Metroville (4/12)

[serafina19]

Author: serafina19
Title: Metroville
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Pleasantville-meets-Chlollie, only instead of an old television repairman... it's Zatanna who gives Chloe and Oliver the two-toned treatment in order for them to realize their budding feelings for each other.  Based on a Chlollieween prompt by yhrcmg.
Timeline: Season 8 AU starting after Hex, samples events from Odyssey.
Thanks to: alxnhnt22 for the banner.

Part 1    Part 2   Part 3

Part 4

Another hour, another day in this life that Chloe was trying to accept.  However, today she walked into the school alone and stared ahead in the hallways, not wanting to know if others were staring. Chloe had to focus now that she knew what was going on.

That didn't make the narrowing down of lessons any easier though.  Her life was fine right now, nothing glaring in her face when it came to abnormalities or failures.  It may not have been perfect, but in her experience, it was pretty darn close.

She was over losing Jimmy, over the loss of what she thought was her dream, she had accepted the different path she had taken.  Besides, what could a high-school crazy-esque “paradise” have anything to do with her and Oliver’s lives?

Opening the locker, Chloe sighed as she pulled out her books, but when she noticed Lois not moving in her peripheral vision, she knew something was up.  “I know that look cuz.  Spit it out, please.”

Lois uncrossed her arms, more than willing to ask her question.  “Is everything okay with you and Oliver?”

They were mentally confused as heck, but all things considered, Chloe figured they were okay.  So she closed her locker and said to Lois' face, “Of course.”

“It’s just that, yesterday you two seemed,”  Lois voice trailed momentarily as she tried to find the exact word, made difficult by the fact that Lois hadn’t exactly seen Chloe and Oliver so, “distant.”

Chloe smiled and quickly reassured her cousin. “Everything’s okay,"  which was technically true now that they were on the same page. Two heads working together hopefully would make getting out easier, as Chloe was trying not to attached to a fantasy, because that’s all this was.

“Good,” Lois replied as she slipped her arm through Chloe’s as they headed towards their class. “because if you two can’t make it, what hope does it give Clark and I?”

“Oh come on Lois... quarterback, lead cheerleader... you’re the real power couple.”

Nodding, Lois bumped shoulders with Chloe as they continued down the hallway. “But you’re dating the mayor’s son... close second in my book."  As they entered their classroom, Lois took notice of the flyer near the door.  “So fall formal’s next week.  When are we going dress shopping?”

Chloe's expression soured, as her memory of school dances back in Smallville were less than perfect.  But she sucked it up and gave a genuine suggestion. “Tomorrow?”

“We can’t go tomorrow silly.”  She turned to look at her cousin after sitting down at her desk, only to see confusion all over her face.  “You forgot didn’t you?  We have a double date tomorrow.”

Chloe wanted to roll her eyes, but instead just opened up her books to what she assumed was the right empty page.  She could handle the lack of cell phones and wireless technology, but Chloe figured that Zatanna would at least give them books.  “Right... it appears you know more about my schedule than I do.”

Reaching across the desk, Lois grabbed one end of the book and flipped it over to slam it shut.  Seeing Chloe's expression, Lois just shrugged.  “That’s what I’m here for, to make sure you don’t keep getting lost in your books.”

“So when am I free?”

Suddenly more excited, Lois pulled out her day planner.  After a couple moments of silence, she poked her pencil at a particular point that Chloe couldn't see.  “Saturday afternoon." She looked back up at Chloe and added, "We both know that Oliver’s taking you some place special on Sunday and we can cover both events with one outing.”

Chloe was tempted to ask about the Sunday date with Oliver, but she held back, hoping Oliver would have answers.  However, the town was basic, and Chloe had even toured the place in one day.  She figured she would have seen someplace special within the area, but nothing really clicked.

But when Lois realized Chloe's silence had gone on for a little too long, her curiosity for details won out.  “Oh please, you can’t play naive with me.  You were positively beaming about it earlier in the week.” Chloe continued her silence, as she had no idea what to tell Lois, but fortunately, her cousin wasn't quite finished.  “Then again, who wouldn’t be excited about going to Crater Lake?”

Chloe's first thought was: Swimming? In fall?  But again, she bit her tongue, realizing that maybe there was something different about Crater Lake that Chloe didn’t realize.  But that didn't exactly answer any questions.  Geography of Metroville had been extensively taught in yesterday's class, and Chloe didn’t remember there ever being a mention of Crater Lake.

