Disclaimer: I don't own Smallville. Joe is still mine!!!
(~~~)-Chloe's thoughts
(***)-Clark's thoughts
(^^^)-Pete's thoughts
()-Joe's thoughts
True Love Is Hard To Find
Chapter 5
Playing Games
Clark crumbled the letter in his fist and slammed his locker shut angrily.
***I'm finally ready to tell her how I feel, and-well, she's made it clear what she thinks. Of course, she always does. I just wish I knew for once how she feels. ***
Watching Clark's outburst in reaction to the letter, Pete looked over at Chloe, who had already turned away when she saw the horrified look on his face as he read. Then he looked back at Clark. And back again.
^^^Those two have got it bad. But they both just don't get it. This is an interesting situation. Let's see--one is an over-obsessive journalist with a passion for exposure stories, and an even greater passion for the other-a guy who appears to be completely normal but is desperate to be since he's really anything but, and--what does Clark really care about? Besides Chloe that is. That's the other thing. He's a complete mystery even though I--we-- have known him our whole lives. How did I get into this? That doesn't matter. What matters is, Clark and Chloe need each other. And since they won't admit their feelings, I'm gonna have to do something about it. I'll really have to think about this one. ^^^
Chloe winced at the sound of Clark's locker slamming.
~~~OK, he's pissed. ~~~
She turned back towards him, confirming her fears.
~~~Yep, he's definitely pissed. And he's coming this way. Oh God, this is awkward. Say something. Anything. Wait a sec-why is he so mad anyway? I wrote the letter, and I put it in his locker. That's what he wanted, and I gave it to him, even though it's killing me. That is what he wanted, isn't it? Ironic. When the truth really really really really really counts, it's the only thing you can't force yourself to say, even in a letter. 'Clark, I only wrote that letter because I was afraid of hearing it from you first. I really am in love with you and I want you more than anything.' Doesn't work exactly, especially not now. I really am pathetic. ~~~
"So, how's the challenge going?"
"You have to ask? You were there."
Joe and Whitney were standing against the wall talking.
"You mean you haven't talked to her again?"
"I haven't seen her alone yet."
"Well, go for it. Here she comes now. Alone."
He rushed to catch up with her. "Hey, Chloe."
"Go away. I am in a really bad mood right now, and I don't like you anyway, so I'd advise you to step out now before I hurt something, which will probably be you."
"Come on. Give me one chance. Please."
"Did you know that the last time I gave one of the jockstraps 'one chance', he turned out to be homicidal?"
"Let me guess, your next line will be 'and I'm probably about to kill somebody too.' Or something like that."
Chloe couldn't help but smile when he said that.
~~~Don't let him get to you. Just remember who he is, for one thing. ~~~
"You were probably right, that would have been the next thing I said, and it would have been true, every word. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm really busy right now."
"Wait, um--I--what are you doing tonight? Please, just one chance."
"Busy tonight too. And a long time after that."
"So that's a no, then?"
"No, that's more of a 'I'm not interested, you're looking really pathetic and desperate right now, and I'm leaving.' That's more what it is, I would say."
Whitney walks back over by Joe.
"A challenge? A challenge is supposed to be hard, not impossible."
"It's not impossible. You just have to find her weakness."
"Like what?"
"What about Kent? She seems to be spending a lot of time just watching him."
"Clark Kent? No way I'm bringing him into this."
"Do you wanna do this or not?"
"What do you have in mind exactly?"
"Nothing. It's your challenge; that's for you to figure out. I'm just giving a little extra advice."
"Yeah, ok. Umm--"
"Yeah?"
"Well, you know Joe, you've always been a good friend, and--if I tell you something really personal that nobody else can know, would you--would you swear not to tell anybody?"
"Sure. What is it?"
"Well, you know, the real reason me and Lana split up--I don't know, things were just different. It's like I'm not at all attracted to her anymore, right? So I talked to her about it, and we decided that things just weren't working between us, so we ended it. Then it's like there are all these beautiful girls walking around right here, but I'm not into any of them. It's confusing. Then I--forget it."
"No, what?"
"Just forget it. I gotta go."
Whitney took off down the hall.
