She Looks Good on Paper but I Look Good on You

by orphan_account

Summary:

15 -year-old Clarke is an incoming Sophomore at Arcadia Academy. On her first day, she runs into and falls for (literally and figuratively) one of the most popular seniors, 17-year-old Alexandria Woods. However, Alexandria has a girlfriend who she has been with since her sophomore year, Costia Winters.

At Arcadia Academy during your Freshman and Sophomore year you are assigned a Senior buddy.

What happens when Alexandria is assigned as Clarke's the Senior buddy that lasts all school year? Feelings get involved and drama unfolds.

Chapter 1: "Next time watch where you are going blondie."

Monday, August 5th

It was 6 am and Clarke was up excited for her first day as a sophomore at Arcadia Academy and had to be at school by 7:30 am. Clarke was currently looking in the mirror at her body which has changed since last year. No longer was she the skinny nerd with braces. She had her braces removed in June and now she has bigger breasts and curves. She went from an A cup to a C cup, and she can't lie she looks good in the school uniform they are required to wear.

 

All of the grades had to wear khaki, black, or navy blue bottoms, but the shirts were color-coded by grade. Each grade had the choice of two shirt colors. With Clarke being a sophomore she had the choice to wear a yellow collar shirt or a navy blue color shirt both had the school logo on it. The freshmen's shirt colors were light blue or khaki, the junior's colors were red or black, and the seniors' were forest green and white. Luckily on Fridays, they could dress down and wear what they wanted as long as it abided by the dress code.

 

Clarke decided to wear a yellow collar shirt, a navy blue skirt that stopped mid-thigh but below her fingertips, and a pair of yellow HEYDUDES. She decided to wear her gold necklace that had her name on it, diamond stud earrings, her apple watch, and a gold ankle bracelet. She decided to wear her hair half up half down. She was putting the finishing touches on her makeup when she heard her phone ring. She smiled seeing it was a group FT with Octavia and Raven.

 

As soon as she answered she could hear Octavia yell out, "We're sophomore bitches!" causing Clarke and Raven to laugh.

 

"I can't believe it," Raven squealed putting on her shoes.

 

"You guys we are no longer fresh meat...," Clarke said excitedly.

 

"Yepp and I mean look at us we are hot and smart," Raven said confidently.

 

Clarke and Octavia squealed in excitement.

 

"Clarke honey it's twenty minutes to seven we need to get going," Abby said through the door.

 

"Okay Mom, I am about to come downstairs," Clarke replied.

 

"Bellemy is yelling for me to come downstairs now, Raven are you sure you don't want Bell to come pick you up?" Octavia asked concerned.

 

"Or my parents could come," Clarke added.

 

Raven smiled but shook her head no, "Thanks guys but I am going to catch the bus, I heard the Academy bus is way better than public school so that's cool."

 

"Are you sure?" Octavia asked softly.

 

"Yes, both of your families have done more than enough for me by helping my mom buy my school uniforms and my school laptop," Raven said. Raven was not as fortunate as Octavia or Clarke. Her mom worked at Krogers as a cashier and picked up shifts overnight at a diner to bring in extra money. Raven's mom, Rayna, had her at the age of 16 and has raised Raven by herself ever since. Raven loved her mom beyond words and was proud of how hardworking and dedicated her mom was.

 

"Okay, Ray and Octavia I will see you guys at school!" Clarke said excitedly.

 

Clarke ran down the stairs and saw her parents both smiling at her.

 

"Our baby girl is a sophomore now Abby," Clarke's father, Jake, said with tears in his eyes.

 

"Daddy, please don't cry you are going to make me cry," Clarke said pouting going to hug her dad.

 

"You're growing up," Jake said hugging Clarke close and smiling as Abby took a picture.

 

"I'll always be your baby girl," Clarke said softly.

 

🎶🎶🎶

 

Arcadia Academy was the only private high school in Arcadia (Triku County). Arcadia Academy was considered to be a prestigious high school due to the high graduation rates and number of students to go to college and graduate. Clarke's mother and father both graduated from Arcadia Academy and wanted Clarke to keep the tradition going. Clarke was proud to follow in the footsteps of her parents.

 

"I can't believe I'm a sophomore now," Clarke squealed from the back seat as they pulled up in the school parking lot at 7:15 am.

 

"Okay sweet sweetheart you have the best day ever and we love you so much," Abby said from the front seat.

 

Clarke looked at her dad and saw he had tears in his eyes again.

 

"I love you both, I have to go now so I won't be late for the sophomore meeting," Clarke said as she rushed out of the car to the front of the school.

 

Clarke took out her phone to text Octavia and Raven to see are they there. As she was texting she bumped into some and felt herself fall. The embarrassing part is she fell right on top of them. Clarke looked down and saw the most beautiful person glaring at her.

 

"You are so pretty," Clarke said before she could stop herself and blushed once she realized the stranger's hands were on her hips.

 

That only made the stranger glare harder at her. Clarke quickly got up and held her hand out for the stranger to take. However, said stranger did not take her hand she got up on her own staring daggers at Clarke. If looks could kill Clarke was sure she would be dead right now. Clarke saw that the older girl was wearing a Forrest green collar shirt.

 

"Oh my gosh, you are a senior... I am so sorry I didn't mean to bump into you," Clarke tried to explain.

 

"Next time watch where you are going blondie," the pretty stranger growled out and walked off.

 

Clarke sighed as she made her way to the school auditorium. She checked her phone when she got there not wanting to risk running into anyone again. Clarke saw a text from Raven that she and Octavia were already there and had saved her a seat.

 

As Clarke was walking to the front she heard a couple of catcalls from a group of guys.

 

"Hey sexy," an older white guy called out with a white shirt collar shirt on.

 

"Whew, this year's group of sophomores are fine as hell," a dark-skinned guy in a white-collar shirt said and got a high-five from the guy beside him who previously yelled out.

 

Clarke blushed and looked around for her friends she saw that pretty face with those green eyes still glaring at her. Clarke blushed harder and quickly made her way to the second row where she saw Raven and Octavia and sat down.

 

"Clarke, why are you blushing?" Octavia asked smiling.

 

"You wouldn't believe what happened this morning," Clarke groaned out. She explained the events that happened earlier to her best friends and of course, they laughed at her.

