Chapter 9 (edited)

At least temporarily, Kara managed to calm Clark down. However, Kara hadn't just comforted Clark. She avoided mentioning anything about Krypton and spent several days with him after school. Eventually, this consistent presence allowed Clark to regain some sense of control over his new abilities.

At the same time, Kara warned him that as he grew older, his powers would continue to develop, becoming increasingly superhuman.

"When you turn ten, you might be as strong as I was when I first arrived on Earth," Kara said. "By then, you could even lift a car."

She advised Clark to remain mindful of his changes. Fortunately, with Kara by his side, he wasn't overwhelmed by panic during this period of rapid growth.

Her guidance and companionship made it easier for Clark to adjust to his powers. However, he didn't know that every night after he fell asleep, his parents and sister were deeply concerned about him.

Jonathan, his adoptive father, believed Clark should stay away from other children for fear that he might unintentionally harm someone. Martha and Kara, however, disagreed.

"You can't isolate him like this," Martha insisted, worried about Clark's state of mind.

Kara chimed in, "You treat me and Clark differently."

Jonathan defended his stance: "Kara, you're older than Clark, and you were already able to control your powers when we found you. Clark isn't there yet. Let him grow up and learn to understand himself before we overwhelm him with truths about Krypton and his origins."

On this point, Kara reluctantly agreed. However, she thought Jonathan's overprotective behavior was excessive. He wasn't just concerned about Clark's emotional growth; he also feared exposure. Jonathan knew that humans fear the unknown, and that fear could lead to rejection or even persecution.

Though Kara found some of Jonathan's decisions frustrating, she understood his desire to protect his children. She complied for the sake of her brother and family's safety.

With that, the Kent household returned to relative calm. Kara resumed her school routine, though not without facing the repercussions of her abrupt departure the other day.

Kara's sudden departure during class had not gone unnoticed. The principal, an older man with a round face and a bloated suit, summoned her to his office. Kara sat on the worn sofa, her expression neutral.

Her attire was simple but stylish: jeans, a buttoned shirt under a denim jacket, and white canvas sneakers. Her hair was tied back in a ponytail, with two loose strands framing her face.

The principal paced the room, giving her a disapproving look. "Miss Kent, I always thought you were one of our best students. I even considered recommending you to a top university. But now—skipping class? Leaving without permission? Do you want to ruin your reputation?"

Kara raised an eyebrow, unimpressed by his tone. "Mr. Principal, do I need to remind you that my family was dealing with an emergency? My little brother Clark needed me, and I informed my teacher before leaving."

The principal blinked, his stern expression softening slightly. "Oh, I see. How's Clark doing now? Is everything alright?"

"He's fine now, thanks for asking," Kara replied curtly, standing up. "If there's nothing else, I'd like to get back to class. Don't worry—I'm not interested in 'fooling around' like some kids here. I'd rather read a good book."

The principal sighed and waved her off, but as she walked out, he called after her, "And make sure you're not fooling around anywhere else either!"

Kara rolled her eyes as she pushed open the office door, relieved to be out of there.

Waiting for her outside were two girls, one in a black hoodie and the other in a white blouse. Jennifer, the blonde girl with striking blue eyes, leaned against the wall with a smirk.

"So, did you get scolded?" Jennifer teased.

"Jennifer, that's not nice," said Dani, the other girl, her dark skin glowing in the afternoon sunlight.

Jennifer and Dani were Kara's closest friends. They had been through a lot together, even though their friendship had started in unusual circumstances.

Jennifer was popular at school, but years ago, a bully had cornered her. Kara had stepped in, scaring the boy off, and Jennifer had been loyal to her ever since.

Dani's story was similar. A group of boys had harassed her in middle school until Kara intervened. Over time, their shared experiences forged a strong bond between the three.

"It's fine," Kara said, brushing off Jennifer's question. "The principal understood once I explained it was about Clark. No big deal."

"Good to hear," Dani said with a smile. "We were worried you might get detention or something."

Jennifer's eyes lit up with excitement. "Now that's settled, how about we go out after school? It's been forever since we watched a movie together. We can grab a snack after."

Dani nodded eagerly. "Yes! Come on, Kara, we need to hang out more."

Kara hesitated, glancing at her watch. "How would I get home after the school bus leaves?"

"My dad can give you a ride," Jennifer said, grinning. "I'll come with you so you're not alone."

Dani added, "You're always helping at home. You deserve a break, even if it's just for a movie."

Kara sighed, a small smile creeping onto her face. "Alright, fine. But I need to call home first. And we can't stay out too late."

The two girls cheered, each taking one of her arms as they headed toward class, already planning their outing.