Whitney? He is actually kinda cute. No, quit it. You've been hiding your sexuality for 2 years; don't blow it now just because some cute guy is confused. He just broke up with his long-time girlfriend 2 days ago. Of course he's confused. That happens all the time. Don't ruin it now.
Avoiding watching Chloe and Whitney talking, Clark spotted Lana down the hall.
*** I can't believe she would stoop so low. Whitney? Really. Oh well, two can play at this game. ***
"Hey Lana, wait a second."
"Oh, hi Clark."
"Hi. Umm--I was wondering if you still might wanna go out some time like you were saying."
"Weren't you--?"
She motioned to Chloe discreetly.
"No. We settled that whole--thing. Or actually, she settled it. It's not happening."
"Oh. Well--sure, I would love to go out with you sometime."
"Ok. Well, I'll see you later and we can work something out."
"Ok. Sure. Bye."
"Bye."
He made a point of looking right at Chloe as he walked by.
Pete walked up at the very end of the conversation.
"Did he just--?"
"Yeah. Yeah, he did."
"I can't believe he would do that."
"I can."
"Of course you can. You'd believe anything. I'm not in love with the guy."
"I am not in love with him! I won't deny that I like him--a lot. But I am most definitely not in love with him."
"Oh, ok then."
~~~Why do you do that? ~~~
"Ok, so maybe I am in love with him. But that's not the point."
"What is the point then?"
"Don't start with the counter-questions again."
He laughed.
"I gotta go, I'm gonna be late. See you later."
"Later."
"Ok, now we really do have to talk--now."
"You came across very clear. What is there to talk about?"
"There's everything to talk about."
"Name one thing that you so desperately have to talk to me about."
"One-the sick way you used Lana just now. Two-I only wrote that letter because I thought you didn't feel the same way so there's nothing for you to be so mad about. Three-I love you. Four--"
"What?"
~~~Oh God, did I just say that? I did. I finally did what I've wanted to do for years. I told Clark Kent I love him. This is crazy. I'm rambling again. But I don't care for once. ~~~
"One-I didn't use Lana-I was gonna ask her out anyway but I did it at exactly the right time. If anybody was using anybody, you were using Whitney. Two-I'm not mad, I'm upset. There is a difference. Three-I love you too. Four--"
"What?"
***Oh God, did I just say that? I did. I told Chloe Sullivan I love her. And I meant it, I really did. ***
"One-I did not use Whitney- I was telling him off again. Two-I'm sorry you're upset. I'm upset too, actually. Three-I guess three's done now. Four- -"
"What?"
~~~What what? ~~~
"One-If you need somebody to tell Whitney off, I'll do it. Two-Why are you upset? Three-Don't ever let three be done. I love you and I'll never stop saying it. Four--"
"What?"
***What what? ***
"One-I'm very capable of telling Whitney off myself. Two-I really don't know why I'm upset. Why are you? Three--"
They looked at each other for a second, and then started laughing uncontrollably.
"Maybe you were right."
"When was I right?"
"In the letter. When you said we should just be friends the way it used to be without all this confusion."
"Yeah. We-it wouldn't work."
~~~ Please disagree with me. Tell me I'm wrong. ~~~
"Chloe?"
"Yeah?"
"What was four?"
"Four? That Pete's standing there listening. Look behind you."
"Hi."
^^^ Guess I didn't have to do anything about it after all. ^^^
"Hi. Chloe, we need to talk."
"Again?"
"Again. Excuse us just a second."
They moved out of Clark's hearing range.
"Are you crazy?"
"No. Only when it comes to him."
"Right. Chloe, you wrote him a letter saying that you love him but you think you should just be friends anyway. Then you told him to his face- finally-that you love him. He said it back. Then he said he agrees that you should just be friends. And you went along with it!"
"Of course I went along with it. If that's what he wants, there's nothing I can do about that."
"That's just it. That's not what he wants. He was baiting you. He wants to hear you say it."
"Say what?"
"I've heard of people being blinded by love, but not being this idiotic. He wants you to take the first stand. To say that you love him and you won't settle for any less. That you want more than just his friendship. I can't believe you don't get that. Why do you people play these games?"
"I don't know, but they are fun. He wants to play games? I'll play games."
She starts walking away.
"Where are you going?"
"I have to go make a date with Whitney before it's too late. The quarterback of the football team doesn't stay single for long, Pete."
