Chapter Text
It was an early monday morning in the Clark´s residence. Maddison Clark, a forty five year old high school counselor, was roaming around impatiently waiting for her daughter, who´s five more minutes of sleep turned out to be thirty and meant both of them would be, again, late for school.
"Lex.. come on, come on!," Maddy hurried her daughter while knocking on the bathroom door. "We have to go!".
"Give me two minutes!," Lexa answered from the other side.
"You should´ve been ready thirty minutes ago, now let´s go!". Maddy said heading to the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee.
"Done!, I fixed it!," Travis, Maddy´s boyfriend, said standing from under the sink. He´s been trying to fix the plumbing for two etire days. "We just saved two hundred dollars, how awsome am I?," He hugged the blonde woman and kissed her lips.
"Mmm, we´ll see about that.." She shook her head and returned the kiss with a smile.
Travis recently moved in with them. They have been dating for a little over a year and both felt it was the right move since they loved each other. Though they still had trouble convincing her teenage children that they could become a happy family.
Soon they were interrupted by the sound of the telephone. Maddy removed herself from his arms and took the call. "Hello?,"
Travis watched the interaction closely. "Yes, I´m Maddison Clark.... you did?.....Where is him again?.... ok, thank you. I´m on my way". She ended the call sighing deeply.
"Everything ok?," Travis asked concerned.
"They found Nick, he´s at the hospital..." Maddy replied, a mix of relief and worry written in her face.
Lexa appeared in the room, standing at the door, fully clothed, hair towel in hand. She remained quiet, expecting her mother´s explaination. Nick, her older brother, had been gone for almost two weeks with no news of his whereabouts. Due to his drug addiction and his incapability of overcoming his dependency Nick started suffering some depression. It has kept the family on edge, not knowing where he´s been or if he´s ok. Maddison had signed him into different recovery center over the last two years, but with no positive outcome whatsoever, since he escaped from every single one of them.
"Apparently he was in some sort of accident... We´ll get more information when we get there." The blonde expressed. "Please Lex, get your things so we can go" The blonde woman pleaded.
"Sure mom" The girl complied and walked past the couple.
A few seconds of silence took place. "Everything will be alright babe," Travis then said conforting his lover.
Maddy hid her face on his chest. "I hope so".
Twenty minutes later they arrived to the hospital and rushed to the front desk. Soon a nurse led them to Nick´s room, where they found him strapped to the hospital bed, covered in cuts and bruises and still under the effects of drugs. Two police officers where standing next to the bed, one of them holding a notebook, aparently doing some sort of interrogation. They were startled by Maddy´s intrusion, who angrily force them out of the room claiming her son was in no condition of doing any stament, not with a lack of a formal accusation.
Lexa remained in the background watching the interaction between her mother and brother. She had seen this a dozen times before, it always ended the same way. Nick would touch bottom, ask for help, making promises of doing better in the future only to fall back again on the same unhealthy track. Lexa loved her brother, but she did no longer trusted his word. And as this topic would bring yet another disagreement with her mother, Lexa decided to wait for her outside the room. She had problems of her own, she didn´t need to add more to the list.
Almost an hour later Madison walked out of her son´s room. The boy had to remain under medical observation for a couple of days, he needed to get rid of the toxins and then get evaluated by a psychiatrist before his release since he´s been rambling inconsistently about dead people, blood and more nonsense. "Let´s go Lex," The blonde woman led the girl toward the exit. "Travis will stay while we are at school."
"Wow, bonding with the step son?," Lexa chuckled walking beside her mother "Gotta take advantage while he´s drugged and bound to the bed."
Maddy glare at the girl. "Don´t be mean!," she said giving a light push to her daughter, who laughed. "He´s trying, ok?. You could give him a chance". Maddy never pushed any of her children on pretending to like Travis, but her biggest desire was for them to get along.
"He has to earn it," Lexa replied trying to sound serious, she sometimes liked to work her mother up for fun.
Maddy eyed her incredulous. "How?, you don´t give him the time of day..."
