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Chapter Thirty Eight-Getting Well pt 2
When Clark walked into school after spring break, Chloe and Pete were astonished to see how healthy he looked. He had a bounce in his step, color in his cheeks, and his dark circles were gone. Chloe looked at Pete and he shrugged. With a smile to her boyfriend, Chloe went to talk to Clark.
"Is that Clark Kent I'm seeing?" Chloe asked joining his side at his locker.
"Hey Chloe," He looked over at her. He was amazed that she was actually talking to him.
"I'm so sorry-" He began but she cut him off with a raised hand.
"Don't apologize. I'm just glad to see you're getting better," she told him. The smile returned to his face and he pulled her into a hug.
"Looks like my cousin did a good job," She praised pulling back.
"Lois has been great. After we kissed I had great motivation to get better," His smile dominated his face as he turned back to his locker. For a minute Chloe couldn't form words and stared at him, slack jawed.
Pete watched the two keeping an eye on Clark. Lana joined him at the lockers to get her books. "What's got you all worked up?" She asked.
"Looks like Kent has gotten his act together," Pete said.
She turned to see for herself and saw that Clark was smiling while talking to Chloe. Her chest tightened and she turned away. She knew her mistake but she had her reasons for pushing him away. Now that he was better she had hope. If only she could get the courage to talk to him.
The day passed by quickly. His teachers were happy to hear that he was better. To sit in class, actually focus and take notes was awesome. He ended up chuckling at himself. Last year he never would have thought that paying attention and taking notes was awesome. Goes to show just how much had changed in his life. He wasn't the same Clark Kent that came from Metropolis.
He was on his way to the Talon to met Chloe and Pete to talk. He had a feeling Chloe wanted to talk about Lois and himself. He had left her speechless and he understood why. He had been so tied up in Lana that he was sure Chloe expected him to go after her instead of Lois. He just hoped she wasn't upset about it.
He parked his truck behind the Talon and headed inside through the back. The place was bustling with students and adults. It always amazed him how the two groups could hang out in one place. The Talon truly was a fine establishment and its owner had poured her heart and soul into it.
He found Chloe and Pete at a table close to the stairway. Chloe smiled and waved him over. To have her talking to him again was great. He had missed the crazy blonde and Pete who nodded to him when he joined them.
"Hey guys, thanks for inviting me," He said taking a seat.
"Glad you could come. Actually more surprised. I figured you'd have chores," Chloe said with a smile.
"Max and Lois helped in setting things straight. After all my father didn't kill himself over the farm and wouldn't be proud of me if I did," Clark said.
"Lois tell you that?" Pete asked having heard the details from Chloe.
"Heard my name. Not talking bad about me, are you?" Lois asked bringing over a tray full of drinks.
"I would never. I'm just simply filling in Chloe about how loud you snore," Clark joked.
"Whoa, you've slept together?" Chloe asked eyes wide. Pete spewed his drink and Lois blushed.
"She refuses to let me sleep on the couch," Clark said with a chuckle.
"Well you refuse to go into your parents bedroom," Lois shot back.
"Didn't bother you so much. Gave you an excuse to ask me to join you," With a charming smile he pulled her into the seat next to him and pulled her close.
"I have to work," Lois said as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder.
"True, but I'm the owner and I demand you take a break and enjoy your time with me," Clark said.
"Your boss demands so much of you. How do you handle it?" Pete asked with heavy sarcasm.
"I get good rewards," She answered with a wink.
"Clark!" Chloe exclaimed, shocked at their playful banter. What had happened to the guy in love with Lana. 'Oh no, Lana.' She thought. The brunette walked in through the back and headed behind the counter and pulled on a apron.
"Don't worry Chloe, she's just joking," Clark said watching as Chloe looked wide eyed.
When she didn't say anything he followed her gaze to the counter where Lana was busy with work. He looked back at Chloe and his smile fell. He hadn't been this close to Lana since their talk in the hospital. Seeing her had jolted something in his chest. He knew he still had feelings for Lana, he could never deny that.
"Anything I can get you?" Lana asked standing at the end of the table. She looked up from her notepad to see Chloe and Pete next to each other along with Lois who had Clark's arm around her. She kept her face emotionless but on the inside her emotions were raging.
"Shouldn't you be working Lois?" Lana asked trying to keep her voice neutral.
"Sorry Lana. I insisted she join us," Clark said. He tried keeping his voice neutral.
"Talking business?" She asked. Clark couldn't get a read on her. Her voice was emotionless and her face blank.
"No its personal," He said moving his arm from Lois shoulder, "We can talk later."
Lois kissed his cheek and stood from the table.
"I already got their drinks," Lois said before getting back to work. Lana looked down and avoided all eyes before turning to leave. Chloe watched as Clark followed Lana's movements rather than Lois.
"You okay Clark?" Chloe asked. She didn't want Lois to get hurt because of Clark but she also didn't want Lana to hurt anymore. Either way someone was going to get hurt by Clark's decision. Question was, who?
"Just fine," He responded before taking a sip of his drink.
"Clark, if you have confused feelings you need to straighten them out before someone gets hurt," Chloe said.
"I won't be afraid to lay you out. Lana and Lois are like sisters to me and I know you can kick my ass but that doesn't mean I won't try," Pete said leaning forward.
"I know man, and I need to apologize to you. What happened-" Pete cut him off.
