Clear Devotion: Part 1

Decked out in a cheerleader’s outfit, Chloe studied the object of her affection. Clark Kent, the second-string, soon to be starting, quarterback of the Smallville High Crows was positively limping onto the field. Her voice may have been filled with excited cheers, but inside her brain, the gears were turning.

Earlier that day, Lois had mentioned a theory she had about the Gatorade. It was a very intriguing theory, and had her focused not been shifted to much more important things, like the ailing of her true love, she’d pursue it. Except now it didn’t seem like such a bad idea. While the other football players had become more devoted to their girlfriends as a result of the Gatorade, Clark seemed to get sick by drinking it. Chloe knew never to second guess anything green in Smallville. No doubt the cheerleaders had put meteor rock in the drink. Extensive study of the rock indicated it wasn’t lethal. It did have an effect on exposure, usually involving the development of a superhuman ability. But the football players weren’t developing powers, unless true devotion to a significant other was a power. It was an amazing virtue, one that Chloe was proud to possess, but it was not a superhuman ability.

Last night, Clark had a most distasteful reaction to Chloe’s advances in the loft. While he seemed okay making out for a while, he definitely stopped short of second base. Phooey, though Chloe. He could use a refreshing beverage that inclined him towards more noble pursuit, like love. Or sex. Sex was a very noble pursuit; a pursuit that Chloe really wished she had been better at pursuing.

Well, the right thing to do is quite obvious now, isn’t it, Sullivan?

* * *

“I want you to make more Gatorade with this,” Chloe remarked, handing Mandy a small chuck of red meteor rock.

“Excuse me?” Mandy replied, eyeing Chloe up and down distastefully.

“Look, I know you’ve been spiking the football players’ Gatorade with meteor rock and phenylethylamine, effectively making your boyfriends love slaves.”

“You threatening to report me?” Mandy replied.

“Are you not listening to me? I want you to make more so that I can hook Clark.”

Mandy took the golf ball-sized crystal. “Any reason you want cherry instead of lime?”

“As if it’s any of your business, but I think Clark had an adverse reaction. That’s the stuff they made our class rings out us, and since he wore it, I know he’s not allergic.”

“So, what I’m hearing,” Mandy recapped, “if I make you some cherry delight to hook the quarterback, you won’t report me?”

“Glad we understand each other.”

“You know I’ll only be able to make about a pitcher’s worth with this much.”

“It’s all I need. One more thing.”

“You’re pushing it, Blondie.”

“It’s just a little thing. I’m coming to the party.”

Mandy looked her over again. “On one condition: you stop pretending you joined the cheerleading squad. I need that uniform back.”

Part 2