SV: His Girl Friday Chapter Three
Aug. 7th, 2010 11:01 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
emeraldstagTITLE: Chapter 3 - Pyretic
FANDOM: Smallville
RATING: SFW (Safe For Work - new simpler rating system I'm using)
GENRE: Action-Adventure/Romance
CHARACTERS: Chloe Sullivan, Clark Kent, Lana Lang, Pete Ross, Desirée Atkins, Lex Luthor
PAIRINGS: Clark Kent/Chloe Sullivan
WORDS: 5425
CHAPTER SUMMARY: It's the first day of Chloe and Clark's Sophomore year at Smallville High and it literally bursts into flames. Plus, a wedding!
ARCHIVED: FanFiction.net
STORY LINKS: (First Chapter) | (Previous Chapter) | (Next Chapter)
STORY NOTES:
Much to her surprise, walking through the hallways of Smallville High as a sophomore did feel different to Chloe Sullivan. Sure, she had never been into the hype of popularity or cliques, but now that she found herself in a situation where there was a group of friends around her she could not deny how nice it felt to have that much attention.
There was always the Torch, where Chloe was editor amongst her peers but it wasn't the same as being around friends where the only worries were about having fun, not what assignments needed completing to make it to publication. And it wasn't like she could hold hands with her reporters. Well, Clark did write up an article or two for the Torch but Chloe knew he was much too busy on the farm to be a regular. So hand holding was in, and from a purely biased perspective Chloe thought Clark did that quite well.
Currently, Clark was not only holding her hand but carrying her messenger bag as well on his free shoulder while they walked together. Pete was on Clark's right, filling him in on a girl he had crossed paths with in the parking lot earlier while on Chloe's left was Lana Lang, who seemed quite eager to adapt into their little group now that Whitney Fordman wasn't around anymore.
To Chloe, it wasn't really that selfish of a move by Lana as she'd always been genial to them and now Chloe was open to the idea of being better friends with her, especially after how well she came to accept Chloe and Clark's new status quo at the end of school last year.
“Don't forget I need to borrow the two of you later for the video I'm putting together for Whitney,” Lana said, reminding Clark and Chloe.
“Yeah, with you two running late Lana hounded me all morning to say a little something to our former star quarterback,” chimed in Pete.
Clark laughed. “And I'm sure you minded all that much being in front of the camera. I seem to remember a ten year-old Pete Ross constantly standing in front of his bedroom mirror pretending to be interviewed.”
Lana and Chloe cooed at the image while Pete's cheeks flushed. “I thought we promised each other no embarrassing childhood stories once we reached puberty,” he said, punching Clark in the shoulder.
“I didn't realize you had hit it already,” Clark said laughing. “I thought growth spurts were supposed to happen at that time.”
Chloe dug her elbow into Clark's side and interrupted before Pete could retaliate. “Very mature, Mister 'My-Telescope-is-Pointed-at-Lana's-House'.”
“I-I can explain,” stuttered Clark, while Lana blushed furiously.
“No need,” smiled Chloe, cheerfully clutching Clark's arm closer and looping it with hers. “I already knew the truth going into this relationship. You're a perv.”
Pete roared with laughter, putting out a hand to lean on Clark. “Oh man, she got you good, bro. Is that also the reason why you two arrived late this morning?”
“I wish,” said Chloe, pausing a moment to look abashed before continuing on. “I mean, my dad and I got in from Metropolis really late last night so I only had time to eat some pie and jump into bed. Thanks, Clark, by the way for that plate of your mom's pie. I don't know how you were able to leave it in my room, but you know how much I love her pie. I could only eat a bite and left the rest on the kitchen table this morning for my dad to finish off.” She reached up and pecked Clark on the lips.
“It was nothing,” said Clark, dazedly. “My mom actually suggested it but when I went over to your house you guys hadn't arrived yet so luckily I noticed your window was unlocked and slipped the plate in through there. I was hoping you wouldn't mind.”
Chloe squeezed Clark's hand. “Not at all, I love when you're thoughtful like that.”
“I doubt any girl here in Smallville would mind if you snuck into their bedrooms, Clark,” added Lana with a smile. “With Mrs. Kent's pie along for the ride of course.”
“Hey!” said Chloe, with fake outrage. “Hands off my Pie Man.”
Lana stuck out her tongue in response.
“Uh oh,” said Pete, “Let's not start any wars, ladies. After all, we all know I'm Mrs. Kent's favorite when it comes to eating her pie.”
Chloe and Lana came to a sudden halt in the hall, hands on their hips, sending a glare Pete's direction before glancing over at Clark waiting to see what he'd do.
“Don't look at me,” said Clark, putting his hands up in deference to the girls. “I know when not to jump on a sinking ship, and Pete, right now you are the Titanic to their iceberg.”
With a nod to Chloe and Lana, Clark moved past them and through the classroom doorway they had stopped at. Pete ducked his head and quickly followed behind leaving Chloe and Lana to roll their eyes in exasperation before heading into the class as well.
The classroom they entered was home to their Biology class and upon that realization every step that brought them closer to their seats felt like they were walking to their doom. The reason for that dread was well deserved. It was widely shared by everyone who had taken Biology with Mrs. Kowalski or had a parent that did, that on the first day of class she would start off the school year with an ancient educational video on Sex Ed.
Chloe chose a seat near the windows hoping for a brief respite from the hottest heat wave to hit Smallville in twenty-five years. Any expected relief from the heat by coming indoors was for naught. As was evident with the amount of oscillating fans scattered throughout the room and the lack of noise coming from the air conditioning vents, it looked like Chloe would get little cooling.
Lana slid in to the seat next to her, while the boys kept on until reaching seats near the front. They seemed to be in the middle of a discussion so Chloe turned to Lana. “What do you think?” she asked.
“Mrs. Kowalski and Sex Ed, two things I never want interacting,” said Lana, shuddering.
“Ditto.”
The girls braced themselves for what was to come and looked towards the doorway dreading the moment a mature, grandmotherly type woman ready to play an educational video as old as her would walk through but instead were surprised to see a much younger woman flounce into the classroom wearing a very short sundress. Chloe's eyebrows rose in disbelief as the woman – in her late twenties by Chloe's estimation – introduced herself as the teacher of their class.
“Good morning, I'm Miss Atkins, and I'll be your new Biology teacher,” announced the woman standing at the front of the class before she turned and pulled down the projector screen. “I'm really sorry about the air conditioning situation in here but it looks like we're just going to have to suffer through it together.”
