A/N: KentCharm started this intriguing little story, but finishing it wasn't going to happen. So it was opened up for someone to take the storyline and go with it. I've been given permission, so I'm going to keep a lot of the original in (if sometimes only in spirit), but I'll be doing a ton of other stuff. Maybe drag it out a little more… And I can see this being a character set I would be interested in doing multiple stories on… This will also be my first attempt at a First-Person story viewpoint. Please be kind with the reviews… but please review… at least until I seem to get the hang of it. ;D

Disclaimer: I own nothing of Smallville or it's characters. This is just a celebration of my normal enjoyment of Smallville.

Chapter 1

A deep sigh escaped me as the last golden ray of sunlight disappeared over the horizon. In some ways, this was the best part of the day. Watching the night slowly darken, I sat on the roof outside my bedroom window. Dad doesn't know about this, but sometimes it's the best place to take it all in. With the silence all around me, I realized that normally I'd be working at the Torch or typing on my laptop at the Talon at this point. But when the Torch just fell together so easily this issue, I decided to take a night just for myself… to get centered and to help ward away the niggling cold I'd been fighting for weeks. Another sigh escaped me as the reds in the sky faded to a midnight blue. When a chill breeze hit my bare arms, a shiver shook me and I had to get back inside.

But I still didn't have anything I had to do. I sat at the vanity and brushed my hair. I paid attention to the sensations and moaned in pleasure. I don't often get to take a whole evening to just pamper myself and I just was really enjoying it. My guilt level was only at its lowest hum, so it was fabulous. I didn't have any outstanding homework assignments… Clark had actually gotten his article done on time and submitted with a minimum of nagging. How could it be better? Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a relaxed smile cross my face. I took a moment to closely examine myself. Those Crest White Strips are really doing their job! I thought to myself. It was interesting that I'd never considered myself attractive, but I had to admit that there was something engaging about my face. My eyes always seemed to contain a twinkle. My grin stretched my cheeks. I had nice lips, not too full but not too thin. I turned to the side and had to admit my nose wasn't cute and petite, but privately thought that wouldn't fit with the rest of my face. I may not be "Lana-beautiful", but I'm no barker, either!

I put those thoughts out of my mind and decided to finish my relaxation plan. I pulled out my yoga mat, turned on that meditation music Clark gave me last Christmas, settled down and just let my mind idle. It was so foreign to me that it took me a couple of minutes to just get the hang of it. Finally, I decided to focus on the one thing that would take my mind off everything else… Clark. Clark in various poses around the farm… Our first meeting… Our one and only kiss… As I breathed deeply, it was lovely to hear the fall sounds through my slightly open window. As much as I love Metropolis, this area around Smallville had its own special allure.

Just as the music was about to end, I felt this warm rush of something hit my skin and it streamed into my lungs. I would have been worried if it hadn't enhanced my feelings of relaxation. It obviously had to be the furnace kicking on. My state of mind was so pleasant, I didn't even bother opening my eyes and I crawled into bed. I could have found my way around my room blindfolded, so it really wasn't a problem. I'd already set my alarm, so I didn't need to worry about that. I just pulled my comforter up around my shoulders. As I slowly faded off, I couldn't believe how warm and cozy I felt even though it was October.

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When I woke up in the morning, I hadn't even snoozed my alarm clock half a dozen times… Usually Dad had to come up and bang on my door to give me enough time to get ready for school. But the sun was just starting to make its appearance and I realized that this was the earliest I'd ever woken up. But something else was nagging at me… Something else that seemed wrong somehow… And then I realized. I didn't feel groggy. I didn't have a caffeine withdrawal headache. I wasn't craving my coffee at all. I shook my head in wonder. Maybe that relaxation night was better for me than I thought.

I leisurely put together my school things and then went and took a shower. I had a hard time keeping the temperature regulated like I wanted, but I finally got it done. I was actually surprised at how foggy it was in the bathroom when I was done but shrugged it off as being a result of sleeping with the window open. I wrapped a towel around my hair and another around my body and slowly meandered down the hall to my bedroom. I could hear Dad banging around in his room, so I knew we'd both be on time today.

