Clark actually didn't think the band was all that bad. He actually might have liked him. Except that he couldn't get rid of that nagging voice in his mind reminding him of projects and school work and community services that were due. Why can't I just live in the here? In the now? Why can't I appreciate the spontaneity of life?

Chloe on the other hand, was thoroughly enjoying the experience. She had both her arms up in the air, and was bouncing up and down to the beat. She would have looked like a completely and utter idiot if it weren't for the hundreds of other people jumping up and down with her. She was aware that Clark wasn't really into this. But she knew she had tried. And she thought she had finally figured out a way to get him out of his stoic state. But that would have to come in later, right now, she was having fun.

That is, until one of the speakers combusted, spraying bits and pieces of copper, wire, plastic and metal everywhere. Everything was silent for a moment, and then chaos overwhelmed the crowd. People were running everywhere and the band was long gone, all while little sparks of electricity zoomed around the stadium. But Chloe was planted firmly in her place. She could swear she had seen someone right behind the speaker second before it had exploded, although she hadn't been able to tell whether it was a technician or not, current events now had her convinced. Apparently, Clark was thinking along the same lines, because aside from pulling Chloe tighter to him, he was firmly rooted in his place.

Clark had seen the culprit run off. But there was absolutely no way to super speed and give Chloe some lame excuse later. All the manic showgoers had already left the stadium, it was too public. He was in a corner. It was like he was playing tug-of-war between the urge to do right and keep his secret.

"Clark?" Chloe was still in shock, plus she was a little surprised that she hadn't run off with the rest of the crowd. Although the bear grip pushing her against Clark's side might have had something to do with that. She sighed and prepared herself what she knew she was going to have to do. "Did you see him?"

"If by him you mean the guy who just busted the stereo and ran off, then yeah. I saw him."

"Are you going to go after him?"

"Chloe, how could I go after him? He got a ten minute head start."

"Clark, I know."

"You know? You know what?"

"You know, I know."

"Chloe what the hell are you talking about?"

"I KNOW YOUR SECRET!"

Clark's heart skipped a beat. "Wha…? Chloe how did you….? Huh?" Clark let go of his grip and took a tiny step back.

"Are you going to catch that guy or not?"

Duties always come first. Clark turned around, but first he said, "We are going to have a serious discussion about this later."

"No duh," Chloe said, starting to walk toward her car.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Clark didn't want to get out of bed. He wanted to forget about school. It wasn't the sound speaker guy that was bothering him. The guy probably couldn't outrun Lana. He was safely in the hands of the police now. What was on Clark's mind, of course, was Chloe.

They had only gotten to talk a little bit on the way home. The only thing that was revealed was how Chloe found out. Clark thought it unwise to tell his parents about what Chloe knew, and she seemed to agree, so there was no excuse for her to stay over at his house so late. Even though the concert had ended an hour early due to some "technical difficulties", or so they told the Kents, it was still eleven o'clock and suffice to say, they were both exhausted.

Clark heaved a sigh and tumbled out of bed. He immediately wanted to fall back down on the bed but he fought the urge and stumbled to his dresser. He was still wearing the red shirt from the night before, but he quickly discarded it for a blue plaid one. He picked the jeans he had been wearing the night before off the floor where he had thrown them in a rush to get in bed and put them on.

He was brushing his teeth when his cell phone rang. He quickly spit out and ran to catch the call.

"Hello?"

"Heya, Clark," said a bright voice on the other end of the line.

"Isn't it too early for you to already be hyped up on caffeine?"

"You know Clark, sometimes I wonder how well you know me."

Clark laughed. He didn't reveal, however, that he had thought that about her every single day, well, until now.

"Now get your butt downstairs."

"Yes, mam." Clark said, following his orders. Except that Chloe wasn't standing in the doorway or at the kitchen counter. He wasn't even sure if he could see the Buggy outside in the driveway.

"Cough!"

"What?"

"I said cough. I thought you had super hearing or something."

Clark faked a half-cough, only to appease Chloe, since she had obviously gone insane. Or maybe she had had six coffees in two hours again.

At that moment, Martha walked into the kitchen, carrying some stray books.

"Eh, good enough." Chloe said on the other side of the line. "Next time, try to actually cough instead of just faking it."

Clark coughed again, loudly and multiple times. Might as well go along with it.

"Honey, are you okay?" Martha asked, putting down the books to feel Clark's forehead.

"Don't let her do it!" Chloe screamed into his ear. "You don't have a temperature, are you crazy?"

Fortunately, Chloe's first exclamation had sent Clark jolting and he narrowly ducked Martha's hand.

"Um, well, I'm not feeling too well."

"But honey, you never get sick," she said, going over to the kitchen curtains, and opening them fully. She paused for a second, "Huh."

"What?"

"Oh, nothing. I guess we're all under the weather today."

"Damnit, I lost my visual."

"Your WHAT?"

"What, honey?"

"Oh…um…nothing. I'm just not feeling well, like you said. I need to sit down." Clark took one of the stools from the kitchen and rested his elbows on the counter. He pretended feeling faint and hoped it would pass.

"Well, if you really don't feel well, maybe we shouldn't let you go to school today. We don't want your abilities acting up."

"Yes! Exactly what I was going for." Chloe said into his ear. He had been on the phone for so long now that his ear was burning. It actually felt as though he had a little fever.

Clark hung up on Chloe and stealthily put his phone into his pocket. He was pretty sure that his mom hadn't seen him using it, and she certainly hadn't heard Chloe through the line or else they would both be screwed.

"Well, I really don't feel that well, mom. And it's not like I can't afford to miss one day."

"Okay. I'll check up on you around two, but after that I won't be home for a while. Your dad's going to be back from his Farmer's Convention tonight, so let's just hope that you feel better by then."

"M'kay, mom." Clark was playing drowsier by the second. His head was almost on the table when she left through the side door.

When Clark couldn't hear her engine anymore, without the super hearing of course, Chloe popped into his house through his kitchen door.

"Surprise!"