-1Chapter Twenty Seven-Life as it is
Clark looked himself over in the mirror. He was tanner from his time in the sun from football and the farm. He'd toned down, his body fat next to nothing and his muscle's doubled. He flexed and smiled at the huge biceps that showed. His chest was hard as a rock and his abdomen sported a six pack.
He finished drying off his hair and went to lay down. It was midnight and he'd just gotten done with his homework. As he laid in his bed and stared at the ceiling he thought of the past two weeks. Everything was tearing him down. He'd always been proud of his natural ability to keep in control and never let his world overwhelm him. As he laid there, he realized just how overwhelmed he was.
The two weeks had passed and tomorrow was Friday. He not only had a movie party with the gang but he had to fix the stairs in the barn. School work had even begun to pile up and he was starting to fall behind. It wasn't that he didn't do the work, it was just that he was up till the middle of the night working on it and ended up not doing his best.
His alarm clock went off at four am like every morning for the past two weeks. Clark groaned and tapped the snooze button. Slowly he rolled out of bed and dragged his feet to the bathroom. He went about his rushed morning routine and got ready for the day before heading out to the barn to get everyone fed.
The morning passed quickly before he had to go to school. Before he knew it he was in the truck and on his way to Smallville High and to his last free Friday. Next week was the first game and the coach was cracking down. If this wasn't his only ticket to pay for his education he would have dropped it. After all it was Lex who forced him to try out.
He met Lana first thing when he got to school and was pleased when he finally wrapped his arms around her and kissed her good morning. Chloe and Pete joined them soon and held up a DVD.
"Is tonight a horror or an action?" Chloe asked.
"I honestly don't care as long as I get to be off my feet for more than five minutes." Clark said.
"Yea, you honestly need to get rid of those dark circles." Pete said pointing at him.
"Tell me about it." Clark replied, the bell cutting him off.
With a groan Clark followed them to class. Classes were trying to put Clark to sleep. He was convinced of it. He'd never been so bored or tired before which was not a good combination. Pete keep hitting him in the ribs every time he began to drift off. Chloe just laughed at the two but Lana was worried. Chloe couldn't blame her, neither could Clark. If she didn't work at the Talon so much, she could actually be around to help him out.
If Clark could only survive a few months then football session would be over and he'd have one less thing to worry about. Of course by then the year would be half way over and another step closer to a break. Once the year was over it would be one less thing to worry about for Clark. Of course he wanted to go to college.
Clark planned to get away, as far from Smallville as he could. Now he had the farm and his plans had changed. Maybe he would go to Met U. From what he heard they had a good football team and he might have a chance at getting some money for school. Of course he'd be driving back and forth so he could take care of the farm.
If he could afford it, he might get some hired help. If he could afford it now, he would but the possibility of getting the help in the future made it somewhat easier to keep working and running the farm. He had gone his entire life with nothing from his parents, now he had it all. He wasn't going to lose that, ever.
The day passed and with it being a Friday he had quite the load of homework. It was like the teachers all decided they didn't need anything to do on the weekend. Not that Clark really had anything fun to do, it was just he had an entire list of chores along with his homework. His teachers were out to fail him with this many chapters to do.
Clark met Lana at her locker after the last bell. He leaned next to her locker while she put her books away. He was surprised she wasn't taking home all of her books.
When she noticed his confused look she explained, "I've worked ahead all week so I can have the weekend off."
Clark groaned and rested his forehead against the cool metal of the lockers.
"I wish I was smart like you." He muttered. The idea of working ahead to have a few days off was a brilliant idea, if he had the time to work ahead.
"Don't worry. I can help you with your homework." She said closing her locker door.
Clark took her backpack from her and kissed her, "You're an amazing girlfriend, you know that?"
She smiled up at him, "No, I didn't."
"Now you do, and I won't let you forget it." Clark said, kissing her softly again.
She moaned and wrapped her arms around him, "Do you mind if I ride home with you?" She asked.
