Chapter Sixteen

The Acropolis of Metropolis was an exclusive shopping center that catered to the wealthy and affluent of the city. Ultramodern on the inside, The Acropolis had a classical Greek feel on the outside; it was truly an architectural masterpiece, four different levels of shops and boutiques, restaurants and entertainment.

"Ever been here before?" Lex asked Clark, who looked awestruck entering the Acropolis.

"I read about this place," Clark said. "Pictures in a magazine that Chloe showed me was as close as I got."

"Same here," Pete chimed in.

The teens gazed at the sheer electric mix of the stores and wares. Lex smiled and wished he had that wonder in his eyes, not the jaded feel in his heart.

"I love this place," Victoria. "It's like Harrods all wired up." The teens looked at each other and laughed; they loved listening to Victoria's Brit-speak. Victoria smiled at them.

"First stop...in here," Lex said and the group ventured into an elegant men's clothiers, 'Strayhorne's'; Lex felt at home, Clark was totally out of place, and Pete decided he wanted to wear everything in the store. Victoria smiled at an employee that brought her a bottle of water, an exclusive brand, of course. The owner of the store instantly recognized Lex and hurried over. Lex whispered to him. The owner politely escorted out several possible customers and closed the shop. Lex had the store to himself and his friends. Clark and Pete were impressed, while Victoria asked the employee for a small green salad. The employee scurried to comply.

"Clark," Lex smiled. "Allow me to get you a suit."

"Umm," Clark mumbled, looking at Lex strangely. "Isn't that way too dressy for a carnival, Lex?"

"Indulge me for once, Clark," Lex simply.

"But, I don't have a reason to get a suit," Clark protested.

"Clark," Lex said and gave him a sad little look. Clark liked Lex, but there were times when Lex was a bit too insistent with his demands and it weirded him out: "I just got a new hot tub. You absolutely need to hit it with me", "You really need to see 'Gladiator' with me", "See Chloe tomorrow night, come see Elton John in Metropolis with me". Clark felt that Lex didn't need to spend money to be his friend.

"You'd look utterly mega all rigged up," Victoria chimed in. She wanted to see Clark in a well tailored suit.

"Do you have a suit, Clark?" Lex asked, trying a new gambit.

"No," Clark said, caught in a corner.

"There's your reason," Lex said.

"Victoria," Lex said, looking at her.

"Every man should have a suit, Clarkie," She said, sipping at her water. "Do you have one, Peter?"

"Several," Pete answered, chagrined that he was helping Lex.

"A dashing chap like you would have several," Victoria said saucily. "And prolly a bird draped on each arm."

"Thank you," Pete said and giggled like a Catholic schoolgirl. Lex and Clark exchanged bemused smiles.

"Well ok...," Clark agreed, defeated by Lex's reasoning. "Go ahead and pick out the styles."

"What's your sizes, Clark?" Lex asked.

"Extra-large shirts and flannels," Clark said and the store owner grinned. "Jeans...34 waist."

"Clark, we have to get accurate measurements for the suit," Lex informed. "Not just 'off-the-rack' sizes."

"Oh," Clark said and felt dumb. "I don't know them."

"It's ok, Clark," Lex said and patted him on the back. The owner told an employee to get the tailor. She left and returned with an attractive female, Tonya, who carried a tape measure. Victoria felt envious. Lex ordered water with his salad and sat by Victoria and Peter. They watched Tonya measure along Clark's long extremities.

"46 inch shoulder span," She called out and another girl wrote it down. "40 inch chest...34 inch waist." Tonya smiled, placing her thumb and tape on his ankle and slid the tape up his leg. Clark's eyes went wide when she snaked her hand up into his denim crotch. Both Victoria and Lex laughed at that. Pete thought Clark was lucky.

"Do you lean to the left or the right?" Tonya asked.

"Huh?" Clark checked in the full length mirror to see if he was leaning.

"No Clark," Lex laughed. "The left...or the right?"

