****RECAP –
Chloe just couldn't focus anymore. It was too much.
Not so much however, that she didn't notice Clark kissing her. It was quite sudden really. And then Chloe's heart kicked in and she started kissing back with everything in her.
The kiss grew more intense and more passionate, until Chloe's head finally kicked in. What am I doing?! I am mauling the guy of my dreams right after he told me he wanted to give a love poem to some other girl. I am so screwed up!
Chloe backed up and pushed Clark away gently.
"Clark . . . what are you doing?!" Chloe asked it gently enough, but wanted answers, now.
"I . . . I don't know. I'm sorry Chloe. I shouldn't have done that. I'm, uh, gonna head inside. It's late. You should too."
And with that, Clark backed away from Chloe, and ran to his house.
Chloe stood there in the dark barn for what seemed like hours.
Ok, what just happened here?! I'll tell you what happened. You let him go again Chloe. Just when you were so close he slipped through your fingers, and he's gone. He is gonna wake up tomorrow wishing this had never happened. What have you done?!
Chloe collapsed on a haystack and cried herself to sleep. She didn't even wake up when Mr. Kent came in that morning to work on some chores. He was quite amused to see the little girl that had grown up so beautifully asleep in their barn. Gently, he shook her awake.
"Uhhhh . . . wha . . Where am I?"
Mr. Kent smiled.
"Somehow, Chloe, you managed to wind up in our barn overnight. Fully-Clothed." Mr. Kent chuckled to himself a little bit. "Is there anything I can help you with honey?"
"Um, I . . . no, no. I think I'm okay, Mr. Kent. Thanks. I better go. My dad and Lana are probably wondering where I am. And I probably have to go to school soon don't I? What time is it?"
"It's around 5AM and it's a Saturday. No school." Mr. Kent was slightly amused at the discombobulated state that Chloe was in.
"Oh, God. I am up at 5AM on a Saturday. Things could possibly not get any worse."
Mr. Kent started laughing heartily.
"Dad? Dad, where are you?"
"I completely take back what I said. I feel like Odyseus. Someone save me! Gods stop tormenting me!" Chloe was now standing up and ranting at the ceiling of the barn.
By this time Mr. Kent was completely bewildered. But he was still laughing all the same.
"Now I know why everyone thinks teenagers are so over-dramatic."
Just then Clark came up behind his father, smiling.
"Hey Dad, I came out to see if you needed any help . . . with . . . the . . ."
Clark's smile faded and was replaced with a look of regret, sorrow, and confusion.
Okay, that's it. That's how he feels. I'm done. I'm out.
"Um, Mr. Clark I'm gonna head home and try to get some more sleep. Thanks for waking me up."
Chloe hurried out of the barn, rushing right past Clark without even so much as a glance his way.
That weekend for Chloe was spent in her room, sleeping and thinking. And writing. And throwing out writing. And writing some more. Finally she gave up and lay on her bed, exasperated.
What is it that you do to me Clark? Why is it that I am so damn affected by you? How could someone love someone so much and not be loved back? How could you kiss me and then look at me with that much sorrow and regret? I want to let you go. Please, just let me let go.
Monday came with the usual early morning rush to not get to school late. Chloe actually didn't have time that morning to even have one thought of Clark. She didn't think of him when she picked up the cereal they used to eat every morning while watching Saturday Cartoons. She didn't think of him when she walked out to the car and found one of his CD's in her backseat. She didn't even think of him when she turned on the radio and they were playing his favorite song.
Ya know, not thinking about Clark would be a hell of a lot easier if there weren't so many damn reminders of him everywhere.
Chloe tried to open her locker but did not succeed. Pushing, shoving and pounding came to no avail. And then a punch on her locker came from no-where, popping her locker open and spilling it's contents all over the floor.
"What the hell?! I could have managed quite alright by myself you know. I am capable of opening my own locker. I don't need you to do everything for me, Cl . . "
Chloe turned around expecting to see Clark Kent. But she was in for a little surprise. She turned to face eyes even greener than her own, with a shock of red hair that fell just so that it framed his face quite nicely. A little farther down was a button nose spotted with freckles, a beautiful white smile, and a gorgeous body. Tanned, and fit, with freckles covering every inch of skin that was showing. The boy couldn't have been but a few inches taller then herself, but what he was lacking in height he made up in attractiveness. Trying to keep her swimming thoughts in check, Chloe was about to snap at the boy who looked about a year or two older than her. But he spoke first.
"Claude is me name, actually. It looked like you were having a wee bit of trouble with that locker there. I'm beggin' your pardon, I didn't mean ta frighten ye, but when one sees a beautiful lady in distress, ya can't help but see to their problems."
There was a wonderful Irish lilt to his voice that made Claude's voice almost musical, which only added to his attractiveness. Chloe couldn't help but think this man might be the answers to her problems. But still Chloe, she decided to do a little investigating before deciding anything about this Claude.
"Claude, hmm? Doesn't sound very Irish. But you do have a pretty good accent there. Are you practicing for the new school play or something." If there was a hint of sarcasm in Chloe's voice (which there usually is, no exception here), the young man seemed oblivious to it.
"Well, me whole name is Claudius Riley O'Malley. But Claude is easier. I am a transfer student from Dublin. Today is me first day. I'm a tad nervous to tell ye the truth."
There was something exciting to Chloe about Claude that reminded her of fairy tales with knights and dragons and pixies and all sorts of things from her childhood reading days. She decided to give up the investigating and welcome the new student to the school, like any normal, well, normal harmone-filled teenage girl would do. Chloe kicked into full flirting mode, and smiled a smile that would have lit up the Bat Cave.
"Well, Claude, seeing as it is your first day here, and you helped me, I will help you get around. Does that sound ok?"
Claude smiled again, and nodded, which almost made Chloe melt right there.
Clark, Clark who?
Neither Claude nor Chloe noticed a certain raven-haired ocean-eyed young man watching them from the end of the hallway.
(A/N: O wow! I can't believe I came up with this! This fic may last a little longer than I thought. Tell me if I should continue with this, or just drop Claude all together. I promise this will wind up being Chlark. I wouldn't have it any other way. Claude is quite attractive though, isn't he? Kinda reminds me of Clay from American Idol.
I still need someone to write Clark's POV for me! I wanted it to be in the next chapter, so I may just have to start it myself. Please let me know if you are interested! And don't forget to review!
Thank you to Smallville-Fan-02 and especially Furless Cat (reviewed twice! Go you!) for reviewing my story. Now it's your turn! Just shut up and do it! Hehe.)