Chapter 35 [Smallville High]

Clark shut his locker door. For once, school had provided a welcome distraction from the home issues and changes going on around him. He used the lecture time to ponder everything. He clearly felt Lana's consternation and insecurity over their shared link. He wondered how he'd help her with her budding abilities…

…help her when he couldn't help himself or barely could for that matter….

How am I supposed to help her? Doubt bubbled up in the deeper recesses of his brain.

Stop it, Kal-El. You have been chosen to be with Lana. You are worthy.

He looked around at the sparsely populated hallway. No one was within fifteen feet of him much less talking to him. Now what?

Kal-El, it is I. Your mother and I believe in you. Believe in yourself, Jor-El admonished before going silent.

Now I'm hearing from that ghost? Clark hesitated. He hefted his backpack. Then he saw Pete approaching him. "Hey, Pete!"

"Clark, there you are! Been looking all over for you!" Pete rushed over.

"Why? What's going on?" Clark narrowed his eyes.

Pete shrugged. "Chloe wanted to talk with Lana and us. Had to find you both before you left!"

Clark frowned. Now what? "We're getting ready to head over to the Talon. Chloe was going to meet us there."

"She had something come up, Dude. You know how that goes." Pete looked around. "There she is." He waved to Lana who approached them.

Chloe wants something, I guess, Clark noted telepathically to her.

She didn't react at least not outwardly. Probably something for that article. It'll just take a minute, Clark. She smiled. "Hey, Pete. What's going on?"

"Nothing much. Happy Birthday! Looking forward to later?" Pete supposed.

"Yes I am. Clark surprised me this morning with flowers and a poem. It was really sweet." She grinned at her boyfriend and squeezed his hand.

Pete smirked and coughed.

"What? Pete, I did what any boyfriend should do," Clark protested.

"I'm not arguing against that. I'm just glad you're stepping up. Way to go," Pete complimented. "Come on." He led them down the hall.

Wish I knew what this was about. Clark held the door open for her.

As I said, it's probably about the article. She shrugged not really wanting to get into the whole guessing game. Rather she wanted to take care of business, maybe get a card from Chloe and then head off for the brewing poetry fest. As they approached the newsroom, she picked up on Anticipation's and Excitement's respective vibes. Now I'm starting to feel it too, Clark.

Pete hustled inside without saying a word.

Clark raised an eyebrow. "Guess this is it?"

"Yeah guess it is." She motioned toward the door. "Ready?"

"Whenever you are." Clark ushered her inside. He noticed Pete and Chloe talking over by the computer. Everything seemed as it should have been. All was in place. However he could still feel as if their friends hid something from them.

"Hi, Chloe. What's going on? I was kind of hoping to do my interview with the Duboises and the other panelists before the readings," Lana greeted.

Chloe turned from Pete toward the newly arrived couple. She allowed her own lingering feelings to dissipate. "Hi, Guys! I just wanted to remind you to keep your eyes open. Lots of great feature stories lurking around today."

"Sure. Why didn't you just text us with that?" Lana wondered. She glanced toward Clark and then their friends.

"Well…there was something else." Chloe's eyes glittered. She glanced at Pete. "Think they're ready?"

"Yeah." Pete whistled loudly toward the open door.

"SURPRISE!" Jasmine and Miranda cheered. Between them, they carried a white frosted double layer cake. Sixteen candles burned on top of it.

Lana's jaw dropped. She didn't expect this turn of events. She would have been satisfied with the morning's and evening's events. "Miri, Jasmine, you should be at the Talon."

"Mr. Luthor and the others have things under control, Boss. Besides seeing the look on your face just now was so worth it." Miranda chuckled as she and the Princess set the cake down on the empty desk. "Maybe you might make a wish?"

Lana's eyes sparkled at her friend. "This is so great." She embraced everyone one at a time. Then she went to Clark last and did the same for him.

"Happy Birthday, Lana." Clark held her closely against him. "Wish for something great."

Lana nodded. She sucked in a deep breath. Then she blew out the candles. "I already have everything I want, Clark. Everything and more." Her eyes glittered into his. I love you.

And I love you. Clark leaned back against a chair. He enjoyed the company. Joy swept away Strife in that moment. As with his barista fair, he had his friends, a reason to celebrate and love.

And that really is all anyone needs…