Closer
Early Saturday morning found Lexa sitting on her couch cuddled up with a steaming cup of coffee and one of her favorite mystery novels. Soft jazz music filled the apartment as the detective turned page after page until she heard the rasping of a knock at her door. Lexa sat her coffee and book on her coffee table before walking over to her door to look through the peep hole. There through the little glass hole she could see the unmistakeable blonde hair of Clarke. Quickly turning the lock, Lexa almost threw the door open to stare into the blue eyes in front of her.
“Hey Lexa, I didn’t wake you did I?” Lexa watched as Clarke’s eyes traveled down to look at her silk sleeping dress before meeting her eyes once more.
“No, I was actually just having some coffee and reading.”
“Reading so early in the morning? I can barely make my breakfast in the morning let alone read anything,” Clarke suppressed a giggle at her own words.
“Well it looks like you were able to get up and ready for the day at least,” Lexa gestured to the beautifully dressed blonde.
Lexa followed Clarke’s eyes as she looked down at the outfit she currently donned. Clarke was dressed in a simple white slip tribal hem beach dress along with a pair of coral colored sandals and she could also see the strings of a bathing suit tied around her neck.
“Oh this. I bought this on our last beach house trip last summer,” Clarke did a little twirl before looking back up at Lexa,“It’s my favorite summer dress.”
Lexa could feel her throat go dry as Clarke did her little twirl,“It’s beautiful, but personally I love wrap dresses.”
“Well, I hope you have some because I’m here to invite you along with everyone for a weekend trip to my family’s beach house. Raven and Anya must have hit it off last night because Raven invited Anya to go. Raven texted me when I woke up this morning and told me that Anya said you might be interested in going. She also said something about you never doing anything fun and to make sure you said yes,” Clarke gave Lexa a warm smile as she repeated her older sister’s words.
“Uh…It’s a little unexpected, but sure. It’s going to take me a little bit to get some things together and pack,“Lexa quickly stepped to the side and waved for Clarke to come inside,“You can wait for me in the living room if you don’t want to go back up to your apartment.”
Clarke grabbed a small black duffel bag resting at her feet that Lexa didn’t notice before thanking her and walking into the pristine apartment. Once Lexa shut the door Clarke walked over to the couch and sat her duffel bag onto the couch before taking a look around. Their apartments weren’t some of the most fabulous that were scattered through California, but they were defiantly one of the nicer ones. With an open floor plan, high ceilings, white walls, dark hard wood flooring, and marble countertops, the lush apartment was an eye catcher to any hard working adult looking for a place to call home.
Clarke walked from her spot next to the couch to the built in entertainment center. In the center sat a flat screen tv, that was currently showing the name of a jazz tune that flittered through the speakers, and on both sides were two large shelves filled with all different genres of books. Lexa watched as Clarke ran her hand over the spines of the books before grabbing her coffee cup to walk over to the kitchen to dump the half filled cup into the sink and wash it. After drying the cup and placing it back into its respected cabinet she walked over to the hallway entrance before stopping to speak to Clarke.
“Give me about twenty minutes and I should be ready. Make yourself at home. There’s some coffee in the kitchen if you want some,” after seeing Clarke nod her head she walked down her hallway and into her bedroom where she proceeded to pull a small suitcase out from under her bed. After riffling through her dresser drawers she pulled out a few pairs of shorts and a few tops, along with some comfy pajamas, and placed them in her bag. Lexa then walked over to her closet to pull out her favorite red spaghetti strap wrap dress and draped it over her arm and walked back towards her dresser to grab a few sets of bathing suits. After choosing a black bikini she put the rest neatly in her suitcase and walked into her bathroom to change.
