I am going to die.

Don't laugh, there is a very real chance my heart will literally explode in my chest and just take me out of this mortal world. You think I am joking but if I hear one more word on Inherit the Wind, I am going to use my telekinesis to reach in and squeeze the life out of me.

No joke.

I glance over at the clock, and I swear it hadn't moved, not one second. Is this what life is like for Bart? Just everything stuck in place while you slowly go insane. Sigh and put my head down on my desk, praying a meteor comes crashing down on Smallville so I can get out of this classroom and do something.

Man, now I feel like crap…if Clark heard me thinking that…

"Conner?"

I look up and there is Mrs. Radiwan, glaring at me, "Can you answer the question?"

"No ma'am," I said, not even knowing one had been asked.

"Did you do the reading?"

"No ma'am."

"Mr. Kent, can I ask how you intend on passing this class?"

"Um, mercy?"

The class laughed and I saw a joke was not the way to go.

"Mr. Kent, I want a thousand words on Inherit the Wind by Monday, or you can look forward to summer school this year. Now for those of you that did read…"

Great, just great.

I had Titans this weekend, I wasn't going to have time to read this stupid book! What the heck…this is some bullshit! Man, I knew this secret identity thing was going to bite.

See, my name is Conner Kent and I am Superboy. I was born in a lab as a clone of Superman and Lex Luthor and was living a pretty cool life until Young Justice broke up and we joined the Titans. Clark, you know Superman?, took interest in my life for the first time and talked me into trying to live a normal life like he did when he was a kid. Of course, did Superman grow up somewhere cool and awesome?

Hell no.

He grew up in, hand to god, Smallville, Kansas.

He was raised by ma and pa Kent, two really great people but they owned a farm! A farm with actual animals and crap! Now I had a secret identity, a pair of lame glasses, chores and high school classes, which were the absolute worst.

What did I need to learn here? What was high school going to teach me about being Superboy? This was a waste of time but what was I supposed to do? Disappoint Superman? Trust me, no one lives that shit down.

So, I was trapped.

And now I was trapped with a 1000-word paper on a book I didn't care about.

Great, just great.

The bell rang and I had to force myself not to superspeed out of class, instead I walked out slowly, letting most everyone else out first.

"I mean it Mr. Kent," Radiwan said as I passed by, "On my desk by Monday or kiss your summer goodbye."

"I heard you," I grumble and walk out into the hallway…

And get smacked down onto my ass hard.

I looked up in shock, what the hell?

There was a guy standing over me and I had to wonder for a second if a supervillain had gotten loose in the school because he looked huge! It had to be a trick of the light because as I got up, I realized he wasn't any bigger than me, just built.

Really built.

"Walk much?" he asks, not helping me up at all.

"You wanna watch here you're going?" I ask and instantly knew it was a mistake.

"What you say punk?" he dropped his backpack and slammed me against the wall, it happened so fast I didn't even have time to react. His face was right up in mine, and I took a second to get a good.

He had dark hair like mine, short and buzzed on the sides, his face looked like it would be handsome he if wasn't scowling but it was hard to tell because the look on his face was pure rage. His eyes were dark and narrowed, like he was trying to see through my head…he held me up against the wall with one arm like I weighed nothing. How strong was this dude?

"Get off," I said, trying not to use my strength, it was hard though because he didn't seem to budge at all.

"Apologize," he growled, and I could see there was a crowd forming.

"What?" I asked shocked, "I'm not apologizing for nothing!"

He slammed me back against the wall and I felt my patience slipping, "Apologize now!"

I reached up to grab his hand and he slammed me again, yeah that was it.

I pushed him off and he stumbled back, wow I thought he was mad before. He went back two steps and then lunged at me, I braced myself, but he pushed me back all the same. Now I was stunned as I hit the wall, where the hell was my field?

See I'm not invulnerable in the same way Superman is. He has an aura that is around him 24/7 and makes him pretty much…well Superman. I have the same kind of field but unlike his, mine can be turned off. I can lose focus, be stunned, and it will go down, like now. I'm not sure why, but I felt that impact and got the wind knocked out of me.