The boys in the classroom all seemed to be more than fine with suffering through the heat now that Miss Atkins was there, especially Pete. Lana giggled at the reactions until Chloe nudged her to stop before she drew any attention their way. There was something about Miss Atkins that seemed odd to Chloe and the reporter in her was determined to find out what it was. She'd keep that thought to herself for the time being though, knowing that it would sound irrational and hint of jealousy if she voiced her first impression of the attractive new teacher the boys couldn't stop staring at.
Watching the Sex Ed video was about as boring as Chloe expected; the mating habits of lions and monkeys used as a parallel for humans was not something she wished to see, let alone learn about. She'd already learned everything she needed about sex from conversations with her cousins, an awkward sit-down with her dad that she never liked to think about and the stack of books he left her with after that talk went downhill. All that was left was practical experience, something she hoped to progress with now that she was back in Smallville with her farm boy boyfriend.
Daydreams were not on the schedule for Chloe. Instead she found herself angrily fixated with Clark's constant wandering eye towards Miss Atkins. The first few times she noticed Chloe tried not to let it bother her, knowing that adolescent boys like Clark sometimes find themselves wowed by the female body. But eventually the fact that it wasn't her body Clark was not so subtly staring at led to Chloe stabbing her pencil into the table she shared with Lana, catching the other girl's attention.
“What's wrong?” said Lana in a whisper.
Chloe merely waved her hand in Clark's direction, where Lana became witness to his failed attempts at casual surveillance of the new teacher. A secret agent spy he was not, and right now Chloe felt he was slowly approaching the bad boyfriend zone as well.
Again they watched in silence as Clark sneaked another peek, only this time he was caught by Miss Atkins. That seemed to work for a few minutes before Clark started looking again.
“I can't believe him, Chloe. Do you want me to hit him with this microscope?”
“No, as much as I appreciate the offer and despite how much fail his actions are right now, it's just his hormones acting up,” said Chloe with a sigh.
“You're not even going to call him on it? He's being pretty rude.”
Chloe gave Lana a wry grin. “Look at it from his perspective, we've been together only a handful of times over the last three months and then he has Miss Atkins sprung upon him on the first day of school in the middle of a heat wave looking all hot and sweaty in that sun dress. He's still only a boy under those broad shoulders of his.”
“You're stronger than me, Chloe. My boyfriend is thousands of miles away and I'm still feeling like I should be staring daggers at Miss Atkins.”
“Oh, don't get me wrong,” assured Chloe, “Clark's about to get called on it.”
With a glance back at Miss Atkins to make sure she wouldn't be seen, Chloe tore a sheet of paper from her spiral notebook and crunched it into a ball that she launched across the room and off Clark's head. Clark jerked and found himself staring at the combined glare of Chloe and Lana. Chloe nodded towards the screen and Clark had the decency to wince before turning towards the front of the room.
Chloe and Lana exchanged looks of exasperation before turning back towards the screen themselves. To their dismay the educational video was still in the middle of explaining mating rituals. Unable to watch monkeys thrusting for a moment longer, Chloe moved her gaze back to her favorite thing to look at since she moved to Smallville years ago, Clark Kent. The heat was having a wonderfully visual effect on his shirt, and she quickly became fascinated with how it clung to him.
This wonderful distraction kept Chloe from noticing right away that Clark's attention had once again wandered from the Sex Ed video. It was only when her chest started to feel uncomfortably warm that she shifted her eyes and noticed Clark with his head turned again. The surprise was that this time he was staring at her, or well her chest for the most part. If not for how uncomfortable she felt at the moment, she might have enjoyed being the object of Clark's desire right in the middle of class.
Hoping to feel some cool air Chloe tugged on the spaghetti strap of her top and missed that Clark had started squinting or that he turned back towards the front of the classroom. The next thing she knew, the uncomfortable heat was gone from her chest and the projector screen had busted into flames. Both she and Lana immediately jumped out of their seats, Lana helping Pete herd students out of the classroom under Miss Atkins direction while Chloe joined Clark at the front of the class.
“Grab the fire extinguisher!” shouted Chloe, her instructions knocking Clark out of his shocked daze and toward the canister sitting atop one of the side desks of the classroom while she moved back towards the windows and yanked down a section of drapes from their hooks.
She tried to smother the flames using the heavy drapes and had minimal success, only succeeding in preventing the fire from spreading. Soon enough, Clark was by her side with the fire extinguisher spraying the flames as best he could. They battled the fire for a few minutes before the smoke started to get to Chloe and she had to bail out of the classroom coughing.
Firefighters were just arriving and jogged past her into the room to take care of the flames. Clark was sent out into the hallway shortly after and Chloe gratefully lunged into her boyfriend's smoky arms.
“You okay?” he asked worriedly.
“My hero,” said Chloe into his chest. “I'm okay now.”
“I'm sorry about earlier, Chloe,” said Clark. “I was a little out of it in there, it was hot and then it started getting hotter-”
“Okay, okay,” interrupted Chloe with a wave of her hands. “The fact that a fire just inexplicably burst into existence in the middle of our classroom, I think I can pass off that whole class as a bunch of unexplainable overheated hallucinations.”
“Alright … I think.”
“Don't think you're out of the dog house though,” said Chloe, leading Clark out of the school. “Now, hold me while we get some fresh air outside.”
They joined the rest of their evacuated class – and school – in the school parking lot watching the Smallville Fire Department handle the fire. The flames were put out in a matter of minutes and the firefighters quickly attempted to restore order to the school, going through the crowd and checking everyone out for smoke inhalation. Pete and Lana gathered around Chloe and Clark once they were outside and the foursome huddled together throughout the ordeal.
Chloe was surprised to see Lex's silver Ferrari drive up to the crowd, but she followed Clark when he headed in the direction of the car. They were both shocked when Lex exited his car and went straight past them to the fire truck where Miss Atkins was being checked out and embraced her.
They shared a confused look at seeing the young billionaire Luthor acting so close to their new teacher. Chloe and Clark were so preoccupied by the revelation that they didn't even notice the two young adults walk right up to them.
“Clark here is the one that that kept a cool head and helped contain the fire,” said Miss Atkins, pointing out Clark to Lex.
Chloe cleared her throat and Miss Atkins suddenly seemed to remember her. “Oh, Miss Sullivan assisted him as well.”
“Why am I not surprised?” replied Lex. “Once again, I'm grateful to you, Clark, and you too of course, Chloe.”
“And I'm confused,” said Clark honestly.
“Me too,” chimed in Chloe.
Lex smiled indulgently. “I'm sorry; the fire emergency seemed to erase my manners. I'd like you two to meet, Desirée Atkins, my fiancée.”
