Chapter 1:
The story starts a couple of weeks before their graduation. Lana's plan was to attend college in the fall, but due to unfortunate news, she decided to put of her education. Clark has been accepted to the Metropolis University and has been awarded a summer internship to the Daily Planet. Chloe is also moving to Metropolis to attend the same university while Pete heads to Boston College.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters, but I would love to take Lex home with me!!!
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Wiping down the counter at the Talon, Lana catches a glimpse of her reflection in the mirror. She notices her hair falling from the bun she placed up just an hour ago. It has been such a busy night that Lana didn't even realize how tired she looks. She stops wiping for a moment and begins to untangle her hair all together. Suddenly hears the bell from the front door and Lana quickly turns to see who it is.
Lana: "Hey Clark, what are you doing here so late?"
Clark: "I heard from Chloe that the poetry reading ended later than you expected and so I just decided to come by and help you clean."
Lana quickly smiles brightly back at Clark.
Lana: "That's about the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me today. Thank you Clark!"
She gently hands him a dishtowel and goes to lock the front door. Her sweet face always brings such happiness in Clark's complicated world that he suddenly finds himself just staring back at Lana not wanting to move from his place. Lana looks back at him a bit confuse.
Lana: "Clark, what's a matter?"
Clark: "Oh, um, nothing. So I'll start wiping the tables?"
Lana: "Yeah, I think that'll be a good start."
Lana answers back while gigling softly. He went on wiping the tables and Lana continues cleaning the bar area.
Clark: "So, why are you here all alone anyway?"
Lana: (takes a deep breath and sighs) "Nell is not feeling too well, Joe is studying for his finals, Chrissy is on a date, and Michelle didn't come back from her break. And guess who won't have a job tomorrow?!?"
Clark: "You let people take advantage of you too much. In the end, you're the one who gets beaten down."
Lana: "Yeah, well that's the price we pay right Clark?"
Clark looks up at Lana who is looking back at him with a very tired look on her face. Clark is looking at Lana and he does not want to look away. Suddenly a loud tap noise from the glass door startles them both. Clark quickly unlocks himself away from Lana's eyes and turns to see who's tapping on the window. It turns out to be Chloe smiling bright at the two of them. Lana walks over to the entrance and unlocks the door for Chloe.
Chloe: "Guess who got an internship at the Daily Planet?!?!? Okay, I'm not going to extend the suspense any longer. It's me! Clark we just might be sharing a cubicle since you'll be there too!"
Clark quickly looks at Lana who is smiling, but her eyes starting to tear a little. While all of her friends going off to college and moving on after graduation, she is staying behind. She decided to put off college for a year to help Nell manage the Talon. After her divorce a year ago, Nell decided to come back to Smallville and accepted Lex's offer to manage Talon since he was moving to Metropolis. Tragedy struck Nell once again when last month she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Not willing to give up, Nell still tries to take charge, but is often sick leaving only Lana to manage.
Lana: "Wow Chloe, I'm happy for you!"
Lana says as she hugs her best friend. Lana swiftly pulls away from Chloe and uncomfortably smiles back at her trying to hold back her jealousy. Chloe looks at her and then looks over to Clark. She's looking at both of them strangely.
Chloe: "Did I interrupt something here?"
Lana: (quickly shakes her head) "Oh no, I'm just so tired and Clark was just kind enough to help me clean up." (she gently wipes off her baby tears and tries to put herself together)
Lana: "I better go out back and throw away the trash. I'm really happy for you Chloe. I'm happy for both of you."
Chloe watches Lana walks into the kitchen and she suddenly walks next to Clark
Chloe: "Did I say something wrong?"
Clark: "She turned down her college scholarship to help Nell."
Chloe: "Why didn't she tell me about it? Did she just tell you now?"
Clark: "She didn't tell me anything. Lex called me from Metropolis last week. He was concerned about it and he wanted me to talk to her. I was going to tell her about my internship too."
Chloe: "But I interrupted. I'm sorry."
Clark: "Don't beat yourself up Chloe, it's not your fault."
Chloe: "You've known about your internship for a month now, why didn't you tell her sooner?"
Clark: "I didn't know how."
He looks at Chloe who is getting a bit depress, but quickly changes the subject to make things light.
Clark: "But what about you and Daily Planet. Good job!"
Chloe: "Don't forget Mr. Kent, you'll also be there with me. This is going to be so great!"
Chloe happily embraces Clark so tightly that he loses his balance and they both fall. They look at each other and begin to laugh uncontrollably. They didn't notice Lana standing close to the kitchen door listening to their whole conversation quietly crying.
