Chapter 2
Lexa and Clarke never put any expectations on their friendship, and despite feeling completely comfortable in each other’s presence, their interactions were still limited to classrooms and hallways. Neither girl thought much of it, and opted to just enjoy the time they did share with each other. Senior year seemed to fly by, without either of them realizing what the end of the school year would mean for their time together. So it came to be, in a blink of an eye, that they found themselves in a procession at their graduation. Dressed in caps and gowns, full of pride, they made their way across the stage to accept their diplomas. Both girls receiving honors. Both in the top ten percent of their class. Both making eye contact with the other as they passed.
Lexa didn’t really want to go to the Operation Graduation lock-in that evening, but she knew that it would be her last time ever seeing some of her classmates and the finiteness of it all compelled her to go. The theme was “Viva Las Vegas” and there were casino style games and inflatable obstacle courses. It was designed so that everyone walked away with a door prize, and she’d eventually leave with a dorm sized refrigerator the next morning. She walked in to the high school, for the very last time, and headed towards the cafeteria and gymnasium where all the action was at. She was admittedly overwhelmed in the moment, seeing the place that had been so structured and that had monopolized so much of her teenage years, decked out in neon lights and streamers. Several acquaintances said hello, kids that normally wouldn’t talk to each other were interacting, and it seemed as though everyone had unburdened themselves with the pressures of high school. At least for the night. Lexa made her way around the cafeteria, and tried her hand at some of the casino games. She had just won a hand of blackjack, when she heard a familiar laugh behind her.
Clarke, on the other hand, was thoroughly excited for Operation Graduation. After the ceremony, she’d hung out with one of her friends from art club who had shared some of her Adderall; they were gonna go hard all night! When she arrived to the party, she made her rounds, giving hugs and sharing a good memory with everyone she knew. Most were happy to see her, but also didn’t mind when she moved on to another group to talk and carry on. She must have greeted 100 different people, before she decided to partake in the festivities herself. Clarke played some games, took out half the ladies lacrosse team on the inflatable obstacle course, and helped herself to some refreshments. She had stopped at the craps table and rolled snake eyes, laughing exuberantly as she collected her winnings.
Lexa rested a hand on Clarke’s shoulder to get her attention. Clarke turned around slowly, still wearing a giant cheese-ball grin. Upon realizing who was greeting her, she pulled Lexa into a hug and decided for the both of them that they’d be each other’s “buddy” for the rest of the night. Lexa wasn’t sure what exactly that would entail, but Clarke took her by the hand and made her rounds. Whenever Clarke ran into someone she deemed worthy of a conversation, she made a point to introduce Lexa. At every game and activity she encouraged Lexa to participate, and engage with others. Clarke pulled Lexa out of her shell until both girls we’re running around, hand in hand, with smiles ear to ear. The pair grabbed something to drink, and found a quiet spot tucked away from the main events. It was sometime after 2:00 AM, and Lexa was running out of steam. The Adderall was still serving Clarke well, but she stilled herself to allow her friend to lean against her shoulder.
They sipped on watered down punch quietly, comfortable in their wordlessness, and people watched for a good while. “How come we never hung out, like outside of school?” Lexa said, putting it out there into the world. Clarke looked down, able to see the profile of Lexa’s face in her periphery, and breathed out “I don’t know. But I do know I wish we had.” Lexa lifted herself off of Clarke’s shoulder, and turned to face her. “I don’t care if this sounds weird, but you know me best out of all of them” she gestured her hand towards their partying classmates, “and I guess that makes you my best friend.” Clarke’s breath hitched, and she managed a smile across her face, but her eyes betrayed her and a single tear fell. Lexa wiped it away with the sleeve of her sweater, like she had those many months before in science class. Clarke spoke softly, “you’re the only one that knows the real me. Thank you for being my friend.” Lexa smiled back, locking eyes with Clarke, and breathed a small sigh. The feelings she was experiencing were a mix of relief, happiness, and regret. Knowing that she couldn’t go back to change the past, she decided to instead savor the present. They simultaneously pulled each other into an embrace that was genuine and intimate. Something only for them. They held each other for several seconds, long enough to express their gratitude for each other and to offer a sense of comfort. As they slowly pulled away, Lexa paused and placed their foreheads together. Their noses grazed each other, and they could each feel the warm breath exhaling from lips that were so close, yet so far apart. Clarke whispered “I wish...” and Lexa softly replied “I wish too” and then the girls seemed to make a joint realization they were in plain view, and reluctantly pulled apart. Lexa laid her head down in Clarke’s lap, and as if on cue, Clarke ran her fingers through her soft brunette tresses. It didn’t take long until Lexa fell asleep. Clarke sat in the same spot, content to be her pillow, until the school administrators unlocked the doors at 7:00 AM.
Lexa roused with all the commotion of their classmates filing out of the school for the very last time. She woke and stretched her neck, and realized she’d left a small drool spot on the thigh of Clarke’s pants. She looked down, embarrassed, but Clarke only smiled in response. Lexa stood, and offered her hands to pull Clarke up. Once upright, Clarke lifted her arms high and arched her back into a long stretch. Lexa could not help but notice her exposed midriff and how her breasts became so prominent when her back arched. Her stare was obvious, but she was grateful to find Clarke’s eyes shut tight. They went to pick up their door prizes; Lexa’s mini fridge and Clarke’s Office Superstore gift card. The girls carried the mini fridge out to Lexa’s car together and loaded it in. They said goodbye to one another and then came together for a quick hug. As they pulled apart this time, Clarke placed the softest, tiniest peck on Lexa’s cheek. Her lips landed, ever so purposefully, halfway over the corner of Lexa’s mouth. Clarke then walked away towards her car, while Lexa sat in her driver’s seat smiling like a goofball.