Chloe sat before her computer screen, the cursor blinking on the same spot for minutes. Ideas tangled together, none worthy of the headline she wanted.
'Maybe I need to get out of local journalism and chase something bigger.'
The office door swung open with a quick push.
Clack
Alicia burst in like a whirlwind, eyes shining and a grin that barely fit her face.
"Chloe, you won't believe what I found out!"
Chloe blinked, tired but curious enough to close her laptop.
'I hope it's important enough to come in like that.'
"What happened?"
Alicia stepped closer, still catching her breath, hands pressed on the desk. Excitement made her voice rush.
"I heard Lana and Jason talking in the hallway. It wasn't about class or practice. It was… personal."
Chloe raised an eyebrow, her expression split between interest and caution.
"Personal how?"
Alicia took a deep breath, her smile growing again.
"He called her different, asked why she was distant. And she answered like she was trying to hide something. It sounded like a couple fighting."
Chloe crossed her arms, leaning back in her chair.
"Maybe you're just imagining things. Jason's the kind of guy who cares about students. He talks like that to everyone."
Alicia shook her head firmly.
"No, Chloe. I know what I heard. The tone was different. And she got nervous, like she was scared someone might see them."
Chloe stayed silent for a few seconds. The hum of the fan filled the gap between them.
'She's right. It does sound wrong. But if I confirm this, it'll destroy Lana. She doesn't need that right now.'
She forced a small smile, trying to lighten the weight of the conversation.
"Let's suppose it's true. What do you want to do with it?"
Alicia hesitated. "Nothing… for now. I just thought I should tell you first."
Chloe nodded, finally closing the laptop. The click of the lock sounded like a full stop.
"You did the right thing. Leave this story to me. And, Alicia… don't tell anyone, okay?"
Alicia drew a long breath, eyes fixed on Chloe. "You're right. It's not good to write anything without all the facts."
Chloe smiled faintly, controlled. "Exactly."
She stood, gathering the loose papers from the table and stacking them neatly. Inside, her thoughts whispered in silence.
'I'm not publishing anything. But if what she said is true, I need to confirm it. Lana doesn't deserve to be a headline.'
Alicia watched in silence, trying to read the calm expression that hid too much. Chloe's gestures were too precise, too organized for someone planning to drop the subject.
"You're going to investigate, aren't you?"
Chloe met her eyes, not answering right away. The fan cut through the warm air, and the silence grew heavier.
"I just want to understand what happened. Nothing more."
Alicia relaxed her shoulders, convinced. "Alright. I trust you."
'She really believes I'm taking this on… perfect. That way she won't meddle.'
Chloe grabbed her bag, adjusted her badge, and moved toward the door. "I've got class. We'll talk later."
Alicia nodded, her smile returning, smaller now. "Sure, go ahead. I'll keep an eye out, just in case."
Chloe paused for a moment, hand on the doorknob. "No need."
She opened the door and walked out without looking back.
Clack
The sound echoed through the room, leaving Alicia alone, with the lingering sense that the matter was far from over.
The school bell rang through the corridors of Smallville High, dissolving classroom monotony into a hum of voices and hurried steps. Clark walked among the students, phone in hand, Alicia's message still open on the screen.
Bzz
The phone vibrated again, but he'd read enough. Alicia wanted to talk to him in person. The rushed typing gave away her urgency.
Clark slipped the phone into his pocket and kept walking, eyes alert to the doors opening on both sides. The air carried the mix of cheap perfume, muffled chatter, scraping chairs, and nervous laughter.
Alicia appeared at the far end of the hall, her steps steady and her face charged with something that wasn't fear — impatience. Students passed between them, unaware of the quiet tension hanging in the space.
She gave a quick nod and kept walking. Clark followed. Neither spoke.
The halls grew emptier as they moved away from the main classrooms. The echo of their steps replaced the noise of voices.
Clark's gaze stayed ahead, each step measured. For an instant, the idea of reading her mind crossed his thoughts. The possibility lingered for a second, then faded.
He chose silence instead.
Alicia quickened her pace, her hair swaying with the movement. Her rhythm didn't match the rest of the school — like she was heading somewhere she shouldn't.
The side corridor led to the back of the building, where the noise of students vanished almost completely. The windows let in narrow bands of filtered light, dust floating in the air.
They stopped near the service stairs, where the school's sound became a faint hum. A weak breeze slipped through the door cracks, stirring scattered papers across the floor.
Flap
Alicia looked around, making sure they were alone. Clark stayed still, his shadow stretching across the wall, body relaxed but ready.
She drew a deep breath, fingers nervously interlacing.
"Clark, Jason and Lana are having an affair. I told Chloe and asked her to make it a story, but now I think I did something wrong."
Her voice trembled — quick, anxious, like she was unloading a weight.
Clark stayed silent for a few seconds. His face showed neither surprise nor discomfort. Only calm.
'She really thought this was news.'
He took a step closer, his tone low and steady.
"Alicia, you don't need to worry. I already knew about them."
Her eyes widened, shocked — as if she'd expected any reaction but that one.
Clark continued, unwavering.
"Lana and Chloe are friends. If Chloe acted strange when you told her, it was just to protect Lana. She didn't want this to become a story. That was the right call."
Alicia lowered her gaze, biting her lip. Guilt bled slowly into her tense posture.
"So… what do I do now?"
Clark studied her for a moment before replying with composed firmness.
"Nothing. Just move on. Sometimes, keeping a secret is the hardest way to do the right thing."
The air seemed lighter between them. Alicia exhaled the breath she'd been holding and forced a small, grateful smile.
"Thank you, Clark."
He nodded slightly.
"Everything will be fine."
Alicia kept her eyes on him for a moment, fingers playing with the hem of her blouse. Her voice came soft, but full of curiosity.
"Will you and Diana be busy tonight?"
Clark raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her gentle tone. Alicia bit her lip before continuing.
"Because if not, maybe I could talk to Diana… and the other girls who live with you."
There was a long pause in the air. The way she said "the other girls" carried something different — a mix of boldness and restrained desire.
Clark noticed, but didn't respond right away. He turned his gaze to the window, sunlight cutting his face in light and shadow.
'Today I was planning to fix the Fortress of Solitude, but that can wait until tomorrow.'
He looked back at Alicia, voice softer, a nearly invisible smile curving his lips.
"Sure, Alicia. You can have dinner at my place. Just don't expect anything fancy."
Her eyes lit up instantly. The fatigue vanished, replaced by something bright, alive.
"Really? That's great! I've always wanted to meet Diana and the others."
Her joy was genuine, but beneath it pulsed something deeper. Alicia wanted to be there — to belong to that circle, maybe to something more.
Clark noticed the energy around her, the way her breathing changed, hope hiding beneath the smile. Still, he kept his tone calm and steady, balancing the moment between kindness and boundary.
"Then it's settled."
Alicia nodded eagerly, the spark in her eyes revealing the dinner meant more than a simple invitation.
Clark stepped closer, his expression calm. The space between them narrowed until the air itself seemed to hold its breath.
He leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her cheek — a quick touch, but enough to freeze the moment.
Alicia stood still for a heartbeat, her heart racing.
When Clark stepped back, she raised her hands to her cheeks, her face warm, eyes wide.
Clark simply smiled and took a step back.
"I'll see you later."
She nodded slowly, still stunned, a shy smile curling at the corner of her lips.
Clark turned and walked down the corridor, his calm steps echoing until they faded around the bend — while Alicia stayed there, motionless, trying to understand if it had really happened.
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