Chapter 27
Two weeks later Lexa was leaning against the counter at Trikru, filling out paperwork when her phone lit up.
Clarke: Why did I agree to this?
Lexa: I don't know? What is this?
Clarke: Lunch with Wells.
Lexa stared at the phone, unable to stop the light scowl that had appeared on her face. She glanced at the time, she was supposed to be sparring with Lincoln soon and she had to get ready.
Lexa: I would imagine because Thelonious set it up.
Clarke: He did.
Lexa: Deep breath. It'll be over before you know it.
Tossing her phone in the drawer, she shook her head and quickly made her way over to one of the training rooms with her mind already becoming clouded. Wells Jaha, only son of Thelonious Jaha was, to put it simply, an ass. Lexa had tried to like him, really, she had, but it just wasn’t possible.
It could be said that the one thing that set Clarke apart from the rest of the group was where she came from. Her parents were successful, very successful and really, Clarke should have been well off, except that she chose not to be. She didn't work two jobs because she had to, she worked two jobs because she chose to. She didn't want any success that she might achieve to be because of her parents. No. If Clarke was going to make it anywhere with her art, her music or anything else, she damn sure wanted to do it on her own. It was one of the most admirable things about her.
She would indulge on occasion and let her parents help, only help, with trips that she and her friends took, but that was about the extent of it. Hell, she had gone months now without a vehicle because she refused to let Jake and Abby pay for one.
“Ready?” Lincoln asked shortly after she entered the room.
“Ready,” Lexa nodded at him.
Less than five minutes later she was flat on her back.
Wells, on the other hand, had no problem using his father’s name, reputation and his money to get exactly what he wanted. He had been that way for as long as anyone could remember. People in high school either hated him or wanted to be him and while Lexa wouldn't go so far as to say that she hated him, she would say that she just simply couldn't stand him.
“You need to focus,” Lincoln told her as she was knocked to the ground again.
“I am,” Lexa insisted with a glare.
They had dated for a while in high school, Clarke and Wells. It made sense, really. Their families went back a long way, so no one was exactly surprised when they started dating. Funny enough though, the only person surprised when they broke up, was Wells. He just couldn't grasp why it wasn't working and honestly, became a bit of a jerk, until Lexa put him on his ass for making an inappropriate comment about Clarke. This was an action that Clarke both scolded and thanked her for, though it only fueled the rumors about them.
“Damn it, Lex.” Lincoln said as he stood over her for a third time. “Focus.”
“I am focused,” Lexa growled as she got back to her feet again.
“You're not,” Lincoln scolded her quickly. “You're thinking. Stop thinking.”
Lexa nodded. Right. Stop thinking.
Not a moment later, Lincoln was on his back. “See,” he winced up at her. “Told you.”
Okay. So maybe she had been thinking too much.
A few hours later, as Lexa was finishing up her shift, she finally retrieved her phone from the desk drawer, slightly surprised by the fact that she had no messages.
Lexa: Did you survive?
Clarke: I did, but barely. He hasn't changed a bit.
Clarke: And he's coming to work at Polis.
Lexa glared at the phone. Brilliant.
Lexa: Do you want to have dinner?
Clarke: That'd be awesome.
Clarke: In or out?
Lexa: In, I think? I’m finished in a bit. What do you want?
Clarke: Italian?
Lexa: Sounds awesome. What time are you home?
Clarke: On my way there now.
Lexa: When I’m finished here, I'll pick something up and head over. Any requests?
Clarke: Surprise me.
Lexa: You got it.
A little over an hour later Lexa was standing in the locker room, towel drying her hair when her phone went off again.
Clarke: O and Rae are here. Should we feed them?
Lexa: We can feed them.
Clarke: Spoiled bitches.
Lexa: Hahaha. Just find out what they want.
Clarke: Chicken Marsala.
Clarke: They’ll split it.
Lexa: See you in a little while.
Not ten minutes later, her phone went off again. What was this? They day of endless texts?
Clarke: Anya's here now too.
Lexa: ??
Lexa: House party?
Clarke: Raven invited her.
Lexa: I already know what she wants.
