Life In Smallville {6}

Chapter 3: Wither

Lana's at the Talon getting some coffee when a paparazzi comes up to her and says, "Lana Lang, what's like being the new Lex girl. How long do you think it will last?" Lana's trying to shield her face and says, "Please, I'm just trying to get some coffee." The paparazzi says, "And I'm just trying to keep you company." Liana walks in to see Lana being harassed by paparazzi and walks up to the paparazzi and says, "Hey, do you know who owns that black Escalade out front. It's in the middle of the street upside down. It's really weird." The paparazzi and then runs out the door. Liana looks at Lana and softly says, "You, okay?" Lana softly smiles and says, "Yeah, I just wasn't expecting a photo op with my latte." Liana says, "I guess since you're with Lex now, the paparazzi won't leave you alone." Lana says, "You have no idea how annoying it is, I feel like I can't go anywhere without having my picture taken." Liana says, "Well, if you wanna go shopping and you don't wanna go alone. Call me up and I'll protect you from them." Lana smiles at her sister and says, "Okay, it's deal." Later, Lana's at the mansion and walks in to see a bunch of costumes on the rack and says, "What's all this?" The lady who picked out the costumes looks at Lana and says, "My God, your complexion is even more radiant than in the magazines." Lex says, "This is Monica, she's helping us pick out the costumes for the charity ball. She can help you put something together." Lana looks at Monica and says, "Um, well, thank you for coming, but I think I can dress myself." Lex says, "Oh, come on, Lana, I thought you'd have fun becoming anyone you wanted." Lana says, "Well, I can tell you what I'm not. The next Lex girl." Lex looks at Monica and says, "Monica, will you excuse us?" Monica walks out the room and Lex looks at Lana and says, "You saw this morning's paper. Look, Lana, I was raised in front of the cameras. I know it can be hurtful. When I was 13, a reporter caught me between classes at boarding school. He asked me how I felt about my mother's death. A mike shoved in my face in front of classmates I couldn't stand. That's how I found out she died. The press will tear us apart if we let them." Lana says, "Well, they're right about the revolving door of women you've had." Lex says, "Maybe. But I never asked any of them to move in with me." Lana says, "Lex, I know you. You desire what you can't have. So, what happens when you get it?" Lex says, "I'd be lying if I said I didn't struggle against my nature every day to let myself have this with you." Lana softly says, "I'm fighting mine to believe you." Lex says, "Lana, I've given you time, I've given you space, but you still don't know what you want." Lana says, "And you do?" Lex says, "I want us to stop pretending we're only roommates." Lana says, "Lex, I just need to be sure." Lex softly scoffs and says, "You can always come with excuses why this won't work. But you have to decide what you really want." Later, Liana's at the Kent farm in the kitchen on the computer looking at an email from the Inquisitor saying, "Do you want the job or not?" As Liana type's her answer, there's knock on the door. Liana smiles when she presses send and then goes to get the door. Liana opens the door to see a handsome guy and smiles and says, "Hey." The guy smiles and says, "Hi." The guy gives her an envelope and Liana says, "'Queen Industries.' Must've caught a strong headwind. Mrs. Kent's been waiting for this for weeks. Thanks." The guy nods with a smile and says, "You're welcome." They stare at each other for a few moments and says, "Oh. I'm sorry." Liana grabs her wallet and gives him some cash. Liana says, "Here." The guy says, "Thank you very much. What-what is, uh..." Liana says, "Your tip." The guy says, "It's a tip. Okay." Liana then closes the door on him and walks away. Mrs. Kent walks down the stairs and says, "I thought I heard the door." Liana gets back on her computer and says, "Yeah, your pledge finally sailed in from Queen Industries." Liana hands her the envelope and Mrs. Kent says, "Where's the man who came with it?" Liana says, "The courier? Oh, I gave him his tip." Mrs. Kent sighs and says, "Handsome, chiseled features with a smile that could light up a barn?" Liana looks at Mrs. Kent with a confused expression and Mrs. Kent sighs and says, "Billionaire CEO who stopped by to talk about his financial support of my platform." Liana says, "That was Oliver Queen?" Mrs. Kent nods and says, "Yep." Liana feels embarrassed that she gave him a tip and says, "And I gave him a tip. Oh, boy. I'm sorry Mrs. Kent." Mrs. Kent softly says, "It's okay." Liana feels really guilty that she messed up. Later, Liana's in her apartment fixing up a fruit basket for Oliver Queen, when there's a knock on her door. Liana opens the door to see Lana. Liana softly smiles and says, "Hey." Lana softly says, "Hey." Liana opens the door for Lana to come in. Lana walks in and Liana says, "So, how's it living with Lex?" Lana sighs and says, "Well, actually, it's getting kind of crowded in there." Liana says, "Water?" Lana says, "Please." Liana hands Lana a water bottle and Lana continues to say, "Liana, I have this terrible feeling. I feel like I do this with Lex I'd going to lose my identity." Liana says, "Well, Liana, if you don't trust him now that dynamic's not gonna change." Lana says, "It's just that I keep blaming my trust issues on everyone else. And the truth is, the person that I don't trust is myself. I keep... I haven't always made the right decisions. And when I realize that I have made the wrong ones I'm too far gone to get myself out." Liana says, "Lana, I don't know if Lex is the right guy for you or not. I mean, he certainly wouldn't be my first choice, but he wouldn't even really be on my list. You can't just sit safely by the water and watch all the happy people splashing around. I mean, eventually, you have to grow some fins and just dive in." Lana takes her sister's words carefully.