Chapter 4: Decisions and Confrontations [04]
"Five more chapters before bed," Clark murmured to himself, turning on the computer again as soon as he entered his room. He settled into the chair, his fingers already hovering over the keyboard, ready to continue his task.
With impressive speed, the words began to appear on the screen once again. Clark was immersed in the process, almost as if he were in a trance, recreating every detail of the magical world he knew so well. The sound of keys being pressed echoed through the room, creating a steady and almost hypnotic rhythm.
"Done," Clark finally said, saving the document with satisfaction. He had completed five more chapters, and now he felt it was time to rest. He turned off the computer, walked over to the bed, and lay down, feeling the fatigue of the day finally take hold.
He closed his eyes, snuggling into the sheets. Within minutes, he fell asleep, his breathing slowing as sleep took him to a peaceful place.
The next morning arrived with soft sunlight streaming through the gaps in the curtains. Clark opened his eyes, feeling refreshed and full of energy. He got up, quickly got ready, and headed downstairs, where Martha and Jonathan were already awake.
"Up early again, Clark?" Martha asked as she saw her son coming down the stairs, already dressed for school, with a smile on his face.
"I think I'm starting to like it," Clark replied, grabbing an apple from the fruit bowl and taking a bite. The fresh taste of the fruit energized him even more. "The day seems longer when you wake up early."
...
The weather was pleasant when Clark arrived at school. The parking lot was already filled with students, and he walked toward the main entrance, noticing a few curious looks and whispers from classmates as he passed through the hallways.
"Hey, Lana," Clark responded, keeping his tone casual but noticing the difference in her behavior.
"I heard about what you did yesterday," Lana began, stopping in front of him. "You saved Lex Luthor's life. That was... incredible, Clark. I didn't know you were so brave."
Clark shrugged, trying to downplay the act. "I was just in the right place at the right time. Anyone would have done the same."
"I'm not so sure about that," Lana said, shaking her head.
Before she could continue, they heard firm footsteps approaching.
"Hey, Lana!" Whitney quickly approached, interrupting the conversation between Clark and Lana. Without another word, he wrapped Lana in a hug.
His eyes passed over Clark with a clear expression of disdain and jealousy.
"I heard about what you did yesterday, Kent," Whitney commented. "But don't think that makes you a hero. You were just in the right place, nothing more."
Clark remained calm, observing the scene without showing any visible emotion.
'What's his deal?' Clark thought, considering Whitney's hostile attitude.
It was then that Clark decided to use one of his new powers. He looked directly at Whitney, focusing, and silently activated the mind-reading ability he had acquired. Immediately, Whitney's emotions began to unfold in Clark's mind.
'He's jealous... he thinks I'm trying to impress Lana,' Clark thought, feeling a mixture of amusement and contempt. As he deepened the reading of Whitney's thoughts, more details emerged. 'Oh, and there's more... He wants to make me the Scarecrow. Yesterday, he and Lana talked, and she mentioned what I did for Lex. Now he's mad at me.'
Clark sighed inwardly.
'I didn't plan to do anything, but after knowing about his plan... I'm going to make this guy regret every stupid thought,' he thought, a slight smirk forming on his face. He was already starting to consider what to do to Whitney but knew he needed to play it smart.
"Let's go, Lana," Whitney said authoritatively, pulling her by the hand with a forced smile. He clearly didn't want to prolong the conversation with Clark. Lana briefly glanced at Clark, a look of doubt and perhaps regret crossing her face before she was dragged away by Whitney.
Clark watched them walk down the hallway, his expression impassive.
'He's going to try to humiliate me... but he has no idea who he's dealing with now,' Clark reflected, the smile on his lips becoming more visible.
After watching them disappear into the corridors, Clark calmly turned and headed toward his next class.
...
Clark stepped off the school bus, his eyes immediately catching the metallic gleam of the truck.
"Just like in the series... the truck is here," Clark thought, observing the shiny vehicle parked in front of the farm.
