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I stared out the window looking out at a bird nest watching as a few young hatching flapped their wings erratically their parents watched paitently.
I watched feeling the anticipation of the moment as the first hatchling stepped ever closer to the ledge of its nest one step closer to leaving it safety and everything its ever known behind and I couldn't help but feel for the little guy as it hobbled back and forth between the unknown and familiarity.
I couldn't help but feel for the little guy.
But just as I felt the hatchling was about to jump I felt a thump on my arm and turned to see the entire classroom looking at me with different sections.
Some where chuckling to themselves and others as soon as I looked at them others just sighed and shook thier heads exasperated the teacher on the other hand was the only face that looked somewhat miffed and I couldn't help but understand why I had zoned out again.
"Mr Kent glad to seeing as you are back with us in the here and now," she said getting a round of chuckles from some students.
I just smiled feeling my face warm up and wishing at could just fly way from this situation.
Class quickly came to an end with the usual chaotic rush of teens talking and walking to their next class just as I grabbed my bag and leave the teacher waved me over causing a sense of dread to wash over but I gritted my teeth and walked over.
"Mr Kent this is the third time this week I've caught you daydreaming in my class and im sure my classroom isn't the only one," she said tone neutral but I winced anyway.
I nodded, doing my best to look apologetic, but my brain was already shutting down for the day. She gave me that look teachers always give when they've already decided they're not going to waste their energy yelling.
"Just… try to stay with us, alright? Whatever's going on in that head of yours, save it for after school."
"Yes, ma'am," I muttered, slinging my bag over my shoulder and heading out the door before she changed her mind.
The hallway was still packed. Students milled about in noisy clusters, laughing, shouting, moving in every direction like a hive that had just been kicked. I kept my head down and moved fast, weaving through the chaos until I pushed through the double doors and stepped into the open air.
The sun was warm against my face, and for a moment I just stood there, letting its rays soak in. There was something comforting about it. Solid. Familiar. Energizing.
"Hey Clark over here!" I heard someone yell and I turned to see the source being two familiar faces Peter Parker and Ned leeds.
Parker looked like a mix between all his movie counter parts yet was lean and skinny with messy brown and eyes but Ned was just like his mcu counterparts.
I waved back at the pair quickly making my way over to then.
"Sup guys got any plans for the weekend?" I asked curiously the two were always up ti somthing when they had free time weather it be tinkering wuth junk they found mixing chemicals I didn't want to nlkniw how they got thir hands on or just siting back and taking nerd stuff.
To say they were somewhat tiring would be a understatement but I never had a dull moment hanging out with the two.
"Just the usual you want to come over for dinner tonight aunt may is making meatloaf?" He offered and after a moment I shook my head.
"Sorry but I got other things to attend to," I said regretfully "but thanks for the invitation I swear your aunt and my ma would make one hell of a Thanksgiving dinner," I said chuckling Peter also chuckled softly and we said our goodbyes.
Just as the two left my eyesight i felt someone tap on my shoulder I turned to see Liz Allen head cheerleader of Midtown High and possible future hero stood arms on hip glaring up at me she was still wearing her cheerleader outfit.
"I thought I told you head straight to the library after class," she said her emerald green eyes boreng holes into me.
"Well I-" I began to say only got her to turn and start walking.
"Whatever lets just hurry this up," she said walking back inside the school after a moment I followed behind her.
It didn't take us long to reach our destination the library was virtually empty though Liz happened to somehow pick the one table with someone already settled there I was about to respond when said individual looked up and I found myself looking at one of the most beautiful girls I had ever seen.
"Liz glad to see you decided not to skip today's tutoring," she said smooth skin short cut blond hair blue eyes I immediately knew who she was but was honestly surprised to see Gwen Stacy here I hadn't seen her ever since I arrived and assume she didn't exist in this universe.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world especially with my position on the line," Liz said said already getting her binder out.
"And whose your friend don"t tell me hes another boyfriend already," Gwen said exasperated but Lize shook her head emphatically.
"Hell no and for your information I'm still with Flash," Liz said seeming not to care that I was standing right next to her. Then as if suddenly realizing she hadn't introduced us she said "Gwen meet Clark Kent he's another tutor for me."