Chloe and Clark flashed confused smiles to the happy couple. That bad feeling Chloe had back in class about Miss Atkins returned with a vengeance upon hearing of the woman's new status at Lex's side. Before the conversation could continue however, an 'all clear' announcement came over the school loudspeakers, allowing everyone to return to their schooldays.
“See you in class you two,” said Miss Atkins, sending a loving look to Lex before leaving to head back inside the high school. The two teens walked up to Lex's side and watched her walk off.
“Where did you dig her up?” said Chloe bluntly, staring intently at Miss Atkins back.
Clark coughed and chided her with a look. “What Chloe meant was we didn't even know you were seeing anyone. You sure about this?”
“I've never been surer of anything in my life,” said Lex dreamily. After a moment he realized that Clark was the one standing next to him and reached into his coat pocket. “Oh! I was going to have this sent over to the Kent Farm but since you're here ...”
Clark accepted the envelope and opened it to reveal a wedding invitation. Chloe snuck her head in and read the note at the same time.
“A wedding? Tonight?” she asked.
“I know it's short notice but I was hoping you'd be my best man,” said Lex to Clark.
Clark was stunned silent until Chloe not so gently kicked his ankle. “I'd be honored, Lex.”
“Good,” said Lex, grasping Clark's shoulder. “You two better get to class, you never know when the next fire is going to erupt.”
Clark was all set to head back in but was stopped cold by Chloe's knowing glare. He quickly turned back to Lex. “Hey Lex!” he shouted. “I can bring Chloe as my date right?”
Lex stopped just before entering his Ferrari to look at Clark. “Isn't that a given, Clark?”
***
Chloe looked away from the camera and its blinking red light to the patient Lana hovering behind it giving Chloe an encouraging smile as she struggled to finish her video message to Whitney. The sounds of Clark trying to work the espresso machine in the background weren't helping matters, although the worrying glances Lana would send his direction every now and then were amusing to Chloe.
On that thought a fun grin lit Chloe's features as a clever way to close out her message came to her. “I know we weren't that close Whitney, but I think it's brilliant that you are over there fighting for the freedoms we get to explore back here in Smallville. And keep in mind, heroism is hot.” She finished with a vivacious wink for the camera that sent Lana into a fit of giggles.
“That's going to get the boys over there riled up for sure,” said Lana, smiling as she snapped shut the video camera and started putting it away in her bag.
“Especially since you decided to do it in your dress for Lex's wedding,” said Clark carrying a pair of drinks to the girls.
“You were the one who wanted to go first, Clark,” Chloe reminded him. “Our hair and these dresses take time to put on and get right, not like you boys and your ability to quick change like your life depended on it.” She shared a look with Lana. “You know, we didn't even get to hear what you said to Whitney, maybe we should play it back now.”
Clark quickly moved between the girls and the camera bag. “No need to be hasty,” said Clark nervously, waving his arms dismissively. “You both look stunning in those dresses. To die for.”
That stopped Chloe and Lana in their tracks and they moved together for a set of poses while Clark took pictures using Chloe's camera. For the next few minutes they were a jumbled mess of awkward angles and boisterous laughter – especially once they set the timer and pulled Clark into the shots too – until the Talon's ringing phone broke through the moment and put a stop to their fun.
Lana sighed and pulled herself away from the couple to glide across the Talon towards the back room that held the ringing phone. Chloe and Clark adjusted themselves in the barstools but once Chloe licked her lips Clark closed the gap to claim those very lips.
“You do look fantastic, Chlo,” said Clark between kisses. “That wasn't a line I was using earlier.”
Chloe laughed softly. “I knew that, Clark Kent. If there's one thing I'm positive about you is that there is no room for player lines in your muscled farm boy repertoire.”
“Well, the color suits you,” said Clark, a finger lingering on her bare left shoulder before trailing down her back sending shivers down Chloe's spine.
“I've missed you,” said Chloe, smiling as she gazed into Clark's eyes. “You know, this is the first chance we've had to be alone since I got back. I've been waiting all day to be in your arms again and feel your lips on mine.”
“I can do more than that,” said Clark confidently, kissing her soundly on the lips. For the next few minutes the Talon was only filled with the sounds of their hormonal teen passion as Clark pressed Chloe up against the bar and she hooked her leg around his to pull him tight against her.
Clark seemed to be focusing on the point on Chloe's neck where her pulse was and lavished the area with soft kisses and light bites. While the sensations were amazing on Chloe's end, she thought it was only fair to retaliate and did the best she could with Clark's strong body pinning her in place.
Running her hands through his shaggy dark locks she pulled him close and enjoyed Clark's warmth and the strong scent of crops and hay from the Kent Farm that lingered on him. The safety and affection she felt at that moment was a new experience for her and something Chloe badly wanted to be a recurring theme in her life from then on. She was head over heels in love with this farm boy who was starting to become a man; if only her cousins could see her now.
Everything was going great when Clark pulled away from her neck. Thinking he was just going to move to another part of her body she didn't give much mind to it, but when a minute passed with no further kisses she opened her eyes to see what was wrong. What Chloe found was Clark with his hands on either side of her gripping the bar counter while he grimaced and looked away.
“Are you okay, Clark?” said Chloe worriedly, reaching out to touch his chin.
Clark flinched away. “D-Don't” he warned. “I-I'm not feeling well. T-The lights, they're too bright.”
“Alright,” said Chloe doubtfully. “I'll see if we can turn them down a bit. I'm sure there's a dimmer switch. Lana did upgrade the electrical system when she converted this place into a coffee shop right?”
“Probably,” said Clark quickly. “Just go! Talk to Lana and find out. I just need some space.”
“Right away, Mr. Bi-polar,” said Chloe, a little put off. Jumping off the stool, she started to walk towards the manager's office where Lana was. “If he's not ill, he will be soon,” she muttered to herself.
Moments before she could reach the office a blast from behind knocked Chloe forward a few steps, slamming into the door. Rubbing her shoulder, she looked back at the bar and gawked at the mess that now existed while the door behind her opened.
“Oh my god,” said Lana. “What happened?!”
The espresso bar was currently in flames and the cappuccino machine was completely demolished – the blast Chloe had felt – but what had Chloe in the most distress was the sight of Clark leaning heavily against a wall near the blast area holding his head.
“I don't know, but I think you might want to call 9-1-1,” said Chloe as she grabbed a nearby fire extinguisher and made her way towards her boyfriend. When she reached him she couldn't help but notice that despite the situation he seemed to be in better spirits than when she left him moments before the blast.
