AN: Sorry for the long update. I'm trying to finish my summer English project and I' also preparing for a trip to EUROPE!

I'm posting a few chapters before I leave for you guys since I'll be gone so long. Please enjoy.

Hot Head Part3

Clara POV

Chloe so owed me a coffee. Chloe and Pete met me after school and we headed to the Beanery. Cheesy name for a coffee joint, I know. Chloe was kicking herself for giving me the game to cover. If she'd been there she would have been able to witness the explosion. She was obsessed, I admit. "Cars don't spontaneously combust, guys."

Pete shrugged off her concerns. "Cops said it was faulty wiring." Chloe smirked. "Well, I've already have my headline 'Principal saved by Cheerleading wannabe'." I rolled my eyes. "That's the most hilarious thing. I've ever heard."

Pete shook his head. "Would you lay off Clara? Jeez."

"Seriously. I tried out for cheerleading, not a cult." My eye caught Luke walking behind Chloe. He had on a Beanery apron. Chloe was still talking. "I'm just saying. It defys the laws of nature. Next I'll be joining the jocks on the field."

Luke spoke up behind her. "I hear there's an opening right now." I frowned, surprised. "What on earth are you doing here?"

"Taking your order, I hope." He smiled charmingly. Chloe raised an eyebrow. "W-what is this? Some sort of football charity, like "be a waiter for a night" sort of thing?"

"Yes. Except for the 'football' and 'charity'." He winked. "And tips are always appreciated."

I smiled. "So you're a waiter for real, now?"

"Even got the sweet nametag to prove it." He said. Pete sighed. "First day?"

"Ever." Luke nodded. I frowned, trying to think of something nice to say. "Well, you look very…waiter-ish."

He laughed. ", if I could only tell the difference between a half-caf decaf and a non-fat late." Chloe smiled sweetly. "In that case, I'll have a regular coffee."

Pete nodded. "Hey, times three." I nodded. Chloe and Pete slid into the booth. Luke turned to go, but I stopped him. "Luke, wait! You forgot this." I held out the tray. He laughed. "Thanks. I seem to be forgetting things a lot today."

"First days are rough. So you just quit football?" I tried to ask nonchalantly. "You look surprised." I shrugged. "It's not like you broke a law, but I am surprised. You seemed to always enjoy it."

He shrugged. "It wasn't going anywhere, unfortunately. I decided it was time to move on."

I bit my lip. "How'd Whitney take the news?"

He scratched the back of his neck nervously. "Uh, haven't exactly told her yet." I raised an eyebrow. Fine. It was his funeral. The head waitress came over and tapped Luke on the shoulder. "Hey, table three's been waiting for their drinks for five minutes. If they go cold it's coming out of your tips."

He quickly apologized and hurried off. I slid into the booth. Chloe shook her head. "Clara tries out for cheerleading and Luke's off the football team and a waiter."

Peter shrugged. "What's wrong with that?" Chloe smirked. "Oh, nothing. I just want to click my heels and get back to reality." The shop bell rang, announcing somebody entering. I looked up to see Trevor, a football player, enter. He nodded a hello to Pete before making a beeline for a group of players. I recognized them as the ones from Chloe's story; the ones who'd gotten suspended.

"Guys, coach wants us on the field right away." They stood up like somebody had dropped cold water on them and hurried out the door. Chloe nudged Pete. "What's up with your fallen bretheren?"

Pete shrugged. Chloe jumped up and grabbed her coat. "Well I'm gonna check it out." I rolled my eyes. "You're just trying to get out of paying for my coffee." She shook her head. "Something's going on. I'll be fine, Clara. Chill."

She grabbed her bag and rushed to the door. Luke turned to let her past and ran into another man coming from the opposite directions. Luke dropped the tray of drinks everywhere. I glanced at Pete, biting back a laugh. The other customers burst into applause and Luke turned scarlet. I shook my head. Poor guy. He really wasn't cut out for this.

Coach POV

I think my fireworks display definitely put those twerps in their right mind. Nobody was going to mess with my future. I was bigger than this entire town. I was important..

