Chapter Six
Clarke stood in the kitchen, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee curling around her as she leaned against the counter. The house was quiet, unusually so, with Luxtyn spending the night at her grandparents’. She sipped her coffee slowly, the warmth spreading through her hands as the memory of the night before tugged at her thoughts.
Lexa had walked her to the door, their pace unhurried, as if neither of them wanted the night to end. The air was cool but not biting, the faint scent of rain lingering from earlier in the evening. Clarke had felt a nervous energy simmer beneath her skin, but it wasn’t unpleasant. It was the kind that came from anticipation, from realizing she was standing at the edge of something new.
When they reached her front porch, Lexa paused, her hands slipping into her coat pockets as she turned to face Clarke fully. The soft glow of the porch light illuminated her face, her green eyes catching the light in a way that made Clarke’s breath hitch.
"I had a really good time tonight," Lexa said, her voice low but steady. The honesty in her tone made Clarke’s chest tighten, and she couldn’t help the small, bashful smile that crept across her lips.
"Me too," Clarke admitted, her voice softer than she intended. The warmth in Lexa’s gaze made her feel like the only person in the world in that moment.
There was a heartbeat of silence, the kind that felt full instead of awkward, before Lexa spoke again. "Can I see you again?" she asked, her words careful but edged with quiet hope.
Clarke’s answer came without hesitation. "I’d like that," she said, and the genuine joy that softened Lexa’s expression made her stomach flip.
Lexa stepped closer then, her movements sure but unhurried. When her lips met Clarke’s, it wasn’t just a kiss—it was a promise. The touch was soft and deliberate, and yet it sent a spark racing through Clarke’s veins. Lexa pulled back just slightly, her forehead brushing against Clarke’s as she murmured, "Goodnight, Clarke."
Clarke had stood there for a moment after Lexa walked away, watching her go until she disappeared down the street. Even now, as she stood in her kitchen, the memory of that kiss—the way it made her feel safe and excited all at once—lingered like the sweetest kind of echo.
The sun was rising steadily as Clarke pulled into her parking spot at the school. She reached for her travel mug of coffee and took a sip, savoring the quiet moment before the bustle of the day began. The school courtyard was already coming to life with students arriving in groups, chatting and laughing. Clarke grabbed her bag from the passenger seat and stepped out, her mind briefly flickering to the night before—the warmth of Lexa’s goodnight kiss still lingered in her thoughts.
Inside, the familiar smell of paint, paper, and pencils greeted her as she opened the door to her art classroom. She loved this room, with its mismatched stools, colorful supply shelves, and student projects displayed proudly on the walls. Setting her bag on her desk, Clarke started prepping for the day’s lesson, a project focusing on self-expression through mixed media.
As the first bell rang, students began filing into the classroom. Their chatter filled the space with an energy Clarke had come to love. She smiled as a small group walked in, her daughter Luxtyn among them. Though Clarke’s heart swelled at seeing her, she kept her professionalism in check.
“Good morning, Miss Griffin!” Luxtyn called out brightly as she entered with her best friend, Emma.
“Good morning, Luxtyn,” Clarke replied, a playful smile tugging at her lips. “Find your seat, and we’ll get started.”
The classroom quickly filled with students settling into their usual spots. Clarke stood at the front, clapping her hands to gather their attention.
“Alright, everyone! Today, we’re diving into self-expression through mixed media. You’ll have access to paint, pastels, magazine clippings—whatever inspires you. Think about how you want to represent yourself, and don’t be afraid to get creative!”
The students buzzed with excitement, and Clarke moved around the room as they got to work. At one table, a boy named Liam was cutting out pictures of sports equipment from an old magazine. Clarke paused, leaning down to look at his work.
“This looks great, Liam. I love how you’re focusing on the things you’re passionate about,” she said, her encouragement earning a proud grin from the boy.
“Thanks, Miss Griffin! I think I’m gonna add a basketball hoop in the background too,” he said eagerly.
“Perfect idea,” Clarke replied. “Let me know if you need help with the proportions on that.”
At another table, a girl named Sofia was experimenting with watercolor paints. Clarke noticed the way she blended the colors to create a sunset effect.
“Sofia, this is stunning,” Clarke said, kneeling beside her. “You’ve really got a knack for gradients. The way you’ve captured the light here is so impressive.”
Sofia’s cheeks flushed with pride. “Thank you, Miss Griffin! I wasn’t sure about it at first.”
“Well, you nailed it,” Clarke said with a smile. “Trust your instincts—they’re serving you well.”
As Clarke continued around the room, she eventually stopped by Luxtyn and Emma’s table. The two girls were giggling as they worked on their projects, Luxtyn carefully cutting out shapes for a collage. Clarke crouched down, her tone warm but professional.
