Chapter Ten
"You may not see me the way I see you. You may not care for me the way I care for you. You may feel nothing for me even if I feel so much for you and you may never ever love me even if I'll always be here.loving you."
Linda was lying in bed when she received the cheeky SMS message that Dick Malverne sent her. She rolled over flat on her stomach, as she flipped over the pages of a magazine she was reading. A red shirt and her laced white under wear are the only clothing that she had on.
"Dick.Dick.Dick." She chanted, shaking her head in disbelief. Linda has been receiving those kind of Love messages from him since he got his mobile phone a year and a half ago.
It was a sunny Tuesday afternoon. School finished two hours ago and Clark and Linda went straight home. The cheering squad's practice was canceled (to Linda's delight) and Clark was through with his work at the Torch's office. They both reckoned that going home would be a much better idea than hanging in school. At least in this way they could be useful around the farm.
"Lyn!"
Linda heard Mrs. Kent hollered from downstairs. She climbed out of bed, opened her door and yelled back, "Yeah?"
"Can you come down here honey?" Martha bellowed.
"Yeah, wait a sec." Linda called out, shutting the door.
She rummaged through her closet to find some pants that would go with her cute red shirt. The wicked denim blue jeans is what she opted to wear. Linda did a final check of her ensemble in her full length and she's out of her room, heading downstairs for Mrs. Kent.
Martha was in the family kitchen, making a list on top of the wooden counter, when Linda descended from the stairs.
"Hey," She muttered, sauntering to Mrs. Kent's location, hand's on her pockets. "What's up?"
"Oh Lyn, I need you to do me a favor." She reported writing the last item on her list.
"Sure, what about?" Linda asked, game on whatever Martha would ask of her.
"I need you to head to town and buy this stuff for the house." Mrs. Kent revealed as she handed the grocery list. "Is that ok?"
"Yeah, no problem."
"Great. Here's the keys to the car." Martha dug in her left pants pocket and gave Linda the money, after presenting her the keys.
"Uh.that's the only problem." She confessed, accepting the keys and cash from Martha. "I dunno how to drive."
"Oh." Mrs. Kent sounded pausing for a while. She thought Linda could drive, given that she lives in the city and stuff. Then she came up with an idea. "Clark can drive you to town. He's in the barn right now. Tell him I asked him to take you there."
"Ok." Linda snatched an apple on the fruit bowl that's on top of the refrigerator. Putting on her denim jacket that was previously hooked behind the door, she heads out for the barn while munching on the apple.
Clark was under the rusty farm tractor, tightening some loose bolts, when Linda came into the barn. He didn't seem to notice her. His mind was elsewhere.
"Boo." A female voice whispered. Clark looked from the voice's direction and saw Linda. She took a step back when Clark started to slide out from under the tractor.
"Boo back." He greeted with a smile, sitting up, as he wiped his greasy hands on a filthy towel. Clark had on his usual checkered shirt and jeans.
"Your mom asked me to pick up some groceries in town." Linda retorted, showing him the car keys and grocery list. "And I was thrilled by the idea.then I remembered.I can't drive."
Clark snorted when he heard that as he stood to his feet. "You dunno how to drive?"
"Yes." She murmured, cocking her head to one side, somewhat ashamed.
"Linda Lee Danvers, city girl, student and cheerleader extraordinaire, doesn't know how to drive a car?" He teased again, returning the equipment he used to the barn cabinet.
"Yes! Yes! I'm a member of America's commuting public!" Linda declared following Clark, taking a huge chomp on the half-finished apple. "There I said it. Now stop rubbing it in!"
"Fine." Clark got the keys from her, flashing a grin and they boarded the Kent's blue pick up truck.
"You be careful!" Mrs. Kent yelled at them when she saw the car passed by.
