Jonathan was happy, because he was a month without getting in trouble; his father showed the fortress to him and talked about Krypton there; He was getting good grades at school and his father and brother were helping him with his projects at the farm; And he finally had friends. So, during lunch, Jonathan, Natalie, and Lilian were always together and their table was full.
Jonathan and Natalie were talking while they were going to the refectory.
"Your father built a lab for you in the barn, it's awesome!"- Natalie said happily.
"It's crazy right and the strange thing is that it was the same day that I was invited to a Star Trek marathon in your place."- Jonathan said smiling- "Thanks, Naty."
"Your dad wanted to surprise you. I helped."- Natalie explained, ashamed.
"Hey, guys!"- Lilian said- "Jon, what are you planning to do this weekend?"
"Anything you want me to do."- Jonathan answered. So, Lilian laughed, and Natalie rolled her eyes.
"Anything, Mr. Kent? Take care of your words."- Lilian said smiling- "I was planning to visit someone special, and I would appreciate your support."
"I'm at your service, Miss Beck."- Jonathan said firmly.
Lilian was going to explain what she was planning, when suddenly someone threw a football ball against her, but Jonathan succeeded to get it without even looking.
"Kent, did I disturb you and your freaking friends?"- Tyler asked ironically.
"Tyler, I believe that you have my number and know where to find me, so you don't need to throw a ball to call my attention, dude."- Jonathan remarked and then he threw the football ball into the trash which was meters away from him- "You are so similar to trash that I got confused, sorry."
Everyone laughed at Jonathan's comment except Tyler and the football players who accompanied him. Tyler got furious so he took his ball back and followed Jonathan in the refectory and faced him.
"Nobody calls me trash."- Tyler said before pushing Jonathan and starting a fight.
Jordan was already in the refectory with his friends when he saw Tyler pushing his brother, so he did not think twice before going to help Jonathan. Chaos ensued during lunch, students and refectory staff watched in alarm the fight between the football players, once Jordan's and Tyler's friends were fighting against each other. Since the football players were strong, nobody interfered, and they just stopped when coach Gaines used the whistle to get his team's attention.
"Everybody who was fighting must go to the detention room, right now!"- principal Balcomb asked furiously. She did not think twice before scolding her students in the detention room- "Everyone here is suspended for three days and I will call your parents now to get you."
"Mrs. Balcomb, if you don't mind since they are my players who embarrassed me in front of the school, I would like to punish them during this time, give them a special training where my goal is to make them regret their actions today."- coach Gaines asked nervously.
"You can talk to them now and this special training can wait three days."- principal Balcomb decided.
Coach Gaines scolded his team in a way that for the first time, Jonathan was happy to not be part of the football team. Minutes later, the twins were asked to go to the principal's office.
"Jordan, thanks for helping me."- Jonathan said as soon as he saw the opportunity to talk with his brother.
"You are my brother. Nobody hurts my brother."- Jordan said- "Tyler is an asshole. I wanted to do this a while ago."
The twins were anxious when they saw their father in the principal's office. They hear the principal talking about the chaos during lunch time and Clark looked at them with stern eyes.
"I do not want to hear anything until we are at home!"- Clark asked nervously as soon as he and his sons were inside the car- "Unbelievable!"
Minutes later when they were at home, Clark asked his sons to sit on the couch.
"What happened at school?"- Clark asked.
"Tyler is an asshole dad, he pushed my brother's back, what I was supposed to do? Watch Tyler hurting my twin brother?"- Jordan argued nervously.
"Jonathan, do you have anything to say?"- Clark asked.
"Tyler has been teasing me and my friends for a while, dad."- Jonathan answered- "He threw a football ball against Lilian, so I threw it into the trash and teased him calling him trash. I believe that he did not like it."
"Would you like to be called trash?"- Clark asked seriously.
"No, sir."- Jonathan answered.
"I'm proud that you Jonathan chose to protect your friends and you Jordan chose to protect your brother."- Clark said to the twins' surprise- "But Jordan, since you have powers, you could have injured someone seriously and you Jonathan knows better than to call anyone trash."
"So, we are in trouble anyway."- Jordan realized, upset.
"Of course, both got in a school fight and were suspended for three days."- Clark remembered sternly. Then he confiscated his twins cell phone, tablet, notebook, and video game- "I will talk with your mother about your punishment, until your mom arrives from work, both are grounded in your room. Go upstairs."
Hours later, Clark and Lois were talking about what happened with their sons at school.
"They had good intentions, Lois. We can be easy on this."- Clark said to Lois' surprise.
"They were suspended for three days. Jordan could have hurt someone seriously and Jonathan cannot call anyone trash."- Lois said firmly.
"It's why I grounded them in their rooms, and I planned to let the twins grounded for just one week."- Clark argued.
"Ok."- Lois agreed- "We need to talk with Jonathan about Tyler, I am afraid that he has been bullied at school. I will talk with Jon, and you will make sure that Jordan does not use his powers against his classmates like he did today."
A few minutes later, Lois found Jonathan studying in his bedroom.
