Chapter 5
"Lana, I have a big order," Chloe said, jogging into the Talon.
"Alright," Lana replied, picking up a pen and an order pad. "Go ahead."
"I need two large coffees. One with two creams for Mrs. Kent, and one with milk and a little bit of honey for Mr. Kent. Pete wants a white chocolate caramel cappuccino, give him the biggest one you have. Clark wants a plain hot chocolate, typical," Chloe read from her list of drinks.
Lana laughed. "It's simple, and uncomplicated. Go on."
"I want a gigantic non-fat no-foam latte, and Lex wants," Chloe said, skimming the list. "The same thing, only medium."
"Wow, that is a large order. What are all of you doing?" Lana asked, beginning to make the drinks.
"Going to the farmer's market. Pete is going to help Clark and Mr. Kent load and unload the produce. I'm going to help Mrs. Kent set everything up and help when people come over, and no one's really sure why Lex is going," Chloe answered with an impish smile.
Lana laughed. "In that case, I'll send some muffins."
"That would be great," Chloe told her, sliding onto a stool.
"Here's the cappuccino, lattes," Lana said, pouring from a carafe. "And the hot chocolate."
"Thanks," Chloe told Lana as Lana poured the coffee. "Hey, why don't you come later? You're only working the early bird shift, right?"
Lana poured a little bit of honey into one of the cups. "Yeah," she said, adding milk, then a lid.
"Dad's coming at ten. If you call him I'm sure he'll bring you by," Chloe suggested, tucking the cups into a cardboard caddy.
"That sounds great. I'll call him, and I'll bring more coffee then," Lana offered.
"Good. How much do I owe you?"
"Don't worry about it."
"No. Lex is paying. You better take advantage of it," Chloe said with a sweet smile.
"Alright," Lana replied, punching the numbers into the cash register. "The total is seventeen thirty-two."
"Here you go. Keep the change," Chloe said, holding out a twenty dollar bill.
Lana reached for the money, and her fingers brushed over Chloe's. Both girls looked at their hands. It was as if time stood still as their hands remained touching.
"Lana, I can't get inventory to balance," a voice called.
"I'm coming, Monique," Lana called back, taking the money.
Chloe picked up the containers holding the cups. "Thanks, Lana."
"I'll see you around ten," Lana replied with a sweet smile.
"Great," Chloe replied, leaving the Talon.
* * *
Lana walked around the farmer's market looking for Chloe. She wove through the booths, about to give up and go back to where she had left Gabe when she heard voices.
"That's classified information," she heard Lex say, amusement in his voice.
Chloe sighed and Lana could almost hear her roll her hazel eyes. "Fine. Nevermind."
Lana walked around a grove of trees. Chloe and Lex were sitting on two swings in a small park, their backs to Lana.
"How do you like rooming with Lana?"
Lana stopped short, waiting for Chloe's answer.
"That's classified information," Chloe replied. Lana could feel her smirk.
"Avoidance? That's not your style. From what Clark said you've enjo-," Lex started.
Chloe jumped out of the swing, rage darkening her features. "What did he tell you?! He had no right. I trusted him!"
Lex stood quickly. "All he told me was that you two seemed to be having fun," he told her, his eyes showing his honesty. "Clark would never tell me something you had told him in confidence."
Chloe visibly relaxed, letting out a breath. "I know."
Lex turned back to the swing, suddenly realizing Lana was standing behind them. "Lana."
Chloe whirled around. "How long have you been there?"
Lana smiled weakly. "Somewhere around 'I trusted him,'" Lana told her. "I brought more coffee."
Lex reached to take the cup from Lana. "Thank you, Lana. I'm going to go find Clark."
"What did you tell Clark that made you that upset?" Lana asked, handing Chloe her coffee.
"If I told everyone that would defeat the purpose of telling him in confidence," Chloe answered, sipping the steaming cup.
"You're right," Lana told her with a laugh. "I never thought I'd see Lex Luthor sitting on a swing. What were you guys talking about?"
"You aren't jealous, are you?" Chloe asked, biting back a smile. When she realized what she had implied she spoke quickly. "Actually, I got tired of standing around so Lex offered to go on a walk with me, and we ended up here."
Lana smiled. "Did you get anything good out of him?"
"Only that he prefers the Kent produce to any other."
"Knowing you, that's enough to make a full-page article for the Torch," Lana said, her voice getting wispy.
"Yeah," Chloe replied softly as Lana stepped forward.
Lana leaned in and pressed her lips to Chloe's. Almost immediately Chloe pulled back.
"I'm-" Lana started.
She was cut off when Chloe leaned in again, this time more sure of herself.
"Chloe!"
"Lana?"
Chloe pulled back with a smile. "Clark and Pete."
"Over here, guys," Lana called to them.
"I told you they hadn't left," Clark said, his voice getting louder as he got closer.
"Yeah, you're always right," came Pete's sarcastic voice.
"Yes, I am," Clark replied.
"Hello, ladies. What are you doing?"
Chloe and Lana glanced at each other with small, amused smiles. "Nothing," they answered together.