Chapter 16

I like talking about you, you, you, you usually

But occasionally

I wanna talk about me

--I Wanna Talk About Me--by Toby Keith

"Lex really let him have it," Chloe said, sipping her tea.

"Chloe, all you've talked about is Lex," Pete said, annoyed. "I could have stayed in the cafeteria with Clark if I wanted to hear about Lex."

"Sorry, Pete," Chloe said with a sigh.
"It's okay. It just sounds more like you're dating Lex, than me," Pete said sadly.

Chloe laughed. "Date Lex? I don't think so."

"What's wrong with dating Lex?" Lana asked, coming in the door.

"Yeah, what's wrong with dating Lex?" Lex asked, following Lana inside.

Chloe laughed, looking up from her spot on the red pleather couch. "Hey, guys."

"So?" Lana asked, smirking.

"Well, if you like bald men," Pete said, trying to take the pressure off of Chloe.

Lana laughed. "Didn't you know? Bald is in," she said, sitting in a chair next Chloe.

Chloe hip-checked Pete. "Move," she said, making room for Lex.

Lex held up a hand. "I was just going."

"Fine," Lana sighed, hiding a smile with her hand. She held her hand out to Lex and he pulled her to her feet.

"I'll see you tonight?" Lex asked, still holding Lana's hand.

"Yeah, I might drag Pete along," she said with a smile.

"Uh-oh," Pete muttered, watching Lana and Lex.

"Bye, Lana," Lex said, bending down to kiss her.

"Bye, Lex," Lana replied.

"Aww, look at the love birds," Pete joked, watching Lex leave.

"Speaking of love birds, have you two even kissed yet?" Lana asked, plopping into the spot that Chloe made for Lex.

Chloe shrugged. "We don't define ourselves by our physical relationship."

Lana laughed. "Sorry, but that's funny. Come on, guys. You can't leave Lex and me all by ourselves."

"I didn't know you were a voyeur," Pete said, his eyes shining.

Lana's mouth hung open.

"Okay, I'll give you something to watch," Chloe said, practically jumping on Pete.

They were interrupted by someone clearing their throat.

Chloe pulled back, her cheeks pink. "Oh, hey, Clark," she said apologetically.

"Reynolds is on his way. I'm glad I decided to come warn you first," Clark said, looking a little sad.

"What's wrong?" Lana asked, standing and walking to Clark.

"Nothing," Clark said quickly. "I have to go."

"What was that all about?" Chloe asked, quirking an eyebrow.

Lana shrugged. "It's part of the mystery that is Clark Kent."

"Whatever," Chloe said, shaking her head.

* * *

Nothing stays the same
Something's gotta change
I've had love, like a drug running though me
But nothing that's lasting
--Something's Gotta Change--by Tina Arena

"Clark!" Jonathan said loudly.

Clark shook his head to clear the fog. "Yes, sir?"

"You've hardly touched your supper," he said, nodding toward Clark's plate.

"Do you not like it?" Martha asked.

"No, Mom. It's great. I was just thinking," Clark replied.

"Why don't you call Pete after supper? You two can play basketball and I'll make cookies for dessert," Martha offered.

Clark shook his head. "Pete's with Chloe, at Lex's with Lex and Lana."

"Are you feeling left out?" Jonathan asked.

"It's not that, it's just…"

"Just what, Clark?" Martha questioned.

"Well, I lost my chance with Chloe. Then Lana broke up with Whitney, so I thought I had a chance there," Clark explained. "Except for the red meteors screwed that up."

"So, you're sad about missing your chance with Lana?" Jonathan asked.

Clark shook his head again. "Not really that. I mean, screwing up with Lana hurt, but I guess I always thought Chloe would be there to..."

"Fall back on?" Martha supplied. "Is that fair to Chloe?"

Clark dropped his head.

"Son, women aren't things you use at your convenience," Jonathan told him.

"It's unfair to make Chloe wait for you while you pursue Lana. It's also unfair to only being going back to Chloe because Lana shot you down," Martha said sternly.

"I know. I've just lost my chance with both of them now," Clark said sadly.

"Truly, I'm happy for them, Clark. The girls, not to mention Lex and Pete, deserve someone who can make them happy," Martha replied.

"Why don't you try supporting them and see where that gets you?" Jonathan suggested.

"Alone," Clark replied, a smile playing at his lips.

Martha smiled. "No matter who they're dating you still have four wonderful friends who care about you very much."

"I know, thanks," Clark said. "I'm going to go talk to them."

"Alright, son," Jonathan said as Clark stood.

Clark shrugged on his red coat, then sped to Lex's. He slowed as he neared the gates of the mansion.

"Hey, Clark," Chloe said, when Clark walked into the room.

Chloe, Lex, and Pete were standing around the pool table as Lana took her turn.

"Lex is teaching us to play pool. Wanna play?" Lana asked, groaning when a braid hit her on the nose.

Clark smiled as Lana threw the braid back over her shoulder. "I just wanted to apologize if I've been rude lately," Clark said, looking at his friends.

"You haven't," Lex assured him.

Clark smiled. "Yes, I have, and I'm sorry. You're all my friends; my good friends. I'm happy for all of you."

"Really?" Chloe asked, narrowing her eyes.

"Really," Clark answered.

A slow grin formed on Chloe's face as she walked toward Clark. "Thank you," she said, raising on her toes to hug Clark. "That makes me feel so much better."

"Yeah," Lana said, walking over for her hug. "It means a lot."