 

"Oh my gosh Clarke I can't believe you fell on top of a senior," Raven said still laughing.

 

"It would be hilarious if that is assigned senior buddy this year," Octavia said wiping tears from her eyes from laughing so hard.

 

"I would die if I got paired with her she's so freaking pretty and I am sure she hates me," Clarke whispered as she heard the principal start talking on the stage.

 

The three girls paid attention to the principal welcoming the sophomore class to a new school year. She then brought up a senior who was introduced as Costia to explain what is a senior buddy and what to expect from any sophomores who are new to the school. 

 

"She's pretty," Clarke heard Raven mumble.

 

Clarke nodded her head in agreement. The girl on stage had beautiful brown skin, her hair was long and curly stopping at the middle of her back, and she had a nice body. She was wearing a Forrest green collar shirt, a tight khaki skirt, and Originals Gazelle Bold "Cream White/Green" Adidas.

 

After she was done talking the principal came back and explained to the sophomores that female sophomores would be paired with female seniors and male sophomores paired with male seniors.

 

"I am so nervous, I hope I get someone nice," Raven said biting her nails.

 

"Stop biting your nails Ray we just got them painted over the weekend," Octavia said pulling Raven's hand from her mouth.

 

"If it helps I'm nervous too Ray," Clarke said chewing on her bottom lip.

 

The three girls heard Octavia's name called and saw a pretty brown-skinned girl heading their way.

 

"Hey, I'm Gaia Bishop, I'm good friends with your brother Bellamy he pointed me out to you. I'll be your senior buddy for the year," Gaia said smiling.

 

"Hi, I'm Octavia... nice to meet you," Octavia said confidently.

 

"I am going to pull you away from your friends so we can go get your ID and schedule from that table over there," Gaia said pointing across the auditorium.

 

"Bye guys I'll see y'all later," Octavia said as she followed her new senior buddy.

 

"And then there were two," Raven said as threw her arm around Clarke causing the blonde-headed girl to smile.

 

Soon Raven's name was called and a pretty girl came up to them with cheekbones to die for and black hair with blonde streaks throughout. Her face looked neutral as she walked up.

 

"Hi Raven, I'm Anya Woods and I will be your senior buddy for your sophomore year," Anya said looking as if she wanted to be any place but here.

 

"Hi I'm um Raven Reyes, it's nice to meet you," Raven said nervously.

 

"So I am going to take you to get your school ID picture taken, your schedule, and locker number," Anya said.

 

"Okay cool... see you later Griff," Raven said before she followed Anya.

 

"And then there was one," Clarke mumbled to herself until she felt a tap on her shoulder.

 

She turned around and saw the same two guys who were catcalling at her earlier.

 

"Hey beautiful what's your name?" The dark-skinned guy asked.

 

"I'm Clarke," the younger girl replied shyly.

 

"Clarke I like that.. I'm Kason and this is my buddy CJ short for Christopher," Kason said pointing to the white boy beside him.

 

"Oh hi nice to meet you both," Clarke said looking around feeling uncomfortable.

 

"You know you have a nice body," CJ said eyeing Clarke up and down.

 

"Yeah a really nice body," Kason agreed staring at her breast.

 

Clarke felt her heart start beating fast until she felt a presence behind her and saw the two guys' eyes go wide.

 

"Are you all harassing my sophomore buddy?" Clarke heard a sexy voice behind say.

 

"Nah Woods we were just introducing ourselves that's all," Kason said.

 

"Fuck off," the stranger behind her growled making Clarke tense up. That voice sounded oddly familiar now.

 

Please don't be her. Please don't be her. Clarke repeated in her mind over and over as she turned around and sure enough, it was the stranger she fell into earlier this morning.

 

"Clarke is it?" the stranger said clicking the K in her name. Clarke felt butterflies in her stomach because no one ever pronounced her name like that.

 

"Yes um I'm Clarke," Clarke said nervously.

 

"Hmmm," the stranger said slowly looking her up and down eyes lingering at her breast a little longer, "I'm Alexandria but everyone calls me Lexa."

 

Alexandria... hmm pretty name for a pretty girl. Clarke thought to herself.

 

"Hey Lexa," Clarke said shyly. She saw Lexa cross her arms and gasp at the biceps that popped out at the older girl's movements and she had a freaking arm tattoo.

 

Lexa smirked seeing she had the younger girl in a trance.

 

"Come on blondie let's get the stuff you need so we can go eat breakfast I'm starving," Lexa said grabbing the younger girl's hand.

 

🎶🎶🎶

 

Lexa had taken Clarke to school ID made, picked up her schedule, and now they were currently at her locker programming her fingerprint.

 

"This is so cool we have fingerprint lockers this year," Clarke squealed.

 

"Are you always this preppy fresh blondie?" Lexa asked smirking at Clarke.

 

"I'm just so excited, I'm a sophomore now practically an adult!" Clarke said excitedly.

 

"Chill tiny you are far from adulthood," Lexa said smiling now at the girl's excitement.

 

She watched as Clarke pouted, "I am not tiny," Clarke whined.

 

Lexa's eyes roamed to the younger girl's breast, then down to her flat stomach, further down to her thighs, and back up to her breasts.

 

"You certainly are not tiny," Lexa said smirking as Clarke blushed at her checking her out.

 

Before Clarke could reply she watched as the girl from the stage who explained about the buddy program came up and gave Lexa a hug from behind. She saw Lexa turn around and kiss the girl on the lips. Clarke frowned and wanted to cry at the moment.

 

"Hey Cos," Lexa said as she broke away from the kiss and turned towards Clarke, "Costia this is Clarke, the sophomore I am paired with this year, Clarke this is Costia, my girlfriend."

 

Clarke put a fake smile on her face and waved at Costia.

 

"Awww hey, she is adorable Lex," Costia said sweetly.

 

"Yeah very adorable," Lexa said smirking seeing Clarke blush.

 

"I was paired with a freshman again this year and my freshman buddy is a piece of work she has a horrible attitude, but I feel like I can help her though," Costia said determined.

 

"If anyone can help her you can babe," Lexa said kissing Costia again and seeing Clarke frown from the corner of her eye.

