CHAPTER THREE
Disclaimers in Chapter One
"Wow, Grandpa, was there really going to be a ball?"
"Yes, and the news spread quickly throughout the kingdom, including to the young reporter and her friends."
Chloe, Lana and Clark were sitting around the Talon, chatting about the said ball.
"So is it true that the Luthors hired your mom to plan the event?" Lana asked Clark.
The farmboy nodded. "Yes, catering and everything. She's pretty excited."
"So am I," the Talon owner responded. "I can't wait to go. Aren't you, Chloe?"
"I guess," the blonde shrugged. The duo looked at her in disbelief. "What's wrong?" Lana asked.
"Nothing," Chloe responded. "Just a little skeptical that Lionel would throw such an elegant affair in Smallville just for the hell of it."
"We can be elegant," the brunette protested.
"That's not what I meant. What I mean is that Lionel Luthor is not exactly Mr. Congeniality. It's not likely that he's throwing this bash without a motive."
Lana frowned. "Why are you always so pessimistic about everything?"
"It's called being realistic, Lana."
"Lana is right," Clark interrupted, causing Chloe to roll her eyes. 'Of course, he'd defend her,' she thought. "Maybe Lionel just had a change of heart about Smallville and decided to do some outreach to the townsfolk."
"Yeah, I bet that's it," Chloe deadpanned dryly.
"Well," Lana cheered. "If you're not going, then I guess Clark and I will be dates together. Is that okay with you, Clark?" she asked, fluttering her eyelashes at the boy.
"Of course," he croaked out.
Chloe's jaw dropped at Lana's assumption, but she was even more surprised when Lana added, "Can I borrow the pink dress you wore to the prom?"
"I guess" was the only answer she could muster.
"Great!" Lana happily declared, oblivious to her friend's disappointment. "Well, Clark and I are going to talk about our plans over by the counter, so we won't bother you about it. I'll see you at home." With that, she walked away with the farmboy in tow.
Chloe slumped her shoulders, saddened by the fact that her two best friends just blew her off for each other and that now she had nothing to wear to the ball even if she did want to go. "Oh, well, I have stuff to do any way," she told herself in an attempt to make herself feel better.
"Stuff to do when?" a voice said behind her.
She quickly turned around to find the LuthorCorp scion standing by her. "Nothing," she whispered shyly.
"Well, in that case, can I sit with you?" Lex inquired.
Chloe was shocked at his request and pondered for an answer. It took Lex's clearing his throat in anticipation for her to utter a "sure", and he proceeded to sit across from her.