A/N: Thank you for your reviews.

Original disclaimer applies.

Collide

3rd Collision: Caught

"Two weeks of clean-up duty in the Chamber of Eatery. You follow, Mr. Luthor?"

"Yes, Dean Reynolds."

After the whole sprinkler incident, Lana had a non-eventful first period, except for the occasional ogling from the some of the boys. She ignored them. She had to if she wanted to catch up in class. Her math teacher told her that bar was set high and it was on her to reach it. Talk about pressure, as if she didn't have enough of it. So Lana concentrated on the pinched-nosed teacher's lecture only to momentarily lose track when she heard her neighbor whispering to the teenage boy next to him.

"Guess who got busted for the sprinkler debacle?"

"Who?" He eagerly asked.

"Luthor, who else? I saw him getting dragged by Reynolds. No doubt he'll probably get clean-up duty." Both of the boys laughed until Ms. Kingsley cocked her eyebrow in their direction. The two quickly minded their work.

Lana hid her smile as she remembered Lex's face the second he heard the Dean's voice. He had turned so pale, flushing his confidence to some unknown destination. But only for those mere seconds. He still had to be a smart-ass about the situation.

"Dean Reynolds, would you like some cover also? This umbrella is big enough for three."

Although she remained quiet then, now she couldn't help but quietly laugh to herself, especially when she thought back to how the Dean had held out his hand for the umbrella and then handed it over to Lana as he placed his other hand on Lex's shoulder and turned him around in the direction of his office. The prankster walked with his tail between his legs. It was quite the sight.

"We will continue Lecture 120 tomorrow. Class dismissed." Lana suddenly heard Miss Kingsley announce. She began picking up her things in hurry as she noticed everyone leaving and other students coming in. Whatever happened to the bell ringing? She definitely had to remember things around here weren't like Smallville High. Lana bunched up her books and papers, and tried to exit out the class with little difficulty… to no avail.

"Hey! Watch where you're going!"

Lana gasped. She really had to start looking up more often. She had smacked shoulders with some girl who didn't even stop to hear her apologize. "I'm so sorry," she called after the blonde, but she didn't look back. Lana shrugged and quickly left, knowing she had little time to get to her next class.

The short-haired blonde who had just entered the class walked back to the door. She peeked her head outside and saw the girl moving past some boys who gawked at her. She snickered.

"My thoughts exactly." A girl with red highlighted hair appeared beside her.

"Who is she?" She asked as she continued to glare at Lana who had now been stopped by Clark. He was offering to hold her books. "Doesn't she know Clark Kent is off limits?"

The girl next to her, idly picked-off a hair of lint off her pleated mini-skirt; it was much shorter than regulations would allow. "That, my dearest Julie, is Lana Lang. And apparently, she doesn't know her status. I saw her with Lex Luthor, too."

Julie turned to her friend, rolling her eyes at the news. "Yeah, I saw them this morning walking together. They looked a little too cozy for my comfort," she admitted. "If she thinks she can claim the most popular boys in school… well, we'll just have to put an end to all of that. C'mon, Gabby." Both of the girls sauntered into class.

By the end of the week, Lana was practically on her knees thanking the heavens for Friday. Her mind was exhausted with all the schoolwork she had to catch up to in order to "reach the bar." It didn't help that people were still staring at her as if she were some oddity, or in the guys' case, a piece of meat. She hadn't made any friends, except for Lex and Clark. But, she only managed to speak to Lex during lunch when he was handing her a plate of food. Aside from clean-up duty, apparently he had to assist the lunch ladies. It always surprised Lana how unperturbed he appeared about the situation; in fact, he would just joke about it altogether and add extra food on her plate with his usual remark, "Don't worry, I didn't spit on this one. Right, Mrs. P?" The lunch lady would simply grumble at him. After that, she wouldn't see him until the next day.

At least with Clark, she was able to speak to him in between classes and during lunch. He'd always leave his football friends behind to come and sit beside Lana who ate on one of the few empty tables. They had pleasant talks, yet the petite newcomer was always weary of the watchful eyes. She hated the attention; it made her uncomfortable and only served to make her all the more withdrawn, which was why she wouldn't even bother to stick around after school. With Clark in football practice and Lex stuck at the Eatery cleaning up, there was no one worth bumping into. Besides, she had a pile of homework and no time to waste. She hardly had the time to see what her absent Aunt Nell was up to, or if Albert needed some help with organizing the last of details in the penthouse, not that he'd let her help anyway.

