Don't own, don't sue.



True Love Is Hard To Find

Chapter 6

Long-term Relationships Die Hard

(~~~)-Chloe's thoughts

(***)-Clark's thoughts

(~*~)-Chloe/Clark-joint thought

(^^^)-Pete's thoughts

(###)-Whitney's thoughts

()-Joe's thoughts





"Let me get this straight. You're going out with Whitney tomorrow night."

"Yeah."

"You can't do that."

"Why not?"

"Clark is going out with Lana tomorrow night."

"I know. That's the idea."

"What?"

"Long-term relationships die hard."

"No way, Chloe. You're crazy. That's never gonna work."

"It will work. But I need you."

"Oh, no. No way. Leave me out of this."

"Please. I'll do anything."

"Anything?"

"Anything."

"Thirty says it all blows up in your face."

"Twenty-five. And it will work."

"Thirty. No more, no less. And another twenty that Clark hates me for getting involved."

"If you really believe that, why are you getting involved then?"

"It's worth it. And he'll get over it eventually. So, thirty on it not working, and twenty on Clark hating me. Deal?"

"I've got a better one. Thirty on it working, and twenty-five that I blow it at the last minute."

"You really believe that? Why go through with it then?"

"A wise man once said: it's worth it. And he'll get over it eventually. So, deal?"

Pete smiled.

"Deal. But you have to say it too."

"OK. Deal--no, wait."

"Hah. Too late. You bet five dollars on Clark's heart. Playing games aren't as fun as you thought, huh?"

"Au contraire. It will work, and I won't blow it."

"OK, right. So what do I have to do?"

"Just follow us. And try to bring a date."

"OK."

"Oh yeah and Pete?"

"What?"

"Don't forget my money."

_______________________________________________________________________

"Whitney."

"Hey, Joe. What's up?"

"I have to talk to you."

"What is it?"

"About what you said the other day--"

"Yeah, that. Umm--I didn't--I mean--

"Whitney, I'm gay."

"What?"

"I've been hiding it for 2 years. After what you said, I thought maybe you might understand. I--"

### What is this? After all I've been thinking, as soon as I hear this, I suddenly just want to go running back to--Lana. I have to talk to Lana. ###

"I--I have to go."

"Whitney--"

Great. He freaked. So now my secret's out. My life is over.

_______________________________________________________________________

"Why did you suddenly agree to go out with me? I know you don't wanna be here."

"What makes you think that?"

~~~Where is Pete? He should have been here a long time ago.~~~

"It's obvious. You won't even hardly talk to me."

"I--"

~~~Finally!~~~

"Hey Pete!"

"Hey Chloe. What's up? Oh, hey Whitney."

"What's up."

"Yeah. So, umm--have you seen *Clark* tonight?"

"No, why?"

"Oh, just that--nevermind."

"No, what is it?"

"He said something about--(unintelligible whispering)"

"What? Can't hear you."

"I *said*, he said he was going out with *Lana* tonight."

"Oh."

"What? Lana--"

"Umm--Pete, I need to talk to you for a sec. *Alone*. We'll be right back, Whitney."

"OK..."

"Why are you alone? And what took you so long?"

"I took so long because I spent at least 2 hours trying to find a last- minute date so I could come save your ass. It didn't work out, so I thought it would be better to come alone then not at all."

"I'm sorry, Pete. I'm just freaking out right now."

"I know."

"Oh God, here they come. Don't look."

Pete turned to face Clark and Lana.

"I said don't look!"

"Sorry. Damn."

~~~I have to get back over to Whitney before they see me.~~~

"Come on."

Chloe sat back next to Whitney, Pete across from them.

"Sorry about that."

"Oh, it's ok. Hey, is that--Lana?"

"Hey, Whitney."

"Hi, Lana.

He paused for a moment.

"Clark."

"Whitney."

~~~Say something to him!~~~

"Hi, Clark."

He ignored her.

"Pete, can I talk to you for a minute?"

~~~That was crude.~~~

^^^What's his problem?^^^

"No."

"What? Why not?"

~~~That's it.~~~

"You can't talk to him for a minute but you can talk to me for a lot more than a minute--right now."

She jumped up and grabbed his arm, pulling him away from the others.

"What was that?"

"What?"

"I'm not an idiot, Clark. You could have at least acknowledged that I'm actually here. Or does it not matter anymore now that Lana's free?"

"I didn't think you would care very much. I mean, you are with Whitney, so why should I bother you?"

"So you're mad because I'm on a date with Whitney."

"I wouldn't say mad, but...it kinda hurt to see you with him like that."

"You're hurt. Of course. But me, I'm so insensitive, why would I care about you going out with Lana?"

"Chloe, I'm sorry. I didn't mean--"

"Of course you didn't. You never mean it. It just happens."

Pete walked over to them.

"Umm--"

"What?"

"I think your little plan is working, Chloe."

"What?"

They turned just in time to see Lana and Whitney walking out together.

"Plan?"

"Yeah...that's kinda complicated. It worked, though."

"Maybe I should go."

"Yeah, I guess. I'll see you."

"Yeah. Bye."

Clark walked out. Pete laughed.

"What's so funny?"

"I owe you 5 dollars."

_______________________________________________________________________

~~~Why? Why did I have to write that letter? Why did I have to use the Whitney/Lana thing like that? Why?~~~

***Why? Why did I have to be blind for so long? Why did I have to deny how I felt? Why?***

~*~Why did I have to fall in love?~*~

"Are we going to face the situation, or is one of us gonna move?"

"Sorry. Just sat by you automatically, I guess. I'll move."

"Clark, you didn't sit here automatically. You never catch the bus. What is it?"

"I was hoping you would actually talk to me, but I guess not, so..."

He started to get up.

"Don't go. I mean--it's ok. You don't have to move."

"I don't know how to say this, so I'll just say it."

"Shoot."

"Do you think we could try this whole thing again? I mean...I..."

"I don't think so, Clark. After all that's happened..."

"Don't say it. I have to go."

He stood and walked away.

"Clark..."

_______________________________________________________________________







I think this chapter was really bad compared to the rest---sorry! Sorry it took so long too--I've been really busy lately. R+R please!! And please R+R my other story I started--I have 0 reviews so far. Thx!