Chlark Fanfic: Peach Bikini, Chapter 3a
Chlarky Update!
Much like the Chlollie one, I have to split it into parts, otherwise LJ goes batsh*t crazycakes and with-holds my posting rights. *sigh*
Enjoy!
Title: Peach Bikini
Author: BabyDee
Pairing: Chlark
Rating: PG13
Warnings: None
Timeline: Season 3-ish; companion piece/prequel to The Perfect Gift
Disclaimer: All characters belong to the CW & DC comics.
Summary: When Chloe loses to Clark in a debate she has to wear a two-piece swimsuit to Crater Lake - much to his delight.
Feedback: …makes me squee. :-)
Read previous chapter here.
Read story from the beginning here.
Chapter 3
Friday arrived, and the anticipation throughout the school was palpable.
Clark glanced across at Chloe several times during the day, wondering desperately what was going through her head as the hour of the Debate drew closer. If she was nervous or unsettled in any way, she was doing a fantastic job of hiding it, because she appeared as serene as ever.
He, on the other hand, was a fidgety wreck. He’d done all the research into Capital Punishment and the Death Penalty as he was ever going to do, and he was sure he could present a pretty decent argument; but he was going up against Chloe. Even with all the information he had at his disposal and the benefit of a Krptonian brain, he knew he had to bring the best of his argumentative skills to the table against Little Miss Undefeated.
Time ticked by agonisingly slowly until finally the bell rang to signal the end of last period. As soon as it tolled, students filed out of the class and packed themselves into the auditorium, which had already been decorated for the Variety Night taking place immediately after the Debate.
Clark and Chloe walked side by side into the hall and silently made their way backstage, where Pete and Lana were waiting to offer their support.
The hum of assembled students grew louder and louder. Clark swallowed and peeped through the heavy curtain, balking at the sea of heads he was expected to address shortly. Slowly he closed the curtain and took a deep breath to steady his nerves.
Chloe looked up and him and gave a brief nod. “Good luck,” she said quietly.
He nodded. “You too,” he replied, sounding a lot calmer than he actually felt.
One of the kids from the AV club came round the back of the curtain with an earpiece and a clipboard. “Okay guys, you’re on in five,” he instructed. “When you hear your name, please take to the stage. Chloe, you’ll be going first; I need you to exit from the other side, so please make your way across to the far right. All the best to you both, and may the best team win.”
Chloe thanked him and quickly headed with Lana for the far right of the stage, while he remained with Pete on the left.
“You okay, man?” Pete asked, and he shook his head.
“I feel like I’m gonna throw up,” he replied shakily.
“Just relax, and take deep breaths,” Pete advised. “And try to imagine everyone in their underwear. They say that usually helps.”
“I’m sure it helps if you can’t actually see everyone in their underwear, Pete,” he groaned. “Oh God, now I feel even worse!”
Mr Mathison’s voice boomed out over the public address system from the other side of the curtain as he welcomed everyone to the debate, and Clark immediately broke out into a cold sweat.
“This is it, huh?” he said shakily.
“Don’t sweat it, Clark,” Pete whispered fiercely as he reassuringly squeezed Clark’s shoulder. “If anyone can beat Chloe in a debate, it’s you. Don’t let her intimidate you, and stick to what you believe.”
Clark nodded. “I’ll try.”
Mr Mathison welcomed Chloe to the stage, and Clark wiped his clammy hands on his trousers as he waited to be called. He glanced at Pete, who nodded sagely at him.
“All the best.”
“Thanks.”
“…will you please welcome Clark Kent!” the teacher announced.
Clark took a deep breath and walked onto the stage, his legs feeling strangely jelly-like. He stopped at the centre of the stage, just opposite Chloe. Wordlessly she extended her hand to him and he shook it. Again he searched her eyes for any signs of nerves or discomfort; there were none. She was as quietly confident as ever.
They stepped back and he turned his attention to Mr Mathison, who was giving the hall a brief rundown of the proceedings.
“Each candidate will have 5 minutes in the first instance to state their case and why they’ve taken their particular stance on Capital Punishment, after which they will each be given 3 minutes to issue a rebuttal and conclusion to the other side’s argument,” said Mr Mathison. Following this, everyone will cast their vote with a show of hands. If this appears to be inconclusive, a headcount will be taken, and we will declare a winner.
“Now, let’s keep it fair, people,” he went on. “This is more than just blind following of gender or friendships or personal biases. Chloe and Clark have both worked very hard on their arguments, and we’re judging them on presentation, articulation, use of grammar, and general composure. At the end of the debate, please cast your vote for the candidate who you feel made the most compelling argument.
“Right: we begin. Chloe, you’re up first. Good luck.”
***
Chapter 3b...