 

Clarke watched as Lexa whispered something in Costia's ear and grab Costia's butt. Clarke cleared her throat and flashed her prettiest smile looking at Lexa.

 

"Can you please help me find my first-period class?" Clarke asked sweetly.

 

"Yeah sure I can, I'll text you Cos," Lexa said as she grabbed Clarke's hand, "What class do you have?"

 

"I have Advanced Organics Chemistry with Mr. Pike," Clarke said.

 

"Oh pretty and smart," Lexa said not noticing she was rubbing Clarke's knuckles.

 

"You think I'm pretty?" Clarke asked blushing.

 

"Of course I mean look at you," Lexa said flashing her signature smile that has girls wanting to do whatever for her.

 

Clarke bit her lip and looked away blushing before looking back at Lexa and saying, "I think you're pretty too."

 

"Thanks, blondie, well here is your first period just a heads up Pike can come off as an asshole but he is fair so make sure you pay attention and you will be fine," Lexa said and was about to walk away before she remembered she needed Clarke's number.

 

"Hold on blondie," Lexa called out before Clarke walked into the classroom.

 

Clarke came back out to Lexa holding her phone out.

 

"You want my number?" Clarke asked shyly grabbing Lexa's phone.

 

"Yes so I can check on you throughout the day but I will be walking you to all of your classes today so I'll see you in an hour okay?" Lexa said as she saved Clarke's number in her phone.

 

"Okay, see ya," Clarke said and walked back into her class with a little extra sway in her hips.

 

Clarke smiled when she saw Raven in her class.

 

"Oh my gosh, Raven I'm so glad we share a class!" Clarke said hugging Raven.

 

"Same! My senior buddy walked me here she is so hot and mysterious," Raven said blushing.

 

"You wouldn't believe who my senior buddy is," Clarke whispered to Raven.

 

"Who?" Raven asked interested.

 

"The senior who I fell on this morning," Clarke said covering her face as Raven laughed at her.

 

"It's not funny Ray she's so pretty and every time I see her I get butterflies but she has a girlfriend a very pretty girlfriend," Clarke said frowning.

 

Raven was about to respond when Mr. Pike walked in and class began.

 

The class lasted for about an hour and then they were dismissed.

 

"I hate staying in class that long," Raven complained as they walked out of class.

 

Clarke stopped and gasped as she saw Lexa across from her class leaning against the wall with her shirt half up talking to Raven's senior buddy, Anya. Clarke couldn't pull her eyes away from Lexa's abs.

 

"Fuck," Clarke mumbled under her breath.

 

Raven laughed at her best friend who was practically drooling out of her mouth.

 

"I'm guessing that is your senior buddy?" Raven asked smiling.

 

"Yes my beautiful senior buddy," Clarke said in a daze.

 

"Get it together Griff they are coming over," Raven said.

 

"Hey blondie," Lexa said smiling at Clarke.

 

"Hey Lexa, this is my best friend, Raven," Clarke said.

 

"Hey Raven, I'm Alexandria Woods. Clarke this is my cousin, Anya Woods, Anya this is Clarke Griffin aka blondie," Lexa said smirking at Clarke blushing.

 

"Hi blondie," Anya said smiling and shaking her head at her cousin.

 

"My next class is honors U.S. History with Mr. Kane, what's yours, Raven?" Clarke asked looking over her schedule.

 

"I have honors algebra two with Mrs. Debby," Raven replied.

 

"Well I'll catch you later cuz let me walk blondie to her next class," Lexa said to Anya grabbing Clarke's hand and walking her to her next class.

 

The conversation flowed easily between the two girls as they walked to Clarke's next class.

 

"I like your abs," Clarke said as she looked everywhere but at Lexa.

 

"Oh, you saw me showing off my abs that worked hard for?" Lexa asked smirking.

 

"You must work out a lot?" Clarke asked.

 

"Yeah for the most part... I'm the captain of the soccer team so I have to stay in shape," Lexa said.

 

"Wow the captain, you must be really good, I have never been to a soccer game before," Clarke said amazed at the older girl.

 

"Well our first game is next week you should come," Lexa said smiling as the younger girl's eyes became brighter.

 

"I'd love to come!" Clarke said happily.

 

"Cool, I'll text you the date and time but we are here and now I have to go so I won't be as late," Lexa said turning around and jogging off. 

 

Clarke walked into the class with nothing but Alexandria Woods on her mind.

 

🎶🎶🎶

 

It was now lunch time and luckily the three best friends had the same lunch periods. Clarke and Raven were at Raven's locker waiting for Octavia.

 

"Hey guys," Octavia greeted as she hugged her best friends, "Today has been amazing! Being a sophomore is so cool I just hate I don't share any classes with you guys."

 

"At least all three of us have lunch period together," Raven said happily.

 

The other two girls agreed and walked to the cafeteria while talking about how their day had been so far.

 

"Wow there are so many food options," Clarke said overwhelmed a little by all the different lines and how packed the cafe was.

 

"I am going to the line that is serving wings and fries," Raven said, "I'll be y'all at the table over there by the window.

 

Clarke and Octavia nodded still trying to choose what line they were going to. Clarke made her decision as soon as she saw Lexa enter the Chinese food line.

 

"I'm going to the Chinese food line," Clarke said to Octavia.

 

"Okay, I think I am going to go grab a piece of pizza and go to the salad bar," Octavia said eyeing her brother's friend Lincoln in the pizza line.

 

Clarke headed towards the Chinese food line with her eyes on the prize which was Lexa. She smiled and waved as Lexa made eye contact with her and winked. Clarke was about to go to the end of the line when she saw Lexa give her the come here gesture with her finger.

 

Clarke shyly made her way to Lexa and the older girl put her hands on her hips and moved her to stand in front of her. Clarke blushed at how close her back was to Lexa's front.

 

"You move a lot, Clarke," Lexa said close to ear and smirked as the younger girl shivered.

 

"Sorry," Clarke said relaxing now in front of Lexa.

 

"What class do you have after lunch?" Lexa asked.

 

"My elective class which is art, I love art!" Clarke said bouncing a little causing her butt to rub up against Lexa's front.

 

"Shit," Lexa whispered as she unknowingly squeezed Clarke's hips causing the younger girl to gasp.

 

"Shit sorry," Lexa said.

 

"It's okay I liked it," Clarke said innocently.

