Chapter 19
Lexa had been up since five. She’d had already gone for a run, worked with four clients at the gym and done the grocery shopping and now she had to clear her backlog of articles. She had to, because a couple of them were almost due. She had to, because Clarke's showcase was tonight and there was no way in hell she was going to miss it.
**************Incoming Skype Call**************
Lexa clicked the button and Clarke's frazzled face appeared on the screen. “Lexa,” she wined quickly. “I'm freaking the fuck out!”
Lexa took a deep breathe. Here we go. “What's going on, Clarke?” She asked as she shrunk the image of Clarke and continued typing.
“What's going on?” Clarke said rhetorically. “Tonight's the showcase. Everyone is going to be looking at my work. Some people might even have an interest in owning some of it.”
“And?” Lexa asked, knowing that this was not what was freaking Clarke out.
“And I cant find a fucking thing to wear.” Clarke's voice was so small and frustrated, it was actually quite cute.
Lexa grinned. “You're going to wear your blue dress,” she responded confidently.
Clarke looked up. “The square neck or the scoop?”
“The V,” Lexa replied, still typing. “It brings out your eyes and pair it with your black heels.”
Clarke nodded quickly. “Makeup?”
Lexa stopped typing and thought for a moment. “Smokey, but soft,” she replied and began to type again.
Clarke sighed. “What would I do without you?”
“Probably be exceptionally late.” Lexa replied matter-of factly and grinned. “Anything else?”
“What are you doing?” Clarke asked curiously.
“Working,” Lexa answered. “I have a lot to get done, if you want me to be there tonight.”
“If?” Clarke’s eyes went wide. “No if! I need you there.”
Lexa stopped typing and grinned into the camera. “Well then, let me get my work done, so I don't have to worry about you being all disappointed and mopey all night.”
“You’ll be there?” Clarke asked sincerely.
“I'll be there,” Lexa smiled and ended the call.
She clicked on her music and let herself get lost in her work for well over an hour, until there was a new interruption.
Costia: This day has been a nightmare.
Costia: I can't wait to be curled up with you in a little while.
Lexa: Clarke's showcase is tonight, remember?
Costia: Shit. Right, right.
Costia: Don't suppose you'd want to skip it and spend the night in bed with me?
Lexa stared down at the message and shook her head quickly. This wasn't even up for discussion. There was only one answer.
Lexa: No.
Lexa: I can't do that.
Lexa: You don't have to go though. I'm sure that Clarke will understand.
Costia: :(
Costia: No. I'll be there.
Lexa glanced at the clock. “Shit,” she muttered to herself.
“What's wrong?” Anya asked.
“Nothing,” Lexa answered and increased her typing speed.
“Lexa, relax. It'll be fine.” Anya assured her. “You've got plenty of time.”
Lexa took a deep breath an let it out slowly. “Plenty of time,” she echoed to herself quietly.
An hour later Lexa finished her work and raced off to the shower. She was in and out in a flash and finished her hair and makeup in record time. For herself, she decided to go solid black, choosing a medium length dress and matching heels.
“You look great,” Anya told her from the doorway. “Can we go now?”
Lexa nodded as she quickly grabbed her clutch and moved toward the door. “We need to pick up Costia,” she said quickly.
“Of course we do,” Anya rolled her eyes slightly. “Just make sure she's on her best behavior tonight, she added firmly.”
Lexa stopped just short of the car and looked at her. “What do you mean?”
“She's just a little abrasive with Clarke and tonight's really not the night.” Anya explained.
“She is?” Lexa's eye widened. What? “When?”
“We don't have time,” Anya waved her hand. “Just try to keep her in line.”
Lexa gave a quick nod and climbed into the passenger seat.
Forty minutes later the three of them pulled into the parking lot of the gallery and quickly made their way inside. The showcase was still in its early stage and the main doors to the gallery had not yet opened. All of the people waiting to go in just mingled together as they munched on Hors d’oeuvres and sipped champagne. Lexa couldn’t locate Clarke anywhere, but after a few minutes found Raven, Octavia and Bellamy.
“Where is she?” Lexa asked with concern as she approached them.
Raven pointed at a nearby door with a funny look on her face.
“What's wrong?” Lexa questioned quickly. Shit.
“She’s kind of freaking out.” Octavia answered.
“Yeah,” Bellamy nudged her arm. “You better get in there.”
Lexa gave them a quick nod before handing her clutch to Anya and walking to the door.
Peeking inside Lexa eyes instantly found Clarke. She was pacing back and forth with her hands on her stomach and an extremely nervous look on her face. Yes, she was definitely freaking out.
“Hey,” Lexa said softly as she stepped inside and closed the door behind her.
“You're here,” Clarke said as she stepped forward, engulfing Lexa in a tight hug and burrowing into her neck.