"You're crazy!"
"I know."
(~~~)-Chloe's thoughts
(***)-Clark's thoughts
(^^^)-Pete's thoughts
()-Joe's thoughts
True Love Is Hard To Find
Chapter 5
Playing Games
Clark crumbled the letter in his fist and slammed his locker shut angrily.
***I'm finally ready to tell her how I feel, and-well, she's made it clear what she thinks. Of course, she always does. I just wish I knew for once how she feels. ***
Watching Clark's outburst in reaction to the letter, Pete looked over at Chloe, who had already turned away when she saw the horrified look on his face as he read. Then he looked back at Clark. And back again.
^^^Those two have got it bad. But they both just don't get it. This is an interesting situation. Let's see--one is an over-obsessive journalist with a passion for exposure stories, and an even greater passion for the other-a guy who appears to be completely normal but is desperate to be since he's really anything but, and--what does Clark really care about? Besides Chloe that is. That's the other thing. He's a complete mystery even though I--we-- have known him our whole lives. How did I get into this? That doesn't matter. What matters is, Clark and Chloe need each other. And since they won't admit their feelings, I'm gonna have to do something about it. I'll really have to think about this one. ^^^
Chloe winced at the sound of Clark's locker slamming.
~~~OK, he's pissed. ~~~
She turned back towards him, confirming her fears.
~~~Yep, he's definitely pissed. And he's coming this way. Oh God, this is awkward. Say something. Anything. Wait a sec-why is he so mad anyway? I wrote the letter, and I put it in his locker. That's what he wanted, and I gave it to him, even though it's killing me. That is what he wanted, isn't it? Ironic. When the truth really really really really really counts, it's the only thing you can't force yourself to say, even in a letter. 'Clark, I only wrote that letter because I was afraid of hearing it from you first. I really am in love with you and I want you more than anything.' Doesn't work exactly, especially not now. I really am pathetic. ~~~
"So, how's the challenge going?"
"You have to ask? You were there."
Joe and Whitney were standing against the wall talking.
"You mean you haven't talked to her again?"
"I haven't seen her alone yet."
"Well, go for it. Here she comes now. Alone."
He rushed to catch up with her. "Hey, Chloe."
"Go away. I am in a really bad mood right now, and I don't like you anyway, so I'd advise you to step out now before I hurt something, which will probably be you."
"Come on. Give me one chance. Please."
"Did you know that the last time I gave one of the jockstraps 'one chance', he turned out to be homicidal?"
"Let me guess, your next line will be 'and I'm probably about to kill somebody too.' Or something like that."
Chloe couldn't help but smile when he said that.
~~~Don't let him get to you. Just remember who he is, for one thing. ~~~
"You were probably right, that would have been the next thing I said, and it would have been true, every word. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm really busy right now."
"Wait, um--I--what are you doing tonight? Please, just one chance."
"Busy tonight too. And a long time after that."
"So that's a no, then?"
"No, that's more of a 'I'm not interested, you're looking really pathetic and desperate right now, and I'm leaving.' That's more what it is, I would say."
Whitney walks back over by Joe.
"A challenge? A challenge is supposed to be hard, not impossible."
"It's not impossible. You just have to find her weakness."
"Like what?"
"What about Kent? She seems to be spending a lot of time just watching him."
"Clark Kent? No way I'm bringing him into this."
"Do you wanna do this or not?"
"What do you have in mind exactly?"
"Nothing. It's your challenge; that's for you to figure out. I'm just giving a little extra advice."
"Yeah, ok. Umm--"
"Yeah?"
"Well, you know Joe, you've always been a good friend, and--if I tell you something really personal that nobody else can know, would you--would you swear not to tell anybody?"
"Sure. What is it?"
"Well, you know, the real reason me and Lana split up--I don't know, things were just different. It's like I'm not at all attracted to her anymore, right? So I talked to her about it, and we decided that things just weren't working between us, so we ended it. Then it's like there are all these beautiful girls walking around right here, but I'm not into any of them. It's confusing. Then I--forget it."
"No, what?"
"Just forget it. I gotta go."
Whitney took off down the hall.
Whitney? He is actually kinda cute. No, quit it. You've been hiding your sexuality for 2 years; don't blow it now just because some cute guy is confused. He just broke up with his long-time girlfriend 2 days ago. Of course he's confused. That happens all the time. Don't ruin it now.