Lexa laughed at that "well.. for starters he should stop imposing his man of the house actitud.. I mean, since when does he know how to fix a sink?" She questioned her mother. "He´s just showing off for you... I dont like that"
Maddy laughed out loud "Now you sound like a jealous little kid... You´re not jealous are you?," She eyed her daughter mocking her.
"Of course I´m not," Lexa feigned desinterest while looking away. "but someone´s gotta look out for you ". She picked up her pace as she exited the building, implying her intention of finishing the topic.
The older woman shook her head at her daugther´s actitud "well, even though you deny it, I still notice a little hint of jealousy there and it is very sweet of you..." She said with a smile.
"God mom, stop." Lexa grunted and opened the passenger door of the car, she was definitely not sweet. "Get in the car.... and stop smiling like that". She finished closing the door.
At that Maddy couldn´t help but burst out laughing again. "ok, I´m sorry," She sat in the drivers side and started the engine. "I love you baby," She said looking at Lexa, who just rolled her eyes. "ok, ok... I´m done!. Let´s get out of here."
Coming to school has been a burden for Lexa lately. She´s a good student, getting good grades was not hard for her. Some people would say she was a bit of a nerd, on her opinion she just liked to read a lot. The brunette liked to keep a low profile at school even though a lot of people knew her for her involvement in sports. It was not her intention to have such participation, but since the athetics coach saw her , a few years ago, running around school grounds trying to get to a class she was an hour late for, he convinced her she could be a great asset to the schools track team. And after seeing her beat the male´s team in her first tryout he was more than eager to recruit her. It never crossed her mind that she had these sort of skills, but after a while of training she found running a great stress relief way and at the end she learned to love it. Lexa was not very good at showing or expressing her feelings, so every time she felt overwhelmed or needed to get away from everyone she ran to clear her head.
So yeah, most of the time Lexa did enjoy coming to school and the main reason was that she got to spend time with her favorite person in the world and love of her life: Clarke Griffin. But these last two weeks hadn´t been the best for Lexa, since they were going through a rough patch. A lot of things hapened in a short amount of time, things they both were trying to figure out. And the hardest part was having to stay away, since Clarke told her she needed time to process things.
Lexa parted ways with her mother, she was supposed to be in English at the moment but she was already late so she decided to skip and try her luck and find her girlfriend.
Clarke Griffin and Lexa met when they were children, they grew up in the same neighborhood and became best friends, just like their mothers. They went to the same elementary school and shared the same groups of friends, they used to live in each other houses growing up so it was no surprise when they finally got toghether romanticly. It didn´t happen so easily though, cause just as they were discovering these feelings at their early teenage years, Clarke´s family had to move half across the country due to her mother´s career. So they were left with too many unclear feelings to reveal, a lot of things left to say and not enough time.
Lexa was mad at the whole situation and in the course of six months they lost touch and Lexa ended up convincing herself it was better to move on cause probably they wouldn´t see each other again. She thought it wasn´t worth relying on false hope.
She dated a few girls at the time, nothing serious, until at fifteen she met the girl who became her first girlfriend. Costia Matheson, beautiful blue-eyed brunette, with a smile that could light up a room, was the first girl to steal Lexa´s atention. Lexa often found herself distracted watching the girl walk through the schools corridors, she had a mesmerizing personality. One day, at her brother´s seventeenth birthday party, Lexa finally got the courage (after a few drinks of motivation) to speak to Costia. The girl was Nick´s classmate and he had invited her so Lexa could make her move. It was awkward at first since Lexa was a nervous wreck and didn´t seem to form a coherent sentence and probably would have ran away if Costia had not turned out to be melted by the Lexa´s sweet approach. After two dates Lexa decided to act on her feelings and ask Costia to be her girlfriend, who accepted without a doubt. They were happily together for almost two years, but the relationship was affected by an unexpected turn of events, or to be more exact, because of someone´s comeback.
