Chapter Text
Lois stood outside the registrar’s office, bright and early. She was ready with all her documents and transcripts. She even brought the articles she wrote at the Torch, and recommendation letters from her cousin Chloe and Martha Kent.
She was planning on not taking no for an answer, even though she was late to enroll in the fall semester.
It really wasn’t fair that she had been kicked out of Metropolis University last year for underage drinking, as if she was the only one. Even though she was cleared of all charges when Geoff Johns confessed to murdering David Cooper, MetU still wanted to make an example out of her, and they used underage drinking as their excuse.
Of course they did!
After surviving the second meteor shower earlier that year, chasing her sister Lucy across Europe, then returning to Kansas only to be drugged and almost kidnapped by a slimy diplomat, Lois desperately wanted—no, needed—some stability in her life. She was going to prove her father, the General, wrong and make something of herself once and for all. Lois Lane wasn't going to be the screw-up or the weakest link anymore.
So here she was, ready to beg the nice lady in the registrar’s office at Central Kansas A&M to accept her for one class, just to get her foot in the door. The plan was that after the fall semester, she could register for more classes, and work towards a degree.
“Lois?” She heard a kind and familiar voice behind her. One that she would never admit made her heart flutter, just a little.
“Oh hey, Smallville!”
Lois clutched her documents close to her chest. She smiled and tried to play as cool as possible, even though her nerves were getting to her, since she had already been working up the courage to enter the office, and now she had Mr. Six-Foot Something, smiling his ridiculous smile at her, for no good reason.
What were the chances that across the whole campus, he ran into her here, as if he heard her coming a mile away?
“Nice to see you here! Are you thinking of joining me at Central Kansas?”
Joining him? Ugh, why does he seem extra charming today? Has he gained more confidence since starting college? Those easy sorority girls better not have corrupted Farm boy over here…
“Yeah, actually.” Lois caught herself before she let her thoughts spiral in the wrong direction.
“Remember when Chloe showed us her first article about that diplomat getting arrested in Europe, the one who tried kidnapping me?”
Clark frowned.
“You know how excited and proud she was? Well, it got me thinking of the times we used to write at the Torch. I know I complained back then, but some of the exposés I wrote, like about Abby’s experimental procedure, or that crazy Love potion, were thrilling and meant a lot to people.”
Clark’s expression changed, and he looked like he was caught up in a memory. He smirked and broke eye contact, looking down at his shoes for a moment. He chuckled to himself, but stayed quiet and continued to listen, as Lois looked to be on a roll, and who was he to get in the way.
“Maybe I could pursue journalism like my little cous, but I’ll have to fight my way back in, since I was kicked out of MetU. What do you think?”
“Lois, I think that’s really great!” His smile returned. “My favorite class is History of Western Civilization. Professor Milton Fine teaches it. Do you want me to ask him if he could accept your late application?”
As tempting as that would be to sit in class with Clark Kent, Lois really wanted to turn a new chapter and be successful all on her own. Back when she had been accepted to MetU, it was Clark who had asked Lex Luthor to get involved, and Lex had pulled strings for her, even though she was a few credits shy of graduating high school.
Lois remembered what a disaster that turned out to be! No wonder MetU made an example out of her. They probably never really wanted her there to begin with, and resented her for it. Lois hadn't thought of that at the time, but it made sense now. No, if she was going to get accepted to CKU, and actually graduate, it was going to be completely on her own merits.
“That’s sweet of you to offer, Smallville, but I’m planning on doing this college acceptance thing on my own this time.”
Clark appeared disappointed that Lois didn’t take him up on his offer. There was an awkward silence between them. Clark looked away and Lois didn’t know what else to say. She didn’t mean anything against him, but really needed to do this on her own.
But then Clark turned his eyes back to her.
“Lois, I’m sure you will get in right away. CKU would be crazy not to want you! Just steer clear of the alcohol for a while, don’t give them a reason like last time.”
“Thanks, Smallville.”
It warmed her heart that he saw her in such a wonderful light, and hoped the lady in the registrar's office would see it too. Clark waved goodbye, and Lois entered the office. Here goes nothing, she thought to herself.
In the office, Lois had to wait her turn, but when it finally arrived she made her case with the woman in charge. Lois was so excited and relieved when they accepted her for one class, and told her that as long as she maintained a ‘B’ in the class, she could enroll full time in the winter semester.
