12 years later
Clark Kent was in his room at his computer reading articles about a teen who broke the record and became the fastest man alive and a six year old Korean boy who lifted a car off his injured father. "Clark Kent, you're going to be late" Martha Kent called from downstairs.
"Coming mom" Clark called out. Clark heard a car a coming up to the house and looked out his window. He saw his brother, Oliver Kent, get out of the car. His mother ran up to him and he hugged her. Clark smiled. Oliver was 21 and had just finished college in Metropolis and was moving back home for the time being. Clark missed his brother and was happy he'd be back home for a time. Clark walked downstairs into the kitchen. He opened the fridge and took out the bottle of milk they had. He took off the lid and started drinking it. Martha walked up to him and took the bottle away from him. She gave him a stern look. "It tastes better out of the bottle" Clark said.
"Where'd you learn your manners" Martha asked.
"On a farm" Clark said.
"I use that excuse for everything" Oliver said walking into the kitchen putting down a cardboard box.
Clark looked over and smiled at his brother. He went over and gave him a hug. "It's great to see you Oliver" Clark said.
"You too Clark. I see you haven't changed much" Oliver said. Oliver pulled back from Clark. "It's your first day of high school isn't it" Oliver asked. Clark nodded. "Well good luck. It shouldn't be that hard for you to get through considering who your brother is" Oliver said.
Jonathan walked in the house holding another box. "That's the last of them I think" Jonathan said.
"Thanks dad" Oliver said taking the box from his father. He placed it on top of the other box.
Jonathan looked over at Clark. "Afternoon sleepy head" he said taking off his jacket. Martha handed Jonathan a cup of coffee.
"Oh don't forget I have class tonight. You three are on your own and don't order pizza. There's food in the fridge" Martha said.
Clark was sitting at the table nervous. He was waiting for the right time to bring this up to his parents. Oliver started going through the boxes. "You guys haven't turned my room into an at home gym or something right" Oliver asked jokingly.
Jonathan shook his head. "Your room is exactly how you left it" he said.
"Well not exactly. I cleaned it up a bit" Martha said. Clark picked up the permission slip he had for the football team.
"Hey, what you got there, son" Jonathan asked.
"Permission slip" Clark said standing up.
"It's for the football team. They're having tryouts this afternoon" Clark said. He handed the permission slip to Jonathan who just looked at it. "You played football, Dad and so did Oliver" Clark said.
"Captain of the Smallville high football team right here" Oliver said continuing to go through the boxes.
"Both those instances were different" Jonathan said. Jonathan handed the permission slip to Martha.
"Why" Clark asked.
"You know why" Jonathan said.
"Well for one me and dad couldn't throw people across the field like they were a sack of potatoes" Oliver said finally looking up from his boxes and looking over at his parents and brother.
"Well I'll run at half speed and I won't hit anybody" Clark said.
"A lot of things can happen in the heat of the game son" Jonathan said.
Oliver nodded. "Yea the adrenaline is pumping and your in the moment. Who knows what could actually happen" Oliver said. Jonathan nodded and took a sip of his coffee.
"Most new guys hardly even play. Chances are I'll ride the bench half the season. Dad I can be careful" Clark said.
Jonathan just sat there quietly thinking. Clark looked at his father expectantly. "I know that you can be careful but what if there's an accident" Jonathan asked. Clark didn't say anything, just looked away disappointed. Jonathan and Martha looked at each other. "Look, Clark I know this has got to be really hard for you but you gotta just hang in there like we promised" Jonathan said.
"I'm sick of hanging in there. I just want to go through school without being a loser" Clark said grabbing his backpack and jacket. He walked out of the house. Jonathan, Martha and Oliver all looked at each other sadly. Outside Clark put on his jacket and backpack. He heard the bus pulling away. He looked over and saw it driving away. Crap he missed it. Clark ran out into the street and watched the bus getting further away. Clark looked back to the house and thought for a second about going back and asking his parents or Oliver for a ride. He shook his head. Screw it. He super sped to the school.