Clark still didn't understand. Tonya didn't mind; she didn't move her hands. Pete jumped up and whispered in Clark's ear, explaining what Tonya and Lex meant. Clark looked down at Tonya and she winked.

"Umm," Clark mumbled blushing red. "Down I guess."

"What?" Lex said. Tonya grinned. Victoria nodded.

"What do you mean, 'just down'"? Lex demanded. Tonya rose from her knees.

"I'm going to look at the cufflinks," Clark said. He and the store owner went to the counter housing the cufflinks. Lex looked at Peter.

"Clark's a modest guy," Pete said to the confused face on Lex. "But let's just say the MAN needs room."

"Oh yes," Victoria said with a knowing smile. "I'd agree."

Lex gasped. He looked over at Victoria.

"Just. Down," She reiterated. Lex looked over at Clark talking to the store owner. Lex shook his head with a laugh and selected the suit for Clark: a 3 button black silk suit with flat front trousers by Canali ($1495), a cotton indigo shirt from DieselStyleLabs ($180) and a black silk tie by Thomas W ($100). Tonya nodded to Lex and did the alterations to the suit.

"The cufflinks are sorta pricey," Clark informed Lex. Lex rolled his eyes.

"So?" Lex rolled his eyes. "Just select what you want."

"These, then," Clark said and showed Lex his choice.

"Very stylish, Clark," Lex said, holding the Jan Leslie cufflinks ($65). "Add this to the invoice, and send the suit to the mansion." The store owner nodded. Clark tried on shoes and loved the comfort of the Solinyire calfskin footwear ($625). Lex didn't blink at the price.

Tonya returned with the suit and Clark tried it on. He emerged from the dressing room to the smiles of Lex, Victoria and Pete. He went back in front of the mirror. Lex stood beside him smiling.

"You two look rather tasty," Victoria said, sliding between them, nudging into Clark. Lex's smile became tight-lipped... "That suit seems to just pour onto you."

"I have to admit," Pete said, sipping his own water, "You do look great in a suit, Bro."

"Thanks Pete," Clark said with a huge smile, "and thank you, Lex."

"You're welcome, Clark," Lex answered and deftly positioned himself between Clark and Victoria. "Now, let's get your clothes for your date."

"Ok...," Clark said, lost in the moment of getting a new suit. He turned to face his friends "Can you and Pete give me some advice...do's and don'ts?"

"Of course," Lex said.

"Sure, Bro," Pete smiled.

"And I shall be the voice of reason," Victoria countered. They looked at her. "Really now...Who better to advise than the one with the breasts?" She said and jutted out her chest. The guys nodded.

"This is Clark's first date, dear," Lex informed.

"No...," Victoria looked at Clark. "Really?"

"Yes," Clark said. He wondered why everyone was so surprised with that fact.

"I'd think the girls would be all over you like liquid latex," She said. They wandered through the shop, looking for a shirt first. Clark shook his head at several choices Lex and Victoria picked out. He looked aghast at the green one Lex proffered. They showed rayon shirts...silk shirts...one made of hemp, but they were too flashy for Clark's tastes.

"Wear a black shirt, Clarkie," Victoria said.

"Chloe loves seeing him in blue, Victoria," Pete said and handed Clark a tee.

"I'll take it," Clark said with a smile. It was a simple blue cotton tee by D & G Dolce and Gabbana tee ($140).

"Your bird Chloe," Victoria asked, taking the shirt, "describe her for me, Clarkie."

"She's smart," Clark said with a smile, looking for pants with the guys. Quickly, another word popped in his head. "Strong."

"Strong?" Victoria asked perplexed. "She's brawny?"

"No," Clark said with a chuckle. "Chloe is 5 foot 5 inches, 110 pounds of pure petiteness. She has strength in her beliefs. Unwavering."

"Continue, Clark." Victoria smiled, impressed with Clark. She dropped the 'ie' to his name because she was talking to man, not a boy. He looked through some jeans, shaking his head and giving Lex a strange look when Lex showed him leather pants.

"She's snarky," Clark said and made a face at a pair of pants with fringes Pete waved.