“How’s it coming, Luxtyn?”
“Pretty good, Miss Griffin,” Luxtyn said with a grin. “I’m making a collage of all my favorite things—see? Art, ice cream, and cats.”
Clarke chuckled. “That sounds very ‘you.’ You’re doing an excellent job with the layering here—it’s really dynamic.”
“Thanks, Miss Griffin,” Luxtyn said, her pride evident despite the formal address.
Clarke stood and continued her rounds, offering guidance, praise, and the occasional tip. The room hummed with creativity, and Clarke couldn’t help but feel a swell of gratitude for her job. This was where she felt most at home, surrounded by the vibrant energy of her students.
As the class drew to a close, Clarke clapped her hands again. “Great work today, everyone! Make sure to clean up your spaces before you head to your next class. I can’t wait to see these projects when they’re finished.”
The students began tidying up, their chatter filled with excitement about their progress. Luxtyn gave Clarke a quick smile before leaving with Emma, and Clarke waved after her, her heart full.
Turning back to the now-quiet classroom, Clarke gathered her thoughts, already planning for the next lesson. For a moment, her mind wandered to Lexa, and she wondered how the day might unfold. But for now, her focus was on her students and the world of creativity they brought to life each day.
Lexa stretched lazily in bed, the golden morning light filtering through the blinds. A soft smile tugged at her lips as she replayed the events of last night in her mind—Clarke’s easy laughter, the warmth of her hand, and the sweet, lingering kiss they’d shared at the end of the evening. The memory sent a pleasant flutter through her chest, and she couldn’t help but grin.
After a few more moments of basking in the glow of last night, Lexa rolled out of bed and slipped into her workout gear. She tied her sneakers tightly and headed out, jogging briskly to the local gym. The morning air was crisp, invigorating her as she thought of Clarke and the prospect of seeing her again.
At the gym, Lexa moved straight to the weights section, ready to push herself. She warmed up with some lat pulldowns, focusing on her form, before moving into heavier lifts. Deadlifts came next, her grip firm as she powered through each rep, the strain grounding her. She transitioned to pull-ups and worked her way through her sets, her muscles burning but her focus unwavering.
An hour later, Lexa felt the satisfying ache of a solid workout. She jogged back home, her body humming with energy, and jumped in the shower, letting the hot water relax her tired muscles. Afterward, she dressed in comfortable clothes and headed to the kitchen, preparing a hearty breakfast of scrambled eggs, avocado toast, and coffee.
She’d just taken her first sip of coffee when the door swung open, revealing Anya.
“Don’t you ever knock?” Lexa said, raising an eyebrow as Anya strode in.
“Why bother? You never lock it when you know I’m coming,” Anya replied with a smirk, leaning against the counter.
Lexa rolled her eyes, setting her mug down. “Morning to you too.”
Anya waved off the sarcasm. “Alright, Woods. Let’s hear it. How was the date?”
Lexa couldn’t suppress the grin spreading across her face. “It was amazing,” she said, her tone soft. “Clarke is incredible. We had dinner, walked around, talked for hours, and…” She hesitated for a moment, then let out a shy laugh. “We kissed. Twice, actually.”
Anya raised an eyebrow, her grin widening. “Twice? Damn, Woods. You don’t waste time, do you?”
“It wasn’t like that,” Lexa said, shaking her head but still smiling. “It was… perfect. Natural. She’s just so easy to talk to. It felt like I’ve known her forever.”
Anya let out a low whistle. “Look at you, all starry-eyed. I didn’t think I’d ever see the day.”
Lexa shrugged, still smiling. “She’s different, Anya. It’s not just some random fling.”
“Well, good for you,” Anya said, stealing a piece of toast from Lexa’s plate. “You deserve it. And it’s about time you found someone who can keep up with you.”
“Thanks,” Lexa said, her tone sincere. “I think she might be that person.”
Anya grinned. “I like this version of you, Woods. Less brooding, more smiling. It’s weird, but I’ll take it.”
Lexa rolled her eyes but chuckled. “Speaking of weird, how’s your rookie doing?”
Anya groaned but didn’t look particularly frustrated. “She’s competent, I’ll give her that. Doesn’t miss a thing, which I appreciate. But she’s green. I have to spell out every little detail to make sure she’s on the same page. It’s exhausting.”
Lexa smirked. “At least she’s not screwing things up.”
“She’s not,” Anya admitted grudgingly. “She handled a DUI stop last night like a pro. Caught everything I was looking for without me saying a word. I can’t even be annoyed at her.”
Lexa chuckled. “So, you’re saying she’s good, but you hate that you can’t yell at her for it?”
“Pretty much,” Anya said with a smirk. “She’s going to be a solid cop, but I’m not letting her off easy. She still needs to prove she can do it all on her own.”