At the school, Chloe Sulivan and Pete Ross were walking up the stairs to the school. "So did anyone ask you to the dance" Pete asked.
"Not yet" Chloe said.
"Well if nothing pans out with you know who…" Pete started to say.
"Pete, do you want to take a commercial break from the soap opera in your head? I told you a hundred times, I'm not interested in Clark" Chloe said.
"Chloe" Chloe heard someone call her name. She turned around and smiled. Her cousin, Lois Lane, was running up to her. Lois was going to be staying with Chloe for the year. Her sister Lucy was at boarding school and Lois was staying with Chloe.
"Lois, hi. You were gone by the time I woke up" Chloe said. Lois nodded.
"I got a ride from a friend and decided to check out what this hell whole of a school I'd be going to for the next year looked like" she said.
Pete ran up to them. "Hey" Pete said.
"Lois this is my friend Pete Ross. Pete this is my cousin Lois Lane. She's staying with us for the year" Chloe said. They started walking closer to the school.
"So anyway maybe you and I could go together. I mean not as a date, date thing, more of a friend, friend thing" Pete said.
"Go where" Lois asked.
"To the homecoming dance. No ones asked either one of us yet" Pete explained.
"A dance? I wouldn't mind crashing. Sounds fun" Lois said.
"Hi guys" Clark said walking up behind them. They all turned around.
"Didn't you just…Weren't you just…" Chloe asked at a loss for words.
"I took a shortcut" Clark said.
"Through what a black hole" Chloe asked.
Clark didn't say anything but noticed Lois standing next to Chloe. "Lois what are you doing here? I thought you hated this town" Clark asked.
Lois smiled at him. "I do but I'm staying with Chloe here" Lois said wrapping a arm around her cousin. Clark and Lois had met each other before at a couple Chloe's birthday parties. One of Lois's favorite things to do was mess around with Clark. She even came up with a nickname for him. Smallville. Even though he would never admit it to anyone he kind of liked it. They had a tendency to bicker with each other when ever they were together and everyone always thought the same thing. They like each other even if they can't see it yet. Lois noticed Clark didn't look to happy. "Aw come on Smallville. I know you missed me" she said.
"Actually I haven't even thought about you at all" Clark said.
Lois smiled teasingly. "Of course you haven't" she said walking over to Clark. She put an arm around his shoulder. "Don't worry Smallville. You have me for the whole year. It's what you always wanted" she said.
Clark sighed frustrated. "Lucky us. We might want to put warnings around the town saying "Lois Lane is here. Everyone run" Clark said.
Before Lois could say anything, Pete stepped between her and Clark. He grabbed Clark and started walking away from Lois and Chloe. "Excuse us we gotta hand in these permission slips before homeroom" Pete said.
"Actually Pete I'm having second thoughts. I don't think signing up for the team is such a great idea" Clark said.
"Clark listen this is the only way" Pete said holding up the permission slip.
"Wait a second you two are trying out for the football team" Chloe said walking up to them.
Lois let out a laugh. "Wow Smallville what are you going to be their crash dummy" she asked.
Clark rolled his eyes. "What is this some kind of teen suicide pact" Chloe asked. Clark just stared at her.
Pete grabbed Chloe and pulled her away. Clark and Lois followed after them. Pete stopped walking and turned to Chloe. "We're trying to avoid becoming this year's scarecrow" Pete whispered.
"What are you talking about and why are we whispering" Chloe asked.
"It's a homecoming tradition. Every year before the game, the players pick a freshman take him, strip him down to his boxers and paint an "S" on his chest" Pete explained.
"String him up like a scarecrow" Clark said.
"Sounds like years of therapy" Chloe said.
"Wow this town is even more deluded than I thought" Lois said.
"Why do you think we're trying out for the team" Pete asked. Clark looked across the way. "We figured they won't choose one of their own" Pete said.
Clark saw the girl he had a crush on for as long as he could remember. Lana Lang, was standing across the way talking to some of her friends. "I'll see you guys in class" Clark said walking over to Lana.
"Bye" Chloe said.
Lois looked over and saw Lana standing there. "Who is that" she asked.
