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Disclaimer: No claim over WB's Smallville.

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2nd Collision: Rainy Day

Lana woke up feeling overwhelmingly exhausted. It felt as if she hadn't slept for years. Ever since her parents' death, she could hardly find sleep rather she found mind-numbing nights of self-criticism and sadness. It had become routine. No sleep the night before. The next morning, drowsy and weathered, she would somehow manage to reach her bathroom and, with turtle-like pace, shower. Lana had to practically force herself to dress and do her makeup appropriately.

It was no different today, except one thought in her head. Instead of consuming herself in her depression, she found herself thinking back to the events of the day before. In fact, she couldn't stop reminiscing about her encounters with two new acquaintances.

Flashback

After Dean Reynolds had completed his lecture on Excelsior's rules and dress code, Clark and Lana were released from his office to begin the tour of the academy. The strikingly tall boy was obviously nervous. He had never seen such a breathtaking girl in all his years at the private school. She didn't at all seem stuck-up like most of the female student body. He gulped as he was about to finally speak to his new crush, "So… um… how about we start with the Chamber of Eatery?"

"The 'Chamber of Eatery'?" Lana sarcastically scoffed the title. "In other words, we're going to take a look at the cafeteria. Okay." She eyed him with a soft smile.

He instantly blushed, shifting his gaze towards the direction of the eating area. They continued to walk in uncomfortable silence until finally Clark decided to break the ice. "So… where are you from originally?"

"Metropolis, but my family and I moved to Smallville when I was nine." A sudden ache tucked at her heart at the mere thought of her parents and her real home.

"Oh really? I was born… I'm also from Smallville," he stumbled upon his words. "But, once I received a scholarship to Excelsior early on, my parents thought it would be a good idea if I went. They said I was too smart not to go."

Lana nodded silently, unable to respond. She unexpectedly felt a pang of sorrow. In truth, it happened from time to time. Her heart would be invaded by depressing emotions that would completely take her into a despondent mood while stirring her off kilter. Her doctor had said it was only normal when dealing with death. Still, now she could hardly concentrate on Clark's next words.

"So I've been here since fifth grade," Clark finished but not before he shortened his pause. "Can I ask you a question?"

The dainty girl lifted her fingers to her temple, attempting to gain composure. Closing her eyes momentarily, she swallowed the strong urge to cry. "Yeah… sure."

"Why on earth would you allow Mr. Smart-Jock here to give you a tour when I can provide you not only with a more exciting excursion through the halls of 'Excelsior Academy,' but also better company?"

Lana's eyebrows furrowed in confusion as she gradually lifted her eyes at Clark. Soon, she realized, or more like recognized the haughty voice. She turned around, facing her mysterious and obviously "self-confident" stranger who had reemerged heralding a smirk.

Clark sighed in response. "What are you doing here, Luthor?"

Luthor… so that's where I've seen him before, Lana thought to herself. She had once caught him on the news when his father, the infamous and greedy senior Luthor, had fallen into deep legal troubles. He was only ten then. That was the first time she had seen him since she had heard about the meteor showers in Smallville almost killing him.

"Relax, Kent," he closed the proximity. "I was just passing through when I heard you boring this young lady to death with your menial profile. Naturally, I thought there was a significant need to intervene."

The dark-haired, young man glared at the intruder. There was no way he was about to allow his long-time nemesis take advantage of the situation. "Look, Lana doesn't need…."

"So it's Lana. Thank you, Kent, for the introduction," he gazed at her, caring little for cutting off Clark. "I told you we would meet again."

Clark scowled at Luthor, "You two have met before?"

Just then the girl between the testosterone battle finally spoke. "Unfortunately- and yes, you were right- unfortunately for me, I bumped into Mr. Luthor here earlier," Lana eyed him sharply.

"It's Lex," he corrected with nonchalance.

"Fine… Lex. Whatever. The point is you misjudged the situation," she countered. "Clark was actually doing a worthy job of entertaining me." Lana smiled appreciatively in her new friend's direction, while the other boy simply looked on with an indifferent grin.

