Smallville

"Superman of Steel"

-=-

Façades of the Heart

Jujubie

Summary: Chloe and Whitney are by far the most contrasted people when compared to one another. Chloe Sullivan an ace reporter for Smallville's infamous "Torch" newspaper. Whitney Fordman, the star quarterback for Smallville's football team the "Crows" and has the gorgeous girlfriend at his side to boot. The two seem to be the most unlikely couple to ever happen. But when these two clash will sparks fly or fuses blow? [Chloe/Whitney]

Written: 9-14-06

Published: 6-26-09

-=- Four -=-

Whitney was staring blankly at the two homework packets in front of him. ...One for him...the other for Chloe.

Great, now I'm delivery boy, goddamn it, he thought with a sneer, how am I supposed to explain this, when I don't even get it?

Damn...why'd she have to go and get sick...Whitney thought viciously and then his thoughts took a turn as he started feeling guilty, it wasn't her fault.

Groaning, he snatched up the papers and walked out of the school and to his truck.

Good thing I know where she lives...he thought idly.

--

Chloe had just awoken from her "nap" if you could even call it that. She was so congested and her face burned.

She found out soon that she could not easily return to her slumber and instead of tumbling and turning, got up and went downstairs.

She found it empty and automatically surmised that her father had gone to work. She hadn't heard him all day and he had to work for a living to pay bills and clothe and feed his family...or what's left of it, Chloe thought sarcastically.

Even though she was wide-awake, her eyes were heavily lidded to the point of dropping and her pert nose was Rudolph-red. All in all...she looked like crap. Not to mention that she felt like it too.

She had headed towards the refrigerator to grab something to eat, because she hadn't had anything all day and her stomach was protesting loudly. Just as she opened it, her doorbell rang, making her jump nearly two feet in the air.

It was most definitely unexpected, that's for sure, she thought, but when she opened the door, she found that what—or rather who—was way more unexpected.

She flushed as she took in her appearance. Questions raged thorough her mind. What was he doing here? At her house?

--

Chloe rushed to class that morning, not able to stop by the Torch because she had slept in. She had this totally freaky dream to top it off. It was a blurry haze of images that flashed through her mind.

…A golden angel…a dark stormy sky and forlorn expressions surrounding her everywhere. It was pretty scary. She didn't know what it could mean and frankly she had hardly any time to interpret it.

It was freaky and it could possibly have originated from her confrontation with the king of all jocks yesterday.

Can you say awkward? No, it was worse. First of all he had insulted her...

"Hey Sullivan, you look like crap." Whitney said as he stood out side her door. She threw him a glare.

"It's because I feel so great." She said sarcastically. She wasn't in the mood to be dealing with this particular jock. "As much as I appreciate your insults I'm just wondering what could compel you to come to my house. Do you miss my company?" She replied bitterly.

Whitney's face twisted into convulsion, "No need to insult me Sullivan. I'm just here to deliver your math homework. Next time come to school so I don't have to be your delivery boy." He replied nastily.

Chloe had had enough. She knew his kindness from yesterday was a once in a lifetime thing. "Not my fault you're taking first-year Algebra. Failed enough?" She pointed out nastily. He threw her a glare.

"Well I didn't come here so you can insult me, so here's your homework." He handed her papers to her harshly. He turned on his heel and walked off. Chloe stared helplessly, regret consuming her. She watched him climb into his truck and drive off. She knew she had to apologize, yet she couldn't bring herself to admit that little fact. She closed her front door with a soft click and returned to her room.

She was feeling better today, although she still felt a tad woozy when she arrived at school.

She glanced at her watch and her eyes widened. She had less than two minutes to get to the other side of the school or else she'd have to serve detention this afternoon and she wouldn't be able to make it to the Torch.

She started a slow sprint, dashing through the halls and skillfully dodging people. She turned into a corner only to be knocked back by the force of the momentum.

She flew back and hit the floor with a thud and blacked out.

--

When she awoke she found swaying faces looming over her. She noticed she was lying down and sat up slowly only to be knocked back by a pair of strong arms.

"Sorry about that Sullivan." Chloe registered the familiar voice. Her mind scrambled for a connection. Her eyes widened. No way. She looked up and sure enough. There was Whitney Fordman kneeling over her in all of his wonderful glory. Chloe scolded herself. She couldn't go fawning after every handsome man. Handsome…Chloe blushed as she looked over Whitney's features.

…A strong chiseled jaw, high cheekbones, a slightly crooked, aristocratic nose and a pair of sensual lips. But that was all that was good about him, she thought, inwardly scoffing. She lifted her gaze to his light blue eyes that shone back at her. She felt an urge to brush the strand of loose straw-colored hair out of his eyes. Her heartbeat sped up as his face lowered to hers. Was he going to…? She blushed and slowly closed her eyes.

"Are you okay Sullivan? You look a bit flushed. Do you want to go to the nurse?" His voice brought her out of her trance. She just noticed that she was with Whitney Fordman. WHITNEY FORDMAN. Maybe she still had a fever. He was her best friend's enemy and competition for love. Being this close to him made her feel as if she were betraying Clark somehow.

"I-I'm fine." She noticed Whitney's arm on her back, steadying her and she felt that the skin under her clothes was burning. She jumped up and felt the dizziness overtake her from standing up too quickly. She swayed again when those same hands appeared once again on her waist.

"You don't look okay. Maybe I should take you there." Whitney looked at her shaking form hesitantly.

"I said I'm fine!" Chloe shouted as she wrenched her body from his grasp and ran to her class not even caring that she was extremely late.

--

Whitney sighed as he ran a hand through his silken locks. See if I care, he thought nastily. Why'd he care enough in the first place, a small voice in the back of his mind said?

He didn't know why, when he saw her sprawled on the floor helplessly, something had compelled him to go over and help her. That and a bit of guilt from the fact she had collided with him. That was a shock, he was turning the corner when he smacked into a soft body that made him lose balance and her to fly back.

Imagine his surprise when he saw her. The perky and sometimes annoying (an understatement) school reporter. Though he considered her one of Kent's many groupies, he held a bit of respect for her. She was out there fulfilling her dream and not letting anything stop her. Not even that silly crush she's been harboring over Kent for a while. He rolled his eyes. …That infamous Kent charm that had every girl including his girlfriend, drooling over him. A scowl appeared over his handsome features. What was so special about a farm boy anyway?

Whitney grabbed his stuff and walked off, trying to ignore the building jealousy and stalked off to his class.

--

Chloe held a hand to her chest to steady her fast-beating heart. What was wrong with her? Since when did she turn into a mess around him?

Class had ended. Luckily, she had not gotten scolded for being so late. But all through class she wasn't able to focus. Instead all of her attention was focused on a certain cherubic angel.

She groaned. She didn't need this now. Things were as complicated as is without this.

The increased heartbeat, the sweaty palms, the crazy frenzy she got into whenever he was near… It couldn't be…

Chloe Sullivan was falling in love with none other than one Whitney Fordman.

She slapped a palm to her forehead lightly, as if the situation could get any worse. Chloe glanced at the retreating back of newly recognized affections.

Yes they can… and they will.

Yup, yup, I know. How long did it take me to post this up? Pretty long considering this was written some 2 ½ years ago. Wo-oW. Good news, the last two chapters are completed as well, and I'm looking for say 10 Chapters + Epilogue or 9 Chapters + Epilogue. It all depends on how fast I get these two to develop whilst maintaining a decent storyline.

Thanks to all those who have been following the story thus far, I'll do my best not to disappoint.

Paz.