She signed up for the Intro to Journalism course, and was told to speak to Professor Jessica Sheppard during her office hours to explain her situation, and catch up on any missed work or lectures.
Lois was beaming, and she had to share the good news. She pulled her phone out of her pocket and dialed. She waited, but was a little disappointed when it went to voicemail, so she left a message.
“Chloe, you are not going to believe this, I did it, I got into Central Kansas and I’ll be studying Journalism! I want to talk about this in person, you better call me back as soon as you get this! Oh shoot, you’re probably in class now, okay, when you see my number, please call me back. Love you!”
In the meantime, Lois looked over the syllabus she had been given for the Intro to Journalism course. It listed the location of her professor's office. Lois figured it was as good a time as any to introduce herself.
After walking through half the campus and getting lost three times, Lois finally found her professor's office and discovered she still had fifteen minutes before office hours began. She grabbed a coffee from Sam's Café, the small coffee shop near the center of campus, and returned to introduce herself to her new professor.
“Professor Sheppard? Hello?” Lois knocked on the door which was partially open. She thought it was the right office, but it appeared empty. After a moment, Lois pushed the door more open, and saw the professor on the opposite side of the room by a filing cabinet, pen behind her ear, reading through a file folder. Jessica Sheppard was an elegant woman with warm brown skin and closely cropped curls, wearing glasses, a royal blue pantsuit, and gold stiletto heels.
“Come in, come in!”
Jessica looked up from her file, and glanced at Lois in the doorway, who was a little nervous, intimidated, and unsure of what to do next. Jessica sensed Lois’ discomfort, and put the folder down and walked back over to her desk in the middle of the room. She pulled a chair for the young woman to come sit and start a conversation.
“You must be my newest student to join my journalism class!” Jessica said, motioning to Lois with her hand to come sit.
“Come, take a seat and let’s chat about you, you must have an interesting story, and I’m all about a good story!”
Lois appreciated that Professor Sheppard was trying to lighten the mood and make her feel at ease in this moment. Jessica sat on the edge of her desk, facing Lois who sat in the chair in front of her and waited for Lois to introduce herself.
“Thank you for meeting me.” Lois began, “My name is Lois Lane and I originally started college at MetU. That didn’t work out so well for me, so I was able to enroll here at Central Kansas for your Intro to Journalism class. If all goes well, I hope to continue more classes next semester and graduate with a degree in Journalism.”
Jessica Sheppard listened carefully as Lois spoke, and then replied, “Yes, the registrar called me with a head’s up that you may be coming to see me, but I asked for a good story! That’s okay, I don’t mean to push, we’ll have plenty of time to get to know each other over the course of this semester.”
The professor stood up and walked around her desk and sat in her chair.
“As a journalist, you’ll be challenged to write details to keep your readers engaged, and you’ll need to dig beyond the surface to get the real story. I was hoping to hear a little more about you, Lois Lane, but there will be time for that.”
Lois saw that Professor Sheppard was testing her to see if she was ready to rise to the challenge as a story-teller. She wasn’t yet totally ready to take that step, so Lois thought she may impress the professor in a different way.
“Thank you for taking an interest in me, but aren’t we supposed to report the news, not become it?”
Professor Sheppard smiled and retorted, “Lois, you got me there. Now you are thinking like a reporter!” She was impressed with Lois’ quick thinking and continued, “However, while it is true that when you write, it will be the story, and not you, that should get your readers’ attention, you still need to know who you are and develop your own unique voice. When you are firm in who you are, your readers will know they can trust you and that will help you be a successful reporter.”
Jessica paused, and then asked, “So Lois, it was a pleasure meeting you. Do you have any more questions?”
Lois felt grateful for how wonderful this day was shaping up to be. She was accepted back into college, made a great connection with her professor, and had so much to look forward to.
“It was a pleasure meeting you as well, Professor Sheppard. I don’t have any more questions for now. I’m looking forward to starting your class tomorrow, and if I have questions then, I’ll be sure to ask. Thanks again for your time!”
Lois got up from her chair, and turned to the direction of the door, but then turned back and added, “Professor... I actually do have a pretty good story to tell. I'm just not ready to tell it yet. Maybe one day you'll read all about it.”
Jessica grinned and nodded at Lois’ words, and then said, “I’m sure you do, and I’m looking forward to it.”
She waved goodbye as Lois left her office.
Lois couldn't stop smiling as she wandered through the Journalism department, getting familiar with the building before classes began. Hopefully she wouldn't get lost the next time she came for class. She felt her phone buzz in her pocket and checked the caller ID.