"I know what happened and I was pissed. Chloe explained and as long as she forgives you so can I," He said.
"Good to know, but what's with everyone cutting me off before I can finish my apology?" Clark asked.
"We know you've beaten yourself up enough already. Let's just get back to our lives," Chloe said.
"How is it you know me so well?" Clark asked with a smile.
"Oh please, we could never get away with anything. You always ratted us out and then grounded yourself. Your parents never had to do anything," Chloe said laughing at the memories.
"That changed when I was adopted. Looks like I'm getting back to my roots." Clark said.
"If that's so, then I know you're going to talk to Lana and Lois and figure this out," Chloe said serious.
"I know, this is going to be hard," Clark said.
Clark went back to the farm and got his chores done. It gave him time to think before Lois got home. He had a lot to figure out and manual labor would help. He thought of Lois as he lifted bales of hay. She was an amazing person. She was heartfelt and warm. She made him laugh and see things differently. Her smile gave him a sense of accomplishment, that he pleased her. He needed to feel wanted and she gave him that.
His thoughts turned to Lana and without knowing it he stopped what he was doing. Just picturing her face sent waves of happiness through him. He wasn't over her, not in the least. She had been the reason he turned his life around. He had taken on Lex more than once and he even fought his friends because of a bounty. Not to mention getting shot up.
If he hadn't gone against Lex for the Talon, nothing else would have happened. He still had to give Lionel an answer on whether he wanted to be a Luthor or a Kent. He thought over why he had hesitated with Lionel. His reason's came back to Lana.
He had originally stayed in Smallville because of her. He dealt with the devil to keep her safe. He fought death just so Lex couldn't go after her. All his reasons revolved around Lana and nothing else. He had so much to look forward to if he went to Lionel and Edge. A job, company car, insurance, a loft with a sky line view. Not to mention the Luthor fortune and the power that comes with the Luthor name. Money, fast cars, power and everything a guy could ask for.
Here he was still in Smallville doing his chores. He'd hesitated for months with Lionel not only because of his recovery but because of his lack of closure with Lana. They had to talk. He left Lois a note saying he had to go out and would be back soon. He jumped into his truck and drove back into town. He had passed Lois on the main road but he doubted she saw him considering she was singing along to the radio. He was always telling her to pay better attention to the road but she refused to listen to him simply because she was…Lois.
He parked behind the Talon and headed in through the back. Amanda had replaced Lois and she was busy on the floor. Clark nodded to her when she looked over to him.
"Looking for Lois?" She asked across the room.
He shook his head no and looked around. She pointed upstairs to Lana's apartment. He smiled his thanks and headed upstairs. He never felt so nervous, his stomach jumbled in knots. He raised his hand then dropped it. He paced a bit trying to gather his nerves. With a deep breath he stood in front of the door and straightened his shirt. He raised his fist and lightly rapped against the door.
A minute passed throwing Clark into a silent panic. She wasn't going to talk to him. Why would she? She hated him because of his decision. He couldn't do this. He had let Lana down and now he was paying for it. As he turned away the apartment door opened. Clark turned back to the doorway, his expression like a deer caught in headlights.
"Clark?" She asked, her brows furrowed together, "What are you doing here?"
"I wanted to talk if you have time," Clark answered.
She stood still in the doorway before she let out a deep breath and moved to let him in. Clark walked in and immediately felt the familiarity of her apartment. She closed the door behind them and offered for him to sit. He looked at the inviting couch and declined the offer. That overstuffed couch held too many intimate memories for him to sit comfortably.
"What do you want to tell me?" She asked folding her arms across her chest.
She didn't sound angry or even upset. She sounded more defeated and lonely than anything else. It confused him considering she had left him. He should be the one to sound lonely even if he did have Lois.
"I'm sorry about the choices I made. I picked the farm over you and then used a drug to make it better. I'm not proud of what I did and I'm taking this day by day. I won't lie, it's not easy. There are moments where I can't handle it, but I get through it. I'm getting better and all I really want is to have you back in my life," He managed to get out without someone interrupting.
She sighed in frustration and looked away from him, "Why do you want me? You obviously have Lois to keep you company."
She spoke without holding her emotions. She knew she let Clark go and yet she was jealous about seeing Clark with his arm around Lois.
"Lana I needed someone by my side. You left me and Lois stepped in that doesn't mean I don't want you with me," Clark read her jealousy and knew he had a chance to get her back. He'd realized that Lana had always been the one he wanted.
"I miss you too. I apologize for leaving you but I had my reasons," She said.
"Can you explain?" Clark asked wanting to know why she had run away.
"I can't Clark. Please just…leave," She said.
Clark walked up to her and wanted desperately to say something. Whatever her reasons, they had to be good to keep her pushing him away. He looked down and when he couldn't form any words he passed by her and walked out the door. He closed the door and leaned his head against the doorframe.
Lana was his only reason and it was gone now because of him. He'd lost her because he had been stupid. He had to move on and the only option he saw was leaving Smallville behind. But what about Lois? He headed down the stairs and didn't notice that Lana had opened the door and watched him walk away.
He got back into his truck and started it up. On his drive back he figured out how to phrase it and explain why. How he could do this, he didn't know. Lana was his reason, always had been and always will be. He accepted that. Chloe and Pete were his friends and Lois was his…foundation. She had pulled him back and kept him afloat. He had his feet back on the ground. Once he talked to Lois he hoped she wouldn't break his legs.