Chapter 6

"Hi Liz, I'm Chloe."

The hand appeared under my nose, blocking the schedule that I had been studying. Looking up, I see that the hand is attached to a pretty girl with blonde shoulder-length hair, green eyes and a big smile on her face.

Shaking her hand, I respond, "Hi."

"Welcome to Smallville High. I'm going to be your tour guide for today." She had an infectious smile.

"Great. Thanks."

"You ready to go?" She said, walking briskly out of the office.

"Um, sure." I grabbed my bag, and quickly followed after her.

"So, you are from Roswell, huh? Meet any aliens?" She was grinning.

Before I could respond, she was talking again.

"Lana told me that you are staying with her. That's great. Maybe we can all hang out some time."

"Um…"

"What's your locker number, I can take you there first."

I hesitate, wondering if she is going to interrupt again. But no, it seems that she is actually waiting for a response this time. Hmm, I wonder if she and Maria are related…
"It's 327," I confirm, checking one of the pieces of paper in my hand.

"Cool, we need to go this way," she pointed to the left.

Walking down the hallway, I realise that this school seems to be like every other school in a little town… practically the same shade of colour on the walls and floor tiles, the same ugly lockers, the same cliques – the cheerleaders, the jocks, the geeks, the hot and heavy couples… It's almost as if I were still at West Roswell High.

"So, Liz… What's your first class?"

"Oh, I've got track."

"Really? That bites, I couldn't stand that so early in the morning. Why do you do it?"

"Well, when I was in Roswell, I wanted to keep fit so that…" What the hell?! What am I thinking… No talking about running away from the FBI. Careful Liz, don't let you guard down.

"Liz?"

Oh, she's waiting for an answer. "Um, yeah… when I was in Roswell, I used to um… be a waitress and I uh… found that I was really tired by the end of shift, so I figured that I would take up track to keep fit, you know?" Did that sound believable?

"Okay," disbelief plainly visible on her face. "So, what other subjects do you have?"

"Um, Biology, then I've got Geometry-"

"Can I see?" She asked, taking the schedule out of my hands.

"Sure."

"Wow, Liz. These are mostly AP classes. You must be really smart."

"Yeah, I uh… study really hard."

"Oh yeah? What do you want to do after school?"

"I want to be a molecular biologist." At the same time, I'm wondering how this girl could possibly ask so many questions.

"Really. Hm, I don't think I've ever heard of anyone in this school with aspirations like that." We continued walking in silence, until Chloe turns to me and says, "Hey, you know what? I think you would be a perfect candidate for a biographical article in the The Smallville Torch. What do you think?"

"Uh…"

And she's off again, "We can get a picture and a sort of 'Introducing the New Student' type of feature."

"No, I-"

"I'll do the interview, of course – make sure that you are comfortable and all that. We can cover a few bits and pieces of your life in Roswell, segue into your move to Smallville. Your impressions of the town and the differences. Why did you come to Smallville, by the way?" She shook her head. "Never mind, we'll cover that in the interview. End it off with your future aspirations and there you go… most popular girl in the school."

"Chloe, I don't think-"

"Come Liz, we need to go to my office," she pulls me along, chattering excitedly.

As we arrive, I'm actually wondering how it is that I am now in her office, without managing to get in one word. And it seems as if Chloe is the editor of the school newspaper, if the plaque on her desk is anything to go by. Really, if it wasn't absolutely horrifying, I would laugh.

"Chloe…" Once again, I'm interrupted.

"So, where can we start…" Chloe is behind her desk, computer on and staring at me. I feel like a bug under a microscope.

"Chloe, I really don't want to be featured in the school paper." Does it sound like I'm pleading? Probably because I am...

"What! No, Liz. This will be great. And you'll have a chance to get to know people… Well, they will know you and then-"

"No thanks, Chloe. I really don't want to be known, and… I just… I prefer to just keep to myself and focus on my studies, okay?" I really don't want to be here. I wonder if I run out of here, will she chase me down… She seems like the type.

