Chapter II

I took Niesyl home in her apartment using her car. I left mine in the school. I dont know why but somehow I like being with her. In Metropolis, She always look so free yet hidden behind those smiles is something people dont usually see. I shrugged the idea.

"I'll go get tea" She said as we stepped into her room. "Make yourself at home. Okay?"

"I think you need to just relax. I'll make the tea." I offered, observing how tired she is. She gave me a weak smile then nodded. I never felt like I have to protect this girl. All my life, I never protected anyone but except Clark and some friends but a girl?

I made the tea for 3 minutes. Its hot and relaxing.

"Here," I handed her, her cup. "Are you okay?"

"Yep, Thank you" She accepted the cup and gently sipped it. "Lex, not to be rude or something but are you spying on me?"

"Why do you think that?" I asked in surprise "I dont look like a spy, Do I?"

"No" She laughed "Its just that since we had that little talk in Metropolis, you seem to be everywhere."

"I usually come here in Smallville"

"That explains why you are so weird. The mysterious thing, Your hidden past and all" She saw me looking at her, my left eyebrow raised "I meant that in a good way" She added quickly. She suddenly rsted her head on my shoulders. "Thank you Lex"

"Are you okay?" I worriedly asked. She looks fine earlier, I thought. Now she looks all all drunk and about to barf.

"Tea makes me nausuous. I never told you that. Anyways, I know its pretty unusual and It works like beer." She blurted into laughter. "Sorry Lex, I should have told you. It'll go away. I just need to sleep."

I let her sleep with her head on my lap and as soon as she was asleep, I looked at her. There she is, the girl in Metropolis who dont care about life anymore, trying to kill herself more than 3 times. Why do I feel so drawn to her?, I wondered uncomfortably. I stroked her dark-brown hair gently and then my phone rang. I reached for my cellphone and answered it. "Hello?"

"What do you mean being alone will lead her to death?" Whitney's angry voice emerged "Lex, do you know something I dont? Is my cousin into drugs? Someone tried to kill her? - - "

"Whitney calm down!" I interrupted him. "She's fine. We just have to look after her. She's in a case of...ummm...depression."

"Depression? Since when?" I heard him say, worried "Is she alright?"

"Yeah, Well, Since her Mom died. She told me in Metropolis that she is very close to her mom and she cant move on." I explained

"Did she tried somehing... you know"

"Kill herself? Yeah, I read her medical status and it seems like she cutted her wrist for four times." Now I feel like I'm the one who is scared to death just by saying those words.

"Why didnt I know about this?" He softly said. "Damn!"

"Look, Whitney, She is fine at the moment." I convinced him and also trying to convince myself.

"Where are you anyway?"

"In her apartment"

"Im on my way!" Whitney hung up. I sighed as I look at her lying comfortably in my lap. Her eyes opened and then she smiled. I love that smile, I thought staring at her.

"Dont you have work to do?" She asked as she sit up straight and tied her hair into a pony tail "I mean just out of curiosity, Do you even have a job?"

"I own a company"

"Thats surprising" She looked at me with a suspicious look, while biting her lips. I notice that she always bite her lip when she's nervous. "Lex? I dont really need any company now. I mean you could have left when I was asleep"

"Whitney called and he asked me to stay till he comes"

She snorted "Whitney? What does he want."

"He is just worried" I plainly said. She is giving me that suspicious look again.

"Did you tell Whitney something that has something to do with me"

"No." I lied. "Nothing about you"

"Right" She said still looking at me in a weird sort of way. I looked away. Her eyes are too much to look at coffee-brown eyes with a tinge of sadness and loneliness. The feelings I usually feel.

"So tell me any news about Smallville?" She changed the topic. She is wearing this happy-yet-not-so-convincing smile in her face. I see it everyday in Metropolis. People looking fine and happy but deep inside hurt and vengeful. Its the kind of smile I wear.

"You know. The usual. People turn to bugs, People controlling bugs, Plants that could make you seductive or if I can put it this way... Horny. Is that right?. Just the usual happenings."

"You know, you could always use that plant. You always seem so... mysterious" she grinned. "But I dont think Horny would be the right word to describe you when you're infected with that flower."

"You know about it?" I asked, eyeing her suspiciously.

"I know everything!" She claimed. I glared at her "What? Okay so maybe Chloe told me about it."

"Luckily It never victimized me, I could have killed eyeryone." I joked. She laughed then added,

"World Destruction I call it" She formed her position into a cross-legged position. She started to take her tea from the table. I grabbed it before she could. "Lex!" She sighed "Give it here!"

"Thats not a very good idea" I told her. God! When is she going to stop that suspicious look on her face, I thought, irritated. She rolled her eyes, raising both her hands "Fine! But honestly, I do not need protection, especially from tea. I mean ---" She was cutted of because of the sound of the doorbell. Saved by the bell!, I thought as I sighed in relief. She stood up and opened the door.

"Hi, Whitney!" She greeted as she saw her cousin standing in front of her door. She saw other figure that I couldnt clearly see. "Lana? Chloe? Pete?" She asked in surprise then as she saw the last figure she plainy said "Clark". She looked away from Clark's direction and then she greeted everybody with a huge smile "What are you all doing here? Come in!"

"I guess I should go." I suggested, walking towards the door.

"Hey Lex!" Clark greeted "Can I talk to you outside?" He continued, I gave Niesyl one last look, who was talking cheerfully with Lana and Chloe while Whitney and Pete are in the kitchen making coffee, I followed Clark.

"Havent she forgiven me yet?" Clark asked desperately "I dont want any enemies, Lex, and she," He looked at the door that stood ajar "She was depending on me at that time"

"Clark, I dont think you have to pressure her right now." I said following his gaze. Niesyl caught my gaze and waved. I smiled.

"Is she alright?" Clark asked worriedly.

"She is depressed." I looked at the floor and continued "And you made it worst when you stood her up"

Clark looked at me, bewildered. "She is depressed because of me?"

"She was already depress when her mom died and when you stood her up, She thought that you dont like her anymore"

"Lex, Is everything alright?" Niesyl came out of her room and looked at me. Did she hear everything?, I wondered. We both looked at her.

"Niesyl I need to talk to you" Clark asked.

"Lex, can I talk to you?" Niesyl ignored Clark's statement. Seeing that Niesyl was ignoring him, Clark slowly went into her room and sat down next to Lana.

"Sure" I answered "Look, Niesyl, Clark is trying his best for you to forgive him"

"I know" She cutted in "Lex, thank you for everything you have done." She held my hand and gripped it tightly "I will not kill myself, Lex. Keep that in mind" She added "Just in case you are... wondering."

That is what you'll always say, I thought. I looked at her worriedly and then I sighed "I know you wouldnt." I smiled uncertainly. I started to wear my black leather jacket that has been hanging on my shoulders. "Bye, Niesyl. Take care of yourself."

"I will. Bye." She planted a peck on my cheeks and then she said again "Thank you". I watch her enter the room and then I walked away. Thoughts ran into my mind. She better not do it, I thought. I imagined her, cutting her wrist again, I shrugged the gruesome idea.