~0~

As lunch rolled around, Chloe entered the cafeteria alone, as Lois had plans with Clark elsewhere.  Her bagged lunch in hand, she walked through the room towards the table with the only familiar face.

“Seat open?”  Chloe asked, gesturing to the seat next to Oliver.

He simply smiled back as he moved some of his books to the other side.  “For you?  Always.”  Oliver watched as Chloe sat down before asking, “Any interesting news on the alternate-Chloe front?”

Chloe opened up her bag and started to take out her lunch.  “Only an update on our social calendar.” Her sandwich was the basic ham and cheese, so she had a quick bite as she noticed Oliver doing the same. “Apparently we have a double-date tomorrow and a big date at Crater Lake on Sunday.”  Chloe noticed Oliver stop eating, trying to cover up a cough, which seemed weird, but she pressed on, “The way I see it, if we’re still here, it might be the perfect opportunity to delve into theories without getting disturbed.”

“That’s one way of looking it,” Oliver replied sarcastically, caught off-guard by how calm she was about this.

However, Chloe was just confused.  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Oliver was about to have another bite, but that question got him to stop.  Turning his head to look at Chloe, her expression said it all.  “You have no idea what Crater Lake is, do you?”

“I don’t see the big deal that you and Lois was making it out to be, but I think I’d have a better idea than you do.”  After all, Chloe was the one who grew up in Smallville.  However, she wanted to cover all of her bases early.  Chloe didn’t care what her alternate self was like, when it was just her and Oliver, her actual standards would be upheld.  “If you think you’re seeing me in a bikini, let me tell you that you’re seriously mistaken.”

That wasn’t remotely on Oliver mind, although he nodded to acknowledge the point.  He narrowed his eyes trying to figure out how he was going to explain this to her.  “You really don’t...”  Voice trailing, Oliver realized that not telling her was the best method.  It probably wouldn’t work, but it was worth a shot.  “You know what?  I’ll just pretend I’m sick or something.”

Turning in her seat, Chloe crossed her arms, surprised at how secretive Oliver was being.  “Oliver, you might as well tell me what the heck is going on.”

Well, Oliver could at least say that he tried.  “It’s, kind of, like a... lover’s lane.”  He turned his head to watch Chloe’s jaw drop slowly as she processed his broken sentence.

“Oh.”

Oliver just smirked.  “Yeah, and considering you and I are...” Oliver’s voice trailed again after gesturing between the two of them, finally settling on “not.”  Once he said the word, Oliver couldn’t help but roll his eyes based on how bad it sounded. “I think we can both agree that it’s probably best to cancel.”

The entire time Chloe had been fairly quiet, as she ate her lunch and analyzed everything Oliver had said.  She wanted to agree, but instead she said, “No.”

It took every bit of Oliver's strength not to spit out the water he had just sipped.  He took a second, and finally was able to swallow.  “No?”

Based on Lois had said, this was something that her cousin would never leave her alone about if it didn’t happen.  There were things Chloe had to do in order to not arise suspicion, and Oliver said himself... they had to sell it.  “I mean, we won’t actually do anything, but it still works... we can talk alone... try to narrow down this whole thing.”

“You’re sure?”

“Oliver... think about what we’ve gone through together.  It’s a fake date, what’s the worst that could happen?"  Looking around, Chloe was quickly reminded of the PG-ness of the place, which made her answer even easier to bear with.  "Furthermore, it’s hands-holding central... people probably just talk at a lover’s lane anyway.”

He was downright shocked, but Oliver held it back and nodded.  “Okay then.”

It’s a... date?

Seeing that the eyes of the lunch room had come their way, probably Zatanna’s not-so-subtle clue that they were being watched, Chloe decided to deal with the charade, taking Oliver’s hand in hers as she looked to change the subject.  “By the way... I know what you said to my dad, but you seemed a little nervous about tonight.”

Surprised at the contact, Oliver squeezed her hand gently as he gave his reply, “A little.  I didn’t exactly get much father-son catch time when I was little.”

Chloe frowned, but it was quickly replaced by a smile as she reassured him.  “You’ll do fine.”

He noticed her smile, so he couldn't help but grin back.  “I know, after all, there are certain... benefits to tonight.”