Lex POV

I couldn't believe my father would travel all the way to Smallville-wait I take that back. Nothing about that man surprises me anymore. It's disgusting. He expects me to have the workers fired by noon tomorrow. I thought back on what he'd told me.

Apparently my weakness was my emotions. Well, you know what? At least that's better than not having any emotions. Seriously, the guy wouldn't care less if the world was dying so long as he was alright. No empathy.

I had spent my entire life trying to get out of his shadow, his influence. Maybe my new chance was here. Maybe Clara had given me that chance.

Speaking of Clara…I had to call a certain physics major about the accident. Something wasn't quite adding up in my mind. Something was different about Clara Kent.

Clara POV

Chloe was nowhere to be seen when I went to the pep rally. I asked Pete but he said he hadn't seen her at all. I cast a quick glance around. Usually she'd jump at the chance to investigate coach…but he wasn't here either. Great. I heard a buzzing sound towards the school. I turned and saw Chloe screaming from a window. There were flames behind her.

Ok, first the car and now this? Coincidence much? I ran to the school and opened the door to the journalism room. Chloe tried to get through the wall of fire, but she fell. "Chloe!"

Suddenly the fire seemed to die down. I ran to help her. "Are you ok? What happened?"

"Clara! Oh my gosh you won't believe it!" She gave me a panicked hug. She quickly told me about how Coach Walt cornered her and threatened her with the fire. She was right, I didn't believe it.

I frowned. "Well, the Torch is torched. How's that for dramatic irony?" She glared daggers at me. "Gee, sorry. Just trying to get you to smile." She frowned. "But Clara this is more than just a regular fire. It's like the fire knew what it was doing."

I raised an eyebrow. "And Coach Walt was controlling it?" Chloe stood up and started pacing. "It's all in the facts. Principal Kwan gets his car blown up when he suspends those players and investigates Coach in the cheating scandal, and I was about to publish that picture. The Torch gets set aflame."

Chloe is probably the only high schooler who can say 'aflame' with a straight face in conversation. But I digress. "Now Coach Walt is in on the cheating scandal? Come on, Chloe."

"He did it for his career. He wants to win, so he helps his boneheaded players get the grades. It all makes perfect sense! Of course now the files are ash…" She seemed to lose a bit of steam. I nodded. "There. No evidence."

"But I have Trevor Chapell!" I sighed. "What about him?" She started speaking rapidly and excitedly. "He wanted to talk. I know he did. He talked to Kwan about the cheating. He's too scared to talk to me though…" She got that glint in her eye that meant she had an idea. Oh, great…

"He's too scared to talk to me. But maybe he'll open up to you!" I rolled my eyes. "And why would that be?"

She was nearly jumping with excitement. "He's had a crush on you since forever. Plus, you're like, gorgeous. Any guy would jump at the chance to be interviewed by you." I scowled. "Flattery doesn't work with me, Chloe. You know that." She batted her eyes pitifully. "Please? I'll be your best friend."

I laughed. "That puppy dog face is almost as scary as your vicious reporter face. Alright I'll do it. But you now owe me two coffees." She grinned. "I knew I could count on you!" I just shook my head.

Well, for my first escapade in journalism I figure I actually needed to find Trevor. I guess the Beanery would be a good start…

Lex POV

Operation Get the Heck Out of the Mansion Before I Lose My Mind was a go. Seriously, if I stayed one more minute I was going to go crazy. It was nice and quiet, but like I'd told Clara, it suited ghosts more than people. I'd heard this place was local and had good coffee. I flipped through the file in my hand, sighing. Nothing was adding up. I saw the waiter out of the corner of my eye and looked up.

"Luke! What happened? Your aunt throw you out into the streets?" He shook his head. "Nah. I decided to join the workforce."

"Good for you. I'm sure you'll make employee of the month in no time." Wasn't that the polite thing to say? I closed the file and set it on the table. He shook his head. "Actually, as of today I hold the record for most broken dishes."

I bit back a laugh. "Better bring me my cappuccino in a Styrofoam cup then." He nodded and turned to leave when Clara walked up and stopped him. I sat back to watch the show. "Well if it isn't little miss sports reporter." Clara raised an eyebrow. "Word got out, huh?"

