You Never Knew - Part 4
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Clark didn't make the bus again. Worse, there were no more pop-tarts for take-away breakfast. However, he was thankful that he missed his ride. He didn't know how he would face Chloe. But that was delaying the inevitable - he was bound to bump into her sometime during the day. He was definitely looking forward to something better to happen to this day.
His luck ran out when he got to his classroom. Trev was seated to the right of Clark's waiting seat and was reading the day's copy of the Daily Planet folded on the desk. Was this Chloe's influence on him or the other way around? Clark pursed his lips and let out a strangled breath as he went over to get settled in for History.
Clark noticed his classmates talking in clusters. Normally that wouldn't bother him, it was usual anyway; but not today. He caught snippets of "Trev", "new guy" and "he's cute" particularly from the girls up front.
Clark glanced over to the newcomer and took notice of Trev's attire. Second day in school and he still looked like a fish out of water with a black turtleneck, grey slacks and leather shoes. It surprised him to note that this Trev's choice of clothing reminded him of Lex. Did Chloe have a thing for guys in expensive clothes? His brow furrowed in confusion as he remembered that Chloe loved to drag him to the secondhand clothes store to model one outfit after another and ask for his seal of approval. Clark suddenly felt conscious of his own garb. His brainless choice for the day was a blue v-neck sweater with the white crewneck undershirt showing, faded jeans and trusty old work boots. Clark prayed that today be one of those days that just whizzed by.
"Trevor Collins" The deep voice from Clark's right was accompanied by an outstretched hand.
"Clark Kent." He said and met Trevor's handshake.
Trev nodded in recognition, "You were with Sully yesterday by the hall."
"Sully?" Clark's eyebrows shot upwards. That was a name he never heard before.
"Sorry, I meant Chloe. I gather she doesn't go by that name around here, but old habits die hard."
The teacher entered and class went into full swing. Clark saw that Trev didn't carry any books or notebooks; he had instead a palm pilot with the foldable keyboard. A techie with impeccable style that reads the Planet… Oh boy.
"We have a new student in today." They all heard their teacher say. "Mr. Trevor Collins…"
"Please," he interrupted. "Call me Trev."
"Okay. Trev here just transferred from Metropolis. So, to get him into speed with our course material, I'd like to ask Clark to be his study buddy." The teacher ignored Clark's surprised face and instead turned to look at Trev. "You'll find it easy to catch up as Clark has the best notes in class and you'll have a field day picking his brain. Now, who would like to share their assignments with the class?"
Clark really couldn't believe this day was just starting. He wished he was still at home lounging in the couch in his loft. Home. Dad always said to try to find opportunities in problems. That was it! He could find out more about Chloe through this guy. He didn't like it but Trev was an info source. Clark smiled as he acknowledged that was Chloe's influence talking.
"Hey," Trev motioned to Clark. "Where can you get a decent cup of coffee around here?"
"That would be the Talon."
"Great! I'll hook up with you there after school, how does that sound?"
Clark, Pete and hopefully Chloe would head on there later anyway. "Sure."
"Cool. So, how is it like to work with Sully, I mean, Chloe? You're with her in the school paper, right?" Trev asked as he typed away some of what the teacher was lecturing on. "I bet she's as snarky as ever." He let out a small chuckle as he smiled. "Once she takes on that 'no prisoners' mode all you can do is dodge those verbal bullets."
Clark was officially freaked out. Trev knew Chloe all too well… too well for Clark's comfort.
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Chloe dreaded the bus ride to school that morning. Worse, she ran out of coffee beans to make her essential caffeine fix. However, she was thankful that Clark missed his ride again. His lack for sense of timing had its advantages after all. She didn't know how she'd face Clark. But that was delaying the inevitable - she was bound to bump into him sometime during the day. She was definitely looking forward to something better to happen to this day.
Chloe kept yawning in class because she did not sleep well the night before. Whenever she would slip into the dreaming she got assaulted with replays of Trev's kiss and Clark walking out on her.
She gave up after an hour of tossing and turning. Chloe decided to browse the internet the rest of the night for Wall of Weird material to push away memories of Trev and their life together in Metropolis. Chloe also found herself pushing away thoughts of Clark and how upset he was today at the Torch. If only she could tell.
The minutes went by too slowly for Chloe when she wanted this day to whiz on by. The fact that she heard the girls in class talk about the "new guy" did not make her caffeine-starved, sleep-hungry morning any better.
It took forever for the bell to ring the end of the class. Chloe quickly grabbed her things and speed-walked to her locker. If no one was going to encourage her, she resolved to do it herself. "Have a nice day, Chloe." She sputtered.
"You know, they say you're losing it when you talk to yourself."
Chloe jumped at the sound of his voice. It had a deeper timber to it already. "Trev!"
Trev leaned beside her locker, his arms folded across his chest. "I wanted to catch up with you yesterday but you took off."
To Chloe he smelled nice and looked really fine. She tried to shake off this effect on her but he was intoxicating. Flashbacks of their hay-days in Metropolis danced in her memory.
"So," he continued, "aren't you even going to say 'Hi' or ask when I moved to Smallville?"
Chloe found it hard to resist his smile and returned it. "We greeted each other already and you are the buzz around here. Info like that doesn't escape me; I am the Torch editor you know?"
"I do. That's why I left something for you in your office. Did they fit?"
The shoes - Chloe thought they were exquisite. It surprised her when she tried them on at home because they fitted perfectly. No one outside her family has ever given her such a wonderful gift before.
She nodded her response and Trev was pleased that she liked the gift. "Be my date Friday night?" He asked as the bell rang in the next period.
"Listen, I have to go to my class. See you around?" She avoided that one quite well, she thought. She didn't want to think about the dinner at Lex's. Honestly, she wanted to bring Clark but that would depend on how this day would go along. She wished that time moved a little faster and that she'd get her coffee real soon.