Clarke: For dinner or with Raven? ;)
Lexa: Hahaha!! Don’t let her hear you say that!
Clarke: They flirt so bad.
Clarke: It's kind of gross.
Lexa: Yeah, well you’ve never been in the next room. Believe me, it can get way grosser.
Clarke: Ew.
Clarke: You win.
Lexa: Always do. ;)
Clarke: Shush it.
It wasn't much later, as Lexa sat waiting on her order, her phone went off yet again.
Clarke: Where are you?
Lexa: At the restaurant, waiting for the food. Why?
Clarke: Make them go faster.
Clarke: I need you. These people are crazy!
Clarke: IMG_101
Lexa looked at the picture. Four flaming shots sitting on the kitchen counter. What the hell?
Lexa: Clarke, what is that??
Clarke: Anya called it a Flaming B-52, I think?
Lexa slapped her hand against her forehead. Thank God, it's Friday.
Raven: Get your ass over here, Commander!
O: You need to try one of these!
Anya: You know that you're curious.
Clarke: Lexa!
Finally Lexa's name was called and she was able to pay for her food and leave. The trip back to Clarke’s was a short one and before Lexa knew it she was pulling into a parking spot and grabbing the food out of the backseat. She hadn’t even made it all the way to the door when the sounds music and laughter filled her ears.
“What is going on in here?” Lexa asked as she came through the door, attempting to look stern.
“Girls night!” Octavia chirped from her spot on the couch.
Lexa shook her head quickly. Oh, hell no. “I’m out,” she turned to run.
“You're so in,” Raven told her as she wrapped an arm around her and led her to the kitchen. “Relax, it's just food, music, a couple of drinks and bullshitting. Though, it’s probably going to be a late one.”
“No way,” Lexa shook her head. ‘I didn't even bring anything.”
“Anya brought you a bag,” Clarke said as she entered the kitchen. “Now, what'd you bring me?”
“Manicotti,” Lexa answered, before throwing a look at her sister.
“Oh, I just love you.” Clarke told her as she gave her a hug and kissed her on the cheek.
“Uh huh,” Lexa rolled her eyes. “That's what all of the girls say.”
“Only when you feed us,” Raven piped in. “So feed us already.”
It was at this moment that Lexa could no longer contain her composure and burst into laughter. She pushed the bag toward Raven. “Have at it,” she told her before turning to Anya. “Make me one of those shots.”
“Coming right up,” Anya nodded quickly and grinned.
While Clarke, Raven and Octavia started pulling all of the food out, Lexa approached her sister. “So, was this your idea?”
“Not specifically,” Anya shook her head. “It just kind of came together. But, come on, it's been awhile.”
“Truth,” Lexa conceded with a nod as Anya lit two shots on fire.
“Ready?” Her sister asked quickly.
They blew out their drinks and tipped them back few seconds later.
It tasted like coffee. “That is awesome,” Lexa grinned as she smacked her lips.
“I know, right?” Clarke appeared and pressed into her side. “Come on, let's eat.”
As they sat down to eat, Clarke glanced curiously at Lexa's plate. “What do you have?” She asked.
“Chicken Parmesan,” Lexa answered as she picked up her fork.
Clarke pursed her lips slightly, as if she were thinking.
“Would you like some?” Lexa grinned knowingly.
“I would.” Clarke smiled happily. “You're welcome to have some of my manicotti.”
“I think I will,” Lexa nodded. “Thank you.”
“Lex, any interest mine?” Octavia asked motioning to her plate. “Totally trade you some?”
“Of course O,” Lexa chuckled, unable to stop herself.
“Hey Anya,” Raven asked smoothly. “What are you dining on?”
“At the moment,” Anya looked up. “Shrimp and roasted red peppers.”
Raven smirked and it was a look that only she could pull off. “Yum,” she said, popping an eyebrow. “Trade you some?”
Anya looked at Clarke. “See what you started?”
The table erupted in laughter.
By the time they were finished eating, everyone had eaten at least some of someone else's food. They were good and stuffed and Anya was already making them yet another round of shots. Lexa couldn't be sure how many they'd had at this point, she'd lost count after Anya brought her supplies to the table and truth be told, things were starting to get a little fuzzy.
