***9th grade, Torch offices***
Three friends hang out together in silence. One types furiously at a computer screen. Another lies across a few chairs lazily reading old issues of the Torch. The final one sits in the corner of the room, observing the almost invisible glances being constantly thrown across the room.
'These two are hopeless,' mused Pete. 'Both obviously have a crush on the other, but are too blind to see the other looking. Guess Clark couldn't hide it anymore. Started making up that whole thing with Lana. Oh well, not like I can say anything since both swore me to secrecy when I told them I knew. I wonder what would happen if I just blurted it out, it would make things a lot easier.'
"Are we gonna go to the Beanery or what? As fun as it is wasting away here, this isn't my idea of fun," Pete said breaking the silence.
"Just wait. Let me finish this article then we can go," retorted Chloe.
5 minutes passed before Chloe once again spoke up. "Ok, lets go guys."
The three jumped into Clarks new ride, generously furbished by a one Lex Luthor. The beanery was nothing new; it was the general hangout for the three comrades during most after school hours. It was really only the hangout because neither Pete nor Clark wanted to deal with an after school Chloe if she didn't have her coffee.
"You guys get dates to Homecoming yet?" Pete inquired.
"No, I think I'm going to bow out of the whole school sponsored social events," Chloe answered.
"All of them? But what about stuff like prom? You don't plan on missing those too?"
"I wouldn't be caught dead at prom without a date. Plus, why worry about that? Prom is only for seniors," Chloe retorted.
"You gotta plan ahead for things like that," Pete chimed. "Also, what makes you think you won't have a date for prom?"
"You mean other than the lack of male attention I get?"
"I'm sure somebody would ask you," Pete added, slightly elbowing Clark.
"Uh. Yeah. How about this? If neither me nor you have a date by the time prom comes around, we'll go together," Clark said nervously.
"Well, I guess that would work," she replied.
"All right then, nothing to worry about," Pete said smiling.
Conversation returned to normal teenage banter, from after school jobs to future plans. Finally, the trio headed back on the brand new truck. Even though he was first to leave, Pete couldn't help notice the hopeful hidden smile lighted in his friends' eyes.
Three friends hang out together in silence. One types furiously at a computer screen. Another lies across a few chairs lazily reading old issues of the Torch. The final one sits in the corner of the room, observing the almost invisible glances being constantly thrown across the room.
'These two are hopeless,' mused Pete. 'Both obviously have a crush on the other, but are too blind to see the other looking. Guess Clark couldn't hide it anymore. Started making up that whole thing with Lana. Oh well, not like I can say anything since both swore me to secrecy when I told them I knew. I wonder what would happen if I just blurted it out, it would make things a lot easier.'
"Are we gonna go to the Beanery or what? As fun as it is wasting away here, this isn't my idea of fun," Pete said breaking the silence.
"Just wait. Let me finish this article then we can go," retorted Chloe.
5 minutes passed before Chloe once again spoke up. "Ok, lets go guys."
The three jumped into Clarks new ride, generously furbished by a one Lex Luthor. The beanery was nothing new; it was the general hangout for the three comrades during most after school hours. It was really only the hangout because neither Pete nor Clark wanted to deal with an after school Chloe if she didn't have her coffee.
"You guys get dates to Homecoming yet?" Pete inquired.
"No, I think I'm going to bow out of the whole school sponsored social events," Chloe answered.
"All of them? But what about stuff like prom? You don't plan on missing those too?"
"I wouldn't be caught dead at prom without a date. Plus, why worry about that? Prom is only for seniors," Chloe retorted.
"You gotta plan ahead for things like that," Pete chimed. "Also, what makes you think you won't have a date for prom?"
"You mean other than the lack of male attention I get?"
"I'm sure somebody would ask you," Pete added, slightly elbowing Clark.
"Uh. Yeah. How about this? If neither me nor you have a date by the time prom comes around, we'll go together," Clark said nervously.
"Well, I guess that would work," she replied.
"All right then, nothing to worry about," Pete said smiling.
Conversation returned to normal teenage banter, from after school jobs to future plans. Finally, the trio headed back on the brand new truck. Even though he was first to leave, Pete couldn't help notice the hopeful hidden smile lighted in his friends' eyes.
