"I remember you don't like coming here?" Clark asked Eric, frowning.
Because of the school bus incident earlier, he was still angry with Eric, so his tone wasn't very good.
"Isn't this your secret base? So I thought it best not to disturb you. Though if I wanted to look, I could see anywhere with a glance." Eric said, implying something.
Clark's frown deepened.
For him to say that, didn't it mean that if he wanted to, even if Lana's place wasn't close, her every move would be seen by him?
Coupled with Eric's evaluation of Lana, a very bad feeling arose in Clark's heart.
Could it be that Eric was also interested in Lana?!
As he was feeling anxious, Eric withdrew his gaze, shook his head, and said to his convenient older brother, "Honestly, Lana isn't suitable for you, Clark."
"You sound like the rigid Teacher Escalante, commenting on things you're unfamiliar with, then forbidding all behavior that doesn't align with your wishes." Clark immediately retorted.
Escalante, the dean of discipline at Smallville High School, was known for his strict management methods and gained notoriety on his first day in office by attempting to cancel the school's "sex education class."
"Teacher Escalante wouldn't be chatting with you in the Fortress of Solitude, Clark."
(Fortress of Solitude: The name Clark gave his secret base.)
Eric casually walked to the telescope, gently adjusted the lens, "Lana's house is only a mile from here, but she's never been to our house. I think the reason certainly isn't because she doesn't like you, is it?!"
Clark felt Eric's sharp tongue was becoming increasingly annoying.
"Whatever. But Eric, remember to respect others' privacy."
After saying this, Clark quickly walked down the stairs.
He didn't want to chat with Eric anymore.
Eric stood there, a bit speechless.
You use a telescope to peek at people, and then you talk about respecting others' privacy.
Why does it feel like you're trying to hide something that's already obvious?!
The next day, early morning.
When Clark arrived at school, he found many people pointing and whispering about him.
"Hey, our superhero has arrived!"
Clark, whose shoulder was patted, turned around to see Chloe holding books.
Little Pete stood beside her.
Chloe, with short blonde hair and an outstanding demeanor, was a "straight-A student" type, aiming to become "one of the four state university interns chosen by the Daily Planet."
"What do you mean? Is this the topic of your report today, Chloe?" Clark asked, feigning ignorance.
"I think Pete's assessment of your 'quirky sense of humor' is spot on."
Chloe pointed to the girls in the distance, "Look at those girls; everyone is spreading rumors that you dragged the school bus out of the water, which is why they're giving you such attention."
Clark replied somewhat guiltily, "You wouldn't believe that, would you, Chloe?"
"I reserve judgment on that."
"Pete?" Clark looked at his best friend.
Pete was thinking about the upcoming homecoming dance and didn't notice Clark's gaze until he was nudged on the shoulder, then he looked up.
"Ahem… Considering that Clark can pass through a 'black hole' to get to school ahead of us after missing the school bus, I think lifting a school bus shouldn't be a problem for Clark." Pete teased in a serious tone.
The "black hole" joke he mentioned was because Clark often missed the school bus but arrived at school ahead of the two of them, and when asked why, he would brush them off by saying he took a "shortcut."
So Chloe would retort, "Then your shortcut must be a black hole."
"Alright, even if it's a misunderstanding, I still have to say, I didn't do it."
"Who did then? Could it be him?" Chloe pointed to Eric, who was entering the school gate, and said, "Although you're sometimes mysterious, Clark, your brother seems even more mysterious than you."
"Perhaps." Clark didn't deny it.
"Clark, I need your help—interview Eric. Regarding the school bus incident, since you're being so secretive, perhaps we can pry some secrets out of him, especially about you, Clark." Chloe's gaze remained fixed on Eric; she didn't even look away while speaking.
"Hey, put the interview aside for now, Clark and I have to settle something before class." Pete didn't wait for Chloe's reaction, pulling Clark to an empty corner.
"Clark, I've thought of another way to prevent us from becoming Scarecrows! Believe me, this is the most reliable method besides joining the football team."
"What Scarecrow?" Chloe had approached at some point. "Why are you two still whispering?"
"Shh!" Pete looked left and right, then put his arm around Chloe's neck. "It's a team tradition. Before the season starts, they'll paint an 'S' on a freshman's chest and hang him up like a Scarecrow."
Chloe showed a disgusted expression, "It looks like the chosen freshman will need several years of psychological therapy."
"So, Clark and I are trying to find a way not to become Scarecrows." Pete said with a clear understanding.
He felt that among the freshmen, in terms of being "losers," he and Clark were the most likely to be chosen.
"I've thought of a good idea, which is to ask Eric for help."
"Eric?" Clark's eyes widened, wondering why his brother was involved again.
"Didn't Eric join the football team in seventh grade? If he says hello to the football team members, maybe it will prevent a tragedy."
"But…" Clark frowned. "That was in middle school; Eric might not know anyone on the high school football team."
"We won't know until we try."
"OK, it looks like we both have a reason to approach Eric." Chloe patted Clark's shoulder, "See you at the school gate after school, bring Eric along." She then walked towards the teaching building.
"See you this afternoon, Clark!" Pete looked at his watch; it was almost time for class. After greeting Clark, he quickly caught up with Chloe.
"Alright." Looking at the backs of his two best friends, Clark sighed helplessly.
He figured his objections would probably be ignored anyway.
He had already grown accustomed to the fact that he had no "veto power" within the group.
Meanwhile, Eric, who was on the minds of the trio, encountered a bit of trouble.
He found that his locker had been tampered with.
The lead box he kept in the locker was gone!
The lead box contained the kryptonite fragments he had acquired recently.
Since reincarnating into this world, he had primarily focused on two things.
One was continuously training his body to unlock the power of the Homelander Template.
The other was collecting the fragments of Kryptonstone scattered throughout Smallville after Clark's arrival.
"Who would steal something like this? Could it be those lurking bugs in the shadows?!" Eric's eyes narrowed as he stared at the locker.