Chapter 11-Shimmer

Chloe stumbled into her room and froze. She couldn't believe it. Her heart was still skipping beats. She turned around and let herself fall onto her bed. She let out a happy squeal and then covered her face. "I can't believe it," she breathed. "Lex kissed me!"

She brought her fingertips to touch her lips. She closed her eyes and relived the moment in her mind. She could still feel his arms around her. She kicked her feet numerous times, wriggling with happiness. "I gotta calm down! I'm glad Clark is not home." She took a deep breath and got up. "OK…" She took in more deep breaths. "Okay okay okay. Have to…" She tried to think of something to keep her mind off of the days events. "Got it!" She decided to check out what exactly she'd be wearing to the ball. She opened her closet door and took out the dress she would wear and set it on the bed.

Chloe stared down at the dress laid out on her bed. It was a long chocolate-colored dress with a silk overlay that was made to fit all the curves of your body. Chloe's mother had made the dress, 15 years before. Chloe remembered being 4 years old, sitting on the bed Indian-style, watching her mother make the dress from scratch.

Fashion had never been one of Chloe's interest, but she loved going to the store and helping her mother pick out colors and fabrics to make clothes. She remembered going to store and seeing the new fabric. She had loved it because it was the color of chocolate and then seeing the silk next to it made it shine like chocolate wrapped in gold. So, her mother bought it and decided to make a special dress. Back then the style of the dress wasn't in fashion, but it was like her mother could see the future. She made it and was so proud of it, she decided it was too magnificent to sell. She put it away and said it belonged to Chloe.

Chloe took in a deep breath. She picked up the dress and looked over it once more. This would be the first time ever in her life that she had tried on the dress. She closed her eyes and slipped the dress on.

Another deep breath and she opened her eyes. It was a perfect fit. "How did she know?" Chloe whispered. Of course, Chloe knew how her mom knew it would be a perfect fit. Moms are magical. She smiled as she looked herself over then frowned when she got to her head. She ran a hand threw her red hair that had two black streaks in the front. "Yuck. What was I thinking?"

OK, so I was going through my rebel phase. "This really puts a damper on the dress," she said, trying to think of what to do. It's not like I can afford to redo my hair. At the salon it would cost at least $50, buying a box of Feria or whatever brand would cost a good $10, and she only had 20 dollars in her account that she couldn't spend on hair. OK, so I have a few thousand in savings. But, hey it took me 5 years to get all that in savings and that is one account I don't touch.

She sighed as she ran her hands through her hair again and said, "Guess this'll have to do." She bent down and opened the drawer to look for some jewelry when an envelope caught her eye. "What is this?" She took the envelope and opened it up. It was a birthday card Clark sent her a few months before. She opened it up when a piece of paper slipped out. "$70 gift certificate to Salon Oui," she read out loud. She smiled, "What a sign!"

She quickly picked up the phone and dialed the number on the paper. "Salon Oui, you're speaking to Jenny, how can I help you?"

"Hi, I have a gift certificate for that salon. Does it work for hair color?" Chloe asked.

"Yeah, it works for anything. Did you want to make an appointment?" Jenny asked.

"Yes, would you happen to have anything before New Years Eve Night?" Chloe asked, crossing her fingers.

"Someone just canceled an appointment. You can take theirs," Jenny suggested.

"Great. When is it?" Chloe asked.

"In thirty minutes," Jenny told her.

"Oh perfect! I'll be right over," Chloe said happily.

"Great, can I have your name?" Jenny asked.

"Chloe Sullivan."

"All right, Ms. Sullivan, Sandy will be doing your hair. It was for hair color right?" Jenny asked.

"Yes it is."

"All right then. I'll see you soon. Bye."

"Bye."

Chloe clicked the off button. She smiled and yelled, "Yes!" Everything seems to be turning out good, she thought to herself.

She heard a knock on her bedroom door before Clark walked in. "Hey, you decent?"

"Yeah," she said. "When did you get home?"

He walked in and froze when he saw her.

When she didn't get a reply she turned around to look at him. "You OK?"

"Chloe…you…" he shook his head. "…You look beautiful."

Chloe was confused until she remembered she still had the dress on. "Oh! Thank you."

Clark's eyes were still wide. "Wow."

"I knew this was a pretty dress, but I didn't think I'd get this kind of reaction," Chloe said, smiling.