The reporter in her made quick observations on the similarities to the fire earlier that day in Biology class and the fact that she and Clark were around for both. She pushed the facts to the back of her mind for later consumption and tried to make light of the current situation they were in. “You know, I don't remember us making enough friction to make the Talon blow, did we?”
“A few parts are hazy,” said Clark lightly, welcoming her embrace.
“Unbelievable!” said Lana, throwing her hands in the air. “The fire department is on their way, the Talon is on fire, we're supposed to be on our way to a wedding and you two think it's time to flirt. I give up!”
“What can I say, Lana,” said Chloe with a naughty grin on her face. “We're just combustible elements.”
***
The ceremony went off without a hitch. Lex looked the part of the happy groom, and Desirée Atkins was stunningly beautiful in her white gown. It was the first wedding Chloe could remember attending, there might have been one or two she'd been taken to when she was a young child but she didn't like thinking about those years – back when her mom was still around.
Now that she was a young adult Chloe had much more fun dressing up and putting her hair up. It also had advantages in other areas of her life. She had noticed that Clark had been more attentive to her neck and ears in the Talon after Lana had helped get her hair ready for the wedding. The best thing though to come out of this Luthor surprise would have to be Lana.
The summer apart seemed to have transformed Lana into someone Chloe did want to know and be good friends with. The way they clicked, the fun they had together and around Clark who Lana seemed at ease being the platonic friend with – it was all exhilarating to Chloe. Not counting her cousins who she rarely saw in person anyway, she couldn't remember the last time she actually had a close girlfriend she could bond with. And now all of a sudden there was Lana, all cheery, kind and just adorable to be around.
Standing next to her as the new Mr. and Mrs. Luthor cut their wedding cake, Chloe couldn't help but admire her friend. The turquoise dress she wore was just stunning but Chloe had to admit, Lana had that way with outfits, looking hot and irresistible. She could see why Clark was attracted to Lana, what hot blooded male wouldn't be? And with how much of an amazing friend Lana was turning out to be, Chloe was just glad Clark had chosen her or else she might've developed insecurity issues. A laugh escaped her lips at the thought. This wasn't Dawson's Creek. Smallville was anything but.
“What's so funny?”
Chloe turned to Lana, inwardly sighing at the fact that her wandering mind had brought attention to herself yet again. “Oh, it was nothing.”
“It has to be something,” said Lana insistently. “Anything to make the time go faster please. This wedding is wonderful and all but this heat wave makes me want to strip down and jump in the Smallville High pool with it's lovely temperature controlled water and air-conditioned building.” She flashed Chloe a sly grin. “Now that would be a nice night cap don't you think?”
“Just because I happen to have a copy of the school's master key so I can access the Torch at anytime doesn't mean I'll be a party to your shenanigans,” said Chloe pretending to be offended. Her seemingly stern face broke a moment later as she started to giggle.
Lana hooked Chloe's arm with her own and chimed in with her own laughter. They drew a few inquiring looks from the wedding guests around them but the girls paid them no mind.
“You are so on, Miss Lang. I like the way you think,” said Chloe once she caught her breath. “And the way you dress, I don't need to tell you how jealous I am of how beautiful you look in that dress.”
Lana flashed a smile and squeezed Chloe's hand. “I hope that wasn't what made you laugh.”
“Only in that I was comparing our lives to that of a teen drama,” said Chloe.
“Well, if that was true Chloe, I think that would make you the main girl of the show,” said Lana as she spied the approaching Clark. “Because you certainly caught the Boy Next Door.”
Chloe's response was prevented by a pair of male, jacket-clad arms holding champagne in each hand surrounding her in a hug. “Were you talking about me?” came Clark's voice from behind her. “My ears were burning.”
“That's not the only thing burning,” muttered Chloe under her breath.
“In your dreams, Clark Kent,” challenged Lana.
Clark shrugged and made a show of pointing out the champagne flutes he was holding. “I guess these drinks were for two other girls I know.”
A swift elbow from Chloe had Clark moving around and properly handing the girls their drinks. “Thank you, Clark,” said Chloe with faux innocence.
Lana raised her champagne and pressed it against her forehead. “Oh, that hits the spot,” she said with some satisfaction. “Viva chilled alcohol.”
Chloe mirrored her actions and sighed in relief. “Done with best man duties?” she asked Clark.
“Yeah, all that's left is for Lex and Desirée to meet and greet,” said Clark, nodding.
“Desirée is it now?” said Lana interestedly. “You've warmed up to her awfully fast.”
“You two should give her a chance,” said Clark. “She's been nothing but friendly to me.”
“I still can't believe we're going to be taking Sex Ed from Mrs. Luthor,” said Chloe.
“I've never seen Lex happier,” said Clark candidly.
“And I've never been happier,” interrupted an approaching Lex Luthor. He greeted Clark with a handshake and the girls with kisses on the cheek. “Clark, Lana, Chloe, thank you for coming. It means a lot to me.”
“We're happy to be here for you,” said Lana.
“And now that I'm back in town, he doesn't go anywhere without me and vice versa,” said Chloe pointing at Clark.
Lex laughed. “I'm starting to understand how that part of a relationship works.” He slapped Clark on the back. “I hope you don't mind if I ask for a moment of my best man's time.”
“No problem, Lex,” said Clark, glancing at Chloe and Lana before walking away with Lex.
Lana cosied up to Chloe while they watched the two men walk away. “So, now that we're alone again, we were talking about you and Clark weren't we?”
“Were we?” said Chloe faintly, her cheeks reddening.
“Yes, and you were going to dish the details of how he welcomed you back,” said Lana, bumping shoulders with Chloe.
Chloe bit her lower lip. “Well, there hasn't been a chance for him to 'welcome' me back yet,” she admitted. “I mean, when you went to answer the phone in the Talon we had some time to ourselves but then the stupid espresso bar decided to light itself on fire.”
“Maybe you two caused the fire,” said Lana laughing. “All that friction built up over the summer and you two need to let it out before the whole town burns down.”
“Haha,” said Chloe sarcastically. “My love life or lack thereof will not be the next natural disaster to hit Smallville.”
“Not yet at least,” added Lana humorously, patting Chloe on the back. “It wouldn't hurt letting a little steam off.”
Chloe looked up at the sweltering sky and let out a frustrated sigh. Maybe a dip in the pool would scratch a few itches that night.
