Through Lana's Eyes
Chapter 21
Tempest
The spring formal was only a week away, and that was all anyone could talk about. That day as she was walking to class she saw Pete and Clark talking about what they were going to be wearing.
"If I were you I'd go with traditional black. This is no time to get adventurous." She heard Pete say.
"You're right."
"I don't' know, Clark. Red always looks good on you." She walked up behind them.
"Then red it is."
"Thanks. Now I gotta go make a call and change my order. I don't want people mistaking us for twins." Pete said as he walked away.
"Yeah, cause that happens all the time." She laughed. 'I haven't seen Clark this into anything in a while.'
"You seem really excited about the dance."
"I am, but between the tickets, the tux, and buying the flowers, it gets expensive."
"You should try finding the right dress." 'It took me forever to find mine.' "I guess the limo's out."
"I'm actually thinking of asking Lex if I can borrow his. Chloe says she doesn't care, but deep down I know she wants one. I'm trying to surprise her, though, so keep it between us."
"My lips are sealed." She walked over to her locker and opened it.
"Chloe?" She looked around and saw Chloe walking over, almost on the verge of tears
"They're closing the LuthorCorp plant."
"Why would they do that?" she asked.
"I don't know." The bell rang.
"Sorry, I'll talk to you guys later. My teacher will flip out if anyone's late." She walked off to her class, and made it just in time. After school Whitney said he had something to show her. He drove them out to a field and when she got out of the car he covered her eyes.
"I want it to be a surprise."
"Okay. Tell me where to go." 'This should be interesting.'
"Just keep walking straight." They walked slowly for a while. "Okay. Turn. We're almost there."
"All right."
"Okay. Stop." He took his hands away, and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. "Open your eyes." She opened them and saw a picnic lunch all set out in front of her. "Wow! Why are you being so mysterious?"
"Can't a guy plan a picnic for his girlfriend?" 'Of course. It's great and I didn't suspect a thing. Good job with the surprise part.'
"I'm not complaining. It's just kind fo spontaneous."
"Are you saying I'm usually boring?" he asked as they sat down. She laughed.
"I'm saying this is very nice. I'm just wondering what the occasion is." He handed her a rose.
"It's to thank you for everything. It's been a difficult year, and you've stood by me. There's times I pushed you away, and you could have made other choices and you didn't."
"We've been together a long time. I'd never abandon you when you needed me."
"There's something I want to tell you." He turned and started digging through his backpack for something. 'What is he getting out?'
"Whitney, you know, maybe we should. . ." He turned back to face her and handed her a packet of papers. "What's this?" 'That's about the last thing that I expected.'
"Read it." She unfolded the papers and saw the heading, United States Marine Corps. 'He's joining the marines? Why would he do that?'
"United States Marine Corps?"
"I enlisted." 'Without even telling me? This is a big decision. What happened to not hiding things from each other?'
"I think it's the right thing for me to do. When I found my dad's medals, I felt he was telling me which path I should take." 'If he's trying to live up to his dad, there's got to be another way; one that doesn't involve the possibility of him dying.'
"You can't do this for your father."
"I'm not. I'm doing it for us. Please, don't be mad."
"It's just so fast, you know? I need some time to process it."
"I don't have a lot of time." 'What do you mean? How long have you know about this?' "I ship out for basic training Saturday night."
"What about graduation?" 'The dance, and all the people who are still here that love you? What about me?'
"The only thing I'm gonna miss in Smallville is you. Will you wait for me?" 'You mean don't go out with Clark or anyone else for that matter.' She put her hand on his.
"I love you, and that's never gonna change. As of right now I'm not sure, I just need some time to process everything, like I said. Can we talk later today?"
"Sure. Just tell me one thing right now, do you hate me for doing this?"
"No, of course not. A little shocked maybe, but I don't hate you."
"You sure?"
"I'm sure." He leaned over and gave her a kiss. As they were sitting there eating, she realized something. 'If he leaves I might never get to see him ever again. Not never like he's moving across the country, but never ever like my parents or his dad.' She felt tears welling in her eyes. 'Don't cry. You don't want him to see. He might feel guilty for leaving.' Silently she let her tears fall, praying he wouldn't notice. They finally got up and walked slowly back to the truck.
"Do you want me to give you a ride to work? I've got to go into town to the store anyway."
"I'd appreciate that." Together they drove towards the Talon and the Fordman's store. Later that night, while she was working she saw Clark come in. 'He doesn't look like himself. What happened?"
"Clark. Out wandering the streets of Smallville? What is it?"
"I just found out that Chloe might be leaving for good." 'Oh my gosh Is it because her dad got fired?' "Not sure I really believe it's true." 'Or maybe you don't want to believe it. Just like me.'
"I know what you mean."
"You do?" 'How do I say this? My boyfriend's leaving everything and everyone he cares about.'
"Whitney's going off to join the Marines."
"That's intense."
"He told me he was doing it for us." 'I'm not so sure I believe him.' "Asked if I'd wait for him."
"Really? What did you say?"
"Nothing." 'Well, not at first anyway.' "I kind of just stood there in stunned silence. One day he's worried about his English paper and the next, he's putting on a uniform and saving the world."
"So you didn't commit?"
"I told him I wasn't sure."
"When does he head out?"
"Saturday night." 'I can't believe how soon that is.'
"Guess you don't have to worry about your dress." 'Guess not'
"I can't believe both Whitney and Chloe are gonna be out of our lives." 'It sounds so weird just thinking about it happening.'
"Me neither."
