"Yes, a sonic boom. I learned this move from a guy in a red tight suit. Once the speed exceeds the speed of sound, it creates a powerful shockwave explosion, which has unexpected effects on chasing or subduing your enemies. What do you think, Clark?" Eric asked Clark, who was lying on the ground.
Still using his sharp tongue, Eric sarcastically commented.
"Alright, Eric, you win, just as you expected, right?" Clark gasped for breath, getting up from the ground, staring angrily at Eric.
Though astonished that Eric's speed could break the sound barrier, Clark's heart was now filled more with anger and resentment.
"But I won't cancel the party, even if you keep me locked up at home, Eric."
Clark remained stubborn, refusing to compromise with Eric.
"I hate your lectures, stricter than Dad's. You always stand aloof, pointing fingers in some direction at me, acting like a crystal ball fortune-teller, or the one who cleans up the mess in the end. Maybe you're always right, Eric, but that's our problem," Clark poured out his heart. "I'd rather have a brother who hangs out with me as a peer, not someone playing the elder or fatherly role. Like this party, if you were Dad, I'd understand your objections, but you're not. You're my younger brother. If you keep interacting with people this way, Eric, no one will like you!"
Faced with Clark's accusations, Eric fell silent for a few seconds.
The air fell silent too.
"So, you're saying nobody would like me that way?" Eric furrowed his brows.
"Isn't it strange? Clearly, you've just clashed with Eric over the party, and now you're considering Eric's opinion again," Chloe queried Clark, surprised.
"I agree," Pete chimed in. "It doesn't sound like something you'd say, Clark. It's more like a burst of pent-up conflict rather than your character."
"I don't know," Clark shook his head in bewilderment, "we clashed, and I was just heated in the moment, so I regretted it immediately. I don't know how to apologize to him. I..."
"Hmm, I get it," Chloe nodded, patting Clark's shoulder, taller than her, "but sometimes those words are the most hurtful, aren't they? They make people think it's the person's truest feelings. Lies aren't sharp knives; truth is."
"We understand why Eric stopped you — because of Lex Luthor. What will you do next? Proceed with the party but without inviting Lex, or cancel the party?" Chloe and Pete asked, concerned.
"That's why I came to you. Lex wants to change the party location to his mansion. I don't know if I should attend, after all, Eric always thinks Lex is trouble," Clark hesitated, addressing Chloe and Pete.
"That's a strange attitude. You just clashed with Eric over the party, and now you're considering Eric's opinion again," Chloe shrugged. "But my opinion is, why not? As a quirky-town journalist sniffing out quirky news, I walk a tightrope, so I don't resist trouble. What about you, Pete?"
Facing the questioning looks of Chloe and Pete, Clark looked shocked.
He suddenly felt relieved that he didn't host the party at home, as Eric had predicted, or it could have been completely "destroyed."
That night.
Kent Farm.
Eric was dealing with pizza and soup in the living room when the phone rang.
Answering it, he heard his mother Martha's voice from the other end.
Concerned about their safety and diet, Martha, currently honeymooning in Metropolis, called to inquire about them.
"Clark?" Eric raised his head, glancing at the lively Luthor Manor in the distance. "Clark's at a classmate's party."
"Attending a party? Clark is expanding his social circle. Eric, aren't you going to join the party? Being alone in an empty house isn't a pleasant experience," Martha suggested to him.
Eric replied somewhat helplessly, "You know, Mom, I'm not interested in parties and socializing."
"Sometimes you need to make changes, right? Just like Jonathan changed his stance to watch Clark's game at school, Eric. Sometimes you can be like your father, even though he's a stubborn man," Martha advised.
"I know, Mom. I know what kind of person I am, no need to worry about me."
After comforting his mother for a few more words, Eric hung up the phone.
He had no interest or motivation to change his fixed stance, as his mother suggested.
He had compromised with Clark earlier because he was tired of arguing with him.
Lex Luthor had attracted the attention of the Owl Council, and whether Clark would be implicated was none of his concern.
As for Clark's remark, "no one will like you that way," Eric didn't take it to heart.
Since his previous life, he had never cared much about others' opinions.
Putting the remaining pizza back in the fridge, Eric suddenly heard a loud "bang" explosion outside!
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