“Of course,” Lexa replied as she gave Clarke a tight squeeze. “What is this? What's going on?”
“I don't know,” Clarke said as she took a step back, shaking her head.
“Clarke,” Lexa said sternly. “What is it?”
Clarke's eyes were starting to moisten. “What if they hate it all?” She asked quickly. “What if they hate, me?”
Lexa reached forward and took her hand. “Clarke, your work is incredible,” she told her gently. “You know how talented you are - everyone, knows how talented you are.”
“But, what if they hate me?” Clarke asked as she closed her eyes.
“They're not going to hate you.” Lexa assured her firmly as she gave her hand a squeeze.
Clarke looked down, shaking her head again. “How do you know?”
Lexa reached forward with her free hand, tilting Clarke's chin up until green met blue. “What could they possibly find to hate?” She asked affectionately, as a warm smile spread across her face.
Clarke returned the smile as she stepped forward and pulled Lexa into another hug. “Thank you,” she whispered.
Lexa nodded. “Now, come on,” she said, her voice firm again, “It’s time to do this.”
Clarke stepped out of the hug and nodded quickly. “I look okay?” she asked as she smoothed out her dress.
“You look beautiful, Clarke.” Lexa nodded simply. It was true. “Let’s go.”
They exited the room to find all of their friends and Jake and Abby waiting patiently for them.
“All better?” Jake asked as she gave Clarke a hug.
“I’m good,” Clarke assured him as she moved to also hug her mother.
“Good,” Raven said as she gave her back a rub. “Time to kick ass and take names.”
“Kane’s looking for you,” Lincoln told her as he fidgeted with his tie.
“Stop messing with it,” Bellamy scolded him and Lincoln stuffed his hands in his pockets.
Clarke's laughed. “Okay, I’ll see you guys in a bit,” she said before turning to Lexa and mouthing only two words, “Thank you.”
Out of the corner of her eye Lexa saw Finn down his glass of champagne and she shot Anya a look. She was about to speak when Kane stepped in front of the crowd. Everyone listened for the next few minutes as he complimented Clarke, her talent and the amount of raw emotion that she poured into her work. Lexa stood listening with her eyes focused on nothing but Clarke as a proud feeling bubbled in her chest.
When Kane finished he turned the floor over to Clarke who simply expressed her appreciation for the people who turned out to see her work and told them that she truly hoped that they enjoyed what they were about to see.
A few moments later the doors opened and everyone wandered through, eager to explore what Kane had just spoken so passionately about.
Lexa crossed the threshold with Costia on her arm, both pausing as they glanced around the room in awe. Clarke’s work was without a doubt exceptional. Some of the pieces she knew, while others were new. Lexa took her time looking at each painting, taking in the details and knowing that though Clarke would have created them with an effortless talent, she would have taken pains over each and every tiny detail.
She was eight pieces in, studying a painting of children playing in a leaf pile when Costia broke away from her to get another glass of champagne and talk with Monty and Bellamy. She moved forward, not really minding her absence, being far too engrossed in the paintings that surrounded her.
A few minutes later a charcoal sketch at the end of the room caught her attention and her feet carried her forward without much thought. She knew this piece, Clarke had made it years ago. It hung in her apartment. Why was it here? Her eyes floated over the heavily shaded edges, before skimming down the length of the female figure. In truth, the piece was exquisite, every line was perfect. Every curve and birthmark, every scar…
Suddenly a hand was on her side as a thumb ran over the scar on her rib cage. She turned, her green eyes meeting Costia’s stormy ones. “You and Clarke,” she said stiffly. It wasn't a question.
A flash burned through Lexa. Of all the fucking pieces, why did it have to be this one? She turned on her heel and walked away, looking for only one thing.
Clarke.
She found her quickly, talking to a group of people and looking positively radiant. “Excuse me,” Lexa apologized for her interruption as her long fingers slipped tightly around Clarke's wrist. “I need to borrow Clarke for just one moment.” Without waiting for a response, Lexa pulled Clarke away from the group, around the corner and out of the crowds earshot.
“Lexa?” Clarke questioned, clearly taken off guard “What is…”
“Why is that picture here, Clarke?” Lexa cut her off harshly as she let go of her wrist.
“What picture?” Clarke questioned her, looking completely bewildered.
“The charcoal one,” Lexa replied quickly, “from your apartment. Why is it here?”
“Because, it's one of my best pieces,” Clarke answered innocently. “Why are you so angry? No one knows that it's you.”
“Costia,” Lexa snapped furiously through her clenched teeth. “Costia, knows that it's me.”
“So what?” Clarke shrugged, waving a hand in the air. “It’s not like it’s a big…” her voice trailed off as an obvious realization appeared in her eyes. “She didn't know,” she nodded sharply.
Lexa merely threw her a very disapproving look before she closed her eyes and shook her head ever so slightly.