Chapter 3- Friday

"Hey, Chloe. More flowers today?" the boy asked, grinning across the Torch office.

Chloe groaned. "Yes, and I want to know who's sending them."

"Well, I'm sure you'll find out soon," he replied, walking towards her. "You really have no idea?"

"No," Chloe said, sighing. After a moment her eyes lit up. "Do you know?"

The boy chuckled, trying not to turn his back to her. "You've asked me that a million times already. No, I don't know. Who do you want it to be?"

Chloe narrowed her eyes. "Anyone but a meteor freak."

At that the boy burst into laughter. "You really are a freak magnet, huh?"

"Did you need something, or did you just come in to poke fun at me before going to the Talon?" Chloe asked, turning back to her computer.

"I wanted to know if you're staying late again," the boy asked.

"Every Friday night," Chloe replied. "Want to stay with me?"

"No," he replied shaking his head. "I have chores to do at home."

"Fine, I see who my friends are," Chloe said, nodding at Lana. Lana sat across the room typing furiously on her computer, oblivious to the room's two other occupants.

"Bye, Chlo-e," the boy said, grinning before leaving the room.

As soon as the door shut he had to stop himself from running to his car. He quickly made his way to Chloe's house and rang the doorbell.

Mrs. Sullivan answered. "Hi, what a pleasant surprise. Chloe's not home."

"I know, Mrs. Sullivan. I was wondering if I could put something in her room."

"Just don't mess anything up. You know how she gets," Mrs. Sullivan warned with a warm smile.

"I won't," he replied, reaching beside the door to pick something up.

Mrs. Sullivan's eyes grew wide when she saw what the boy had. Two dozen long-stemmed roses, tied with a think, red, silk ribbon.

"So, you're the one," she said happily. "Chloe has been tearing Smallville apart looking for her secret admirer, and here you are in our own backyard the whole time."

"Don't tell," the boy said, smiling.

"I won't, but can I tell Gabe? I have to tell someone," she said, clasping her hands.

The boy laughed. Like mother, like daughter. It was obvious Chloe was her child. "Yes."

"When are you going to tell her?"

"Tomorrow night."

"I couldn't have picked a better Valentine for my daughter."

"Thank you, Mrs. Sullivan," the boy said before making his way to Chloe's room. He opened the door and smiled. The room seemed to scream 'Chloe!' It was filled with vintage furniture, and artwork. It never ceased to amaze him how spotless Chloe's room always was, especially with the disaster zone the Torch office was on a permanent basis.

He placed the roses gently in the middle of Chloe's bed, making sure the note was visible. It read:

Chloe,

Be my valentine? Meet me at 11 tomorrow night at the Talon.

I'll be waiting for you.

--Your Secret Admirer

P.S. Dress is formal.