"We will!" Linda responded, blowing Martha a kiss and Clark waved at his mom.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
As the blue truck drove along the empty road, Clark and Linda were talking about the up coming school dance on Friday evening. As far as they can remember, the vice-principal said that it was in honor of the Leesburg students. Sort of like a farewell gathering for the delegates and Smallville High.
"Got any date yet?" Linda queried glancing over at Clark.
"Nope." He answered, eyes staying on the road. "You?"
"None."
"I'm sure someone's bound to ask you, one of these days." Clark said, trying to lighten up Linda's face. He noticed that she grew sad at the mention of the farewell dance.
"I hope so."
"No, that's for sure. That's certainly gonna happen." He uttered, taking off his gaze on the road, then to Linda, then back to the road. "I mean look at you.you're beautiful."
"You think I'm beautiful?" She said with dough eyes.
"Well." Clark's tongue slipped again, his heart racing in the process. "Come on, you know you're gorgeous. Only a blind, moronic guy wouldn't see that."
"Thanks." Linda couldn't believe how sweet Clark is.
"You're gorgeous too you know." She wanted to add, but chose not to.
A minute of awkward silence fell inside the car. Clark's eyes focused on the road and Linda was staring out of her window, watching the wide and green farmland.
"How do you turn this thing on?" Linda blurted all of a sudden, referring to the car stereo. She reckoned that music would break the silence between them.
Clark switched it on, and showed Linda how to manipulate the dials. Linkin Park's song 'Points of Authority' was on. They both liked the song so they decided to stay at that station. Clark's bobbing his head to the sound while drumming his fingers on the stirring wheel.
The song ended and Linda surfed at every station on the radio for a nice song. She windup with the song from the band the Corrs with the romantic song "Runaway."
"Say it's true, there's nothing like me and you, I'm not alone, tell me you feel it too, and I would runaway, I would runaway, yeah, yeah, I would runaway, I would runaway with you. 'Cause I, have fallen in love, with you, no, never gonna stop falling in love with you."
Linda couldn't help herself but sing along to the melodious song. It's one of her favorite. Clark was amazed on how good Linda's voice is. Then remembered that she was ones a member of their church choir in Leesburg. Her voice isn't exactly Celine Dion-ish high but it's pleasant to the ears.
He could imagine himself lying on his soft bed as he listens to Linda's soothing voice.
The song was over in a minute and a ballad was playing now. The pick up truck is now fast approaching town, when Linda regarded a small grease stain on Clark's left cheek.
"You have, something here." She advised pointing on her own left cheek.
"What is it?" Clark rubbed his left cheek while looking at the car mirror. Unfortunately, he smudged it even more.
"No, wait." Linda proposed, grabbing a pack of wet tissues from her jacket. She pulled out one sheet. Clark's too busy watching the road, so Linda reckoned that it would be best if she helps him rid of the grease stain.
"Hold still." She advised, taking a firm hold on Clark's shoulder. He slightly pivoted his head, just so Linda could have a good look.
Linda rubbed the stain out, gently. Clark would often take a quick glance at Linda. She was so beautiful. It's very affectionate of her to do that. Thankfully the grease was removed from Clark's blushing cheek.
"There." She said, showing him the dirty grease that was previously on his cheek, and now on the wet tissue. "I got it out. You're officially squeaky clean."
"Thanks." Clark mumbled, parking the car a block away from the grocery store. He wanted to do something special for her.
"You like ice cream?" He asked as he turned off the car engine and pulled off the keys.
"Of course. Who doesn't?" Linda responded, unbuckling her seat belt as she got out of the car. Clark locked all the doors and joined her as they began walking for the ice cream parlor called Wilbur.
Linda had the vanilla and strawberry surprise ice cream and Clark ordered the classic rocky road. Linda was about to take out some cash when Clark insisted on paying.
"I invited you remember? It's my treat." He reminded her, paying for the ice cream.
"Wow. What happened?" She retorted, curious with his sudden change of attitude. Usually he'd ignore her or be all quiet at her presence, but now he's buying her ice cream. Big improvement if you'd ask her and she likes it.