*Flashback*
The sun was high, shining strongly that saturday morning. A thick sheen of sweat covered her skin as Lexa raced fast through the familiar neighbourhood. There was a light breeze that helped cool down the high temperature that ran through her burning muscles, that only encouraged her to pick up her pace. She passed the last few houses until hers came into view. It was pretty quiet at that hour of day, and Lexa enjoyed the tranquility it provided. She knew most kids her age would call her crazy to be up that early on a weekend but she really needed to mantain her strength and resistance and keep her good physical condition. Wich actually became amazingly fit with the new training her coach was putting her through, lifting weight had increased her body structure exponentially in little time (she had to keep up with the boy´s level to stay on the team).
Lexa stopped in front of her house, hands on her hips, taking a minute to catch her breath. She then walked into the kitchen and spotted her mother pouring coffee in a few cups. "Hey, I´m glad you´re back!" The woman said excited.
Lexa raised a finger and hummed in response heading for the fridge. She could not talk with a dry throat. She grabbed a water bottle and inmediatly emptied half of it in a gulp. "I´m gonna take a shower," She informed passing a hand through her hair as she started walking out of the room.
"No, no ,no!" The blonde rapidly stopped her by the arm "come here, there´s something I wan-" She was suddenly cut by someone´s appearance at the kitchen entrance.
"Oh my god!" Abigail Griffin gasped placing a hand over her mouth, while inspecting the young girl in front of her "Lexa, look at you!"
Lexa turned toward the intruders and froze in the spot. Her breath was caught in her throat as the time seemed to stop it´s course when she focused on the young blonde standing next to Abby.
Holly shit! she thought. In front of her was the most beautiful creature she had ever laid eyes on. Her heart started beating out of her chest and Lexa was sure it could be heard in the entire house.
In the absence of response from her daughter and noticing the shock on her face, Maddy interceded "Honey, aren´t you going to say hi?"
Lexa forced herself out of her trance when she noticed three pair of eyes on her, -"huh?, I´m not- uhm" Her face turned bright red at her sudden stuttering. She turned to her mother begging for help.
"We sure catch you off guard, huh?" Maddy said rubbing the girls arm. "You remember Abby and Clarke, right?".
Off course I remember, Lexa thought...
"I´m sorry we surprised you like that, Lexa." Abby said in advance with a kind smile on her face. "But we really wanted to see you guys after all this time, right honey?" She finished giving Clarke a nod of encouragement.
"Yes, it´s really good to be back..." Clarke said looking straight to Lexa´s eyes after scanning the taller girl´s toned body. "I´m happy to see you again Lexa" she said biting her lip while smiling.
Clarke experienced her fair share of detachment feelings years ago too but the truth was she started to facebook stalk Lexa when her parents told her they were moving back to her hometown and she was not against being part of Lexa´s life again, as a matter of fact Clarke was very much looking foward to claim her taken right into Lexa´s heart, and there was nothing and no one who would get in her way.
Lexa found herself unconsciously staring at the girls lips before averting her eyes. She chastised herself mentally while trying to voice her mind "uhmm- yeah it´s g- hmm- I mean, it´s good...". What an idiot!,. She could´t believe how childish she was acting. It was embarrassing the state a girl (and not just any girl, it was Clarke, childhood friend Clarke!) had manage to put her in.
Noticing the discomfort on the brunette Clarke couldn´t help but let out a small laugh "I see you still stutter when you´re nervous," she smirked walking closer to the other girl, who just remained still, mouth half open. When they were close enough Clarke stood on the tip of her toes and sweetly kissed her cheek. "some things just never change..." she finished with half a whisper, blue intently fixated on green eyes.
Lexa seemed to get lost in the blonde´s closeness and intoxicating perfume, because she definitely missed the knowing looks that were exchanged between the older women standing in the room.
"So... about that coffee?" Maddy broke the silence inviting the guests to take a seat around the kitchen table and Lexa took this chance to distance herself from Clarke, remembering her clothes were drenched with sweat.
"Yes, please!" Abby agreed following her friend.
Lexa excused herself to freshen up, joining back minutes later. Only to be struck by the news that the Griffin family was back for good. Apparently they were not able to settle in the other city, so after discussing the matter properly and encouraged by the fact that their old house would be available, they decided to move back.
