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11:00 p.m.
And she's in front of a computer, slaving over the
Torch.
Chloe thinks that this level of obsession could be
considered pathetic, but she's gotten used to being
less than perfect.
She knows she'll never be the flawless sort - - the
type of girl who's bright and sunny and incredibly
nice. She'll never be like - -
"Lana?"
She's surprised to see the other girl in her office -
- particularly considering that she was just thinking
about her.
Granted, thinking about Lana isn't exactly unique. But, still, her presence
is unexpected.
"How long have you been standing there?" Chloe
continues.
"About thirty seconds," Lana says with a smile. "And
hello to you, too."
Chloe smiles back, although her grin isn't nearly as
easy as Lana's. For Lana is naturally an easier sort.
Plus, she doesn't quite know why Lana is here - sudden
appearances aren't always tied to the good. Lana seems
happy, though, so she assumes the reason can't be bad.
But Chloe still feels nervous. "I'm sorry. Hello,
Lana."
"Hello, Chloe." She pauses, then holds up a bag. "I
was working, well - ending work - and decided to bring
you some coffee, since I figured you'd still be here.
And you are."
Chloe thinks she senses a hint of nervousness in
Lana's own demeanor, and she wonders why this shared
tension exists. She has an idea, but she's not going
to say it. There are a lot of things she will say,
granted - but accusing Lana Lang of being infatuated
with her is not one of them.
"Thanks," Chloe says, accepting the coffee despite the
fact that she already has her own.
"So, what are you working on?" Lana asks as she sits
down next to the other girl.
"I'm investigating the school's link to a crime
syndicate." Off Lana's skeptical look, she says,
"Fine. I'm reworking an article about the latest
school play."
"That's important, too."
"Of course. This is how all the great investigative
reporters started. Mike Wallace's profile on his high
school's production of 'Hello Dolly' is still being
read today. With an immense amount of awe, I might
add."
Lana laughs. "I will admit, it was a great one."
"Second only to a young Ed Bradley's hard-hitting -
'Technicolor Dreamcoat - Myth or Reality?'"
"It got him the job at 60 Minutes, didn't it?"
"Of course. And this article will do the same for me."
Chloe stares at the computer, although she can't quite
focus on the words. She can feel Lana's eyes on her,
watching her.
She likes it.
She turns to Lana, surprised to find the brunette
leaning towards her. She's even more surprised that
she finds herself pulling away. Because she wants Lana
to kiss her. But she's not sure that's what Lana
wants. She could be leaning forward to get a pen for
all Chloe knows.
Then, a soft hand brushes against her cheek. And she
doubts that Lana is looking for a writing utensil.
Chloe stays still, lets Lana touch the side of her
face. "What are we doing?" she asks.
"I..." She pauses, as if searching for the right
words. "I...I think you know," Lana says softly.
Then, Lana's kissing her. And Chloe definitely knows
what's happening.
It'll start off slow. Or, at least they'll say they
should start off slow. But that promise will be
broken, as all of those types of promises are.
They won't be able to keep their hands off of each
other, and they won't even try.
And they'll fall in love. The kind of crazy, beautiful
love that makes you forget everything else. And they
will forget about everything else for a while,
blissfully ignoring considerations about what others
will think. They'll be lost in their own little world
of nights together and days acting like just normal
acquaintances.
Chloe'll feel ecstatic, and she'll want to tell Clark
and Pete. But she won't know how. She won't know how
to say, "I'm in love with a girl. And, by the way,
Clark - it's the girl you've been infatuated with for
years."
So, she'll keep quiet, only letting Lana know how good
she makes her feel.
She'll stay quiet. But it won't last for long. She'll
have to tell Clark. And she will, in a soft
'please-don't-hate-me' tone. He'll stare at her,
looking at her like a vision of stoicism.
And he'll say, "I already knew. I've seen the way
you've been acting together."
She'll be shocked and relieved. And he'll say that
he's glad for her. And she'll smile.
The worst won't be out of the way, really, since not
everyone will be as accepting as her best friend is.
People will see them together and laugh. She'll hear
the various mutterings of 'dyke' behind her back. But
she'll just shoot a glare at them.
It won't make them stop, but she won't care. Because
she'll still have Lana, and everything will still be
flawless. She'll become convinced that Lana has super
powers, and she'll say that one day.
Lana will reply with, "Making you happy doesn't really
denote superhero status."
"You don't know that," Chloe will say.
"Well, if that's true, then you have to be a
superhero, too."
And they'll make up a whole stupid story about their
various super powers. Then, Chloe will kiss Lana in
the middle of her description of the bigoted loser who
is their nemesis. And talking won't really be
necessary anymore.
And they'll be happy.
But that's tomorrow, and the days after. This is now,
and Lana's mouth is still soft and warm against her
own.
She's happy.
And she knows that she'll stay that way.
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