Through Lana's Eyes
Chapter 10
Shimmer
When the morning announcements came on that morning Lana was actually paying attention to them.
"Good morning students. We have a few announcements this morning. First, the school will be holding a blood drive. Anyone interested in donating blood can sign up for a time slot during gym class. We are also looking for students to help organize the drive. If we get enough volunteers the drive will start tomorrow. Talk to one of the gym teacher if you have any questions. Second, the swim team practice will be moved to Thursday this week. And thirdly, photo retakes are in. Come pick them up in the office. Please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God with liberty and justice for all. Thank you and have a great day." 'I think I'm going to help to organize the drive. Plus I might get extra credit for it or something.' At the end of the day she went to the P.E. office and found out that no one had signed up to officially run the drive, so she volunteered. The next day in during gym class she found out that she didn't have to participate because scheduling was taking place during the classes. While she was walking around the field trying to get people to sign up she saw Clark walking around and she went over to him.
"Hey."
"Hi. So, how'd you get out of gym class?" he asked her.
"Spared the sweats for a couple of days, the perk of chairing the blood drive."
"I'm sorry. Aren't you the girl who skinned her knee in seventh grade and passed out when she saw the blood?" 'Why'd he have to bring that up? I was terrified of blood at one point, he is right.'
"I was hoping I'd live that one down, but yeah."
"Clark, you're gonna be late. We gotta hit the showers." Pete yelled from across the field.
"Bye, Lana."
"Bye." The bell rang and she walked over to the table to turn in the clipboard.
"How are we doing?" she asked the girl who was scheduling people at the table.
"We're almost full for tomorrow."
"That's great. I'll see you later." After school she got a ride with Whitney to the Beanery where she continued to try to get him to help.
"So, I was thinking that maybe you could come over tonight and you could help me go through all the paperwork."
"Can I help you some other time?" he asked her.
"I really need to do it tonight, but you could help with sign-ups tomorrow."
"I'll be in class, and plus I have work to do."
"When can you help me with this?"
"I don't have time right now." 'Does he even want to help me?'
"Look if you don't want to help me with this blood drive, then just say so."
"That's not it."
"Then what is it?"
"I really don't want to talk about this right now, okay?"
"No, it's not okay. You have been avoiding me for a week. Every time I ask you what' s wrong you push me away. I'm worried about you."
"Don't be. I just need some space." 'Why won't you let me in? I want to help.'
"If that's what you want, fine. But if you can't even confide in me I don't know why we're going out in the first place." She turned and walked over to where Chloe and Clark were sitting watching her and Whitney. As she walked over the turned back to their coffee.
"Hey Lana. How's it going?" Clark asked.
"Not great, but thanks for the courtesy clueless."
"Would it cheer you up if we offered to volunteer a pint tomorrow?" Chloe offered.
"Let's find out. How about 9:45? That's open."
"Cool."
"There better already. Clark what time can we schedule you? We didn't pick a time for you yet. When can I put you down?"
"Actually I'm not sure. Can I get back to you?" 'Why doesn't he want to donate? What is it guys today?'
"Sure, not a problem."
"Well, I mean, I figure I could help out. Sign people up, pass out cookies." 'At least he wants to help. That's a step up from Whitney."
"That'd be great. Thanks. Bye."
"Bye." She turned and walked out of the coffee house. When she got outside she saw Whitney's truck drive by. Later that day she called Clark and asked him to come over to help her with the paperwork. She was surprised at how easily he agreed to come over. They were sitting out on the porch trying to organize the donation times.
"I've got an opening at five." he said.
"And I can shift mine to four thirty at Station B."
"Which makes us. . ."
"Done."
"You're kidding. Everything."
"We own this town." She laughed.
"We never found a time for you to donate."
"Actually, Lana, I have a confession to make. I've got this thing about needles. It's kind of embarrassing." 'That makes more sense now. No wonder he didn't want to say anything at the Beanery.
"Don't worry about it. Your secret's safe with me." 'I would never tell anybody.' She stood up and sat down on the railing. "You are such a lifesaver, Clark."
"It's amazing you do all these different things."
"Just trying to find my place in the world." 'And if I do something for too long I get sick of it.' "I can't thank you enough."
"It's a great cause. How can I not help?"
"Ask Whitney. He's. . . I don't' know where he's been lately." 'How come I always seem to drag Whitney into our conversations."
"You know, Lana, if you really want to thank me don't talk about Whitney."
"Fair enough." He stood up.
"Did you ever think it's strange that my dad and your aunt used to date?"
"Nell doesn't really talk about it much. Whatever happened, I guess she took it kind of hard."
"I'm just glad that you and I are so close."
"Me too." 'I don't think I would ever want us to turn out like that.' "That's the thing about Clark Kent. He's not always there when you want him but he's always there when you need him." Clark sat down next to her.
"It's a fine distinction."
"You're the one who's helping me with the pledge drive."
"I am."
"You're the one who listens."
"I do."
"You're the one who's here." She was almost whispering, and he was getting closer and closer.