"Snarky?" Victoria looked at Lex.

"Smart-alec," Lex said.

"Sassy," Pete explained.

"Oh, your bird has an attitude?" Victoria deduced.

"No," Clark corrected. "Well, not a bad one. She just keeps me on my toes."

"She keeps you in line, Bro," Pete said with a chuckle.

"Don't tell her I agreed," Clark laughed. "And she's sexy." Clark's words were a mere whisper.

"Come again?" Victoria said with a smile. "Please?"

"Louder," Pete said with a huge grin.

"You can tell us the secret, Clark," Lex said with a bit of a bite to his words. He and Clark locked eyes and stared for a few seconds. "Always," Lex finished.

"She's sexy, ok?" Clark said and blushed mightily.

"Aww," Victoria whispered. "You really love her, don't you?"

"Yes." Clark smiled. It was easy to say it. But he knew he needed to say to Chloe, not his friends. "Any advice for tonight?"

"Well, you learned the best way to say hallo is with a hug," Victoria said with a smirk, "and a kiss."

"Yeah," Clark said. "Anything else?"

"You have to be self-confident… don't whine… be masculine, but show your feelings..." Victoria thought aloud. Clark nodded. "Heroics are incredibly masculine."

"Clark has the hero part down stone cold," Pete said and slapped his friend's back.

"Be full of honor, full of integrity and never be cruel," Lex advised with an odd smile. Clark nodded again and grabbed a cool looking pair of whiskered indigo Diesel RR55s jeans ($175). Victoria handed him the shirt and wanted to help Clark in the dressing room. He came out wearing the new one.

"Tip Top!" Victoria announced. Clark looked utterly sexy. He smiled and went into the dressing room. "Let's finish that outfit, you sessy man, " Victoria said to Clark. He changed back into his old clothes.

When Clark came out of the stall, Victoria took the new clothing, wishing she was taking other things from Clark. Lex was surprised that she was acting like a common servant for Clark, but he guessed the way Clark described Chloe, Chloe would be even a more devoted handmaiden to her date. Clark and the group wandered around the store and Clark picked out a dark denim jacket by ck Calvin Klein Jeans ($125). "Put your arm on her shoulder… show how you want to be around her...but wait for her to touch first," He said to the teen.

"Chloe's always finding ways to touch Clark," Pete said. "Sometimes I think she gets a rush out of being saved...so you can hug her when you save her."

"Any actual advice, Pete?" Clark smiled.

"Saving her life is good advice," Pete snickered while Clark selected the black leather Reaction Kenneth Cole "Big Wig" boots ($124).

"You need a timepiece, Clark dear," Victoria pointed. "It would be bloody awful to be late for a date, and believe me, a girl won't have it with you if you're bloody late all the time." Clark didn't know Victoria was talking about sex, but he let her pick out an Oris Big Crown BC3 watch, metal bracelet with an onyx face ($595).

"Don't let her pay for anything tonight," Lex said. "You're both used to splitting things yes?" Clark nodded. "Now," Lex continued, "you take the lead. She will pretend that she will pay...but she wants you to pay."

"I just have a $20 dollar bill," Clark said with some embarrassment. Lex smiled and looked at Victoria.

"Can you impart more wisdom on Clark?" Lex asked. "I need to talk to the owner."

"Certainly," Victoria said and moved close to Clark when Lex walked away. "That's good advice and all, but here are some things a man should know about women." She took Clark's hand and led him to the bench that she sat on earlier. Victoria snuggled between by him. Pete tagged along and stood on the side, like always.

"Listen up chaps. I may get sacked from the Girl's Club for telling you this but...," Victoria lead on, getting the teens' attention, "here are some first date no-no's."

"Ok," Clark said.

"First...well...usually it's don't overdress," Victoria giggled and patted Clark's thigh, "but the second is don't under-dress, so it evens out." Clark smiled, but noticed her hand didn't move. "Don't show up too early or too late. That's Bollocks if you do." Clark nodded. "Don't talk too much about yourself...only if she asks."

