Canvas of us

The faint buzz of Lexa’s alarm vibrated on the nightstand, pulling her out of a dreamless sleep. She groaned, reaching over to shut it off. It was 4:30 a.m., and the world outside her apartment was still cloaked in darkness. 

Throwing the blanket off, she sat up, stretched, and rubbed her eyes. Mornings this early weren’t her favorite, but starting her shift at 6:00 a.m. meant there was no time to waste. 

After a quick shower, she dressed in her plain black undershirt and pants, meticulously tucking everything in. She grabbed her comb and began brushing her long hair, working quickly but carefully. Once it was smooth, she separated it into sections, deftly weaving it into a tight braid that would stay secure throughout her shift. Satisfied, she tied the end with an elastic, slung her bag over her shoulder, and headed out the door. 

The streets were still quiet as she drove toward the station. On the way, she made a quick stop at a small breakfast shop that opened at 5:00 a.m. The smell of freshly made tortillas and sizzling ingredients greeted her as she stepped inside. She ordered her favorite breakfast burrito—eggs, sausage, cheese, hashbrowns, and a generous drizzle of chipotle jalapeño sauce. It was warm and satisfying, just what she needed to fuel her morning. 

By the time she reached the station, it was 5:30 a.m., and the early shift buzz was already starting. Lexa grabbed her coffee from the station’s break room, pairing it with the burrito as she headed to the locker room. 

Inside, her cousin Anya was sitting on a bench, already in uniform and sipping her own cup of coffee. “Do you ever sleep?” Anya teased as Lexa walked in. 

“Not if I can help it,” Lexa shot back, setting her bag down. “I swear these early shifts are going to kill me one day.” 

Anya smirked. “At least you’ve got breakfast. By the way, Lincoln mentioned something about you going on a date? Spill.” 

Lexa rolled her eyes but smiled. “It wasn’t exactly a date. I met someone Friday night. Her name’s Clarke. She’s amazing—funny, gorgeous, and smart. Plus, she’s a mom.” 

“A mom, huh?” Anya raised an eyebrow. “That’s new for you. When’s the first date?” 

“Wednesday,” Lexa said as she pulled on her patrol jacket. 

Just then, Lincoln strolled in, his easy grin already in place. “Morning,” he greeted, plopping down on the bench beside them. “What’s the topic of the day?” 

“Lexa’s love life,” Anya replied with a smirk. 

Lexa shook her head, laughing. “You two are relentless.” 

“Hey, you brought it up,” Anya countered, raising her coffee cup in mock salute. 

“Fine,” Lexa said, rolling her eyes but unable to hide her grin. “I just hope Wednesday goes well.” 

Lincoln chuckled. “You’ll do fine. Just don’t overthink it.” 

The three of them headed to the briefing room, the hum of the station growing louder as more officers arrived. While the captain assigned routes and shared updates, Lexa discreetly pulled out her phone, her fingers flying across the screen. 

Lexa:Morning, Clarke. I hope you’re having a great start to your day. Also, just to confirm, Wednesday night is still free for me… If you’re still up for dinner? 

She hit send and slipped her phone back into her pocket, a small smile tugging at her lips. Whatever challenges the day had in store, knowing she’d taken a step toward seeing Clarke again made it just a little easier. 

The soft glow of the morning sun filtered through the thin curtains of Clarke’s bedroom, signaling the start of a new day. Her alarm hadn’t gone off yet, but her internal clock nudged her awake. She reached over to the nightstand, grabbing her phone and blinking against the bright screen. 

A notification sat at the top—a message from Lexa. Her heart gave a little flutter as she swiped to unlock the phone, opening the text. 

Lexa:Morning, Clarke. I hope you’re having a great start to your day. Also, just to confirm, Wednesday night is still free for me… If you’re still up for dinner? 

Clarke’s lips curved into a smile as she read it. There was something so genuine and thoughtful about Lexa’s tone, even in a simple text. She let herself linger in the moment before typing her reply. 

Clarke:Good morning, Lexa. Thanks for checking in—it’s a nice way to start the day. Wednesday works perfectly for me. Dinner sounds great. 😊 

She hit send, setting the phone back on the nightstand and lying back against the pillows for a moment. Her mind wandered briefly to the events of Friday night and Lexa’s easy smile. It had been a long time since Clarke felt this kind of excitement about someone new, and she wasn’t sure whether to be cautious or let herself enjoy it fully. 