When I sat down at my vanity, something shiny totally captured my attention. Around my neck was a shining choker necklace with a fabulous sun amulet that looked like it could have been burning. Where in the world did this come from? I thought, extremely puzzled. Finally, I had to shrug. Maybe Dad had snuck in last night and put it on me so I'd be surprised this morning. However, it wasn't something I'd normally wear to school, so I twirled the chain around my neck to find the fastener. But, even though I could feel the chain rotating around my neck, I never seemed to get to the back. Finally, I put a finger on one spot and rotated the chain entirely around. There was absolutely no disconnection spot. I pulledon it gingerly, but it seemed to be as solid as steel.

I continued to puzzle about it, but finally decided it was too nice to really pull at it and possibly destroy. I really felt drawn to it. After a while, I stopped fiddling with the chain and just stared at the amulet. I stared at it so long that my eyes started to do funny things… At least I hope so because it seemed to start to flicker. I realized then that if I didn't get busy then I would totally be late for school.

I reached for my make-up and took a good look at myself… and then I looked again. It looked like my skin was shinier, with a little more color, and like it had bits of glitter on it. I touched one of the sparkles and tried to rub it off. Nothing seemed to help, so I just shrugged. Finally a reason not to put on foundation. My skin looked great! I vowed to myself that I would take more relaxation nights if my looks improved so dramatically each time. I smiled happily. This wasn't going to take as long as I'd thought. I brushed a bit of green and gold eye shadow on and my eyes seemed to glow. I brushed on a little lip gloss and had to shake my head. This was the least amount of make-up I or any of my friends had ever thought about putting on for school. What a great morning!

I pulled the towel off my head so I could address my trouble hair and did another double-take. I had to snark to myself that I hoped I wasn't developing a tick. My hair seemed less damp than it should have and it was like I'd put deep golden highlights in it. It was so healthy looking that I only put a little product on it and blew it dry very casually. If my body wanted to be nice to me... who was I to argue?

"Chloe! You're going to be late for school!" Dad bellowed up the stairs. I looked in shock at the clock. Was it really that late? Had I wasted nearly three hours doing nearly nothing except look at myself and my new jewelry? I took a deep breath to rein in any possible panic. I felt strong, energetic and this was the best I'd looked without putting hours into my hair and make-up. I grabbed some black pants and an olive top that just complemented everything good that had happened to me in the night. I threw on some slinky shoes to go with how sexy I felt and tripped down the stairs.

Dad was sitting in the kitchen, gulping his morning java and skimming the newspaper. "There's still some coffee in the pot, sweetie," he said smilingly, even though he didn't look at me.

I looked at the pot and thought about it. I loved the smell of coffee and how Dad and I always had our bonding moments over it, but I just didn't feel like it this morning. "Not today, Daddy. I'm going to be late."

Dad finally looked at me and I realized that the double-takes I was doing earlier seemed to be contagious. "Honey, you look great!"

I laughed at how shocked he looked and sounded. "Don't sound so surprised, Daddy. I do occasionally look amazing!"

He looked slightly chagrined until he noticed my playful grin. "And you don't want any coffee?" He got up and felt my forehead. I wondered briefly why his skin felt so cool against my forehead. "You feel like you're running a fever. Maybe that explains it! Maybe I should keep you home from school."

I jerked back like I'd been burned. "Daddy! You can't be serious? I feel fine and I'm not going to waste such a good fashion day at home!" Then I saw his secret smile and giggled. "Hoisted on my own petard, hmmm, Dad?"

We laughed together before we both ran to our daily grind.

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I quickly parked my car before practically running into school. My energy level wasn't decreasing and I wanted to share it with my friends. Seeing Pete trudge in with a café mocha in his hand, I knew he'd be the first victim of perky Chloe. I ran up to him and grabbed his arm so we could walk into the building together. "Hey there, handsome!" I chirped, seeing his tired eyes turn to look at me. "Hey? Did you have a late study night or something?"

"Hot date," he drawled. But then the message from his eyes obviously hits his brain and he pulled us to a stop. "You look different," he murmured. He looked me up and down and I released him to do a little twirl. "Did you chug down a pot of coffee or something? You know, all that caffeine will kill you some day…"

"None of the above, my friend! That relaxation night I'd planned did miracles! I feel like a million bucks."

