AN: Just a quick note, sorry for a couple of typos, but I'm seriously trying to fix them. I don't have anybody to go over them before I post them but I'm trying my best. If you can understand what I'm trying to say, then I feel I've done my job.

ENJOY!

Cool Part 1

Chloe and I were supposed to go to a high school party down by the lake. Obviously Chloe was trying to be a little more social. Too bad she wasn't used to Smallville cold. I laughed as she complained about the weather. She had on a long sleeve t-shirt and a heavy jacket…and still shivering. "You were the one who begged me to come here Chloe."

She frowned. "I know…just didn't think it would be so freezing. It's like twenty thousand degrees below zero." I shrugged. "I dunno. It doesn't feel that cold to me." It was true. I was in a jean skirt and a light navy sweater. I still didn't feel cold at all.

She glared daggers at me. "Are you from a freakin ice planet?" Hey, it could happen. "I'm bundled up in fifty layers and you're little Miss November. Ugh. I'm going to thaw out by the fire." She darted off. I shoved my hands in my pockets awkwardly. Suddenly I felt a hand on my waist.

"Hey gorgeous. You must be freezing. Let Mr. Kelvin warm you up nice." I glared at Sean. "If you don't remove your hand from my person I swear you will lose it immediately." He groaned as I shoved him off. "Don't be like that. I was just trying to be friendly."

I rolled my eyes. "A little too friendly if you ask me." His eyes narrowed. "Hey Kent. You're friends with that Chloe chick, right? She flying solo tonight?"

I snorted. "Please. You're not her type." He chuckled. "You'd be surprised." My eyes narrowed at Sean as he sauntered towards Chloe. Hopefully Chloe would be smart enough to not fall for his charms. If not, he'd better not hurt her.

I wandered around for a bit before I grew extremely bored. Don't get me wrong. I can socialize and make small talk with the rest of them, but without Pete here…I was about to go insane. That and if another guy offered to 'share body heat' with me one more time I was going to punch somebody. A few minutes past I saw Chloe sitting by herself. I frowned deeply and walked towards her. "Hey, Chloe. You having fun?"

She laughed. "Maybe I am. I don't know." I nodded. "Did you really just give Sean Kelvin your number?" She blushed. "Don't sound so shocked. Guys find me attractive even if I'm not brunette and own a wardrobe of plaid." I stuck my tongue at her. "That's not what I meant and you know it. The guy's a dog."

She brushed me off. "Chill. I just gave him the number to get rid of him." I shrugged. "Well, if you're okay I think I'm going to bail early." She frowned. "You okay?" I nodded. "I'm fine. This really isn't my thing though. I'll see you tomorrow." She nodded before leaving to go talk to some girl on the Torch staff.

I'd told my parents I was going to a party, so they'd went into town for date night. I really didn't want to go home and hang out on the couch. What to do…Well, wasn't it obvious? What did I always end up doing when I was bored and wanted some place to go?

I smiled and headed towards the Luthor mansion.

Lex POV

I was working on my latest project…along with a bit of personal research. One of the butlers announced Clara's arrival. I checked the clock, frowning. It was pretty late. What was she doing here? I nodded in acknowledgement. Sighing, I looked over the files.

Well, now I couldn't concentrate. I groaned as I pushed the files away. I stood and walked towards the door. Might as well see what Clara was up to. I made my way to the garage, where I'd been spending a lot of time lately. On the way, I came to a realization.

Before Clara, I hadn't ever stepped foot in the garage.

Clara POV

I bobbed my head to the beat of the music as I worked on my car. I hated to admit it, but I was always an 80s rock junkie. I mean, for all intents and purposes I was born in the 80s (my forged birth certificate says '87). It was good to have some music while in the darkness. Not really darkness, more like the ugly underbelly of my car.

Anyways, I was lying on that rolly wheel thing (just because I know about cars, doesn't mean I know the official names) when suddenly I was jerked forward and blinded by a shining light. I blinked up as my eyes adjusted to the light. I smiled when I saw Lex.

"Hey. Hold on." I grabbed my ear phones and paused the music. "What bring you into the dark recesses of the Luthor garage?" It was true. In the old Scottish mansion, I figured this would be the basement or even the dungeon. It was creepy and depressing. The only reason I tolerated it was because of my car. I didn't like being cut off from the sun.

I sat up and propped myself on my palms. "The sunny atmosphere and the welcoming company." I rolled my eyes. He offered me a hand and helped me up. "Isn't it like below freezing outside? Why are you dressed like that?" I smirked. "Jeez, dad. Chill out. I was out at a party and I bailed early. Got tired of half drunk guys offering to warm me up."