But it didn't matter now that it was Friday. The weekend would be her haven. Lana just had to get through one more day before collapsing on her bed. Little did she know, this would probably be her hardest day ever.

As soon as Lana walked into Excelsior, she should have known that something wasn't quite right. Every step she took was followed by giggles and whispers. She ignored them as usual. Clearly, she was still at the top of the school's gossip forum. When was she going to fall off the news radar? She was only from Smallville, not from the moon. She thought to herself, exasperated at the stares that followed her. Suddenly, Lana felt someone halting her movement with their hand on her shoulder.

"Lana, can I talk to you for a second?"

She turned around, recognizing Clark's voice. Smiling, she greeted him. "Hey, Clark. Sure we can talk… is something wrong?" She noticed the concern in his face.

Pulling her aside, he swallowed nervously. "Well, you see…." He was obviously having some trouble putting the words together. "Um, okay, let me just begin by saying that I don't believe a word of it…."

As she listened to Clark's words, her good mood gradually fell into oblivion.

Throughout the first half of day, Lana tried to act unbothered; she tried very hard to ignore all those around her whether they were secretly belittling her or not. She just didn't want to deal with any of the gossips. Inside, Lana was seething with anger. And her target was none other than Lex Luthor. Ever since she had first met him, he had done nothing but made advances at her. He was a flirt. She had learned of his track record with girls early on, and knew that no girl could refuse him. But she had. Lana had a feeling this was his payback.

So when lunchtime came around, the fuming brunette marched straight to the Eatery before the rest of the bunch could fill the hall. She side-stepped the stainless steel counter and opened the doors to the back kitchen. Lana was about to curse out Lex when suddenly the sight before her prevented her words.

Clark was holding the young Luther up by the collar of his uniform blazer. "What are you trying to do… ruin her socially before she could even make friends? Lana doesn't deserve this!" The broad-shouldered teenager pushed him angrily against the wall.

"What the hell is wrong with you, Kent?" Lex was equally incensed at the football player. "I didn't do anything. I don't know what you're even talking about so get your damn hands off me!" He tried to shove Clark away, but the Smallville native remained surprisingly steady.

Thrusting him against the wall again, he huffed, "You're charm doesn't work with me, Luthor."

"I'm surprised, the ladies always gush. What's twisting your panties in a bunch?" He had just about enough of Clark's threats. After all, he was a Luthor and no farm boy off a hillbilly town was going to patronize or demean him this way. He'd laugh in the quarterback's face before allowing him to think he had gotten the best out of him.

Lex had hit a nerve. He dragged him across the wall about to throw him onto the marble floor when Lana finally spoke up. "Clark, stop," she yelled out, breathing uneasily. Both boys immediately turned to her. "He's not worth getting in trouble for. Just leave him alone… that's how he likes to be anyway. Alone and resentful. Just like his father."

Clark slowly released him. Leering at him before backing away, he murmured from Lana's earshot, "Stay away from her."

Lex stood against the wall speechless as he saw them leave together without even looking back. She, not Clark, had knocked the wind out of him with her words. Somehow Lana had nailed his weak spot: his own alienation. And worse yet, she had compared him to his father, which was the best way of insulting and hurting him simultaneously.

The young Luthor clenched his fist and slammed it against the wall. He was infuriated with himself and the whole situation. A whole situation that was foreign to him. Lex had no idea how he could've possibly hurt Lana, hurt her enough to receive such a look of disdain and disappointment. He didn't know why, but it bothered him that he could disappoint her.

Grabbing his cellphone from his pocket, he dialed a number. "Hey Elliot."

"Lex… I've been wondering where you were. I understand congratulations are in order. You coming to class?"

"What do you mean? What the hell are people saying?" Lex knew now he would finally get an answer.

"Oh c'mon don't you know? The guys are even jealous that you landed the new girl and didn't tell us sooner." Elliot suddenly heard a crash and seconds later nothing. "Lex, Lex… you still there?"