"Nothing happened. I'm just living up to the promise I made with the soda machine from the hospital." Clark kidded with that charming smile pasted on his mouth. Linda flashed back a smile too.
As Clark opened the ice cream door for Linda, he couldn't resist but imagine what it's like to have Linda as a girlfriend. She's super sweet, thoughtful and has an extremely interesting personality. Not to mention the fact that she's stunning. What he didn't realized is that Linda was thinking of the same thing to him.
"I've figured it out Clark." He heard Linda say, licking her ice cream, as they strolled heading for the grocery store up ahead.
"Huh?" He sounded, enjoying his rocky road treat.
"I've figured out why you're a bit aloof with me before."
Clark gestured for them to take a seat at a small wooden bench in front of an antique shop. They both reckoned that they have all afternoon to spare.
"You said you haven't been romantically involved with a girl, righty?" Linda repeated what he told her at the hospital, yesterday.
"Uh huh." Clark replied, licking the dripping marshmallows off the cone.
"That's the reason why you're exactly like that. You're afraid of letting any girl into your life. Save for your mom." She announced, taking a small nibble at the ice cream. "I'm sure when you first met Chloe, you had a hard time letting her be a part of you."
Clark thought about it and the fact is, it's true. Pete has always been a good friend to him, growing up. At grade school when they first met Chloe, she was this perky, blonde kid, who talks a lot. They hated girls like that before. But as time went by, and they got to know Chloe better, they figured, she's not that bad.
"You're afraid of getting hurt. You assume that letting a girl into your life would result in heart ache, thus making you vulnerable." She added, continuing to feast at her treat.
"Wow." He uttered softly, eyes on Linda, amazed. Clark contemplated about what she said and realized that it is true. It's what his heart's been keeping all along.
"You know, you should be a psychiatrist." Clark joked. "I heard it's a lucrative profession."
"Don't worry, I'm actually thinking 'bout it." Linda mocked, beaming.
"You may not see me the way I see you. You may not care for me the way I care for you. You may feel nothing for me even if I feel so much for you and you may never ever love me even if I'll always be here.loving you."
Linda was lying in bed when she received the cheeky SMS message that Dick Malverne sent her. She rolled over flat on her stomach, as she flipped over the pages of a magazine she was reading. A red shirt and her laced white under wear are the only clothing that she had on.
"Dick.Dick.Dick." She chanted, shaking her head in disbelief. Linda has been receiving those kind of Love messages from him since he got his mobile phone a year and a half ago.
It was a sunny Tuesday afternoon. School finished two hours ago and Clark and Linda went straight home. The cheering squad's practice was canceled (to Linda's delight) and Clark was through with his work at the Torch's office. They both reckoned that going home would be a much better idea than hanging in school. At least in this way they could be useful around the farm.
"Lyn!"
Linda heard Mrs. Kent hollered from downstairs. She climbed out of bed, opened her door and yelled back, "Yeah?"
"Can you come down here honey?" Martha bellowed.
"Yeah, wait a sec." Linda called out, shutting the door.
She rummaged through her closet to find some pants that would go with her cute red shirt. The wicked denim blue jeans is what she opted to wear. Linda did a final check of her ensemble in her full length and she's out of her room, heading downstairs for Mrs. Kent.
Martha was in the family kitchen, making a list on top of the wooden counter, when Linda descended from the stairs.
"Hey," She muttered, sauntering to Mrs. Kent's location, hand's on her pockets. "What's up?"
"Oh Lyn, I need you to do me a favor." She reported writing the last item on her list.
"Sure, what about?" Linda asked, game on whatever Martha would ask of her.
"I need you to head to town and buy this stuff for the house." Mrs. Kent revealed as she handed the grocery list. "Is that ok?"
"Yeah, no problem."
"Great. Here's the keys to the car." Martha dug in her left pants pocket and gave Linda the money, after presenting her the keys.
