Clark's POV
How? That's the only word that keeps echoing in and out of my head as I helplessly watched Lana stalk down the hall. How does everything end up getting so messed up in a matter of seconds?
It never fails to amaze me how I seem to be able to get Lana upset without even trying.
I try to tell myself that she can't help but feel frustrated when she doesn't know the whole story. I try to tell myself that she has every right to be upset with me. I try to tell myself that having her angry at me and playing avoidance is probably a blessing in disguise, only……..it hurts too much to tell myself that. It hurts too much to realize that she's right and that playing games with her heart is only going to get her and I nowhere. It hurts too much to know that I'd die for her in a heartbeat and would go to heaven smiling because she's still on Earth living, yet she doesn't seem to know that.
I turn in the opposite direction and start walking back towards my locker. This day has summed up to be just wonderful. I think to myself sarcastically.
I can't help a sigh that comes out of my mouth. I put my head against my locker when I reach it and close my eyes.
I picture the day Lana and I had our picnic and it seemed like the world couldn't touch us with its' misery. I don't remember ever being happier in my life.
"Hey, you okay Clark?"
I turn around to face the voice and find Pete looking at me with concern.
"Yeah I'm fine." I try a feeble attempt at a smile at him.
"Yeah right Clark. Try it on someone else. What's going on?" Pete looks in my eyes and understanding flashes over his face.
"Lana Huh? Can't have a day go by that doesn't involve the turmoil of Lana Lang." Pete says with a somewhat sympathetic smile.
"I don't get it Pete. Why does it have to be so hard to do the right thing?"
"Maybe for once Clark, this isn't the right thing to do." Pete puts a hand on my shoulder and says "Look man, I can't make your decisions for you but I am going to tell you this: you think you're helping Lana by staying away from her but has it ever occurred to you that Lana tends to get herself into all kinds of trouble, not to mention the fact that the trouble that always seems to find her, 90 of the time, has nothing to do with you? And furthermore if you hadn't been there to save her when she gets herself into said trouble she would probably be dead? So how are you helping her by staying away from her? Without you there will probably be no more Lana Lang. If your secrets are what's stopping you from being with her then just tell her already! If she truly loves you she'll be there for you just like you've always been there for her!" Pete finished with a gasp for air.
"Wow Pete, I didn't know you felt so strongly about this." I looked at Pete in surprise at his outburst. I was momentarily at a loss for words.
Pete has never been known to let me down since we were kids. When I was forced to tell him my secret last year it had been hard but he had learned to deal with it as well as helped me deal with the fact that I am an alien.
I guess he's sick of hearing me bitch and moan about Lana and my constant insistence that I'm dangerous to her.
"Yeah well, if I see you two look at each other longingly one more time and not do anything about it, I'm going to puke. So tell me, what happened this time around?"
Pete said with a smile.
I smiled back at Pete, but as I told him what happened with Lana my smile slowly disappeared and I went back to being miserable.
Pete let out a slow whistle. "Wow Clark, it doesn't look like she's leaving much room for argument there. I don't see any other option for you two. You're going to have to tell her the truth."
"I can't Pete! My parents would have my head if I did that. Not to mention the fact that I'm the reason her parents died. She'll hate me."
"Clark, I'm sorry to be the one to bring you back into reality but she's definitely not on the path of liking you very much right now." Pete said a hint of irritation in his voice. But then a sly smile began to form on his face.
"In the meantime you can introduce me to the lovely Miss Santana. She's a hottie man!" Pete wiggled his eyebrows at me and I couldn't help but laugh.
"Well, like I said she's coming over to the loft tonight at 7:00. Your more than welcome to join us." I was secretly hoping he would say yes. Alexa tends to get a little too touchy feely for my taste and I can't help the unpleasant feeling that comes across me every time I'm around her. I try to act nonchalant but it doesn't always work.
"Tonight? I can't Clark. I gotta help my mom run some errands. Maybe if I'm done early enough I'll pass by."
Damn.
"Alright Pete. Listen I gotta run. My mom wants me to make some deliveries and I want to get them done as soon as possible" I get my locker open and take my jacket out. "By the way, thanks for even bothering to give me advice on this."
"Hey that's what I'm here for. You could always pay me back by putting a good word in for me with Alexa." Pete grinned at me only half serious. "You need a ride back to the farm?"
I smiled at Pete and rolled my eyes at his Alexa comment. "No, I'm good. I think I'll run. I need to let out a little tension."
"Alright. Later man." Pete turned and walked toward the parking lot
"Later." I waited for Pete to walk out the door before looking around to make sure no one was lingering in the hallways and then super-speeded out the school.
I got home in about one minute and felt no better than I did one minute ago.
I stepped through the back door and called out "Mom, Dad I'm home!" before I saw
the note posted on the refrigerator.
Clark,
Your Dad and I decided to go into town for dinner and a movie. Don't forget the deliveries I asked you to make. The list of names and addresses is on the counter with the boxes.
Love Mom and Dad.
P.S. There are some leftovers from last night's dinner in the fridge. Warm it up for tonight's meal.
I was okay until I looked at the list sitting on top of the boxes.
"Of course." I say to myself out loud.
It would be my luck that Lana would place an order for pies this week.
Great what the heck am I going to do now? I say to myself.
I can't not go. How am I going to explain to my mom that I chickened out because of our argument? Mom will kill me if I do that.
I sighed in resignation and lifted up the boxes to bring them to the truck.
I'm going to have to face her eventually. It might as well be sooner than later.
End of Part 2