Clark slowly approached, running his fingers over the polished surface. 'The key must be with my dad... this is going to be a difficult conversation,' he thought, already anticipating Jonathan's disapproval of accepting anything from the Luthors.
"Clark?" Martha Kent's gentle voice called out, making him turn to see her approaching. She had a hesitant smile on her face, clearly aware of the complicated situation. "Lex came by earlier... he said he wanted to thank you for what you did yesterday."
"I figured," Clark replied, stepping back and looking at the truck once more. "Does Dad have the key?"
Martha nodded, sighing slightly.
"Yes, he does. He... wasn't very happy about it, Clark."
Clark shook his head, already anticipating the confrontation. "I'll talk to him."
Martha gave him a small, encouraging smile.
Clark took one last look at the truck, his thoughts spinning in his head, before heading to the barn, where he knew he'd find Jonathan.
...
"Dad, can I talk to you?" Clark entered the barn, finding Jonathan working on some repairs on one of the tractors.
Jonathan looked up at his son, wiping his hands on a rag before responding. "Sure, Clark. What's up?"
"Lex Luthor came by earlier and... left that." Clark nodded toward the shiny truck outside.
Jonathan sighed, already imagining what was coming next. "I saw, Clark. He said it was a gift of thanks for saving his life."
"Can you give me the key?" Clark asked.
"Clark, I know what you're thinking, but accepting a gift like that, especially from the Luthors, is complicated. I don't think it's a good idea," Jonathan said.
"Dad, I understand your concerns about the Luthors, but Lex isn't like his father. He has nothing to do with Lionel. He's just trying to be grateful," Clark argued.
Jonathan shook his head.
"You think you deserve a gift just because you saved someone, Clark? A person's life is priceless. You did the right thing, but you shouldn't expect to be rewarded for it."
"I know, Dad. But think about it, doctors, firefighters, even police officers get paid to save lives. And what do I get? A truck!" Clark joked, trying to ease the tension with a smile. "I'm not saying I'm going to start charging favors for saving people, but it's not like I asked for this. Lex wanted to give it to me. I just don't want you to think this changes who I am."
"I'm not giving you the keys, Clark. Tomorrow, you're going to return that truck," Jonathan said, his voice firm and unwavering.
"You're not giving me the keys? Then what's this in my hand?" Clark said, revealing the truck's keys, which were gently swinging between his fingers.
Jonathan's eyes widened, clearly surprised. "How did you get that?" he asked, disbelief in his voice.
Clark shrugged, responding indifferently. "Super speed."
Jonathan stepped forward, his expression hardening. "Clark, I'm not joking. Return the keys and stop this."
Clark let out a frustrated sigh. "I'm tired of following everything you decide for me, Dad." His voice, once controlled, now carried a hint of bitterness.
Jonathan tried to stay calm, but the tension between them was growing. "Clark, I just want what's best for you. I'm your father."
Clark took a step back.
"When were you going to tell me I'm an alien, huh?"
Jonathan froze, the shock on his face undeniable. He had no immediate response, his mouth opened, but no words came out. Clark, on the other hand, took advantage of the uncomfortable silence to walk away.
"I'm going for a drive in the truck," Clark said, turning to leave the barn. "When you decide to be honest with me, then you can come at me with this moral lesson."
Jonathan stood there, watching his son walk away, unable to respond. Clark left the barn without looking back, feeling the weight of the words he had just said but with no desire to take them back.
As he stepped out of the barn, Clark felt the cool air hit his face, mixed with the familiar scent of the farm he knew so well.
He reached out, grabbing the bow carefully placed on the hood. With a quick motion, he tore it off and tossed it aside.
Clark opened the truck door and got in, immediately feeling the comfort of the leather seats. The new-car smell still filled the air, something he had never experienced before. His fingers wrapped around the steering wheel.
"The old Clark would probably feel guilty about this," he thought, turning the keys in the ignition. The engine purred softly, the powerful sound filling the air. He gripped the steering wheel more firmly, feeling the power of the machine under his control.
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