A/N - Thank you for the reviews. I'm trying to balance fun (writing fanfic) w/ work, which is hard this week. Comments keep me going! So here's a little tease.

Chapter 3 - The Perfect Remedy for Nervousness

The next day, Lois was late to class. Running up to the door, she noticed that it opened by itself. Looking again, she saw something she hoped was a sight that made her feel better.

"I think we are both going to be late today. I sure am glad that they don't count tardies here." Clark smiled at Lois as he let her in front and into the large study hall.

"Glad of you two to join us." The professor seemed intent on making every moment of every student's life miserable. Lois and Clark just smiled back and sat down in the back of the room.

Clark overheard the whispering from a few rows down and passed it onto Lois.

"We seem to be the center of attention not only for being late." Lois playfully slapped him, but Clark only felt electricity in his skin.

"You know," Clark continued, "if they talk about us enough, we have to fulfill expectations." Lois flashed a look that Clark could tell for him to save the conversation for later. And the class continued.

After class, Lois decided to take a later bus home and walk to lunch with Clark. Over sandwiches, Lois finally opened up. "Ok. Here it goes." Clark looked at Lois weird, waiting. "I thought about you just a little and remembered something that my sister had told me about a few days ago and decided why not go for it. I mean there are almost two hundred people in the class and the only one I am getting to really know is you. So, why don't we just go for it and go to the silly dance at the student center. I mean I know it's probably not your thing..."

"Ok." Clark appreciated the fact that finally someone actually asked him out. He realized that all those years of pining for Lana and Chloe could have been rectified if they had just asked him out. How easy.

"And it really does sound silly and what?!"

Clark smiled at Lois and laughed, "I said ok. You're right...why not."

Lois was stunned out of words. "Yeah. Meet you there?"

"In front of the fountain at eight."

"Yeah. Oh, I gotta go, but I'll see you tonight Clark." Lois picked up her things and walked off. Clark could still hear her giggling, no doubt about how much she just went on.

At eight, Lois appeared in front of the fountain and no one else was there. "It's me. I do this. I can't get anyone to take me seriously when I do this."

"Do you mean when you talk to yourself?" Lois turned around and saw Clark dressed in a pair of black slacks and blue shirt. "Sorry, I was late. I couldn't find any matching clothes here. I left everything at home." Clark offered Lois his arm, to her surprise. "But you look radiant."

Lois just smiled and decided not to push for anything else. Inside though, she screamed, he likes me!

The dance went quickly; Lois and Clark decided to take most of it and talk about various subjects. Lois continued to do most of the talking, which didn't seem to bother Clark in the least. Besides, neither of them really went for the alternative music of the time.

"We have to dance one time though. Come on Lois, rest your voice a bit." Lois giggled as Clark pushed her out on the floor between other strange people.

If you change your mind, I'm the first in line

Honey, I'm still free - take a chance on me

If you need me, let me know and I'll be around

If you have no place to go when you're feeling down

If you're all alone when the pretty birds have flown

Honey, I'm still free - take a chance on me

Gonna do my very best, and that ain't no lie

Put me to the test, if you let me try

Take a chance on me (give me a break, will ya)

"God, I haven't done that since forever. Where did you learn to dance like that in Kansas?" Clark handed her a drink and pulled out the chair.

"We did have a few clubs in the state. Anyway, I kept up with some of the trends. Lois, it's getting kind of late and..."

"I know. I'll see you in class tomorrow?" Clark smiled.

"On time I hope." Walking across the street, Clark tucked his arm around Lois' neck and he could feel her shudder. "I'll see you tomorrow." Lois sat in her car and watched him walk off toward the dorms. He could feel she had a smile on her face.