FANDOM: Smallville
RATING: SFW (Safe For Work - new simpler rating system I'm using)
GENRE: Action-Adventure/Romance
CHARACTERS: Chloe Sullivan, Clark Kent, Lana Lang, Pete Ross, Desirée Atkins, Lex Luthor
PAIRINGS: Clark Kent/Chloe Sullivan
WORDS: 5425
CHAPTER SUMMARY: It's the first day of Chloe and Clark's Sophomore year at Smallville High and it literally bursts into flames. Plus, a wedding!
ARCHIVED: FanFiction.net
STORY LINKS: (First Chapter) | (Previous Chapter) | (Next Chapter)
STORY NOTES:
- That's right, your eyes are not deceiving you. After a year hiatus an update to His Girl Friday has finally arrived and as a special gift (and a result of my underestimation of how long the chapter would be) this chapter is extra-sized.
- The first half was written back in March and probably should have been released as its own chapter but the second half which I wrote this weekend had a relating theme that was worth keeping together. Hope it's worth the wait.
- Next chapter will be shorter in length and hopefully update time. It will cover the second half of the "Heat" episode.
Much to her surprise, walking through the hallways of Smallville High as a sophomore did feel different to Chloe Sullivan. Sure, she had never been into the hype of popularity or cliques, but now that she found herself in a situation where there was a group of friends around her she could not deny how nice it felt to have that much attention.
There was always the Torch, where Chloe was editor amongst her peers but it wasn't the same as being around friends where the only worries were about having fun, not what assignments needed completing to make it to publication. And it wasn't like she could hold hands with her reporters. Well, Clark did write up an article or two for the Torch but Chloe knew he was much too busy on the farm to be a regular. So hand holding was in, and from a purely biased perspective Chloe thought Clark did that quite well.
Currently, Clark was not only holding her hand but carrying her messenger bag as well on his free shoulder while they walked together. Pete was on Clark's right, filling him in on a girl he had crossed paths with in the parking lot earlier while on Chloe's left was Lana Lang, who seemed quite eager to adapt into their little group now that Whitney Fordman wasn't around anymore.
To Chloe, it wasn't really that selfish of a move by Lana as she'd always been genial to them and now Chloe was open to the idea of being better friends with her, especially after how well she came to accept Chloe and Clark's new status quo at the end of school last year.
“Don't forget I need to borrow the two of you later for the video I'm putting together for Whitney,” Lana said, reminding Clark and Chloe.
“Yeah, with you two running late Lana hounded me all morning to say a little something to our former star quarterback,” chimed in Pete.
Clark laughed. “And I'm sure you minded all that much being in front of the camera. I seem to remember a ten year-old Pete Ross constantly standing in front of his bedroom mirror pretending to be interviewed.”
Lana and Chloe cooed at the image while Pete's cheeks flushed. “I thought we promised each other no embarrassing childhood stories once we reached puberty,” he said, punching Clark in the shoulder.
“I didn't realize you had hit it already,” Clark said laughing. “I thought growth spurts were supposed to happen at that time.”
Chloe dug her elbow into Clark's side and interrupted before Pete could retaliate. “Very mature, Mister 'My-Telescope-is-Pointed-at-Lana's-House'.”
“I-I can explain,” stuttered Clark, while Lana blushed furiously.
“No need,” smiled Chloe, cheerfully clutching Clark's arm closer and looping it with hers. “I already knew the truth going into this relationship. You're a perv.”
Pete roared with laughter, putting out a hand to lean on Clark. “Oh man, she got you good, bro. Is that also the reason why you two arrived late this morning?”
“I wish,” said Chloe, pausing a moment to look abashed before continuing on. “I mean, my dad and I got in from Metropolis really late last night so I only had time to eat some pie and jump into bed. Thanks, Clark, by the way for that plate of your mom's pie. I don't know how you were able to leave it in my room, but you know how much I love her pie. I could only eat a bite and left the rest on the kitchen table this morning for my dad to finish off.” She reached up and pecked Clark on the lips.
“It was nothing,” said Clark, dazedly. “My mom actually suggested it but when I went over to your house you guys hadn't arrived yet so luckily I noticed your window was unlocked and slipped the plate in through there. I was hoping you wouldn't mind.”
Chloe squeezed Clark's hand. “Not at all, I love when you're thoughtful like that.”
“I doubt any girl here in Smallville would mind if you snuck into their bedrooms, Clark,” added Lana with a smile. “With Mrs. Kent's pie along for the ride of course.”
“Hey!” said Chloe, with fake outrage. “Hands off my Pie Man.”
Lana stuck out her tongue in response.
“Uh oh,” said Pete, “Let's not start any wars, ladies. After all, we all know I'm Mrs. Kent's favorite when it comes to eating her pie.”
Chloe and Lana came to a sudden halt in the hall, hands on their hips, sending a glare Pete's direction before glancing over at Clark waiting to see what he'd do.
“Don't look at me,” said Clark, putting his hands up in deference to the girls. “I know when not to jump on a sinking ship, and Pete, right now you are the Titanic to their iceberg.”
With a nod to Chloe and Lana, Clark moved past them and through the classroom doorway they had stopped at. Pete ducked his head and quickly followed behind leaving Chloe and Lana to roll their eyes in exasperation before heading into the class as well.
The classroom they entered was home to their Biology class and upon that realization every step that brought them closer to their seats felt like they were walking to their doom. The reason for that dread was well deserved. It was widely shared by everyone who had taken Biology with Mrs. Kowalski or had a parent that did, that on the first day of class she would start off the school year with an ancient educational video on Sex Ed.
Chloe chose a seat near the windows hoping for a brief respite from the hottest heat wave to hit Smallville in twenty-five years. Any expected relief from the heat by coming indoors was for naught. As was evident with the amount of oscillating fans scattered throughout the room and the lack of noise coming from the air conditioning vents, it looked like Chloe would get little cooling.
Lana slid in to the seat next to her, while the boys kept on until reaching seats near the front. They seemed to be in the middle of a discussion so Chloe turned to Lana. “What do you think?” she asked.
“Mrs. Kowalski and Sex Ed, two things I never want interacting,” said Lana, shuddering.
“Ditto.”
The girls braced themselves for what was to come and looked towards the doorway dreading the moment a mature, grandmotherly type woman ready to play an educational video as old as her would walk through but instead were surprised to see a much younger woman flounce into the classroom wearing a very short sundress. Chloe's eyebrows rose in disbelief as the woman – in her late twenties by Chloe's estimation – introduced herself as the teacher of their class.
“Good morning, I'm Miss Atkins, and I'll be your new Biology teacher,” announced the woman standing at the front of the class before she turned and pulled down the projector screen. “I'm really sorry about the air conditioning situation in here but it looks like we're just going to have to suffer through it together.”
