Chapter 5
Lexa and Anya were in the Uber on the way to Murphy’s house when Anya noticed Lexa had been fiddling with her hands and constantly checking her phone. Lexa was trying not to show the nerves about Clarke coming to the party.
“Can you stop? Raven is fine with Aden for one night. Octavia will be home in the next two hours to help her out. I think they can handle it,” Anya said as they got out of the car to had towards the front door at Murphy’s.
“Oh, I’m not worried about them. After the conversation with Aden, he’s going to be on his best behavior for the trip to the park tomorrow.”
“Okay, fine. I’ll bite. What has your panties in a bunch right now?”
“I kinda invited Clarke out.”
“Yeah you invited her to the park tomorrow. Raven was there when you finally did it.”
“No, I invited her here to the party.”
“WHAT?!? And you didn’t tell me?” Anya screamed in faux anger. Anya shoved Lexa’s shoulder like she was truly offended. Lexa started laughing.
“Because I knew you would make fun of me and make it a big deal,” Lexa was trying to avoid the conversation. “I like her, okay? She’s nice, Aden would marry her tomorrow if he could, and my god she’s gorgeous.” The car pulled up to the large house at the end of the street, and they got out. The two girls walked in the party as Lexa looked at her phone again hoping there was a text update on Clarke’s arrival time.
“You really couldn’t wait one more day?” Anya eyed her. Anya realized this girl really made an impression on her best friend. Lexa hasn’t acted like this about a girl since Costia and that was in high school.
“Well, tomorrow is different because Aden will be there. I was hoping to just get to know her some more. Ya know?” Lexa felt like she was trying to justify the invitation to Clarke.
“Yeah. Also, it will allow you to have some fun tonight so I’m all for it, but don’t think for a minute I won’t make fun of you two tonight.”
“I would expect nothing less.”
Lexa was glad this wasn’t Murphy’s wildest party. There were still a bunch of people at the house, a lot were inside, but there were even more in the backyard where there was a small DJ booth with music along with all the drinking games imaginable.
Anya skipped along to get two drinks as Lexa tried to find anyone else they knew from class or school. She spotted Monty and Jasper, a dynamic duo who were attached at the hip whenever Lexa was around. Octavia’s brother Bellamy was there with his girlfriend Echo. Lexa, also, saw Harper and Monroe who she went to high school with and who also go to Polis now. Anya returned with the drinks and they started to move through the partygoers to find some friends.
It had been almost 45 minutes until Lexa looked at her phone after she got roped into a game of beer pong with Harper and Monroe. Six texts from Clarke flashed on her screen. Lexa immediately felt terrible for being distracted from her phone. As soon as she read through the texts mentioning she was at the party and just wanted to find out where she was, her voice sounded from behind Lexa’s shoulder.
Lexa turned around to find Clarke dressed comfortably in jean shorts with a white v-neck tshirt showing all of her assets off beautifully. In that moment, Lexa realized she hadn’t seen Clarke outside of her Target red shirt and khaki pants. She looked amazing the uniform, but never thought about how she would look in casual clothes. She was not disappointed.
“There you are,” Clarke came up to Lexa giving her a brief hug. “This party is much bigger than I thought it would be, glad I finally found you.”
Lexa smiled. “Sorry, I just got your texts. My friend Harper dragged me into a beer pong game and I didn’t look at my phone.”
“No problem, I found you,” Clarke gave her a smile.
“Do you need a drink?” Lexa asked. Clarke nodded and they walked to coolers near the porch. “I’m really glad you came tonight on short notice.”
“It’s a lot better than sitting at home alone and I try to go wherever a very cute girl asks me to go,” Clarke smiled.
“Flattery will get you far,” Lexa tried not to blush too hard. “To be fair I don’t invite all Target employees to house parties, only the gorgeous blondes who help me shop for my brother.”
Clarke giggled and looked away, “That’s good to know.”
“What would you like to do? We can hop on a game or just hang out.”
“How about we try and get on a game? I should foreworn you, I can get very competitive.”
Lexa looked at Clarke. “Well, it’s a good thing you’d be on my team.”
