章 10: The Weight of Decision [10]

The soft music continued to play, and Chloe, now more at ease, followed Clark's movements more easily. The two moved across the dance floor, their conversation slowing as the music created a comfortable atmosphere. Clark kept his gaze on Chloe, noticing how happy and relaxed she seemed.

"I never thought I'd end up dancing with you, Clark," Chloe murmured, her face slightly flushed as they drew closer. "I always imagined you'd be dancing with someone else..."

"You deserve this moment, Chloe," Clark responded sincerely. "And I'm glad to be here with you."

Chloe looked at him for a moment, her eyes shining with a mixture of gratitude and something deeper that she was trying to hide. "I... I don't even know what to say," she laughed nervously, looking away.

"You don't have to say anything," Clark murmured, gently guiding her through another turn.

They continued dancing as the music filled the room. The dance floor was full of other couples and groups of friends, but to Chloe, it felt like it was just the two of them. The night moved on, and the feeling that this moment was special intensified.

When the slow song finally ended and a more upbeat tune began, Clark and Chloe stopped dancing and walked over to one of the nearby tables.

"Want a drink?" Clark asked, looking over at the crowd.

"Yes, please," Chloe replied, still a little out of breath from the dancing. "I'll sit down for a bit, okay?"

Clark nodded and went over to the punch table, filling two cups and returning to where Chloe was seated. He handed her one of the cups, which she accepted with a smile. They settled in, watching the other students dance.

"So, what did you think of the dance?" Clark asked, with an amused smile.

"It was amazing," Chloe replied, laughing. "I really thought I was going to mess it all up, but you helped me not look so clumsy."

Clark took a sip of his punch, smiling. "You were great, Chloe. If you want, we can head back to the dance floor anytime."

"Oh, I think I need a break," Chloe joked, fanning herself with her hand. "But it was worth it."

Clark laughed with her, but something began to bother him. He felt a subtle change in the atmosphere, something that made him stop and focus. His super hearing picked up on a distant and threatening conversation.

"He's going to pay for everything... it's time for revenge."

Clark frowned and glanced briefly at Chloe, who was still distracted by their conversation. 'Jeremy Creek,' he thought. "I'll be right back, I need to use the bathroom," Clark said, standing up and smiling at Chloe, who nodded without suspecting anything.

"Okay, don't take too long," Chloe replied, sipping her punch.

Clark quickly turned and began walking toward the hallway, but his mind was already entirely focused on what he had just overheard. 'I need to act fast.' He quickened his pace, keeping a neutral expression so as not to attract attention.

Reaching the bathroom, Clark quickly looked around to make sure he was alone. The room was empty, and he knew it was the perfect moment to act. Clark used his powers to become invisible and intangible, feeling his body gently dematerialize as if merging with the environment around him.

'I need to find Jeremy before he ruins the night,' Clark thought, moving through the bathroom walls at super speed. His feet barely touched the ground as he moved like a shadow, unnoticed by anyone.

In no time, he located Jeremy Creek. Jeremy was near the school's side entrance, where no one would see him arrive. He was surrounded by an aura of electricity that crackled over his skin. Clearly, Jeremy was ready to cause some serious trouble.

Clark, still invisible and intangible, silently approached.

Without hesitation, Clark used his super speed to grab Jeremy firmly, pulling him in the blink of an eye to the cornfield far away from the school.

Whoosh!

The sound of Clark moving at super speed was almost imperceptible. Jeremy was dragged with such force and speed that he didn't have time to react. By the time they stopped, they were already in the middle of the cornfield, far from any witnesses.

Jeremy, still disoriented, looked around, trying to understand what had just happened. "What... how did I get here?" he murmured, his electricity starting to intensify in response to his confusion and anger.

"I brought you here," Clark said, his voice cold and remorseless, still invisible and intangible, circling Jeremy like a predator.