Dropping on to the floor in front of Clarke’s seat in the living room, Lexa patted her overstuffed belly and sighed. ”So, how was Wells?”
“As insufferable as ever.” Clarke rolled her eyes and started to braid her hair.
“He’s such a tool,” Octavia said as she dropped into one of the other chairs.
“Always has been, really.” Lexa shrugged.
“Keep still,” Clarke scolded her playfully. “You know he actually called me afterward and left me a voicemail, asking if I want to have dinner sometime. It was the most ridiculous message ever. Hang on, I’ll show you,” she said as she got up and grabbed her phone.
Lexa’s stomach turned. She did not like the thought of Clarke going out with Wells.
“Shit, I must have deleted it,” Clarke shook her head. “Wait a sec.”
Lexa chuckled and just shook her head.
“Clarke?” Octavia’s voice sounded funny and she sat up.
Lexa turned quickly and found Clarke staring down at her phone with her brow furrowed and her head shaking slightly. She jumped to her feet. “Clarke?”
Clarke didn’t look up, she put the phone to her ear. After a few seconds, she finally looked up. “You called?”
“Um?” Lexa looked at her confused.
Clarke spun her phone around and Lexa got a look at what she was talking about. There in her deleted bin, from all those weeks ago, was the phone call that Clarke never returned. Lexa felt her eyes narrow. She didn’t even have to ask. Clarke turned and left the room.
“Confusion,” Octavia said quickly as she raised her hand.
Lexa sighed. “Remember when I had lunch with you and Raven and I finally listened to Clarke’s messages?”
Octavia nodded. “I was really surprised when you didn’t call her.”
“Except I did call,” Lexa said quickly. “But, apparently it never made it to Clarke.”
“Oh, he did not,” Octavia’s eyes widened.
“Apparently, he did.” Lexa sighed again.
“I don’t even know why I’m surprised,” Clarke said as she came back into the room and sat back down, motioning Lexa to sit back in front of her.
Lexa complied and Clarke resumed braiding her hair.
“He’s so not worth the wasting your energy, Clarke,” Octavia told her.
Clarke nodded but didn’t say anything. Lexa knew that she probably didn’t want to talk about Finn anymore. Even though it was all over and done with, it still made her stomach twist slightly.
Hours later they were all sprawled out in the living room. Anya was on the edge of the couch, with Raven laid out next to her, her leg up. Octavia was in one chair with her legs hanging over the side and Clarke back in the other with Lexa again, on the floor in front of her. The rest of their evening had been pleasant enough and even after the whole voicemail incident they were still able to get back into a good place and have a good time. Now however, they were all just spent.
Finally Octavia stood up. “Okay, I cave.” She yawned. “Rae, where're you sleeping?”
“Right here.” Raven mumbled back.
Lexa got to her feet and looked at Clarke, who was unsurprisingly, asleep in the chair. Octavia grinned at her as she scooped Clarke up and carried her off to her bedroom.
After tucking her in, Lexa used the bathroom and made her way back to the living room, fully intent on crashing on the floor. She was definitely beat and the alcohol flowing through her system was doing nothing to help keep her eyes open. Her idea however, was squashed when the sound of hushed voices filled her ears. Glancing around the corner she could see Raven and Anya deep in a discussion the clearly shouldn't be interrupted.
Well, shit.
Lexa turned. It wasn't a big deal. Not really. She went back into Clarke's room and nudged her shoulder. “Clarke?” She whispered gently.
“Mm?” Clarke mumbled.
“I lost my spot,” Lexa told her. “I'm going to crawl in here, okay?”
Clarke nodded and scooted over to make room for her.
A few minutes later, as Lexa was drifting off to sleep, she felt Clarke take her right hand and pull her arm around her. She should have seen this coming - really, she should have. Clarke was always one to cuddle. “Thank you,” Clarke whispered.
Lexa didn’t know what she was thanking her for and honestly, she was too tired to ask, so she simply curled into her and took a deep breath as her eyes slipped shut.
So much better than the floor.