Chapter 26
Clarke: Can I ride with you to Lincoln’s?
Lexa: I'm actually going to be late. Anya said that you can ride with her though. She's picking up Raven too.
Clarke: That'll work. What time?
Lexa: She said she'll pick you up at six.
Clarke: Perfect. See you later tonight!
Lexa: Yep.
Clarke tucked her phone away. She had been working in the store room at the gallery when Octavia called to see if she could find a different ride out to Lincoln's later that night. Apparently Lincoln had some emergency with the food so Octavia was going to head over there now to help him.
Clarke sighed as she slid another painting into the crate. She really needed this weekend. The last couple of weeks had really taken their toll on her. Physically speaking, she was fine. She had finished off her run of antibiotics and was back to being a picture of perfect health. Mentally though, she wasn't doing so great. She didn't miss Finn, not at all or the stress that apparently had been apart of that package. However, in between his cheating and Costia's hurtful comments, Lexa was right, she was starting to doubt herself and she was finding it increasingly difficult to stop. She loved her body, she did and she’d never want it to change, but at the same time, she had to get Costia's words out of her head. She had to. They were too much and she just couldn't seem to get away from them.
Later as she walked home, the cool air felt good against her face. Her eyes danced around to all of the Halloween decorations littering the store fronts and she grinned in appreciation at how much effort people put into their displays. Her fingers itched to just sit and sketch some of them, but she knew she didn't have time, at least, not today. She had to get home, take a shower and put a bag together. Anya would be picking her up in less than two hours and Clarke knew better than to make her wait.
Pushing through her front door a few minutes later, Clarke quickly dumped her stuff off on the kitchen table before going to her room and throwing together her weekend bag. Considering they did this every month, the bag was already mostly ready, there were certain staples that she never took out, so really all she needed to add was some clothes. After finishing that task, she dropped the bag by the door and rushed into the shower, she had less than an hour now.
After her shower Clarke stood staring in the mirror, her eyes raking over her body as her head damned Costia and her heart cursed her own self doubt. Stop. Just stop.
She settled on jeans and a t-shirt with a pair of tall boots and then for good measure, covered it all up with a sweater that was definitely a size larger than necessary. It didn't look bad, it just really didn't look like her.
Raven: Get a move on, Griff.
Clarke: I'll be out in five.
Raven: Anya said that you have three.
Clarke chuckled as she tucked her phone into her pocket and grabbed her keys off of the table. She knew that she'd better get out there, she had no doubt that Anya would leave after three minutes. Grabbing her bag, she clicked off the lights and booked out of the apartment, locking the door behind her.
“She was just about to leave you,” Raven told her as she slid into the backseat of Anya’s car.
“Oh, come on,” Clarke chuckled. “I’m right on time.”
“You're never on time, Clarke.” Anya grinned.
“Girl’s got a point.” Raven nodded quickly.
The ride to Lincoln’s was pleasant as the three of the chatted about nonsense and listened to the radio. Everything seemed to be going smoothly, that was, until the pulled up out front of Lincoln’s and Clarke’s eyes fell on a car that she knew all to well.
“What the fuck is Finn doing here?” Raven said as she quickly opened her door.
Anya’s eyes narrowed as she focused on the car where Finn was still sitting in the driver seat.
Clarke swallowed hard and slipped out of the back seat. No sooner did she close her door, Finn stepped out of his.
“So, this is how it's going to be?” Finn scoffed, crossing his arms. “I'm exiled?”
“You made your choices, Collins.” Anya replied stiffly.
Finn turned. “I know it was you that scratched up my car,” he glared at her.
Anya’s eyebrow twitched slightly. “Then prove it,” she said coolly.
“You need to leave, Finn.” Clarke told him.
“This isn't fair,” Finn said as he redirected his glance to her.
“Not fair?” Clarke's eyes went wide. Seriously?
“You selfish fuck,” Raven stepped forward. “You ruined your relationship with Clarke and in the process destroyed Lexa’s relationship with Costia and now you have the nerve to stand there and be upset because you didn't get invited to the party?”
Finn swallowed hard and Clarke didn't miss how Anya’s hands twisted into a fist.
“I always knew that your were a dick, Finn,” Raven shook her head, “but, damn.”
“What happened between me and Clarke was exactly that,” Finn defended quickly. "Between me and Clarke."
“That might have been true,” Raven fired back at him, “if you hadn't allowed other people to be affected by it as well. Clarke was your girlfriend, but Lexa was your friend.”
“My friend?” Finn laughed. “Yeah, my friend, who spent the last two years trying to sleep with my girlfriend.”
Clarke's face felt hot. This shit again. “She never tried to sleep with me!” She snapped loudly.
“If they really wanted to sleep together, I'm sure that they could have.” Anya stepped forward. “But in the end, it was you that crossed that line, not them.”
Finn glared at Anya and Clarke was quite sure that he was contemplating throwing a punch.
“Finn, you need to leave.” Monty’s voice filled the air. Turning, Clarke saw him approaching with Jasper hot on his heels.
“Monty,” Finn sighed. “Come on, man…”
“I'm serious,” Monty shook his head. “If Lincoln wanted you here, he would have invited you.”