 

She is going to be in trouble. Lexa thought to herself.

 

The two girls soon made it to the front and started fixing their plates.

 

"I'm sitting with my friends over there by the window. Where are you sitting?" Clarke asked not seeing any senior shirt colors here in the cafe.

 

"Seniors either eat up there," Lexa said pointing to the upper level of the cafe, "or outside."

 

"Okay, are you going to walk me to my next class after lunch?" Clarke asked shyly.

 

"Of course, meet me at the cafe entrance when lunch is over," Lexa instructed.

 

Clarke nodded and smiled. She watched as Lexa walked to the upper-level part of the cafe to sit with her friends. Or probably her girlfriend. Clarke thought as she sat down.

 

Lunch went by fast with it consisting of Raven and Octavia picking at Clarke for getting paired with the girl she fell on this morning.

 

When lunch was over Clarke walked towards the entrance of the cafe and waited as Lexa instructed her to. She soon saw Lexa and Costia walking up toward her.

 

"Hey there again Clarke," Costia said waving at the younger girl, "has this one here been treating you right?"

 

Clarke looked at Lexa and saw the older girl smirking at her.

 

"She's been taking really good care of me," Clarke said sweetly.

 

"That's my sweet girl," Costia said as she turned around and kissed Lexa on the lips.

 

Clarke turned around and frowned as the couple said their goodbyes and I love you.

 

Clarke felt Lexa take her hand and they began their walk to the other side of the building.

 

"How long have you and Costia been together?" Clarke asked Lexa.

 

"Since our sophomore year," Lexa said absentmindedly.

 

"Oh wow, that's a long time," Clarke said kind of upset.

 

"Yeah it is," Lexa replied in a voice Clarke couldn't describe.

 

"Do you love her?"  Clarke asked curiously.

 

"Yeah I love her," Lexa said quietly.

 

"Are you in love with her?" Clarke asked softly.

 

"I um...," Lexa said rubbing the back of her neck, "you ask a lot of questions blondie."

 

"I'm a curious person," Clarke responded.

 

"Do you have a boyfriend or girlfriend?" Lexa asked the younger girl.

 

Clarke blushed before responding no.

 

"Have you ever had one?" Lexa asked curiously.

 

"I had a boyfriend for a couple of months my freshman year but it was nothing serious. He was my first kiss but we broke up because he moved out of state in the middle of the school year," Clarke said as she swung their conjoined hands.

 

"So you like boys and girls?" Lexa asked.

 

"I never had a girlfriend but yes I like girls also. What about you do you like girls and boys?" Clarke asked eyeing Lexa.

 

"I don't find men attractive at all," Lexa said making a disgusting face, "but I love women," Lexa said smirking seeing the younger girl avert her eyes and blush.

 

They walked in a comfortable silence the rest of the way with Lexa rubbing Clarke's knuckles now and then.

 

🎶🎶🎶

 

It was now the end of the day and Clarke had seen a text from Lexa.

 

Sexy Lexie😍: Meet me by your lockers.

 

Clarke smiled as she left her 4th-period class and hurried to her locker. She saw Lexa leaning against her locker texting on her phone.

 

"Hey Lex," Clarke said smiling. She walked up to the older girl and hugged her. She felt Lexa stiffen for a couple of seconds but then relax.

 

"Hey Clarke," Lexa said softly breaking the hug.

 

"You wanted to see me?" Clarke asked smiling as Lexa grabbed her hand even though they were just standing there.

 

"I wanted to know how you were getting home?" Lexa asked.

 

"I'm a car rider... Bellamy is supposed to be taking me home," Clarke said and she felt Lexa stiffen.

 

"Why is Blake taking you home? Are y'all a thing?" Lexa asked. She doesn't know why but she felt jealous.

 

"What?! No Lexa, Bellamy is like a big brother to me. I'm best friends with his little sister Octavia," Clarke rushed out not wanting Lexa to get the wrong impression.

 

"Oh okay, so you're best friends with baby Blake?" Lexa asked and got her answer as she saw Clarke nod. She had another question she wanted to ask the younger girl which she thought she already knew the answer to.

 

"Are you a virgin Clarke?" Lexa asked and watched the younger girl blush.

 

"Yes," Clarke answered quietly and looked up at Lexa.

 

Lexa groaned as she thought about how tight the Clarke would feel around her dick but quickly through that thought out of her head. She had Costia and she was enough.

 

"You don't have to be embarrassed Clarke, there is nothing wrong with being a virgin," Lexa said.

 

"I know it's not," Clarke said biting her lips, "I just don't want you to look at me as a baby."

 

Lexa chuckled as she looked Clarke up and down slowly, "Trust me, Clarke, I don't see you as a baby."

 

Before Clarke could respond her phone started ringing. She looked and saw Octavia was calling. Clarke answered and put the phone on speaker.

 

"Hey my sexy ass bestie," Octavia yelled into the phone.

 

Clarke blushed and saw Lexa hold back a laugh.

 

"Hey Tave, are y'all ready for me to come out?" Clarke asked even though she didn't want to leave Lexa.

 

"Yeah Bellamy just came out and said bring your sexy little ass," Octavia said and then they heard Bellamy yelling and then his voice on the phone.

 

"I did not say that Clarke, Octavia is being an asshole," Bellamy said out of breath.

 

"It's fine Bell really," Clarke said smiling.

 

"Hey Blake, I'll take Clarke home," Lexa said grabbing Clarke's hand.

 

"Oh hey Lexa, are you sure?" Bellamy asked and Clarke noticed he sounded a little weird.

 

"Yeah I'm sure Blake," Lexa said rolling her eyes.

 

"Is that okay with you Clarke?" Bellamy asked Clarke.

 

"Yes," Clarke said a little too quickly causing Lexa to let out a little laugh.

 

"Okay then Clarke if you're sure," Bellamy said hesitantly, "here's Octavia."

 

"So Clarkey you're letting your hot senior buddy take you home," Octavia teased causing Clarke to turn as red as a tomato.

 

"Octavia!" Clarke yelled in a high-pitched voice causing Lexa to full-on laugh.

 

"Oops, am I on speaker? Hey Lexa!" Octavia yelled through the phone.

 

"Hey baby Blake... thanks for the compliment," Lexa said pulling the pouting blonde into a hug.