Jeremy, still confused, tried to unleash another electrical surge but couldn't hit Clark. Frustration and fear began to overtake him. "Show yourself, coward!" Jeremy shouted, as electricity crackled around his hands.

Clark, still invisible, watched the scene with disdain. He knew Jeremy didn't stand a chance. "You're pathetic," Clark said with contempt, his voice echoing through the cornfield. Jeremy launched another attack, but once again, it went right through Clark with no effect.

"Being this weak, it's no wonder they made you the Scarecrow," Clark taunted, finally materializing behind Jeremy.

Jeremy spun around in his direction, a mix of anger and fear on his face, but before he could react, Clark had already made his decision. He moved with impressive speed, grabbing Jeremy by the throat.

"This ends now," Clark murmured coldly, without hesitation.

Crack!

The sharp sound of Jeremy's neck snapping echoed through the cornfield. Jeremy's body went limp instantly, his hands falling, and the electricity surrounding him dissipated into the air. Clark released the lifeless body, which fell to the ground.

Clark looked at the body for a brief moment, without any sign of remorse. To him, this was just another obstacle removed. He crouched down, touching Jeremy's body and making it intangible. With a swift motion, Clark buried the corpse in the ground, making it disappear completely into the soil.

"Problem solved," Clark murmured, emotionless.

After ensuring that no one would ever find the body, Clark used his super speed to return to the school. Becoming visible again, he adjusted his tie and calmly walked back to the dance hall as if nothing had happened.

When he returned to the table where Chloe was waiting for him, she looked at him with a curious smile. "Sorry for the delay, Chloe," Clark said, sitting down with a cup of punch in hand.

"You took a bit longer than I expected," Chloe teased, laughing. "Did you get lost?"

Clark just smiled back, shrugging. "Had a few things to take care of."

Chloe shook her head, still laughing, but noticed that Clark seemed more relaxed. "Well, I'm glad you're back, because I wasn't interested in staying here alone."

"I'd never leave you alone," Clark said, with a sincere look that made Chloe blush slightly.

They chatted a bit more, laughing about some stories and watching the other students on the dance floor. The mood between them was light, but at the same time, a different kind of tension hung in the air. Chloe was increasingly aware of Clark's closeness, and her heart beat faster.

As the night went on, another slow song began to play, inviting couples back to the dance floor. Chloe bit her lip slightly, hesitating for a moment, but she knew she couldn't let this chance pass.

"Clark, want to dance again?" Chloe asked, standing up and holding out her hand to him with a shy smile.

Clark looked at her and, without hesitation, took Chloe's hand, leading her back to the dance floor. They stood among the other couples, and Clark wrapped his arms around her waist, gently guiding her to the rhythm of the music.

Chloe, feeling the warmth of Clark's hands, briefly lost herself in her own thoughts. She knew that at this moment, she had the chance to do something she had always wanted but never had the courage to.

'If I don't kiss him now, I'll never have this chance,' Chloe thought, as she leaned a little closer to Clark, her heart racing.

Clark, unaware of Chloe's internal hesitation, continued to guide her calmly through the dance, but something changed when she looked up, her eyes locked onto his. Before he could react, Chloe took the initiative.

With a swift motion, Chloe rose onto her tiptoes and brought her lips to Clark's, sealing the kiss softly but determinedly. The world around them seemed to disappear for both of them for a moment, as the music continued to play, but now only as a distant backdrop.

Clark, caught off guard, stood still at first, but then, slowly, he returned the kiss, feeling something unexpected grow between them. The kiss was short but full of emotion, leaving both of them speechless when they pulled away.

Chloe, blushing deeply, looked away for a moment, feeling a mix of relief and nervousness. "I... I just thought... you deserved a special ending to the night," she murmured, still shy.

Clark smiled slightly, his expression gentle. "It was special, yes. Thank you, Chloe."

The music ended, and the two stepped off the dance floor, the atmosphere between them lighter yet charged with something that had yet to be fully expressed.

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