Ch. 14- With a special appearance of a song by Black Eyed Peas Justin Timberlake. Sorry- it was the only thing I could think of. No stealing of songs intended. (Sobs, sobs)... and this chapter and the next one is dedicated to anyone who has been following this story. I love you guys!
Surprisingly Clark was excited for this night. He knew that he couldn't just pretend everything was okay again, but it was a start. He could at least enjoy something about tonight.
Clark saw Chloe through the crowds, but she didn't walk towards him. I guess it's my turn to try… So he did.
"Hey Clark. I was wondering if you were going to make it," Chloe accused.
Clark stopped. "I'm on time."
"I know—I just wasn't sure you'd come."
Clark tried to sound friendly. "I said I would, didn't I?"
Chloe stopped. "Yeah. I'm glad you were honest."
Clark smiled. It was a good start. Or at least better than he had hoped for.
"Hey you two." Clark and Chloe looked up to see Jason and Lana arrive.
Chloe smiled. "Hey guys! Jason—you came."
"Yeah, well—I didn't really have anything else to do tonight, so…"
Lana interrupted. "Hey Jason—I'm kind of thirsty—can you get me something to drink?"
Everyone looked at Jason. He got the hint. "Um… yeah. I'll be right back."
They all stood in silence for a while, not sure what to say. Lana began. "I'm glad you both came. It's sort of like old times."
Chloe nodded, trying to agree. "Yeah. Let's hope it's not too much like old times." They both looked at Clark.
"Okay—can I
have everyone's attention please?" the DJ asked. Everyone turned
towards the stage. "This first song I hadn't planned on playing,
but my girlfriend requested it. It might be about a different kind of
love, but at least my girlfriend won't get mad at me…"
"Okay…"
a girl came from the dance floor onto the stage. "You can't
introduce it like that." She took the microphone. "Hi- I'm
Kallie—the girlfriend."
"Are we supposed to say, 'Hi Kallie?'" Chloe whispered.
"I first heard this song when I was started volunteering for the Big Brother/Big Sister program. It reminded me of my 'little sister' in Metropolis. Her cousin was killed by a drive-by shooting. This is dedicated to her." Kallie handed her boyfriend the microphone and walked off stage.
Lana and Clark looked at Chloe. "Okay, so now I feel a little bad for that comment." Clark smiled a little. The music started. "Come on, Clark—I believe I came here to dance."
What's
wrong with the world, mama
People livin' like they ain't got no
mamas
I think the whole world addicted to the drama
Only
attracted to things that'll bring you trauma
Overseas, yeah, we
try to stop terrorism
But we still got terrorists here livin'
In
the USA, the big CIA
The Bloods and The Crips and the KKK
But
if you only have love for your own race
Then you only leave space
to discriminate
And to discriminate only generates hate
And
when you hate then you're bound to get irate, yeah
Madness is what
you demonstrate
And that's exactly how anger works and
operates
Man, you gotta have love just to set it straight
Take
control of your mind and meditate
Let your soul gravitate to the
love, y'all, y'all
People killin', people dyin'
Children
hurt and you hear them cryin'
Can you practice what you preach
And
would you turn the other cheek
Father, Father, Father help
us
Send some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me
questionin'
Where is the love (Love)
It just ain't the
same, always unchanged
New days are strange, is the world
insane
If love and peace is so strong
Why are there pieces of
love that don't belong
Nations droppin' bombs
Chemical gasses
fillin' lungs of little ones
With ongoin' sufferin' as the youth
die young
So ask yourself is the lovin' really gone
So I could
ask myself really what is goin' wrong
In this world that we livin'
in people keep on givin'
in
Makin' wrong decisions, only
visions of them dividends
Not respectin' each other, deny thy
brother
A war is goin' on but the reason's undercover
Clark stopped. Suddenly it seemed the song was talking about him.
The
truth is kept secret, it's swept under the rug
If you never know
truth then you never know love
Where's the love, y'all,
Clark's heart felt like it stopped.
Where's the truth, y'all,
come
on (I don't know)
You don't always need to hit someone to slap them across the face.
Where's the love, y'all
Nothing had ever made a deeper impression upon Clark than this did at this time. It was like a veil was suddenly lifted, and Clark could see everything. He saw the whole picture—or at least more than he had before. It was true. The whole song was true.
People killin', people dyin'
Children hurt and you
hear them cryin'
Can you practice what you preach
And would you
turn the other cheek
Father, Father, Father help us
Send
some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me
questionin'
Where is the love (Love)
Where is the love (The love)
I feel the weight of the world on my shoulder
As I'm
gettin' older, y'all, people gets colder
Most of us only care
about money makin'
Selfishness got us followin' our wrong
direction
Wrong information always shown by the media
Negative
images is the main criteria
Infecting the young minds faster than
bacteria
Kids wanna act like what they see in the cinema
Yo',
whatever happened to the values of humanity
Whatever happened to
the fairness in equality
Instead in spreading love we spreading
animosity
Lack of understanding, leading lives away from
unity
That's the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' under
That's
the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' down
There's no wonder why
sometimes I'm feelin' under
Gotta keep my faith alive till love is
found
Clark suddenly realized that was their problem. This is what he was doing to his friends. "You can do it, Clark. You just can't do it alone." William's words took on a truer meaning. There will always be enough enemies. Take the love where you can find it.
People killin', people
dyin'
Children hurt and you hear them cryin'
Can you practice
what you preach
And would you turn the other cheek
Father,
Father, Father help us
Send some guidance from above
'Cause
people got me, got me questionin'
Where is the love (Love)
Chloe stopped when she saw Clark had stopped, too. "Need to make a mysterious escape, Clark?" Clark looked back at Chloe, and the look on his face made her shudder. Something had happened—something he didn't need for her to give him a hard time about. Now her voice sounded worried. "Clark?"
Chloe's voice made Lana's head turn, too. No matter how hard she wanted it not to be so, she cared about Clark. He still scared her sometimes. "Clark, do you need to sit down or leave?"
Clark came out of his daze. He looked back at them. Yes, it was a risk, but it was better than the alternative. Suddenly he was so ashamed at what he was doing. Anything had to be better than what he was doing to them now. And even after all he had done to them, they still cared about him. That was real love. That was worth fighting to hold on to. "Not this time, Lana," Clark replied, but the way he said it got him a curious look from Chloe. He started straight at her, hoping she would see where he was going with this. "Not anymore." Chloe stopped, trying not to hope he was saying what she thought she was saying. Every time she hoped, her hopes would be dashed, yet the way he sounded, she couldn't help but hope this time. Clark spoke again. "I need to talk to you." And that was all he said as Chloe nodded. Clark and Chloe turned to walk out the door. They both knew where they were going—the Torch. Their sanctuary. The one place they knew well enough to feel safe. Lana saw them leaving and followed.
"Lana…"
Jason had come back with their drinks. "I'll be right back," was all that she could get out before she disappeared into the crowd.