Throwing her dirty clothes in the laundry basket she stepped over to her bathroom countertop and grabbed her hair brush before pulling her still curling brunette locks over her shoulder and giving them a good brush. Once finished she quickly brushed her teeth and washed her face before packing all her necessary toiletries into a small bag that she had pulled out from the cabinet. She shut the lights off in the bathroom before shutting the door and walking back over to her suitcase to place the small bag on top of her folded clothing and zipping it shut. She grabbed the suitcase and walked over to her bedroom door before taking one last look around the room to make sure everything was in place before flipping the light switch off and closing the door. Lexa walked back into her living room only to stop in her tracks as she stared at the blonde who was currently occupying her couch.
Clarke sat with her back against the arm of the couch with her legs drawn up to her chest, shoes forgotten on the floor next to the couch, and smiling down at her phone. Lexa could feel her chest tighten at just how right it felt for Clarke to be so relaxed in her home. Clarke glanced up towards Lexa,as if sensing that the girl had walked in, and gave her a large smile before standing up and putting her feet back into her sandals.
“All ready? You’re pretty fast. Raven just texted me and said that everyone is just now starting to wake up so they won’t be leaving for a couple more hours so that gives us some time to stop and get some stuff for the trip before everyone gets to the beach house. Are you okay with riding together or would you rather take separate cars?”
“We can ride together, as long as you don’t mind me driving,” Lexa held up the keys to her truck that she had grabbed before leaving her bedroom and smiled at Clarke.
“By all means. I think I would be to nervous driving with someone in the car that could arrest me for breaking some driving rule that I’m pretty sure I would break,” Clarke grabbed her bag from the couch and started walking towards the front door with Lexa following behind her. After both woman had walked out the apartment and Lexa had locked the door, they made their way down the stairs and out into the parking lot and towards Lexa’s truck. Lexa unlocked the doors before reaching and grabbing Clarke’s bag before the blonde had time to protest and placed it in the back cab of her truck along with her suitcase.
“You didn’t have to do that. I could have gotten it,” Clarke said as she made her way around the truck to hop into the passenger seat.
Lexa opened the door to the driver’s side before hopping in at sinking into the leather seats and pulling out of the parking lot,“You invited me to this trip and I’m staying in your beach house so the least I could do is help with your bag.” Clarke gave her some quick directions before continuing the conversation.
“Technically, Anya thought about you first. I was thinking about inviting you last night but I thought it would be kinda weird to ask you to come to a weekend trip since we just met and all,” Clarke looked down and fiddled with her fingers as she waited for Lexa to reply.
“With the way we got along last night and everything we talked about it hardly seems as if we just met, and plus I’ll know everyone there so it’s not like I’ll be staying with strangers,” Lexa took a quick glance at the blonde as she looked back towards her with a smirk.
“That’s true. You know I still think it’s weird that you’ve work with my closest friends for three years and hang out with them on occasion and we are just now meeting.”
“Well if were being honest, I’m pretty bad at keeping up with everyone outside of work. It’s only because of Anya that I know them outside of work. She literally would drag me out to go drinking every chance she got.”
Clarke let out a laugh at her choice of words,“Sounds just like Raven. They would get along really well together.”
“I always thought the same thing. They never really talk during work besides when Anya would have to talk to her about some tech thing for a case. Raven always jokes and smart mouths her and Anya can’t stand it, or so she says. I think that if Raven were to ever quit our unit Anya would mop around all day.”
“That sounds like Raven. She’s always been one to make jokes and have good come backs. She’s never one to back down in a challenge. Any way, do you have your phone?” Clarke glanced around the trucks middle console in search of the brunette’s phone.
Lexa quickly reached for her phone sitting next to her leg on the seat before holding it up for the blonde to see,“Right here. Why?”
Clarke smiled in triumph before grabbing the phone and looking her,“What’s your passcode?”
“0292,” After the blonde had unlocked the phone she let a wide smile play on her lips before tapping away at the phone,“Clarke, what are you trying to do?”
“Well I figured since we’re going to be spending the weekend together and hopefully stay friends afterwards, you might as well have my phone number.” Clarke quickly finished entering in her information before sending herself a quick text and typing Lexa’s name into her contacts.