"Lana Lang. Clark's had a crush on her forever" Chloe said.
Pete pulled out $5. "I'll give him 10 seconds" Pete said.
"5" Chloe said.
"What are you guys doing" Lois asked.
"Betting to see how long before Clark makes a fool out of himself in front of Lana" Chloe said.
Lois smiled. "Let me in on that. I'm with Chloe. Smallville won't last 5 seconds next to a pretty girl" she said.
"1,2,3,4,5" Pete counted down and just like that Clark fell to the ground in front of Lana.
"Statistical fact. Clark Kent can't get within 5 feet of Lana Lang without turning into a total freakshow" Chloe said taking the $5 from Pete. Pete pulled out another $5 and handed it to Lois. Lois started walking over to where Clark was. "Lois where are you going" Chloe asked.
"I'm going to get a look at Smallville screwing this up, up close" Lois said walking over to where Clark was.
Lana was helping Clark pick up his books. "Nietzsche" Lana said handing Clark back his book. Clark took it from her and looked at the necklace around her neck. That was why he was feeling so sick all of a sudden. "Didn't realize you had a dark side Clark" Lana said smiling at him.
"Doesn't everybody" Clark asked.
"Yea I guess so" Lana said. Clark smiled at her still feeling the affects of her necklace. Lana stood up. "So what are you? Man or Superman" Lana asked.
Clark slowly looked up at Lana. "I haven't figured it out yet" he said.
"Clark here is just a regular man" Lois said walking up to them. She held out her hand to Lana. "Lois Lane" she said.
Lana shook her hand. "Lana Lang" she said.
"Lana, there you are" someone said. Lana's boyfriend, Whitney Fordman, walked up to them. Him and Lana kissed. Clark looked up at them, a part of him hurting inside a little bit. Whitney turned to Clark and Lois. "Hey Clark" he said. He turned to Lois. "I'm sorry I don't think we've ever met" he said.
"Lois Lane" Lois held out her hand again.
Whitney shook it. He looked between Clark and Lois. "So are you two together" he asked.
"No" they both said at the same time.
"Me and Clark please. There is no chance in any universe that would ever happen" Lois said.
"Yea I wouldn't date Lois if she was the last girl on earth" Clark said.
"OK" Whitney said. He turned back to Lana. "I was wondering if you could do me a favor" he said. Lois helped Clark onto the railing. "Could you check my English paper? I didn't finish until 2. I'm not sure about the ending" Whitney said.
"I'll bet it's great" Lana said.
Whitney looked over at Clark who looked like he was sick. "Dude. Are you feeling all right? You look like you're about to hurl" Whitney asked Clark.
"I'm fine" Clark said.
Whitney and Lana started to walk away. Whitney leaned down and picked up a book. "You forgot one Clark" Whitney said. He threw it over to Clark who tried to catch it but instead slipped off the railing and fell to the floor. Whitney watched Clark for a moment then wrapped his arm around Lana and they walked away.
After they were gone, Lois helped him up. She picked up his books. "Seriously, what would you do without me Smallville" Lois asked giving him back his books.
Clark rolled his eyes. "Thanks for your help" Clark said.
Lois smiled at him. "Anytime Smallville. Do you want me to walk you to your homeroom? We wouldn't want you to embarrass yourself on your way there" Lois said.
"I think I'll manage" he said.
Lois punched his shoulder. "OK then. See you around Smallville" she said walking into the school. Clark let out a deep breath. He had to figure out a way to get close to Lana without making a complete fool of himself.
The day felt like it was never ending for Lois. She always hated this town but now she was stuck here because her father couldn't take care of her right now. Luckily this was only supposed to be for the year. This was going to be a pretty long year. Lois was in the middle of chemistry class trying not to fall asleep when her phone vibrated. She looked over at the teacher who wasn't looking at her and took out her phone. She looked at it and saw that it was a message from someone she had in her phone as L. "Should I come and pick you up" the message read. "Yes get me out of this hell hole. Give me 20 mins" Lois wrote back. Lois waited until the bell rang and ran out of the building. She waited for the person who was texting her. About a minute later the car came speeding up. It stopped in front of the school. "Hey Lois. Did school let out" the man asked.