"Jonathan."- Lois called, so her son closed the Mechatronics Engineering book. She was really surprised with her son's arduous work at school. He was always studying, and he always rented books from the school library. - "Did you rent it at the library?"- asked Lois curiously.
"No, Naty lent me the book. Those are from the library."- Jonathan answered calmly, pointing to a small pile of books.
"You are studying hard this year, I'm proud of your dedication."- Lois said gently.
"Thanks, mom."- Jonathan said, ashamed.
"Jonathan, your father told me what happened at school today."- Lois said sternly- "You were disrespectful to Tyler, calling him trash, you cannot call anyone trash. Then you get in a school fight, and you are suspended for three days. It is unacceptable!"
"I'm sorry, mom."- Jonathan said anxiously.
"So, you are grounded for one week."- Lois said to Jonathan's surprise, he was expecting a month- "Now, I will ask you a question and I want you to be honest with me."
"Okay."- Jonathan said, confused.
"Are Tyler and his friends bullying you?"- Lois asked, concerned- "Jon, you do not need to be ashamed. I just want to help you, son."
"I am not a kid, mom. I know how to take care of myself."- Jonathan answered.
"So, they are bullying you."- Lois realized.
"I didn't say that."- Jonathan said, anxiously- "Look, they are just idiots. They normally tease me and my friends calling us freaks, but we do not care, we are fine. Today was the first time that he was more aggressive. Mom, he threw the ball against Lilian, he could have hurt her, it was a football ball. It is why I honestly have no regrets; I know that I did the right thing. But I understood what you and dad said, it is wrong to call anyone trash. Tyler is a stupid person now, but he can learn and be better."
"Exactly, Jon."- Lois said with a small smile.
"Are you going to talk with the principal?"- Jonathan asked, concerned.
"Of course, the principal must know what Tyler and his friends have been doing with you and your friends. And she must know that Tyler could seriously injured Lilian, can you imagine what could have happened if the ball hit Lilian's head?"- Lois answered firmly.
"Understood."- Jonathan said, ashamed.
The next morning, Lois went to Smallville High School to have a serious conversation with the principal. To her surprise, the principal told her that Lilian and Natalie warned her of what was going on with Tyler and his friends and that Tyler threw the football against Lilian in the corridor.
"Jonathan has good friends. You will be proud to know that the librarian came here too, she saw Tyler teasing Jonathan other day, so she suspects that your son was defending himself."- principal Balcomb said- "Today, I will talk with coach Gaines, I will warn him that Tyler will be suspended in the next game, because he could seriously hurt one student, a girl."
"Well, my son hurt himself taking X-K, because coach Gaines never gave him the opportunity to play, so he felt powerless and desperate. So, now he is facing one year of suspension. Tyler nearly inflicted a head injury on a girl. For me it is something serious and I will be disappointed if the school neglects it."- Lois argued- "And you are right, I am proud of my sons, thank God they were not on the side of those who tried to hurt a girl and enjoy bullying others. They know better. They are good boys and will be outstanding men. Have a good day, principal Balcomb."
Lois got out of the principal's office feeling proud of herself for being a good lawyer to her sons. So, she surprised when Elizabeth Thompson (Jonathan's chess teacher) called her.
"Mrs. Kent, I'm happy to meet you."- Elizabeth said, she introduced herself- "I understand that Jonathan committed a huge mistake last year, but he is a good boy who is always learning from his mistakes. So, please reconsider your position for not letting Jonathan join the chess tournament next month. He is talented. So, let us give him this opportunity to prove himself. Well, I need to go. Have a good day, Mrs. Kent."
Lois was so shocked that she could not speak, so when she recovered, she decided that she should have a long talk with Jonathan, because she had no idea about the chess tournament. Lois looked forward to her sons as soon as she arrived at the farm, she found them at the barn. Her father was training them.
"Jonathan Samuel Kent come here right now!"- Lois ordered, so Jonathan looked anxious to his mother.
Jonathan quickly obeyed his mother.
"Do you mind explaining to me why your chess teacher thinks that me and your father are terrible parents who didn't allow their son to join the chess tournament?!"- Lois asked sternly.
"Mom, I just said I could not join the tournament. It is not my fault she assumed my parents would not let me play."- Jonathan argued.
"Jonathan, she has no doubt that me and your father didn't allow you to play."- Lois remarked.
"Fine!"- Jonathan exclaimed- "Maybe, I suggested it. Look. I have been telling lies since I arrived here to protect dad's and Jordan secrets, but I cannot tell a small lie to protect myself. It is hypocrisy!"
Lois was going to say something, but her phone rang. "Jonathan, I will go to work, but you, young man, will have a long talk with me and your father."- Lois warned.
"Jordan, thanks your brother for increasing the repetitions of the exercises."- Samuel said firmly- "Come back, Jonathan, we need to continue our training."
"Grandpa, I swear that Jordan had known idea about it."- Jonathan said firmly. He hated that his brother would be punished for something that he did not do.
"Jonathan, unfortunately, it's hard to believe in your words now."- Samuel argued sternly.
After the army training session, Samuel asked the twins to do farm chores.
"Jordan, I'm sorry."- Jonathan said as soon as he saw the opportunity to talk with his brother.