Lexa looked over into Clarke’s eyes that lit up with child like glee as the blonde handed her phone back to her. After a few more minutes of driving in comfortable silence they finally turned onto the highway that ran along the beautiful California beach. Lexa could hear Clarke sigh happily as she watched the people running along the sand and surfing waves out in the crystal blue waters.
“You wanna roll down the windows and pick out some music? It’s too nice of a day to not have the windows down at least.” Lexa chanced a glance once again at the blonde who excitedly nodded her head before plugging her phone into the usb cord and scrolling through her music playlist. While Clarke searched for a song, Lexa took the time to roll down every window and let the smell of the salty air waft into the cab of the truck before reaching over to the radio system and turning the volume up.
Lexa heard Clarke shout for what she could only assume as joy in finding the perfect song before the music filled the speakers. Lexa laughed and looked over at a smiling Clarke who now donned a pair of dark shades as she sang the words to Closer by The Chainsmokers.
Hey, I was doing just fine before I met you
I drink too much and that's an issue
But I'm OK
Hey, you tell your friends it was nice to meet them
But I hope I never see them
Again
Lexa listened as Clarke sang every word at the top of her lungs and danced in her seat.
I know it breaks your heart
Moved to the city in a broke-down car
And four years, no calls
Now you're looking pretty in a hotel bar
And I, I, I, I, I can't stop
No, I, I, I, I, I can't stop
Right before the next verse could play Lexa found herself smiling and singing along with the blonde.
So, baby, pull me closer
In the back seat of your Rover
That I know you can't afford
Bite that tattoo on your shoulder
Pull the sheets right off the corner
Of that mattress that you stole
From your roommate back in Boulder
We ain't ever getting older
Lexa saw Clarke look over towards her before smiling and turning in her seat to face the brunette and continue singing along.
We ain't ever getting older
We ain't ever getting older
You look as good as the day I met you
I forget just why I left you,
I was insane
Stay and play that Blink-182 song
That we beat to death in Tucson,
OK
I know it breaks your heart
Moved to the city in a broke-down car
And four years, no call
Now I'm looking pretty in a hotel bar
And I, I, I, I, I can't stop
No, I, I, I, I, I can't stop
As the next verse played Clarke grabbed Lexa’s hand that was resting on her arm rest and interlaced their fingers together and waving them back and forth in the air.
So, baby, pull me closer
In the back seat of your Rover
That I know you can't afford
Bite that tattoo on your shoulder
Pull the sheets right off the corner
Of that mattress that you stole
From your roommate back in Boulder
We ain't ever getting older
We ain't ever getting older
We ain't ever getting older
So, baby, pull me closer
In the back seat of your Rover
That I know you can't afford
Bite that tattoo on your shoulder
Pull the sheets right off the corner
Lexa felt her heart racing as the blonde continued to hold her hand and bump her head along with the beat.
Of that mattress that you stole
From your roommate back in Boulder
We ain't ever getting older
We ain't ever getting older
No, we ain't ever getting older
We ain't ever getting older
No, we ain't ever getting older
We ain't ever getting older
We ain't ever getting older
We ain't ever getting older
No, we ain't ever getting older
We ain't ever getting older
No, we ain't ever getting older
As the song came to an end Lexa could hear Clarke let out a large laugh before letting go of her hand and picking another song.
“I’ve always loved that song. Raven got tired of listening to it after I played it for about the millionth time,” Clarke let her hand hang out the window to drift in the wind as Tennessee by Kiiara continued to play through the truck.
“Don’t tell anyone, especially Anya, but that’s also one of my favorite songs.” Lexa smiled as she heard Clarke giggle through the wind.
“I now have something to blackmail you with. I bet Anya would pay good money to get her hands on information like that.”
The rest of the two hour long ride was filled with music, talking, and gentle breezes coming from the windows and before Lexa knew what was happening Clarke was pointing her in the direction of the nearest grocery store. As Lexa pulled into a parking spot near the entrance Clarke leaned down to grab the purse at her feet and pull out a small list of items they would need for the weekend. Both women climbed out the truck and made their way into the store and grabbed a grocery basket.