He pulled me close until our faces were almost touching, "Look bitch I don't know who you are, but if you get in my way again, I will fucking end you. Got it?"

I was going to say something, something snarky and sarcastic and tell him what he could do with his threat…but something happened…it was like…just for a second, maybe it was cause I couldn't catch my breath, maybe cause I was just stunned…but I felt a small tinge of fear. It vanished as soon as it appeared, but it was there, and I found myself nodding.

He let me go and I fell to the ground, "Stay out of my way."

I watched him walk away. The crowd parted easily, and he towered over everyone who witnessed him beat my ass. Just before I lost sight of him that flicker of fear caught my breath. What the hell was wrong with me?

As I tried to clear my head, People looked down at me and laughed as they walked away and I didn't blame them, I would too, God I hate school!

The next day I felt better, I just had to be under the weather or upset about the paper, that had to be it. I was Superboy ffs and he was…he was just some asshole. I walked through the school, ignoring the looks I was getting. Everyone saw me get my ass kicked yesterday so it was all they were talking about. I don't get it, out there, as a superhero, I was a stud. Girls were always chatting me up, much to Tim's annoyance. But I put these glasses on and suddenly I'm a fricking nerd?

I swear the next person who says it should be easy to figure out who Clark really is I'm gonna punch.

My first two classes went fine, I ignored the buzz of people talking about me and just ignored it. It was science class that things got dicey because I walked in and there he was, chatting up some girl…Sherry something, I think. She was cute in a normal kind of way, I thought about talking to her once but seeing her make googly eyes at this douche that time had passed.

I sat in the back, like I normally did and pulled out my books. I was used to working alone, everyone here has known everyone since they were in diapers, so I was like an alien being to most of them. Before yesterday they were nice enough, but really didn't engage with me.

The bell rang and he looked around for somewhere to sit and his eyes fell on me.

Fuck.

He sat down next to me and pushed my books out of the way. I scooted over because he insisted on taking up all the fucking room. I closed my eyes and began to count, just like Tim taught me. His voice whispered in my ear, anger controls you, master your emotions, do not give in to the dark side…

Wait, that was Star Wars not Tim.

"Wake the fuck up," he said pushing me, "Pay attention."

I looked over at him, "What?"

He leaned in and I forced myself not to flinch, what the hell?

"Look bitch, I'm not going to take notes so that leaves you. If I fail this class, I'm gonna take it out of your ass, got it?"

Was he fucking serious? He literally just started and expected me to do his work?

"Look man," I began to explain.

"Did I say speak?"

My mouth closed all on its own as I locked eyes with him.

"Fucking grab a pencil and start talking notes or else."

The desire to heat vision through his head was strong, too strong. Who in the hell did this guy think he was? No way, no fucking way. I took a deep breath, and something tumbled out of my mouth before I could stop it. Shit, did I just say that?

"What?" he asked, not hearing it. He grabbed the front of my shirt, "Say that again to my face."

I swallowed hard and repeated what I had said under my breath.

"Yes sir."

"Better," he said leaning back, arms over his head with a cocky grin on his face. How big are his arms? I mean I had some biceps but his were next level…I wonder…

WHAT THE FUCK DID I JUST SAY?

He gestured to my notebook, and I opened it up to a blank page, what the hell? As I began to scribble down what the teacher was saying my mind was racing. Why did I say that? Why am I doing this? There had to be a reason…a logical reason.

My secret identity! That was it, my secret identity. If I clocked this asshole, then people would start to figure out I wasn't all mild mannered and ma and pa would be upset, and Clark would give me that judgey stare and then everything would be worse. I was just…I was just… going along with my cover.

Yeah, that was it! Just like Tim always explained that one time, when you're undercover you commit to the role completely. He explained how Batman had this whole other guy with matches or some shit and that it was impossible to get him out of it once he was in makeup. If you were going to pretend, pretend completely.