The boys in the classroom all seemed to be more than fine with suffering through the heat now that Miss Atkins was there, especially Pete. Lana giggled at the reactions until Chloe nudged her to stop before she drew any attention their way. There was something about Miss Atkins that seemed odd to Chloe and the reporter in her was determined to find out what it was. She'd keep that thought to herself for the time being though, knowing that it would sound irrational and hint of jealousy if she voiced her first impression of the attractive new teacher the boys couldn't stop staring at.
Watching the Sex Ed video was about as boring as Chloe expected; the mating habits of lions and monkeys used as a parallel for humans was not something she wished to see, let alone learn about. She'd already learned everything she needed about sex from conversations with her cousins, an awkward sit-down with her dad that she never liked to think about and the stack of books he left her with after that talk went downhill. All that was left was practical experience, something she hoped to progress with now that she was back in Smallville with her farm boy boyfriend.
Daydreams were not on the schedule for Chloe. Instead she found herself angrily fixated with Clark's constant wandering eye towards Miss Atkins. The first few times she noticed Chloe tried not to let it bother her, knowing that adolescent boys like Clark sometimes find themselves wowed by the female body. But eventually the fact that it wasn't her body Clark was not so subtly staring at led to Chloe stabbing her pencil into the table she shared with Lana, catching the other girl's attention.
“What's wrong?” said Lana in a whisper.
Chloe merely waved her hand in Clark's direction, where Lana became witness to his failed attempts at casual surveillance of the new teacher. A secret agent spy he was not, and right now Chloe felt he was slowly approaching the bad boyfriend zone as well.
Again they watched in silence as Clark sneaked another peek, only this time he was caught by Miss Atkins. That seemed to work for a few minutes before Clark started looking again.
“I can't believe him, Chloe. Do you want me to hit him with this microscope?”
“No, as much as I appreciate the offer and despite how much fail his actions are right now, it's just his hormones acting up,” said Chloe with a sigh.
“You're not even going to call him on it? He's being pretty rude.”
Chloe gave Lana a wry grin. “Look at it from his perspective, we've been together only a handful of times over the last three months and then he has Miss Atkins sprung upon him on the first day of school in the middle of a heat wave looking all hot and sweaty in that sun dress. He's still only a boy under those broad shoulders of his.”
“You're stronger than me, Chloe. My boyfriend is thousands of miles away and I'm still feeling like I should be staring daggers at Miss Atkins.”
“Oh, don't get me wrong,” assured Chloe, “Clark's about to get called on it.”
With a glance back at Miss Atkins to make sure she wouldn't be seen, Chloe tore a sheet of paper from her spiral notebook and crunched it into a ball that she launched across the room and off Clark's head. Clark jerked and found himself staring at the combined glare of Chloe and Lana. Chloe nodded towards the screen and Clark had the decency to wince before turning towards the front of the room.
Chloe and Lana exchanged looks of exasperation before turning back towards the screen themselves. To their dismay the educational video was still in the middle of explaining mating rituals. Unable to watch monkeys thrusting for a moment longer, Chloe moved her gaze back to her favorite thing to look at since she moved to Smallville years ago, Clark Kent. The heat was having a wonderfully visual effect on his shirt, and she quickly became fascinated with how it clung to him.
This wonderful distraction kept Chloe from noticing right away that Clark's attention had once again wandered from the Sex Ed video. It was only when her chest started to feel uncomfortably warm that she shifted her eyes and noticed Clark with his head turned again. The surprise was that this time he was staring at her, or well her chest for the most part. If not for how uncomfortable she felt at the moment, she might have enjoyed being the object of Clark's desire right in the middle of class.
Hoping to feel some cool air Chloe tugged on the spaghetti strap of her top and missed that Clark had started squinting or that he turned back towards the front of the classroom. The next thing she knew, the uncomfortable heat was gone from her chest and the projector screen had busted into flames. Both she and Lana immediately jumped out of their seats, Lana helping Pete herd students out of the classroom under Miss Atkins direction while Chloe joined Clark at the front of the class.
“Grab the fire extinguisher!” shouted Chloe, her instructions knocking Clark out of his shocked daze and toward the canister sitting atop one of the side desks of the classroom while she moved back towards the windows and yanked down a section of drapes from their hooks.
She tried to smother the flames using the heavy drapes and had minimal success, only succeeding in preventing the fire from spreading. Soon enough, Clark was by her side with the fire extinguisher spraying the flames as best he could. They battled the fire for a few minutes before the smoke started to get to Chloe and she had to bail out of the classroom coughing.
Firefighters were just arriving and jogged past her into the room to take care of the flames. Clark was sent out into the hallway shortly after and Chloe gratefully lunged into her boyfriend's smoky arms.
“You okay?” he asked worriedly.
“My hero,” said Chloe into his chest. “I'm okay now.”
“I'm sorry about earlier, Chloe,” said Clark. “I was a little out of it in there, it was hot and then it started getting hotter-”
“Okay, okay,” interrupted Chloe with a wave of her hands. “The fact that a fire just inexplicably burst into existence in the middle of our classroom, I think I can pass off that whole class as a bunch of unexplainable overheated hallucinations.”
“Alright … I think.”
“Don't think you're out of the dog house though,” said Chloe, leading Clark out of the school. “Now, hold me while we get some fresh air outside.”
They joined the rest of their evacuated class – and school – in the school parking lot watching the Smallville Fire Department handle the fire. The flames were put out in a matter of minutes and the firefighters quickly attempted to restore order to the school, going through the crowd and checking everyone out for smoke inhalation. Pete and Lana gathered around Chloe and Clark once they were outside and the foursome huddled together throughout the ordeal.
Chloe was surprised to see Lex's silver Ferrari drive up to the crowd, but she followed Clark when he headed in the direction of the car. They were both shocked when Lex exited his car and went straight past them to the fire truck where Miss Atkins was being checked out and embraced her.
They shared a confused look at seeing the young billionaire Luthor acting so close to their new teacher. Chloe and Clark were so preoccupied by the revelation that they didn't even notice the two young adults walk right up to them.
“Clark here is the one that that kept a cool head and helped contain the fire,” said Miss Atkins, pointing out Clark to Lex.
Chloe cleared her throat and Miss Atkins suddenly seemed to remember her. “Oh, Miss Sullivan assisted him as well.”
“Why am I not surprised?” replied Lex. “Once again, I'm grateful to you, Clark, and you too of course, Chloe.”
“And I'm confused,” said Clark honestly.
