It was a risk, I knew that – but I also knew that Chloe has risked a lot for me. I didn't just tell her because I felt obligated to, I told her because she deserved to know and I love her dearly as my friend. She's earned my trust and now it was time for me to earn hers.
My dad was against it, as always, but like Chloe, this time I understood why he did so. I understand very well why he tries so desperately to dissuade me from making possible rash decisions.
Though, the fact of the matter is, sooner or later, I'll have to make the decision on my own, and I'm the one who has to pay for the consequences if it doesn't go the way I hoped.
Chloe's been my best friend since grade school. I've confided in her with many things. I know very well the risk of replaying the events that forced Pete to move away, but I have to believe that there's someone out there who is willing to take the same risk as I am now.
In the long run, it may not be Chloe, but I have faith now that my life won't always be a so lonely.
I don't want to be the spoiled boy who lived the great all-American family life completely devoid of any gratitude. I've been blessed with the greatest parents any child coming into this world would wish for, whether it be by spaceship or by birth.
I came and I found them.
My mom and dad.
I wouldn't want it any other way.
Mom always took everyone's feelings into consideration, and like my dad, they both backed me up one hundred percent.
Now a month after the revelation and few more weeks before I graduate Smallville High, Chloe is helping me rummage through the yearbook in hopes to find me a date for the Prom.
"How about her?"
"What?" I look at the photo and choke. "Mandy!" I shake my head profusely. "No!"
Chloe sighs.
"You're being too picky"
"I don't like Mandy, she's entirely too obsessive"
"Isn't that right up your alley?"
"Very funny, Chloe." I scan through a page. "No." I say, flipping the page and scanning it too. "No." I repeat. Then another. Dawn. "God no." And another. "Not interested." I go through the 'L' section and see Lana. "Not going through that again." I close the book suddenly coming to a bad realization.
"I think I'm going stag"
"Clark, it's you're senior prom," Chloe reminded me. I seriously did not need reminding.
"You're the star quarterback, good-looking and smart. You can't possibly have a hard time getting a date"
I leaned back on my chair, crossing my arms like a child would when they were being stubborn.
"I don't want to go to prom with some random person"
"Maybe we should just go together," Chloe recommended. I knew she wasn't doing it because she's in love with me. To be honest, I think she's moving past that phase. Great, she's asking me out of pity, I don't know if that's worst.
"No, you have a date remember. A real one this time. You should have fun – I'm counting on that if I don't"
She gives me a sympathetic look.
"You sure?"
"Prom's in two days. If I don't make it when the clock strikes nine, then it wasn't meant to be"
"Don't be so dramatic"
I give her a hug, "Thanks, Chloe"
"Anytime"
I close the door and watch her drive off. Everything was going fine until prom hit, and I'm just not motivated to go.
On the Road
Chloe drove in deep thought. When Prom reared its devious head, the first thing she asked Clark was who he was taking. To her surprise, he had no idea. He was no longer in love with Lana, which personally, she was selfishly glad about.
Lana wasn't the problem; it's everything that surrounded the would-be relationship.
They just never clicked.
Emotionally, maybe. Personally, intellectually and personality wise, there was no electricity between them. Even she saw it from time to time when she wasn't angsting over him. Thankfully, Chloe's moving on from that.
Now her best friend is in trouble, and Chloe made it a personal mission to track down the one person that he may attend Prom with.
The question is, would she agree?
Taking out a piece of crumbled paper and several digits scribbled on it, she dials the number on her cell. She tracked down the person in question's phone number.
"Hello," a female voice answered.
"Hi, Lois, this is Chloe from Smallville. I don't know if you remember me…"
"Chloe Sullivan of the Torch," Lois completed on the other line.
"Uh… right," Chloe says a little embarrassed.
"What can I do for you, Miss Sullivan?"
"Please, call me Chloe and actually, this may sound a bit crazy, but I need a favor… or you know, for lack of a better term, I need your help"
There's a pause on the line and for a brief moment, Chloe nervously felt like hanging up.
"Depends on the favor," Lois answered.
Chloe takes a deep breath and explains.
To be continued…