"Uh.that's the only problem." She confessed, accepting the keys and cash from Martha. "I dunno how to drive."
"Oh." Mrs. Kent sounded pausing for a while. She thought Linda could drive, given that she lives in the city and stuff. Then she came up with an idea. "Clark can drive you to town. He's in the barn right now. Tell him I asked him to take you there."
"Ok." Linda snatched an apple on the fruit bowl that's on top of the refrigerator. Putting on her denim jacket that was previously hooked behind the door, she heads out for the barn while munching on the apple.
Clark was under the rusty farm tractor, tightening some loose bolts, when Linda came into the barn. He didn't seem to notice her. His mind was elsewhere.
"Boo." A female voice whispered. Clark looked from the voice's direction and saw Linda. She took a step back when Clark started to slide out from under the tractor.
"Boo back." He greeted with a smile, sitting up, as he wiped his greasy hands on a filthy towel. Clark had on his usual checkered shirt and jeans.
"Your mom asked me to pick up some groceries in town." Linda retorted, showing him the car keys and grocery list. "And I was thrilled by the idea.then I remembered.I can't drive."
Clark snorted when he heard that as he stood to his feet. "You dunno how to drive?"
"Yes." She murmured, cocking her head to one side, somewhat ashamed.
"Linda Lee Danvers, city girl, student and cheerleader extraordinaire, doesn't know how to drive a car?" He teased again, returning the equipment he used to the barn cabinet.
"Yes! Yes! I'm a member of America's commuting public!" Linda declared following Clark, taking a huge chomp on the half-finished apple. "There I said it. Now stop rubbing it in!"
"Fine." Clark got the keys from her, flashing a grin and they boarded the Kent's blue pick up truck.
"You be careful!" Mrs. Kent yelled at them when she saw the car passed by.
"We will!" Linda responded, blowing Martha a kiss and Clark waved at his mom.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
As the blue truck drove along the empty road, Clark and Linda were talking about the up coming school dance on Friday evening. As far as they can remember, the vice-principal said that it was in honor of the Leesburg students. Sort of like a farewell gathering for the delegates and Smallville High.
"Got any date yet?" Linda queried glancing over at Clark.
"Nope." He answered, eyes staying on the road. "You?"
"None."
"I'm sure someone's bound to ask you, one of these days." Clark said, trying to lighten up Linda's face. He noticed that she grew sad at the mention of the farewell dance.
"I hope so."
"No, that's for sure. That's certainly gonna happen." He uttered, taking off his gaze on the road, then to Linda, then back to the road. "I mean look at you.you're beautiful."
"You think I'm beautiful?" She said with dough eyes.
"Well." Clark's tongue slipped again, his heart racing in the process. "Come on, you know you're gorgeous. Only a blind, moronic guy wouldn't see that."
"Thanks." Linda couldn't believe how sweet Clark is.
"You're gorgeous too you know." She wanted to add, but chose not to.
A minute of awkward silence fell inside the car. Clark's eyes focused on the road and Linda was staring out of her window, watching the wide and green farmland.
"How do you turn this thing on?" Linda blurted all of a sudden, referring to the car stereo. She reckoned that music would break the silence between them.
Clark switched it on, and showed Linda how to manipulate the dials. Linkin Park's song 'Points of Authority' was on. They both liked the song so they decided to stay at that station. Clark's bobbing his head to the sound while drumming his fingers on the stirring wheel.
The song ended and Linda surfed at every station on the radio for a nice song. She windup with the song from the band the Corrs with the romantic song "Runaway."
"Say it's true, there's nothing like me and you, I'm not alone, tell me you feel it too, and I would runaway, I would runaway, yeah, yeah, I would runaway, I would runaway with you. 'Cause I, have fallen in love, with you, no, never gonna stop falling in love with you."
