There's a certain level of discomfort when meeting someone's parents for the first time.

"So...Lana…you and Clark are in the same class?" Mrs. Kent asks from across the kitchen counter.

And it only becomes worse when seconds after the initial meeting, you are forced to be alone with them.

I nod my head, "Yeah…yeah we're in the same grade."

I guess it's the same for both ends, considering that's the third time Mrs. Kent has asked me that.

Mrs. Kent smiles at me then focuses down on the counter, seemingly in deep thought. "Right, right." I think she realizes she's been slightly repetitive with her questions. Mr. Kent got out of this uncomfortable situation long ago when he said he had to do some work and he'd let us "ladies chit chat."

Lucky bastard.

So now it's just Martha and I, sitting across from each other in awkward silence, periodically smiling at one another. And I know what we're both thinking.

Where the hell is Clark?

Mrs. Kent looks up at me as if she's attempting conversation once more.

Oh please…don't

"Hey…you ready to go?" I feel Clark place a hand on my back.

Phew…

Both Mrs. Kent and I sigh and say in relief "Clark…" as I turn around to face him. He is in a simple long sleeved black shirt, with perfectly fitted jeans. His hair is still wet and he smells delicious.

My God you're gorgeous without even trying.

"So you ready?" He asks while his hand is still on my back.

I just nod.

"Well it was a pleasure to meet you Lana." I can still hear the relief in Mrs. Kent's voice.

I get up from my stool and smile as I reply, "Yes you too…"

Regardless of how awkward it was.

"Bye Mom." Clark says while he opens the door for me.

I still can't believe in one day I've spoken to Clark more then I have my entire life. Been inside his house twice. Met his parents. And am now going to a party with him.

And who could forget…what I saw....earlier. I wish I could just erase that. I wish it never happened. Because I could get used to the way things are right now

I follow him to his pick up truck and after he opens the passenger side door for me, take a seat.

I guess he's driving…

I see him take a deep breath as he gets into the driver side. He's nervous too. He gets inside the car and quickly puts the keys in the ignition, when the radio starts blaring.

"Shake that thing miss Kana Kana, shake that-"

Clark quickly fumbles for the eject button on the tape deck and finally turns off the stereo.

Wow…I never took Clark for a Sean Paul guy.

I chuckle to myself as he puts the car in drive, "Sorry about that…"

"Oh no problem…" I look over at him and smile. He returns it as he says, "Yeah I tell my mom all the time to make sure she turns off the stereo when she's done using the truck…but she never listens."

I start laughing and so does Clark as he continues "Mother's and their rap…"

Now I'm really laughing. You know the kind where your whole body begins shaking and your eyes start to water. I can see him looking over at me. Even though I'm not looking directly at him, I can tell he has a big smile on his face.

Why are we acting like this? I mean we shouldn't be joking around and laughing.

Stop laughing. This is serious.

When we finally park on what I'm guessing is "Conor's" street, I've basically composed myself, except I still have this goofy smile on my face. As I step out of the car, I can hear music in the distance.

Oh my God…I'm going to a party. I…am…going to a party. I never even really thought about it. I didn't even get a chance to prepare myself for this.

As we start walking, I glance down at my clothes. I guess Clark notices this, because he suddenly says. "Don't worry you look beautiful." I quickly look up at him and feel my cheeks beginning to blush.

Suddenly I don't care about what happened earlier. I don't care who he is. Suddenly I'm happy just to be with him.

"And besides…we don't even have to stay here, I just need to make a few hello's and then we can leave."

And suddenly everything comes back to me…

"Oh yeah sure…we don't have to stay." I say, trying to sound happy.

"We're here." Clark stops me on the sidewalk and I look at Conor's enormous house. And consuming his huge front lawn are about 30 people.

As we walk down his long driveway, I say "Oh I wish I had worn something warmer…I didn't know this was an outside thing.

Clark looks at me oddly, and says "It's not…those are people who are just getting here."

Good Lana…good

"Oh right" I say attempting to sound cool.

We get to the front of his house and as we walk through the already open door, we run into who I'm assuming is Conor.

I've never seen him before, but he is awfully cute.

"Well look at the jackass who decided to show up!" Conor jokes as he and Clark exchange a high five.