 

"Clarke's probably pouting right now... but it's true you are hot and Clarke thinks so too," Octavia said.

 

"Okay Tave I am hanging up now bye!" Clarke said quickly and hung up.

 

"Let's get you home fresh meat," Lexa said walking with her arm around Clarke.

 

"I live pretty far from the school," Clarke said.

 

"I do too, where do you live?" Lexa asked as they got into her matte grey 2023 Dodge Charger.

 

"I stay in Winchester Heights and I love your car it fits you," Clarke said.

 

"Thanks, fresh meat, and what a coincidence that we stay in the same neighborhood," Lexa said smirking.

 

"What? Really?" Clarke said excitedly.

 

"Yep, what is your house number?" Lexa asked.

 

"125," Clarke said.

 

"Okay you stay a road over from me," Lexa said.

 

"Oh okay," Clarke said smiling and blushing.

 

They pulled up to their neighborhood and Lexa entered the code to the gates.

 

She drove to Clarke's house and smiled at Clarke playing with her fingers. They pulled up to the younger girl's house and Lexa parked in the driveway.

 

"Your home alone?" Lexa asked.

 

"Yeah my mom is a doctor and my dad is an engineer so they won't be home until this later... do you want to come in?" Clarke asked shyly.

 

Lexa smirked and replied sure.

 

"Costia won't be mad?" Clarke asked curiously.

 

"Why would she be mad are we doing something other than hanging out?" Lexa asked smirking.

 

"I don't know... I mean no!" Clarke said blushing.

 

"Hmm okay fresh meat," Lexa said as Clarke took her hand and guided her to her front door.

 

As soon as they entered Clarke was pulling her upstairs to her room.

 

"Nice room," Lexa said as she saw art pieces everywhere and saw Clarke's name scribbled in the corner, "Damn fresh meat you are talented."

 

"Thank you, Lexa," Clarke said blushing.

 

Lexa watched the younger girl enter her walk-in closet she was assuming to change clothes.

 

What am I doing... Lexa thought to herself. Since she has been with Costia no other girl has caught her attention but now out of all girls a freshman catches it.

 

Clarke walked out of the closet in small spandex shorts and a white shirt so that Lexa could see her nipples.

 

"We can sit on my bed," Clarke said pulling back the covers.

 

"I am going to have to strip down to my boxers and sports bra since I don't have a change of clothes," Lexa said looking at Clarke's face to see her reaction.

 

"Oh," Clarke said wide-eyed, "That's fine."

 

Lexa nodded took off her shoes, collar shirt, and pants, and made her way to Clarke's bed. Lexa wasn't wearing her compression shorts so she knew the reason Clarke's eyes got even wider when they made their way down.

 

"It's okay to ask questions, Clarke," Lexa said as she sat down on the bed and scooted next to Clarke.

 

"Do you have a penis?" Clarke whispered as if someone else was in the room besides Lexa.

 

Lexa chuckled at her cuteness, "Yes I have a penis... I'm intersex."

 

Clarke was quiet as she studied Lexa.

 

"Does that change anything? If that makes you uncomfortable I can leave," Lexa said kind of disappointed.

 

Clarke realized that Lexa must have taken her quietness the wrong way. She watched as Lexa began to get out of bed.

 

"No wait!" Clarke called out and grabbed Lexa's arm pulling the older girl back in the bed, "I still like you, I don't care what you have between your legs."

 

"Really?" Lexa asked cautiously.

 

"Yes really," Clarke said as she moved to straddle Lexa feeling the older girl stiffen, "Is this okay?"

 

"It shouldn't be," is all Lexa answered.

 

"Do you want me to get off?" Clarke asked.

 

"No," Lexa whispered.

 

"I just want to take a nap with you," Clarke said as she adjusted herself to get comfortable lying on top of the older girl.

 

"Okay is your door locked.. just in case your parents come home?" Lexa asked as she started rubbing Clarke's back.

 

"Yes it's locked," Clarke said sleepily.

 

Lexa just nodded and continued to rub Clarke's back. She knew that this was wrong but the connection she felt with Clarke was something she never felt before.

 

Lexa heard her phone ring and recognized the ringtone she set for Costia. Lexa picked up and couldn't help but smile at Clarke snuggling closer to her.

 

"Hey, baby!" Costia said happily.

 

"Hey, babe... wassup?" Lexa said.

 

"Nothing just getting home.. I just wanted to hear your voice before I take a nap today was draining," Costia said.

 

"It was a lot, I'm about to take a nap too," Lexa said which technically wasn't a lie.

 

"Okay babe, I'll call later tonight... love you," Costia said sweetly.

 

"I love you too Cos," Lexa said before hanging up.

 

Lexa stayed up another 10 minutes before going to sleep. The last thing on her mind before drifting off was: What the hell am I doing?

Chapter 2: I just cheated on my girlfriend.

Friday, August 9th

 

It was Friday morning and Lexa listened as her phone alarm went off. It was 5:00 am and Lexa woke up rock-hard after dreaming about a certain blonde-haired, blue-eyed girl. For some reason, Clarke had clouded her mind and she was starting to get irritated by it and felt kind of guilty. Costia was so sweet, pretty, and smart. They have been together for three years and it was safe to say everyone assumed that they were endgame. Lexa's mom Becca has even brought up that she should buy Costia a promise ring. Lexa never bought it because she did not want to make a promise she couldn't keep. She knew she and Costia were not going to get married because she was not in love with Costia. Did she care about Costia? Yes. Did she love Costia? Yes. Was she in love with Costia? That was the magic question.

 

Lexa heard her phone ding and saw two text messages, one from Costia and one from Clarke.

 

Costia💕: Good morning babe. You don't have to pick me up on the way to school today my car is out of the shop🥳

 

Blondie👱‍♀️: Hey Lexa! I am on my way to your house I should be there in about 5 minutes.

 

Lexa smiled thinking about Clarke coming over. They haven't hung out since she came to Clarke's house Monday after school. Clarke asked her when they could hang out again but between Costia, being an afterschool tutor, and soccer practice she hadn't had time to see her favorite blonde. So, Lexa told Clarke the only available time she really had was before school. She was surprised when Clarke said she would get her mom to drop her off on her to work so they could spend time together if Lexa didn't mind giving her a ride to school. Lexa of course told the younger girl yes. Lexa got up and put on some joggers and one of her soccer jerseys. Her phone dinged and she saw a text from Clarke letting her know she was outside.

