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24 miserable hours.

That's how long it had been since Rachel ran away from the Kents...

.....from Jordan.

She made a fool out of herself in-front of them, especially Jordan. What made it even worse were her eyes.

How the hell was she supposed to undo that.

I mean she wouldn't have needed to, that was until she found out they were moving back to Smallville.

Rachel let out a groan letting her head hit her desk despite the teacher nagging to stop doing that. The bell rang signaling the end of the period. Making her way out of class she spotted a familiar boy staring aimlessly at his opened locker.

"Hey you lost already" Rachel said from behind him. Jonathan turned to look at her. "Oh hey..umm hey yeah actually I'm a little lost, world history portable 3" he informed her. "It's outside, I'll show you" she gestured for him to follow her.

"Where's Jordan?" Rachel asked, looking for the other Kent boy. "Umm..he's not feeling so good" he said "especially after you ran". Rachel cringed at his words, "he was?" She asked him. "Yeah he was pretty depressed" Jonathan told her, making something in her stomach churn "but if you could drop by it would definitely help" Jon proposed. "Well-".

"Ohh" Rachel heard Sean say, "heard the Kent brothers were moving here" he said walking towards Jonathan. "Sean" Rachel said moving in front of Jon, "Sean please not here", he ignored her.

"What are you, some kind of star quarterback?" Sean asked Jon. "I'm alright" Jon told him. "Too bad we already got a QB," Tag said, earning a remark from Rachel. "How mature" she told him, sending a glare his way. "We'll see how you do with our offence, some people think it's tough to learn" Sean's other friend informed him in a tainting manner.

"Especially if you somehow never got the play book" Timmy, one of Sean's friends, taunted him. "Tell your brother I said hi" Sean told him.

Sean turned to look at Rachel, "Sarah's looking for you" he told as he grabbed ahold of her backpack and started dragging her with him. "It's outside to the left" she told him, "sorry" she whispered leaving the boy to his own devices.

"Thanks" he muttered standing alone in the now empty hallway.

~

"I'm so sorry about Sean Rachel" Sarah apologized. After Rachel had told her what had happened Sarah wouldn't stop apologizing on behalf of her so-called boyfriend. "I don't even know why he's being so mean .'' "Yeah I don't even know either" Rachel lied, she did know why he was acting that way, but she didn't want Sarah to know. She was the only friend Rachel could deeply trust. And she didn't want to lose her.

Rachel spotted Jonathan in the distance waiting looking at his phone. "I'll see you later" Sarah said bidding the girl goodbyes. Rachel started making her way to her house, the opposite direction of the boy.

"Please look after them Rachel, for me"

Rachel could hear the words Martha told her before she left for school the first day of school. She came to a stop, letting the last memory Rachel had of Martha flood her mind. Quickly wiping the tears that were forming in her eyes she looked at the sky, "I'm going to regret this" she whispered to herself taking a deep breath.

~

"Hey Jonathan" Rachel called the boy, he turned around in surprise. "Rachel hey, what's up?" Rachel hesitated but answered. "I wanted to apologize" she says tugging on the end of her sleeves, "you know for running out on you guys, especially Jordan" she whispered his name, trying to ignore the fuzzy feeling building up in her stomach, "and the whole playbook thing with Sean".

"I don't think you should be the one apologizing, Rachel" Jon told her, Rachel looked at him confused. "I'm sorry what" she asked him, her voice laced with confusion. Jonathan looked at Rachel hesitating to answer, "Boys can be dicks sometimes" he told her.

"Soo...about Jordan?" She trailed off. Jonathan hummed, "I tried talking to him but he would tell me anything". Rachel let out a sigh of relief. So Jordan didn't tell Jordan about her color changing eyes, good. "What he did tell me was that you now about our dad's secret"

"He told you that" she asked him with wide eyes, terrified, "yup".

"Of course he did"

She cursed under her breath of course Jordan would tell Jonathan. Their twins after all they don't hide secrets from each other, especially if it involves their dad. They fell into a comfortable silence as Rachel started to wonder about her running out scene.