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The next afternoon Clark is up in his loft reading a book. He suddenly hears footsteps and looks up to see who it is.
Clark: "Oh hey Dad."
Jonathan walks up to Clark and starts to look around the loft. Clark looks onto him strangely.
Clark: "What's wrong?"
Jonathan: "Nothing son. I just almost forgot how peaceful it is up here."
Clark: "Okay, what is it?"
Clark puts down his book and begins to stand up.
Jonathan: "Clark, your graduation is next week and your mother and I thought you should have this."
He hands Clark a small-carved wooden box. Clark opens it and finds a gold pocket watch.
Jonathan: "Your grandfather gave that to me when I left for college and now I want you to have it."
Clark: "I don't know what to say."
Jonathan: "Well, don't say anything. We just wanted to give you something to remind you of us while you're in Metropolis. To let you know that we love you and how very proud we are of you."
Clark quickly embraces Jonathan.
Jonathan: "Okay son. Let's go downstairs and have dinner."
Clark nods and both of them walk down the stairs.
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After the graduation, all the mothers and fathers are taking pictures. Clark is standing with Pete and Chloe as Martha takes their picture. After taking the picture, Martha kisses Clark on the cheek.
Martha: "I am so proud of you Clark! I love you!"
Clark: "I love you too mom."
Martha embraces her son and begins to cry. She softly touches Clark's cheeks and smiles. She then walks away towards Jonathan who is talking to Chloe's parents. Clark then turns to Chloe and Pete.
Pete: "So, when are you crazy kids leaving for Metropolis?"
Chloe: "I'm leaving in two days. Clark, you know you didn't tell me when you were leaving?"
Clark doesn't seem to be paying much attention. He is looking around the auditorium.
Pete: "Hey Clark, don't stress too much, high school is over!"
He says while placing his hand on Clark's shoulder.
Clark: "I'm sorry you guys, but I'm just looking around for Lana."
Chloe: "You're right. They called her name, but she didn't walk."
Clark: "Didn't you see her this morning?"
Chloe: "She told me that she's going over to her aunt's house and I'll just see her here."
Pete: "Well maybe she's in the hospital with Nell. Don't worry Clark, I'm sure she's alright."
Clark looks at Pete and agrees.
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Clark has been driving all over looking for Lana, but he finds her where he should have looked in the first place. Lana is at the Smallville stables brushing one of the horses. She sees a truck driving and checks to see who it is. When she realizes that it's Clark, she continues to brush the horse.
Clark: "Hey Lana, what happened to you?"
Lana: "What do you mean?"
Clark: "We missed you at graduation. I got your diploma for you."
He hands Lana her diploma. She takes it and just stares at it for a moment.
Lana: "Wow, four years and it all comes down to a piece of paper."
Clark: "Lana, why didn't you go? I was looking for you."
Lana looks at Clark and begins to take the horse out of its stable and starts to walk out into the field.
Lana: "I just didn't feel up to it."
Clark: "Didn't feel up to it, Lana it was your high school graduation. I know that it means a lot to you."
Lana: (stops walking and looks over at Clark) "Take a look around Clark, this is my future. You, Chloe, and about all the people I know from high school are getting out of here in a couple of days and experience great things. I'm stuck here Clark."
Clark: "Lana you have the choice to leave."
Lana: "Do I Clark? Who's going to take care of Nell, the Talon?"
Clark: "Hire a nurse. Hire a manager."
Lana: "You make it sound so simple, but yet you really have no idea."
Clark: "Lana, you are not alone. I'm still here. I'll always be here." Lana: (looks away upset) "Why didn't you tell me about your internship?"
Clark: (looking a bit nervous) "Lana I'm sorry. With everything that's happening, I just didn't know how to tell you."
Lana places her hands to cover her face and begins to cry. Clark walks over and embraces Lana gently. She then pulls away from him and looks up at him. He softly touches her cheeks and begins to wipe her tears. She then looks into his eyes and places her hands on his chest. She can feel his heart beating fast and in return her heart races along with his. Clark suddenly bends down and kisses Lana on her lips. It started soft, but quickly turns passionate, but Clark somehow pulls away.
Clark: "Lana, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do that."
Lana: "Don't be sorry, I wanted you to."
Lana then start to reach for another kiss, but Clark turns away.
Clark: "I don't think that'll be a good idea."
Looking a bit hurt and disappointed, Lana turns away from Clark. She stands for a moment and proceeds to get on the horse.
Lana: (emotionless) "Goodbye Clark."
Clark looks on as Lana rides away and his eyes begin to tear. He wants so much to share his feelings to her, but he knows in his heart that letting her go is really the right decision.
