Chapter 9
It’s been three days and Clarke can’t stop thinking about that stretch of the sidewalk and the way Lexa’s hair frizzled in the humid night.
“Should I call for the doctor? You’ve had that sickly sweet smile etched on your face all night. I think it’s serious.”
She feigns deaf for as long as possible before the probing questions become unbearable.
“So is it a boy or a girl?”
The other nurses collect behind Theresa like bees would to a flower, and it’s mildly embarrassingly for Clarke who’ve been strangely flustered all week.
“Please stop making it sound like a gender reveal every single time you ask me about my dating life, Theresa.”
“So you are dating. What’s the person’s name? Occupation? Who made the first move? This is pertinent information, Dr. Griffin.”
I bet it’s that brunette with the broken finger.
Her? Is she even Dr. Griffin’s type?
What? Which brunette? Someone fill me in on the details.
Clarke rises from her chair and their eyes round at the absurd idea of Clarke making some kind of announcement about this.
“I have nothing to tell.”
They all boo her like some kind of comic show.
There is always something to tell, Dr. Griffin.
She strolls to the exit and wonders how every single resident of Boston is so healthy that all of their ER nurses are just sitting around meddling into her personal life. But Clarke’s impulsive last words before she disappears behind the doors about how said brunette is in fact her type do nothing to discourage them.
“And her name is Lexa, not that brunette.”
The receptionist at the counter inquire about her well being when she spots a red-faced Clarke walking briskly pass.
“I’m fine. It’s just that our ER nurses seem to be too perceptive for their own good.”
This garners a sympathetic look from the woman. At least one person is on her side. Then, Clarke remembers that the woman is a relatively new face around here, so there hasn’t been enough time for them to convert her to the dark side yet.
“I like you, Meredith. So please don’t talk to any of the nurses.”
Lately, she’s been protective of any kind of information about Lexa. The strange fluttery feeling in her stomach at the thought of her alone tends to make Clarke unbearably…shy.
“They just refilled the vending machine.”
Since her revelation about Lexa, Clarke has been patronizing the vending machine at the entrance more than any adult with normal glucose levels or healthcare professional should. Obviously, this has not gone unnoticed by Meredith.
She readies a dollar bill for her usual choice and wonders how long she can stay out here before they start sending out a search team for her.
“Shouldn’t doctors make healthier choices?”
Clarke stares dumbly at the woman who looks a little bit too good for someone walking into an ER at 10PM on a weekday.
“Hi. Sorry, I didn’t surprise you, did I?”
Clarke wonders how to answer that question before her mouth betrays her, “Yes, but in the best way possible.”
Lexa’s cheeks flush a pretty pink color, and Clarke takes it as a good sign that she can totally do this without tripping over her own two feet.
“What brings you here tonight? You’re not hurt, are you?”
“No. I just wanted to stop by to tell you that I’m going to be away on a personal trip for a week.”
“Oh,” She offers awkwardly, her mouth going a little dry. “Thank you for letting me know.”
Lexa regards Clarke with a puzzled look like she can’t figure her out for the life of her. “Clarke, are you even interested in me?”
Oh.
“I…” Clarke can feel the chocolate melting under the wrapper at her warm grip.
“Because you haven’t called even though I gave you my number.” The expression on Lexa’s face changes to something like amusement more than hurt.
“No! I mean---yes! I am interested. In you. It’s just that stupid Octavia told me to wait a few days so I don’t come on too strong. Something about dating etiquette. She claims to have taken a course in it.”
You idiot. She doesn’t even know who Octavia is.
“God, you make me nervous.” Clarke scrubs at her makeup free face. So much for not tripping over her own two feet.
Lexa does her best to sidestep that endearing piece of information. “You should call me when I get back.”
She nods quickly at that.
They idle there for a few seconds, neither unsure of what to say but both unwilling to leave. Lexa’s attention gradually draws to the Kit Kat bar Clarke has in her hand, and immediately, she offers up the treat like they’re seven again.
“Want some?”
Lexa laughs and it’s beautiful, “You’re surprising, too. “
Clarke bites the inside of her cheek as she unwraps the candy and offers it to Lexa. She breaks off a piece of it like before and Clarke feels her nerves tingle at what's coming next.
“Wait, Lexa. I have something to say.”