"Was he really depressed?" Rachel asked, she didn't know why but she just wanted to know so badly if her action caused the boy to have negative emotions.
"Yeah, he was pretty down the rest of the day".

"Great" Rachel said in a defeated tone, "he probably thinks I'm more of a freak".

"He doesn't" Jonathan admitted, "in fact I think that he just cares about you". "Why would he -wait, he cares about me?" She asked. Jonathan opened his mouth to answer when a car pulled up. The driver rolled down the window revealing the one driving the car. "Hop in" she told Jonathan, unlocking the car doors.

"Hi Rachel, you need a ride" Lois asked. "Oh no I was just heading home, thanks for the offer though" she declined politely. "Oh well, maybe you should drop by the farm later" Lois told her. "I would love Lois but I can't this afternoon" Rachel apologized, "maybe tomorrow". Lois smiled at the girl.

"Tomorrow" Rachel confirmed.

~

When Rachel found out about Smallville's city council meeting when Chrissy asked her to go, she declined as politely as her inner demon could muster.

Unfortunately Chrissy was having none of it today and ended up dragging the girl along with her bird even though they both knew that in council meetings in Smallville there weren't many things to cover.

And poor Corvus. Being dragged everywhere the girl goes without even having a saying in the matter. But it wasn't that he even wanted to leave the girls' side anyway. She was being in the same room as the evil man himself,...Morgan Edge.

Edge was going to be there, and he was the meaning of bad news. Rachel had even made a journal devoted to him and his corrupted business.
That was until her mother found out, and let's just say she was grounded for a week for doing so.

And let's just say all of it was bad. Even before Rachel looked deep into his business, something about him made her stay away from him for her own safety. She felt it the day she first met him. He had bad intentions when it came to Smallville and Rachel didn't like him at all. There wasn't anything a fourteen year old teenager could do. So against her own wishes she stopped looking into his business.

The only thing that made the meeting more enjoyable was the presence of Sarah, her best friend. Or only friend for that matter. They were chatting about random stuff while sitting on a table touching the wall when Sarah decided to bring up a conversation about a certain Kent boy.

"I forgot to tell you something this morning with all the playbook drama" Sarah started, "but he asked for you". Rachel furrowed her eyebrows, "who?" She asked. "Jordan," Sarah simply answered. Rachel froze in her place forgetting to even breathe.

Why didn't Jonathan mention that at school? Was he even going to tell her or did he just want to guilt trip her.

"Did he?" She gulped down the lump in her throat. "Yeah apparently you ran out on him or something, I don't know" Sarah says looking at her friend expecting an explanation.

Rachel groaned, burying her head in her hands. "Why do I feel like everyone is rubbing it in my face? '' she whined. Sarah let out her laugh at Rachel's expression. "Maybe because you're trying to avoid the situation" Sarah told her, "and that's not like you at all Rachel". Rachel let out a sigh, "I just don't know how to confront Jordan about it". And she was right they haven't talked about it let alone see each other. Rachel didn't even know what to do if she did see him. It would be so awkward.

"If you want I can help you, that's what friends are for after all" Sarah said giving her friend a smile only to get one in return.

"Hey Rachel" a familiar voice said, "hi". Rachel turned around and saw the one person she wasn't ready to see, Jordan.

"H-hi" Rachel stuttered out, not expecting to see him here, or Jonathan for that matter.

"Hey" Sarah greeted, "your to sick to sick to go to school, but your mom brought you here?" She asked Jordan. Rachel cringed, she had forgotten that she told Sarah that Jordan was too 'sick' to come to school.

"I started feeling a lot better, and umm..you know, so we.." he trailed off glancing at Rachel who avoided his gaze.

"Rachel told me in school Jonathan, I'm really sorry about Timmy and the playbook" Sarah apologized, looking at him with pity in her eyes. "I would have done something if-" "it's all good, I got one now" he informed her. By the look of confusion on Jordan's face Rachel had guessed that Jonathan didn't tell Jordan about the playbook incident with Timmy.

"Cool"

Jonathan exchanged a glance with Jordan who gave him the look to not ask.