But the only thing left was the pieces of a shattered phone.

Lana ended up leaving early that day. She was emotionally and physically drained, and she knew the only way to feel better was by going to sleep. The next day Lana would visit her parents' grave and avoid all other familiar faces. She even turned off her phone and unhooked the line in her room though Clark said he'd call her. She had to admit: she had hesitated when she pulled the phone line. Her new friend had been there for her. He had comforted and reassured her that everything would cool down. And, what impressed her most is that he had genuinely wanted to protect her even if that meant getting in trouble.

But, Lana still wanted this weekend to herself. She wanted to pull herself together. Somehow, for some reason rather than dwell on the rumor, the altercation with Lex at the Eatery had really wrecked her inside. She almost felt sorry for what she had said to him. She guessed it was the look on his face when she blurted it out. He appeared so hurt. It killed her inside to know that she caused that. So she told herself, "He deserved it." And that's how Lana Lang was able to feel at ease and strong enough to walk the halls of Excelsior on Monday morning.

Clark eagerly left his dorm to the front entrance of school. This was the day he would ask Lana out on a date, or sort of a date. He wanted to take her out on a fun afternoon so she could forget about school if only for that afternoon. Of course, he had his ulterior motives. The football player liked her, really liked her. And he hoped that they could connect more intimately and not on the superficial level they were at now. An afternoon outing could start them off.

Seeing her walking up the stairs to the school entrance, he waved his hand, "Hey Lana." She smiled as she caught up to him, greeting him with a "mornin', Clark," which served to tap his nerves. "You look… you look great. I'm glad that you didn't decide to transfer out of Excelsior."

She chortled at the idea. "First of all, thanks. And second, I'm not going to let some arrogant rich kids drive me out of here without a fight. Besides, you're here and you proved you were there for me on Friday. Thank you, Clark."

Clark smiled, knowing now more than ever that he would stutter nervously after that compliment. "Um, I'm glad I could be of some help," he said. "I know Friday was a tough day, which is why I want to make it up to you. How about we—"

"Hey Clark."

Both of them turned to the girl who had abruptly interrupted their conversation. "Oh hi, Julie," the teenage boy regretfully greeted. Not that he hated Julie or anything, but he was definitely blaming her for ruining the moment.

And she couldn't deny the blame. She had done it purposefully. "Sorry to interrupt, but I need a little help with my science homework before class starts. Can you lend me a hand, please? Pretty please?"

"Well, umm…."

"Clark, go ahead. I have to speak to Ms. Kingsley before class starts anyway." Lana reassured him as she began going inside. "Why don't we meet after school?"

"Sure," he answered. He would have to wait until then to ask her out.

Lana's first class flew by although Friday's rumor was still prompting some stares and whispers. She guessed she and Lex remained a hot topic, and that only meant continuing attention and less chances of making friends. But perhaps she was wrong. As she arrived to her second period, Lana noticed Julie waving her over. She hadn't realized then when she had called on Clark that they were in the same class.

"Hi, Lana is it? I'm Julie. Clark is so rude for not making introductions earlier." She giggled as she sat down, signaling she sit beside her.

The quiet brunette sat next to her. She smiled, thinking to herself that maybe she was wrong. Maybe Julie was a potential friend. "Nice to meet you, Julie."

"Don't be so formal," she laughed. "So I hear you transferred from Smallville High. My mom tells me it's nice down there, except for all the weird meteor stuff."

Before Lana could respond, their teacher arrived and began lesson, quieting the two girls. Then a few minutes into class, a sharp noise hit the airwaves of all the loudspeakers in Excelsior. It was quickly replaced by someone clearing his throat, "Lex Luthor here with an important announcement: Nothing, and I repeat, absolutely nothing happened between Lana Lang and I."

The girl whose name was now famous throughout school sat wide-eyed and speechless. She didn't know whether to feel fully embarrassed or completely grateful. This was certainly a grand gesture, the kind she could never get used to, but she was, in the end, impressed. Lana smiled as she heard Dean Reynolds' voice scolding Lex and instantly cutting off all sound. But before he had taken the boy's access to the microphone, she had heard his last words through all the commotion in class and the office: "I'm so sorry, Lana."

