With the Spring Formal drawing closer, both Emmeline and Chloe (but more so Chloe) could hardly contain their excitement.

Seeing as Chloe already had chosen her dress, she helped Emmeline pick out hers. She ended up choosing a purple satin strapless dress that gradually faded to white at the bottom where it flowed out a little. Very small jewels sprinkled the bodice.

They later made plans to go to the hair salon together to get their hair done up.

At school, Pete was telling Emmeline when he was going to pick her up when Clark came up beside them.

"Guys! I need your opinion." He showed them a magazine. "Classic black or traditional red?"

"For what?" Pete asked.

"My tie-cummerbund combo. I gotta get my tux order in today!"

"If I were you, I'd stick with the traditional black. This is no time to get adventurous."

"You're right."

"I don't know Clark. Red always looks good on you," Lana said, coming up behind them.

"Then red it is," Clark said.

Emmeline discreetly rolled her eyes with a smile. Of course Clark would make his choice based on what Lana said.

"Thanks," Pete said to Lana. "Now I got to go make a call and change my order. Don't want people mistaking us for twins."

"Yeah, because that happens all the time," Clark said sarcastically as Pete walked off.

Lana laughed. "You seem really excited about the dance," she said to Clark.

"I am. But between the tickets, renting the tux, and buying flowers, it gets expensive."

"You should try finding the right dress."

"I second that," Emmeline said. "Chloe made me try on at least twenty dresses before finding one we liked."

"I guess the limo's out," Lana continued.

"I'm actually thinking of asking Lex if I can borrow his. Chloe said 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."

Emmeline smiled. Clark really cared about Chloe. She was loving watching all of this unfold.

Chloe came up to them, her expression one of immense worry.

"Chloe?" Clark said, his voice full of concern.

"They're closing the LuthorCorp Plant," she told them.

Everyone looked at each other. That plant was what kept Smallville going. Without it, what was going to happen to all of them?


The two girls sat in the Torch, trying to figure out what was going to happen now.

"Thought I'd find you here," Clark said, pulling up a chair as he came into the room.

"My dad and I can't really do the whole depressed thing together, so…" Chloe told him.

"You know, if you're not up for Saturday night, I understand."

Chloe turned to look at him. "Are you kidding me? It's the only thing I have to look forward to right now." She got up and went over to a file cabinet. "Besides, I want to enjoy all the quaint Smallville High customs while I still can."

"Why? Where are you going?"

"My dad's talking about moving us back to Metropolis. Permanently."

"What?" Emmeline exclaimed as she bolted up. "Permanently?"

"What about the Torch and all your friends?" Clark asked.

"I can't even think about that right now."

Like she usually did when she was upset, she buried herself in her work and hurried around the office. Clark reached out and stopped her.

"Clark, I'm not exactly psyched about having to fight my way though the high school hierarchy all over again." She looked up at him. "You're gonna miss me, right?"

"You even have to ask?" he said, insulted she would ask such a thing.

"Just promise me Saturday night is gonna be great."

"It'll be a night you won't forget."

Emmeline smiled and winked at Chloe when Clark wasn't looking.


The next day when Chloe and Emmeline were leaving class and heading to the Torch, Clark caught up with them.

"Chloe! Where have you been all day?"

"We just went to pick up our dresses."

"We have a problem."

"You can't go," she said, her heart sinking.

"I just can't pick you up. My transportation kind of went up in flames. I was gonna ask Lex if I could borrow his limo, but with all the plant craziness…"

"Clark, I'll drive."

"That ruins the whole Prince Charming vibe."

"Cinderella was never really my role model."

Emmeline smiled wide. Clark was trying to be her Prince Charming? It was so cute! Chloe was finally getting the chance to live out her fantasy!

They all passed by Whitney and his football crowd as he explained to them his decision to join the Marines.

"So, Whitney's off to fight evil for Uncle Sam," Chloe said.

"I heard."

"That technically makes Lana a free agent."

"He asked her to wait for him."

Chloe scoffed and looked back at them. "Long distance relationships never work. People change, have different experiences. It's kind of like us, you know? I'm sure after a couple of weeks, you'll forget all about me."

"Chloe!" Clark said admonishingly.

She sighed and turned to look at him. "Okay, I just…I have this horrible nightmare that you are going to rush to the bus station after Whitney leaves and profess your undying love for Lana, and I'm going to be waiting in the gym all alone, and if you do that to me Clark, I will never speak to you again, okay? I said it."