"Well, you really look amazing," Clark said.

"Well, by the expression on your face I know you're telling the truth," Chloe said, repeating what Clark said to her on Christmas day.

Clark smiled. "So, what are you doing today?"

"Actually, right now I'm going to change because I have a hair appointment," she told him.

"Hair appointment. I thought the ball wasn't till tomorrow night," Clark said.

"I'm changing my hair color," she informed him.

"OK, a beautiful dress and a new hair color…all this for Lex?" Clark inquired.

Chloe glared at him then changed into a smile and said, "No, all this for me. I don't want to look dumb in front of all those people."

Clark shrugged then said, "Chloe, why do you care what those people think?"

Chloe huffed. Clark was beginning to annoy her. "What is your deal?"

"My deal? You're the one changing your whole image for him. I remember you loving that hair color when you got it," Clark said.

"Yeah, Clark I did love it. But, I got it only days before I moved here. So, you didn't see me hating it a week later," Chloe told him.

"Why didn't you change it then?" Clark pressed.

"I didn't have the money. What is this? An interrogation?" Chloe asked.

"I'm just worried about you," Clark said.

Chloe rolled her eyes. "Well, stop it! You don't have to worry about me. I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself."

"It's just not like you to change yourself for someone else," Clark said.

"You did it for Lana," she mumbled, not realizing that Clark could hear her loud and clear.

Clark was shocked at her statement. He wasn't sure if she meant for him to hear that, but he was so surprised. "Chloe…" He couldn't think of anything to say.

Chloe sighed with frustration. "Clark, I'm not changing my image for Lex…or anybody. This is a special dress, which I happen to love. So, it's not like me to dress like this or…I don't know. But, there is nothing wrong with wanting to have a bit of class when you're going to a ball. It doesn't mean I'm changing myself or whatever."

"Fine…I'm sorry," Clark said, standing up to leave the room.

Chloe didn't try to stop him. She just went about getting some jeans and a T-shirt to change in. After Clark left, she shut the door and changed into her day clothes and walked towards the door.

On her way out she passed by the Clark, who was sitting at the table reading a book. They briefly looked at each other, but neither said a thing. Chloe closed the door behind her and left for the salon.

Clark sighed and leaned back into his chair. He had an amazing amount of speed but just couldn't seem to keep up with the fast growing relationship between his best friend and his former best friend. He thought being in Metropolis would help himself and Chloe become closer, but she seemed to be slipping farther and farther out of his reach in only a matter of days.

**

Chloe ran her fingertips through her newly colored hair. Twenty-five minutes of an intensely itchy scalp and she's a blonde. Here I am, she thought to herself. I stopped smoking and I'm blonde again. Chloe Sullivan is back.

And she kissed Lex!

Chloe slapped her hand to her face and let out a muffled scream. "Ohmigod!" She jogged in place happily for a moment.

"Everything all right?"

Chloe spun around to see Clark standing there.

"I heard you say 'Ohmigod.'" Clark said.

Chloe was a bit confused, "You heard me?"

Clark froze. He had just needed any excuse to come see Chloe so when he heard her say 'Ohmigod' he decided to pretend he was checking on her. It completely went over his head that she may have not said it so loud. He had to think fast. "I was passing by. You had your door open."

Chloe shook her head, "I didn't."

Clark nodded and said, "Yes you did." He was insistent.

Chloe sighed. "Whatever. Everything is fine."

Clark nodded and after a moment decided to say, "Chloe about earlier-"

She put a hand up to shush him. "Let's just agree to disagree."

"I'm just-"

"If you say you're worried about me one more time I'm going to scream," she threatened.

"I can't help it."

"You don't need to protect me from the big bad wolf," she said, wriggling her fingers to add effect.

Clark smirked. "Here," he handed her a plate with a tuna fish sandwich.

"What's this?" Chloe asked.

Clark shrugged then said, "Uh…A peace offering."

Chloe eyed him suspiciously then with a smile said, "How do I know you didn't poison it?"

"I guess you'll have to trust me."

Chloe rolled her eyes.

The phone rang.

"I'll get that," Clark said as Chloe bit into her tuna fish sandwich. "Hello?"

"Clark?"

Clark looked over at Chloe, who was enjoying the sandwich. "Lex."

Clark watched as Chloe quickly set the sandwich down and look up at him expectantly.