The story starts a couple of weeks before their graduation. Lana's plan was to attend college in the fall, but due to unfortunate news, she decided to put of her education. Clark has been accepted to the Metropolis University and has been awarded a summer internship to the Daily Planet. Chloe is also moving to Metropolis to attend the same university while Pete heads to Boston College.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters, but I would love to take Lex home with me!!!
------------
Wiping down the counter at the Talon, Lana catches a glimpse of her reflection in the mirror. She notices her hair falling from the bun she placed up just an hour ago. It has been such a busy night that Lana didn't even realize how tired she looks. She stops wiping for a moment and begins to untangle her hair all together. Suddenly hears the bell from the front door and Lana quickly turns to see who it is.
Lana: "Hey Clark, what are you doing here so late?"
Clark: "I heard from Chloe that the poetry reading ended later than you expected and so I just decided to come by and help you clean."
Lana quickly smiles brightly back at Clark.
Lana: "That's about the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me today. Thank you Clark!"
She gently hands him a dishtowel and goes to lock the front door. Her sweet face always brings such happiness in Clark's complicated world that he suddenly finds himself just staring back at Lana not wanting to move from his place. Lana looks back at him a bit confuse.
Lana: "Clark, what's a matter?"
Clark: "Oh, um, nothing. So I'll start wiping the tables?"
Lana: "Yeah, I think that'll be a good start."
Lana answers back while gigling softly. He went on wiping the tables and Lana continues cleaning the bar area.
Clark: "So, why are you here all alone anyway?"
Lana: (takes a deep breath and sighs) "Nell is not feeling too well, Joe is studying for his finals, Chrissy is on a date, and Michelle didn't come back from her break. And guess who won't have a job tomorrow?!?"
Clark: "You let people take advantage of you too much. In the end, you're the one who gets beaten down."
Lana: "Yeah, well that's the price we pay right Clark?"
Clark looks up at Lana who is looking back at him with a very tired look on her face. Clark is looking at Lana and he does not want to look away. Suddenly a loud tap noise from the glass door startles them both. Clark quickly unlocks himself away from Lana's eyes and turns to see who's tapping on the window. It turns out to be Chloe smiling bright at the two of them. Lana walks over to the entrance and unlocks the door for Chloe.
Chloe: "Guess who got an internship at the Daily Planet?!?!? Okay, I'm not going to extend the suspense any longer. It's me! Clark we just might be sharing a cubicle since you'll be there too!"
Clark quickly looks at Lana who is smiling, but her eyes starting to tear a little. While all of her friends going off to college and moving on after graduation, she is staying behind. She decided to put off college for a year to help Nell manage the Talon. After her divorce a year ago, Nell decided to come back to Smallville and accepted Lex's offer to manage Talon since he was moving to Metropolis. Tragedy struck Nell once again when last month she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Not willing to give up, Nell still tries to take charge, but is often sick leaving only Lana to manage.
Lana: "Wow Chloe, I'm happy for you!"
Lana says as she hugs her best friend. Lana swiftly pulls away from Chloe and uncomfortably smiles back at her trying to hold back her jealousy. Chloe looks at her and then looks over to Clark. She's looking at both of them strangely.
Chloe: "Did I interrupt something here?"
Lana: (quickly shakes her head) "Oh no, I'm just so tired and Clark was just kind enough to help me clean up." (she gently wipes off her baby tears and tries to put herself together)
Lana: "I better go out back and throw away the trash. I'm really happy for you Chloe. I'm happy for both of you."
Chloe watches Lana walks into the kitchen and she suddenly walks next to Clark
Chloe: "Did I say something wrong?"
Clark: "She turned down her college scholarship to help Nell."
Chloe: "Why didn't she tell me about it? Did she just tell you now?"
Clark: "She didn't tell me anything. Lex called me from Metropolis last week. He was concerned about it and he wanted me to talk to her. I was going to tell her about my internship too."
Chloe: "But I interrupted. I'm sorry."
Clark: "Don't beat yourself up Chloe, it's not your fault."
Chloe: "You've known about your internship for a month now, why didn't you tell her sooner?"
Clark: "I didn't know how."
He looks at Chloe who is getting a bit depress, but quickly changes the subject to make things light.
Clark: "But what about you and Daily Planet. Good job!"
Chloe: "Don't forget Mr. Kent, you'll also be there with me. This is going to be so great!"
Chloe happily embraces Clark so tightly that he loses his balance and they both fall. They look at each other and begin to laugh uncontrollably. They didn't notice Lana standing close to the kitchen door listening to their whole conversation quietly crying.