"Yeah."
"Yeah." She closed her eyes.
"Lana, are you still at it?" They broke apart and she turned and saw Nell come out the front door. "Clark, do you have the time?"
"No, but I'm guessing it's late."
"Smart kid." Nell turned and went back inside. Lana cleared her throat, and stood up. She started picking up the folders that they had left on the table.
"I'll see you tomorrow."
"Tomorrow. Lana, have you ever seen the sunset from my loft?"
"Yes." 'Oops, not the answer that he as looking for.' "But that's the great thing about sunsets. They're unique. You always see things you're never noticed before."
"Do you want to come over tomorrow?"
"I'd love to." 'Sunsets are always beautiful.' "Good night, Clark." She went inside.
"Lana, what were you doing out there?" Nell asked her when she went inside.
"I was working on the blood drive with Clark. Just like I told you."
"Are you sure that's all? You two looked like you were kissing. What about Whitney?"
"Nothing's going on between me and Clark. Why were you spying on us?"
"I wasn't. I just went out to see if you two were finished."
"I don't believe you."
"You don't have to, but for the record it's the truth."
"I'm going upstairs." Lana turned and walked down the hall and up the stairs. After she put the folders from the blood drive away, she lay down on her bed fell asleep. Then next night she walked over to the Kent's barn and waited in the loft for Clark. She turned when she saw him come up the stairs.
"You made it."
"Sorry I'm late." he apologized.
"It's just getting to the good part." He walked over to stand next to her and look out the window. "What do you think?" He turned and looked at her.
"I think it's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."
"The other night on the porch, I felt like you were trying to tell me something."
"I was. Nell's timing was impeccable, as always."
"She's not her now."
"What I wanted to tell you was. . . What I wanted to say was. . . I would never do anything to hurt you."
"I know that." 'And that's really sweet.'
"But if I said what I really wanted to say right now, that's what I'd do. I'd hurt you." 'I'm pretty strong. I don't think that you could hurt me with a few words.'
"Why don't you take a shot? I'm pretty strong."
"I know, but I think Whitney need to know that too." 'Now he's the one who's bringing up Whitney.'
"I thought you didn't want to talk about Whitney."
"I don't." He walked over towards the stairs. "If you were my girlfriend standing in Whitney's loft I'd hope he'd say the same thing. I understand you're mad at him but you need to talk to him. He needs you right now. He just doesn't know it."
"Clark, why are you doing this?" 'These mixed signals are getting kind of confusing.'
"Because after all this time, you and I are finally friends, and I don't want to lose that." She looked out at the sky.
"Look. We missed it." She just smiled at him, got her jacket, and left. When she got home she called Whitney's house. His mom answered.
"Hi. Can I talk to Whitney?" she asked.
"Sure. Hold on a minute." In the background she heard Mrs. Fordman call "Whitney, phone!" She waited for a little while longer. "Here he is."
"Hello." 'His voice sounds flat, like it does when he's not paying attention.
"Hi. It's Lana. Are you alright? Clark told me that you needed someone to talk to."
"Why is it that everyone's on my case lately?" he was half shouting at her. "I'm fine."
"You don't sound fine. Something's going on and if you won't tell me I'm going to come over there and talk to you face to face."
"No, that's alright. I'll come over to your house. I'll be there in ten minutes."
"See you then."
"Bye." She hung up the phone. "Nell. Whitney's coming over for a little I'll be outside until he gets here."
"Alright. I'm going downstairs to do laundry." Lana went out onto the porch, sat down, and waited for Whitney. When he pulled up and got out of his truck she noticed that he was a little pale. She walked down the steps to meet him.
"Are you alright?"
"I guess."
"Come on, let's sit." She put her hand on his arm, but he pushed her away. They sat on the wicker couch and she waited for him to start talking. They sat there in silence for a while until she finally asked,
"Are you going to tell me what's been going on or not?"
"I don't want to give you more than you can handle that's all."
"I'm pretty strong, and you know that. Why can't you just tell me what's wrong?"
"Okay. Well my dad hasn't been feeling so well for the past few weeks, so my mom took him to Metropolis for some tests and we still don't know if he's gonna be okay or not." Instantly she felt guilty about fighting with him and for thinking that he didn't care about her. 'Thanks, Clark for telling me.'
"Oh, Whitney, why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"Well, you've been through so much. With you parents and everything I mean. I didn't want to make you take on any more burdens than you already had."
"That's considerate of you, but I want you to talk to me about stuff like this because that's what I'm here for. You know you can tell me anything."
"I know, but I didn't want to hurt you." 'People have been afraid of doing that lately. Both you and Clark.' "I'm sorry for pushing you away, but I didn't know where I should turn."
"It's alright." She noticed that there were tears welling up in Whitney's eyes. She put her arms around him and hugged him tightly. She sincerely hoped that Whitney's father didn't die, because that would be so horrible. Maybe he was right, maybe she couldn't handle another parent dying, even when it wasn't her own.