Linda couldn't help herself but sing along to the melodious song. It's one of her favorite. Clark was amazed on how good Linda's voice is. Then remembered that she was ones a member of their church choir in Leesburg. Her voice isn't exactly Celine Dion-ish high but it's pleasant to the ears.
He could imagine himself lying on his soft bed as he listens to Linda's soothing voice.
The song was over in a minute and a ballad was playing now. The pick up truck is now fast approaching town, when Linda regarded a small grease stain on Clark's left cheek.
"You have, something here." She advised pointing on her own left cheek.
"What is it?" Clark rubbed his left cheek while looking at the car mirror. Unfortunately, he smudged it even more.
"No, wait." Linda proposed, grabbing a pack of wet tissues from her jacket. She pulled out one sheet. Clark's too busy watching the road, so Linda reckoned that it would be best if she helps him rid of the grease stain.
"Hold still." She advised, taking a firm hold on Clark's shoulder. He slightly pivoted his head, just so Linda could have a good look.
Linda rubbed the stain out, gently. Clark would often take a quick glance at Linda. She was so beautiful. It's very affectionate of her to do that. Thankfully the grease was removed from Clark's blushing cheek.
"There." She said, showing him the dirty grease that was previously on his cheek, and now on the wet tissue. "I got it out. You're officially squeaky clean."
"Thanks." Clark mumbled, parking the car a block away from the grocery store. He wanted to do something special for her.
"You like ice cream?" He asked as he turned off the car engine and pulled off the keys.
"Of course. Who doesn't?" Linda responded, unbuckling her seat belt as she got out of the car. Clark locked all the doors and joined her as they began walking for the ice cream parlor called Wilbur.
Linda had the vanilla and strawberry surprise ice cream and Clark ordered the classic rocky road. Linda was about to take out some cash when Clark insisted on paying.
"I invited you remember? It's my treat." He reminded her, paying for the ice cream.
"Wow. What happened?" She retorted, curious with his sudden change of attitude. Usually he'd ignore her or be all quiet at her presence, but now he's buying her ice cream. Big improvement if you'd ask her and she likes it.
"Nothing happened. I'm just living up to the promise I made with the soda machine from the hospital." Clark kidded with that charming smile pasted on his mouth. Linda flashed back a smile too.
As Clark opened the ice cream door for Linda, he couldn't resist but imagine what it's like to have Linda as a girlfriend. She's super sweet, thoughtful and has an extremely interesting personality. Not to mention the fact that she's stunning. What he didn't realized is that Linda was thinking of the same thing to him.
"I've figured it out Clark." He heard Linda say, licking her ice cream, as they strolled heading for the grocery store up ahead.
"Huh?" He sounded, enjoying his rocky road treat.
"I've figured out why you're a bit aloof with me before."
Clark gestured for them to take a seat at a small wooden bench in front of an antique shop. They both reckoned that they have all afternoon to spare.
"You said you haven't been romantically involved with a girl, righty?" Linda repeated what he told her at the hospital, yesterday.
"Uh huh." Clark replied, licking the dripping marshmallows off the cone.
"That's the reason why you're exactly like that. You're afraid of letting any girl into your life. Save for your mom." She announced, taking a small nibble at the ice cream. "I'm sure when you first met Chloe, you had a hard time letting her be a part of you."
Clark thought about it and the fact is, it's true. Pete has always been a good friend to him, growing up. At grade school when they first met Chloe, she was this perky, blonde kid, who talks a lot. They hated girls like that before. But as time went by, and they got to know Chloe better, they figured, she's not that bad.
"You're afraid of getting hurt. You assume that letting a girl into your life would result in heart ache, thus making you vulnerable." She added, continuing to feast at her treat.
"Wow." He uttered softly, eyes on Linda, amazed. Clark contemplated about what she said and realized that it is true. It's what his heart's been keeping all along.
"You know, you should be a psychiatrist." Clark joked. "I heard it's a lucrative profession."
"Don't worry, I'm actually thinking 'bout it." Linda mocked, beaming.