Chapter 10

We just wanna have fun
We gotta fight fight fight
Fight for our Youth
--Confused Youth--by Anti-Flag

Pete, Clark, and Erica were standing around the entrance to the golf course when Chloe and Lana walked up.

"Chloe," Pete said, furrowing his eyebrows. "What are you doing here?"

"Don't look so happy to see me, Pete," Chloe said hotly, walking past Pete to Clark.

"Hey, Chloe," Clark said with a large smile.

Chloe laughed. "Hey, Clark. Let's go play some golf."

Pete looked at Lana, but Lana only shrugged and followed Chloe.

"I want the pink ball," Lana said, reaching for the bucket of pink golf balls.

Clark reached for a blue one, Pete took a red one, Chloe took yellow, and Erica took purple. After they had selected their balls and clubs they made their way to the first hole.

"Par is two. I bet I can beat every one of you," Pete said, looking from person to person.

"Let's play boys against girls," Lana suggested, her eyes lighting up.

Erica laughed. "I haven't played boys against girls since grade school."

"What's your bet?" Chloe asked, stepping up to Pete.

Pete smiled mischievously. "If Clark and I win, we…"

"Get to cover the girl's swim meet next week," Clark said hurriedly.

The girls burst into laughter and Pete frowned.

"Clark, we can milk this for all it's worth," Pete said, shooting Clark a knowing look.

"No, Pete. I will not use my…" Clark trailed off before he revealed his secret.

Pete's eyes got wide at Clark's near mistake. "I'm just saying we have to come up with something good."

While Pete and Clark were arguing, Lana, Chloe, and Erica were talking.

"Let's make this easy, boys," Erica said, standing by Lana.

"Whoever loses pays for dinner," Lana explained.

"At the restaurant of the winner's choice," Chloe finished.

Pete shrugged. "Sounds good to me. Clark?"

Clark nodded. "Let's do it."

"Get ready to be beaten," Lana said, setting her ball on the starter pad.

"Yeah, right," Clark said, giving Pete a 'whatever' look.

Lana hit the small, pink ball. It bounced off the right wall, then the left, then the back wall, before finally settling in the hole with a plink.

"Go, Lana!" Chloe said, giving Lana a high-five.

"Yeah, go, Lana," Pete said sarcastically.

"My turn," Clark said with a grin. He set his ball down, eyes the shot, then swung.

Pete put his head in his hands as Erica, Chloe, and Lana hooted. Clark had over-swung and the ball went flying into the bushes.

"Clark, about not using your…you, know," Pete said. "Could you not use them a little more?"

Clark blushed. "Sorry. I'll go get it."

At the eleventh hole the guys were ahead by two, and it was Erica's turn to putt. She set the purple ball on the ground, leaned over it, and then lifted the club. On the way down Pete tickled her and she sent the ball flying. It landed behind a fake rock on the furthest corner from the hole.

"Pete!" she said, turning on him.

Pete grinned, then noticed her eyes flash. "Hey, it was Clark's idea," he said, moving partially behind Clark.

"Was not," Clark said, putting his hands up in surrender. His eyes lit up. "I told him to kick you, but he wouldn't do it."

"Clark!" Lana and Chloe said at the same time.

Pete looked at Clark. "Retreat!" he said, turning to run. Clark followed close behind.

"Guys, come back," Lana called. "We just want to have some fun."

"Let's get them," Chloe said, looking from Lana to Erica.

"They're not getting away that easily," Erica said, leading the way.

"Oh, yeah?" Pete asked, turning around. "What are you going to do about it?"

"I'll show you what I'll do," Erica said, closing the space between her and Pete. Without another word she brought her mouth to Pete's.

Chloe stopped short, causing Lana to run into her. Her eyes were glued to Pete and Erica.

"Chloe? You okay?" Clark asked, walking past Pete and Erica.

Chloe straightened her shoulders. "Uhm, I have to get back to the mansion. I'll, uh, see you guys later," she said, hurriedly walking away.

Pete put his hands on Erica's shoulders and pushed her back. "Chloe? Chloe!" he called, but Chloe wouldn't turn around.

"What's wrong?" Erica asked, grinning at Pete.

Pete started to walk after Chloe, but Lana grabbed his arm. "Let her go, Pete."

"But-"

"Let her go," Lana repeated. "You can talk to her tomorrow."

Pete spun on his heel, throwing his putter to the ground, and stomping off.

"Pete," Lana said, before turning to Erica and Clark. "Why don't you two go get a coke. I'll go talk to Pete and meet you in a minute."

Clark nodded and led Erica into the main building.

"Pete, stop," Lana said, clamping her hand on his shoulder.

"Let me go, Lana," Pete warned.

"You're acting like a child, Pete. So, Erica kissed you. Big deal. Last year that would have made you ecstatic. Chloe will get over it, Pete," Lana told him, talking to his back.

"Yeah, like she got over Clark kissing you?" Pete asked, finally turning to face Lana.

Lana shook her head. "You're overreacting, and you know it."

Pete hung his head. "I know."

"Now," Lana said, smiling. "Let's go get a coke."

"Alright," Pete said, slowly raising his head as a smile took over his face. "Thanks, Lana." Pete hugged Lana, then stepped back.

Lana linked her arm with Pete's. "That's what I'm here for."