They waited around and watched the beer pong game happening after they called dibs on the winners. Lexa and Clarke cheered as Harper and Monroe started draining all the shots to destroy Jasper and Monty.
Clarke and Lexa took over for the guys and restacked the cups. Clarke definitely didn’t understate her competitiveness. Every shot Clarke was yelling and trying to use any advantage they could to win the game. Despite not being as competitive, Lexa was having a ton of fun. Clarke’s trash talking was harmless and hilarious. Lexa was enjoying herself for what seemed like the first time in forever, at least since before the accident.
They ended up winning the first two games. First against Harper and Monroe and then Monty and Jasper before being defeated by Bellamy and Echo. Lexa and Clarke were fine with losing as they were ready to move on to do something else.
“What’s next, Lex?”
“We can hang out with Harper and Monroe or we can dance if you want. It’s up to you. Do you need another drink?”
“I’m good thanks. We can hang with Harper and Monroe. They’re fun,” Clarke linked her arm in Lexa’s and started to lead them towards the other girls. “I’m having a lot of fun tonight, Lex. Thanks for inviting me.”
The nickname Clarke used for Lexa didn’t go unnoticed. Lexa was having an amazing night and it was large in part due to Clarke’s presence. Anya had initially disappeared to hang out with some of her friends but had made her way back to the backyard and found her roommate. Lexa saw Anya approach and she had definitely been drinking while she was gone.
“Hey Anya, how are you doing?” Lexa laughed because she was definitely feeling good.
“Lexa, I’m doing….amazing,” Anya started to slur.
“Yeah? Seems like you’re having a great time.”
“And you must be Clarke,” Anya pointed at the woman next to Lexa.
“Yes, I am. And you are Lexa’s roommate, right?”
“Roommate? Lexa, is that what you told her? Clarke, Lexa’s much more than my roommate. She’s my best friend and has been since the 6th grade. Beat up a kid messing with her. Bros ever since,” Anya slung her arm around Lexa’s shoulder. “Clarke, don’t be messing with my girl unless you’re all in, okay? She’s been through some shit and I don’t want to have to beat you up too. Got it?” Anya gave Clarke a look which even though she was drunk, got the point across. Anya wasn’t to be messed with when it came to Lexa’s care.
“Clarke, I’m sorry for this. Anya’s a bit protective, it’s alright to ignore her,” Lexa wanted to stop this conversation. “Anya maybe we should call Raven to come get you. I’m sure Octavia is at home to look after Aden.”
“No. It’s okay. Anya, I have no ill intentions with Lexa. I don’t know what it is as we just met, and I would like to get to know her better,” Clarke felt like she had to respond, but she wanted to get it out right away.
Anya was leery, but willing to give Clarke a shot. “Okay, Clarke. Also, Raven’s gonna be mad if I call her so I’ll stop drinking and will hang with Jasper and how see how he can mess with Raven in Chemistry class,” Anya said as she started walking away towards the dance floor.
Lexa turned to Clarke, “I am really sorry about her. She’s a bit protective and she really doesn’t have a filter, well ever, but it’s almost nonexistent when she’s been drinking.”
“Not a problem. I know she’s just looking out for you,” Clarke started. “What I said was the truth though, I’d like to get to know your better.”
Lexa smiled. “Good, because I’d like that as well. Starting with maybe your last name.”
This made Clarke laugh. They walked over to a set of stairs coming from a door on the side of the house that wasn’t being used. The two took a seat with Clarke on Lexa’s right.
“I guess we really did just kinda jump into this.”
“Yeah. I’m really glad you came tonight. This is the most fun I’ve had since…” Lexa paused. Clarke knew about the accident after Lexa mentioned it when explaining why she was buying stuff for Aden. She just didn’t want to put a damper on the night. “Let’s just say it’s been a little while.”
Clarke gave her a sympathetic smile. Lexa was worried, Clarke pitied her because of the situation, but her smile was more supportive than anything.
“I lost my dad three years ago. It was also an accident. I’m not trying to put a damper on the night, I just wanna let you know, I get it at least a little bit.”