Lex raised an eyebrow. "I would have hoped pick up lines have evolved since I was in high school." I laughed. "Not that long ago, Lex. And this is Smallville. I'm pretty sure the guys here are years behind the rest of the world in evolution. My dad excluded of course…and maybe Pete." He frowned. "Not me?"

"You're not from Smallville Lex. You don't count. So, you never answered my question." He shrugged. "Somehow I couldn't concentrate on my work. Ended up here." I nodded. "Couldn't keep away, huh?" Lex shook his head. "Yes. The smell of grease and gasoline is too much to resist."

I laughed. "Well, did you want to talk, or…" He shook his head. "No. I'd hate to interrupt your work." I laughed. "Not much I can really do at the moment. I'm just waiting for the parts I ordered to come in. Until then, it's just polishing and tweaking." I hopped in the front driver's seat. "Obviously you wanted to talk about something, or you wouldn't be here."

He walked around to the passenger seat. "I can't just come and talk to you?" I looked at him. "No. You're my friend, but you always have a reason for everything you do. You're very conscious of your actions." He sat in the seat. "You seem to know me." I shrugged. "You're a mystery. But I also know you're a good person. We're all entitled to our secrets."

He gave me a strange look like he was trying to figure me out. Well, good luck. I hadn't even figured me out yet. Then he smiled. "Well, the truth is I just couldn't concentrate. I wanted to see what you were doing. Why didn't you go home?" I frowned. "Parents are out. I didn't want to go home. Home alone is depressing."

He nodded. "I know what you mean." I smiled as an idea popped into my head. He looked at me strangely. "What is it?" I grinned. "You have that big TV, right?" He nodded. I grinned. This was going to be fun.

~Smallville~

"I can't believe you have all these movies and you've never watched any of them." I shook my head in disappointment. "Well, I don't usually indulge in doing something so…casual and lucrative." I bit back a laugh. Lex made relaxing sound like one of the seven deadly sins. I knew he was into parties and stuff, but there came a time when you just needed to chill. I glanced at the titles. Ooh! X-Men. Loved that movie. But not really a 'Lex' movie. I didn't want to pick something that just I liked.

I smiled before grabbing Ocean's Eleven. Then, making a decision, I grabbed X-men too. Hey, why not try to expand his interests? (And it had absolutely nothing to do with Hugh Jackman's biceps..) I set the movie up and gasped at the gaming system he had set up. "Let me guess. You never play video games either."

He shook his head and gave me a look that said I must be crazy. I bit my lip. Video games would wait. Baby steps, Clara, baby steps. I smirked to myself. "Popcorn?" He frowned. "That's totally unhealthy and fattening." I sighed. Poor Lex. So sheltered. I shook my head. "Lex, haven't you ever just gone to the movies and gorged yourself on popcorn?"

He frowned. "Why would I ever do something like that?" I laughed and leaned back on the couch. Educating Lex was going to be soo much fun. He definitely needed to learn how to have fun…

~Smallville~

Two movies and 3 bowls of popcorn later, (Lex had a freaking popcorn machine! So cool.) it was time for me to head home. I yawned and stretched. Lex yawned as well and I smirked. "So, how does slacking off feel?" He shook his head. "I admit. That was…interesting. Thank you."

I grinned. "So, what'd you think of the two movies?" He tilted his head. "The first one was interesting. Not much surprises me, but that twist was unexpected." I nodded. Ocean's 11 had been pretty great. "That other one…it was unrealistic, but amusing." I laughed. Unrealistic? Please. If only he knew…

"But you have to admit it was good too." He nodded. "Yes. It was interesting to see how each character reacted to the prejudice against them. That Marie girl, especially." I nodded. "I've always felt sorry for Rogue. She doesn't have the physical appearance of a mutant like toad, but her powers still ostracize her from the rest of humanity."

Lex nodded. "And the dynamic between Magneto and the Professor was fascinating, but unreasonable. The idea that two friends that close could become enemies like that…"Lex shook his head. "Highly unlikely." I shrugged. "I don't know. It's possible. It happens every day. Magneto allowed himself to be blinded by his rage, ironically becoming the very type of person he hated as a child."

Lex nodded. "If he'd allowed the Professor to influence him more, maybe he wouldn't have turned out so cruel." I nodded. "Ever great power needs a balance. Without Magneto, the Professor wouldn't have realized how dangerous unchecked power was. He would have been blissfully ignorant of the dangers surrounding them. Magneto ended his naivety."

Lex tilted his head. "But is that a good thing? If what you're saying is true, Magneto destroyed the goodness within." I shook my head. "That's not the same thing. Magneto showed the Professor the harsh truth of the world, but gave him the determination to stop it. Destroying his goodness would mean the Professor turned against humanity as well."