"Denial doesn't suit you, Lana. But, who am I too judge or 'misjudge'?" He glibly asked with sarcasm nipping his question. "In any case, I'm glad to have diverted a sudden mist of rain, if only momentarily." Lex's ambiguous comment was pointedly directed at Lana.

She frowned in confusion when suddenly it hit her. This was the second time he had agitated her enough to derail her tears. In fact, she had been so preoccupied with quipping with Lex that she had released her frustrations onto him. And he had taken it. Lana almost felt guilty… almost. Lex Luthor was smug, or at least he wanted to appear that way. She could already see what he probably saw in her: the wall, the kind that barred anyone from getting too close to thoughts and feelings. But then again, she couldn't strike the smug factor too quickly.

Still parading his signature smirk, Lex dug his hands in his pocket all the while gazing at Lana with an empathetic stare. It scared and fascinated her at the same time though she attempted to dispel both reactions. "You're lucky, Kent, I actually have a prior engagement to attend to." He slowly began to back away. "But for Lana's sake, try to keep your hillbilly biographic verbiage to a minimal, especially your quarterback chronicles." Clark glowered in return only to receive a chuckle from the young Luthor who turned around, heading towards the exit only to pause and throw back, "By the way, Lana, just remember: my specialties are rainy days."

End of Flashback

Rainy days, Lana pensively repeated to herself. The truth was she still really couldn't determine Lex's words, or intentions. In the light of day, the whole exchange was bizarre. And in the end, she decided it was best she put it out of mind. She was just too tired and vulnerable to deal with someone as persistent AND elusive as Lex Luthor. Besides, there was also Clark. After Lex had left them alone, she and the Smallville native had a pleasant day walking through the halls of Excelsior talking about hang-outs and people in their hometown. For whatever reason, he made her feel safe and that was the sort of feeling she needed right now, or at least she thought she did.

"Miss Lang, you're breakfast is ready." Albert announced, suddenly interrupting Lana's train of thoughts.

Shaking off the nonsense that oozed Lex Luthor, she put on Excelsior's uniform for girls, grabbed her book-bag, and rushed through Albert's perfect ensemble of breakfast food. Without wasting anymore time, she went out the door with a quick "thank you" before the butler could put up a fight. Albert shook his head in disapproval and waved his hand in surrender.

As much as Lana loved Albert's great cooking, if she stayed any longer she would be late. She had to meet Clark at the front entrance; he had promised to walk her to class so there would be no risk of getting lost. Lana was kind of anticipating the meeting and she also could've swore she was anticipating bumping into that certain "somebody" she fought back from naming, but that certainly wasn't the case. She almost laughed at the thought. Checking the digital clock on her dashboard, her eyes widened with panic. She had to drive fast and real fast to Excelsior.

Lex Luthor was always running late. And he liked it that way. It gave him the proper justification to speed through obscure streets and alleyways, where not only was he bypassing traffic but also avoiding Metropolis policemen. Not that it mattered since they could easily be bought. Still, he cherished every minute of rushing to school without the company of his so-called friends who were full of high-class snobbery.

But today he was hurrying through street-ways with a heavier foot than usual. He had his reasons, he just didn't expect Lana Lang to be one of them. Lex couldn't deny that there was something about her which called to him. Maybe it was her eyes, or maybe it was simply that she was gorgeous. He had to give it to her, aside from her reserved attitude, Lana was the hottest new arrival in Excelsior who appeared to have a brain. She wasn't like any other girl he had met before; for one thing, she had already rejected his advances. And that only served to up the ante on his persuasion.

First, though, he had other plans to carry out this morning and he couldn't wait to get to them. He pressed the gas nearing the entrance to the school parking lot. Just as he was going to make a brisk turn into the venue, a navy SUV cut him off. Lex slammed his brakes, swearing under his breath. He glared at the car as he followed behind it. There was no doubt he would have words for the driver. As he pulled up beside the small SUV, he had to stop himself from gaping.

Speaking of the devil.