"Yeah. What brings you here?" Clara shrugged. "I'm looking for Trevor. Have you seen him?"

Ouch. I could see Luke's shoulders slump. "Uh, no. He hasn't been in." Clara frowned. "Drat. Chloe's on my case about interviewing him and I've about ran out of places to look." Luke seemed to perk up at that. Clara continued. "So, how's it been?"

He shrugged. "I'm getting ready to go crazy, but it's one of those days." She nodded. "Well, for what it's worth, I think it's cool you got this job."

He nodded. "Thanks. Can I get you anything?" She nodded. "Cup of coffee?"

He stepped aside to let her by. "Coming right up." I smiled to myself. Clara didn't even know the influence she had on Luke. It was actually pretty amusing. She spotted me and smiled. "Is this seat taken?"

I shook my head. "It's all yours." She sat down, setting her bag to the side. I nodded. "So, reporter, huh?"

She groaned, burying her face in her hands. "Hardly. I'm being used by my "friend" so she can get a good story…man that sounded a lot worse than I meant."

"Well, you'd better explain because I'm just a little bit concerned right now." Clara laughed. "Chloe wants me to do this interview with Trevor because apparently he has a crush on me and he'll be more willing to talk with me." I looked at her, surprised. "And you just agreed."

She shrugged. "She's my friend. What are you gonna do? Oh, and she's paying me in coffee." I raised an eyebrow. "Interesting."

Clara frowned. "What?" I shrugged. "Nothing. Just didn't figure you could be bought with coffee." She laughed. "Well, when you put it like that I sound like a coffee whore."

I nodded. "You said it, not me." She rolled her eyes. "So, what are you working on?" She gestured to the file in front of me. I scowled. "Trying to figure out which poor guy should get the ax. My father wants me to cut twenty percent of my workforce."

She frowned. "Any way around it?" I shrugged. "I tried, but once my father's made up his mind, it doesn't change." She sighed. "I know the feeling. My dad's still against me playing sports this winter, but I'm definitely trying out for basketball."

I nodded. "So you're out late, waiting for him to go to sleep so you don't have to endure the awkward silence when you get home." Clara nodded. "How'd you know?"

"The Luthors wrote the book on awkward family silences." She laughed. Luke came up with two cups. "If it makes you feel any better, you should have seen the look on my aunts face when I told her I wanted to work instead of football…not that I was eavesdropping or anything."

Clara's face scrunched up in annoyance momentarily before she smiled. Interesting. "I guess we're in the same boat."

I shook my head. "No, you guys stood your ground and are doing what you want. I caved." I lifted my mug in mock salute. "You have inspired me."

Clara smiled grimly. "Trying out for sports and pouring coffee. Yeah, we're a couple of rebels." Luke smiled. "Long live the revolution."

I nodded. "Cheers." I took a sip of my drink, inwardly grimacing. Luke looked at me expectantly. "How is it?" I nodded. "Perfect." His face lit up as he walked away. I looked up to see Clara smiling at me.

"Is that what you ordered?" I shook my head. "Not even close." She snickered. "Bless him, but that boy is not made out for this." She looked at me again and laughed loudly. I frowned and she laughed harder. "What's so funny?"

She gasped for breath, still giggling. "You have whipped cream all over your nose…here." She passed me a napkin. I swiped at the offending substance. She nodded. "Good. Now, unfortunately, my poker face isn't as good as yours. I honestly don't think I can stomach an entire cup of that." She gestured towards her cup. She nodded. "See ya later, Lex."

I waved goodbye. "Bye Clara." After she left I stared at the folder, a plan slowly forming in my mind.

Clara POV

The next day I tracked Trevor down at his house. His mom let me in and told me he was downstairs. I knocked on the door. "Trevor? It's Clara." I stepped inside.

"Just go. Or he'll come back." I frowned, searching for him in the dark. I spotted him sitting in the shadows. "You mean Coach Walt?"

He nodded fearfully. "Once he get's angry, he's…" I stepped towards him. "What did he do to you?".