"Why, is your jeep broken?" Clark asked, "I'll take a look at it, if you need me to."
"No, the jeep's fine. I just thought I could ride home with you and help you out," She said.
"I don't mind." He said with a smile.
He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and walked with her out to the parking lot. Max was outside, leaning against his car watching Clark. Max noticed how run down Clark looked and perhaps there was something he could do to help. Clark held open the door for Lana and held his hand out. She gladly took it and stepped up into the truck. Clark tossed their bags into the back and walked around to the drivers seat. He smiled as he looked over at Lana as she buckled in. He started the truck and began to pull out of the parking lot. He noticed Max on their way out.
"Was that Max?" Lana asked looking out the window.
"Yea." Clark replied making their way to the main road back to the farm.
"What was he doing at the school?" She asked.
"I don't know, but I have a feeling I will soon." Clark responded.
Lana watched as Clark drove. Their was something about the way he handled the wheel of his father's truck. He didn't have his normal posture, or his normal facial expression. He actually looked at peace while he drove. His posture was relaxed and gentle, almost hard to explain. He handled it with care leaving Lana to wonder if he ever really mourned his parents death, the way he treated everything like sacred ground.
He finally pulled up the drive way, dirt flying up from the tires of the truck. Clark pulled up to the side of the stunning yellow house and parked. He turned off the truck and jumped out, rushing to Lana's side and opening the door for her. She smiled and jumped out. Clark grabbed their bags and they headed inside. He laid their bags down by the staircase.
"I'm going to go change, I have some work to do before the movie bash." He said before making his way upstairs. Lana smiled as she watched him jog up the stairs. He really did have a good looking backside.
She looked around and noticed the minor work that had been done. Clark had fixed up the old farm house since he'd moved in and she had last been over. Everything actually seemed clean and she was surprised that Clark actually had time to clean. He rushed back down the stairs with his change in outfit. He was wearing some jeans and a white t-shirt that hugged his chest nicely.
"Since when did you buff up?" She asked.
"That's a good question. I only noticed it last night. I guess all the farm work and football have caught up with me." Clark said.
"I'm impressed." She said while walking up to him and placing her hands on his chest.
"What do you have to do today?" She asked.
He wrapped his arms around her waist, "Well, I have the door to fix and the stairs have fallen apart. I need to get the feed out and check the fence." She ran her hands up his chest and around his neck. He smiled and leaned down and kissed her.
When he pulled back for air he rested his forehead against her, "I should get this work done so I can watch this movie with you guys tonight."
"Fine, just be quick if you can." She said unwrapping her arms from his neck.
He smiled and made his way out the back door. He headed to the barn and disappeared into his work load. Lana watched from the kitchen window till she saw Chloe and Pete pull up in Chloe's red beetle. She let them in and Chloe helped her cook some food for dinner. Pete carried in the groceries that Chloe and Lana had bought yesterday for Clark. They loaded the pantry, cabinets, and fridge. By the time Clark walked back in, dinner was on the table.
"Whoa, what's this?" He asked joining them at the table after he washed his hands.
"We fixed dinner." Chloe said placing his plate in front of his seat.
"It looks so good." He said taking his seat next to Lana. Chloe and Pete sat across from them.
"What you didn't think it would be?" Lana asked slapping his arm.
"I didn't say that." He said with a laugh.
They ate and talked about school and football. Chloe and Lana just shook their heads when the guys went off about the team they were facing next week. Eventually they finished eating and Clark and Pete cleaned up while Lana and Chloe got the living room set up for the movie. By the time Pete and Clark joined the ladies the movie was getting ready to start. Pete joined Chloe on the floor where a pile of pillows laid underneath
Chloe. Lana gave Clark some room on the couch and when he got settled in, she laid against his chest. His arm immediately went around her shoulders as the settled in. Chloe hit play and before the opening credits ran Clark was fast asleep, his head resting against Lana's.