"Can I talk to Chloe?" Lex asked.

Clark didn't answer he just handed the phone to Chloe.

She put the phone to her ear and without a doubt was happy when she said, "Lex!"

Clark watched her face go from just everyday Chloe to shimmering happiness Chloe.

Chloe took the phone away from her face and looked up at Clark, "Would you excuse me?"

She didn't want him around while she talked to Lex. This broke Clark's heart. He couldn't control it. He knew anger and jealousy had flickered in his eyes as he turned around and walked out of her room.

Chloe sighed.

"Chloe, what's wrong?" Lex asked, worried.

Chloe didn't reply. She momentarily thought about going after Clark then decided he was being a baby about the whole situation.

"Chloe?"

"Oh…huh…what?" Chloe asked.

"You sounded upset. What's wrong?" Lex asked.

Chloe sat on the edge of her bed. "It's nothing…well…it's Clark."

Lex sighed. He knew that if anything could hold Chloe back from him it would Clark. All he needed right now was for Chloe to feel guilty and want to comfort Clark.

"He's…it just feels like our friendship is falling apart," Chloe said sadly.

Lex sat up when he heard this. He knew he shouldn't feel happy, but he couldn't help it. At least I didn't purposely cause this, Lex thought, proud of himself. Sure there were a dozen things Lex could have set up to break off Chloe and Clark's relationship, but things like that always had a way of biting you in the ass. And if he planned on having any kind of bright future with Chloe he didn't want to have some secret concerning the Chloe and Clark friendship break up, which could possibly come out and ruin what they had.

But, right now Chloe was upset and Lex cared about Chloe. So, whether it was about Clark or not he still wanted to comfort her. "What happened?"

"He didn't like that…he…" Chloe didn't know how to say it. She didn't even know if she could tell Lex.

"He doesn't feel comfortable with you and I," Lex said for her.

"How did you know?" Chloe said, feeling a bit relieved.

"Just an observation," Lex told her.

"Oh."

"So, how do you feel about it?" Lex asked.

"Feel about what? How Clark is acting?" Chloe asked.

"Yeah."

Chloe thought about this a second. She took in a deep breath. "It makes me angry. I wish…I wish he'd stop worrying."

"Well, Chloe, he's been your best friend forever. I doubt that is going to happen," Lex said honestly.

"I know. It's just he made these accusations that…hurt my feelings," Chloe said, remembering the things Clark had said.

Clark had hurt Chloe's feelings. This new development made Lex angry. "What'd he say?"

"I don't want to talk about it anymore. He apologized later, but he's still acting like a damn baby," Chloe said. "He's just going to have to deal," she said a matter of fact.

Lex smiled. "I like the way you're dealing with this."

"Well, I figure he's stupid for being upset and I'm not going to feel guilty when I'm not at fault," Chloe told him.

"I'm proud of you Chloe," Lex said. "So not to change the subject but…"

"Do I feel weird about the kiss?" Chloe asked.

"Yeah, I mean I kissed you and I want to make sure you're not overwhelmed," Lex said.

"Of course I'm overwhelmed!" Chloe explained. "But, it's in a good way."

"So, you don't regret it?" Lex had to be sure.

"Are you crazy? Why? Do you regret it?" Chloe asked, a bit afraid of what his answer might be.

"Never. I've been wanting to kiss you since that day we went for ice cream," Lex said, surprised with how honest he was being.

Chloe smiled and let out a sigh of relief. "I gotta admit you were the last thing I expected to happen. But, I'm glad life doesn't turn out the way people think."

"Well, I didn't think you'd give yourself a chance when it came to me. But, I'm glad it didn't turn out that way."

"I'm glad too," Chloe said. "So, you're picking me up at 6:30 tomorrow night, right?"

"Yes ma'am," he said like a gentleman. "Want to go ice skating?"

"When?" Chloe asked.

"Right now," Lex said.

Chloe looked at her watch. "It's 8:00 P.M."

"Your point?" Lex asked.

Chloe chuckled. "Come pick me up."

"I'll see you soon."

"Bye, Lex."

They both hung up the phone.

Clark leaned up against the wall sadly. He had heard the whole conversation with Lex and Chloe. Not only was something going on between Lex and Chloe, but they had kissed. He closed his eyes, trying to wash away the burning sensation of tears threatening to come.

To be continued…