 

Lexa walked downstairs to the front door and saw Clarke and a woman who she assumed was Clarke's mom. Lexa did her signature smile and introduced herself to the older woman standing beside Clarke.

 

"Hey I'm Alexandria, Clarke's senior buddy," Lexa said reaching her hand out towards the older woman.

 

"I'm Abby, Clarke's mother, it's nice to finally put a face with a name," Abby said smiling as she shook Lexa's hand, "This one has not been able to stop talking about you."

 

Clarke's cheeks flushed a deep red as she protested, "Mooooom."

 

"I hope it's all good things," Lexa said with a grin.

 

"Oh yes, she told me about how helpful you have been so thank you," Abby said gratefully, "Yes should come over for dinner one day."

 

"It's no problem Clarke is amazing, she makes it easy and I would love to come over for dinner one day," Lexa said meeting Clarke's eyes which were staring back at her blushing.

 

"She is amazing, my baby girl," Abby said squeezing Clarke's cheek.

 

"Moooom," Clarke whined playfully.

 

"I love you. Have a great day," Abby said, waving as she prepared to leave.

 

"I love you too Mommy, see you later," Clarke called out as Lexa grabbed her hand and led her inside the house.

 

As soon they were inside Clarke felt Lexa pull her into a hug. Clarke was surprised but happy as she hugged the older girl back standing on her tiptoes causing her shirt to rise a little. She felt Lexa bring her hands to the exposed skin and rub her thumbs right above her hips.

 

"So soft and pretty," Lexa mumbled.

 

Clarke just let out a soft sigh falling more for the older girl each second.

 

"Let's go to my room we have a while before we leave for school," Lexa said softly and led the younger girl to her room.

 

Clarke smiled as they walked into Lexa's room.

 

"I love your room, it's so you," Clarke said looking around.

 

"Thank you," Lexa said taking back off her shirt and joggers. She saw Clarke's eyes trail down to her dick print and then back up quickly blushing.

 

Lexa walked towards Clarke and took the book bag and the hanger that had her freshly ironed school uniform on it. She walked to her closet hung up the uniform and put her book bag on a shelf before walking back to the blushing blonde-haired girl.

 

"Do you want to take this off or keep it on?" Lexa asked tugging at Clarke's shirt and shorts she had on.

 

"Do you want me to take it off?" Clarke whispered.

 

"That's up to you... I just want you comfortable," Lexa replied softly.

 

Clarke nodded and pulled her shirt off exposing her generous breasts in a black cotton bra. She then took off her shorts.

 

Lexa saw that Clarke was nervous.

 

"Your body is beautiful," Lexa said eyeing that curvaceous body in front of her.

 

"Really? I'm not fit like Costia," Clarke said quietly, unable to shake the feeling that she didn't measure up.

 

Lexa frowned hearing Clarke compare herself to Costia. Yeah, the two girls had different body types but honestly, Lexa preferred Clarke's body type.

 

Lexa gently tilted Clarke's chin, forcing the younger girl to meet her gaze. "Stop comparing yourself to Costia," Lexa said firmly but softly, her green eyes filled with sincerity. "Your body is perfect, Clarke. Just the way it is."

 

Clarke blinked, feeling her cheeks flush slightly at Lexa's words. It wasn't just the compliment; it was the way Lexa looked at her like she meant every word.

 

"This is my first time being like this with someone," Clarke said shyly.

 

"Being semi-naked?" Lexa asked curiously.

 

Clarke nodded and looked away blushing.

 

"Do you want to put your clothes back on?" Lexa asked softly.

 

Clarke just shook her head and blushed.

 

"So adorable," Lexa said taking Clarke's hand and guiding her to the bathroom. At times like this Lexa was glad to have a bathroom in her room.

 

She sat Clarke on the counter and grabbed her toothbrush to brush her teeth. After she was done she picked Clarke up and walked to her king-size bed.

 

"Can we lay like we did last time?" Clarke asked quietly.

 

Lexa nodded and got on the bed with Clarke still on her. The younger girl moved around a bit trying to get comfortable but that caused her to rub Lexa's dick. Clarke paused when she felt hardness up under her.

 

"You're..." Clarke trialed off blushing not even finishing her statement.

 

"I'm hard," Lexa said laughing a little.

 

"Why? Was it because of me moving around?" Clarke asked confused.

 

Lexa nodded as she answered, "Yes, and because I am attracted to you."

 

"Oh," Clarke said shyly, "I'm attracted to you too."

 

"Hmm good," Lexa said looking Clarke in the eye, "I want to kiss you right now."

 

"I want to kiss you too," Clarke said leaning in a little.

 

"We really shouldn't though," Lexa said moving her hands from Clarke's hips to her butt. Lexa moved Clarke back and forth on her hard-on and watched as Clarke's eyes widened a little and then moaned.

 

"That feels good," Clarke said lowly, "Can I please kiss you?"

 

Lexa grabbed Clarke's neck with her left hand and pulled her into a soft and gentle kiss. Both girls felt this feeling around them like this kiss was meant to be. Lexa felt Clarke grind on her again and groan in the kiss. She moved her hand from her neck and put it back on her butt and started moving the younger girl back and forth on her dick print slowly.

 

"Is this okay? Do you like that?" Lexa said trying to keep a moan in.

 

"Yes... I.. mmm.. Lexa," Clarke moaned out not being able to answer the question properly.

 

"Fuck," Lexa whispered past the point of horny as Clarke started grinding faster. Lexa closed her eyes and soon Costia's face popped into her head. I'm cheating on Costia right now.

 

Clarke stopped abruptly causing the older girl to look up. Clarke bit her lip, a habit she does when she is nervous because she wants to try something more but is not sure Lexa would be up for it.

 

"What's wrong Clarke?" Lexa asked.

 

"I want to try something," Clarke said nervously.

 

"What do you want to try?" Lexa asked. 

 

"I want to keep doing what we're doing but with my panties off and your boxers off," Clarke said shyly.

