Three weeks later

"Rory I'm telling you it's for the best. Lex Luther doesn't care about anybody but himself. I think the fact you spoke up and told him how it was going to be or it was over, is exactly what you had to do. It may hurt but Lex would've only dragged you down. So don't second guess your decision, it's the only way you could be happy." Jolie Anderson said as they walked through the halls of the university.

"I know you're right. But Lex hates to lose, so I'm anticipating retribution. And it scares me to think what it might be." Rory sighed staring at one of her oldest friends. They'd just gotten out of their finance class and were heading to the library to meet their other friend Theresa Morgan.

"Honestly I don't think you have to worry. Lex did care about you in his own way so I don't see him doing something drastic - only if it involves trying to win you back. Which you know he'll try to do." Jolie said as they stepped into the library and almost collided with somebody.

"Oh sorry..." the male voice said. "Rory, hey what's up?"

Jolie and Rory looked up confused. 'Hum who is this guy?' Jolie thought taking in the tall, beautifully built brunette that stood in front of them.

"Hey Clark, how goes classes?" Rory smiled.

"Good, if only I could remember which rooms they're in." Clark smiled as the girl beside Rory cleared her throat.

"Oh sorry, Jo....Clark this is Jolie Anderson, one of my close friends. Jo this is Clark Kent, Chloe's friend from Smallville." Rory replied and almost laughed at the look that crossed Jolie's face.

"Nice to meet you Jolie." Clark smiled and shook her hand.

"Likewise." Jolie smiled.

"Anyway, sorry to cut this short but we really have to get going or Resa is going to have a fit." Rory said turning to Jolie.

"Oh yeah Resa...well it was nice meeting you. Hopefully we'll see each other again." Jolie said flirtatiously.

Rory rolled her eyes then turned back to Clark. "I guess I'll see you later."

"Um actually I was wondering if you might want to go out tonight." Clark questioned shocking himself.

"Ah, well sure I could use a break from all the studying I've been doing." Rory replied.

"Great I'll drop by around 7?" he questioned.

"Sounds great. See you then." Rory said and watched Clark walk away. She'd completely forgotten that Jolie was there until she heard her voice.

"Talk about gorgeous!" Jolie sighed. "That boy is absolutely amazing...and he just asked you out. Work it girl...he's definitely better than Lex!"

Rory sighed and looked down at the mention of his name. He'd phoned last night and left a message; she'd listened as he'd apologized again for they way he'd acted and wanted to make it up to her. It was always the same old thing and she'd finally had enough of it. She was going to put her foot down. Still it hurt since this had been her first really serious relationship.

"Oh come on, why would you be worrying about somebody like Lex Luther when you could have somebody like Clark, who seems sweet, kind and caring..." Jolie said wrapping her arm around Rory's shoulders. She couldn't understand her friend sometimes, she just seemed ready to fall for one wrong guy after another and now that she'd meet somebody who seemed perfect for her she was having doubts.

"You guys are late!" Theresa Morgan exclaimed interrupting the discussion between Rory and Jolie.

"Sorry Rory was introducing me to the new man in her life." Jolie smiled as Rory glared darts at her.

"New man? You finally got rid of Lex? About time, I figured you would've wised up long before now." Theresa said as Jolie and Rory sat down across from her.

"Gee thanks for the vote of confidence in my ability to pick a good guy." Rory said glumly as she played with a strain of hair. Why had she been the only person to see the good in Lex? It wasn't like he was cold-hearted and completely devoid of emotion - it just took him a while to warm up to people....blame it on his father.

"Not trying to lower your confidence level, but it's true. You're better off without Lex....he was nice at times but not the right type of guy for you." Theresa said matter-of-factly as she hauled out her Quant book and sighed.

"Yeah I know, you've told me this thousands of times....I think I've finally gotten the picture. Now let's just drop it since we a killer Quant assignment to finish." Rory replied and flipped through the book she'd just taken out. "One more question and we're done. I don't plan on being here all night trying to finish it, so let's get started."

"Yeah she needs to go home and get ready for her date tonight." Jolie replied with a tiny smirk.

"Date? Hum, you work fast girl! But then again it's about time you brought your true irresistible self to the forefront." Theresa smiled.

"Yeah, yeah whatever. I have a 'date' let's drop it." Rory said shaking her head. Her friends would never drop this now. 'Great another thing for them to make fun of me over.....just what I need in my life!'

"I think she's bit a temperamental about it.....don't tell me you're still thinking about Lex." Theresa groaned. "I swear if I have to beat you over the head I'll get him out of your mind."

"Yes I'm sure you will." Rory said as she opened the book and engrossed herself in it's contents. So much for working on their assignment. It looked like the only thing that Jolie and Theresa were interested in talk about was her supposed date.

"Hey there he is....over there sitting at the table alone...yeah know the guy with the amazing arms." Jolie said discreetly pointing towards Clark, who seemed engrosses in the book he was reading.

"Really? Wonder if his nice arms mean nice everything else.....he's not bad to look at." Theresa smirked as she continued to stare towards him.

"Guys!!! Come on either you two concentrate on the assignment or I'm doing it on my own." she grumbled as she began the problem. The clock chimed 4 o'clock as she sat waiting for the girls to turn away from Clark. "Ugh, listen guys I'm leaving. It looks like we're not going to get any work done today....so let's just get together tomorrow when you two aren't preoccupied with my uninteresting life and the people I know."

Theresa and Jolie watched as Rory stood and walked out of the library. Turning to each other they just shook their heads.

"You know this is all because of Lex....she can't let go." Jolie finally said.

"I know but what can you say to a girl who thought she was in love only to finally realize that the man she thought she knew was somebody else. It's not like she doesn't know what she's doing - it's just something inside of her wants to see the good in everybody...it's one of her downfalls and will get her hurt every time." Theresa replied. "But I'll be damned if I'm letting a snob like Lex Luther make my best friend feel like she's worthless. Either the guy gets the message from her or I deliver the message to him myself."

"Do you really think that's wise? Wouldn't Rory get mad at you?"

"Rory really doesn't need to know." Theresa replied as the two left the library.