"Just, be quiet."- Jordan said, upset- "I have no healing power, if you forgot."
"I had no idea that the teacher would talk with mom."- Jonathan argued.
"Like she would let her hope to win a tournament behind. How can someone so smart like you make such bad choices?"- Jordan argued nervously. - "So, telling lies is really the best way to win our parents' trust?"
"I can't play, Jordan!"- Jonathan argued.
"Unbelievable!"- Samuel exclaimed when he came back and saw Jonathan not doing what he asked him to do- "I cannot leave you alone, is it?"
"Grandpa"- Jonathan tried to talk.
"Pay 60 sit-ups, now!"- Samuel ordered.
Hours later, Jonathan was in his bedroom waiting for his parents. He could not read or do anything, because he was too worried.
"Jonathan, we need to talk."- Clark said firmly.
"Dad, I can explain."- Jonathan said anxiously.
"Good. So, why did you lie to your teacher?"- Clark asked.
"It's complicated."- Jonathan answered- "I can't join the tournament."
"Why?"- Clark asked, concerned.
"It's complicated."- Jonathan answered. Letting his father be stressed.
"Okay. Let 's try again. Why did you not tell me or your mother about the chess tournament?"- Clark asked.
"I was afraid that you guys would want me to join the tournament."- Jonathan answered, concerned.
"So, you just decided to lie."- Clark said disappointed- "Jonathan you should tell me and your mother about the tournament, so we could talk with you and try to understand your reasons to not join the tournament."- Clark said firmly- "I'm disappointed that you chose to lie to your teacher and family. You know better than this."
"Like is the first time that I tell a lie in this stupid city!"- Jonathan argued- "Stop being hypocritical, dad. Since I arrived here, I have been telling lies because of you and Jordan! It is just not fair that suddenly I cannot tell lies anymore. I will start to be an open book, let us see what will happen with this superfamily."
"Do not compare the situations like they are the same!"- Clark scolded- "What me, your mother and grandfather ask you to say it is for our protection, especially you and your brother."
"Well, it's not happening, because I almost died last year and Jordan too."- Jonathan argued- "I can't see any difference."
"It is enough of back talk, Jonathan! Now go to the corner and think about what you did!"- Clark said resolutely.
Jonathan swallowed hard and looked confused to where his father pointed. He did not obey, he was fifteen years old, not five. So, he closed his arms in protest, then his father took him by the ear and let him in the corner.
Fifteen minutes later, Clark asked Jonathan to sit on his bed. Then, Clark carefully explained how dangerous it would be for his family if his secret identity as Superman was revealed, as Superman has enemies, and they could use his family as revenge. Thanks to the Kent family's secret, both Jonathan and Jordan were able to lead normal lives.
"So, I understand that it is hard to keep this secret. I am grateful for what you and your brother are doing for our family."- Clark said- "But this does not mean that you can lie as you did. It is completely different, young man. We are hiding a secret to keep our family safe. Why did you lie?"
"I just didn't want to play because I don't want to wear a shirt of Smallville High School, because I have zero motivation to win a medal for this shit school."- Jonathan answered honestly- "They fucked me, dad. It is not fair to be nice with them."
"Well, the school allowed you to keep studying there after what you did last year, Jonathan. So, it would be fair to you to show more gratitude"- Clark remembered- "Since you lied to avoid playing in the tournament, your punishment is to join the tournament."
"What?! Dad, can you just let me be grounded for one month? Two?"- Jonathan begged, but his father in one minute found Jonathan's authorization to join the tournament- "Dad, no, please!"
Clark signed the paper.
"Your mother will deliver it to your teacher tomorrow."- Clark said firmly- "Now, you will go downstairs and apologize to her."
Jonathan apologized to his parents before dinner. He felt ashamed of his family (for being in trouble telling lies again) and was upset with his father's decision. He did not want to represent his school in a tournament, because the principal did not think twice about making him feel miserable and taking away something that he really loved for one year. So, during dinner he was not eating.
"Jonathan, please, eat your food."- Lois asked firmly.
"I'm not hungry."- Jonathan said, upset.
"Jonathan you will not leave this table without finishing your meal."- Lois warned firmly.
Jonathan did his best to eat his food, so his mother asked him to do the dishes. Jordan helped him.
"I'm sorry."- Jonathan said to his brother.
"I am fine. I do not want to punch your face anymore."- Jordan said smiling- "Maybe, I should throw a glass of water or better juice on your face."
"Revenge I see, you are turning to the dark side padawan."- Jonathan joked- "Embrace the darkness, let your anger make you stronger. Jedis control their emotions, the siths see anger, passion, and ambition as a way to win power."
"How long have you been playing 'Star Wars: Old Republic'?"- Jordan asked laughing- "You are talking as a Sith Lord."
"Enough to realize that being a sith warrior is more interesting."- Jonathan answered- "I tried as Jedi, but the mission in which you choose to rat or not the couple of padawans is ridiculous."
"Understood."- Jordan laughed- "I understand you, I'm a neutral Jedi, and I bet that you are neutral Sith."
"Who knows?"- Jonathan asked, laughing.