“Me too,” chimed in Chloe.
Lex smiled indulgently. “I'm sorry; the fire emergency seemed to erase my manners. I'd like you two to meet, Desirée Atkins, my fiancée.”
Chloe and Clark flashed confused smiles to the happy couple. That bad feeling Chloe had back in class about Miss Atkins returned with a vengeance upon hearing of the woman's new status at Lex's side. Before the conversation could continue however, an 'all clear' announcement came over the school loudspeakers, allowing everyone to return to their schooldays.
“See you in class you two,” said Miss Atkins, sending a loving look to Lex before leaving to head back inside the high school. The two teens walked up to Lex's side and watched her walk off.
“Where did you dig her up?” said Chloe bluntly, staring intently at Miss Atkins back.
Clark coughed and chided her with a look. “What Chloe meant was we didn't even know you were seeing anyone. You sure about this?”
“I've never been surer of anything in my life,” said Lex dreamily. After a moment he realized that Clark was the one standing next to him and reached into his coat pocket. “Oh! I was going to have this sent over to the Kent Farm but since you're here ...”
Clark accepted the envelope and opened it to reveal a wedding invitation. Chloe snuck her head in and read the note at the same time.
“A wedding? Tonight?” she asked.
“I know it's short notice but I was hoping you'd be my best man,” said Lex to Clark.
Clark was stunned silent until Chloe not so gently kicked his ankle. “I'd be honored, Lex.”
“Good,” said Lex, grasping Clark's shoulder. “You two better get to class, you never know when the next fire is going to erupt.”
Clark was all set to head back in but was stopped cold by Chloe's knowing glare. He quickly turned back to Lex. “Hey Lex!” he shouted. “I can bring Chloe as my date right?”
Lex stopped just before entering his Ferrari to look at Clark. “Isn't that a given, Clark?”
***
Chloe looked away from the camera and its blinking red light to the patient Lana hovering behind it giving Chloe an encouraging smile as she struggled to finish her video message to Whitney. The sounds of Clark trying to work the espresso machine in the background weren't helping matters, although the worrying glances Lana would send his direction every now and then were amusing to Chloe.
On that thought a fun grin lit Chloe's features as a clever way to close out her message came to her. “I know we weren't that close Whitney, but I think it's brilliant that you are over there fighting for the freedoms we get to explore back here in Smallville. And keep in mind, heroism is hot.” She finished with a vivacious wink for the camera that sent Lana into a fit of giggles.
“That's going to get the boys over there riled up for sure,” said Lana, smiling as she snapped shut the video camera and started putting it away in her bag.
“Especially since you decided to do it in your dress for Lex's wedding,” said Clark carrying a pair of drinks to the girls.
“You were the one who wanted to go first, Clark,” Chloe reminded him. “Our hair and these dresses take time to put on and get right, not like you boys and your ability to quick change like your life depended on it.” She shared a look with Lana. “You know, we didn't even get to hear what you said to Whitney, maybe we should play it back now.”
Clark quickly moved between the girls and the camera bag. “No need to be hasty,” said Clark nervously, waving his arms dismissively. “You both look stunning in those dresses. To die for.”
That stopped Chloe and Lana in their tracks and they moved together for a set of poses while Clark took pictures using Chloe's camera. For the next few minutes they were a jumbled mess of awkward angles and boisterous laughter – especially once they set the timer and pulled Clark into the shots too – until the Talon's ringing phone broke through the moment and put a stop to their fun.
Lana sighed and pulled herself away from the couple to glide across the Talon towards the back room that held the ringing phone. Chloe and Clark adjusted themselves in the barstools but once Chloe licked her lips Clark closed the gap to claim those very lips.
“You do look fantastic, Chlo,” said Clark between kisses. “That wasn't a line I was using earlier.”
Chloe laughed softly. “I knew that, Clark Kent. If there's one thing I'm positive about you is that there is no room for player lines in your muscled farm boy repertoire.”
“Well, the color suits you,” said Clark, a finger lingering on her bare left shoulder before trailing down her back sending shivers down Chloe's spine.
“I've missed you,” said Chloe, smiling as she gazed into Clark's eyes. “You know, this is the first chance we've had to be alone since I got back. I've been waiting all day to be in your arms again and feel your lips on mine.”
“I can do more than that,” said Clark confidently, kissing her soundly on the lips. For the next few minutes the Talon was only filled with the sounds of their hormonal teen passion as Clark pressed Chloe up against the bar and she hooked her leg around his to pull him tight against her.
Clark seemed to be focusing on the point on Chloe's neck where her pulse was and lavished the area with soft kisses and light bites. While the sensations were amazing on Chloe's end, she thought it was only fair to retaliate and did the best she could with Clark's strong body pinning her in place.
Running her hands through his shaggy dark locks she pulled him close and enjoyed Clark's warmth and the strong scent of crops and hay from the Kent Farm that lingered on him. The safety and affection she felt at that moment was a new experience for her and something Chloe badly wanted to be a recurring theme in her life from then on. She was head over heels in love with this farm boy who was starting to become a man; if only her cousins could see her now.
Everything was going great when Clark pulled away from her neck. Thinking he was just going to move to another part of her body she didn't give much mind to it, but when a minute passed with no further kisses she opened her eyes to see what was wrong. What Chloe found was Clark with his hands on either side of her gripping the bar counter while he grimaced and looked away.
“Are you okay, Clark?” said Chloe worriedly, reaching out to touch his chin.
Clark flinched away. “D-Don't” he warned. “I-I'm not feeling well. T-The lights, they're too bright.”
“Alright,” said Chloe doubtfully. “I'll see if we can turn them down a bit. I'm sure there's a dimmer switch. Lana did upgrade the electrical system when she converted this place into a coffee shop right?”
“Probably,” said Clark quickly. “Just go! Talk to Lana and find out. I just need some space.”
“Right away, Mr. Bi-polar,” said Chloe, a little put off. Jumping off the stool, she started to walk towards the manager's office where Lana was. “If he's not ill, he will be soon,” she muttered to herself.
Moments before she could reach the office a blast from behind knocked Chloe forward a few steps, slamming into the door. Rubbing her shoulder, she looked back at the bar and gawked at the mess that now existed while the door behind her opened.
“Oh my god,” said Lana. “What happened?!”
The espresso bar was currently in flames and the cappuccino machine was completely demolished – the blast Chloe had felt – but what had Chloe in the most distress was the sight of Clark leaning heavily against a wall near the blast area holding his head.