"You look like a trillion," he said. But I had to blink extra hard because it didn't seem like his lips were tracking with his voice. "I wish I had the nerve…"

I laughed. "Nerve for what, Pete! You're one of the bravest guys I know!"

He stoped dead in his tracks again. "I didn't say that, Chlo." He looked at me in concern. "Are you feeling okay?" He put his hand on my forehead and drew it back quickly. "Chloe, you're burning up!"

I shook my head in frustration. "You and my dad. I feel great! Maybe it's because I took a hot shower today." Suddenly my mind had visions of a possible me in a shower and I felt a little creepy. When the vision cleared, I looked up and Clark was walking toward us. I wanted to jump straight into his arms and then wondered where that had come from. It was no secret between me and myself that I loved Clark, but he so rarely showed any kind of interest in me that I hadn't had the nerve to pursue him.

"Hey, Pete," the man of my dreams said and then looked at me. I wondered if it was just my imagination or if his eyes really had widened when he really saw me. "Hey, Chlo!"

"Chloe is so sexy…" Pete said and I could have smacked him for saying that in front of Clark.

"Pete!" I exclaimed, hitting him on the shoulder. When they both looked at me like I'd grown an extra head, I got a little confused.

"What'd I do?" he protested, holding his hands up in defense. I glared at him but then realized that they both looked as if they really didn't know what I was saying.

"Is that Sullivan?" "Man, I'd love to tap that!" "I always knew Chloe was cute, but she looks fantastic!" "Why is she wasting her time with those two losers?" "I wish I was as confident as Chloe..." "Can't let my boyfriend see her or I'll be single again!" I felt like everyone was shouting straight in my ears and looked around frantically. The words continued, but I didn't see one person's mouth move. I started to tremble and my knees felt weak. Before I could collapse to the floor, Clark had me in his arms.

"Pete, let's get her to the nurse," he was saying above me and I wondered why I felt so peaceful there.

I looked up at him and wanted to kiss him senseless in front of everyone. But I knew I didn't need the nurse. "Clark, I'm fine. It just got really noisy in here." As I focused on him, the voices seemed to retreat and I sighed in relief. "Maybe you two could just take me to the Torch?"

Clark looked at me severely, but nodded in agreement. Pete cleared the way for us while Clark carried me down the hall. I wanted to say I could walk, but the feeling of being totally cared for by Clark Kent was too intoxicating for me to give up so soon. I knew we were being stared at, but none of us really noticed as we delved deeper into the school. Before I knew it, Clark was laying me gently on the extra couch that I'd been able to finagle from the teacher advisor we'd had last year.

I just reclined for a moment and had to wonder exactly what was going on. Where did all those voices come from? Was I losing my mind? Clark snapped me out of my reverie by laying his hand on my forehead. "Are you okay, Chloe?" He looked so concerned that I could have wept for joy.

"I just got a little overwhelmed, Clark," I said honestly and moved to sit up. He looked like he wanted to protest, but decided it wasn't worth the argument.

"You didn't go in the cave again, did you?" he asked in concern.

"Why in the world would you assume that I had?" I wondered. I could have felt persecuted, but they looked so worried that I wanted to reassure them both. After all, they were my very best friends.

My eyes were resting on Pete's face when I heard "If I didn't want to ruin our friendship, I'd ask her out." I was a bit shocked, but that was nothing to the panic I felt when I realized that he hadn't moved his mouth at all.

I blinked compulsively for a minute and leaned back against the couch. Clark jumped on that sign of weakness like a dog with a bone. "Chloe? Are you okay?" He held my hand in concern and I could only stare at him with my mouth gaping open.

Am I okay? Am I okay? The words ran around and around in my head. Suddenly, what was happening hit me. I was hearing everyone's thoughts. I looked at Clark and then Pete and realized I couldn't tell them. It would only freak them out and I couldn't bear it if our friendship was ruined by what was probably just my imagination. After all, Pete hadn't seemed that interested in me before. Why would he start thinking that now…?

A/N: So this is my first chapter. I must be really inspired by this because this chapter is soooo long! ;D

This is going to be fun, KentCharm! Thanks for letting me take it on!