A faint buzz of a reply pulled her out of her thoughts. She reached for her phone again. 

Lexa:I’m glad to hear that. I’ll make sure it’s a night to remember. 

The words brought a warm flush to Clarke’s cheeks. She hugged her phone to her chest for a moment, laughing softly at herself. “All right, Clarke,” she murmured, swinging her legs out of bed. “Time to focus. Big week ahead.” 

With that, she stood, stretching her arms overhead before heading toward the bathroom. But no matter how mundane the morning routine ahead seemed, the thought of Wednesday lingered like a bright promise at the edge of her mind. 

By the time she made it downstairs, the smell of brewing coffee filled the air. Lux was already seated at the kitchen table, munching on cereal and scrolling through her phone. Clarke smiled as she poured herself a cup. 

“Morning, Lux,” she greeted. 

“Morning,” Lux replied, her eyes still glued to the screen. 

Clarke sat down at the table with her coffee, pulling up her phone to glance at the week’s schedule. Between her classes, an upcoming staff meeting, and finishing touches for the art show in two weeks, her plate was full. 

“Don’t forget, we’ve got the art show coming up,” Clarke said, looking over at Lux. “I’ll be late a few nights this week getting everything ready, so I might need you to handle dinner a couple of times. You think you can handle that?” 

Lux glanced up with a smirk. “As long as you’re okay with me ordering pizza or making instant noodles, sure.” 

Clarke laughed softly, shaking her head. “Not exactly what I had in mind, but I suppose that’ll work.” 

By the time the clock hit 7:20, they were out the door and in the car. The cool morning air had a slight crispness to it, a reminder that fall was just around the corner. Clarke adjusted the rearview mirror as Lux settled into the passenger seat. 

As they pulled up to Emma’s house, the front door swung open, and Emma bounded out, her long blonde hair tied in a messy ponytail. She waved enthusiastically as she climbed into the backseat. 

“Hey, Miss Griffin!” Emma said cheerfully. 

“Morning, Emma,” Clarke replied with a warm smile. “You ready for another week?” 

Emma groaned dramatically but grinned. “Ready as I’ll ever be. At least we have art class today, right, Lux?” 

Lux smirked. “Yeah, Mom’s class isn’t too bad.” 

Clarke glanced at her daughter with mock offense. “Not too bad? I’ll have you know my class is the best part of your day.” 

Both girls laughed, and Clarke chuckled along with them. The drive to school was filled with chatter about upcoming assignments, after-school plans, and Clarke reminding Lux to be on time for her class. 

When they arrived at the school parking lot, Clarke pulled into a spot near the entrance and turned to face Lux and Emma. “Alright, have a great day, you two. And Lux, no excuses—you’d better bring your A-game to class today.” 

“Sure thing, Mom,” Lux said with a teasing grin before she and Emma hopped out, waving as they headed toward the school entrance. 

Clarke watched them go for a moment, her heart warm. Despite the hectic weeks ahead, moments like these made everything worthwhile. 

The sun beat down on the bustling food truck lot downtown, a hotspot for midday traffic. Lexa and Lincoln had carved out a rare lunch break and headed to the taco truck they’d both been raving about since last week. The air was filled with the aroma of grilled meats, freshly chopped cilantro, and tangy salsas. 

“Two steak tacos with the works,” Lincoln said, fishing out his wallet. 

“And a chicken burrito with extra guac, no pico de gallo,” Lexa added, her eyes scanning the menu taped to the side of the truck. 

They stepped aside to wait for their food, finding a shaded spot under a tree. Lexa leaned back against the trunk, her arms crossed as she surveyed the lot. 

“So,” Lincoln began, glancing at her with a sly grin. “You all set for Wednesday?” 

Lexa rolled her eyes. “Can you not?” 

“What? It’s a simple question,” he said, feigning innocence. “I care about your personal life.” 

Before Lexa could respond, a familiar voice interrupted. 

“Figures I’d find you two slacking off.” 

Lexa turned to see Anya approaching, her usual sharp look in place. Trailing behind her was a younger officer, her uniform looking almost too crisp and clean for the dusty chaos of the job. The rookie’s posture was stiff, and her wide-eyed expression betrayed her inexperience. 

“Anya,” Lexa greeted, arching a brow. “Bringing the rookie out for some real-world experience?” 

Anya smirked. “Something like that. Vega here is lucky I haven’t tossed her into the deep end yet.” 

