Chapter Three
Bright. It was really bright. I peaked one eye open and saw a window with the shades drawn back. That would definitely explain it. I rolled over to my back and realized I was not in Chloe's apartment in the Talon. I looked around and realized I was still in familiar territory. Clark's room.
I pushed the covers away and when I stood up, I noticed I was wearing his old high school football jersey. I touched the fabric and a smile spread across my face. He had taken care of me last night. I don't remember much after I threw up my life into his toilet while he held my hair back, but I do remember staring at him while I sat on the ground and he rubbed my back soothingly trying to ease the retching I couldn't seem to control.
"Why are you so good to me, Smallville?" I asked in my drunken, groggy state.
Clark smiled gently and said, "Because…"
I waited what must have been seconds, but it felt like forever, "Because…?"
"Because you mean more to me than you'll ever know."
I leaned my head against his arm and felt him kiss my forehead. "That's good then," I whispered.
I made my way down the staircase as I heard his voice filtering in from the kitchen.
"No, she's still sleeping. Well, as soon as she feels up to heading back home, I'll give you a call. I was hoping I could take you somewhere nice tonight. How does 8 o'clock sound? Ok, great, see you later. Bye."
I came into the room the moment he closed the cell phone, "That was Lana, she wanted to see how you were doing," he said.
I half smiled. "Alright. Head is pounding a little but I'm good."
"Here," he grabbed a cup of water and put Alcaselzer in it as I sat at the kitchen island, across from him. He came over and placed the foamy drink in front of me.
"Thanks." I took the glass and cringed at the awful taste. He sat adjacent to me on the island and said nothing. "So, you're going out tonight with Lana?" I asked partly to break the silence and the other because I was wildly curious as to what was going on between the two of them.
He hesitated. "Uh… yes."
"So are you guys official now?"
"Sort of..." he simply said.
"What's with the short syllables, Smallville? You know you can tell me anything," I said, feeling like a total fake, but hoping I was hiding it well.
"I just don't feel like it's gotten that serious for me to label it yet, that's all," he said with a shrug.
"Well, I think it's great," Liar. "Lana is a great person and you deserve a good girl in your life."
"I already have that…"
My eyes went wide. He didn't just say that, did he?
"Uh, between you and Chloe, I'm all set." He said the words quickly, and my heart felt suddenly deflated.
"Well, we've got you covered in the friendship department, sure. But you do need someone to, you know, give you special attention…"
I smiled when I saw his face begin to turn red. "Thanks, Lois."
"Just looking out for your best interests, Smallville," I teased as I gave a coy smile.
He smirked, "It's appreciated."