Chapter 29 “Friends”

Clark had expected Lois to come over the following day, but he was still surprised when Lois sat down on his desk, offering him a cup of coffee. He quickly slowed down his typing, slipping in a few grammar errors op purpose.

“Hey, Clark.”

“Hi.” Clark smiled at her, not entirely sure where they stood right now.

“I was thinking, maybe we could have lunch together? I’ve got a couple of things I want to say.”

“Sure,” Clark accepted his coffee and pretended to burn his mouth on the hot liquid. Lois didn’t laugh at him. “I’m almost finished anyway.”

Finishing his article – “There’s only one ‘l’ in reconciliation” Lois whispered - Clark stepped into the elevator with Lois.

“So, what did you want to say?” He asked as the doors closed, knowing fully well what it was about.

“Sorry. I wanted to say sorry. I shut you out of my life - and Jason’s – without telling you why. That was a stupid thing to do.”

They reached the Entrance Hall, and walked out into the sunshine.

“OK. Are you going to tell me why you did that?” Clark inquired, wondering if she would be honest with him.

“Let’s get ourselves lunch first.”

“Alright” Clark directed his steps towards the lunchroom opposite the street, that run almost entirely on Daily Planet reporters, but Lois objected.

“No, not there. Let’s go somewhere else.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t want people listening in.” She looked pointedly at Jimmy, who’s bent frame was visible behind the window.

“OK, so what do you have in mind?”

Lois pointed across the street.

“Chinese? Lois, it’s 12 o’clock!”

“I’m in for Koe loe yuk.” Lois stated.

“Alright,” Clark shrugged “Koe loe yuk it is.”

They entered the restaurant and made their way to the counter. Lois gave their orders as Clark took in the many decorations and statues.

“She says it’ll be ready in fifteen minutes.”

“So, we’ll have some time to talk.”

“Yeah, I guess...” Lois fumbled with her sleeve. “Well, here it is; I pushed you away because you were getting too close.”

“What do you mean, too close?” Clark felt bad for making her tell him this while he already knew, but a part of him liked to see that Lois finally put some effort in their friendship. He was going to accept her apology, but he wasn’t going to let her off the hook easily.

“I mean that I couldn’t think straight when you were around. I couldn’t focus, I messed everything up. I needed space, Clark, so I could think things over.”

“What kind of things?”

“Things like you. Our friendship.”

“Why did you have to think that –”

“Because I like you, Clark! I more than like you. You’re nice, you’re patient, you’re funny, you’re great with Jason, you helped me out, and you just had to open the door wearing only a towel!” She had practically shouted it, and heads turned towards them as a ringing silence fell. Both Lois and Clark ducked their heads.

Good thing we’re not in that lunchroom right now!

“Miss, I’ve got your order.” An Asian girl with a heavy accent broke the heavy silence and presented them a white plastic bag.

“Thank you.” Lois muttered, embarrassed, and she shuffled out of the place to sit outside on the bench. For a moment they ate in an uncomfortable silence. Neither of them knew how to handle this particular situation.

“So, now you know.”

“Yeah, now I know.”

“Do you mind?” Lois looked up.

“No,” Clark smiled at her, and he saw relief on her face. “No, of course I don’t mind. And, anyway,” he added, remembering his conversation with Lois the previous day, “This is not going to change anything if you don’t want it to. We can just stay good friends.”

Lois redirected her attention to her food. “Do you want us to remain friends?” She asked quietly.

Clark blinked. That was one question he hadn’t expected. Was she going to say what Clark thought she was going to say?

“Do you?” Lois pressed.

“Well, Lois, I don’t know, I-”

“Because I don’t. I’d like us to be … a little more.” She now looked at him straight, and Clark felt the blood rushing to his head.

He had a serious dilemma right now. The woman he loved more than anybody else – well, besides his Ma, but that was a different type of love – wanted a relationship, and he wanted it too, but he knew that he couldn’t. They had tried it, and they had failed.

“I – well, Lois … I … What about Richard?” Clark blurted it out before he could catch himself.

You idiot! Why did you have to bring him up?

“I'm quite sure Richard wouldn't mind.” To his surprise, Lois smiled slightly.

Clark stared at her, all food forgotten. He wanted nothing more than to kiss her right there. She was beautiful like this. An honest smile on her face, no acting, no keeping up appearances, just Lois.

“I can’t.”

Lois’ smile faded and Clark dropped his gaze.

“I’m sorry.”

“You can’t or you won’t?”

Oh, I want to alright…

“I can’t. I think it’s best if we just go back to were we were.”

Lois masked her disappointment with a brave smile – a fake one.

“Do you think that that’s still possible?”

“I hope so.”

Lois looked at the contents of the white plastic bag on her lap.

“I hope so too.”

Clark wanted nothing more than to bolt and fly around to clear his mind, but he knew he couldn’t run away from this.

“So we’re friends again now, right?”

Lois looked up, eyes bright, but a smile on her face.

“Friends.”