The sun was already dipping over Smallville High, painting the courtyard in gold. Students left the building in small groups, their chatter and laughter mixing with the sound of backpacks and car doors closing.
Chloe walked among them with a steady pace, eyes alert. She spotted Lana ahead, standing near the gate, alone, her hair swaying in the soft breeze. The hesitation didn't last. The journalist quickened her step.
"Lana, wait."
Lana turned, her calm expression tightening slightly at the sight of her friend's serious face.
"Chloe… did something happen?"
Chloe took a breath, stopping in front of her. Her tone was direct. "Yes. I need to talk to you about Jason."
Lana blinked, surprised, but kept her face composed. "What about Jason?"
"You're with him, aren't you? I mean… you two are together."
For a moment, the courtyard noise seemed to fade. Lana looked away, clutching her books against her chest.
"How did you find out?"
Chloe crossed her arms but avoided a direct confrontation. "Doesn't matter how. What matters is this could destroy his career and your reputation. He works for the school, Lana. He's staff. You're still a student."
Lana took a small step back, her gaze turning defensive. "You're overreacting. We met before he came here. It was in France. This didn't start now."
"Even so, he's under contract now. That changes everything. If someone finds out—"
Lana cut her off, her voice louder than she meant. "Chloe, this has nothing to do with you. I know what I'm doing."
Chloe stayed calm but kept her tone firm. "You think you do. But I've seen this kind of story before, and it never ends well. I'm not judging you. I'm trying to protect you."
Lana shook her head, impatient. "You're treating me like a child. I love Jason, and he loves me. There's nothing wrong with that."
"Not wrong—dangerous," Chloe replied, her gaze sharp. "You know what Smallville's like. One rumor and everything changes."
The wind blew between them, scattering dry leaves along the ground. The silence stretched for seconds that felt too long.
Lana breathed deeply, her tone softening. "I appreciate the concern, but I can handle the consequences. What we have is real. And if I have to choose between safety and what I feel… I choose him."
Chloe lowered her gaze, Lana's words weighing on her shoulders. 'She really believes she's right. No point insisting now.'
She lifted her head again, her voice calm. "Fine. Just promise you'll think about what I said."
Lana crossed her arms, her eyes hard. "I don't have to promise anything. I'm tired of everyone trying to control me."
The words cut the air like a blade. Chloe took a deep breath, holding on to her composure. "I'm not trying to control you, Lana. I just don't want to see you get hurt."
"Hurt?" Her tone rose slightly. "You think you know what's best for me? You don't know what I feel, Chloe. You don't know what Jason means to me."
"Then help me understand."
Lana breathed in deeply, eyes tightening. "That's the thing, Chloe. You don't need to understand. Let me live my life."
The words came sharp, too fast, and the regret never came. Only the heavy silence left hanging between them.
The wind blew harder, lifting dust and leaves across the empty courtyard. They stood there, face to face, unsure if they were still friends or just two people holding onto something already broken.
"Alright," Chloe said at last, her tone low, tired. "I get it."
Lana looked away, her chest rising and falling. "Good."
Chloe turned first. Her footsteps echoed on the asphalt, slow, until they faded among the cars.
Lana stayed still for a few seconds, her body tense, her heart racing. Then she turned on her heels and walked the other way, her boots hitting the ground hard.
CLACK
The goodbye had no hug, no final glance. Just the dry sound of footsteps and the weight of frustration left in the air.
Chloe walked to the parking lot, the cold wind brushing her face. 'She won't listen. Not now.'
Lana, meanwhile, headed home, her heart in turmoil. 'She'll never understand.'
The two disappeared in opposite directions, separated by only a few streets but by a distance that felt impossible to cross.
The sun sank fully behind the trees, and Smallville High fell silent, as if holding the echo of a friendship that might never be the same again.
By late afternoon, the house was half-lit. The sound of a pot simmering mixed with the scent of herbs filling the kitchen. Clark crossed the living room at an easy pace, his shirt half unbuttoned, his expression calm.
"Tina, we're having another guest tonight, so make a little more food."
Tina looked up from the stove, smiling naturally. "Another guest? Clark, keep this up and this house will turn into a harem."
He let out a quiet sigh, though the corner of his mouth twitched with faint annoyance. "Tina…"
She chuckled, raising her hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. Just teasing. Leave it to me."
Clark shook his head, already walking away. The hallway was quiet except for muffled steps and voices from the bedroom.
Clark's Room
Kyla sat at the edge of the bed, flipping through a book. Diana, standing by the mirror, tied her hair back, her reflection sharp and focused.
Clark opened the door, leaning against the frame. The sound made both women turn.
"Hey, Clark. How was school?" Kyla asked with a soft smile.
He walked closer, kissing Diana first, then Kyla — naturally, like a silent ritual. "Same as always."
His gaze softened, and his tone turned firm. "Now, changing the subject — Alicia's coming over for dinner tonight. I want you both to meet her."
Diana arched a brow, crossing her arms. "Another sister?"
Clark met her gaze with a half-smile. "Eventually, yes. You'll like her. She's got a rather interesting ability. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to shower."
He walked off, pulling his shirt over his head on the way to the bathroom. The door closed with a light sound.
CLACK
The sound of running water followed soon after, steady and muffled.
Kyla looked at Diana, curiosity in her eyes. "Do you think he's serious when he says 'eventually, yes'?"
Diana adjusted her hair, thoughtful. "With Clark, anything can be literal. And that 'interesting ability'… that caught my attention."
"You think she's dangerous?" Kyla asked, tilting her head.
"I don't know. But if he brought her close, it means there's something special about her. Clark never lets anyone in by accident."
Kyla rested her chin on her hand, reflecting. "He seemed… different when he talked about her. Kind of mysterious."
Diana nodded. "That's how he gets when he's planning something he doesn't want to explain yet."
The two shared a knowing look — a mix of curiosity and quiet suspicion. The sound of water continued in the background, while the air in the house carried a new kind of anticipation — something about to change, though none of them fully understood what it would be.
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