The afternoon sun dipped toward the horizon as Clark and Chloe walked to the parked pickup truck. The campus was starting to empty, scattered voices blending with the sound of engines revving to life.
Chloe leaned against the passenger door, her eyes glinting with a playful smile.
"Well, driver, thanks for the ride. But now I've gotta rescue my own car before it starts feeling abandoned."
Clark crossed his arms, watching her with a lighthearted gaze.
"You sure? There's still time to kidnap you and take you home."
Chloe laughed, leaning forward slightly.
"Tempting, but someone's gotta drive that car I left in the lot."
Clark slipped his fingers into his jacket pocket, shaking his head.
"Alright then. But let me know when you get there."
Chloe winked, her teasing tone laced with a hint of affection.
"Yes, sir. Now, try not to get into trouble while I'm not around."
She stepped back, giving an exaggerated wave before heading toward her car.
VRUUMM.
The roar of a nearby engine echoed through the air as students headed home. Clark opened the truck door, ready to climb in, but the sound of light footsteps made him pause.
Alicia.
Her green eyes sparkled under the twilight glow, a wide, natural smile on her face. Her blonde hair swayed gently in the breeze as she approached with confidence.
"Hi, Clark."
He kept his expression neutral but noticed the subtle excitement in her posture.
"Hi, Alicia."
She stepped closer, her fingers fidgeting lightly with the strap of her backpack.
"I was thinking… how about we hang out tonight?"
The silence stretched a second longer than necessary.
Alicia held his gaze, her breathing slightly quicker.
Clark studied her expression, catching the anticipation tucked beneath her casual tone. He could say no. He could end it right there.
But he didn't.
"Sounds good."
Her face lit up.
Alicia blinked, as if processing that it actually happened.
"Are you serious?"
Clark leaned an arm against the truck door, keeping his tone calm.
"Yeah. But before that, want a ride home?"
Alicia hesitated for only a second before nodding eagerly.
"Yes! I'd love that."
Her smile widened, her energy vibrant in every movement.
'He said yes.'
She bit her lip discreetly, holding back her excitement.
'He actually agreed.'
Her chest rose and fell faster. Adrenaline pulsed under her skin. Clark Kent was giving her a ride home. And more than that, he'd accepted her invitation.
Alicia circled the truck, her fingers trembling slightly with excitement as she opened the passenger door. Once seated, she turned to him, unable to hide the gleam in her eyes.
Clark started the engine.
Alicia watched his every small movement, a wave of happiness flooding her chest.
'This is happening.'
She took a deep breath, biting back the smile that threatened to grow even bigger.
'Tonight's going to be perfect.'
---
Alicia kept a light smile, her fingers playing with the hem of her shirt, her gaze flickering between Clark and the scenery outside. Her chest rose and fell quickly, as if holding back a laugh that might escape.
Clark noticed her restlessness.
"You seem pretty excited."
Alicia blinked, letting out a soft laugh.
"Of course I am. You agreed to go out with me. That kinda made my day."
Clark kept his eyes on the road, a small smile tugging at his lips.
"Didn't think I'd say yes?"
Alicia tilted her head, studying his profile.
"Honestly? Nope."
She laughed, running her fingers through her hair, trying to rein in her enthusiasm.
"But also… I don't know, it felt like sooner or later this was gonna happen."
Clark raised an eyebrow.
"Why's that?"
She bit her lip, thoughtful.
"Because you're not like everyone else, Clark. And, well… neither am I. I think that puts us in the same place."
Clark didn't respond right away.
Silence settled for a few moments, only the hum of the engine filling the air. Alicia shifted her gaze to the scenery, as if trying to organize her thoughts.
Clark took the opportunity.
"Heard you stopped by the school newspaper."
Alicia froze for a second.
Her eyes slowly turned back to him, her smile fading slightly.
"Oh… yeah. I did."
Clark caught the subtle shift in her tone.
"Chloe mentioned it."
Alicia looked away.
"She didn't like the idea, did she?"
Clark kept his voice steady.
"Not sure. You think she has reason to worry?"
Alicia took a deep breath, crossing her arms over her lap.
"I didn't go there to cause trouble, Clark. I just wanted… to fit in a bit more."
Clark didn't react.
Alicia turned to him, her eyes shining with a mix of concern and sincerity.
