Chapter 6 [Four Hours Later]
Morning's Difficulties dwarfed Anticipated Fears. Tension between Lana, Pete and Chloe crackled throughout Chemistry class. Static penetrated even Mrs. Kowalski's dense personal fog. Minutes crawled by like Hours. Hours seemed to amble by like Sundial's pace.
And then, there was lunch….
Lana almost crept into the cafeteria. She glanced around akin to Skittish Deer. Depression threatened to sink Mood deeper than Mariana Trench. She managed to make it to that point. I just have French. Then, maybe I can get out of my last block study and get over to the Talon. Miri's going to need my help. Maybe if I stay busy, I can keep my mind off of Clark. She hustled toward the hot lunch line.
At least Appetite had returned….
Clark had swapped books between Morning's and Afternoon's offerings. Chemistry proved particularly brutal. While being around Lana usually lifted his spirits, Guilt, Doubt and a hefty dose of Self-Loathing soured his outlook. Her state of affairs threatened to drive him under a rock or at least back to the Loft. Look at her. She's really upset. Who can blame her? Why won't Mom and Dad just let me tell her? WHY? He saw her turn toward him. Hope spread a grin across his face. He waved to get her attention.
Clark, really? I told you I wanted my space. I really can't… Regret and Lament shook her head. She picked up a plastic tray and disappeared into the Tunnel of Culinary Delights (or what passed for it at the high school level). If it meant a chance to avoid him, she'd settle for Mystery Meat.
He bowed his head. Embarrassment reddened his face. Now, he felt Rubberneckers' Eyes focusing on him. He exhaled a pointed breath and bought a milk from the cashier. He slunk away toward Corner Table. Mood deflated akin to Punctured Balloon. He settled on the seat and took out his sandwich. He forced himself to take a bite. Normally, his Mom's ham and cheese remained a personal favorite. On this day, it tasted akin to Sawdust. Enthusiasm drained away from his tongue and mouth. He mouthed portion after portion. Each one reminded him of Parents' Denial of his Dream. Milk seemed as water.
Not a feast fit for a King one would think….
Chloe rolled her eyes from across Cafeteria's expanse. She'd watched the Never Ending Melodrama unfold across that entire morning. Funk had swallowed Lana hook, line and sinker. The Smoldering Clash between Barista and Plaid Farm Boy smoldered more than a badly construed mixture in Chemistry. Clark, you just never learn. Do you? She raised an eyebrow. Jealousy bred a long string of 'I Told You Sos'. That Hydrochloric Acid can't help but smolder around Water. Face it, You Two. You get sizzle and then the explosion. Her eyes rolled. She munched on her Turkey and Cheese. Pen tapped on Table. Notes clarified Details concerning the Class Ring and its Cheap Meteor Center. Research uncovered an earlier fraud case against the jewelry company in question. They just never learn. Well, we'll see what a Torch article does! Maybe I can get the Ledger to run it. I mean $350.00 for that piece of crap? Seriously? Her eyes drifted back toward Forlorn Farm Boy. Clark started to act out of character as soon as he put it on. She scribbled more notes.
"Hey, Chloe. How were the arts?" Pete put his tray down next to her. "Man, what a day." He frowned and shook his head. Guilt ate at him over avoiding Lana's question earlier in the day. He knew Clark had taken the three Saturday Detentions to atone further. "Watching my man whipping himself in the corner sure isn't helping." He stirred up Instant Mashed Potatoes and Turkey chunks.
"Oh, you missed the part where Lana turned her back on Clark." Chloe shook her head. Sarcasm added a nudge to Tone's jab. "I'd give it four stars." She bit into her sandwich yet again. "I just wish Clark would realize that there are other girls in Smallville." Despite continuing Friend-Zone, Chloe continued to hover just on outer fringes of Clark's orbit. Her heart still stung over the Freshman Prom Disaster. Still, Hope kept her right there. She wanted Clark too.
Pete rolled his eyes. "Chloe, you know there are other guys in Smallville too besides Clark." He shoved a forkful of turkey into his mouth before his foot ended up in there. He knew his well-earned reputation as 'Mr. Player Player' around Smallville. Still, underneath it all, Desire focused on the Blonde Reporter. From their first encounter, Admiration and Warmth lifted his heart and spirits around her.
"Yeah like whom? Pete, my love life's colder than a night in Antarctica. Maybe you'd like to suggest someone? Frankly, I'm so wrapped up with the Torch and helping my Dad that I don't know if I'd have time. You have enough ladies. Right?" She coughed. "It's kind of like Clark dancing between Lana and that girl, Jessie." She shook her head.
He frowned. "Chloe, Clark didn't care about her. Whatever was messing with him drove him toward her. His folks are still trying to figure it out." Scowl deepened across his face. "Lana's got to understand."
"She's got to understand?" Incredulity raised her eyebrow. "Clark strung her along. He told her he loved her. Then, after getting the long-awaited date, he takes her to the Wild Coyote of all places? Really? In the middle of said date, my sources tell me Clark blew Lana off for the now departed Jessie. I admit it's unbelievable if I hadn't heard about it from several eyewitnesses."
"Yeah well Lana acted the same way last year. So did Mr. Kent and me. We're lucky to be alive. I shouldn't have to remind you of the 'Blue Lagoon Moment'?" He shook his head. Now what's Chloe digging up? Man! Now I get why Mr. Kent's so paranoid. This is whack!
She had to concede his point. "Touché." She dug through her purse. From its depths, she brought out her own class ring. "What is it about this that turns Clark Kent into a super strong freak? You know it's really weird. How was it that Nicodemus affected everyone but Clark. Still, when Clark put the ring on, he went crazy." Intrigue grabbed onto her. Puzzle tantalized her deeper into its murky depths.
Somehow, he kept a straight face. "Yeah well, you know allergies. We're just different. My man there was stressed out by his Dad's attitude toward those things. It had built up inside of him for a while. He just went off." Typical Chloe. Too close for comfort. Damn, Clark! Now I wish I'd never found your spaceship! He filed the alert. Right after school, he'd need to make tracks for the farm.
She noted his zone out. "Uh, Pete? You wouldn't happen to know what made Clark go all Jekyl and Hyde? Do you?"
"Me?" Snort escaped his lips. "I wish I knew! I kept my distance. I didn't want to mess with Clark like that." He put his hands up to further sell the point. Still, he tried once again to wrap his mind around Clark's true nature. Answers evaded him. He is an alien. That could be difference enough!
She rubbed his arm. "You sure? I mean you're probably as close a friend as Clark has."
"Nah. Check with Lex. Clark confides in him more these days." That note burned in his craw. His lip curled. "Sorry but I gotta go! I forgot Coach wanted to see me about football practice. See you later." He got up and headed for the tray disposal area. Despite half of his lunch remaining uneaten, her questions cut way too close for comfort. He hustled toward Clark. After a few quickly-exchanged words, Pete disappeared back into the hallway.
Chloe tapped her finger on the table. Something seemed off to her. Despite his attempts to keep a straight face, Suspicion focused on Pete as well as Clark. Consideration looked over Ring. You know something, Pete. I don't know what, why or how but you know something.
Maybe she would talk to Lex….