"Good advice," Pete said.

"Here's some second date advice because I know you'll do well, tonight," Victoria said. "It's the same as date one, but don't think you'll get a shag outta Chloe."

"We're 15," Clark said with a shocked look.

"She's 15, Clark," Pete said, "You're just 14, the youngest one in our group."

"Oh yeah," Victoria forgot and looked sadly at the muscular teen, she told herself, teen. "Well...it was still some useful titbits."

"You're bountifully brimming with them," Lex said. "But, here in the states, it's translated to 'tidbits', dear."

Victoria laughed heartily. Clark and Pete tried not to watch the show on her chest, but only Clark failed; Pete appreciated the show and hoped for an encore.

"Let's finish the shopping spree, shall we?" Victoria asked Clark. Clark was embarrassed when Victoria watched him get red Calvin Klein boxer briefs ($22), not so embarrassed as he got new socks (white Hanes $8).

As Victoria and Clark shopped, Pete watched Lex slip away and get the 'CK' monogrammed silver money clip ($250) from the owner he earlier ordered and slide crisp new 20 dollar bills totaling $200 into the clip and put it in the pocket of the pants.

"Why are you being so nice? Dropping large cash?" Pete whispered to Lex when Lex motioned to whisper.

"This was the type of fun I never had at boarding school," Lex said, steadfast.

"The truth, Lex," Pete pressed.

"Clark gave Me the opportunity to live again, Peter," Lex whispered, watching Clark and Victoria peruse thru Men's undergarments, "to take advantage of my wealth rather than squander it...and I want to repay Clark for that."

"Can't you just be his friend," Pete wondered aloud. "Like he is to you?"

"I am learning how," Lex admitted. "For now...I intend to keep Clark as my friend the way I know how...through any means necessary."

Pete looked warily at Lex.

"Peter, the money equal to the price of the truck that Clark had to give back to Me... I've invested it for Clark." Peter's eyes went wide. "About $24,000 invested in LuthorCorp, in other stocks. But Clark can't touch it until he's 21. I will keep investing the same $24,000 amount each year in Clark's name without Clark's knowledge. Or his parent's."

"Why?" Pete said, shocked.

"Because," Lex said. "I can't do anything else."

Lex looked at Pete. And Pete just nodded.

"You need a scent, Clark," Victoria said simply. "The rugged outdoorsy scent is ok...but let's get some cologne."

"CK1" Pete smiled. "Chloe will love it!" Clark laughed.

"She'd be expecting that," Victoria said. "Try something new other than Old Spice."

They checked the store's supply and Clark liked the scent of Image by Cerruti ($75). The marketing slogan "I'm Flying" made him laugh. 'Like that will ever happen,' He thought.

"Done?" Lex asked.

"Yes," Clark said.

"And with good timing," Victoria said. "It's 4:30."

"Take Clark and Pete outside while I pay for these," Lex said.

"Don't want Me to freak out?" Clark asked.

"Yes, and you will not owe on this," Lex smiled. "Maybe just have Chloe come over when it's Pool Night, so she can distract you enough so I can win a damn game."

A beautiful nineteen year old girl named Kali totaled up the purchases:

3 button black silk suit with flat front trousers by canali: $1495
cotton indigo shirt by DieselStyleLabs:$180
silk tie from Thomas Writer: $100
Jan Leslie lucite with silver anhoring cuff links: $65
Calfskin shoes by Solinire: $ 625
dark denim jacket by ck Calvin Klein Jeans: $125
blue D & G Dolce and Gabbana tee-shirt: $140
indigo Diesel RR55s whiskered boot-cut jeans:$175
black leather Reaction Kenneth Cole "Big Wig" boots: $124
Oris Big Crown BC3 watch: $595
red Calvin Klein boxer briefs: $22
white Hanes sox: $8
Image by Cerruti cologne: $75
monogrammed silver money clip: $250
spending cash: $200

Lex's splurge total: $4215

The look on Chloe Sullivan's face when she liquefies her panties when she sees Clark in the sexy gear: Priceless