Clark smiled. "Chloe…" He leaned over and gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek, which made Emmeline absolutely ecstatic. When he pulled away, he looked at her and said with complete seriousness, "I'm going to the dance with you, not by default, but because I want to."

Chloe blushed a little. "All right, I feel better now."

Emmeline smiled even more as the two of them looked at each other lovingly.

"Come on," she said, taking Chloe's arm. "We have work to do."


At the hair salon on Saturday, Chloe and Emmeline waited while the hairdressers finished their work.

"I still can't believe Pete asked you," Chloe said to her. "Maybe he likes you."

"No," Emmeline laughed. "We're just good friends. I promise."

"If you say so."

"You and Clark are seriously so cute together. This whole week has been extremely entertaining to watch."

"Even though you like him too?"

"Who am I to deny the extreme chemistry between you guys?"

The two of them laughed and the hairdressers finished up what they were doing. Chloe had a gorgeous updo with her hair pulled into tight curls on the back of her head. Emmeline's hair was all curled with half of it pinned up and small little flowers sprinkled throughout the top part.

They then both went home to get ready and get their dresses on.

"Mom, can you help me with my dress?" Emmeline called.

Her mother appeared in the doorway and looked at her daughter. "You look so beautiful, honey."

"Thanks. I just can't get this stupid thing zipped up."

"Well, here." She came over and helped Emmeline get her dress to fit comfortably on her body.

The doorbell rang and the two women smiled.

"That'll be your date," her mother said to her.

She quickly went to go answer the door while Emmeline took one last look in the mirror. Who was that girl she was looking at? No way was that her. It couldn't be. She was the girl who locked herself away at any available moment. She didn't get dressed up and go to dances with a date.

And yet here she was.

Taking a deep breath, she descended the stairs to see Pete waiting for her.

"Wow," he said with a smile. "You look amazing."

"Thanks," she said shyly.

"Get together. I need a picture," her mother said.

"Mom," Emmeline groaned.

"Oh, just let me have my 'Mom-moment', will you?"

They smiled and Pete put his arms around Emmeline's waist as she snapped several pictures of the couple. Then she took Pete's arm and outside waiting for her was a limo, just like he had promised. She gasped and smiled broadly at him. It was her first limo ride.

They drove to the school, the wind picking up fiercely, indicating a storm was on the way.

When they walked in, they saw Clark and Chloe together.

"They look so cute," Emmeline commented to Pete.

The two of them went over to join them. "Wow, you guys look amazing!" Chloe smiled, hugging Emmeline.

"Thanks, you do too!"

Pete handed Chloe a camera. "Hey, can you take a picture of us?"

"Sure!" Chloe turned to Clark. "I'll just be a sec!"

Chloe took several pictures of them, then went back over to Clark while Pete and Emmeline went inside the gym.

Chloe and Emmeline ended up talking with some other girls and for the first time, Emmeline actually felt like a real person, not someone constantly shoved into the corner.

The band the school had hired, Remy Zero, finished the song they were playing and started playing "Perfect Memory".

"Oh, I love this song!" Chloe said.

As if on cue, Clark came over to her and extended his arm. "May I have this dance?"

"Of course," Chloe smiled.

He led her away and Pete came over to Emmeline. "Shall we?"

She smiled and took his awaiting hand. They went onto the dance floor, and she put her arms around his neck as they slowly danced together.

"Thanks for an amazing night," Emmeline said. "It's been good with all the craziness these last few months."

"I'm glad you're having a good time. You know, when I first met you, I never would've believed we would eventually be going to a dance together."

"You and me both! I wish I'd known all of you sooner. Thanks for everything you've done for me. It feels nice to have friends like you guys." She looked over at Clark and Chloe dancing and saw them leaning towards each other. "Pete," she whispered.

He looked over to them as well. They both tensed up as they got closer…and closer…

"Excuse me for a second," a teacher said over the mike.

Emmeline groaned and slammed her head on Pete's shoulder. Just five more seconds!

"Can I have everyone's attention please? Um, thank you. The National Weather Service has just issued a tornado warning. Apparently three funnels have been spotted heading toward Smallville. Now, uh, please, everyone stay calm. The twisters are going to set down south of here, but for your own safety, no one will be allowed to leave the gym."

"Of all nights…" Emmeline groaned.

She looked over and saw Chloe…no Clark.

She quickly ran over to her friend. "I'm so sorry, Chloe."

"You know what, I don't know why I was expecting anything different."

"You know Clark. He's wants to save people and right now, a lot of people are going to need saving."

"I know. For what it's worth, up until now, this has been the best night of my life."