Chloe calling
“Hey, cous!”
“Just heard your message.” Chloe said. “Congratulations! Sorry, I had class before.”
“No worries, I figured.”
“So…” Chloe's excitement was impossible to miss. “Tell me everything!”
Lois couldn't help smiling.
“Well, I presented my case to the lady in the registrar’s office. I guess I’m just that persuasive and charming. Then, I just met my professor in her office and had an amazing first meeting. I think she was genuinely interested in seeing me succeed in her class.”
There was a brief pause.
Then Chloe squealed. “I knew it! Lois, that's amazing! I’m so proud of you.”
“Thanks.” Lois laughed. “I'm still trying to process it.”
“We have to celebrate.”
Lois looked around, grateful that this would be her new routine, starting today.
“I won’t argue with that.”
“I've got an idea.” Chloe sounded positively giddy. “Lana and I are both at MetU anyway. Why don't the four of us meet in Metropolis tonight?”
“The four of us?”
“You, me, Clark, and Lana.”
Lois thought about it for a moment.
“Okay…”
“The Ace of Clubs.”
Lois raised an eyebrow.
“The Ace of Clubs? Since when are we fancy?”
Chloe laughed.
“We're not. But you've had one crazy week, and I want to do something special for my favorite cousin.”
Lois smiled.
“Awww don’t make me cry.”
“Ha, yeah right. So? Seven-thirty? Eight?”
“Eight works.”
Lois thought for another moment.
“Actually…” she said. “If you and Lana don't mind, I could come by your dorm a little earlier. The three of us could get ready together, then meet Clark at the restaurant."
“I love that idea.”
“So it's a ladies’ night!”
“Well, hopefully Clark will be coming too.”
Lois laughed. “Like I said.”
Chloe laughed too. “Great, I'll text Clark and Lana, then make the reservation.”
“Perfect. Thanks Chloe.”
“I'll see you soon.”
Lois slipped her phone back into her pocket and smiled to herself. For the first time in what felt like weeks, things were looking up, and she had so much to look forward to.
And it would all start tonight. Just a night out with friends.
She stepped outside. A warm breeze rustled the leaves overhead as students hurried between classes, their conversations blending into the familiar rhythm of campus life.
Only then did Lois realize how hungry she was. She had skipped breakfast that morning and was running on two coffees and adrenaline, which was now wearing off. She returned to Sam's Café for lunch and ordered a thick pastrami on rye along with another coffee.
As she ate, she noticed the café was far busier than it had been earlier. Students filled nearly every table, some studying while others talked between classes. A few professors sat among them as well. Lois couldn't help wondering if everyone at CKU eventually ended up at Sam's Café.
As Lois was finishing up her lunch, she saw Clark approaching from down the hall. She cleared her table, looked up, and greeted him first.
“Hey Smallville, you stalking me or something?”
Clark grinned and replied, “Chloe texted me about our night out in Metropolis! Congrats on getting accepted to your journalism class. Do you want to carpool in my truck and save yourself a drive?”
What’s with Farm boy being extra nice to me lately? Lois asked herself.
Then again, after everything that had happened before she was kidnapped, maybe she shouldn't have been surprised. She wished Clark had forgotten all about her Salute the Flag dance. Seeing her dance in an American flag-clad bikini was not exactly the image she wanted permanently burned into his memory.
Lois quickly shook the thought from her head and reminded herself that Clark was hopelessly in love with the beautiful Lana Lang, just like the sky was blue and water was wet. No, he was just being a gentleman. Lois wasn't about to revisit those thoughts, not if she wanted to keep her sanity.
Seeing Clark still waiting for an answer, she finally replied, “Actually, I’m planning on going into Metropolis early so the three of us girls can get ready together. Meet you there at eight?”
“Um, yeah.” Clark frowned slightly. “I think it’s nice that you girls have that time together. I’ll meet you at the Ace of Clubs at eight tonight. Just promise me not to be late!”
Lois wasn’t sure if there was anything to read into Clark’s response, so to lighten the mood she gave him a little punch to the side of his arm. “Don’t worry Smallville, I’ll only be a little fashionably late.”
That got Clark smiling again. They wrapped up their conversation, said their goodbyes, and went their separate ways. Lois planned on returning to the Talon to choose some outfits to bring to Metropolis, and enjoy preparing for the evening out.