Chapter 11
Lana giggled.
"What?" Chloe asked, pulling back from the kiss.
"Nothing, sorry," Lana apologized, leaning back in. Her lips slanted against Chloe's and Chloe let out a sigh.
Chloe fingers threaded through Lana's hair, and Lana giggled again.
"What?" Chloe asked, getting a little tired of it.
Lana smiled, kissing Chloe's nose. "It tickles."
Chloe rolled her eyes, and stood up, but Lana grabbed her hand and pulled her back down.
"Where you going?" she asked with a smile. She didn't let Chloe answer, but pressed her lips back to Chloe's, running her hand up Chloe's arm.
Chloe laced her fingers with Lana's free hand, then giggled.
"What?" Lana asked, pulling back slightly.
Chloe grinned. "It tickled," she mocked.
Lana's mouth dropped open. "How rude!" she said as Chloe kissed her neck.
Chloe laughed against Lana's neck. "Now you know how I felt."
Lana put her hands on Chloe's small shoulders and pushed her back. "It's all about revenge, is it?"
"Hey, you said it, not me," Chloe told her, licking her lips.
Lana shook her head in amusement. "We better go. We're going to be late."
"I don't know why you're so worried," Chloe said, adjusting her ankle length denim skirt. "It's not like Clark's ever on time." She gave a tug to the long sleeves of her green peasant blouse.
"Maybe not, but Lex always is," Lana pointed out, smoothing her long, pink, patchwork skirt.
"Am I the only one who feels like this is a double date?" Chloe asked, a mischievous twinkle in her eye.
"Chloe," Lana exclaimed. "So, you noticed, too?"
Chloe couldn't contain a laugh. "We're so bad, Lana," she said, walking out the front door.
Lana locked the door behind herself. "But it's so fun," she admitted.
The drive to Main Street was short, the moonlight illuminating the red car.
"Wow, it's almost empty," Lana said, looking at the empty parking spaces. A few people were walking down the street, window-shopping.
Chloe shrugged. "It's eight o'clock on a Tuesday, and Smallville isn't exactly known for its hopping night-life."
Lana climbed from the car. "We're early. Clark and Lex won't be here for another few minutes."
"It's cold," Chloe said, rubbing her arms.
"Want to go inside?" Lana asked, replacing Chloe's hands with her own.
Chloe shook her head, her blond hair swishing around her cheeks. "Let's walk."
Lana put an arm around Chloe, trying to transfer body heat, then started to walk.
"Look at the dykes," came a voice from behind them.
Chloe spun on her heel, subconsciously putting herself in front of Lana. "Who's there?"
Three teenage boys stepped out from behind a parked car. As they got closer Lana pulled Chloe back until they were pressed against the cold brick wall. "What do you want?" Lana asked, her voice showing her fear.
"Aw, look guys, she's scared," one of the boys said with mock sympathy.
Chloe bristled, stepping forward to try and push past them.
"Where do you think you're going, bitch?" the third guy asked in a demanding tone.
Chloe took Lana's hand and tried to push past the guys, but the second one pushed her backwards. The force sent her flying into the wall with a grunt.
"Chloe!" Lana exclaimed. She switched Chloe's hand from one to the other, wrapping an arm around her waist.
"I wouldn't try that again," the first guy hissed.
"What do you want?" Lana repeated.
"To teach you a lesson," the third guy answered, rubbing his hands together.
"You need to know the difference between right and wrong," the second guy added.
Chloe rubbed her shoulder where it had connected with the wall. "Leave us alone," she demanded, the fear not showing in her voice.
"Leave us alone!" Lana shouted, her eyes frantically looking from one to the other.
The guys laughed, letting down their guard for a split second. Chloe saw her opportunity and pushed Lana through them, sending her flying.
"Lana, run!" Chloe yelled. "Get Lex and Clark!"
Lana glanced back at Chloe before sprinting away.
"You'll pay for that," the first guy warned, moving closer to Chloe, and pushing her into the wall again.
Lana ran as fast as she could. She got to the front of the restaurant as Lex was pulling up. "Lex, help!" she screamed, her chest heaving.
The tires squealed as Lex slammed on the brakes. Before the car had stopped moving he jumped out. "What's wrong?"
"They- They have Chloe," Lana told him, gasping out the words between breaths. She pointed down the street.
Lex reached back into the car, then slammed the door. "Stay here," he commanded, walking swiftly toward the group at the end of the sidewalk.
Lana jogged after him.
Lex turned back, still walking. "Stay here," he demanded firmly.
Chloe had her back against the wall as if she was trying to melt into it. As the guys advanced she started to slide down the wall.
"I suggest you step away from the lady," Lex said, his voice conveying his control.
The guys turned. "We're not afraid of you, rich boy."
"Perhaps you didn't understand. Get away from her," Lex's voice boomed with authority, turning something in his hand over and over.
"Fag lover," the first teased.
Lex held out the object in his hand, switching it on. An electric blue energy sparked from the end of the taser. "Now."
"Man, it's not worth it," the second guy told the third.
"Fine," he responded, shooting Lex a dirty look before walking away.
Lex flipped off the taser, then pocketed it. He took Chloe's hand and pulled her to her feet. He took a handkerchief out of his pocket and handed it to Chloe so she could wipe the tears from her eyes.
Lex glanced over at Lana. She was gesturing wildly at Chloe as Clark climbed out of the car. Pure alarm registered on Clark's face as his eyes darted to Lex and Chloe. Clark put a protective arm around Lana then walked to Chloe and Lex.
Chloe sniffed, moving to lean against Lex when he held his arm out. He tightened his arm around her, glancing up and down the dark street.
"Are you okay?" Lana and Clark asked at the same time. Lana shrugged off Clark's arm and wiped a tear from Chloe's cheek.
"I- I think so. You?" Chloe asked, holding on to Lana's wrist.
Lana nodded.
"Ladies, we either need to get inside, or leave. It's up to you if we stay or not, but it's not safe out here," Lex told them.
"Can we go somewhere?" Chloe asked, looking at her friends.
"Let's go to the mansion. We'll be the safest there," Clark suggested, leading the girls back to the cars.