The Gotham students filed off the bus with various levels of enthusiasm. Bruce hung back, letting others go first, observing how the two groups interacted.
Awkward at first. Gotham kids clustering together, Smallville kids doing the same. Then the teachers started forcing introductions and the ice began to break.
Bruce stepped off the bus last. Selina appeared at his elbow immediately.
"You're doing that thing," she said quietly.
"What thing?"
"That analyzing thing. Where you watch everyone like you're collecting data." Selina studied his face. "What are you looking for, Bruce?"
"Just getting a sense of the place," he said casually. "New environment, new people. Force of habit."
"Uh huh." She didn't sound convinced but let it drop. "Well, I'm going to go find someone interesting to talk to. Try not to catalog the entire student body before lunch."
She drifted away toward a group of Smallville girls who looked intrigued by her Gotham edge.
Bruce made his way toward the welcome table where teachers were handing out schedules.
The plan was simple. Gotham students would shadow Smallville students for the week, attending classes together, participating in activities, getting the full small-town high school experience.
"Name?" the teacher at the table asked.
"Bruce Wayne."
She checked her list and smiled. "Oh, you're one of our special guests. Your foundation funded this whole program. We're so grateful."
"Happy to help," Bruce said with practiced humility. "Education and cultural exchange are important."
"Well, you'll be shadowing Clark Kent this week." She looked around. "Clark? Clark, come here please."
Bruce watched Clark's head snap up from across the parking lot. He said something to Pete, then walked over with that slightly hunched posture.
Up close, Bruce could see the details his research had missed. The way Clark's eyes constantly moved, tracking sounds and movements. The slight tremor in his hands that suggested someone fighting for control. The careful way he moved, like he was afraid of breaking things.
"Clark, this is Bruce Wayne from Gotham Academy," the teacher said. "He'll be following your schedule this week. Show him around, help him get oriented."
"Oh, uh, sure." Clark's voice was deeper than Bruce expected, but uncertain. "Hi. Welcome to Smallville."
He extended his hand for a shake. Bruce took it, noting the careful gentleness of Clark's grip. The farm boy was clearly terrified of squeezing too hard.
"Thanks for having us," Bruce said. "This is a nice change from Gotham. Quieter."
"Yeah, we're definitely quiet here." Clark managed a small smile. "Not much happens in Smallville. Might be boring for you."
'If only you knew,' Bruce thought. 'In a few years, Smallville will be known as Superman's hometown. Your quiet little town is going to become the most famous small town in America.'
Out loud he just said, "I'm sure it'll be interesting. I've never spent time in a small town before."
"Well, uh, classes start in about twenty minutes. I can show you around the school first if you want?" Clark seemed nervous, like he'd been assigned to host visiting royalty and wasn't sure how to handle it.
"That'd be great."
They walked together across the parking lot toward the school building. Bruce let Clark take the lead, observing how the other students reacted to them. Some stared, curious about the Gotham student. Others ignored them completely.
Whitney Fordman watched them pass with narrowed eyes, his arm still around Lana's shoulders. Bruce caught the quarterback whispering something to his teammates. They laughed and looked at Clark.
Trouble brewing there. Bruce filed it away for later.
"So, Gotham," Clark said as they entered the school. "That must be really different from here. Big city, lots going on. Do you like it there?"
"It's home," Bruce said. "But it has problems. Crime, corruption, poverty. Sometimes I think about what it would be like to grow up somewhere simpler."
"Simpler has its own issues," Clark said quietly. "Everyone knows everyone else's business. Hard to have privacy. Hard to be different."
"Are you different?"
Clark's step faltered slightly. "What? No, I just meant, you know, in general. Small towns can be... closed-minded sometimes."
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