Lexa stopped for a minute to digest what Clarke just admitted to. Lexa reached out and grabbed Clarke’s hand in her lap. Clarke smiled and gave Lexa’s hand a squeeze. They sat in silence for a little while until Lexa was ready.
“Thanks for telling me. It’s been a rough month for sure. I’ve done this before, but with Aden it’s been a real whirlwind.”
“I can’t even imagine what you’ve been through. It seems like Anya and your other roommates have your back though,” Clarke pointed out.
Lexa nodded and looked at Clarke, “Yeah they’ve been great.” Lexa looked down at Clarke’s lips. They only just met. They’ve only really hung out for one night at a loud party, but Lexa feels closer to Clarke than she has felt to anyone possibly in her life. It was a risk, but she has a feeling Clarke is feeling it too.
Lexa looked back to Clarke’s eyes and could even vaguely see a slight nod given to her. Closing her eyes, Lexa leaned in she felt Clarke’s hand reach up and with her finger and thumb she raised Lexa’s chin pulling her in so their lips could meet. It was a moment Lexa wasn’t expecting or really prepared for, but went for it anyway. The kiss was brief, but it was exactly what Lexa needed. Lexa pulled away first opening her eyes to meet Clarke’s. Clarke’s hand moved from her chin and lightly brushed her cheek and combed her fingers through the side of Lexa’s hair as she rested her hand on the back of her head.
“I know we just met and really haven’t hung out. Were you okay with that?”
“Oh, I’m very okay with that. You don’t have to ask me for a kiss ever again, Lex.” Lexa mentally noted the nickname again.
Clarke broke the kiss with a smile. “Lexa, would you want to dance with me?”
Lexa’s hand squeezed Clarke’s side. “Yes.”
The two walked hand in hand to the pseudo dance floor that had formed in front of the DJ. Clarke and Lexa danced together for a while until Anya found them. They weren’t sure how long they had been dancing together, but by the way Anya was approaching it had been a while.
“Lexa, Clarke are you ready to go? I want to see Raven,” Anya was still drunk, and now had hit a wall and was very tired. She didn’t even wait for a response before continuing, “I’ll get the Uber.”
“Yeah, it is getting late,” as Lexa looked at her phone clock indicating it was quarter to one in the morning. Her eyes widened. They were dancing much longer than she had thought.
“Oh man, I lost track of time,” Clarke agreed. “I should call my Uber as well.”
Anya took off to the front of the house to leave them alone for another minute. Lexa looked at Clarke who was ordering her car from her phone before she pushed it back in her pocket.
“4 minutes until Sandy gets here in her Honda Accord,” Clarke laughed.
“Well let me walk you to the front,” Lexa’s put her hand on the small of Clarke’s back to lead her to the front of the house where they found Anya leaning against the mailbox waiting for the car.
“Clarke, I had an amazing night with you. I’m really glad you came.”
“I had a great night too. Thanks for inviting me and letting me crash the party,” Clarke said. They stood there a minute before Anya jumped awake and headed for a blue car that had pulled up in front of the house.
“LEXA, THE CAR IS HERE, STOP MAKING OUT WITH YOUR GIRL SO I CAN SEE MY GIRL!” Anya screamed from the door of the car picking them up.
“Well, it seems this is where we part ways.”
“I guess so,” Clarke squeezed Lexa’s hand as Lexa made a move towards the car. Clarke pulled back on her hand before grabbing at Lexa’s waist. She pulled her in to give her a goodnight kiss. Lexa was caught off guard, but returned the kiss after a moment. Lexa melted into it, before pulling back with a smile.
“Griffin.”
“What?” Lexa was confused. Clarke still had her arms around her waist and looking into her eyes.
“My last name… is Griffin,” Lexa laughed before she heard her best friend whistling from behind her.
“Sorry, but thank you for tonight,” Lexa was now embarrassed. “I will see you tomorrow, Clarke Griffin.”
“See you tomorrow, Lexa…uhhh”
“Woods. Lexa Woods.”
“See you tomorrow, Lexa Woods.”