Chapter 1 [End of "Red"]
Late Summer offered up Finest Imaginable Backdrop. Sol rested in its Powder Puff Blue backdrop. Clouds meandered in lazy fashion overhead. Gentle breeze rustled Leaves and Branches. Grass Green with Yellow's Burned Streaks still cushioned foot falls. Warmth induced Passersby to slow down Pace and linger for a while longer.
Or best of all, certain baristas could ride favorite mounts across Prairie's expanse. Such past times merited Celebration.
Circumstance, however, was not right….
[Fence Bordering Kent and Lang-Potter Farms]
Clark sank deeper into Despair's depths. He knew Kal's actions had crossed the line…well over County's or Kansas' boundaries for that matter. Disbelief sagged down across his shoulders. He'd struck out at Jonathan. He'd nearly told Lex his secret. And how he acted in front of Lana? He bowed his head. What was I thinking? Yeah I'd want to do those things. Still, how could a red meteor just bring it out of me?
Lana galloped away on Winter's back farther and farther away. She shrank away from him before disappearing into Horizon's cover. Horse's hooves and lengths accelerated said process. Fate seemed to push them apart yet again.
He sulked. Amor warmed him at any and every sight of the brunette barista. Ever since Birthday Wish, Desire tugged him toward her. Jonathan's Paranoia, her Aunt Nell's attitude and Ever Present Meteor Necklace combined to form an unbreakable barrier around Lana for him at least. His heart pined for her. He'd waited for her. He'd dealt with her relationship with Whitney. Chance finally seemed to present itself to him on a silver platter….
…and akin to Charlie Brown and the Football, it was yanked away…again…
I apologized to Mom and Dad. We're trying to rebuild trust. I returned all of that stuff I bought. I want to make good on those things. Why did I go after Jessie like that? Grimace contorted his face. She's not even my type. According to Dad and Pete, I was raving about some disk? Really? I must've exposed myself in front of her too. Terrific. His eyes stopped with Discarded Bouquet on the ground.
"I know you're sorry, Clark. It's just not enough anymore."
Lana's words stabbed deeper through him than a meteor-forged bullet. He sucked in a deep breath. Memoria recalled how he'd stood by Jonathan and her after Nicodemus' effects. They acted out as I apparently did. I forgave them because I love them both. I know what I did was wrong—red rock or not. I've stood by Lex when everyone had a problem with him around town. He looked up to find Lana long gone from his line of sight. He rubbed the back of his neck. Chores awaited him at home. Still, he needed to do something more than hide and sulk in his barn. He picked up Bouquet and sped off toward his next stop.
Advice was needed….
[Crystal Lake]
[A/N: First of many additions, Casey, this one's for you.]
Lana rode Winter further and further from the fence. Eyes stung with Disappointment's tears. Resentment, Frustration and Anger played their symphony on her brain. She needed Distance's salve from the one who was both Amor's agent and Pain's source wrapped into one package. Excuses seemed to flow from his tongue akin to Rapunzel and her spinning wheel. Questions kept popping up. Answers and Explanation, unfortunately, never seemed to accompany them. And Trust? Well…forget that.
Winter neighed at her. She picked up on Mistress' distress. Horse Lengths broadened swallowing more Meadow's Width with each stride. Instinct guided her along well-trodden trail. Frost might've put it as Road Less Traveled. For Lana and her, Path practically glowed with Frustration, Meditation, Loss and Broken Hopes. She emerged from Trees' Path onto Dirt and Grass underfoot (or, in this case, under hoof).
Lana stirred from Reverie's hold. "Hmm? Surprise greeted her eyes as she beheld Glistening Waters ahead. "Wow. We certainly rode farther than I'd planned." She dismounted and patted Winter's flank. "Thanks!" She led her friend down to the shoreline. "Drink up. You deserve it. Can't believe I pushed you this far." She shook her head. "Sorry. Just had to get away from Clark."
Clark….
Exasperation's Deep Sigh escaped her. She could never figure him out. One minute, the Plaid Farm Boy from Next Door swept her off of her feet with Smile, Laid Back Personality and Dependability (even if it was on his own schedule). An hour later, Weird Things could happen. She ground her teeth. Previous Year had given her a great deal to think about….
…Tina Greer's kidnapping her and sticking her in the mausoleum….
…the attack by Sasha Cohen's swarm not to mention broken refrigerant pipes and an exploding shack….
…the rumored Lex Luthor hitting him with a Porsche, throwing him into the Arkansas River and somehow surviving?...
…the rescue in the middle of Chandler's Field while underground….
…the fires at school, the Talon and the jailhouse….
…the twisters which went without saying….
…and last but certainly not least, watching Clark throw two bouncers around like puppies at the Wild Coyote….
It should be impossible! What are you, Clark? Are you one of those meteor freaks? Doubt and Revulsion ate at her. She sulked. No wonder your folks kept you under wraps all of those years! Her heart ached. No. Come on, Lana. Clark can't be like that! She paced about the shore. Her eyes watched the water gently lapping against the dirt a couple of feet away from her boots.
We saw him in the twister. We saw him float up to us and save us, her brain reminded her.
He saved us because he loves us! her heart snapped back.
You'd say that! Brain countered. He did it. He LIED about it. Why should he keep secrets?
Maybe he doesn't want us to know? Maybe he's scared. Maybe his folks are making him do that? Heart pulled at any and all of Excuse's strings to make her case. Or maybe it was something he found like that flower from last year?
Lana quirked an eyebrow. Intrigue caught onto that last point. While Memoria remained a virtual blank, Neighbors and Friends had filled her in on what Nicodemus' influence pushed her to do. From their reports, she'd dressed in leather, avoided Responsibility's agenda, stole Lex's car and acted out toward Whitney and Clark. What could've made Clark act out like that? Then again, I still don't get how I acted out like that. Clark was exposed and he didn't act out in that case. That's really weird. Okay. It doesn't get him off for his behavior. But it's time I got some answers. I can't deal with these lies and evasions any more. She mounted Winter again. "Time to head back, Winter. We've got a mission."
Determination spurred Return Trip back through Woods and Meadows. They weren't heading home. No. Not just yet anyhow….