“I don't know, but I think you might want to call 9-1-1,” said Chloe as she grabbed a nearby fire extinguisher and made her way towards her boyfriend. When she reached him she couldn't help but notice that despite the situation he seemed to be in better spirits than when she left him moments before the blast.
The reporter in her made quick observations on the similarities to the fire earlier that day in Biology class and the fact that she and Clark were around for both. She pushed the facts to the back of her mind for later consumption and tried to make light of the current situation they were in. “You know, I don't remember us making enough friction to make the Talon blow, did we?”
“A few parts are hazy,” said Clark lightly, welcoming her embrace.
“Unbelievable!” said Lana, throwing her hands in the air. “The fire department is on their way, the Talon is on fire, we're supposed to be on our way to a wedding and you two think it's time to flirt. I give up!”
“What can I say, Lana,” said Chloe with a naughty grin on her face. “We're just combustible elements.”
***
The ceremony went off without a hitch. Lex looked the part of the happy groom, and Desirée Atkins was stunningly beautiful in her white gown. It was the first wedding Chloe could remember attending, there might have been one or two she'd been taken to when she was a young child but she didn't like thinking about those years – back when her mom was still around.
Now that she was a young adult Chloe had much more fun dressing up and putting her hair up. It also had advantages in other areas of her life. She had noticed that Clark had been more attentive to her neck and ears in the Talon after Lana had helped get her hair ready for the wedding. The best thing though to come out of this Luthor surprise would have to be Lana.
The summer apart seemed to have transformed Lana into someone Chloe did want to know and be good friends with. The way they clicked, the fun they had together and around Clark who Lana seemed at ease being the platonic friend with – it was all exhilarating to Chloe. Not counting her cousins who she rarely saw in person anyway, she couldn't remember the last time she actually had a close girlfriend she could bond with. And now all of a sudden there was Lana, all cheery, kind and just adorable to be around.
Standing next to her as the new Mr. and Mrs. Luthor cut their wedding cake, Chloe couldn't help but admire her friend. The turquoise dress she wore was just stunning but Chloe had to admit, Lana had that way with outfits, looking hot and irresistible. She could see why Clark was attracted to Lana, what hot blooded male wouldn't be? And with how much of an amazing friend Lana was turning out to be, Chloe was just glad Clark had chosen her or else she might've developed insecurity issues. A laugh escaped her lips at the thought. This wasn't Dawson's Creek. Smallville was anything but.
“What's so funny?”
Chloe turned to Lana, inwardly sighing at the fact that her wandering mind had brought attention to herself yet again. “Oh, it was nothing.”
“It has to be something,” said Lana insistently. “Anything to make the time go faster please. This wedding is wonderful and all but this heat wave makes me want to strip down and jump in the Smallville High pool with it's lovely temperature controlled water and air-conditioned building.” She flashed Chloe a sly grin. “Now that would be a nice night cap don't you think?”
“Just because I happen to have a copy of the school's master key so I can access the Torch at anytime doesn't mean I'll be a party to your shenanigans,” said Chloe pretending to be offended. Her seemingly stern face broke a moment later as she started to giggle.
Lana hooked Chloe's arm with her own and chimed in with her own laughter. They drew a few inquiring looks from the wedding guests around them but the girls paid them no mind.
“You are so on, Miss Lang. I like the way you think,” said Chloe once she caught her breath. “And the way you dress, I don't need to tell you how jealous I am of how beautiful you look in that dress.”
Lana flashed a smile and squeezed Chloe's hand. “I hope that wasn't what made you laugh.”
“Only in that I was comparing our lives to that of a teen drama,” said Chloe.
“Well, if that was true Chloe, I think that would make you the main girl of the show,” said Lana as she spied the approaching Clark. “Because you certainly caught the Boy Next Door.”
Chloe's response was prevented by a pair of male, jacket-clad arms holding champagne in each hand surrounding her in a hug. “Were you talking about me?” came Clark's voice from behind her. “My ears were burning.”
“That's not the only thing burning,” muttered Chloe under her breath.
“In your dreams, Clark Kent,” challenged Lana.
Clark shrugged and made a show of pointing out the champagne flutes he was holding. “I guess these drinks were for two other girls I know.”
A swift elbow from Chloe had Clark moving around and properly handing the girls their drinks. “Thank you, Clark,” said Chloe with faux innocence.
Lana raised her champagne and pressed it against her forehead. “Oh, that hits the spot,” she said with some satisfaction. “Viva chilled alcohol.”
Chloe mirrored her actions and sighed in relief. “Done with best man duties?” she asked Clark.
“Yeah, all that's left is for Lex and Desirée to meet and greet,” said Clark, nodding.
“Desirée is it now?” said Lana interestedly. “You've warmed up to her awfully fast.”
“You two should give her a chance,” said Clark. “She's been nothing but friendly to me.”
“I still can't believe we're going to be taking Sex Ed from Mrs. Luthor,” said Chloe.
“I've never seen Lex happier,” said Clark candidly.
“And I've never been happier,” interrupted an approaching Lex Luthor. He greeted Clark with a handshake and the girls with kisses on the cheek. “Clark, Lana, Chloe, thank you for coming. It means a lot to me.”
“We're happy to be here for you,” said Lana.
“And now that I'm back in town, he doesn't go anywhere without me and vice versa,” said Chloe pointing at Clark.
Lex laughed. “I'm starting to understand how that part of a relationship works.” He slapped Clark on the back. “I hope you don't mind if I ask for a moment of my best man's time.”
“No problem, Lex,” said Clark, glancing at Chloe and Lana before walking away with Lex.
Lana cosied up to Chloe while they watched the two men walk away. “So, now that we're alone again, we were talking about you and Clark weren't we?”
“Were we?” said Chloe faintly, her cheeks reddening.
“Yes, and you were going to dish the details of how he welcomed you back,” said Lana, bumping shoulders with Chloe.
Chloe bit her lower lip. “Well, there hasn't been a chance for him to 'welcome' me back yet,” she admitted. “I mean, when you went to answer the phone in the Talon we had some time to ourselves but then the stupid espresso bar decided to light itself on fire.”
“Maybe you two caused the fire,” said Lana laughing. “All that friction built up over the summer and you two need to let it out before the whole town burns down.”
“Haha,” said Chloe sarcastically. “My love life or lack thereof will not be the next natural disaster to hit Smallville.”
“Not yet at least,” added Lana humorously, patting Chloe on the back. “It wouldn't hurt letting a little steam off.”
Chloe looked up at the sweltering sky and let out a frustrated sigh. Maybe a dip in the pool would scratch a few itches that night.