Trevor sighed. "Coach rides me pretty hard, you know? Me and some of the others. Thinks he's our father or something. That's how he justifies it, anyway. Once when I dropped a pass, he drove me home, punched me in the gut, told me not to do it again."

I gasped. "Why didn't you tell anybody?" He chuckled hysterically. "He told me he'd kick me off the team! Wouldn't help me pass my classes…"

Understanding dawned on me. Chloe was right. "Did Coach Walt give you that midterm?" He nodded. "Trevor, I can help."

He clutched his arm fearfully. It was bandaged heavily. "That's what principal Kwan said, and look what happened to him!" I crouched down to where he was sitting. "Trevor? What happened to your arm?"

"Nothing. Just a carburetor burn." I reached a hand out but he jerked away. "It's nothing!" I sighed. "Please, Trevor? I just want to see."

He hesitantly held out his arm. I carefully unwrapped it, not knowing what I'd find. I gasped. His arm had a sever burn in the shape of a hand print. Did Coach Walt do this? I looked at Trevor. "I don't know how he did it, but if I talk, he's gonna fry me."

I thanked Trevor and helped him rebadged his arm. I knew where I had to go next.

Jonathan Kent POV

Clara was avoiding me. I knew it and it killed me. I had to do something. I didn't want my daughter mad at me for the rest of our lives. I decided the best thing would be to meet up with her at the football game. We could talk a bit and maybe I'd…ugh, apologize.

Not that I was wrong, but maybe I could have put it a little better. Clara was only 15, give or take since we didn't know her actual age. She was a teenager, though. I knew how it felt to want to fit in. It must be especially hard for her.

Maybe I could let her try out for basket ball. After all, she seemed to do okay when Pete and her played. Maybe…

When I arrived at the school Clara was nowhere in sight. I spotted her friend Chloe on the sidelines. "Excuse me, have you seen Clara?"

Chloe shrugged. "She said she'd be here. She hasn't answered any of my texts. I thought she was grounded again."

I shook my head before moving on. I grabbed Pete as he was coming out. "Hey, Pete. Have you seen Clara?" He shook his head. "HEY!" I turned to see Coach Walt. "No parents on the field."

"I'm looking for Clara." He shrugged. "Haven't seen her. Don't care. Now get off my field."

I frowned as I noticed Chloe appeare to my left. "I think the coach is lying." I sighed. "Fine. Chloe, you take the school, I'll check the locker rooms."

She nodded. I trekked through the locker rooms until I found coach Walt's area. "Clara? Clara?" I saw the sauna in the corner with a broken window. I looked inside to see Clara passed out on the floor. Panick rushed through me. "Clara? Clara! Wake up!" The door was locked. I threw my shoulder into the door and it fell away enough for me to squeeze through.

"Can you hear me?" She groaned slightly. "It's the meteor rocks." I frowned. I picked her up and dragged her out of the sauna. I was about to call for help when somebody jumped me from behind. Clara was able to stand up, albeit shakily. She ended up pushing the Coach into the showers. He exploded.

She helped me up. "Are you okay dad?" I brushed myself off. "Yes…thank you."

She nodded. "No big deal." I shook my head. "It is a big deal. You have remarkable talents, Clara. I'm not just talking about your strength, either. You're loyal, selfless, funny and compassionate. That's why the thought of somebody taking you away terrifies me." I sighed. "I trust you, Clara, but I'm still your father. I want what's best for you. I'm not always going to be perfect, but I'll sure do my best."

She nodded. "I know, dad. I'm sorry for getting angry earlier. I just was upset that I couldn't do things like the other kids." She laughed. "Well, that sentence was just packed with irony, huh?"

I laughed with her. "I just want you to be safe, but I know you want to get involved. So…" She looked up at me hopefully. "I'm going to let you try out for basket ball on a trial basis. Same rules I had for cross-country. Any sign of suspicion and you fake a sports injury and stay out the rest of the season."

She chuckled, hugging me tightly. "Thanks daddy. I promise I'll make you proud." The entire situation still didn't sit well with me, but it was done. My little girl was growing up and she was becoming a super woman at that.

I just hoped it would all work out.