The rookie, Officer Marisol Vega, extended a hand toward Lexa and Lincoln, her grip firm but slightly hesitant. “Nice to meet you both,” she said, her tone polite but laced with nervousness. 

“Congrats on making it through training,” Lincoln said warmly, shaking her hand. “How’s it been so far?” 

Marisol hesitated, glancing at Anya before replying. “It’s been... a lot, but I’m learning.” 

“She’s surviving,” Anya cut in, her tone cool. “Barely. Let’s just say today’s been a real eye-opener for her.” 

Marisol’s cheeks flushed, but she didn’t respond. Lexa shot her cousin a look. “Ease up, Anya. First week’s tough for everyone.” 

Anya shrugged. “Yeah, well, we don’t coddle rookies around here. If she can’t keep up, better she knows now.” 

Marisol’s jaw tightened, but she held her composure. Lexa sighed, deciding to shift the tone of the conversation. 

“Food here’s great,” she said, gesturing to the truck. “Grab something while you can. A good meal can make a long shift bearable.” 

“Noted,” Marisol said quietly, stepping toward the line while Anya stayed behind. 

“She’s green, but she’ll be fine,” Lincoln offered, shooting Lexa a glance. 

“She’s green, and that’s why you’re supposed to teach her, not scare the hell out of her,” Lexa muttered to Anya once Marisol was out of earshot. 

“She’ll toughen up,” Anya replied, taking a swig of her coffee. “If she can’t, that’s on her.” 

“Remind me again how you ended up in a mentor role?” Lexa asked dryly. 

“Because I’m the best, obviously,” Anya replied with a smirk. 

By the time their food arrived, Marisol had rejoined them, balancing a plate of tacos. The group sat at a picnic table, the tension easing slightly as Lincoln launched into a ridiculous story about a raccoon raid at a backyard barbecue. 

“You’re going to be fine, Vega,” Lincoln said, clapping her on the shoulder as they finished eating. “First week’s always a test, but you’ve got a solid head on your shoulders.” 

“Thanks,” Marisol replied, her voice a little steadier now. 

Anya snorted but said nothing, instead checking her watch. “Time to head back. Don’t dawdle, Rookie.” 

Marisol nodded, quickly gathering her things as the two headed toward their patrol car. 

Lexa shook her head as she and Lincoln made their way to their own vehicle. “She’s a good cop, but sometimes she could use a lesson in patience.” 

“Anya’s tough, but you’re right,” Lincoln said with a chuckle. “At least Vega’s got guts. That’s something.” 

As they climbed into the car, Lexa pulled out her phone, her thumb hovering over Clarke’s name before typing out a quick text. 

Lexa:Hey, hope your day’s going well. Mine’s been nonstop, but you’ve been on my mind all morning. Can’t wait to see you again. 

Hitting send, she smiled to herself. Despite the chaos of work, the thought of Clarke made everything feel a little brighter. 

Clarke sat in the cozy, slightly cluttered staff room, her container of leftover penne marinara steaming on the table. The faint hum of the vending machine filled the space, mingling with the ever-present aroma of coffee. She lifted a forkful of pasta and glanced at Luna Moon, the P.E. teacher, who sat across from her. Luna’s bright workout gear and effortlessly messy bun practically radiated energy, a stark contrast to Clarke’s paint-streaked blouse and the slight exhaustion in her eyes. 

“So, Miss Griffin,” Luna began with a teasing tone, “anything exciting planned for tonight? Or is it another thrilling evening of mom life?” 

Clarke chuckled, leaning back in her chair. “What can I say? Making dinner, supervising Luxtyn’s homework, and watching whatever she picks on TV—it’s a wild life.” 

“You make it sound so glamorous,” Luna teased, spearing a forkful of salad. 

Bellamy Blake, the school’s charismatic history teacher and Clarke’s best friend Octavia’s older brother, joined in. “Don’t let her fool you. Clarke knows how to live it up. Didn’t you just host a glitter-filled craft explosion in your art room last week?” 

“Don’t remind me,” Clarke groaned. “I’m still finding glitter in places glitter has no business being.” 

The trio laughed, the lighthearted camaraderie of colleagues who had shared one too many chaotic school days. As the conversation ebbed, Bellamy leaned forward, his expression shifting slightly. 

“Speaking of glitter explosions,” he started, a sly grin tugging at his lips, “O mentioned you met someone this weekend.” 

Clarke shot him a look. “Did she now?” 

