Chapter 15

"Are you sure about this?"

Standing on a plane flying high in the sky, Clark asked nervously. He was currently dressed in a skydiving suit strapped to a woman with a parachute linking them together. As he watched the next group hopping out of the plane, he grew more nervous.

'Clark, when I say go out to relax, I don't mean scaring us half to death with our fear of heights.' Leonardo complained. 'How is this relaxing for either of us.'

"Don't worry, sir. You're in safe hands as I did this many times." The nice woman who was strapped to him said.

'Why did she jinx it, Clark. Why did she jinx it? We haven't learned how to fly yet!' Leonardo sounded slightly panicked. 'Why did you do this! We are totally going to die.'

Then in a few shuffles, much to both Clark and Leonardo horror, they were pulled from the plane and now free falling. Where they could see the amazing view of the land below, as it rapidly drew closer to them. While the instructor who was tandem jumping with them was snapping photos for them as she grinned.

'We should be able to withstand the impact if we impact the ground right?' Leonardo asked.

It's not that Leonardo doesn't know that they should be able to survive the fall in the future. Only that it is just he unsure if they can survive it now. For it was only a few months ago that Clark learned he was bullet proof, but even then it left bruises.

'I think so.' Clark replied. 'Also, I think this is the last time I will take a suggestion from Pete.'

'Agreed.' Leonardo agreed.

While they were having a heart to heart on how to get back at Pete for this. The instructor tapped their shoulder signifying it time to pull the cord. After which they pulled, but nothing happened.

'This is bad right?' Clark asked.

'Judging by the look of the instructor's face, I think so.' Leonardo agreed.

Luckily the instructor managed to unleash the parachute allowing them to safely land. During which, Clark and Leonardo agreed not to go skydiving again. Well, until they learned to fly at the very least.

--

Later inside the Talon, while Clark wanted to bang his head on the table. He was attempting a hand at art, but it wasn't going very well. While he wasn't bad at it, one could almost say he was talented at it. Just, his brain worked more logically then it did creatively which made him struggle quarter way through the rough sketch.

As for why he was attempting to draw, it was for his art class, a class he wouldn't sign up for next year if Leonardo didn't ask him. For it seems Leonardo enjoyed the class and thus, Clark found himself brushing up on his art skills. It just wasn't going very well, as he was trying to draw a comic book hero, but was coming up blank on his looks and outfit.

'We want a hero whose goal is to become a symbol. A symbol that others can rely on in harsh times. So he has to display his muscular physique, wear bright colors and a smile.' Leonardo said as he guided Clark's hand.

While Leonardo was doing a rough sketch, Clark couldn't help but ask. 'Why does he need to show off a muscular physique, the bright colors and the smile?'

'The bright colors are to give others a warm feeling as the warm colors usually represent more positive emotions. By displaying a muscular physique, it can often make others feel safe if they are in a dangerous or stressful situation. As for a smile, naturally because smiles can put one's fear at ease.' Leonardo explained. 'Not to mention, if you are being rescued, would you want your savior frowning at you or smiling?'

Clark rolled those ideas around in his head and had to agree that Leonardo had a point. Still, it didn't help in the matter of what they were trying to accomplish. Though the way his hands were moving, Leonardo apparently did.

Soon, a rough sketch appeared before him as Leonardo began to add a bit of color to the sketch after he inked in the lines. Then he heard Leonardo roaring in anger as a coffee mug landed on the piece and a ring of coffee spilled over the side forming a coffee ring. Thus, the once nice picture before him ruined as the coffee ring soaked into the paper.

"Is there a reason for doing that Lana?" Clark tried to ask nicely.

His hands trembling as he tried to restrain Leonardo for he wanted to leave and go smash something. Probably firewood since it is what Leonardo does after seeing Lex or Lana when they do something he dislikes. Which he finds strange as it is only those two that get under his skin as he doesn't seem to care that much about his other friends.

"You've been sitting here over an hour focusing on this and never said a single thing to me?" Lana said. "So what got you so focused, that you tune out your friends?"

'So what if we didn't chat with you? You may run the place and Clark may be your friend. However, that doesn't mean you can ruin our work because he wasn't tripping over you!' Leonardo ranted, clearly anger had taken hold.

"Brushing up on my art skills, while I wait for Pete." Clark explained as he moved the cup.

"Really?" Lana clearly didn't believe the second part.

"Clark, man. How was it, did you have fun?" an excited voice from behind Lana interrupted.

Looking over, an African American teen stood there who couldn't be considered tall. However, he had a bright smile showing off his white teeth. For he clearly was excited, before noticing Lana sitting next to Clark.

'No, it wasn't fun, it was terrifying.' Leonardo said in Clark's head, in which he agreed.

"Terrifying Pete. Why don't I tell you about this as we walk?" Clark quickly packed up and guided Pete back out of the door.

What followed was a few others noticing Lana's actions and rumors of those that don't want their stuff ruined, don't bring it out in the Talon. Otherwise, the owner will ruin it, which lowered the business for a while once again.

--

A few days later the career fair at Smallville High was happening. Clark and Pete were just walking around, while Chloe was off signing up for a possible chance at Daily Planet internship.

"I see you in a uniform flying. Have you considered a job in the Air Force?"

"I'm afraid of heights." Clark awkwardly said.

While it was slightly awkward, Pete came by and dragged Clark away. A grin covering his face as he was clearly happy about whatever he managed to do. Which made him hear a sigh from Leonardo who grumbled about school. For Leonardo tends to sleep during the school hours unless something interesting happens.

"I just landed a summer job at Mayor Siegel's office working on his re-election campaign." Pete said happily.

"I thought you were gonna help your mom out down at the courthouse." Clark remembered Pete mentioning it a few days ago.

"Judge Ross can get some KSU student to help her files. Besides, who wants to hang out with their parents all summer long?" Pete said before realizing something as he looked at Clark. "Sorry, Clark."

"Yeah, sure you are." Clark rolled his eyes.

'It's not too bad. Hanging out in the sun sweating as the sun bakes us like a pie in an oven. Well, Jonathan is the one sweating since we don't tend to sweat unless kryptonite is around,.' Leonardo commented. 'We get to drive tractors, pull the plow due to the tractor being broken again, shove fence posts in the ground from breaking them again. Even mowing the large patches of lawn around the house. Why wouldn't we enjoy hanging around.'

Clark could only hold back his smile as he listened to Leonardo rant, before a blonde appeared next to them. Only she seemed to be fretting over the limited intern spot she was eyeing.