During the two days of vacation, it was rare for Kara not to help out at home.
The main reason was that Jonathan didn't know how to guide his fifteen-year-old adopted daughter properly. Moreover, Kara and Clark were different. When they came to Earth, they had their own memories and opinions, making it challenging to establish values like those Clark had learned from an early age.
Unbeknownst to Jonathan, Kara actually had memories of another life. She had traveled through time, and her identity was far more mysterious than anyone could imagine.
So, the next morning, Kara and Clark boarded the school bus and headed into the city to meet their friends.
Kara had taken this same school bus a few years ago and greeted the driver cheerfully, as they were already familiar with each other.
However, as Kara and Clark sat in the back seat, whispers began to fill the air.
"Is that the girl from the news?"
"Yeah, it's her. She's pretty; no wonder people say those things about her."
Clark, with his heightened hearing, picked up on the murmurs. Being protective of his sister, he was about to stand up and confront the kids.
But Kara placed a hand on his shoulder and rose to her feet instead.
When had it ever been her brother's responsibility to protect her?
"I thought I heard a fly buzzing in the bus, but it seems it was just some brats muttering behind my back," Kara said loudly, standing firmly in the middle of the aisle despite the moving bus.
She glared at the gossiping kids. "If you've got something to say, say it to my face. Who here is brave enough to stand up?"
None of the kids dared to meet her gaze, let alone respond.
Kara wasn't about to let it go.
With her arms crossed and a smirk, she surveyed the entire bus. "A bunch of cowards, huh? Listen, if anyone here even thinks about bothering my little brother, I'll make sure your school gates are blocked every single day. Got it?"
At that moment, Kara wasn't a would-be superhero. She was a fiercely protective older sister, ready to bully these elementary school kids into submission.
The children on the bus were between five and seven years old, far younger and smaller than Kara. She wasn't even using her Kryptonian strength; her presence alone was intimidating enough.
Finally, the bus driver intervened, his voice tinged with exasperation. "Kara, it's you again! You used to bully the whole bus when you were younger, and now you're picking on these kids? Sit down before I call Jonathan and let him deal with you!"
Kara felt her temper rise. The nickname "Strong Girl" was still floating around, thanks to the driver. Who had told him that? If she found out, she'd deal with them.
With a huff, Kara glanced at a chubby boy who had shrunk into his seat. The boy immediately looked down, avoiding her gaze.
Before sitting down again, Kara delivered her final warning. "Clark doesn't need to play with you brats. He'll find real friends one day. But if anyone thinks they can bully him just because he's kind, they're in for a rude awakening. Ask your big brothers and sisters about me. They'll tell you the name Kara Zor-El and what I can do."
The children went silent, too terrified to speak.
The bus driver shook his head in disbelief. Kara was such a polite and well-behaved girl on most days. What had gotten into her today?
But Kara didn't care about their opinions. She could ignore insults directed at herself, but the thought of anyone bullying her brother was unacceptable.
Clark was growing stronger with age, but he always followed Jonathan's instructions to avoid conflicts and disputes. Kara knew that meant it was up to her to protect him.
After all, Kara's original purpose in coming to Earth was to take care of Clark as he grew up. They were cousins, but more than that, they were family.
Once the bus reached the city and stopped in front of Clark's school, Kara stepped out with him. She handed him fifty dollars, urging him to buy himself something nice for lunch.
Clark had his own pocket money, but it wasn't as much as Kara's. This wasn't favoritism—Kara simply helped the family more, so their adoptive parents gave her a bit more money.
At fifteen, Kara had more expenses, but she rarely spent her money frivolously. Over the years, she'd saved a decent amount.
There was also the matter of clothing. Kara had a simple wardrobe: jeans, sneakers, denim tops, and plain shirts. Dresses and skirts weren't her style. Once, Martha had bought her a white dress, thinking Kara didn't want to spend money on herself. But Kara had protested, asking her adoptive mother how she was supposed to fly without everyone seeing everything.
In the end, Kara prepared a set of knee-length shorts to wear under her clothes. She hadn't used them yet, but they were ready for the future.
After saying goodbye to Clark, Kara called her two closest friends, Jennifer and Dani. The trio had made plans to meet up during their time off.
Dani suggested a bold idea: visiting Metropolis, the bustling city where Kara's cousin Superman would eventually make his mark.
Unlike their small town, Metropolis was a vibrant hub of activity, and the girls couldn't resist the allure of adventure. Kara, intrigued by the city, agreed to the plan.
They decided to take the train in the morning, explore the city all day, and return by evening. If necessary, they'd stay overnight; with Kara around, they felt safe enough.
But what if something unexpected happened along the way? What if danger found them during their trip?
They hadn't considered the possibility. But then again, they didn't know Kara's true strength or what she was capable of.