Chloe blushed, the implication not lost on her as she took her hand back.  “Don’t get your hopes up.”

“Chloe Sullivan, afraid of a little uniform,” Oliver replied with a slight chuckle.  “It’s cute actually.”

“Little is an understatement.” When Chloe had been informed of her cheerleading status, she had riffled through her closet, hoping that Zatanna had accurately portrayed the traditional long sleeve, long skirt combination.  Chloe saw within seconds, she wasn’t so lucky.

Looking back up, she stuck her finger up in Oliver's face.  “If you do as much as breathe this to –”

Moving the finger away, Oliver interjected, “And miss the shade of red your cheeks turn when someone actually tells you how attractive you are?”  With a further glare from Chloe, Oliver backed off, releasing her finger from his hand.   “Fine, my lips are sealed.”  Satisfied, Chloe got up and was about to thank him when he added smugly.  “For other people.  I won’t guarantee anything when it’s just us.”

~0~

 

Five minutes.  It should have been enough time, but apparently Chloe needed more.  Unfortunately for her, patience wasn’t exactly high on Lois’ list of qualities.  So after pacing the main floor entryway, Lois headed upstairs and knocked hard on Chloe’s door.

“Chloe, I’m coming in.”

“Lois?”  Chloe asked from inside, “I... need a minute.”

“Oh no,” Lois replied as she pushed the door open to see Chloe expectantly covering her midsection with her arms.  She had seen this before.  “No, not this again.”

Not thinking, Chloe blurted, “Care to narrow that down?”

Rolling her eyes, Lois began to walk over to her cousin.  “Your stupid insecurities, put your hands down now.” 

Then again, Chloe didn't exactly have a choice as Lois reached out and pried Chloe's arms away.  It was moments like this that Chloe saw her actual cousin in this version of Lois.  Every now and then, her bluntness would shine right through, and go figure, it comes around with skimpy outfits.

Which this was.  Despite what seemed to qualify as respectable clothing most of the time, this definitely seemed a little risqué.  Of course, it was for Chloe to think that way, while Lois seemed cool as a cucumber.

Sensing that her cousin’s comfort level was decreasing by the second, Lois broke the silence.  “Don’t make me get Oliver again.”  Her head then jerked back before she turned towards the doorway.  “On second thought...”

That sprung Chloe into action, slamming her bedroom door as she cut off her cousin’s path.  “Lois, that’s not necessary.”

Lois just laughed as she crossed her arms.  “Geez cuz, you acting like he’s never seen you in that uniform before.”

That’s because he hasn’t!

But Chloe couldn’t voice that thought, they had to play it cool for at least a little while.  Sure he would see it soon enough, but Chloe figured that prolonging it would make it easier, which wasn’t the case.  Knowing that there was no way around it, she gave in.  “Okay, let’s go.”

She followed Lois to the front door, insecurities riling up as they got there, so much that Chloe didn’t even grab a coat.  Walking down the street, Chloe was expecting cat calls, so she attempted to cross her arms over her chest, but Lois would smack her arms away and mutter something about acting naturally, an idea easier said than done.  Chloe didn’t really know her alternate self, because while there were obvious similarities, the differences weren't exactly easy to pinpoint.

Going through the school did nothing to ease Chloe's nerves, even when the other cheerleaders crowded around her and Lois. In fact, that was when she heard it.

A whistle. Chloe wanted to roll her eyes, at least grateful that her back was towards wherever the whistle came from, but when she noticed the other girls were grinning at her, Chloe realized it wasn’t going to be that easy.

She risked turning around, and sure enough, there was Oliver grinning at her while giving her a knowing look.  She waved at him quickly, hoping that would be enough to get him to stop looking at her like that.  Fortunately, Oliver did mockingly wave back, but soon after, he joined up with the rest of the team, so Chloe let out a nervous chuckle before turning back to the girls, her face undoubtedly red... or it would have been if it was possible.

At first, there was nothing, but then Tess of all people broke the silence.  “You’re lucky.  He never looked at me like that.”

 

~0~

It was funny, as Chloe went to school in a small town, one where football was embraced, but for some reason, the celebration when the Metroville team won was like nothing she had ever seen.  Everyone stood up, cheered loud, and it took Lois about half a second to drop her pompoms to run over to Clark, her quarterback in glistening jersey.  That said, Chloe couldn’t help but smile as she watched them interact, as it felt like something out of a sports movie, two people in love meeting in the middle of the field, unaware of their surroundings, just of their happiness. 

