Chapter Text
“Hey Lexa! Wanna be my partner?”
The brunette couldn’t believe what she just heard. Had Clarke Griffin just ask her to be her history partner? Since she was still in front of Lexa and obviously waiting for a reply, the answer must have been yes. Lexa’s eyes quickly found the ground and the girl took the time to catch her breath. When she finally found the courage to adjust her glasses and look at Clarke, she noticed that the blonde wasn’t smiling anymore.
“It’s okay if you don’t want to. You don’t have to find any excuses.” Said Clarke before turning around to go back to her friends.
Lexa reached for Clarke’s wrist before the blonde had the chance to put one foot in front of the other. If someone asked why she had been so fast to react, Lexa would tell them it was because she didn’t want to be alone all day. But deep down she knew that it was totally because of the crush she had on the cheerleader. She would never admit it though, not even to Anya.
“Yes, I’ll be your partner.” Lexa finally managed to say.
Though her eyes had returned to the ground, Lexa was proud of herself for speaking up. She didn’t even have time to overthink her decision before Clarke grabbed her hand and dragged her in the direction of one of the bus. Clarke was speaking to her but Lexa couldn’t focus on what she was saying. Her hand was firmly held by the blonde and it made Lexa’s heart beat start to drum in her ears. It’s only when they are sitting in the bus that Lexa’s brain decide to catch up to what Clarke is saying.
“...really need a good grade on this. I mean, I could loose my spot on the cheerleading team. Coach has really been a bitch since Ontari got caught drinking in school last year.” Clarke finished her sentence with a grimace.
Of course Lexa had heard about The Ontari Scandal of last year. Everybody in town had heard about the town sweetheart being sent to rehab because of her problem with alcohol. Ontari was the head cheerleader just before Clarke. She was also the mayor’s daughter which is why the so called scandal had drawn so much attention. In a small town like Polis word got out really fast. Nia, Ontari’s mother and Polis mayor, had been mortified to learn about her daughter’s addiction. Lexa knew that because her father worked for the mayor. Ever since she sent her daughter to rehab, the mayor never mentionned her again. Gustus even said that Nia was acting as if Ontari had never existed.
Suddenly, the first part of what Clarke had been saying settled in Lexa’s mind and any thought about The Ontari Scandal was forgotten. Clarke needed a good grade in history class so she would keep her spot as head cheerleader. Lexa finally understood why Clarke had chosen to be her partner. Lexa was a straight A student. To be Lexa’s partner was a guarantee to having an excellent grade. The brunette could see Kane coming down the aisle and writing down the teams. Lexa tightened her jaw in quiet anger and shame. She couldn’t believe how stupid she’d been. Clarke would surely go off with her friends as soon as they get to the museum and leave Lexa alone to do all the work.
“Lexa, are you okay? You seem really tense.” Asked Clarke with a look of worry on her face.
The way Clarke was looking at her made her reconsider her thoughts. Maybe her assumptions were wrong. Yes, Clarke wanted a good grade but it didn’t mean she would let Lexa do all the work. Lexa was about to answer Clarke’s question when Kane arrived to their level.
“Clarke Griffin and Lexa Woods, what an odd pair.” Murmured the professor before moving to the next team. Lexa couldn’t agree more with her teacher. Clarke and her were really an odd pair.
“An odd pair? What did he meant?” Asked Clarke, clearly offended by Kane’s comment. “Just because I don’t have the best grades in history doesn’t mean I’m dumb! Lexa, you have to help me show this jerk that I’m smart.”
“Clarke! You can’t just call our teacher a… a jerk. ” Lexa murmured the last word so Kane wouldn’t hear her. Detention wasn’t really that appealing after all.
“Urgh, fine. But I can’t mess up this paper. That’s why I asked you to be my partner. I knew you’d be focused and that’s exactly what I need.” Said Clarke with her head down. “History is my weakest subject. I guess it’s because it doesn’t really interests me. Plus, pairing up with one of my friends would’ve have been a disaster. I mean, I love them, I do! But you know, no work would have been done.”
It was the first time Lexa could see Clarke that way. The blonde girl didn’t have her usual smile and she didn’t talk loudly so everyone could hear her. No, the Clarke that was sitting next to her had her walls down. She was scared and nervous. The brunette could feel her crush on the cheerleader deepening and she cursed herself for it. Clarke was vulnerable and asking for her help. That was all Lexa should have been thinking about.
So Lexa found herself tapping lightly on the blonde’s shoulder so the girl would look at her. Just like Lexa earlier, it took a moment for the blonde to lift her head up. But when Clarke finally looked at her, the brunette had her best smile on.
“We’re going to ace this paper, Clarke.”