Chapter One

Jimmy looked around the Daily Planet nervously. He still did not know what he was doing here. Why would they pick him to intern? He was just some kid who liked to take pictures. Okay, so, he was a decent photographer, and he loved it, and he liked using his photos to expose something, or inspire something. But was he really good enough to be here? Did he really belong? He gulped and walked over to where all the interns were. While they were being given their instructions, his eyes landed on a pair of beautiful hazel-green eyes. They were not looking in his direction of course; they were solely focused on the person giving the interns their instructions, so he only saw them from the side. Still, they caught his attention, and as his eyes took in the rest of the girl whom the eyes belonged to, his breath caught in his throat. She was breathtaking, and somehow, he just…knew.

Jimmy was no idiot. He knew a girl like that would never look twice at a guy like him. Still, he was optimistic. Who would it hurt to try? He would take his time, gather his nerve. He might have a shot. After all, he reasoned, she was here to intern for The Daily Planet; they clearly had a common interest. That had to be worth something.


Chloe sighed, scrolling through her email. Still no word from Clark. She promised herself she was not going to obsess about it, but she thought he would check in just once. She thought he might call, or email, or write, or even send a freaking carrier pigeon. She did not know what she had expected exactly; she had just expected…something.

"So much for not forgetting all about me," she said under her breath, remembering the conversation by the lockers.

Unfortunately, despite being said under her breath, Lois heard her, "No word form that guy?" she asked, sitting on the couch across from Chloe with a coffee mug in her hands. Chloe had not given Lois any details about Clark, but Lois knew Chloe well enough to know that somebody had broken her heart. She did not need a name or face to hate the guy. In fact, Chloe was certain that if she did give Lois any details, Lois would beat Clark Kent to a bloody pulp.

Lois was Chloe's cousin. She was putting Chloe up while she was in Metropolis so her dad did not have to sole out the extra cash and get her a hotel room for three months. With how money was in the Sullivan house, it would probably have been a place with roaches, which Mr. Sullivan would never do to Chloe. Lois and Chloe had always been close, and Lois was going to be in the Lane's Metropolis apartment for a few months before Chloe's uncle Sam, the three star general, took her to another military base. As grateful as Chloe was, Lois was starting to get on her nerves.

"You know, when I agreed to stay here, I didn't think you would be leaning over my shoulder twenty-four seven." Chloe said in her patented snarky manner.

"Neither did I. Call me crazy, but I figured that the Chloe who was so grieved at leaving civilization behind would be thrilled to be back in Metropolis. And, when you said you were leaving whatever and whoever happened to you in Smallville behind, I was dumb enough to believe you. Sweetie, you never leave the apartment."

"So, interning at the world's greatest newspaper does not count as leaving the apartment?"

"No, no it doesn't. Look, Chloe, I love you, but you didn't just come here for the internship." She said, taking a sip of her coffee.

"Actually, Lois, I did."

"So, that exciting, ambitious, adventurous girl I remember from a few years back, before she moved to the middle of nowhere, the one who swore she would not be changed to a girl content to sit home every night was a big fat liar then?"

"Lois!" Chloe said, gasping with a slight chuckle.

"All I'm saying cuz, is, It's July Fourth. Fireworks will be going off like crazy in four short hours. Do you even have any plans?"

"No."

"What about that office party at the Daily Planet?" Lois asked, smirking. Chloe had not told Lois about that party, and they both knew it. She watched Chloe's reaction.

"How did you... look, that's only for employees. I'm an intern."

"Liar. I did some digging and not only were you invited to the party, but one particular intern is hoping you show." She said, smirking again in that all-knowing way.

"What? Who?"

"Oh, just some guy." She said, vaguely.

"What? What guy?" Chloe asked, intrigued. Since her arrival in Metropolis, no guy had so much as approached her, except to ask her to get him coffee or something. The point was, nothing social had happened.

"I didn't catch his name, but Chloe, you've been here for three weeks now, and you have not been to an office party, on a date, gone out for coffee, or even left the apartment for anything except work. When you came here, you swore you were going to have fun, take the world by storm, and forget all about what's his name."

"You're not getting a name out of me Lois." Chloe said with a smile.

"Damn," Lois said, shaking her head. Chloe got up, closed her laptop, and attempted to leave the room. Lois followed her to the door, "But still, you have to admit, I have a point."

Chloe sighed. She knew she was not going to win. Besides, Lois was right. I had told myself I was going to make the most of this summer, forget all about Clark, and have a real adventure. And that was exactly what I was going to do. It was time to quit hiding and checking my email. It was time to get out.

"So," she asked, turning to Lois, looking all serious. Then, doing her best valley girl impression, she asked, "like, what should I wear?"