Chapter 1
Perplexed, Clarke stared at her laptop. "No, it can't be." There was unease in her eyes.
"They didn't really do that?!"
She couldn't and wouldn't believe what she had just seen. She was dead. For a moment, she had to pause. Her favorite actress had just died in the episode. Ever since Alycia (the name of her favorite actress) first appeared, she had been rooting for her, experiencing her every emotion as if it were her own, and now she was suffering all the more at her death. It felt to her as if she had just seen someone close to her die before her eyes and she almost couldn't stand the thought. As soon as she was sure that her death was final, she had stopped the episode. She couldn't continue watching, she also just couldn't imagine the series without Alycia, the shock was too deep. The series creators had just killed her favorite character, just like that, without warning. They had shot her, what an undignified and especially unnecessary death. They had a strong leader, determined, fierce yet gentle, hopeful and full of love, just written out of the series. Angrily, the blonde flipped the laptop shut. The day was over for her. Nonstop she wondered why they had done this to her, to her and to all the fans of the series and especially the character. Finally, she got out of bed completely agitated and first made herself a coffee. She needed the refreshment and mostly it calmed her down. Sighing, she poured the milk first and then stirred it around with a small spoon. She drank it down, but felt unchanged, doubting that even the strongest and best coffee in the world could have made her inner turmoil go away. And yes, that it sounded strange she knew herself. With another sigh, she put the cup in the dishwasher, went to her room, got clothes from her closet and went to the bathroom. There she undressed, turned on the water in the shower and checked the water temperature before getting in. The warm water was able to somewhat fill the void that had been created and felt good on her skin, almost as if it could just wash away all the worries of the world. She gave herself to the feeling for a moment, feeling the stream of water, each drop, and watching the little clouds of steam rise. After she was done, she dried herself off, put on her top and short shorts, and blow-dried her hair before putting on some subtle makeup. She probably couldn't avoid a walk and so she was ready to go when she had to go to work. If she were more athletic, she would probably jog out her frustration, but honestly, jogging was just strange, somewhat slower, running. She knew absolutely no one who didn't look ridiculous doing it. She grabbed her phone, her keys, and put everything in her small backpack before sighing and closing the door behind her and went off. She looked at her watch, before her night shift started she still had a few hours, hopefully they would be enough to put an end to the emotional chaos inside her. Or at least to reduce it.
The fresh air was doing her good and the heat from the day before had faded, so it was pleasant to be out and about and she wasn't sweating quite as much.
She had already been walking for half an hour, engrossed in her own thoughts, before she met her. At first, all she saw was long brown hair, shorts and a gray tank top. With her back to her, looking down. What held her gaze was not clearly apparent. She turned and looked around, but not in her direction and as the blonde got closer to the situation, she realized that it was the cell phone that was being stared at earlier and especially who was facing her. She recognized the desperation and for a brief moment she considered going to her, after all she didn't want to impose herself and the young woman was shy, at least when it came to the beautiful brunette with the big light green eyes and full lips. When it came to the woman she had watched die on her favorite show just a short time ago, her world had felt like it had ended and she had needed a walk. She grew warm, her hands began to sweat, and her mouth went dry. Nevertheless, she gathered her courage and approached her.
"Um, excuse me. Can I help you?"
The brunette winced, apparently she hadn't heard Clarke coming. She quickly regained her composure and answered.
"I'm looking for an address and my phone just crashed." Embarrassed, the brunette smiled while showing her phone with the black screen. "I've been looking for ages and I haven't been able to ask anyone for help." She pointed to the deserted street. Indeed, there was not a soul to be seen. The only thing missing in the scenery was a bale of tumbleweed over the empty scene like in the western movies.
The smile was returned.
"Yes, there is rarely anything going on here. Maybe I can be of some help? What's the address, then?"
Even more embarrassed than before, she got a reply.
"I don't want to inconvenience you, actually I just wanted to drop off the package for a moment."
The blonde only now noticed that her counterpart was carrying a small package.
"I can't promise you anything, but if you want, I'll try." She pointed to her cell phone.
"After all, mine still works," she said with a slightly wry smile and perhaps a touch of irony.
The innuendo was understood and returned with a smile, the brunette giving her the address. Not knowing it, the blonde typed it into her smartphone and zoomed in on the virtual plan, it was still quite a ways away and actually not doable without an escort.
The brunette sighed slightly when she was shown the plan and looked around as if she was looking for something or someone, almost undecided what to do now.
"Do you want me to take you there?" asked a clear voice.
The brunette pondered. Should she accept the offer or return to the hotel? Should she actually accept the help? Could she trust her? Nobody was just like that, that nice. It was always about their own advantage. What would she want in return? Apparently she had taken too long to answer, because suddenly the blue eyes in front of her were slightly unsettled, seeking eye contact.
"Um, well, only if you want. I mean, you don't have to accept my help."
Green eyes met blue, searching for ulterior motives in them and finding none. There was nothing else troubling in them either. The brunette beauty looked at the plan again and then dismissed the idea of trying to find the way on her own. All of a sudden she tensed her shoulders and there was no more emotion in her face. The decision had been made.
With a slight nod she answered, but remained on her guard, too often she had seen how supposedly nice people only wanted to use her for their advantage.
The two women walked silently side by side, there were many turnoffs to consider and they were already over 15min on the road, without a cell phone or knowledge of the area, no one would have found the address.
The atmosphere between the two was pleasant, relaxed. There was no questioning, no obtaining of information, no apparent advantage, as was feared before. The blonde with the ocean blue eyes was silent. At least until now.
"I'm Clarke, by the way." Hopeful and friendly, the blonde sought the gaze of her counterpart and without knowing it, she warmed them with it, at least a little bit.
"Hey, I'm Lexa."