Chapter 28 [Next Morning—Smallville High School]

Lana closed her locker carefully. After shaking the storm cellar, she'd taken Clark's advice. Consequently she treated everything like it was made of egg shells. Fortunately he'd showed her how to keep a light grip on things. She hefted the short stack of books and two notebooks under her arm. I'm glad we had the staffing where I could take an afternoon off. I need it.

"Are you feeling all right, Miss Lang?"

She stiffened. Her heart beat ever more rapidly by the second. She turned to see Reynolds watching her in turn. "Mr. Reynolds! Good morning! Sorry. I was thinking about my first period class."

"Consideration is a good thing. Still one should always be mindful of their surroundings," he advised. "Are you all right?"

"Hmm? Oh I'm fine. Thank you. Lot of stuff happening at the Talon. My friend's relatives are alive and here. I'm thinking of what to ask them about my parents. Then there's the poetry lecture next week." She sighed. "Is there something I can do for you?" She suppressed a frown somehow. How does Clark keep up the fibs and lies like this?

He raised an eyebrow at her. She seemed uncharacteristically distracted for some reason. In fact, if he didn't know better, she almost seemed like Clark. "Yes well, I just wanted to make sure that the Talon is still open for hosting the event?"

"Lex and I were planning on it. There'll be more coffee and pastries for sale afterwards. I think we were talking about having some expanded dinner options beforehand too. If you had any ideas, I'd welcome an email, Sir," she clarified.

He coughed. Revulsion unsettled his stomach over the billionaire's presence in his affairs. "I believe you all have this under control, Miss Lang. I leave it to your judgment." He checked his watch. "Miss Sullivan was looking for you. Perhaps in connection with the Torch?"

She nodded. "I'll see her in home room. Thanks, Mr. Reynolds. You have a great day."

"Thank you. And the same with you. I am looking forward to a spectacular event. Take care." With that he turned and left toward his office.

She bit her lip. Did he suspect something? How do I know if he did? Uncertainty jangled her nerves. Guess I'll see what Chloe wants. Wish she knew about Clark and me too. She sighed and hustled toward the home room. There she spied the blonde reporter typing away on her laptop. "Hey, Chloe!"

"Lana! Hi! Glad to see you come up for air. You've been running around the past week or so." Chloe considered her. "Are you okay?"

"Oh yeah. I'm fine. It was a late night with the Talon stuff, poetry event and Miri's relatives in town. I'm still working up the nerve to ask her uncle about my parents," Lana answered semi-truthfully.

Chloe nodded. "Well I'm here to help with those things!" She grinned. "How'd you like a nudge toward Miranda's relatives? Think you could do an interview with them?"

"An interview? Chloe, I'm sure Mr. and Dr. Dubois have enough going on. I don't want to push," Lana worried.

"All you can do is ask. Right?" Chloe supposed. "Besides I saw online that Miranda's uncle was his high school newspaper's editor in chief. He'll understand."

Yeah if I ask him and not that dark whatsis inside of him. Lana nodded. "I have to head over to Lex's after checking on my parents this afternoon. I'll see then."

"See? Everything works out! Fortune favors the brave!" Chloe cheered.

Let's hope it favors me. Why does this have to happen now? Lana noted Ms. Henderson walk into the room and shut the door behind herself.

With that another day officially began…..