Magnetic Part 1

The attitude in the Talon was somber. The most recent influx of students there were shaken by the vandalism of Megan's locker.

Clark was thankful beyond measure that he and Alicia had managed to hitch a ride in Chloe's car. Alicia didn't have a car and neither did he, as he usually ran where he needed to go. This was not something he wanted to explain. As things worked out, Chloe wanted a caffeine fix and offered to drop them off. The conversation of the car ride was mostly Chloe theorizing who would target Megan and why.

"I hope that doesn't give you the wrong impression of Smallville," Clark said to Alicia. "There's a lot of nice people here."

"I hate that word: freak," Alicia spat it out as she stared out the window. She seemed so upset, so angry. But Clark figured he must have imagined it as in the next second she was all smiles and sounding cheery.

"Hi, Lana," Clark said when they reached the counter. "Have you met Alicia?"

"Not officially. Welcome to Smallville. What can I get you guys?"

"Hi. One chai latte and one vanilla hazelnut latte." Alicia looked up at Clark. "That's your go-to, isn't it?"

"Uh…yeah. How'd you know?"

"I remembered it from the first time you sat by me."

"I'll bring those right out." Lana said.

"That is one good memory." Clark frowned. "But I didn't tell you what I ordered."

"Let's sit by the window." Alicia made a beeline for the vacant table.

"Well, let's get started." Clark pulled out his notebook and a pen. "Do you notice any changes from when you first lived here?"

"Not really. I mostly just remember my old house; there was a swing in the backyard. I stopped by. The swing set is gone, house is a different color, and they added a pool, something my younger self would have loved. Anyway, it felt weird ringing the doorbell asking to go inside. We live in a different one now."

"We? You have siblings?"

"No. Only child. It's just me and my mom. Dad passed away a few years ago."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. We're not."

Before Clark could ask any more questions, Pete came over, clapping him on the shoulder.

"Hey, Pete. Have you met Alicia?"

"Not yet. How do you do and where have you been?" Pete flashed one of his charming grins. Clark snorted as he recognized Pete's attempt at flirting. Girls were either into it or not.

Alicia was not.

"Physics lab; studying how long it takes to get hit in the head before what little is left of your brain evaporates."

Pete's smile faltered as Clark's eyes widened in surprise. He didn't see the reason Alicia had to be so snarky.

"Anyway," Pete said, "just got word that I'll be the starting receiver for the Homecoming game. Care to watch me make history?"

"Wouldn't miss it. I'm doing a Torch interview right now but, catch up later?"

"Sure thing."

"Friend of yours?" Alicia asked after Pete left. She was biting her lip and looking guilty.

"Yeah."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be so rude."

Clark didn't know what to say. He didn't want to say "it was fine" when clearly it wasn't. But he couldn't chastise her when she looked sorry.

Instead, Clark went for the third option and moved on.

"How about we go back to the interview? So, what caused the move?"

Alicia began to look panicked. She began to tap her fingers against her mug and chewed her lip in earnest. Clark remembered Chloe asking a similar question that had sent her running.

"Hey, you don't have to answer questions you don't want to. I promise to not push for an answer. But you'll have to say, 'no comment'. Fair?"

"Fair." Alicia's smiled returned. "Thanks, Clark."

Alicia reached across the table and touched Clark's hand, just as Lana came over.

LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

Lana had arrived with Clark and Alicia's drink order just as the new girl caressed Clark's hand. Her ex-boyfriend of several days caught sight of her standing there and a wave of guilt washed over his face. Clark immediately pulled his hand away, thanking Lana for the coffee and then stared at his notebook to ask the next question.

"Is there anything you do want to share about your move?"

"It's not a secret that we're here because of my mom's work. She's a cyber security specialist for Luther Corp."

Lana walked over to the nearby vacant table and began to pick up the empty cups. She noticed her pace was much slower than normal.

"But that's in Metropolis," Clark stated.

"Her work sends her out to various locations; lots of travel. She only has to go into the office a few times a month and Metropolis is where the headquarters are. Where we had that interesting field trip."

"It wasn't that interesting. Was it?"

Alicia giggled. "What else do you want to know?"

With the empty cups gathered, Lana could see no reason to stay where she was. The Talon was swamped at this time, and there were plenty orders to be taken out, cups refilled, bakery items to restock, and the list went on.

I am not jealous. I am not jealous. I am NOT jealous. Lana repeated to herself as she went about her work.

There had been nothing inappropriate with Alicia touching Clark; it wasn't a big deal. She and Clark were friends. Only friends.

And for the life of her, she didn't understand why.

Why did things have to be so complicated? Lana sighed. This should be simple. She liked Clark; Clark liked her, or so she had thought. Why couldn't they date?

"Earth to Lana."

Lana was snapped out of her thoughts by Clark waving his hand. "Everything ok?"

"Yeah, just lost in my thoughts I guess."

"That happens. Thought I'd bring these up. We're all done." Clark motioned to the coffee mugs. While it was fine for patrons to leave the dishes at the table, the more polite customers brought them to the counter.

"Thanks, Clark."

"You know," Clark coughed, "I was just interviewing Alicia for the Torch. Standard new student column."

"Ok." Lana began to scrub the counter.

"Cause there's nothing going on between me and her."

"Ok." Lana scrubbed even harder.

"LaNa," Seth Nelson emphasized the last part of her name as he strided up to the counter.

"Hi, Seth." Lana forced a smile.

Clark was forced to move over as the football jock leaned forward. "Hey, I was wondering if you'd be up in the stands cheering me on for the Homecoming game. What do you say?"

"I think I have a shift."

"Hey, no worries. I just see you working so hard all the time. I worry about you. You know, it's good to take a break every once in a while." Seth reached out and grabbed Lana's hand. For a brief second, Clark believed he saw the smallest green spark.

"You're right. I should take a break. I'll be there. Front row." Lana flashed a smile.

"Awesome." Seth whooped as he left the Talon. Clark couldn't help but watch, mouth agape. Lana looked calmer than before.

"What? Clark are you jealous?" Lana accused.

"No," Clark lied.

"Good. Cause you have no reason to be. It's not like I'm dating anyone." With that, Lana stormed off into the Talon stock room.

Opening theme song…