Picking up right where we left off. I know it's short but put the two together, it would make part 12 a little bit more substantial.

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Part 12b

It was Trev who broke the silence and it was as if he could read Chloe's thoughts. "It's Kent, isn't it?"

Her non-response said it all. A tear rolled down her flushed cheek and Gene handed her a tissue. She dried her eyes but kept her hand over them.

Chloe then proceeded to tell them how she felt and what happened at the Torch. Trev sat and listen at the same time contemplated recent events.

Trev was glad that he finally had time to be with Chloe. It gave him the opportunity to get updated with her and get back to being friends for starters. Catching up on lost time, it amazed Trev to discover the subtle differences of this girl to who he knew from Metropolis.

She filled him in during lunch, in between classes, and rides to and from wherever. She talked incessantly - a trait that hasn't changed - about the Torch, Pete, Lex, Lana and the Kents; particularly about Clark. She also talked about the infamous meteor shower and how it affected the community. It struck Trev to note that roughly all her adventures and/or misadventures with the said astronomical fragments somehow involved Clark. He was borderline annoyed with her tales yet relieved to know that she was surrounded by friends who protected her. Chloe told him about the many times Clark had saved her from imminent danger. Well, whatever she could remember at least.

Clark Kent. At the corner of his eye, Trev saw Clark rush out of the Torch room just as Chloe crashed into his arms. He wanted to confront him; clearly he caused her pain. However, at that moment she was more important.

Her happiness mattered more to him.

The thought echoed in his mind and resonated in his heart. Trev then understood everything he had witnessed in the days that passed.

He and Chloe had spent almost every waking moment together for three days. Their band rehearsals were the culprit. It pained him to realize that though it was an opportunity to be around her, it took her away from her current friends. The look in her eyes conveyed how much she missed them. Trev had seen how she would steal glances every now and then. She was never really good with subtlety and he did notice those times when she sighed and slumped her shoulders. Then she'd have instances where her face would brighten up. Always it would be because of a Clark Kent sighting. All that time she probably thought he didn't detect a thing.

Without a doubt, Chloe had a thing for Clark Kent for her to have reacted this way.

"You and Trev have a party to go to tonight." Mike reminded. "You should relax now."

Chloe nodded. "Yeah, you know me, just as long as I've vented, I'm okay." She finally managed to give out a heartfelt smile. "Thank you guys, for listening."

"Not a problem." Mike assured.

"Anytime." Gene added.

"C'mon, let's jam. We still have around two hours to kill." Trev stood up and led the way to the garage where they have their practice set up. What better way to release the day's tensions than by letting it out on music. He wanted her to cast away the day's burdens so she could enjoy what he has planned for her at the dinner.

Gene picked up an acoustic guitar and handed it to Chloe. "When was the last time you held one of these?"

With delight she took the instrument and sat down on a chair. Chloe began plucking Edie Brickell's "Circle of Friends". It had been a while since she played guitar. Gene and Trev were patient teachers and she was an eager pupil. But neither Clark nor Pete seem to have a guitar lying around and she didn't really want to spend money to buy one.

Suddenly Gene placed his palm against the strings and it brought her playing to a stop. "Don't play that."

"Gene, this is a song I play very well…"

"The song's no good for you right now." He explained.

Mike came up to his brother and looked at Chloe. "I agree. Think of the lyrics, Chloe."

She sang the song in her head.

Me, I'm a part of your circle of friends
and we notice you don't come around
Me, I think it all depends
on you touching ground with us.
But I quit. I give up.
Nothing's good enough for anybody else it seems.

And being alone is the best way to be.
When I'm all alone it's the best way to be.
When I'm all alone it's the best way to be.
When I'm by myself nobody else can say goodbye.

"Ugh." Chloe grimaced when she got what they meant. "You're right." Her reaction made the guys chuckle.

"Play something 'happy'." Mike suggested as he slung the bass strap across his shoulders.

She scanned her mental database for one and failed. "Help me here; my brain is not processing well."

Trev sat behind the drums this time. "Just play D, A, G, C and we'll fill in whatever song that fits."

That broke out the smiles and for the next couple of hours, just for the fun of it, they played songs from Guns and Roses to the Backstreet Boys all based on those four chords.

TBC (Getting ready for the party)