“She might’ve mentioned a tall, confident woman with piercing green eyes and a smile that could stop traffic,” Bellamy said, clearly enjoying her embarrassment. 

Clarke felt her cheeks warm, but she shrugged nonchalantly. “Her name’s Lexa. We met Friday night. She’s... nice.” 

“‘Nice,’” Luna echoed, raising an eyebrow. “That’s all you’re giving us? Octavia was practically swooning when she told me about her.” 

“She’s just hyping her up,” Clarke said, rolling her eyes. “It’s not a big deal. We talked. She asked for my number, and we’ve texted a little. That’s it.” 

Bellamy smirked. “You mean, like the text you just got?” 

Clarke blinked, then glanced at her phone, which had vibrated on the table. Sure enough, a new message from Lexa lit up the screen: 

Lexa:Hey, hope your day’s going well. Mine’s been nonstop, but you’ve been on my mind all morning. Can’t wait to see you again. 

Clarke felt her lips curve into a smile, a flutter of warmth spreading through her chest. Ignoring Luna and Bellamy’s knowing looks, she quickly typed out a response: 

Clarke:Day’s better now that I know I’m on your mind. Careful, though, you might spoil me with all this attention. Can’t wait to see you either. 

She hit send, her cheeks tinged pink but her smile unmistakable. 

Luna tilted her head, trying to peer at Clarke’s phone. “Oh, this is getting interesting. What did she say?” 

“None of your business,” Clarke replied smoothly, slipping her phone face-down onto the table. 

Bellamy chuckled, leaning back in his chair. “You’re lucky we like you enough not to meddle. Too much.” 

“You say that now, but I know you two,” Clarke teased. “I’m keeping everything on a need-to-know basis.” 

As the bell rang to signal the end of lunch, Clarke packed up her container, still feeling the lingering warmth of Lexa’s text. She grabbed her things and headed back to class, her steps just a little lighter than they had been that morning. 

Lexa sat at her desk in the quiet station, the clock on the wall reading just after 7 p.m. The dim hum of fluorescent lights overhead was her only companion as she tackled the last stack of paperwork from her shift. She sighed, rubbing the back of her neck as she scrawled a signature at the bottom of yet another report. 

Footsteps echoed down the hallway, and moments later, Anya strolled into the room, her smirk firmly in place. She leaned against the doorway, her posture relaxed and confident, as if she didn’t have a care in the world. 

“Still here?” Anya asked, crossing her arms. “You must really love paperwork.” 

Lexa looked up, narrowing her eyes. “Unlike you, I don’t shove all my reports onto someone else.” 

Anya’s grin widened. “Why would I, when I’ve got Marisol to handle it? She’s back there right now, drowning in forms. Rookie hazing at its finest.” 

Lexa raised an eyebrow. “Marisol? Isn’t she fresh out of training?” 

“Yup,” Anya said, her tone far too gleeful. “She needs to learn the ropes somehow. And by ropes, I mean every tedious detail of report-writing.” 

Lexa shook her head. “You know she’s probably overwhelmed, right?” 

“That’s the idea,” Anya quipped, dropping into the chair across from Lexa. “She’ll thank me later when she’s the queen of efficiency.” 

Lexa gave her cousin a pointed look. “Or she’ll start plotting your demise.” 

Anya laughed. “Fair. But she’s tough—she can handle it.” 

Lexa turned back to her work, muttering, “You’re impossible.” 

“Efficient,” Anya corrected, watching her cousin for a moment before her smirk turned sly. “So… big plans for tonight, or are you saving all your excitement for your date?” 

Lexa didn’t look up, but the slight curve of her lips gave her away. “What’s your point?” 

“My point,” Anya said, leaning forward with a glint of mischief in her eyes, “is that I hear you’ve been grinning all day. Lincoln told me. Something about you being completely distracted.” 

Lexa shot her a glare but didn’t deny it. “He needs to stop talking.” 

Anya chuckled. “He’s right, though. So, spill. Who is this Clarke woman, and why is she turning my composed, stoic cousin into a lovesick teenager?” 

Lexa finally glanced up, leveling her cousin with a look. “She’s incredible.” 

“Good answer.” Anya leaned back, clearly pleased. “Just don’t mess it up, okay? I don’t want to have to do the whole ‘supportive family’ thing when you screw up your first real date in ages.” 

Lexa rolled her eyes. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.” 

“You know I’m rooting for you,” Anya said, standing and stretching. “But if she’s smart enough to go out with you, she’s probably already amazing.” 