Finn glared at them all for another moment before shaking his head in defeat and getting back into his car. As soon as he pulled away Clarke turned and wrapped her arms around Monty’s neck. “Thank you,” she told him and gave him a tight squeeze.
Monty nodded, returning her hug.
“Man, that guy has nerve.” Jasper shook his head.
Clarke took a step back. Part of her wanted to feel bad for Finn - it did, but she couldn't. She knew the moment she found out, that this would sever his ties within the group. She glanced around. They were an odd group, really. All so very different and yet so strangely similar. They were a family built on acceptance, sure, but also trust and respect. It was clear now that no one trusted Finn anymore and it was also clear that Finn had no respect. Not for himself or Clarke, certainly not Lexa and probably not anyone else either.
“You good?” Raven asked as she nudged her.
“I'm good.” Clarke nodded.
“Good,” Raven smiled. “Let's get inside.”
Entering the apartment Clarke and Raven dropped their bags next to the door and were quickly greeted by Lincoln who handed each of them a small bottle. “Welcome,” he said kindly.
Raven opened the bottle and tipped the contents into her mouth. “Ugh,” she gagged instantly. “That's gross.”
Clarke opened her bottle and took a quick whiff. “Smells like licorice,” she noted.
“Sambuca?” Anya questioned as she accepted her bottle from Lincoln, who nodded.
“Yuck,” Anya shook her head before tipping to liquid into her mouth, Clarke followed in suit.
“I'm with Anya on this one,” Clarke winced. “That's just nasty.”
Lincoln laughed. “I know it.”
An hour later Lexa finally came through the door. Clarke noted that she must have come straight from a meeting or something as she was dressed in slacks and a button down, with the sleeves rolled up to her elbows. Catching her eye, Lexa smiled and gave her a nod of acknowledgement before being approached by Anya, who pulled off to the side. Though Clarke couldn't hear what was being said, judging by the look in Lexa’s eyes and her body language, she was quite sure that Anya was filling her in on Finn's appearance earlier.
“Hey,” Lexa said when she finally made her way over to Clarke and kissed her cheek.
“I was wondering if you a when you were going to show,” Clarke smiled.
“Work,” Lexa nodded as she opened a beer.
“Everything okay?” Clarke asked curiously.
“Definitely,” Lexa smiled.
As the night wore on Clarke found that wearing a sweater might not have been the best idea. Given the size of Lincoln’s apartment and the amount of people in it, it was really getting quite warm. She knew that she could just take of the sweater - she knew it, but, no.
“Aren’t you hot in that thing, Griffin?” Raven asked from her seat on the couch.
“No, I’m good.” Clarke answered, but pushed the sleeves back up anyway.
As if on cue, Lexa appeared at her side and held a hand out to her. “Will you come with me?”
Clarke looked up at her and saw something flickering her eyes. “Of course,” she said as she took Lexa's hand and got to her feet.
Lexa led her down the hallway and into the bathroom. Once inside, Lexa closed to door and turned to look at her. She sighed. “I know what you're doing,” she said softly.
“What am I doing?” Clarke asked curiously.
Lexa’s eyes met hers, the green burning into the blue as if trying to relay a message. She stepped forward, her fingers quickly gripping the bottom of Clarke's sweater and in one swift movement, lifting it up over her head and off of her overheating body.
As the cool air hit the bare skin that was left exposed by her t-shift Clarke felt instant relief. She took a breath as she looked back at Lexa with a certain amount of shame showing in her eyes, but in Lexa's eyes there was nothing but warmth and understanding.
“You don't need to hide yourself under baggy clothes,” Lexa told her firmly.
“I know,” Clarke nodded. “I just can't seem to get it out of my head,” her eyes misted over.
“I can see that, but Clarke,” Lexa sighed and took her hand. “You have an amazing body. People would kill for your curves.”
Clarke nodded. “But, it's not like yours,” she said with a shrug.
“It doesn't need to be like mine,” Lexa shook her head. “It's yours, and it's beautiful and I wish that I could burn Costia’s words from your memory, because that is one thing that you never, ever need to doubt.”
Clarke smiled affectionately, suddenly she felt lighter. How the hell did she do that?
“Thank you,” Clarke said as she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Lexa's neck.
Lexa pulled her in tight. “No doubt,” she said firmly.
Clarke nodded, suddenly becoming very aware of their bodies pressed together. “Was she right about the fit?” The question escaped her lips before she could stop herself.
Clarke felt Lexa's grin on the side of her head as the smallest chuckle filled her ears, she shook her head. “No,” she said taking a step back. “I think it goes without saying that we've always fit together great.”
Clarke nodded and giggled lightly.
“Are you ready to go back?” Lexa asked as she motioned to the door.
“I am.” Clarke smiled widely.
“No sweater,” Lexa told her firmly.
“No sweater,” Clarke agreed with a nod.
As they exited the bathroom, Clarke was hit with an insane feeling of gratitude for her best friend. “You're kind of amazing, you know that?”
Lexa grinned at her. “Shh.”
Clarke didn't know what it was or how Lexa had done it, but not once over the rest of the weekend did she even consider putting that sweater back on.