He nodded. "So what you're saying is it's a good thing Magneto separated from the Professor." I frowned. "Not completely. If Magneto could have been saved, it would have been a lot better. The experience from Magneto combined with the Professor's wisdom and patience would have been an unstoppable force of good. They could have balanced each other out and kept each other in check."

He nodded. "Who knows what would have happened?" I shrugged. "I need to get home. This was really great." He stood up. "Do you need a ride?" I paused. "I'm not sure. It might be easier if I sneak in…then again, it is really late…" He smiled. "Well, while you're having you're having your inner debate I'm going to bring the car around."

I laughed. "Fine. You win." Lex drove me home and I had him drop me off a ways down our road so my parents didn't hear. "Thanks Lex. Sorry if I interrupted your work." He shook his head. "Anytime."

I snuck into my window quietly. I quickly changed into my pajamas before crawling into bed. I grinned as I fell asleep. It hadn't been a terrible night anyways. The next morning I decided on some warmer clothes. No need to draw unnecessary attention at school. Jeans, red tennis shoes and a red sweater would work. I walked downstairs. Mom and Dad were talking in the kitchen. I stopped in the doorway to listen.

"The distributor gets twelve five." Mom said. She was sitting at the table pouring over papers. Dad and her were talking money. "The feed bill for six months at five percent." Mom nodded. "Plus the mortgage at eight point two…and the harvester repairs brings us to…"

My brain quickly calculated the amount before I'd even realized it. "Fifty four thousand five hundred and one dollars and thirty-eight cents." Dad spun and looked at me. "Uh, Clara. Didn't see you there. We didn't mean for you to hear that."

I frowned. "You don't have to protect me dad. Is it really that bad?" They looked at each other before mom shrugged. "Yeah. It's pretty bad. We might have to take out a bank loan." I walked forward to scavenge some breakfast. "Another one? The interest alone would put us up to-" Mom caught me off before I could speak.

"Clara, don't." I shrugged. "Maybe I can help some more." She smiled. "You have. Last season you saved us four part-time hands." I shook my head, faking a serious expression. "That's not what I meant. I could quit high school. Maybe try out for a pro-sports team. Basketball or something."

My parents looked at me, both frowning deeply. I laughed. "Kidding! Just trying to lighten the mood." It was half true. Sometimes I just felt guilty that I wasn't contributing financially. I wish there was something I could do. I put the pop tart in the toaster.

Mom smiled. "As much as we'd loved to see your face on a cereal box, we'd settle for you getting to school on time." I spotted the clock and gasped. "Oh! Crap. I'm supposed to meet Chloe and Pete." I sped outside before I skidded to a stop. I sped back inside and caught my pop tart as it came out of the toaster. I grinned sheepishly. "Forgot!" I shoved half of it in my mouth and waved bye. "That's sixty-five thousand, two hundred-" Mom frowned. "Go!"

I grinned. "And one!" I laughed as I sped outside to meet Chloe and Pete. They said they were gonna wait for me. Usually I was late, but I caught them just on time. I grinned at Chloe. "So, hear from Sean?"

"Negatively." She said too quickly. She tried to recover. "Not that I was waiting by the phone or anything." I shook my head. Pete, ever the good sport, tried to make her feel better. "Maybe he got caught up. One time my sister didn't hear from a guy for a week. When she called to tell him off, it turned out his grandmother died."

I shook my head. Chloe laughed. "As much as I, uh, appreciate the spotlight, I'm fine." I nodded. "You're probably better off anyways. Sean's a total dog." Sean elbowed me. "Sean's not that bad. He's always been cool to me. Besides, just because you can't get over you're Luke crush, don't knock us for trying to make a love connection."

I scowled. "I do not have a crush on Luke!" Chloe smirked. "Me thinks she protests too much." Pete smirked too. "Well, if you don't have a crush on Luke, then what's stopping you from asking somebody else out?"

I frowned. "Like who?" Chloe grinned. "How about Pete here?" Pete and I looked at each other before bursting out laughing. "Ew, that's beyond gross Chloe." Pete nodded. "Clara's like my sister…just, no." Chloe shrugged. "Just trying to help. Besides, we all know Clara's too cowardly to ask Luke out anyway."

I immediately stopped laughing and drew myself up to full height. "Excuse me?" Chloe grinned. "You heard me. You'd never have the guts to actually ask somebody like Luke out." I scowled. "Wanna bet?"

Chloe clapped her hands. "Yes! Okay. I'll bet you coffee for a week that you can't ask Luke out by the end of the day." I smiled. "Throw in a dozen chocolate cookies and you have a deal." She nodded and we shook hands on it. Pete shook his head. "You two are way too competitive." I shrugged. I could care less about Luke, but nobody called me a coward. I brushed past both of them, grinning widely. I'll show them cowardly.

Whether I wanted to or not, I was going to go on a date with Luke Lang.