Well, to the few readers of this story, new chapter, yay!

Updated: 12/13/2013

…

Clark was in and out of his house quickly, a large duffel over his shoulder as he left; he didn't know where he was going, but he was gone before anyone at Lex's house could figure out what had happened.

…

Pete stood there, staring at the mess of dessert on the mansion floor; he only looked up when Lex, the Kent's, and Chloe entered the hall.

"Pete, what happened? Where's Clark?" Martha asked, but Pete couldn't answer; he began to shake with rage as he hurtled himself at Lex. Before he could attack the young adult, he felt strong hands on his arms, restraining him.

"WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO TO MY BEST FRIEND?!" he yelled at him, making Lex take a step back.

"Pete, what's gotten into you?" Jonathon asked as the teen still struggled to attack the lithe man, who was shadowed by both Martha and Chloe.

"Do you know what this… this… pedophile is doing with your son?!" he cried out, looking at them all in outrage. "Do you people understand what he is doing? He's a predator! He brainwashed Clark!"

"Pete! What has gotten into you?" Chloe cried, making Pete's eyes land on her.

"Apparently Lex has delusioned Clark into thinking they're dating! He's only 15, and how old is this pedophile? 30?" Lex took a step forward then, surprised when Chloe held him back.

"Don't," she whispered to him, catching him by surprise.

"Pete," Mr. Kent said, not letting go, "we already know. Clark told us."

"And you approve?!"

"No. But Clark is old enough to make his own decisions, and if they turn out as mistakes, then he can learn from them as well." Pete stared at him in shock before he twisted to meet Chloe's eyes.

"Chloe, you can't approve of this! You're crazy about Clark!"

"No Pete, I'm not. I care about Clark, and if he wants to date Lex, then he can. And Pete, in case you missed it, I was interested in you."

"'Was'?"

"Well you're kinda being a dick right now, so I'm not sure how I'm feeling." Pete seemed to deflate at this and just shook his head before he wretched his arms from Mr. Kent.

"I'm leaving." He turned to go when he stopped, eyes landing on the dessert. "How'd Clark get out of here so fast?"

Everyone was silent as Pete surveyed them.

"Great, let's keep more secrets from Pete," he muttered as he left. Chloe looked at the three adults and spoke quietly.

"How did Clark get out of here so fast?"

…

Clark stopped once he felt like he had traveled far enough; he had gone in the opposite direction of Smallville and Metropolis, ending a moderate-sized city that he had never been in before. He went to the local motel, seeing an old man at the check-in counter.

"Hi…" Clark said slowly, making the man look at him.

"Room for one?"

"Yeah."

"Here ya go," the man said, depositing a key in front of Clark. "Room 201. Just sign the book. It's $35 a night. Pay per day; tonight's is due now." Clark dug out his wallet and grabbed the cash, handing it to him before he quickly signed the book. "Have a good night sir." He grabbed the key and made his way to the room. When he was in, he dropped his bag on the bed and looked around; he was going to stay here as long as he could. He had saved up enough money to stay here until the storm calmed down back home.

He just had to hope that no one came looking for him.

…

"Clark's not in the barn!" Jonathon called out as he re-entered his home; his wife and he had gotten home about 10 minutes ago, and Clark wasn't there.

"His clothes and duffel bag are gone. There's no telling where he could be now!" his mom cried as she met her husband in the kitchen. "Where could he have gone?"

"I don't know. But he'll come back."

"You think so?"

"I know so."

"We should call Chloe and Lex; they can keep an eye out for him at least, and they'd want to know." Martha sobbed a bit as she reached for the phone.

"He'll be okay."

"I hope so."

…

~Two Days Later~

Pete was surprised when he walked into school on Monday to see the missing person's flyer on the notice board. He yanked it off and headed towards Chloe, who was standing down the hall, a similar flyer in her hands as she talked in a rush with Whitney, of all people. As Pete approached them he was surprised to see Whitney give him a harsh glare before he bid goodbye to Chloe. When he was gone, Chloe turned to Pete.

"What's the meaning of this?" he asked, holding up the flyer.

"What do you think it means?! Clark is missing! Ever since Saturday night…"

"I'm sure he's just hiding out somewhere. Why don't you ask his lover boy if he knows where he is?"

"Lex is helping us find him!" she hissed at him, ripping the flyer from his hands. "And for your information, we've been searching Smallville all weekend! He is not in this town. Anywhere."

"He's really…gone?"

"Yes! And I know you don't care, but me, his parents, and Lex are all worried sick; so if you don't mind, I need to get more of these flyers out." He watched Chloe dig out a stack of flyers from her bag and turn her back on him.

"Wait. Let me help." He held out his hand for some of the flyers. She eyed him curiously, and he just shook his hand at her.

"Why?"

"Because… even if I don't… understand what's going on with Clark, he's still… Clark." Her demeanor softened a bit and she handed him some flyers.

"Thank you. I'm sure his parents will appreciate this. I know I do." Pete nodded and took the flyers from Chloe. "Pete?"

"Yeah?"

"You know there's nothing wrong with Clark right? All that should matter is that he's happy."

"…Is he happy?"

"I think so." Pete nodded and began to pass out flyers to the passing students, Chloe's words echoing in his thoughts.

...

Well, everything will probably work out I think.

We'll see in the next chapter won't we?

See ya'll then & thanks for reading.

-JustMe133