"Hello?"

"Hey, Lana, it's Pete."

"Oh, hi, Pete!"

"Would you like to get together today and run lines? I mean, if you're not busy."

"I'm working at the Talon until four…why don't you meet me there?"

"Sure!" Pete replied enthusiastically. "I can't wait. Thanks, Lana."

She giggled. "I can't wait either. I just love this!"

"Yeah, me too," he replied. "I guess I'd better let you go."

"I'm glad you called. I'll see you later!"

"Yeah, see ya later," Pete replied, grinning ear to ear. She's glad I called. Definitely a good sign.

Pete couldn't wait until four o'clock.

~*~*~*~*~*~

"Lana, you're amazing. You've got all your lines down already! Man, you're gonna make the rest of us look like slackers."

"I'm just so excited about it," she replied, smiling demurely. "I mean, I really want to do well in the show. I guess I'm still a little surprised that I got the part."

"Lana, you got the part because you deserved it. You're the best person for it! Don't let Amy get you down. She's just jealous."

"She has more experience than I do, though. Maybe she really should have gotten it."

Pete looked Lana straight in the eye and took her hand. "Lana, don't put yourself down. You're an amazing actress, you're beautiful, and you're nicer than Amy Hoffman will ever be."

Lana looked down. "You really mean that?"

"Every word! You're the most beautiful girl I've ever seen in my life and you're not at all stuck up about it. You're sweet, caring, honest, loyal, and you sing like an angel." Pete smiled. "Lana, you're incredible."

"Pete, I…I never knew you felt that way about me," Lana stammered. "I mean, I've seen you with just about every girl in school…you never even looked my way before."

"Well, Lana, you've been pretty much off-limits."

She smiled ruefully. "I guess you're right," she admitted. "I've been with Whitney so long that I can hardly imagine my life without him. But we've just grown apart lately, I guess. We're in different places now…he's so busy with his dad and the store, and now I'm the lead in the school musical. I feel like we don't have anything in common anymore."

Pete nodded. "It sounds like it's time for a change. You need someone you can really relate to--someone who will be there for you, and with you, no matter what." He smiled.

"Pete, are you…are you asking me out?"

"I'm offering to be there for you, and with you, no matter what."

Lana's face lit up with a dazzling smile. "I accept your offer." She leaned over and softly kissed his lips.

Pete slid his chair next to hers and kissed her again, more passionately. He slipped his arm around her neck and pulled her close, relishing the feel of her silky hair in his hands. Her lips were soft and full, and he could just taste a hint of strawberry lip gloss on them. He never wanted the moment to end.

Especially after Clark walked in.

~*~*~*~*~*~

"Clark, wait!"

"Pete, I thought you were my friend!"

"I am your friend, Clark! I'm sorry! I mean, I know you like her, but things just sort of happened between us."

"Things don't just 'sort of' happen, Pete. You could have any girl in school if you wanted! Why do you have to pick the one girl I like?"

"Clark, man, I didn't mean it to be like this! But I like Lana, and she likes me, and we want to be together! I'm sorry!"

"I can't believe this! I can't believe this! How long have we been friends?"

"Clark, don't do this, man!"

"I didn't do this. You did." Clark turned and walked away. Pete ran to catch up with him. "Listen, man, you have to believe me. I didn't want it to be like this. I know how you feel about her! But she and I have something special!"

Clark said nothing and started walking faster.

"Clark!" a beautiful voice rang out. He turned to see Lana running after them. "Clark, it's not Pete's fault. I kissed him, not the other way around! It's not his fault! You shouldn't ruin your friendship over this."

Clark sighed. Of all the things he had pictured her begging of him, forgiveness for Pete had never come up. He shook his head. "Lana, I…" He couldn't think of anything to say. He closed his mouth and started walking home.

Lana and Pete stood on the sidewalk staring after him. Lana shook her head. "Pete, I'm sorry."

"You don't have anything to be sorry for," he replied dejectedly. "It's between me and him. Don't sweat it."

"Clark's my friend too," said Lana. "And I don't want things to be weird between us."

"I know, but what can we do?" Pete sighed. "I mean, I hope he'll get over it eventually."

"I'm sure he will. You guys have been friends forever," Lana assured him. She squeezed his hand. "He needs some time. Let's just go back inside."

They went and sat at their table in the corner. Pete sighed. "Lana, maybe this isn't the best idea. I mean, if Clark's this pissed, what's Whitney gonna say?"

Lana rolled her eyes. "I don't even care anymore. Pete, I just want this to work out," she said plaintively. "I really like you."

"I really like you too, Lana," Pete replied, putting his arm around her.

"Do you think it's worth it?"

Pete leaned over and gave her a long, passionate kiss, savoring her soft lips. "Does that answer your question?"

~*~*~*~*~*~

"Clark, what's wrong?"

"Nothing," he muttered, but Martha knew better than that. She gazed sympathetically at him, and he gave in. "I saw Pete and Lana making out at the Talon."

"Oh, Clark, I'm sorry," she said, putting her arm around him. "Did you talk to them?"

"Pete said he was sorry, but he's my best friend! I never thought he would do this to me."

"Clark, these things happen."

He shook his head. "I know. It's just…" he trailed off. "I always thought I'd have a chance with her some day."

"I know you did, honey, but who says you won't? It's not unusual for actors in romantic roles to mistake stage love for real love."

"But the musical hasn't even started yet."

Martha sighed. "Clark, some things just aren't meant to be."