Feeling a hand on her side, Chloe was brought back to reality and peered up to see Oliver standing next to her with his arm wrapped around her back.   “It’s good to see that they figured it out here,” he said looking in Clark and Lois’ direction before turning to look at Chloe.

Tilting her head towards them, Chloe couldn’t resist asking, “You’re not jealous at all?”

Oliver just shrugged.  “It was nice while it lasted, but I don’t think we would have worked out.”

It was what Lois had told her months ago when Oliver had first moved to town, but at the time, Chloe didn’t buy it.  She always thought that Lois was reason number one for Oliver’s relocation, but seeing him now, Chloe could tell, they were over.

“Thanks for keeping the PDA to a minimum.”

“No problem," Oliver replied,  "the last thing I want is for my girlfriend to be uncomfortable around me.”  Letting go of Chloe, he faced her as he began to walk away. “For the record though, the uniform,” he said giving her body a quick look, “It’s flattering, but I don’t think it gives your body justice.”

With a smile, Oliver turned around to join the team in celebration, leaving Chloe alone on the sidelines shaking her head, letting a grin slip.




Part 5

 

Comments

[kaylaclaus.livejournal.com]

Love it! Love it. Awesome. So enjoying this! They are all cute and high school. The dynamic - Oliver/Chloe and Lois/Clark is great. Can't wait to read more!

[serafina19.livejournal.com]

Glad to hear that you're enjoying the story/dynamics. I'll try to update soon.

[jediyoda99.livejournal.com]

This was the best of the chapter so far. I was smirking the whole time especially when Oliver was teasing Chloe. He is having a great time not just in trying to make her blush but also their relationship and dynamic as well.

[serafina19.livejournal.com]

Aww thanks! I love a lot of things in this chapter too, to be honest. Thanks for the comment!

[pompeypearly-v2.livejournal.com]

love it!! I'm glad that Oliver didn't teast Chloe too badly.

I still think that Oliver is going to figure out the purpose of their trip to this 'paradise' before Chloe.

Can't wait for more!

[serafina19.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Yeah, Oliver usually knows the line on Chloe-teasing.

I still think that Oliver is going to figure out the purpose of their trip to this 'paradise' before Chloe.

You'll have to wait and see on that.

RL is getting crazy, but I'll try to update as soon as I can.

[greenteam4ever.livejournal.com]

Wow, thank you for updating! I love it so much! Ollie's reaction to Crater Lake? Priceless!Can't wait for more :) Now I definitely wanna see that double date, Creter Lake date and do not to mention the ball! Yay!So excited ;)

[serafina19.livejournal.com]

No problem, I'm always glad to hear that you're enjoying this.

Yep, there's plenty ahead for the two of them, so I'll try to get the next part up soon,

[kachica.livejournal.com]

nice update! hope you can update soon, I'm enjoying this one, Sera! :D

[serafina19.livejournal.com]

Thanks Keiko! The next one is the one I had to re-write (*shakes fist at computer*), but it's been cooperating, so fingers crossed it's soon.

[darklo.livejournal.com]

Double date, Crater Lake date and fall ball...I'm so excited.
And when Tess that Oliver never looked at her like he looks Chloé :-)

[serafina19.livejournal.com]

Glad to hear you're excited. I'm hoping I can live up to your expectations.

Thanks so much for reading and leaving a comment, I really appreciate it!

[danisige.livejournal.com]

Chloe is really lost in this world, however, Oliver is already understood some things. She thought she would swim and he was trying to evade the issue. lol
Hopefully, the PDAs increase, and finally a kiss is inevitable.;) Chloe finally realized that no longer exists Lois and Oliver, he ended this long ago. And Chloe as a cheerleader and with an uniform was great, and by the way, Oliver loved it. lol
Can't wait for "the date". :D
Great chapter. :)

[serafina19.livejournal.com]

In regards to the PDA, to quote Zee in a future chapter, "Talk is cheap in this world."

Oliver gets off easy, but Chloe's got more troubles to work through, but that gets taken care of soon.

Thanks for the comment! I'm glad your enjoying this.