 

Lexa was relieved the younger girl did want to fully go all the way, but even once they did this it would be the point of no return. Her mind went to Costia again which made her feel guilty... but not guilty enough to stop. Lexa wanted to do this, she wanted Clarke. Lexa must have taken too long to answer because Clarke started removing herself from her lap.

 

"I'm sorry Lex, I asked for too much... please don't be mad," Clarke said upset. Clarke watched as Lexa furrowed her brows.

 

"I'm not mad Clarke, I want you just as much you want me," Lexa said pulling the younger girl in for a kiss. Lexa felt Clarke's tongue asking for entrance. Lexa parted her lips for her and the kiss deepened. Lexa shivered as she felt Clarke's tongue against hers. Lexa pulled back from the younger girl taking deep breaths. She then quickly sat Clarke down beside her and quickly removed the younger girl's panties. She groaned seeing how wet Clarke was which made her hurry and take off her boxers and sit back against the headboard. Clarke climbed into her lap and both girls moaned feeling each other.

 

"You look so good on me like this," Lexa said kissing the younger girl's neck.

 

Clarke could only moan out. This felt so good... too good. Each time her clit hit the head of Lexa's dick she felt a strong tingle in her body.

 

"Oh! That feels so good," Clarke whined Lexa started moving her faster. She could see Lexa's eyes moving to her bra-cladded breasts every so often. So, Clarke decided to pull her bra down so that it was around her stomach. She watched as Lexa's eyes widened and could feel her dick twitch under her. She moaned feeling Lexa's hands on her breasts rubbing and squeezing. Her eyes popped open wide when she felt a warm mouth on her nipple.

 

"Oh my God, Lex, that feels so good," Clarke moaned.

 

"I know baby you are so wet for me, I can just imagine how it will feel to really fuck you," Lexa said feeling herself about to cum, "I want to change positions."

 

Lexa moved Clarke to lie down and then hovered over her and moaned as she pushed back and forth through her wet folds. She could feel Clarke shake a little each time the head of her dick bumps her swollen clit. Lexa couldn't stop thinking about how tight Clarke would be if they ever had sex.

 

"Lexa I'm feeling funny, oh gosh... I think I'm-" Clarke was cut off by her very first orgasm.

 

Lexa felt Clarke become impossibly wetter to the point her dick felt like it was on a slip n slide. It felt so good... too good.

 

"Fuck I'm cumming," Lexa said jacking herself off until she nutted all over Clarke's pussy.

 

Lexa looked over at the time and saw it was 5:52 am.

 

"Let's go shower, pretty girl, then we can try to get a quick nap in before we head to school," Lexa said and watched as Clarke just smiled and nodded.

 

"What does this mean now?" Clarke asked Lexa as they headed to the shower.

 

Lexa felt herself become nervous because she knew she wasn't going to leave Costia and she also knew she wasn't letting Clarke go anytime soon.

 

"Let's not worry about that right now pretty girl," Lexa replied now seeing the situation she just got herself in for what it was.

 

I just cheated on my girlfriend.

 

🎶🎶🎶

 

The car ride to the school was silent and tense, to say the least. The guilt weighed heavily on Lexa during the drive to school, and she couldn't shake the feeling that she'd betrayed not just Costia but Clarke too. She had let her emotions get the best of her, unable to resist the pull she felt toward Clarke, but now reality was sinking in. Which caused Lexa not to speak one word to Clarke on the way to school.

 

She could tell that Clarke was upset by her attitude which made her feel worse. As soon as Lexa was about to say something to the blonde her phone rang. She tensed up seeing Costia's name pop up on the car screen. Lexa answered and smiled as she heard Costia's voice come through the speakers.

 

"Hey baby," Costia cooed and Lexa watched as Clarke stiffened.

 

When Costia's voice filled the car, it was like pouring salt into an open wound. Clarke felt tears come to her eyes.

 

"Hey baby," Lexa said genuinely happy to hear her girlfriend's voice, "I saw your text about your car being out of the shop. I know you're happy."

 

"I am babe, so happy! I am on the way to get some Starbucks and wanted to see did you want anything," Costa said.

 

"Awww your sweet baby. You can get me my usual," Lexa said smiling but deep down she was feeling guilty.

 

"Okay, baby I will see you at school. I love you," Costia said sweetly.

 

"I love you too Cos," Lexa said and quickly ended the call.

 

Lexa looked over at Clarke who was looking back at her with tears in her eyes. When they got to the school parking lot Lexa parked and saw the younger girl try to quickly unbuckle her seat belt and reach for the door handle.

 

"Wait, pretty girl? Please come here," Lexa said softly.

 

Clarke turned around and saw Lexa had let the front seat back and patted her lap. Clarke climbed over and sat on Lexa's lap.

 

"I'm sorry okay," Lexa started, "I do like you but-"

 

"You love her," Clarke said sadly.

 

"I do love her," Lexa said.

 

"So what we shared this morning meant nothing to you?" Clarke whispered sadly.

 

"It meant everything to me pretty girl... don't ever think that," Lexa said giving her a soft kiss on the lips.

 

Clarke's voice trembled slightly as she confronted Lexa, her sadness evident. "Why were you mad on the way to school? You wouldn't even talk to me," she asked, her blue eyes searching for an answer that would ease the ache she felt.

 

Lexa sighed, running a hand through her hair as she tried to explain. "Because Clarke... I have a girlfriend, and I just cheated on her," she said softly, guilt heavy in her tone. "I needed time to process that." Lexa's frustration wasn't directed at Clarke but at herself.

 

"Are you going to stop talking to me?" Clarke asked. Clarke's insecurity was clear. She knew what they did was wrong, but she liked Lexa.

 

"No," Lexa said with a frown, "Why would I do that? I told you I really like you and I meant that."

 

Clarke felt a wave of relief wash over her, and a shy smile tugged at her lips. "Okay," she whispered, feeling a little more confident. "Can I kiss you?"

 

Lexa nodded and smiled as she felt the shy girl kiss her softly.

 

"Feel better?" Lexa asked smiling.

 

Clarke nodded and moved back over to the passenger seat. Lexa drove her car to a parking spot closer to the school and the two girls walked into the school hand and hand.

 

They were at Lexa's locker when Costia walked up looking pretty as ever in her tight white V-neck, blue jean skirt, and white and pink dunks.

