"What took you so long?" asked Chloe as he came nearer.

"It's not like I have a car," Clark said, smiling to erase any sarcasm. He, unlike his intrepid investigator of a friend, was not a fan of sarcasm.

Chloe shrugged, flipped hair bouncing lightly. "Yeah, well." She handed Pete a dollar. "You win," she told him.

Clark could only stare. "You guys bet on how long it takes me to get here?"

"We bet on everything," Chloe told him.

"At least, everything involving you," Pete said frankly. Chloe hit him on the arm.

"We're real Vegas junkies," Chloe said. "It's an addiction."

Clark shook his head, bewildered. "I have the weirdest friends…"

"Oh, and you're Mr. Normal?" Chloe shot back. "Why do you think we bet on you?"

Just then the bus appeared on the horizon. "All right, everybody," Clark said. "Try not to bet on how long it takes me to get on the bus, now." This time it was his turn to receive a clout as Chloe frowned playfully and Pete laughed. The bus screeched to a halt and they quickly boarded to avoid the dust cloud.

"You win," Pete joked to Chloe, pretending to hand her a few bills.

Clark shook his head and sat down next to Chloe. "Weird…"

"Oh!" Chloe turned to him, suddenly alight with excitement. "That reminds me."

Pete swore. "Man, Clark, I was hoping she'd forgotten. Thanks a lot."

Chloe gave him a look. "Clark, guess what happened yesterday?"

He stared at her, totally clueless. "The world ended?"

"Close!" she chirped. "The Dream Team is kaput." At his uncomprehending look, she translated, "Lana broke up with Whitney."

Time froze. "What?" he asked dumbly.

Pete shook his head. "I told you not to tell him. Now he'll be hopeful all day. It's probably just a false alarm."

"No, it's not!" Chloe insisted. "I heard the news from Trevor. You know, my jock source?" She didn't receive a reaction, since Clark was currently frozen. "Well, apparently Whitney was totally depressed all last night because Lana broke up with him at like ten o' clock P.M. Trevor and the guys had to tie him the couch just to keep him from killing himself with his football helmet." Her sardonic tone awakened Clark. He began to pay attention, a sweet glimmer of hope bubbling up inside him. "Apparently Lana took Nell's car and drove away. That's all they know," she said. "Nobody's seen Lana since."

A smile was touching Clark's lips and it wouldn't go away. Chloe rolled her eyes.

"So I guess you'll be asking her out, then, huh?"

Clark was shocked out of his grin. "What?"

"Well, I mean, you'll ask her out now, right? Now that the playing field's clear and all?" Chloe's shrug conveyed the word Duh that she tactfully didn't voice.

"No," Clark said, confused. "I can't just-"

"Why not, man?" Even Pete was exasperated now. "Think about it. She's a cheerleader. If you don't ask her now, she'll have somebody in a matter of days!"

He shook his head. "Lana's not like that, Pete."

"Maybe not, but you still better step up to the plate!"

Clark mulled over his friends' words. "You really think I should-"

"Yes!" They both spoke in insistent unison, surprising Clark and solidifying his decision.

"Well, okay…"