So yeah, that's what I was doing, protecting my cover. Had to be. Only explanation.

Right?

Right?

When the bell rang, he sat up and I offered him the notebook, still in cover.

He glanced at it, "What the hell man, you born in a barn? Your handwriting is shit, type it up."

Before I could say anything, he walked out, chasing after whatshername.

I looked down at paper and fumed, what the hell was I doing?

I sat through lunch sick to my stomach.

It wasn't that I was just pissed, cause I was. There was something wrong with me, I could feel it. It was like something eating me up in my stomach and I had a fever…I'd never had a cold before, but it sure sounded like one. I wanted to go the nurse but thought better of it, they'd call ma and pa, they'd call Clark and I'd be in STAR labs within the hour probably.

If I was going to be a "normal" boy then I was going to deal with being sick normally. I ate what I could and tossed the rest and headed to gym. Maybe I could clear my mind.

"Kent!" the coach yelled, "Why aren't you changed out?"

"Stomach flu sir," I said truthfully, "Can I sit out?"

He sighed and pointed to the bleachers, I climbed up and sat down, trying to keep what little lunch I had eaten down. Class started and everyone came out to play basketball, I froze the moment I saw my new best friend trot on to the court and felt my breath catch.

Jesus Christ, he was…perfect?

I literally shook my head as my eyes tried to comprehend what I was seeing because it didn't make no damn sense. Did he always look like that? How did I miss that? What I thought was a good body was actually insane! He was wearing a tank top and baggy basketball shorts but every inch of flesh that was showing was just…flawless.

I had been wrong, he was so much bigger than me, his arms and legs looked like they were carved out of stone as we warmed up. He moved gracefully, like Tim almost and I was entranced just watching him move. He was practicing layup and each time he went up for a shot my eyes went to his crotch…

Holy crap was that his dick?

It looked like a slab of salami bouncing around every time he jumped, I felt my mouth go dry as I became hypnotized by it. I had a big dick, it was a kryptonian thing trust me, but that…that was just next level. I literally couldn't look away as he moved, how did everyone not just stare at him?

The coach blew his whistle and divvied up the teams, my guy ended up as skins and I held my breath as he stripped his shirt off. There wasn't an ounce of fat on him, his pecs and abs were so deep, so cut…it was like looking at a model of the perfect human form brought to life. I was in awe watching him toss his shirt aside, he had the body I would have killed for. Don't get me wrong, I was in great shape, but he was just…better.

I spent the next thirty minutes following every step he took with my eyes. Trust me, I wasn't into guys but there was no denying this guy was just next level. How everyone else wasn't tripping over themselves being that close to him was beyond me. He was like a demon on the court, moving and dodging like he was an NBA star, least it looked like it to me.

Time passed like nothing as I just watched him play what had to be the most engaging game of basketball I had ever seen. When the period was over, he was covered in a fine sheen of sweat, toweling himself off with his shirt and I was horrified to find my mouth half open.

And even more horrified to see he was looking at me.

"What's wrong Kent?" he yelled across the court, "Never seen a real man before?"

I looked down quickly as I heard laughing from everyone else. I was trying to get ahold of myself when I realized he was standing in front of me.

"Like what you see fag?" he asked.

"What?" I stammered, "No! I ain't gay…"

He grinned, "Right, and that's a slide ruler in your pocket, right?"

I looked down and realized I was hard!

"Don't stress it fruitcake," he said wiping himself off, "Looks are free…just don't get any ideas."

"No…I mean…"

He laughed and tossed his shirt onto my face, "Save it for someone who cares fag."

I clawed at the shirt to get it off but…fuck…what was that smell? I took a deep breath and shit…my cock throbbed in my jeans! I tore it off and threw the shirt aside like it bit me. What the hell? I looked down at my hardness and glared, what the hell was wrong with me?

"Kent!" the coach screamed, and I looked up, "Class is over, get lost!"