A low 'gurgling croak' made its way to the teens' ears as they finally noticed the presence of Corvus, who was in back of Rachel hidden away. "I know Corvus I don't want to be here either" Rachel said, petting the raven on the head. His feathers glistened a dark purple even if the room was dimly light.

"Hey let's uhh let's get this thing going by a..welcoming my friend" Sarah's dad Kyle spoke through a microphone, "and our mayor George Dean".

The sound of clapping filled the room startling Corvus and making him cower in back of Rachel. It was evident that he still had his fear of people and Rachel couldn't blame him. People can be a little cruel sometimes.

"Thank you chief I would like to thank all the members.." Rachel couldn't help but drown the mayor's voice out her ears as she now registered how close she and Jordan were. He was close to her, so close that their hands were practically touching. It was hard for Rachel as she took deep breaths to prevent her powers from manifesting or her eyes to change color.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Morgan Edge '' Rachel's head snapped to the direction the name was said. People clapped in happiness. Rachel could even feel the happiness seeping out of them. If only they knew that they were clapping at a courprite vampire he really was.

Morgan Edge walked in with his assistant following close behind him.

'What a corporate vampire' Rachel thought as more people clapped louder.

~

"How many jobs are you looking to provide just so they know?" Kyle asked edge. "From entry level to tradesman where estimating around 600"

"And that's not projidual job, folks," Kyle said, smiling in happiness. "So if there are no more questions-" Major George Dean started before being interrupted by the Daily Planet's famous reporter.

Lois Lane.

"I have a question," Lois spoke up, standing up from her chair. Rachel leaned closer interested in what was going to happen.

Lois Lane had a question.

This meeting was about to get interesting.

"That Jon's number you say is an estimate" "that's right Miss Lane it's ah difficult to guarantee an exact figure" he answered. "So is there a number that's more feeble because I would hate for what happened in New Carthage to happen here" Jonathan and Jordan buried their heads in their hands in embarrassment.

Rachel scooted closer to the end of her seat unknowingly getting closer to Jordan. Their shoulders were now touching but Rachel didn't seem to notice it, or notice the unknown feeling Jordan was feeling and was seeping into her veins.

"Such as"

"Missing jobs creation targets by nearly fifty percent, paying well below living wage that kind of thing"

Lois' voice was low yet firm as if wanting to give the hint that she was the person to find out the truth behind anybody's lies. It was the primary thing Rachel respected about her. She was the type of woman to be stepped on.

Edge pointed at Lois as he turned to look at the Major of Smallville. "Here's what I love about Lois Lane," he told him, "when she smells a story, she goes after it with everything she has,...even if it concerns her own boss".

"I thought those minds would be fruitful,..I was wrong" he said loud enough for all the people in the room. For one second Rachel almost bought his act of kindness. Rachel could tell not only by his emotions shifting but also the tone of his voice that he was lying.

"But what I promised those people is that I'd take a risk on them when now one else would and that's exactly what I'd come to offer everyone here" he sounded so convincing, " a chance to save this town and improve its residence lives". People clapped in happiness and joy as Lois looked around at every person. Morgan Edge had all of smallville wrapped under his figure and it was going to take a lot of evidence for them to see the truth about him.

"It is perhaps your right, your right miss lane. Perhaps smallville isn't the place to take a risk right now" people began to mummer about what he said.

"I certainly don't want to cause any harm to this great community," he said. Rachel had to stop herself from letting out a sarcastic laugh. She had to admit Edge was a smart man. Turn the people against the person that's capable of getting the truth. But he made a mistake. In making that decision he just underestimated the world's most famous reporter. One thing Rachel knew was that she was going to help give Lois a little head start to bring Edge down.

"Maybe that's something we'll have to discuss a little further" Edge spoke looking directly at Lois, "ladies and gentlemen thank you for your time,..if you'll forgive me". He stood up making his way down with his assistant...and for a moment he looked at the direction of Rachel. On instinct Rachel's hand grasped Jordan catching him by surprise.

