Chapter Six-It's Whatever

      45 Minutes later...

      Lex parked the BMW in front of Metropolis bank. He took a good look at the bank and then at Chloe as she gathered her things. "This is a humungous bank. You seem so small to be working in it."

      "Yeah, I'm a small town girl trying to work in the big life," Chloe joked.

      "You just never seemed the type to work in a bank," Lex said.

      "It's only temporary. You know, a through college job. Then I'll get a job at a paper and write forever," Chloe said with a dreamy smile.

      Lex smiled and stared at her.

      Chloe noticed this and immediately wiped her face off.

      Lex chuckled.

      "Thanks for Lunch, Lex. It was really great," Chloe said.

      "Thanks for coming with me," Lex told her. "But, you know this still doesn't take care of that rain check."

      "It doesn't?" Chloe asked.

      "No. I'll let you know when it does," Lex said.

      Chloe got out of the car. "Bye Lex."

      "Have a nice day, Chloe."

      Chloe smiled and went inside the bank.

      A Couple Hours Later...

      Chloe stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around her body. She took another towel and rubbed her wet hair. She was startled when the phone rang.

      She grabbed a comb and with one hand began combing her hair and with the other hand she picked up the phone.

      "Chloe here," She answered.

      "Good, I'm glad I got the right phone number," Lex said.

      "Lex Luthor?" Chloe asked, incredibly surprised.

      "I thought I told you to call me Lex," he told her.

      "OK, Lex...how did you get my phone number?" She asked curiously.

      "Uh...phone book?" Lex guessed.

      "Haha, my number is unlisted," she told him.

      "All right, you got me. I went inside the bank and asked one of your coworkers," Lex told her.

      "Put on your disgusting charm I'm sure," Chloe said with a smile.

      "Disgusting charm? I'm offended!" Lex exclaimed.

      Chloe laughed.

      "Oh, well I'm glad you find this funny," Lex said, pretending to be hurt. He wondered what Chloe would think if she knew how transfixed he is with her. "So, what are you doing right now?"

      Chloe smiled, "Uh...I was just reading...a book."

      "Oh yeah, what book?" Lex was curious.

      "I see someone is a bit nosy. Well, anyway I was reading Anne Rice's Ramses the Damned," Chloe lied.

      "Is it good?"

      Chloe sat down. She wondered what Lex would think if he knew how happy she was he called her, "Actually, it's horrible."

      They both laughed.

      "Why is that?" Lex asked.

      "I guess you could say it keeps your interest but doesn't put you on the edge of your seat. It's too predictable and cliched," she explained.

      "I see you've thought about this quite a bit."

      "I'm very opinionated about anything involving words," Chloe told him.

      "I can see that," Lex commented.

      "So, Lex, you haven't told me the point of this phone call," Chloe said.

      Lex bit his lip. He wanted to call Chloe so badly that he just picked up and dialed her number and didn't think of the consequences. He rubbed his baldhead nervously.

      "So, why did you call Lex?" Chloe asked softly.

      "Would you believe I wanted to give you some stock tips?" Lex asked, his chuckle dripped with nervousness.

      "I could believe that if...Well, no I can't believe that," Chloe said.

      Silence.

      "Lex? Are you still there?" Chloe was starting to get nervous. Maybe she shouldn't have pushed it, she thought to herself.

      "Truth is Chloe...I called...Well..." This is going to be tough, Lex thought.

      "You called because?"

      "I...just wanted to hear your voice," Lex said, honestly.

      Chloe sat up. She knew her expression was one of surprise and amazement. She almost felt like she could cry, but wouldn't.

      Now it was Lex's turn. "Chloe? You still there?"

      Chloe shook her head because she was afraid she might not be able to speak. But, finally was able to find a husky voice, "Yeah, yeah I'm here."

      "Did I freak you out?" Lex asked.

      "No...you just...you didn't freak me out," Chloe assured him.

      "You can tell the truth," he said.

      "You didn't freak me out. You just...just when I thought you couldn't amaze me anymore you do it again, but in an even bigger way," Chloe admitted.

      Lex was quiet. Maybe he did have a chance, he thought to himself. Even if Chloe didn't feel anything for him now maybe she'd give herself a chance. "You know that's the first time anyone's ever told me I amazed them."

      "Well, my mom used to tell me it's not how many people say it it's who says it," Chloe offered.

      "She's a smart woman. Because even if my neglectful father told me I amazed him it wouldn't have the same affect like the one you gave," Lex said.

      "There's something going on here, isn't there?" Chloe asked.

      "I hope so," Lex said, anxiously wanting to here her reply.

      Chloe was silent. She didn't realize how crazy it was driving Lex.

      "Chloe?"

      "I hope so too, Lex."

      It was as simple as one little reply. Lex knew that he would always remember that phrase and this moment.

      "I'm glad you called," Chloe said.

      "Me too," he said. "So...anything else going on lately?"

      "Well, actually yeah. I saw this really great movie a week ago," Chloe began.

      "Oh yeah, what was it about?" Lex asked.

      And that was it. For the next few hours all Chloe and Lex did was talk on the phone about anything and everything. Though neither shared any past pain it was the first time they felt comfortable with someone else. It was the first time each found someone who would actually listen. After hanging up, both lay in bed staring at the ceiling with a smile on their a face, a tug at their heart, and anxiously wanting the next meeting to arrive.

      December 27, 2005 1:07 A.M.

      I'm too anxious to write anything about December 26's events. In fact, I don't think my high has let up yet.

      Even if I forced myself to write about it I fear I could never find the words to fully describe it. So, with that I will go to sleep hoping it will do good for my racing heart.

      Signing off,

      Chloe Sullivan.

      She turned the laptop off and plopped down on her bed preparing to stare at the ceiling for the next few hours because she knew full well that sleep would not find her tonight.

To be continued...