CHAPTER FOUR

Disclaimers in Prologue I

Chloe was tired.  Last night's drama wiped her out, and she was still reeling from it.  It didn't help that she felt guilty for blowing Lex off.  'So much for trying to get into his good graces,' she thought to herself as she walked into the high school building.

Just when she was about to reach her locker, she was met by her three closest friends.  "Hey, guys," she greeted, opening her locker door.  When no one responded, she turned to look at them.  With the exception of Lana's concerned expression, all carried a clenched jaw.  Confused, Chloe inquired, "Are you guys okay?"

"Why didn't you tell us?" Clark instantly said.

Chloe furrowed her brows.  "Tell you about what?"

"About your date with Luthor," sneered Pete.

The blonde was taken aback by their knowledge of her date until she realized what happened.  She turned to Lana and said, "You told them about my date?"

Lana shrugged.  "I didn't think it was a secret," she replied.  "Besides, we're just concerned for you."

"Why?" Chloe snapped.  "Pete's grudge against the Luthors aside, none of you have a reason to be worried about me and Lex.  I thought he was your friend, for chrissakes!"

Clark was about to interject when Chloe beat him to it.  "And you and Lana have been so big about your own privacy, but apparently, I don't count, right?  Well, newsflash: this is none of your business," she hissed.

"Lex is way out of your league, Chloe," Clark declared.

"Oh, shut up, Kent," she retorted.  "For once, I have someone's attention, other than that of the best friend-slash-research facility variety, and you tell me that he's out of my league?  Thanks a lot.  It's good to know that next time you pine for the head cheerleader, I shouldn't feel the need to humor your incessant dramatic flair for the angst."

Chloe took a deep breath, triggering a sharp pang in her chest.  "That was un-called for, Chloe," Clark responded.  "My feelings for Lana never hurt anyone."

"Except me," hissed Chloe, grasping her chest when the pain dug deep.  "But my feelings never count, don't they, Clark?"

"That's not true," he started.

"Oh, please!" she interjected.  "And what harm is there in Lex liking me?  Because he's a playboy?  And I thought that you were one to never judge a book by its cover.  This conversation is.."

Replies from the peanut gallery were ignored as the pain intensified.  When she left them in the middle of their lecture, a queasy feeling surged through her as gray stars appeared in her vision.

Not realizing that she was at the threshold of the school building, she bumped into someone.  Clutching her chest, she finally succumbed to the darkness that was taking over and fell to the receiving party.

"Chloe?" Lex called out to her and he firmed his grip around her when she passed out in his arms.