"So everyone is going to meet at my house around 6..." Stacy says enthusiastically.

Another thing that has changed is now all of his friends accept me. They talk to me and even more unbelievable, they actually…like me.

"Oh…ok." I reply hesitantly as I close my locker.

I'm still a little uncomfortable about the whole thing…I mean it's pretty surreal having the life you always dreamed about.

We both start walking to our mutual class. What I find funny is that we've had psychology together the whole year but never talked before. I guess she just never noticed I was in the class.

"You and Clark…" She shakes her head a little, "…you guys are such a cute couple." Stacy holds her notebook in front of her chest and looks up as if for emphasis.

"Stacy…" I start laughing "…we're not dating."

As much as it pains me to admit it…

Stacy abruptly stops and looks at me unsatisfied. "Well why the hell not? I mean you guys hang out like 24/7 and the guy's obviously all about you."

It's so strange to hear something you've been thinking about…like out loud…by someone else. It's as if your thoughts suddenly become the truth.

I only look at her, I don't know what to say, but I don't have to say anything because she starts talking. "Believe me Clark Kent doesn't spend his time with just anyone." She pauses and looks down for a second as she laughs, "Actually…he's never spent his time with anyone. You're the first girl we've actually seen him show interest in. I mean there was Chloe…but that was really just her being obsessed, and I don't think they ever even hooked up." She looks at me, "And we both know how pathetic that is" She starts laughing and I do too, but I don't know why. Honestly, I don't know how pathetic that is.

As we continue to walk to class, Stacy's moved on to talk about her boyfriend, Whitney, who of course plays football too. She's seriously talking to me about how the pill makes her feel fat, but Whitney refuses to wear a condom. These conversations are extremely awkward for me, so I just nod my head and interject a lot of "Oh's" and "really's".

I think one of the most difficult things to do when talking to someone is to pretend you know what they're talking about, when you have absolutely no clue. When you have to pretend to relate to something you know nothing about.

As we enter the classroom, Stacy follows me over to what has become our "regular" seats. As she takes the seat in front of mine, she continues to talk, but I revert back to what she was saying earlier. And for the first time all week, I can not wait for the dance. Surprisingly I've been good about it. I didn't let it take me over. But like the drop of a hat, my excitement is becoming overwhelming.

And of course since I've had this shift in my mood, time suddenly seems to crawl by.

This is definitely going to be a long day…


* * * * *

I adjust the top of my dress for the one hundredth time, and finally throw my hands at my sides. I tilt my head to the side slightly, and for once in my life, am amazed at what I see in the mirror.

Wow, I actually look…good. Dare I even say, hot?

The dance isn't supposed to be too dressy, but it's not supposed to be casual either. And of course, instead of helping me, that description only made it more confusing. But thankfully, Stacy and some of the other girls took me shopping with them, and helped me pick something out. They decided a simple, black, halter dress would be perfect for me. Since I have virtually no fashion sense, I just agreed with them. But when I came out of the dressing room, I was nervous. I had never worn something so…so sexy. Different from my usual loose and somewhat frumpy attire, the dress hugged my tiny body perfectly. As Stacy said while adjusting my dress, "Lana you look so f**king hot! Seriously this dress is killer on you."

Yeah…Stacy's a very…um…open person. She never holds back, and although it frightened me slightly at first…I've come to realize that it's actually kind of refreshing.

At the time, I just stood there awkwardly, feeling self conscience. But it's only now, as I stare at my own reflection, I realize she's right. This dress looks amazing. I look amazing.

It's so weird how clothes can actually change the way you feel. How this dress has totally done a 360 on my attitude towards myself.

"That Clark Kent is one lucky guy…" I turn to see Nell leaning in my doorway. I go back to fidgeting with the sides of the dress. "I don't know…" I walk over to my dresser mirror, and unnecessarily play with my messy/spiky bun. "…I think it's too much." Nell comes behind me and places her hands on my shoulders.
"Lana, it's perfect. You look beautiful…And I know if you're mother were here she'd say the same…only she'd say it better." I stop and turn to look at her. I suddenly hug her, something we don't do often.

"Thank you Nell." I whisper, as I feel tears surfacing.

Sometimes someone can just say something and it just hits you, without a reason why.

