Clark spent most of World History class watching her, waiting for her to acknowledge his presence, but she never did. When she arrived in class that day, the other students observed an awkward silence as she sat down. She was seated next to Whitney, who was retaking the semester, which he had failed three years earlier when he was a freshman. They had picked seats together at the beginning of the year, when they were still dating. Now she sat stiffly next to him, not uttering a single word to him the entire period.

Clark grabbed her arm as she exited class and tried to talk to her, but she refused. She ignored him the rest of the day.

That night Clark watched Lana through his telescope. When she stepped outside onto the porch Clark grabbed his jacket and walked over. He walked up the steps and sat down next to her.

"I was hoping you'd come by."

"You were?" She nodded and smiled. "I guess I'm still upset that you told Pete, but admittedly maybe I overreacted a little."

"Lana, I'm sorry. I should have never said anything to him. But I swear, I never thought he would tell Chloe. And I certainly didn't think she would print a story about you on the front page of "The Torch." I didn't mean for any of this to happen. I'm so sorry."

"I know Clark. It's okay."

"So, I'm forgiven?" he asked hopefully.

"Absolutely." Clark grinned. "So," Lana asked, "have you talked to Chloe yet?"

"No, not yet."

"I don't want you to feel like you have to choose sides Clark. Really, I would hate that. You've been friends forever and even though I feel like hitting her right now…I just don't want to come between your friendship."

"Well, I appreciate that Lana. But the truth is, I don't really think of her the same way as I did yesterday. Suddenly she doesn't seem as funny as before. Just annoying."

Lana nodded. "I know. Chloe used to be nice, if a little cocky. But now she seems bitter. Or jealous."

"Maybe both."

"Maybe," Clark agreed.

Lana got up and stretched. "I should really go in now. Nell's probably starting to think you kidnapped me or something." She laughed but seemed a little distant at the thought. "She's been really overprotective since the whole Whitney incident. I think she got freaked out. She liked Whitney. A lot. And now you, coming over so often, so soon since we broke up…I guess she just doesn't want to see me get hurt again."

"I'll never hurt you Lana."

"I know that Clark."

"You should tell her that."

"I have. She likes you Clark, I think. She just needs to get to know you like I know you. Well, maybe not that closely." She paused, considering her words. "I talked to my parents today."

"You did?"

"Yeah. I told them about our fight."

"What did they say?"

"That I should forgive you. Because we're friends, and that's what friends do. So I took their advice."

Clark smiled. "I'm glad. I wouldn't want to spend the rest of my life avoiding you."

Lana nodded in agreement. "Clark…we are friends…right?"

A look of sadness flickered across his face. "Yeah, Lana. We're definitely friends."

"Good. Well, goodnight Clark." She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. He smiled again and got up to leave.

He was walking away from her and all she wanted was to feel close to him again. He was halfway across her lawn when she said, "Clark…wait!"

He turned around and Lana was running towards him. She stopped a foot from him and put her arms around his neck, closing the gap of space between them. And then she leaned in and kissed him softly on the lips, then harder. She was holding him tightly, she didn't want him to leave again, but he wasn't going anywhere. When she broke off the kiss Clark looked at her, shocked and obviously surprised, but pleasantly so.

"Not expecting it, were you."

"Nope."

"But that's a good thing."

"Yes."

"Because I considered it greatly in about three seconds and then I just figured, you know…go for it."

"Good plan."

She nodded. "Was that more "right"…then the first time?"

"Well, the first time, you were a wreck, so I'd say it didn't count."

"But this time counted, right?"

"Yes. This time counted. I can't believe it though."

"What?"

"I kissed you. I kissed Lana Lang."

Lana nodded and laughed. "Yes, you did."

"So…"

"So…I'll see you tomorrow then?"

"Okay."

He kissed her gently on the cheek and walked away.

"Clark!" she called.

He turned around.

"I know you spy on me from your loft. That's why I went out to the porch. I wanted to see if you were watching."

"It didn't creep you out? It's kind of "Silence of the Lambs," you know?"

"No," she replied giggling. "I think it's…sweet. It makes me feel safe, like someone's watching over me."

"I'll stop if you want."

"No…I'll just pretend I don't notice." She smiled and walked back inside.

TBC…Chloe and Lana talk.