, no one was in the room because they were all out on the field. She walked into the coach's office and saw some meteor rocks on the ground. When she looked up, the glass on the door to the "sweat box" was broken. She stood on her tip-toes and looked inside. There lay a nearly unconscious Clark on the ground.
"Clark!" she called. She tried to open the door, but it was locked. She quickly scoured the room for keys but found none. Instead, she scrambled through all the drawers in the coach's desk until she found a paperclip. She opened it up and pried it into the lock until it clicked.
"Clark!" she said as she went over to him. She took his head in her hands and gently shook him. "Clark! Are you alright?"
"Just get me out of here," he said weakly.
"Alright." She tried to help him up, but she was a lot smaller than he was and she was having trouble doing so.
"Clark?"
"Mr. Kent!" Emmeline cried.
Jonathon ran into the room and found his son on the ground. "Clark!" Together, he and Emmeline got him up and out of the "sweat box".
As soon as they were out, Jonathon got whacked on the head by Coach Walt which sent all three of them to the ground. Coach Walt came after Emmeline first to which Clark quickly pulled him away.
"Emmeline, get out of here," Clark said firmly. "Go!"
She didn't need to be told twice and ran out of the locker room to leave Clark to deal with Coach Walt.
It didn't take long for a ton of fire trucks to arrive on the scene to deal with the torched locker room.
"Clark!" Emmeline cried running up to him. "Are you alright?"
"Of course I am. How about you?"
"I'm ready for things to get back to normal."
"What even is normal anymore?"
"Your guess is as good as mine. What happened in there?"
"Coach got a little crazy and he just…burned himself up."
"Oh my goodness. I think winning went to his head."
"Just a little."
Mr. Kent started walking over to them and Emmeline pointed him out. "I'll leave you two to talk."
As Emmeline watched the two Kent men walk away, she felt Chloe's arm drape around her. "You too, huh?"
"What?"
"You've fallen for the Kent man?"
"No…I have not."
"Don't try to deny it. I can see the look in your eyes."
"Do you like him?"
"I will vehemently deny it with anyone else…but yes, I do. My chances with him would be better if Lana Lang just got out of the picture. I mean, we've been best friends since eighth grade, but he has no idea how much I want to be more than friends."
"He is a keeper."
"Let's make a deal. If either one of us gets him, the other will be genuinely happy for her."
Emmeline smiled broadly. "Deal."
The two girls shook hands and that was the moment Emmeline realized that after countless years, she had finally found a true friend.