Throughout the conversation Lexa kept stealing glances of her old friend, trying to decide if these were or not good news. Even though Lexa was glad that Clarke was back, she just couldn´t shake the thought that it could mean trouble for her, cause with only minutes into being in her presence she was already a disfunctional mess (and it was unacceptable, she had a girlfriend). Lexa couldn´t deny Clarke was beautiful, she always had been, but now, years later, they were no longer little kids and the atraction was undeniable.
Lexa let out a deafeated sigh. She was indeed in deep trouble...
*End of flashback*
As she arrived at the school´s football field bleachers she spoted the blonde locks from afar. Clarke was working on a art project for her senior year. It consisted on painting a mural along the wall next to the bleachers stairs. The girl was standing over a ladder, hands holding a painting gun.
"Hey there," Lexa said calling the girl´s attention as she took a look at the blonde´s work. "it looks great".
Clarke stared back at the brunette and then back at her work. "Not my favourite one so far... but I´ll be happy as soon as I´m done with it"
"Well, I still think it look´s great." Lexa shoved her hands inside her pockets and averted her eyes thinking what else to say. Lately their relationship was full of these uncomfortable silent moments. Where neither one of them knew what to say. Lexa agreed to Clarke´s request of space but she knew sooner or later they would have to stop avoiding the subject and talk but she still didn´t like the idea of pushing Clarke about it. Lexa turned around a took a seat on the bleachers focusing her eyes on the kids playing on the field.
Clarke discarded her tools and taking deep breath she walked over to Lexa. She hated to see Lexa so down and vulnerable. She hated being away from her. All she wanted to do was wrap her arms around her and kiss her senseless. But Clarke felt they needed to solve a few things before it came to that. Because that´s what grown ups do, right?.
She took a seat next to Lexa and found herself admiring her beautiful features. "How are you?"
"Been better..." Lexa started but then corrected herself as she didn´t want to make Clarke feel guilty about anything. "I´m ok..." She nodded. "and you?"
"Fine" The blonde affirmed but it sounded more like a question. After a few seconds of silence Clarke tried to change the subject. "Shouldn´t you be in class?"
"I was too late to go in"
Clarked let out a chuckle. "It´s the third time in two weeks!"
"Mhm, I know, but today it wasn´t my fault" She sighed. "They found Nick..."
"Oh, really?" The blonde asked hopeful.
"Yeah... the hospital called home this morning to inform that they admited Nick after he was hit by a car. Apparently he was running in the streets under the effects of drugs." Lexa explained, sad smile on her face and eyes stuck on the ground. "doctors had to restrain him cause he had a psychotic outbreak and was hurting himself or something..." .
Clarke was able to feel Lexa´s pain in her voice. It was heartbreaking and she could no longer bear the distance between them so she place a soothing hand on the girl´s cheek. "I´m so sorry Lex...". The brunette girl leaned on the touch as she closed her eyes. Blue eyes softened at Lexa´s response as she removed her hand, the conection ending way to soon. "How long does he has to stay there?".
"I´m not sure. I guess until he´s clean and after he gets evaluated by a psychiatric... Mom said he kept talking about how his friend killed a man. Well, not just killed him, he said she ate him," Lexa looked at Clarke, who remained quiet as urging her to continue. "Mom is actually concerned that he´s losing his mind." She gave a light chucke. "Who knows... maybe he is".
"You can´t think like that. Nick has an addiction that´s really hard for him to overcome. But he is a good guy and he needs our support. He will get through this Lex" She affirmed rubbing Lexa´s arm affectionately. "Don´t give up on him..."
Lexa nodded and turned to look into those blue orbes she deeply loved. It was incredible how easy she could get lost in them. "I miss you..." The words slipped out of her mouth but denying the truth was hard when they were so close to each other, and especially when they had almost no contact in two weeks.
And truth be told, Clarke had no more willpower to keep this situation going. She missed Lexa too and being away from her has been a nightmare. There has never been a doubt in her that Lexa was her true love, her forever and there was nothing in the world that could tear them apart. She was ready to try and fix things. "I miss you too," She said sincerely. "I´m ready to talk things out..."