“Okay, lets see what we need this time. Hot dogs, hamburger meat, buns, chips, dip, all the necessary condiments, and of course we can’t forget the alcoholic beverages.”
Lexa grabbed a few things from the isle they were currently walking down as she listened to Clarke continue to name everything on the list. As they rounded the next corner in search of the chips the cart Lexa was pushing was rammed head on by someone coming around the corner in the opposite direction. Lexa could hear Clarke let out a short apology as she looked up to the driver of the offending cart. Green eyes met the dark grey eyes of a tall built man with blonde hair. The man quickly looked back and forth between the two women for speaking.
“I’m very sorry. I’m not used to driving these things and looking at a list at the same time. My wife usually does the shopping. I hope no harm came to either of you.” The smile the man gave had Lexa’s stomach shifting to unease and before she could bother to respond Clarke quickly smiled at the man.
“It’s no problem. We were both caught up in our own list and talking. We should have been paying attention to where we were going. Neither of us comes here very often so we’re still doing some searching for things ourselves.” Lexa watched as the grey eyes of the man widen and the uneasy feeling in her stomach got worse.
“We’ll claim it as an accident then. So neither of you are from around here? Here on vacation?”
“Kind of. We’re here for the weekend with some friends. We just came from LA for a little beach getaway from work and all.”
“Well I hope you enjoy your weekend and I’m very sorry once again for bumping into you.” The man pushed his cart away with a quick wave before disappearing around another isle.
Lexa looked back over to Clarke who was once again scratching items off the list,“Are you sure it was a good idea to tell him we were staying here. I got a really bad feeling about him.” Lexa watched as Clarke threw her head back and laughed before turning and looking at her.
“I’ve been coming here ever since I was little and, even tough I can’t seem to remember where everything is in this store, one thing I know is that anybody from here is super nice. He didn’t seem weird to me at all. Just a guy who was shopping for something his wife usually shops for.” Clarke then continued to walk down the isle followed by an unconvinced Lexa.
After about twenty more minutes they had finally checked out and were loading the brown paper bags into the back of Lexa’s truck. Closing the back gate of the truck the blonde and brunette hopped back into the cab and backed out of the parking space and pulling out of the parking lot. The whole time a pair of grey eyes followed their every move.
Shift in POV
The grey eyes of a man watched as the two women loaded the grocery bag into the back of a black GMC before getting in and leaving. After making sure the truck was a good distance away but still close enough to follow, the man started his van and took to the road at an unnoticeable distance from the woman driving. Once a few minutes of driving had passed the truck started to slow down before turning onto a gravel road that lead through some trees. Parking the van on the side of the road the man could barley make out the top of a house roof just beyond the clearing of the trees. Pulling out a phone, he quickly scrolled through the contacts before pushing the call button. A few short rings later the husky sound of a male’s voice filled the phones speaker.
“Did you find them?”
“Yes. They’re in about two hours out from LA in Carlsbad. Looks like they’re staying in some beach house or something. Can’t really get a good look because of the trees but I can make out a roof just beyond them.”
“Good. The trees will give you plenty of cover to watch them. Are they alone?”
“For now. The little blonde said they would be here with some friends for the weekend.”
“Damn. Okay, just keep an eye on them. I want to know just how much this Clarke girl means to our little detective friend. Do what you can to scare them a bit but no harm and no more contact. Understand?”
“Yes sir.”
“Good, and while your at it, get some pictures of the blonde. She’s very lovely and I would love to see her in a bikini.”
After another quick ‘yes sir’ the man ended the phone call before starting the van once again and pulling away in search of a perfect hiding spot. The man’s mind filled with ways to give the women a little scare as he continued to drive down the road. Grey eyes filled with unprecedented evil peered into the review mirror as the roof of the house disappeared completely behind the trees.