ODE

Chapter 12

Dinner is an interesting event. Lena spends it silently observing the people around the table. Her family. Alodie and Siobhan are quietly talking on the other end of the table and Adam and Conor seem to get along very well as they're ranking the world's superheroes. Lena's not entirely sure if Bananaman really exists or if they made him up, either way, it's definitely entertaining.

"Lena?" She looks up at the sudden mention of her name.

Ciara is looking at her with a kind smile.

"What do you do?"

Lena blinks.

"I'm an engineer." Lena decides to settle on.

"Lena is the C.E.O. of a huge company in National City." Adam chimes in and the room grows tired.

All eyes are on her now.

"It's not that interesting, really. I sit in my office all day."

"Lena's been working on VR lenses for dementia and amnesia treatments."

"Adam." Lena glares at him. "I can hardly take credit for that."

"They wouldn't have continued with the treatments if you hadn't improved them significantly." Adam goes on.

"Is that true, Lena? That's incredible." Siobhan sounds impressed. The others continue to stare at her with genuine interest.

Lena is overwhelmed. She has always told herself that she doesn't need validation from others. The Luthors weren't particularly big on praising hard work or good results, no, words like "I'm proud of you" or even a simple "good job" are still a bit foreign to her.

Sensing Lena's discomfort, they settle on a different subject. By the time Lena's finished her plate, her eyes are struggling to keep themselves open.

The farmhouse isn't as large as her penthouse in National City, but it has plenty of spare rooms. Just not enough for the three of them. Thankfully, Adam is fine with rooming with Conor. Alodie gets the larger room next to her sister's and Lena's sleeping in the smaller room on the other side of the hallway.

While Lena is absolutely exhausted, she just can't shut her mind off. She throws her bag onto the floor and fishes her phone out of her pocket.

Kara 09:21 PM

Hey! Everything alright over there? Let me know when you arrive?

Lena 00:34 AM

I just had dinner with my family. It was great.

Lena's fingers have barely left her phone's keyboard when it notifies her of an incoming call.

"Kara, you didn't have to call."

"I wanted to hear your voice. How did everything go?" Kara wonders genuinely.

Lena sits down onto the mattress and fills her in. They talk until her racing mind calms down completely and her eyes fall shut.

She's awoken by the loud screech of a rooster and the harsh sunlight onto her face. Lena sighs and moves until her neck is in a much more comfortable position. Her dead phone is lying next to her on the mattress.

Lena sits upright and admires the view through the window. It's a sunny day without a sign of a single cloud touching the sky.

She grabs her charger and plugs it into the wall. After a much needed shower and applying a new shade of lipstick, she descends the stairs and enters the kitchen.

"Good morning Lena."

"Morning. Where are the others?" Lena looks around the empty space.

"They're off doing some work at the farm. You're welcome to join them, but I'm sure you're still tired." Siobhan smiles. "Drink your tea, dear."