Avoiding watching Chloe and Whitney talking, Clark spotted Lana down the hall.
*** I can't believe she would stoop so low. Whitney? Really. Oh well, two can play at this game. ***
"Hey Lana, wait a second."
"Oh, hi Clark."
"Hi. Umm--I was wondering if you still might wanna go out some time like you were saying."
"Weren't you--?"
She motioned to Chloe discreetly.
"No. We settled that whole--thing. Or actually, she settled it. It's not happening."
"Oh. Well--sure, I would love to go out with you sometime."
"Ok. Well, I'll see you later and we can work something out."
"Ok. Sure. Bye."
"Bye."
He made a point of looking right at Chloe as he walked by.
Pete walked up at the very end of the conversation.
"Did he just--?"
"Yeah. Yeah, he did."
"I can't believe he would do that."
"I can."
"Of course you can. You'd believe anything. I'm not in love with the guy."
"I am not in love with him! I won't deny that I like him--a lot. But I am most definitely not in love with him."
"Oh, ok then."
~~~Why do you do that? ~~~
"Ok, so maybe I am in love with him. But that's not the point."
"What is the point then?"
"Don't start with the counter-questions again."
He laughed.
"I gotta go, I'm gonna be late. See you later."
"Later."
"Ok, now we really do have to talk--now."
"You came across very clear. What is there to talk about?"
"There's everything to talk about."
"Name one thing that you so desperately have to talk to me about."
"One-the sick way you used Lana just now. Two-I only wrote that letter because I thought you didn't feel the same way so there's nothing for you to be so mad about. Three-I love you. Four--"
"What?"
~~~Oh God, did I just say that? I did. I finally did what I've wanted to do for years. I told Clark Kent I love him. This is crazy. I'm rambling again. But I don't care for once. ~~~
"One-I didn't use Lana-I was gonna ask her out anyway but I did it at exactly the right time. If anybody was using anybody, you were using Whitney. Two-I'm not mad, I'm upset. There is a difference. Three-I love you too. Four--"
"What?"
***Oh God, did I just say that? I did. I told Chloe Sullivan I love her. And I meant it, I really did. ***
"One-I did not use Whitney- I was telling him off again. Two-I'm sorry you're upset. I'm upset too, actually. Three-I guess three's done now. Four- -"
"What?"
~~~What what? ~~~
"One-If you need somebody to tell Whitney off, I'll do it. Two-Why are you upset? Three-Don't ever let three be done. I love you and I'll never stop saying it. Four--"
"What?"
***What what? ***
"One-I'm very capable of telling Whitney off myself. Two-I really don't know why I'm upset. Why are you? Three--"
They looked at each other for a second, and then started laughing uncontrollably.
"Maybe you were right."
"When was I right?"
"In the letter. When you said we should just be friends the way it used to be without all this confusion."
"Yeah. We-it wouldn't work."
~~~ Please disagree with me. Tell me I'm wrong. ~~~
"Chloe?"
"Yeah?"
"What was four?"
"Four? That Pete's standing there listening. Look behind you."
"Hi."
^^^ Guess I didn't have to do anything about it after all. ^^^
"Hi. Chloe, we need to talk."
"Again?"
"Again. Excuse us just a second."
They moved out of Clark's hearing range.
"Are you crazy?"
"No. Only when it comes to him."
"Right. Chloe, you wrote him a letter saying that you love him but you think you should just be friends anyway. Then you told him to his face- finally-that you love him. He said it back. Then he said he agrees that you should just be friends. And you went along with it!"
"Of course I went along with it. If that's what he wants, there's nothing I can do about that."
"That's just it. That's not what he wants. He was baiting you. He wants to hear you say it."
"Say what?"
"I've heard of people being blinded by love, but not being this idiotic. He wants you to take the first stand. To say that you love him and you won't settle for any less. That you want more than just his friendship. I can't believe you don't get that. Why do you people play these games?"
"I don't know, but they are fun. He wants to play games? I'll play games."
She starts walking away.
"Where are you going?"
"I have to go make a date with Whitney before it's too late. The quarterback of the football team doesn't stay single for long, Pete."
"You're crazy!"
"I know."