Heh…I like this guy.

Conor's smile disappears and his voice becomes more serious, "Hey I'm sorry about the game man…that's a tough-"

"We won, that's all that matters." Clark cuts him off.

Mental note: Do not bring up the game, clearly a touchy subject.

Conor realizes it's a bad topic and suddenly looks over at me and smiles, "Hey I don't believe we've met, I'm Conor." He extends his hand.

I take his hand and reply warmly, "Lana…" I look around "…you're house is amazing."

"Thanks…"

"Conor we're up man!" Some drunk boy says from a stairwell which leads to the basement I'm assuming.

"Alright be right there…" Conor calls out and then looks to me and Clark "…you'll have to excuse me, beer pong calls. Since I know Kent here doesn't drink, " Clark starts to laugh as Conor looks at me, "Lana, cocktails are at the bar in the living room, kegs in the kitchen, and my personal favorite…ice luges on the back deck."

"Oh…I

Well I actually don't know if I drink or not...I mean I've never tried it before, I might- Oh just answer the question

"I don't drink…" He try to make this statement seem like my choice, and not a fact of life.

"Alright…well have a good time you two kids." He pats us both and leaves.
I finally take in my surroundings. There is loud music pumping from the room next to us, and kids everywhere. I don't feel so self conscience anymore, considering all of them are drunk and look ridiculous right now.

I know I shouldn't judge something I don't know…but I just don't see the appeal in drinking…honestly if someone would care to explain, I'd love to hear.

Clark suddenly leans towards me and shouts, "I'm gonna get a drink…you want one?"

I look at him strangely and repeat, "Oh no I don't drink…"

He starts to laugh slightly, "No I know…I mean like a non alcoholic beverage."

You are such an idiot…

I laugh out of complete embarrassment, "Right…no I'm ok."

He's still laughing, "Ok…well I'll be right back. Just wait right there." He looks at me for a moment, as if to make sure I'll be alright on my own. I smile as a way to reassure him, and it works as he finally turns and disappears into the crowd.

I stand there in the middle of groups of girls gossiping and guys shouting, trying to blend in. I slowly back against a wall, and find relief to be in the background. No one notices me and I like it that way.

This isn't so bad at all. I can fit in here.

I hear a familiar voice, "Lana…?"

Or not

"Chloe!" I try to sound friendly as she and her group of friends circle around me.

Well this isn't intimidating or anything…

"Hi…" She gives me a look of disbelief.

I know what you're going to ask next…so just say it.

Her face becomes confused…"So who did you come –"

Suddenly I feel someone grab my hand from behind me.

"With me." I turn and find Clark next to me, raising our linked hands in front of Chloe.

Uh oh

"Oh" Chloe looks like she's about to vomit "…I see."

Clark looks back and forth between us, confused. "Chloe you know Lana?"

Chloe looks at me as if I'm 5 feet smaller then her. "Yeah, but fortunately …not anymore." She gives me a cruel smile and walks away. Her fan club gives me dirty looks before running off to catch up with her.

Thank God Cat and I…oh shit, Cat.

Clark looks at me confused, "I don't know what got into Chloe –"

"Cat!" I burst out.

He starts laughing and looks at me, "What?"

I give him a serious look, "Cat…I completely forgot to call her. Crap." I put my hand up to my forehead.

Clark stops laughing, "Ok…well call her."

I look at my watch and it says 10:00. "Well I can't call her now." Clark shrugs his shoulders. "So…call her tomorrow."

Boys totally don't understand the rules of girl friendships…

I realize that he's partially right though. There's nothing I can do now. "Well I don't really have a choice but to wait till tomorrow." I say defeatedly. Clark puts his hands in his pockets, and I can tell he doesn't know what to say.

We stand there for a few moments with nothing to say as we look around. We both know the inevitable is about to come. Suddenly Clark starts walking forward, but I stay where I am. He stops and finally turns around to face me. He gives me a small smile as he extends his hand. I just look at it, too afraid to grab it. Finally I put my hand in his and I feel him lightly squeeze it. I take a deep breath as he walks through the crowd, bringing me with him. We reach the stairs to the second floor, and he stops just before it. He looks over at me, and takes a deep breath. Finally he starts walking up the stairs, as I follow closely behind.