As we pull away she slightly brushes my hair with her hand, "I want you to have fun tonight. Enjoy it." She rests her hand on my cheek. "Enjoy being beautiful." I feel a tear slowly roll down my cheek and I don't even know where it came from. Suddenly the doorbell rings.

"I'll get that." Nell says, "You should always make him wait." She laughs, and I do too, but at the same time I look at her appreciatively. She looks at me proudly, one more time, and then leaves. As I turn back to my mirror and wipe away the remains of those few tears I can hear their muffled voices. I straighten my dress one more time, adjust my hair, and give myself one last look.

Let's do this…

I inhale deeply as I finally turn from my reflection and make my way to the stairs. I can hear him making awkward small talk with Nell.

Heh…poor guy.

With my light coat draped over my arm, and tiny purse in my hand, I slowly descend down the stairs.

Although my speed appears to be for dramatic affect…it's really to prevent myself from falling. Contrary to what I believed, walking in heels could be one of the hardest things to do.

As I walk down them I don't look at him at all, my eyes focusing downwards instead. Finally as I walk down the last few steps, I turn to face him. I work my way up from his feet to his face. As my eyes almost reach there destination, I take in how sexy he looks…and I haven't even seen his face yet. He's wearing tan pants, and a slightly tucked in white button down shirt; the top few buttons undone, slightly exposing his tanned chest. And he's without a tie or jacket.

He's perfect.

I finally reach his face, and my heart skips a beat at how gorgeous he looks. His hair is still slightly wet, and it's perfectly messy. And as I focus on his eyes, I see them intensely looking into mine.

A quiet "Wow…" slips from his lips, and I feel my cheeks blush.

"You don't look so bad yourself." I say coolly.

Where has this confidence come from?

I look down at the plastic container in his hands ask in an almost flirtatious tone, "Is that for me?"

"Oh…" He quickly looks down and back at me and continues through laughter, "Yes…yes it is." He fumbles to remove the small delicate white rose, and I see it's a bracelet. He moves towards me and with his eyes, asks for permission to slip it on my wrist. I confidently lift my arm and extend it somewhat as he gently places it around my wrist.

I suddenly realize that he's nervous and I'm…not. There is not one shaky feeling inside me. I'm comfortable. I'm excited. And he's nervous…I can't believe the tables have turned.

Suddenly Nell comes back with his boutonnière….I didn't even realize she had left. As I take it out, I realize he has no jacket to attach it to.

"Oh…" I say embarrassed and begin to put it back, when his hand stops me. "No…no…my jacket's in the car…" He warmly smiles at me, and keeps his hand on mine. We both become very comfortable; silently staring at each other.

"Ok let me get one picture." Nell's words pull us both from our moment, as we turn and start to laugh. I feel him slip his hand on to my side and my small smile grows as Nell takes the picture.

"Well…" Clark offers me his arm "….shall we?". I slide mine through his and smirk at him while I say, "We shall." I turn to look back at Nell and start to say, "I won't be home –"

"Have a good time." Nell cuts me off and smiles at me. As Clark opens the door I look at her thankfully. We walk out of my house and make our way to his truck. We don't say anything, but instead sneak peeks at the other every now and then. He opens the passenger side door for me and I take a seat as he runs around to the other side. As he gets into the car, and puts the keys in the ignition he stops and looks at me. A smile forms on his face as he softly says, "You know I didn't even say how beautiful you are."

Is it possible for me to love you…because I think I do.

"Oh…" I search for something to say, "…thank you."

Yeah…I don't know how to take compliments.

He continues to look at me and then looks at his watch, "You know…since it's already 6:30, you wanna just bag Stacy's and go straight to school?"

It's already 6:30? I didn't even know he was late…

"Yeah sure…if you want to?" I ask and realize I wouldn't mind missing it either.

"Yeah, I mean…who would want to be around all those people when…" He pauses and looks at me seriously, "…when they could have you all to themselves."

Wow…that was…wow.

I have no clue what to say, so I smile at him. I guess he understands it's my way of agreeing to skip Stacy's, because he puts the car in drive. We begin to pull out of my drive way, when he looks over at me. "Miss Lang…" his adorable face smiles at me, "…are you ready for a night you'll never forget." I begin to laugh and nod at him as I feel my whole body fill with excitement.

Clark Kent…I've been ready for this my whole life.