"Another tutor Liz," she asked rubbing her eyes "What class is it for this time," she asked sharply making Liz
"Chemistry," Liz groaned a d I figured now was a good time as any to get a word in.
"The teacher thought I could help and tutoring Liz does gets me some extra credit," I said sitting down next to Lize.
Gwen rolled her eyes and muttered something under her breath before looking at me.
"Same story different class our Algebra teacher said our head cheerleader could find X if you gave her a compass and a map," she said chuckling making me snort Liz glared at us both.
"Are you eggheads going to help me or what?" She asked clearly annoyed and after a moment we got to work.
We worked for about an hour, mostly reviewing what Liz new and her reaction to current work. Gwen was sharp and quick with her explanations, while Liz absorbed just enough to not to lose where she was. Somewhere between the jokes, sighs, and pencil scribbles, I started to like this after school time.
Eventually, Liz slammed her notebook shut and stood up. "Alright, I'm done. If I look at one more formula, my brain's gonna melt. You two can keep nerding out—I'm off to enjoy what's left of my weekend."
Gwen chuckled. "Have fun. Try not to get onto trouble,"
Liz rolled her eyes. "No promises."
She left in a flash, earbuds already in and a determined strut like the rest of the world didn't exist. It was kind of impressive, honestly.
That left just me and Gwen.
The silence lingered for a second before I cleared my throat. "So, I've been meaning to ask… why haven't I seen you around school before I know Im kind of new here but ive would have seen you before?"
Gwen looked up from her notes, tilting her head slightly. "I've been out of town for a bit. My dad and I went to visit Metropolis. He had some work stuff, and I tagged along."
That got my attention. "Metropolis, huh?"
She raised an eyebrow, noticing the sudden shift in my tone. "Why? That place mean something to you?"
I smiled slightly. "Kind of. I passed through it before I ended up here at Midtown. Didn't get to stay long, but something about it stuck with me. I don't know—it felt... clean. Bright. Alive. Like a city that was actually looking up instead of crumbling in on itself."
Gwen nodded, thoughtful. "Yeah, that's fair. Compared to New York, it's definitely got that 'City of tomorrow' vibe going on."
I leaned back in my chair. "Once I graduate, I'm planning to head there for university. Thought I'd aim for Metropolis U. It's got a good journalism and science program. Best of both worlds."
Her eyes lit up a bit. "So you're the ambitious type. I respect that."
"What about you?" I asked. "Any plans for after Midtown?"
She sighed, twirling her pencil. "Still deciding. It's between Empire State and Harvard. One's close to home, the other's… well, Harvard."
"Both solid choices," I said. "Empire State's got a rep for tech and research though. I've heard Stark used to guest lecture there."
"That's the rumor," she said with a shrug. "Honestly, I don't know. Sometimes I feel like the world's changing so fast, I can't even picture what next year looks like."
I nodded. "Yeah… same."
We sat like that for a moment. Not awkward, not intense—just two people in a quiet corner of the world, wondering where the road would take them.
Eventually, Gwen looked at her phone and stood. "Alright, Smallville. I'm heading out."
"Smallville?" I raised a brow.
She smirked. "You've got the vibe."
I chuckled, standing up as well. "I'll take it."
We walked out of the library together, exchanging a few final words before going our separate ways outside the school.
The city greeted me with its usual chaos—cars honking, people shouting, air buzzing with energy.
I made my way back to my apartment, bag slung over my shoulder, the evening sun dipping low behind the skyline.
The walk back to my apartment was quiet—at least on the outside.
Inside, my head was anything but.
Thoughts of Metropolis, Gwen's smile, and the weight of the ordinary all swirled together like a storm behind my eyes.
My place wasn't much—just a studio on the fourth floor of a run-down brick building. One room, a couch against the wall, a small kitchenette, and a window with a view of the alley and not much else. Barely enough space for one person.
But it was mine.
Still… I missed the farm.
I missed open skies and cornfields stretching to the horizon. I missed wind that didn't reek of smog. I missed Ma's cooking. I missed Pa's quiet presence—always there, always steady.
I missed home.