Lana hopped out of her car without even looking back and hastily headed towards the front entrance. Lex stepped out of his black Porsche about to call out her name when he saw her greet Kent. He felt a twinge of jealousy running through his body, especially when he noticed her laughing with the jock. Whatever, he thought to himself, dismissing the feeling. He had other things to worry about anyway.

Lex reached the entrance right before Lana and Kent were beginning to walk inside the school. "Mornin' lovebirds." Both of them turned around, and Lex instantly felt their burning stares. He smirked in return.

The football player cleared his throat, hoping it would also clear the air. "Don't you think it's a little early for that?"

"Relax, Kent… I was only kidding," Lex nodded as he shifted his attention to Lana. "You know, I couldn't help but notice you're driving just now. Reckless abandonment. Remind me to send a letter of appreciation to the DMV that approved your license." Before her icy look could conjure the perfect retort, the young Luthor strutted inside the building with a backhand wave.

Lana had immediately recognized his voice, full of conceit and taunt. It had knotted her stomach until she realized the implication of his words. Then she was just irritated. If only Clark and her had taken their small talk inside Excelsior, they could've easily avoided the smart-ass intrusion. And the audacity of him calling her a bad driver!

"Hey Lana," Clark softly uttered. "Don't pay too much mind to him. Besides, he just paid you a compliment." Lana faced him curiously, not understanding how his comment could ever be taken as a "compliment." Clark chuckled, "I saw you coming into the parking lot. Anyone who could cut off a Luthor, get away with it, and lower him to a level of petty sarcasm, is inspirational… and a good driver."

A smile seemed to spread across her face. Just when her day was taking a wrong turn, Clark had managed to uplift her spirits. He had said the perfect thing. She felt a little jolt of bliss in that moment. "Thank you, Clark."

He blushed in return. "After you," he stood aside, allowing Lana to go inside first. "We still have five minutes before the first High Tower bell is tolled, which means no one should be outside of the building. I'll walk you to your class before the second bell is sounded."

The long-haired brunette nodded with gratitude and entered the grand hallway. She quickly felt some eyes on her and even saw some of the cliques conspicuously whispering while they probed her with their gazes. Lana knew she should have expected this kind of reaction. Any place of privilege and exclusivity always had their share of scrutinizing aristocrats. The murmurs became worse once they saw Clark walking beside her.

"They'll get over it, and you'll get used to the gossips," he reassured, aware of the publicity. "C'mon, you're class is right around the corner." He took her hand, indifferent to the amount of rumors the gesture would cause, and led her through the idle and scurrying students.

Lana couldn't help the fluttering in her stomach. Clark Kent was definitely the unexpected treat in her move to Metropolis. Maybe Samantha was right; maybe she would meet her dream guy and maybe he was holding her hand right now. If that wasn't the case, at least she had a friend in the big city. She certainly couldn't count on Lex Luthor anyway. Arrrgh, just thinking about him made Lana furious.

The High Tower bell rung, startling Lana who suddenly felt a shower of water wetting her hair and face. "What's going on, Clark?"

The strapping boy looked up and then scanned their surrounding. All of Excelsior's sprinklers had turned on. "Wait here, Lana." Letting go of her hand, he disappeared before she had the chance to turn to him. She looked at the direction where he had just been and tried to find him when suddenly she noticed a shadow hover over her and no longer felt the drops of water.

"I told you rainy days were my specialty."

Lana swiftly turned around, completely surprised to see Lex Luthor holding an umbrella over their heads. She shook her head with a go-figure kind of smirk, "You did this, didn't you?"

"Well, you know, other than rainy days, pranks are also my specialties. C'mon, I'll walk you to your class." He gestured towards the room. "Wouldn't want Excelsior's new student missing school because of a cold."

It almost appeared as if they were strolling on a stormy morning. Side by side, Lana somewhat forgot about their earlier exchange. Truth was he was just too damn charming to hold a grudge. "You're slick, you know that? This morning you insult me and now I'm forced to walk beside you."

"I figured this could serve as a bribe since you're the only witness to my crime." Lex joked, smiling at the girl who softly laughed at him.

"Actually she's not the only one, Mr. Luthor." Lex titled the umbrella and gulped quietly. He was caught.

To be continued…