Just Shut Up Already!
Disclaimer: The Creator of Smallville once said "Claim my art and thou shall smite you." And to that I say, "No, please."
Summary: Chloe is having trouble with this best friend thing. She doesn't want to get upset, but come on! A madman who once tried to kill her is on the loose. Not that she's scared or anything. Nope. Not scared. Just don't turn the lights off or she might scratch your eyes out.
A/N: Hey, thanks for all the reviews. Yes this does take place after Lana went to Paris hence the mention of Jason. Get it? Got it? Good. As for BabayAngel82, I do appreciate the review. I do like the show. And nope, you weren't the only one to review. Actually, according to my emails you were the third to review. If people aren't reviewing or reading I highly doubt that it's because I hate the show. And if it is, then those people are mistaken. Anyway, on with the story. Some reviews are mocked, some are praised, and all reviews will be appreciated. BTW… half the chapter was deleted when I first uploaded and I have to rewrite now. Crappity crap crap!
I'm an idiot.
That's right. An idiot. I should be living in the hills having my Daddy's baby. Or maybe running for President.
Hehehe.
Nothing like a good politics joke to get you ready for the rest of your miserable day. I especially like the joke about the republican and the rabbi. How does that one go again?
Wait. Where was I?
Oh yeah. I'm an idiot.
First I agree to help Clark with his mission. One I totally don't agree with, but I'm not getting into that right now. Then, I offer to help Lana with hers. I offer. I don't get asked. I don't get hints telling me to offer. I offer out of free will. Now, I'm going to be swamped with work that I not need or want to do.
It's not like this is my senior year of high school. It's not like I'm swamped with homework. It's not like I'm busy with work as the editor of the school newspaper. Its not like I'm not content with my own inquires about Jason, Lionel, and Smallville's own Lex Luthor.
And my mother.
I think I may have pushed Clark away by telling him about her. I was a fool to think he'd care that the woman I thought abandoned me was really locked up in an insane asylum.
Or maybe he doesn't want to bring it up in fear that I'll break into tears. Nobody likes a weeper.
I'll worry about that later. Right now, I have to get through this last class. So far I think I've achieved the 'deep-in-thought' look, but I don't know how much longer I can pretend to think about Walt Whitman. I get it already! He was deep! Get on with it.
"Now, class," Miss LeMonte says. "Do you know see why metaphors about nature is so important in the world of poetry? In a poets mind nature is just about equivalent to our own existences. Plus, it's kind of sexy." And now I know why her name is Miss LeMonte and not Mrs. LeMonte.
The bell rings and I dash out of the classroom. Was there homework? Jeez, maybe I should go back.
My legs aren't stopping so I'm taking that as a sign.
I manage to get a good seat on the bus. I start my homework and secretly pray that this thing stops near The Talon.
"Chloe Sullivan is taking the bus? I cannot believe my eyes."
I look up and feign a smile. I don't much feel like smiling. And I don't much feel like smiling at him.
"Hey Lex."
"Get off that thing."
"Excuse me?"
"I'll give you a ride."
Goody! "Oh, I don't know. My dad always told me not to ride in cars with strange men."
"Well, then… I'll just leave."
Swallow your pride, Chloe.
"Wait." He smiles. I imagine that all the Luthors that have ever existed and all the Luthors that will ever exist will all posses that same smile. It says "Ahh! I've got you!" Lionel used that same smile when he tried to extract dirt about Clark from me.
I step off the bus, giving up my good seat and take an even better seat a few feet away. He drives off. I smile as we pass the bus. Now if I rob a bank or sell my soul I can get that 800 dollars to get my car back and I'll never have to ride that demon bus again.
"So, what were you doing at Smallville High, anyway?" I ask.
"Business." Clark hand down your crown. The new king of vague has been found.
"I won't pry."
"You won't? What happened to the Chloe Sullivan who had to know everything?"
"It's this new thing I'm trying. I think they call it tact."
"Ah. I see." He keeps his eyes on the road. Good thing too because he does because I've heard a thing or two about his driving skills. Not so good. "So, I suppose you've heard."
I know what he's talking about. The figure that haunts my nightmares is out on the loose. Right about now he's probably strangling puppies and starving orphans. Pure evil is his name. But as of now, he goes by the name of Lionel.
"Heard what?"
"My father's out of jail."
"Oh yes," I say. I put my finger to my chin. "I believe I heard that somewhere." See I can still be humorous in times of complete anguish.
Lex tries to stifle a grin. I gotcha mister! Can't pull that Lone Ranger Serious Dude act on me! He notices that I noticed and puts his straight face on.
"You know, Chloe. If you ever need to talk or feel that you're in danger, you know that I'm here for you."
I'm astonished. Somebody there for me. Unheard of!
"Thanks."
"I know what it's like to be afraid. I know what it's like to hear a noise and then to pray that it was on the creak in your step. I know how it feels under the wrath of my father."
I try my hardest not to let my jaw hangs. If I didn't know better, I'd say somebody's been reading my diary. Not that I'd put it pass a Luthor to read my diary, I just don't keep one.
"Lex you don't know how much this means. Sometimes I feel like-"
"He's a cold heartless man."
That's okay. I didn't need to finish my sentence.
"For example, one time I had a birthday party that didn't exactly go my way. I was understandably disappointed, but did he care?"
Wait. What's happening here?
"No. He didn't."
He's joking, right? I look over to him. Nope, not joking.
"He told me that I was embarrassing him! I was embarrassing him! I know, I know. I should have told him about the countless times he-"
What do I do? Listen? Nod politely? Jump out of the car?
"For example, he once told a nanny that I wet the bed. I didn't. But even if I did, how would he know? It's not like I saw him everyday. He was the phantom ghost of my life. I-"
Maybe he'll get into a car accident. He'll shut up then. Or maybe he'll bite his tongue. Or better yet, Lionel can jump out in front of the car, yell "You Embarrass Me!," cause a car accident, and therefore causing Lex to bite his tongue and shut up!
"He'd always shake his finger and say-"
I look around. We're in town, but I can't see Lionel. There is no oncoming traffic. And this man sitting beside me has a great talent for mass speaking.
"He had the audacity to tell me that I was overreacting!"
"Lex."
He seems jolted. Maybe he forgot I was here.
"Yes?"
"You can let me out here."
He looks to see where we are. I look too. Tony's Hardware Shoppe. Who the hell came up with that name?
"You need a screw driver?"
"A hammer, actually. For all my hammering." So that the next time you go on and on like that I can bash my head in.
"Oh okay. I'll wait for you."
"That's okay. I'll be fine. I'll see you later." I walk into the shop. Or should I say shoppe? I wait until his shiny red car is a safe distance away. I leave the shop. The Talon should only be a ten-minute walk from here.
I should have taken the bus.