2. Lofty Feelings

By the time Lana reached the loft that night, the guys were already halfway through a horror flick. 

Nobody noticed her come in, typical of them as they always leave the door unlocked. 

She quietly shut the door behind her and looked around the living room. 

Jimmy was stretched across one end of the couch with a bowl of popcorn balanced on his stomach. 

Evan sat in the armchair, looking completely unimpressed by whatever bloody muder was currently on the screen.

Clark sat on the other end of the couch with his arms crossed over his chest. 

And Jason was sitting beside him. 

Lana smiled. 

At least he’d kept his promise. 

She quietly carried the bags of snacks into the kitchen before sneaking back to the living room. 

No one had noticed her yet. 

She couldn’t help the urge to scare him. She crept up behind the couch and placed both hands on his shoulders suddenly. 

“Jesus!” Jason tensed and jolted up out of his seat and spun around defensively. 

"Ohh, Lana!" Jimmy looked away from the movie. "When did you get here?"

Clark smirked at Jason.

"Jesus, baby." Jason clutched his chest. "You scared the life out of me."

Lana held up her hands innocently.

"Well, how else was I supposed to let you know I'm here?" She pointed toward the kitchen. "I come bearing salty gifts."

"Why didn't you lead with that?” Jimmy immediately sat up.

Half an hour later, most of the food was gone and Jason was getting ready to bail.

Lana lay on her stomach across his bed while he moved around the room gathering everything he needed for his studio session.

"What time are you going to be done?"

"Probably around two."Jason changed his shirt before checking his hair in the mirror.

"Two?"

"Maybe earlier."

"You work too much."Lana groaned and dropped her face against his pillow.

"I know."

"Take a day off."

"I can't." he shook his head.

"Fake your death." she suggested.

Jason laughed.

"Preferably on a day I'm also free.” Lana lifted her head.

"I'll see what I can do." Jason glanced at his phone, then he walked out.

Lana waited.

A few seconds later, the front door slammed shut.

Her smile disappeared.

He hadn't even said goodbye.

She stayed there for another moment, staring at the doorway. Sometimes Jason really wasn't the best boyfriend.

When Lana returned to the living room, she dropped onto the couch beside Clark and crossed her arms.

A blond woman screamed dramatically on the television as something chased her through the woods. Evan and Jimmy were nowhere to be seen.

Then Lana felt a nudge on her shoulder.

She looked over at Clark.

"What's wrong?"Clark stared at her.

"Nothing." Lana responded, exaggerating her pout.

"He left without saying goodbye again?" Clark asked, already knowing the answer.

"How did you know?"

"You make that face every time." Clark shrugged.

"I do not have a face." Lana narrowed her eyes.

"You absolutely have a face."

"What face?" she asked, crossing her arms.

Clark mimicked her, crossing his arms and pouting back dramatically. 

"Asshole." Lana smacked his arm.

"Let’s go."He stood.

"Where?" She asked, looking up at him.

"I'll get you ice cream."

Lana jumped off the couch, her entire mood changed.

"That was disturbingly easy."Clark shook his head.

"Don't judge me.” She practically skipped toward the door.

"I am judging you." he shook his head as he followed her.

This wasn't the first time Clark had done this.

Whenever Jason was busy and Lana ended up feeling forgotten, Clark somehow noticed.

And more often than not, ice cream followed.

The ice cream shop was only a couple of blocks away.

By the time they headed back, Lana was halfway through her chocolate and cherries waffle cone.

Clark had gotten the same thing.

She looked over at him.

Clark had made sure to wear a hat as a disguise. Even if it was dark outside, they never knew when some fan would recognize him. Although they were just friends, she couldn't deny that he definitely deserved his place as this year's most eligible bachelor.

He had finished his ice cream already and was completely content walking beside her in silence.

"Can I ask you something?"Lana narrowed her eyes.

"Depends."Clark glanced at her.

"Why don't you ever go on dates?"

"I don't have time." he shrugged

"Oh, come on. That's a lame excuse."

"It's the truth.”

"You're telling me you don't have time for one date?"

"Correct," he nodded.

Lana stopped walking.

Clark made it another few steps before realizing she wasn't beside him anymore.

He turned around.

She stared at him thoughtfully.

"What?" He narrowed his eyes.

Lana smiled.

"No.” He answered, having a feeling about what was coming next.

"No, what?" she asked innocently.

"No."

"You don't even know what I'm going to say!" She exclaimed. 

"I know that look." Clark started walking again.

"What look?.” Lana hurried to catch up.

"The one where you decide to interfere with my life."

"You should meet Sora." Lana barreled through.

"No.”

“Clark!" She said his name in exasperation.

"I told you before. I don't want you setting me up with your friends."

"You haven't even met her."

"I don't need to."

"She's gorgeous." Lana responded.

"I'm sure she is."

"And she's single."

"So?" Clark stopped in front of the loft.

"So are you." she pointed at him.

"Astute observation."

"Just meet her once.” Lana rolled her eyes.

"No."

"Why?"

Clark looked at her for a moment.

Long enough that Lana's smile slowly faded.

"Because I'm not interested."Then he looked away.

"How do you know you're not interested if you've never met her?"

"Lana." Clark reached for the door.

"What?” 

"Lana, just drop it. I'm not in the mood to have this conversation again." Clark sighed tiredly.

"Fine."She crossed her arms.

He opened the lobby door for her.

Lana walked past him.

"I'll stop for now."

"That's not reassuring." He groaned.

"Good."She smiled sweetly over her shoulder.

Clark shook his head as he followed her inside.

Lana didn't give the conversation another thought.

After all, Clark had never shown much interest in dating anyone.

Eventually, she was sure he'd meet someone who changed his mind.

Lana decided to spend the night. Not feeling like going back to her empty apartment in the middle of the night. Borrowing one of Jason's oversized shirts, she settled into his bed. Cuddling with his pillow.