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The next afternoon Clark is up in his loft reading a book. He suddenly hears footsteps and looks up to see who it is.
Clark: "Oh hey Dad."
Jonathan walks up to Clark and starts to look around the loft. Clark looks onto him strangely.
Clark: "What's wrong?"
Jonathan: "Nothing son. I just almost forgot how peaceful it is up here."
Clark: "Okay, what is it?"
Clark puts down his book and begins to stand up.
Jonathan: "Clark, your graduation is next week and your mother and I thought you should have this."
He hands Clark a small-carved wooden box. Clark opens it and finds a gold pocket watch.
Jonathan: "Your grandfather gave that to me when I left for college and now I want you to have it."
Clark: "I don't know what to say."
Jonathan: "Well, don't say anything. We just wanted to give you something to remind you of us while you're in Metropolis. To let you know that we love you and how very proud we are of you."
Clark quickly embraces Jonathan.
Jonathan: "Okay son. Let's go downstairs and have dinner."
Clark nods and both of them walk down the stairs.
-----------------------------
After the graduation, all the mothers and fathers are taking pictures. Clark is standing with Pete and Chloe as Martha takes their picture. After taking the picture, Martha kisses Clark on the cheek.
Martha: "I am so proud of you Clark! I love you!"
Clark: "I love you too mom."
Martha embraces her son and begins to cry. She softly touches Clark's cheeks and smiles. She then walks away towards Jonathan who is talking to Chloe's parents. Clark then turns to Chloe and Pete.
Pete: "So, when are you crazy kids leaving for Metropolis?"
Chloe: "I'm leaving in two days. Clark, you know you didn't tell me when you were leaving?"
Clark doesn't seem to be paying much attention. He is looking around the auditorium.
Pete: "Hey Clark, don't stress too much, high school is over!"
He says while placing his hand on Clark's shoulder.
Clark: "I'm sorry you guys, but I'm just looking around for Lana."
Chloe: "You're right. They called her name, but she didn't walk."
Clark: "Didn't you see her this morning?"
Chloe: "She told me that she's going over to her aunt's house and I'll just see her here."
Pete: "Well maybe she's in the hospital with Nell. Don't worry Clark, I'm sure she's alright."
Clark looks at Pete and agrees.
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Clark has been driving all over looking for Lana, but he finds her where he should have looked in the first place. Lana is at the Smallville stables brushing one of the horses. She sees a truck driving and checks to see who it is. When she realizes that it's Clark, she continues to brush the horse.
Clark: "Hey Lana, what happened to you?"
Lana: "What do you mean?"
Clark: "We missed you at graduation. I got your diploma for you."
He hands Lana her diploma. She takes it and just stares at it for a moment.
Lana: "Wow, four years and it all comes down to a piece of paper."
Clark: "Lana, why didn't you go? I was looking for you."
Lana looks at Clark and begins to take the horse out of its stable and starts to walk out into the field.
Lana: "I just didn't feel up to it."
Clark: "Didn't feel up to it, Lana it was your high school graduation. I know that it means a lot to you."
Lana: (stops walking and looks over at Clark) "Take a look around Clark, this is my future. You, Chloe, and about all the people I know from high school are getting out of here in a couple of days and experience great things. I'm stuck here Clark."
Clark: "Lana you have the choice to leave."
Lana: "Do I Clark? Who's going to take care of Nell, the Talon?"
Clark: "Hire a nurse. Hire a manager."
Lana: "You make it sound so simple, but yet you really have no idea."
Clark: "Lana, you are not alone. I'm still here. I'll always be here." Lana: (looks away upset) "Why didn't you tell me about your internship?"
Clark: (looking a bit nervous) "Lana I'm sorry. With everything that's happening, I just didn't know how to tell you."
Lana places her hands to cover her face and begins to cry. Clark walks over and embraces Lana gently. She then pulls away from him and looks up at him. He softly touches her cheeks and begins to wipe her tears. She then looks into his eyes and places her hands on his chest. She can feel his heart beating fast and in return her heart races along with his. Clark suddenly bends down and kisses Lana on her lips. It started soft, but quickly turns passionate, but Clark somehow pulls away.
Clark: "Lana, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do that."
Lana: "Don't be sorry, I wanted you to."
Lana then start to reach for another kiss, but Clark turns away.
Clark: "I don't think that'll be a good idea."
Looking a bit hurt and disappointed, Lana turns away from Clark. She stands for a moment and proceeds to get on the horse.
Lana: (emotionless) "Goodbye Clark."
Clark looks on as Lana rides away and his eyes begin to tear. He wants so much to share his feelings to her, but he knows in his heart that letting her go is really the right decision.