Superman: Dawnbreaker (DC Icons #4)(17)

“Really?”

Clark nodded. Something about what Bryan had just said really hit home for Clark. His secret powers made him feel like a freak sometimes. Not just in his family, but in all of Smallville. No one else he knew could lift a truck with their bare hands. Or outrun an SUV. Or hear airplanes flying an entire county away. He wished he could open up to Bryan about that part of himself, too. Have a real conversation for once in his life.

“I don’t know,” Bryan said. “We all have our struggles. And I’m aware that most people’s are a lot more complicated than mine.”

“Yeah. Same here,” Clark said.

The food runner arrived with their dinner. He set down their plates and drinks and asked if they needed anything else. When they said they didn’t, he took off.

Their conversation seemed effortless. Bryan talked about his boarding school. How the pressure to be the best was overwhelming. Some of his closest friends would sink into a deep depression if they got a B in a class. He talked about what it was like to get sent away from home at such a young age. And then to come back. And how he was still trying to find his footing at a public high school. Clark talked about his life on the farm. How he had to get up long before school to do chores. He used to resent it. He’d imagine what it would be like to sleep in until seven every morning, like some of his friends did. But now early morning was his favorite part of the day. Sometimes he’d lie at the lip of the crater on his farm as the sun came up in front of him, and he’d feel a powerful connection to the universe. One that he could never truly put into words.

Clark felt like he could mostly be himself with Bryan. And it wasn’t awkward. Clark felt the same way with Lana, but that was Lana. He’d known her all his life. This was the first time he’d felt comfortable with someone he’d just met. Clark’s default state with new people was to be guarded. To protect his secrets. But maybe being guarded was part of what kept him from feeling like he belonged.

As Clark finished up, he caught Gloria’s eyes across the room. She quickly looked away and went back to pouring water at a table of Smallville sophomores Clark recognized. It was the cast of the new school play, which Lana had just reviewed for the Smallville High paper. They were probably getting dinner after a show.

Bryan set his fork down. “Wait, you weren’t looking at that girl Moira earlier. You were looking at the Mexican waitress.”

Clark’s first instinct was to pretend it wasn’t true. But why should he lie? “Her name’s Gloria,” he said. “She goes to school with us.”

“I know her.” Bryan studied Gloria. “Well, I don’t know her know her, but I know who she is. She seems really cool. And I heard she’s the best coder in the school.”

A busboy came to refill their water glasses. After he left, Bryan said, “Why don’t you go talk to her?”

Clark shook his head. “Nah, I can’t.”

“What do you mean, you can’t?” Bryan asked. “Why not?”

A wave of butterflies passed through Clark’s stomach. “I don’t know. She just seems super busy.”

“Clark.” Bryan slapped both palms on the table in front of him. “We can’t be spectators our whole lives, right? At some point we have to take a risk. Step into the action.”

Clark saw that Gloria was coming toward their table on her way to the food pass. “You know what?” he said, feeling a sudden surge of courage. He stood up. “Maybe I should.”

Bryan nodded his approval. “Just be yourself, and it’ll be all good.”

Gloria slowed several feet past their table, almost like she was waiting for him.

Clark swallowed down hard on his butterflies and took a deep breath. Too late to back out now, he thought, awkwardly beginning his approach.

When she noticed him coming, she looked up from her order pad and said, “You guys need anything over there?”

“We’re good.” Clark was surprised by the shakiness of his voice. Could she tell? “I just wanted to say…the other day at school—I’m sorry for disturbing you like that.”

At first Gloria looked sort of confused, but then her big brown eyes flashed with recognition and she smiled. “Wanna know something weird?” she said. “I’ve been hoping to run into you.”

“Me? Really?” Clark’s heart was beating faster now.

Gloria nodded. “I feel like I’m the one who should be apologizing.”

He frowned and shook his head.

“I don’t know why I rushed out like that. It was nice of you to check on me.” She tucked her pad into her apron and slipped her pencil behind her ear again. “You’re Clark, right? Clark Kent?”

“Yeah.” He’d never heard anything quite so perfect as the way she said his name. “And you’re Gloria.”

She brushed a few strands of hair out of her face. “Anyway, it’s nice to run into you again,” she said, glancing toward the kitchen. “But I probably have an order up.”

“Oh, for sure,” Clark said. “I’ll let you get back to work.” He could tell she was about to go, and he wanted just a few more seconds. “But…make sure to come get me if you need help with that one table.”

Gloria looked at him, confused. “Help?”