"I know it sounds weird, but I wanted a job. Something to help me be part of your world. Your social circle."
Clark sensed the truth in her words.
She wanted to connect.
"I get it."
Alicia relaxed slightly in her seat, though a trace of hesitation lingered.
"I know Chloe and I don't exactly… get along. But I don't want to hurt her. I just wanted to try something new. Something normal."
Clark kept his focus on the road, letting her words hang in the air.
Alicia shifted in her seat, letting out a sigh.
"I sound desperate saying this, don't I?"
Clark gave a faint smile.
"A little."
Alicia laughed, covering her face with her hands for a moment.
"Great. That's exactly what I didn't want to come off as."
Clark glanced at her briefly.
"It's not a bad thing. Just means this matters to you."
Alicia lowered her hands, her eyes locking onto his.
"Yeah. It does."
Clark returned his gaze to the road, absorbing her response.
Alicia smiled softly, as if a weight had lifted from her shoulders.
---
Arriving at the Baker House
The truck slowed as it turned onto Alicia's street. The lights of her house were on, casting shadows across the well-kept garden.
Alicia clutched her backpack, her heart racing.
"So…"
Clark parked the truck, turning off the ignition.
"So."
Alicia turned to him, hesitating for a second before smiling.
"Today was nice."
Clark leaned against the steering wheel, relaxed.
"And it hasn't even started."
Alicia let out a soft laugh.
"True."
She hesitated, gripping the backpack strap.
"What time should we meet later?"
Clark thought for a moment.
"Around eight?"
Alicia nodded quickly.
"Perfect. See you at eight then."
She opened the door slowly but paused before getting out.
Clark noticed the way she bit her lip, as if she wanted to say something more.
But then, she just smiled.
"Later, Clark."
Clark watched as she stepped out, closing the door behind her.
Alicia walked to the porch but, before going inside, cast one last glance at the truck.
Clark was already checking his phone.
---
Phone Messages
The screen's glow lit up his face as he scrolled through notifications.
📩 Lex Luthor: "Clark, I'll be out of Smallville for a few days. Business in Gotham. Keep things under control while I'm gone."
Clark narrowed his eyes slightly.
'Lex in Gotham?'
He knew Gotham wasn't a place for ordinary business deals.
If Lex was heading there, it meant something big was brewing.
He swiped his fingers across the screen, opening another message.
📩 Chloe: "If Alicia shows up at the paper again, I promise I won't shoot her. But no guarantees, okay?"
Clark chuckled softly, shaking his head.
Chloe never missed a chance to poke fun.
He typed a quick reply.
📩 Clark: "No murders today, Sullivan. I need you out of jail."
Clark sighed.
The day wasn't even over, and it was already packed with things to handle.
But for now, there was only one priority.
He pocketed the phone, started the engine again, and drove off, leaving Alicia's house behind.
The date was set.
And he had a feeling the night would be… interesting.
---
'Lex is heading to Gotham.'
His fingers tapped lightly on the steering wheel.
'Gotham.'
The name felt odd. Not because of how it sounded, but because of what it evoked. Or rather, what it didn't evoke.
In comics, shows, movies… Gotham always came with a presence. A mantle. A symbol.
'Batman.'
Clark narrowed his eyes, his brow furrowing slightly.
But in the world he was in now—where he was Clark Kent—no one had ever mentioned that name. No newspaper reported a masked vigilante. No headlines about crimes stopped by a figure in the shadows. No bat symbol projected in the sky.
Nothing.
It was as if Batman simply… didn't exist.
And that bothered him.
Because as much as this world had started as a fictional TV show, it was real now. So real he could feel the steering wheel under his fingers, the leather of his jacket against his skin, the scent of the wet road slipping through the cracked window.
And if this world was real… why did Gotham feel incomplete?
Clark rested his elbow on the window, his eyes fixed on the road ahead.
'If Lex is going there, it's because there's something there. Something he wants. Or someone.'
The memory of the message flashed in his mind.
"Business in Gotham."
Vague. Strategic. Classic Lex.
Clark pressed his lips together.
'Gotham barely showed up in the show. It was almost like a distant echo. A place that existed just so the audience knew the rest of the world was out there.'
But now, Lex was bringing Gotham into play.
And if Gotham was in play…
'Who else might be there?'
A name lingered in his mind. A silent presence. A shadow behind every thought.
Batman.
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