A/N: Alright, so here's the plan. You read this, you don't get mad, and I promise some good old-fashioned Chlex in the next chapter. It's still a long ways to the ball, and I figure that we ought to make Lex work to convince Cinderchloe that she needs to go. Enjoy this piece, and thank you, thank you, thank you for your wonderful feedback.
CHAPTER FIVE
Disclaimer in Chapter One
"So she assumed that I wasn't going, asked Clark to be her date and asked me if she could borrow my pink dress," Chloe ranted on the phone.
Pete Ross, the recipient of a Chloe Sullivan vent session, listened patiently. "Man, that's just wrong," he said sympathetically. "If I were there, I'd bring you, but I'm stuck here while Paps is sick."
"I know, Pete," she sighed. "Thanks for offering, anyway. It's not like I could go; I have nothing to wear."
"That's no excuse," her friend protested. "You could always buy a new dress."
"Yeah, but I just really don't want to go, Pete," she reiterated.
"Why not?"
"Because!" she snapped. "Why is everyone so dead set in having me go to this ball? It's not going to be the end-all for my life if I missed a Luthor ball. Besides, you hated the Luthors."
"Yes, but that wouldn't stop me from partying with every soul in Smallville, even if it is with the devil," Pete argued. "Now tell me, why are you really upset? Is it because of Clark and Lana?"
"Please!" Chloe guffawed. "I'm over him, Pete. I really am. I just..I just don't want to go to this thing alone. I'm sick and tired of being un-loved, I guess."
"I love you," he offered as a consolation.
"Thanks," the blonde mocked with teasing sarcasm. "I love you, too, but we both know that we only make for great friends."
"Well, yes, because dating you would be like dating my sister."
"Exactly," she sighed. "I just want to meet someone who wouldn't view me as their sisterly friend."
"You will, Chloe," he assured her. "It could be someone just under your nose."
"I wish you're right."
Their conversation continued until a knock tapped on Chloe's door. "Yah?" she called out.
Lana popped her head. "Hi," she said blithely. "Are you done with the pre-calculus homework?"
"I haven't started it yet," Chloe frowned, putting the phone aside to talk to the brunette.
"Well, can you get it done in an hour?" the other girl demanded. "I need to copy it before I want to go to bed."
"I'm still talking to Pete," Chloe pointed out.
"Please, Chloe?" she begged. "I'm failing in that class. I really need this."
"Fine," the reporter grumbled. "Give me an hour." She turned to continue her conversation with Pete.
"By the way," Lana added. "Can I borrow the phone? I need to talk to Clark about the ball."
Chloe looked at her incredulously. She could not believe Lana's gall.
"What?" Lana asked innocently. "You'll be doing the homework; you can't possibly talk on the phone while doing it. I need a perfect homework, Chloe."
Chloe only shook her head in disbelief. "Give me a minute."
Lana left, and Chloe went back to the phone. "You need to quit being a pushover," Pete pointed out.
Chloe could only sigh in return.
The next day, the blonde reporter was in the Torch office, looking over the monitor for mistakes in the article.
"Hi," a voice called to her from the doorway. Lex was greeting her view when she turned. A genuine smile grew on her face as she stood to meet him. He strode into the room, hands in his tailored pants pockets.
"Hi," she said back.
"I wanted to stop by to apologize for yesterday," Lex explained. "My father needed to talk to me."
"It's fine," she interjected with understanding. "He seemed like he wanted to talk to you."
Lex nodded, thankful that he did not need to elaborate about his odd conversation with Lionel. "Yeah," he said softly. "I was wondering if I could make it up with dinner."
"I don't think so, Lex," Chloe refused.