Lexa nodded. “Sounds like you’ve got your hands full. At least she’s got potential.”
“She does,” Anya agreed. “But enough about work. When’s the next date?”
“This week,” Lexa said, her smile returning. “We’re still figuring it out, but she’s interested. And so am I.”
“Good,” Anya said with a teasing grin. “Don’t screw it up, Woods. She sounds like a keeper.”
“I’ll do my best,” Lexa replied, laughing.
The two spent the next hour catching up, their conversation bouncing between work and Lexa’s budding romance. Despite Anya’s teasing, Lexa could tell her friend was genuinely happy for her, and it only made her excitement about Clarke grow. For the first time in a while, everything felt like it was falling into place.
Lexa sat cross-legged on her couch, her phone in hand as she dialed Clarke’s number. The room was quiet, save for the soft hum of the streetlights outside her window. The line barely rang before Clarke picked up.
“Hey,” Clarke greeted warmly, her voice carrying a smile.
“Hey,” Lexa replied, settling back into the cushions. “Am I catching you at a bad time?”
“Not at all. Perfect timing,” Clarke said. “How was your day?”
“Not bad,” Lexa said with a small chuckle. “Got a good workout in, managed to survive my cousin Anya grilling me about our date, and… well, I spent a fair amount of the day thinking about you.”
Clarke laughed softly. “Anya? Who’s that?”
“My cousin,” Lexa explained. “She’s a patrol officer too. Thinks she knows everything but has a soft spot she tries to hide.”
“She sounds fun,” Clarke said.
“She’s a handful, but yeah, she’s good people,” Lexa said fondly. “Anyway, enough about her. How was your day?”
“Busy, but pretty great,” Clarke said, her tone brightening. “The kids were full of energy today. Lux and her friend Emma walked in already chatting a mile a minute, and I had to keep reminding them that art class isn’t just social hour.”
Lexa chuckled. “Sounds like Lux takes after her mom. A little chatterbox, huh?”
“I am not a chatterbox!” Clarke protested, laughing. “I’m just… engaging.”
“Sure, sure,” Lexa teased. “And your students? Did they make a mess of the art room today?”
“Always,” Clarke said with mock exasperation. “But they’re worth it. There’s this one kid who’s been struggling with perspective drawing, and today, they finally got it. Seeing that click for them was amazing.”
“You’re really good at what you do,” Lexa said sincerely.
Clarke’s voice softened. “Thank you. That means a lot.”
There was a brief pause, comfortable and easy, before Lexa broke it. “So, when can I see you again?”
“Well,” Clarke said thoughtfully, “Monday could work. I’ve got a longer lunch break since I don’t have a class right before lunch.”
“I could make that work,” Lexa said, mentally running through her schedule. “I’m working the night shift Monday—five to five—but lunch is doable.”
“Perfect,” Clarke said. “There’s this little café down the street from the school, Breve & Bloom. They make the best sandwiches.”
“I’ve been there,” Lexa said. “Good choice. Let’s make it a date.”
“Deal,” Clarke said, her voice bright with excitement.
“So, what’s your favorite thing on the menu?” Lexa asked.
“Oh, the turkey pesto panini,” Clarke answered without hesitation. “But you have to get it with the tomato bisque. It’s a must.”
“Noted,” Lexa said, laughing. “I’ll trust your taste buds on this one.”
Clarke’s tone turned playful. “You’d better. I have impeccable taste.”
“Clearly,” Lexa replied smoothly. “I mean, you did agree to go out with me.”
“Confident, aren’t you?” Clarke teased, though her smile was evident in her voice.
“Only when it comes to you,” Lexa admitted softly, the sincerity in her words making Clarke’s breath hitch.
“Lexa,” Clarke said, her tone teasing but warm, “you’re going to make me blush.”
“Good,” Lexa said with a grin. “You’re cute when you blush.”
Clarke laughed, the sound light and happy. “Okay, stop. I need to be able to sleep tonight, and you’re making it impossible to stop smiling.”
“Guess I’ll take that as a win,” Lexa said.
They lingered in conversation a little longer, the topics ranging from funny anecdotes about Clarke’s students to Lexa’s favorite takeout spots for her night shifts. Their laughter was frequent, their words easy, until Clarke finally sighed.
“I hate to end this, but I should probably get some sleep,” she admitted reluctantly.
“Yeah, me too,” Lexa said, though she didn’t sound any more eager to hang up. “But Monday lunch, Breve & Bloom. It’s a date.”
“Definitely,” Clarke said. “Goodnight, Lexa.”
“Goodnight, Clarke,” Lexa replied, her voice warm. “Sweet dreams.”
When the call ended, Lexa set her phone down, a wide smile lingering on her face. Monday couldn’t come soon enough.