Lexa didn’t respond, but the faint blush on her cheeks didn’t escape Anya’s notice. 

With a wink, Anya headed for the door. “All right, I’ll leave you to your thrilling evening of reports. Poor Marisol probably needs some pep talks anyway—or maybe just more forms to fill out.” 

Lexa smirked. “Go easy on her, Anya. She’s new, not invincible.” 

“No promises,” Anya called over her shoulder as she disappeared down the hallway. 

About 45 minutes later, Lexa filed her last report and stood, stretching out the stiffness from sitting too long. She made her way to the locker room, quickly changing into her off-duty clothes. As she pulled out her phone, her thoughts drifted to Clarke. 

Leaning against the lockers, Lexa typed out a message: 

Lexa:Hey, just wrapped up work. It’s been one of those days. How’s yours going? 

She smiled to herself, hit send, and headed out into the crisp evening air, her step lighter than it had been all day. 

The warm glow of the living room lamp illuminated Clarke’s cozy space as she settled into the couch with a steaming mug of chamomile tea. The quiet house felt like a small luxury—Luxtyn was already in her room, likely on her phone or reading. Clarke had the rare chance to enjoy a few peaceful moments to herself. 

Her phone buzzed on the cushion beside her, and when she glanced at the screen, a soft smile spread across her face. Lexa’s name lit up the screen. 

Lexa:Hey, just wrapped up work. It’s been one of those days. How’s yours going? 

Setting her tea aside, Clarke tapped out a reply. 

Clarke:Busy, but good. Right now, I’m just enjoying a quiet house. How’s your “one of those days”? 

She hit send and leaned back, her smile lingering as she waited for a response. 

Lexa had just dropped onto her couch after a long day when her phone buzzed in her hand. Seeing Clarke’s reply, a grin tugged at her lips. 

Lexa:Long. Reports, endless paperwork... but you were a nice distraction. Kept me smiling whenever I thought about you. 

She sent it without hesitation, her confidence growing with every interaction. 

Clarke’s cheeks warmed as she read Lexa’s text. She bit her lip, laughing softly as she typed back. 

Clarke:Oh, is that so? What exactly do you do that involves so much paperwork? 

She tucked her legs under her as she waited, her heart skipping a beat when the response came almost immediately. 

Lexa:Public service—let’s just say I deal with keeping things in order. It’s not glamorous, but it keeps me busy. 

She hesitated for a moment before adding: 

Lexa:But it’s definitely not as fun as talking to you. 

Clarke laughed, shaking her head as she replied. 

Clarke:Public service? That sounds serious. Should I be impressed or concerned? 

Lexa chuckled, leaning back against the couch. 

Lexa:A little of both, maybe. But I’ll settle for impressed. 

She paused, then steered the conversation in a more personal direction. 

Lexa:So, how’s Luxtyn doing? 

Clarke’s smile softened at the thoughtful question. 

Clarke:She had a sleepover this weekend, so she’s still catching up on sleep, but she’s good. Keeps me busy, that’s for sure. 

Lexa read Clarke’s response and smiled, picturing Clarke as a caring, dedicated mom. 

Lexa:Fourteens such a fun age... and probably a challenging one too. She’s lucky to have you—I can tell you’re a great mom. 

Clarke’s heart fluttered at the unexpected compliment. 

Clarke:Thank you. That means a lot. She’s my world, even if she thinks I’m uncool half the time. 

Lexa:That’s how you know you’re doing it right. Isn’t it basically a rule that teenagers think their parents are uncool? 

Clarke laughed as she typed back. 

Clarke:Absolutely. I’m sure it’s in the parenting handbook somewhere. 

Their conversation flowed naturally, shifting between light banter and heartfelt moments. Finally, after a comfortable pause, Lexa sent another message. 

Lexa:You’ve got this way of making my day better, Clarke. Just thought you should know. 

Clarke’s breath caught for a moment before she smiled and replied. 

Clarke:Careful, Lexa. You keep saying things like that, and I might get used to it. 

Lexa:Maybe I want you to. 

Clarke shook her head, her grin almost hurting her cheeks. 

Clarke:Goodnight, Lexa. 

Lexa:Goodnight, Clarke. Sweet dreams. 

As Clarke placed her phone down, the quiet house felt warmer, and her heart lighter. Lexa’s words lingered, wrapping around her like a comforting embrace long after the conversation ended.