I tossed my backpack on the couch and collapsed beside it, letting the silence wrap around me like a blanket. For a moment, I just stared at the ceiling, letting the hum of the building fill the room.
Then I heard it.
A scream.
Sharp. Distant. Real.
I bolted upright.
And then… everything changed.
Suddenly, I could hear everything.
The soft thump of music from the couple upstairs—laughing on their couch, totally unaware. The drip-drip-drip of a leaky pipe two floors down. I could smell the garbage can outside the building, rancid and hot under the afternoon sun. I could taste the caramel of the candy a kid was unwrapping across the street.
It was too much.
My hands flew to my head, eyes squeezing shut. The city crashed in like a wave, every whisper and whimper and engine roar pouring into me at once. My breath caught.
Focus, Clark. Focus.
The scream again—closer this time, cutting through the noise like a knife.
My senses sharpened, honing in.
An alley, not far. A woman, arms raised, cornered.
Two men in black with her—one pressing a gun against her ribs, the other yanking at her purse. Her voice trembled, caught somewhere between begging and terror.
I rushed to the window, heart pounding.
Do something, my gut screamed.
I reached for the latch—then froze.
A memory surged, as real as the breath in my lungs. My father's voice, calm and firm, echoing like scripture in my mind.
"I know you want to help people. And I'm proud of you for that."
His hand on my shoulder. The Kansas wind tugging at his coat.
"But your powers… they're a gift. A dangerous gift. One the world won't always understand. People will fear you. Try to use you. So until you're ready—really ready—keep them hidden. Keep yourself safe."
My hands clenched the windowsill.
Tension burned through me—heart vs. memory, instinct vs. caution.
The scream came again.
The gun clicked.
I grit my teeth.
(The Alley – Third Person)
The alley was narrow, half-lit by a flickering security lamp. Trash bins overflowed. Rats skittered across slick pavement.
The woman trembled, back pressed to the brick wall, arms raised.
"Hurry up, man. How long does it take to find a damn wallet?" barked the one holding the gun. His voice was sharp, raw with tension.
The second man grunted, rummaging through her purse. "You want to check all these pockets, be my guest."
"Forget it. Just take the whole damn bag—we can fence it at a pawn shop."
He slung the purse over his shoulder. "Just make sure to ditch the phone. It'll get us tracked."
The woman's lips parted to plead—to scream—but then it happened.
A loud thud echoed down the alley.
Both men spun toward the sound.
Something—or someone—had landed hard on the pavement behind them.
They looked up, instinctively scanning the fire escapes, ledges, windows—but there was no broken glass, no open door. Just rooftops too high for anyone to have jumped from safely.
Standing at the alley's mouth was a figure.
Tall. Still. Watching.
He wore a blue hoodie, the hood pulled low. Dark jeans, scuffed black boots, a pair of reflective goggles, and over his lower face, a crude paper mask—torn from a shopping bag, maybe, with string tied behind the ears.
He said nothing.
The absurdity of it made the robbers pause, exchanging a baffled glance.
"What the fu—" the man with the gun started to say.
He didn't get to finish.
The stranger blurred—a flash of motion faster than the eye could follow.
In less than a heartbeat, the gun was gone, spinning end over end into the shadows.
The man dropped like a sack of bricks, hitting the concrete hard.
"Shit!" the second man yelled, fumbling to reach for something in his coat—maybe a knife, maybe worse—but he never got the chance.
The stranger was already there.
With a sickening crunch, the weapon flew from the thug's hand. A second later, he was launched backward into a pile of trash bags with enough force to knock the breath from his lungs. He didn't get up.
The alley fell silent.
The woman stood frozen, mouth agape, heart racing.
She stared at the figure who now turned to face her—still quiet, still masked.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Her mind raced—one moment she was seconds from disaster, the next a stranger fell from the sky and ended it in seconds. She didn't even know what she had witnessed. A stunt? A dream?
He took a step forward, slowly, like not to startle her.
"You… okay?" his voice was muffled but calm, steady.
She nodded, still wide-eyed.
But before she could say another word—ask his name, thank him, anything—he was gone.
A blur of wind. A leap. A rooftop.
Gone.
The woman stood alone in the alley, surrounded by two groaning thugs and the heavy, surreal silence of something new.