Lois rolled her eyes. "It did for me" she said getting into the passenger seat. She threw her backpack in the backseat. "Drive…Lex" she said. He drove off.
Back by the football field, Clark was sitting in the bleachers watching the football players practice. The cheerleaders were cheering. He looked over at Lana and watched as her and the other cheerleaders left the field. He looked down at the book in his hands then back up at the football players. He imagined himself on that field playing with the rest of the football players. Players from the other team came and tried to tackle him but he threw them out of the way and started running. One player tried to catch him but he was too fast And ran past him. He dodged another player and then jumped over 4 other players. The ref blew his whistle signaling that Clark scored the winning touchdown. Clark threw the ball to the ground in excitement destroying it. The cheerleaders ran up to him. "I knew you could do it Clark" Lana said. Clark and Lana looked at each other for a moment. Everyone was cheering his name. He was about to kiss Lana.
"Clark" Pete called snapping Clark out his fantasy. Clark looked at his friend who was in a football uniform. The shoulder pads were massive on Pete and the helmet didn't quite fit right. "How do I look" Pete asked fixing the helmet.
Clark let out a little laugh. "Like a tackle dummy" Clark said getting up. "Good luck" he said to his friend. He left leaving Pete who took the helmet off and watched his friend go. Clark went through the rest of the day wishing his parents understood. He was an outsider. The only friends he had were Chloe and Pete. Maybe even Lois but he would never admit that to anyone. He was different and he couldn't tell anyone. The only people who knew were his parents and Oliver. He felt like he didn't belong. After school was over he walked to a local bridge and looked out into the horizon thinking. He wished he had someone who could understand him. There had to be someone out there who could understand.
Lex was driving with Lois. He was driving about 80 miles an hour. They had stopped and gotten something to eat. Lois and Lex met a couple years ago. Her father had business Lionel Luthor so Lois would normally hang out with Lex. They started talking. When Lois found out was going to be in Smallville she reached out to him. They had been talking back and forth for a while now. "You know Lois you shouldn't have cut school on your first day" Lex said.
"There is nothing any of the teachers in this small town could teach me that I don't already know" Lois said.
Lex shrugged his shoulders. "You never know. Maybe the people here will surprise you" he said.
Lois scoffed. "Yea right" she said. A flatbed truck powered onto the bridge. Clark was still staring lost in thought. The truck had coils of barbed wire stacked on it's back. One of them fell off into the middle of the bridge. Lex's phone rang and he took it out of the inside of his coat. He looked at it. "LEX WATCH OUT" Lois yelled. Lex looked up and saw the barbed wire. He dropped his phone. He desperately rammed his foot on the brakes and moved the gear shift. Clark turned around and saw a Porsche hit the barbed wire. The car skidded as Lex turned the wheel and headed straight for Clark. Lois squinted her eyes. "Smallville" she said as the car hit Clark and he fell into the water with the car. Both Lex and Lois were knocked out.
Clark swam over to the car and ripped the roof off it. He was surprised when he saw Lois. What was she doing here with this man? He grabbed her and brought her to the surface then he went back down and grabbed the man he'd never seen before and brought him to the surface too. He put his head to Lois's chest then to the man chest. They both still had heartbeats thank god. He started doing CPR to the both of them. "Come on. Don't die on me" Clark begged. Lois spit out water first then Lex. Clark sighed in relief. Both Lois and Lex coughed.
Lois looked up at Clark confused. "Clark. What happened" she asked.
Clark shook his head. "Don't worry about it. Your safe now. You both are" he said to Lois and the man. Lex sat up and looked at Clark. Clark just stared back at him.
"I could have sworn I hit you" Lex said.
"If you did, I'd be…I'd be dead" Clark said. Lex just looked at him confused. Clark turned around and looked at the bridge. Why wasn't he dead? Lois just stared at Clark. She didn't know what was going on but she was going to find out.