While she modestly glowed in the apology and his scheme, an aura of jealousy was emanating beside her. Julie clenched her teeth, unable to believe that Lex would go through all that trouble for some stupid girl from Smallville. Her gut reaction, as per usual, was retaliation. Excelsior girls like her had a reputation to keep anyway, and she couldn't very well allow a new student trump the hierarchy already established. Julie had tried to destroy her with the rumor, but now she clearly saw she needed a bigger and better plan. At least for now she would cheer herself up with a minor ploy.

Once Professor James settled the group and continued lecture, Julie passed Lana a note. When she was about to open it, the blonde accidentally dropped her book, catching the attention of Prof. James. She immediately apologized and explained that Lana had been attempting to pass on a note, which she refused to take and in the process had dropped her book.

Lana had no words. She couldn't believe what was happening or why Julie was lying. It really didn't matter at that moment. Prof. James took the note and read it out loud, "James is a complete spaz. My senile grandma could give me a better history lesson. Lana."

The middle-aged educator eyed her sharply, not really waiting for an excuse rather pausing to calmly articulate her punishment. When Lana finally found her voice, she was too late. He gave her a ten-page report assignment and one week of clean up duty at the Eatery.

As the day waned, it became quite evident to Lana that she had been wrong about Lex. She had blamed him for the rumor on a presumption and so had Clark. Her suspicions lay on her new rival: Julie. What she had done to the girl was a riddle that she didn't plan to solve. Lana simply wanted to avoid the blonde, but if push came to shove, she certainly wasn't going to play the helpless damsel in distress. She'd fight back next time around.

For now, though, she threw her Julie issues in the backburner. There was someone she really wanted to see. Lana made her way to the Eatery and passed its doors, stopping herself only a few feet away from that someone. "Lex…"

He turned around, slightly surprised to see her. "Lana, hey… I'm glad to see you." He uneasily let go of the cleaning towel and placed it on the table behind him. "I wanted to make sure you knew that I had nothing to do with that rumor. I don't know who started it, but I'm sorry they ever did. Clark was right… you deserve better."

She grinned, realizing he was being utterly honest. "Thank you," she said softly. "But, I owe you an apology. I'm sorry for what I said that day…."

Lex shook his head, "No. No, you don't need to apologize. I deserved it."

"No, you didn't," Lana insisted. "You didn't deserve that, especially when you were willing to get in trouble to defend… our friendship. Thank you."

Nodding slowly, he began to perk up and unleashed his signature smirk. "Instead of a thank you, how about you help me mop the floors?"

"Well, you're in bittersweet luck today," Lana smiled in return; she was glad to see that things were going back to normal. "I was actually assigned to clean-up duty no thanks to a conniving schemer, but fortunately—that is, fortunately for me—Mrs. P said I only had to clean the tables. And since I see you're finished with them, I think I'll just take my leave now and go…."

"Oh, no you don't. You're not getting off that easy. There are still a few tables left you can clean up while you tell me who this conniving troublemaker is." Lex grabbed her hand and placed the towel in her cusp. She playfully handed it back as he gently pushed it back into her grasp. The back and forth struggle continued until Lana ceded and retold the history lesson that went awry because of Julie.

Unbeknownst to the two, Clark was watching from afar. He had waited for her after school, but once she hadn't showed up, he asked the school gossips if they knew where she was and they had directed him to the Eatery. Clark had arrived there seconds after she had, and he had heard the whole exchange with his extraordinary hearing. Though he had stopped now because he had become distracted with a realization. Lex and Lana appeared comfortable with one another; they even spoke to each other with a freedom and ease that Lana and he did not share yet. She was almost flirtatious, but more so relaxed and happy as if all her troubles were far off. He wondered if she felt that way with him.

Probably not, he thought to himself and began to turn away when he heard his name being called off. "Clark, Clark… hold on," Lana stopped him as she made her way to him. "I'm glad you're here. I almost forgot you wanted to meet up after school."

"Yeah. But you're busy now."

"It's okay. Didn't you want to ask me something?"

Clark shifted uneasily. "Well, I was wondering if you weren't doing anything tomorrow afternoon, you'd like to go out with me."

Lana smiled shyly. "Sure."

To be continued…