I nodded and grabbed my stuff and went to leave…

I waited until the coach turned around, grabbed the shirt, and took it with me, hating myself the whole time. I climbed down out of the bleachers and tripped…I went head over heels down the seats, each impact hurt like a sonofabitch! I rolled to the ground and groaned, did, did that hurt? I got up and felt my shoulder, where the hell were my powers?

By Friday my powers had come back as quickly as they had vanished. I have no idea what was going on, but I had a whole weekend with the Titans to enjoy and I wasn't going to let this crap ruin it.

I got to the tower and put my stuff away and went to look for Tim. He was in the control room looking over mission files, "What's up farmer Ted?"

"Haha, very funny, what's up?"

"A lot of chatter on the street about a potential break out on Alcatraz, I'm going through a list of people locked up there and see if they have any friends who would be willing to bust them out."

"Anyone we know?"

He nodded, "We put half those people away in Alcatraz which means we aren't on their Christmas card list."

"Then let's bust some heads," I said eager to hit something.

He looked back at me and raised an eyebrow, "Something up?"

God damn detective shit.

"Just…" and I trailed off.

"Conner?" he asked, turning the screen off.

I sighed and got it over with, "I've been sick this week, like a flu or something."

He made a face, "You don't get sick."

I shrugged.

"Ok come on," he said walking out.

"Tim…"

"Medlab, now."

I knew better that to argue with that tone of voice.

Next thing I knew I was stripping down to my underwear, again.

"I know you just like seeing me naked," I quip, smiling at Tim.

He rolled his eyes and went back to the equipment.

He's fronting but I know it's true, Tim has a little crush on me. I don't think he's queer or anything, even if he is I wouldn't care. I like showing off for him, I know if I stretch with my arms above my head like this…

And yep, there he is, sneaking a peek thinking I can't see him. Every time, the boy is so predictable.

Anyways, so there I am, almost naked, strapped to a medtable while Tim ran a series of tests. He was quiet the whole time, just rubbing his chin and saying hmmm a lot. After an hour of this I lost it.

"What?" I blurted out, "What did you find?"

He just stared at the screen in silence for way too long.

"Tim!"

He looked away and turned the table off, "Well you're fine, mostly."

I sat up, "Mostly?"

"Well, physically you're fine but…"

"But?"

"But your hormone levels are all over the place."

"My what?" I said standing up.

"Your hormones levels, your body is producing a ton of different chemicals. I mean nothing harmful but it's doing something."

"Something? Can it affect my powers?"

He looked at me sharply, "Is there something wrong with your powers?"

Shit.

"Conner, if there is something wrong with your powers you need to tell me."

"I'm fine," I barked, feeling my heart start to pound.

"If you're not I need to know, I can't have your powers going out in the middle of…"

"I'm fine!" I snapped and he froze. I took a deep breath, "I'm fine Tim, I am. Why would my body be doing this?"

He thought about it, "Well you are a clone, maybe this is puberty?"

"Look at me!" I said gesturing to my body, "I'm past puberty."

"Are you?" he asked back, "How old are you really?"

I shut up.

"We don't know, I could reach out to STAR Labs…"

"No!" I barked and instantly regretted it, "No, I'm fine. It will pass."

"What if it doesn't?" he asked.

What indeed?

"I'm beat, I'm gonna go lay down."

"Conner!" he called after me, "Don't run away from this!"

"Not running anywhere," I said back, "Slowly walking."

I got to my room and locked the door and leaned against it while I tried to calm down. I couldn't lose the Titans, I just couldn't! This was my only get away from Smallville and if I didn't have this…

Frantically I rush to my bag and start digging in it. I tossed my clothes out of the way and pulled his shirt out from the bottom and brought it up to my face and inhaled.

God there it was again…I see him standing over me, scowling at me, threatening me…his sweaty body…him asking me if I understood what he was saying and was I going to do what he said…him screaming at me to answer…

And in a weak voice I hear my muffled, "Yes sir," and instantly feel better.

I climb into my bed and hold the shirt close, inhaling my panic away as I just keep repeating, yes sir, yes sir, yes sir….over and over until I fall asleep.

What was happening to me?