Chapter 6
Clarke’s apartment:
A few days have passed since that evening she spent with Lexa. There was still nothing from her. Clarke doesn’t even know why she is still thinking about her. It was a job, nothing more. But still, the evening was really nice and at some point she had the feeling that these green eyes saw something else in her than just someone who is out for money. She surely cannot forget them, the way they looked at her. She felt safe, understood in a very unique way. Clarke is snapping out of her thoughts and tries to concentrate on her essay she has to write.
The next few hours she isn’t leaving the chair in her room, she doesn’t get a lot done but it’s better than nothing. She gets up and checks the fridge for dinner. Empty again. So she puts some clothes on and leaves her flat. At the store she buys a bar of chocolate which she eats on the way back and other groceries just to survive the week. The cold wind is lifting the hair up from her shoulders, seems like fall is going to be here soon. From afar she notices an old woman struggling with lots of bags who is coming in her direction.
Of course Clarke pulls out her headphones as she approaches the old lady and asks “Do you need help with this? It looks very heavy.” The old woman smiles and thanks her saying that she could really use some help with this.
“Do you have it far until you’re home?” Clarke asks. She shakes her head saying she has to carry these just two more blocks. The blonde takes the two grocery bags and walks next to the woman. As they turn into the street where the old lady claims to live Clarke is quite surprised, she is standing in front of a huge house. She cannot remember that she’s ever been here, there normally aren’t houses that big right in the middle of Chicago. She is holding the bags while the lady gets out her keys and unlocks the door. Clarke hesitates to enter the house at first but she was assured that it’s okay so she places the heavy bags on the counter and looks around. This was way too fancy for an old lady like her.
“Do you live here alone?” Clarke asks.
“Oh no, I am just the house keeper here.” Answers the woman and now Clarke understands.
Clarke just smiles “Well, I hope you have everything you need.”
She already wanted to turn around and leave as she hears a voice behind her. “What is the meaning of this?” wait a second. She knows that voice from somewhere. She turns around and to her astonishment, Lexa is standing in the door, holding a briefcase in her right and her car keys in her left hand. As Lexa recognizes her, all colours disappear from her face.
“Oh I am sorry Ms. Woodson but this young lady was so friendly and helped me to carry home the groceries. As you know I am not the youngest anymore so I just needed a little help.”
“Umm.. it was nothing. I just wanted to be polite. Umm.. goodbye.” Clarke stutters and is walking towards the door.
“Wait!” Lexa says, “the least I can do is offering you a coffee for being so nice to help my housekeeper”
“It’s okay I really shouldn’t use up any more of your time.” answers the blonde without looking at Lexa but she doesn’t give up
“Please, I insist.” And the way Lexa says the word “please” makes Clarke finally look up to her and there it was again, this look that made her stomach drop and her heart beat faster.
“O-okay” she gives in.
Lexa walks to the coffee machine and presses some buttons before she sits down. None of them say a word at first. Clarke just doesn’t know what to say to her. The machine makes a noise and Lexa pours her coffee into a mug and hands it to her.
“Any milk or sugar?” she asks.
“No, I drink it black.” She replies.
Lexa raises her eyebrows “You’re the first woman who ever said that to me.” Clarke cannot help but to smile and even Lexa cracks a little smile.
“You have a very big house by the way. I didn’t know there were houses like this in Chicago.”
“Yeah, I have a friend who works at the building department of Chicago and she could manage to get me a permit to build my house right here.” Lexa explains.
Clarke whistles acknowledging before she sips at her coffee while wrapping both of her hands around the mug to warm them a little. She can feel Lexa’s eyes resting on her for a while before she finally says, “Listen, I am sorry I got so unsympathetic at the end. I don’t know what happened. It was probably the alcohol or something, let me make it up to you. In 2 weeks my company is organising a ball and I would like to invite you. I mean… everybody saw me with you last weekend, so they will expect me to bring you along again. I know the way I am asking right now is not really formal and I understand if you want to get paid for this ag-“
But Clarke cuts her off “I would actually like to go with you to this ball and there’s no need for you to write me a cheque this time.” Lexa’s face lights up when she says these words “I prefer cash.” she adds but gives the brunette a cocky smile so she knows that she is just joking. Lexa smiles and shakes her head a little.
“I have one question though. If that is a ball, does that mean people dance there and stuff?” Clarke asks worried.
“Well, yeah that is the main purpose of a ball actually.” Lexa laughs.
“I cannot dance at all”
“I happen to be quite good at dancing. I could show you a few simple steps before we go there.” Lexa offers.
“Alright, Ms. Know-It-All.” answers Clarke and gets up to take off her jacket “I am waiting.”
“You mean, now?” Lexa asks confused.
“Yes of course now. I am very eager to learn Ms. Woodson.”
“Umm… okay I think it’s better if I take the lead and you just repeat what I am doing.” Lexa says and takes off her jacket as well, rolls up her sleeves and presses a button on a remote whereupon classical music starts playing.
Clarke didn’t even notice it the first time but Lexa’s body seemed pretty strong. Her arms and shoulders are muscled and really defined under her tight button-up. Lexa comes a little closer and gently places her right hand on her waist and offers her, her left to take it. Clarke takes it and tries to follow Lexa’s steps. The beginning was pretty awful but after 10 minutes or so she is getting the hang of it. By the end of the track she is able to do at least some very easy steps.
“See, you can do it” Lexa encourages her while they move slowly through the kitchen.
“Yeah, I guess it isn’t so hard after all.” she agrees.
As they slowly dance Clarke looks into Lexa’s face. She has very handsome features. Clarke’s blue eyes and Lexa’s green eyes meet the moment the song ends and they just stand there in silence. Lexa’s eyes wander lower to Clarke’s lips before they switch back to her eyes. Clarke starts to lean in really slowly, her heart racing so much she is wondering if Lexa can actually hear it beating in her chest. Lexa doesn’t move and her eyes are still locked onto hers, so Clarke brings her face a little closer but the brunette blinks and takes her hands off her. The moment was gone.
“Um… well I guess that will be sufficient for this upcoming ball.” Lexa stutters and Clarke gives her a smile.
“Then I better get going. I still have to finish that essay today and I am sure you had a long day.” The other woman just nods and brings her to the door.
“Thank you for accepting my invitation.” Lexa says very low.
“Of course, I start to like these fancy parties.” Clarke answers as she walks out of the door but turns around very quickly to kiss Lexa on her cheek again before she walks down the stairs without looking back. When she is at the last step she turns around but Lexa has already closed the door, not knowing that on the other side Lexa is leaning against it and is smiling so bright like she never has before.