"R-rachel" Jordan stuttered, snapping the girl out of her thoughts. Rachel quickly retracted her hand when she noticed what she had done. "Sorry" she muttered, without a word she rummaged through her bag for what she was looking for.

Her journal.

Forgetting to even say goodbye Rachel walked to Lois who was sitting on the chairs. "You're gonna need this" Rachel handed her the journal. Lois hesitated to take it but looked at her in confusion.

"You'll need it"

Corvus flew to her shoulder as she made her way out of the council meeting hall biddingSarah and the boys goodbye. Sitting down on a bench she let out a sigh of relief, or half relief. Morgan Edge is moving his plan to smallville and he needed to be stopped, but Rachel didn't have the upper hand, even if she had powers.

All thanks to her 'mother'.

Arella had spilled the tea to Edge that Rachel had been researching about him because she was so called 'paranoid'. And let's just say that every time Rachel was in the same room as edge she'd get that stare. The 'I'm watching you look' and it scared Rachel a little. He was a man of money and power. Rachel was just non-ordinary fourteen year old with a deep dark secret.

"Rachel" Jordan's voice hit her ears like delicate music. Jordan stood behind her shuffling in his spot nervously. Corvus let out a low 'gurgling croak' before looking at Rachel for permission. Giving him a nod Corvus spread his wings and jumped to the sky heading home.

"Can I?" he gestured to the empty part of the bench. Rachel gave him a small smile which he took as a yes. "Are you ok," he asked, referring to what happened in the meeting. "I'm fine," Rachel said, sounding so convincing that she even believed it herself. "Are you?" He looked at her.

Rachel opened and closed her mouth like a fish out of water, not being able to answer his questions. Was she ok? Was she a messed up girl?

"I'm sorry" Jordan apologized, not meeting her eyes. "For what" she asked, looking at him in confusion. "For scaring you" he explained, Rachel's eyes widened.

He was apologizing for her running out of the farm. "Jordan you shouldn't be the one apologizing" she told turning her body to face him, "I should be the one apologizing, for scaring you and running away".

"Scaring me?" He looked at her in confusion. "Yeah because of my eyes" she muttered in the last part. It was his turn to give her a look of confusion. "Rachel, your eyes didn't scare me" he slowly told her. "They...didn't" Rachel breathed out.

"No".

They fell in a comfortable silence before he decided to break it. "I was actually relieved, you know" he confessed, "I just thought for a moment that I wasn't the only one..different".

Rachel felt something in her chest flutter hearing him say those words. It didn't help that she knew he meant every word he was saying.

"Are you going to be able to go to school tomorrow?" Rachel asked, she really wanted him to go. "Dad is going to take me to the fortress to run some tests about the whole power thing..so no".

"The fortress?" She asked, tilting her head. "A place my dad went to when he was younger he said it would help me figure out my powers" he explained.

"Oh"

"Look Jordan" Rachel began after a moment taking a deep breath, "no matter what you find out tomorrow, to me you're someone very special". Jordan could feel the blood rush to his face and he was thankful that it was dark enough for her not to see it.

Slowly she placed her hand on his, making Jordan look at her. Letting his emotion run through her veins Rachel could feel her eyes start to change color.

"Thanks"

Jordan smiled and Rachel could feel her heart swell with an unknown emotion. He wasn't scared of her eyes at all.

Jordan couldn't register when his hand decided to move on it own, but it was to late. His hand cupped the side of her face.

Rachel didn't know why she leaned into his touch if she knew to well that her eyes would shine brighter with each emotion he was feeling

"Jordan" Lois called for her son.

In a blink of an eye they put quit a distance between them.

He stood up, asking himself if he should say something or just leave. He chose the less awkward one. "Sarah's family is having a barbecue tomorrow" she said out of the blue making him stop dead in his tracks, "at seven, I was wondering if you were going to go.."

"Yeah, uh yeah I'll go" he told her, as an adorable smilie made its way towards his face. For a moment Rachel lungs stopped working, finding herself breathless just by his smile.

Without another word he walked towards Lois's car with the adorable smile still decorating his face.

Unknown to him Jordan, Rachel had an unmistakable smile with a small