"Guess we get left behind, Clark."
"It's too bad. At least you've got me to keep you company."
"Yeah, I guess I do." She smiled at him. 'I guess there's a small but bright side to this after all." The next day at school she went along with Whitney for support while he told his friends. He told them basically the same story she'd gotten. About how he'd found his dad's medals and he felt that something was telling him that it was the right thing to do.
"Why the Marines?" Brad asked.
"I don't know. It's just something I gotta do."
"Good luck, man."
"Hey, I'm not leaving yet. At least wait until Friday to start saying goodbye." They all walked off to their separate classes. As she walked off to history she saw Clark and Chloe talking, or so she thought. As she walked past them she saw Clark give Chloe a kiss on the cheek. 'Now I've got no chance whatsoever of being with Clark.' She kept her head down and walked past them, trying to keep her mind off of it.
Saturday arrived all to soon for Lana. She and Whitney had planned to spend the day together. He took her to school to get a last look and clean out what was left in his locker.
"It's hart to believe. I thought my whole life was in that trophy case. Now it all seems so trivial."
"We should get you to the bus station."
"Hey, my bus doesn't leave for an hour. How about we go check out the gym?"
"Okay." He gave her a kiss on the forehead and put his arm around her shoulders as they walked through the hall. She opened the door and for a minute they were just looking at a dark room, until he found the lights. First the white Christmas lights came on, then the ones hanging from the ceiling, then finally the one that hit the disco ball.
"It's beautiful."
"Where is everyone?"
"Hour before the dance, the setup committee goes home to get ready." She walked out into the middle of the dance floor while he went over to a table. She heard a click and then music filled the gym. 'Oh my gosh, he planned this whole thing.' He walked over to her, took her purse off her shoulder and put it on the floor.
"You're missing the spring formal because of me. We still have time for one last dance." She leaned her head against him and put her hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you before I enlisted." She looked up at him.
"I think you're very brave."
"I know this is kind of sudden and you're not sure how you feel about us, but. . ." 'I don't want to think about him leaving right now.'
"Whitney, let's just dance." They were still dancing when the dance committee came back and kicked them out. As they were leaving she saw Clark and Chloe come in.
"Wow, you guys look great."
"Well, thank you, Ms. Rivers. I's faux Wang." Chloe said. She laughed.
"Hey." Pete and Erica had just come in.
'Hey Chloe, could you. . .?"
"He wants you to take our picture." Erica took the camera from Pete and handed it to Chloe.
"Yeah, sure."
"I'll just be a sec. I think he wants proof that this night actually happened." Chloe walked off with them.
"Well, I guess this is it." Whitney said.
"Good luck, Whitney."
"Lana, can I have a minute alone with Clark?"
"Sure. I'll bring the truck around." He handed her they keys. "Thanks." 'What was that about?" She wondered as she walked away. She got the truck and pulled up in front of the school. She beeped the horn and waved to Whitney. He walked over to the truck and got in. She waved goodbye to Clark as Whitney started the car back up and drove them to the bus stop. When they got there he stopped the car and they just sat there.
"Do you have everything?"
"You're only allowed one bag."
"I'd never make it as a Marine." She reached into her pocket and pulled out her necklace. 'If I ever had to give it to anyone you would be my first choice. It's been lucky before, hopefully it will bring you back safe.'
"I want you to have this for luck."
"I won't loose it this time." 'That's always appreciated. I don't think anyone would bring it back from a foreign country to hang it on my door handle. She forced a smile. He reached over and hugged her
"Goodbye, Lana." He got out of the car, took his bag out of the back and walked off to the bus. 'He's really leaving this time. I can't let him go without saying goodbye one last time.' She got out of the truck and ran over to him and threw her arms around him.
"I loved you the first moment that I saw you. I'll still love you when I see you again." She reached up and kissed him. 'Why can't this last forever? Why does he have to leave?' He broke away and got on the bus. It pulled away and she just stood there. She slowly walked back to the car wiping tears from her eyes. She got back in the car and turned on the radio. She drove towards home listening to the music and crying. Outside the car the storm had picked up and there was thunder and lightening. The wind picked up all of a sudden and blew something into her windshield. She screamed. She swerved back and forth frantically trying to get the mailboxes off the truck so she could see. She turned the truck to the right fast, and the mailboxes flew off, but the truck went off the road into a ditch. It crashed into a fence and the engine died. She forced the door open and fell out onto the ground. As she struggled to get up she could barely hear herself think over the wind. She looked up and brushed her hair out of her eyes. She saw three twisters in the field in front of her and they were all coming strait towards her. 'Get to the truck. You'll be safer in there than out in the open.' It took her what seemed like forever for her to get to the truck. She pulled the door open and climbed inside. 'This is not good. What am I going to do?' She got her phone out of her pocked, but she had no service. She looked helplessly out the window. It was almost as if he had appeared out of thin air. She saw Clark standing by the street sign.
"Clark!" She screamed.
"Lana!"
"Clark!" She felt the truck being lifted up off the ground. 'There's no way I can survive this.' When she looked back to where Clark was he had disappeared. 'Now I'm seeing things. That's just perfect. I thought he might actually be her and he might actually be able to help me.' She closed her eyes as the truck was lifted higher and higher into the air.
Author's note- So that was the finale, what'd ya think? i just wanted to let everyone know that i've decided to make each season into a seperate story. Season 2 will be called Through Lana's Eyes Part 2. how origonal, i know.So, there will be no more chapters added to Through Lana's Eyes.
-Happy Girl 0278