"Liz, how can I convince you? Hang on," She pulls out her cell phone and answers.

Thank God, saved by the bell. Maybe I can escape. I pick up my bag and stand up.

"Hold on," Chloe says into the phone. "Wait Liz, I won't be a moment."

Come on, this is so not fair… Why can't I be rude? What can she say if I just walk out the door… Shit, I don't know where I am or where I'm going and she still has my schedule.

Oh well, since I'm up, I might as well look around. There is only one desk in this office and since Chloe is sitting behind that desk with a plaque on it, I assume that it is hers. Has her own office… impressive. Aware that her eyes are following me, I walk towards a notice-board on the wall. Okay, Time magazine cover – hey, that's Lana on the cover… Oh right, Lana's parents died in a meteor shower. That's so sad. I would hate for anything like that to happen to my folks.

I vaguely remember mom upset and crying when I was little. It went on for days, and I didn't understand what was wrong… I suppose this would be the reason. Is this why we never came to Smallville to visit Aunt Nell? Bad memories? Maybe, I'll broach the subject with mom, one day.

Okay, what else do we have here? A three-headed calf? A large pig? Really, this is what now… Smallville's most weird and wonderful? And what's this hiding under here…

As I lift my hand to look at an article, Chloe is standing in front of me, smiling manically, my wrist held firmly in her hand. I'm starting to wonder if there is something wrong with this chick…

"Chloe, did you find out anything about-"

We both turn to look at Clark standing in the doorway.

"Hi, what's going on?" He looks adorably confused.

"Hey Clark, have you met Liz?" Chloe is pulling me towards the door.

His eyebrow raised, he replies. "Yeah, we've met." Turning to me, he smiles. "How are you Liz?"

I'm melting… "Uh." Clearing my throat, I try again, "I'm fine."

"Liz?"

I turn to Chloe, who still has a hold of my arm. Shifting, I pull my hand away, move my bag to my other shoulder and step away from her. Just in case.

"Yeah?"

"Could you give us a second, please. I just need to speak with Clark about something."

"Sure, no problem. I'll just ah… wait outside."

Clark moves aside and I stumble outside. Whew, my legs actually worked, and I didn't make a complete fool of myself in front of him. The door closes behind me and I lean against the wall.

"Clark, you can't just come in here like that. You've got to be more careful." Chloe sounds upset.

"Sorry, you don't normally have anyone in your office, especially at the Wall of Weird." He sounds apologetic.

The Wall of Weird? Interesting.

"I know… Sorry. Okay, come see what I've found about our friend."

I'm assuming whoever it is, is not actually a friend.

I can barely hear their voices now, so I assume they've moved away from the door towards the desk. Strange, wonder if Clark works at the paper as well?

About fifteen minutes later, I'm wondering whether I should just find someone else to direct me to my next class, since Chloe seems so busy. But, she still has my schedule… biting my lip, I turn my head and stare at the door… Maybe I should knock?

Another five minutes later…

This is getting ridiculous, and I've had enough. Standing up, I turn to the door, lift my hand, knock twice and begin to twist the door knob. Before I realise it, I'm falling forward as the door is forcefully pulled open. Oh shit…

I close my eyes as I see the floor rushing up to meet me and then, I come to a dead stop. Slowly opening my eyes, I realise two things… First, I didn't make a complete ass of myself by falling on the floor and second, there is a warm arm across my stomach. I feel myself lifted, until my back is pressed against a hard body. I close my eyes again, place my free hand on his arm and savour the feeling… His warmth is heating me up, his scent is filling the air around me and I'm getting light-headed. I can feel the fire starting to course through my body, and I fight the urge to whimper.

"Liz, are you okay?"

As he whispers, I feel the warm air against my ear, his soft hair brushing my cheek, and unable to help myself, I shiver. Oh God, I'm in heaven…