Lexa´s face brightened. "You are?"
"Yeah, if you´re up to it"
"Yeah!.. sure- I mean, yes. I´m up for it". She answered tumbling over her words, clearly excited.
Clarke smiled lovingly at the girl, delighted by her cuteness. "Okay, how about tomorrow after school?"
"Tomorrow after school it is then."
"We could meet at the skate park on the beach. Maybe take a walk by the shore?"
"Yeah, that sounds great"
"Okay, then... Now I really should get back to work," Clarke said standing up gesturing to her unfinished project. "and you definitely should go back to class." She scolded.
"Sure, I´ll go." The green-eyed girl stood up and started walking backwards as she fastened the straps of her backback. A small grin on her face. "See you tomorrow.". She would be waiting impatiently for tomorrow.
In her way to her next class, Clarke was intercepted by her friend, who seemed anxiouss about something. "Hey Griff!" Octavia Blake called, once she catched the blonde she glanced both ways of the hall before speaking, almost in a whisper. "I have what you asked for..."
Clarke came to a halt and dragged her friend to a corner. "You brought it to school?" She asked alarmed.
"No!. Of course not" She defended herself. "I left it at home... Wanna go do it after school?"
"Yeah, I can´t waste any more time"
"Okay, Bellamy will pick us up after school" She said referring to her brother. "I´ll see you later". She gave the blonde a quick hug and started walking to her next subject.
"Thanks O!" Clarke said before parting ways.
Later on, at the Blake´s home, an anxious Clarke paced the short path of her friend´s bedroom, her hands clasped tightly over her chest. Octavia just sat on her bed observing the blonde´s behaviour trying to figure a way to intercede without agravating the situation. "Clarke, drink the water" the young Blake sibling tried.
Clarke let out a labored sigh. "I can´t do it, O..." She shook her head rapidly.
"Yes, you can..." She stated. "where is the brave, fearless girl I know, huh?". Octavia standed from her spot and walked to her friend, water bottle in hand. "Come on, drink this." She offered.
"I´m not brave..." She mutered while she accepted the bottle. "What am I going to do, O?". She asked with glassy eyes, searching reassurance in her best friend.
"Hey, hey, it´s okay" She rubbed the blonde´s arm. "First things first. You need to know for sure before you start freaking out without a reason. You are going to drink the water and then you are going to the bathroom and take the test". She observed as Clarke nodded. "Come sit with me" She dragged the blonde to the bed and both sat facing each other. "I´m gonna guess you haven´t talked to Lexa about this yet, right?"
Clarke shook her head before answering. "No... but we agreed to meet tomorrow after school". She remained silent for a minute remembering her earlier encounter with the green-eyed girl. "I´m going to tell her tomorrow". The statement felt more like self encouragement.
"That´s good. She needs to know..." Octavia stayed silent for a few seconds, battling in her head if she should voice her doubt. "What I don't understand is why you waited this long to talk to her about it. If there's one understanting human being in the world, that's Lexa. That girl would stand beside you even in the worst scenario you could possibly imagine." She poked the girl playfully, trying to lighten the mood. "Theres nothing that could tear you guys apart. You are meant for each other. Wich is disgusting by the way..." She faked a gagging noise as a laugh escaped Clarke's lips.
It has always been easy being around Octavia. The girl was like a fresh wave of energy, able to transmit joy to people without even trying. She liked to speak her mind, most times she did it unconsciously, but honesty was her biggest virtue. Octavia was formerly Lexa's friend, soon after Clarke moved back to the city and was introduced to the girl, they hit it off right away. Octavia became her confident and personal counselor. There was nothing they didn't know about each other.
"Ok... I think I´m ready to do this" Clarke said taking a deep breath.
"Go, go, you can do this!. We´ll see the result together". Octavia pushed her friend towards her bathroom. "I´ll wait right here..."
Clarke gave the brunette one last look before closing the bathroom door, ready to face her destiny.