I unfortunately do not own any of Smallville.
Alli walked into the crowded cafeteria. It was surprisingly full considering the new rule that they could eat outside. She knew that the people in this town took a long time to admit to change. She walked on searching for Chloe's unmistakably, crazy cut, blonde hair. She was on a time sensitive mission. Suddenly she spotted the group by an open table. She practically ran to them. They were just sitting there, no doubt talking about Clark's Lana fall. She could tell by his eyes. Though he rarely showed embarrassment in his face, she knew he was just waiting for a distraction and there she was with that as her amazing specialty. She snuck up behind him and threw her arms around his neck. He turned his head and gave that "Thanks for saving me" look.
She looked at Chloe and Pete who were sitting across the table from Clark and smiled.
"So, my parents sent my allowance this morning and it's burning a hole in my pocket, so I decided lunch is on me today; but one deal breaker, we are eating outside." Alli said this last part in her oh-so-serious business tone. They all agreed it was a reasonable request, though they knew there was more than a craving for fresh air behind this; there was something going on that they needed to talk about away from the all-hearing ears of the school. They all started towards the huge line for food. Then they passed almost all the line and went straight to the front. One of the best things about spending lunch with Alli was that, though she was not that popular, the whole school knew her "business" and treated her with a subtle respect. So she and her friends, with her, always got to skip the line. They got their food and started outside.
The sun illuminated the perfect, peaceful, blue sky. A light wind swept through the myriad of trees around the school and played the beautiful melody of fall all around them. The sound of change and yet it also made everything seem perfect. They spotted some Alli's Artsy friends under the closet tree playing around with an acoustic guitar. Alli waved to them as her, Chloe, Pete, and Clark passed. Minus the Artsies they were the all alone. They headed for the tree on the other side and sat. They began to eat in silence.
They all seemed to finish fast, probably in anticipation of what they were going to be told. Chloe was the first to speak.
"So…" she said coyly as she started to take books out of her bag.
"What?" Alli retorted as if she had no idea what was being implied. They all looked at her like "come on". "I just figured it would be fun to spend some time together." Alli started to answer. Oh no! They knew what that meant. She was leaving; to where and for how long they were not sure, but it was a fact. Alli continued, "The Superiors are sending me on a "mission" for a few days. I'll be back next week, but I have to leave in about an hour and …" Suddenly her phone started playing the theme from Jaws. "Damn I have to go… like now,"
She gave them all hugs and started off towards the Blue Beetle that was pulling up. All of a sudden she stopped, looked back and said, "Behave yourselves!" then continued to the car her friends still watching her. She took advantage of their attention and as she got in the car and closed the door. She mouthed nothing simpler then, "Or else". As the car pulled away their pre-Alli conversation resumed.
"Seriously Clark, I gave your routine a 9.7." Pete said in a voice that warned Clark, that he was not even close to done yet. As they merciless mocking of his, so called, friends ensued Clark tuned out. He found himself thinking, how could Alli leave me to my doom, and leave when I start to go down. Terrific friend that one is, leaves her best friend with no buffer or defenses. He, of course, knew that, that fact was so far from true. If she had her way, she would not leave as much. When she returns, she always talks about how she misses so much, especially her friends. Then he began to think about the talk they had last night while they were "studying". With his mind on this he could no longer hear the mocking and jokes be made. You know, even when she is gone she still leaves one defense, the ability to take over your mind. This he thought as they started back into the school.