 

"Hey Clarke! Hey babe!" Costia said giving Lexa a quick kiss on the lips.

 

Clarke couldn't help but frown and feel jealous. You're literally tasting me right now as you kiss her... Clarke thought to herself.

 

"Are you okay Clarke? You look upset," Costia asked genuinely concerned.

 

"I'm fine," Clarke said putting on a fake smile, "and good morning to you too... you look pretty today."

 

"Awww thanks, so do you," Costia said while giving Lexa her drink from Starbucks.

 

"Come on babe, I am going to walk you to class," Lexa said grabbing Costia's hand. She looked at Clarke and saw the younger girl staring at their linked hands.

 

"I will see you later at lunch Clarke. Text me if you need anything okay?" Lexa said softly to Clarke.

 

Clarke lifted her eyes from their joined hands and smiled.

 

"Okay, I'll see you later Lexie," Clarke said and turned around and walked off.

 

"Lexie? That's cute," Clarke heard Costia say as she walked further away.

 

Clarke just rolled her eyes and continued walking to her class.

 

🎶🎶🎶

 

To say Clarke was in a bad mood would be an understatement. Her mind kept replaying what happened before school over and over. She couldn't believe that she and Lexa were together in that way. Her mind was replaying every second of that moment, trying to make sense of what had happened and what it meant. But it didn't matter, did it? Lexa still had Costia. No matter how close they had been this morning, Lexa wasn't hers.

 

Clarke stared blankly at the open textbook in front of her. Mr. Pike, their no-nonsense teacher, was already scribbling formulas on the board, his voice a dull drone in the background. She couldn't focus, though.

 

"Clarke, you alright?"

 

Raven's voice snapped her out of her thoughts. Clarke turned to her best friend, who was sitting next to her, eyebrows raised in concern.

 

"I'm fine," Clarke muttered.

 

"What's up with you? You've been staring at the same page for like ten minutes," Raven whispered.

 

Clarke blinked, realizing she hadn't even registered Mr. Pike's lecture. "Sorry," she muttered, rubbing her eyes. "I'm just... out of it today."

 

Raven gave her a sideways glance. "Out of it? You're usually super focused. What's really going on?"

 

Clarke hesitated. She couldn't tell Raven the truth—not about Lexa, not yet. She had to come up with something. "Uh... I don't know, I guess I just had a weird morning."

 

Raven tilted her head, curious. "Weird how?"

 

Clarke fumbled for an excuse. "It's nothing big. I guess I'm just stressed about how the rest of the school year will be. We just have a lot coming up classes, choosing clubs to join, or afterschool activities to participate in and it's been on my mind." It wasn't a complete lie, but it wasn't why she was feeling like this.

 

Raven didn't seem convinced but nodded. "Yeah, I feel you. It is a lot. But you sure that's all it is?"

 

Clarke forced a smile. "Yeah, just that. I'll be fine."

 

Mr. Pike's voice cut through the room as he turned back toward the class. "Alright, everyone, eyes up here. Let's focus." Clarke sighed, trying to refocus, but her thoughts kept drifting back to Lexa.

 

Her second class passed by quickly especially since her mind was stuck on one thing. As Clarke was heading to her locker to put her textbooks and notebooks up before lunch. She heard her phone dinged. She continued to her locker and put her things inside before she looked at her phone and saw a text from none other than Lexa.

 

Sexy Lexie❤️: Meet me at my locker.

 

Clarke smiled upon seeing the message and made her way to Lexa's locker which was on another hall.

 

"Hey pretty girl," Lexa whispered pulling Clarke into a hug.

 

Clarke felt her heart skip a beat as Lexa's arms wrapped around her, pulling her close. The smell of Lexa's familiar cologne filled her senses, grounding her at the moment despite the whirlwind of emotions swirling in her chest.

 

She rested her head on Lexa's chest for a moment, letting the warmth of the hug wash over her. "You okay?" Lexa asked softly, her voice low and gentle.

 

Clarke pulled back slightly to look up at Lexa, smiling despite the confusion still lingering in her mind. "Yeah, I'm good now."

 

Lexa's thumb grazed over Clarke's cheek in a quick, almost unconscious gesture, and for a second, Clarke thought she saw something in Lexa's eyes. But then, just as quickly, it was gone, replaced by that confident grin Lexa always wore.

 

Lexa looked around the hall seeing it was empty with everyone going to lunch. She took Clarke's hand and led her to an empty classroom that looked like it was not in use due to the boxes and lack of desks. There was one large desk that was closer to the back of the class with a chair against it. Clarke watched as Lexa locked the door and walked towards the desk. Lexa turned on the small lamp that sat on the desk pulled out the chair sitting down.

 

Clarke walked closer to Lexa and saw a smirk on the older girl's face.

 

"Come here pretty girl," Lexa said pulling Clarke to straddle her.

 

As Clarke sat down she felt it and she knew exactly why Lexa bought her here. Lexa started kissing her on the neck causing a low moan to come out of her mouth.

 

"Lexa, what are you doing?" Clarke moaned out.

 

"I'm so horny... I want you right now," Lexa breathed out as she leaned back and looked at Clarke.

 

"Here?" Clarke asked nervous.

 

"Yes here. No one comes in here and if you keep your moans low we will be okay," Lexa said putting her hands under Clarke's skirt and rubbing her panty-covered butt.

 

"Okay," Clarke said and moaned feeling Lexa rub her thumb against her covered clit.

 

"I wish I could be inside you... I just know you are so tight and warm," Lexa said as she continued to rub Clarke's clit.

 

Lexa instructed Clarke to stand up and proceeded to pull down Clarke's panties and then reached to take off the younger girl's shirt and bra leaving her in only her skirt.

 

Clarke watched as Lexa unfastened her pants and pulled them down to her ankles along with her compression shorts. Clarke's eyes widened as Lexa 9 inch dick came into view.

 

"Come sit back down pretty girl," Lexa said jacking herself off, groaning, "Fuck..."

 

Clarke watched as Lexa's hand went up and down and sometimes did this little twisty thing when she reached the top.

 

Lexa's other hand made its way to Clarke's wet slit.

 

"You are so wet," Lexa moaned and started jacking herself faster and rubbing Clarke's clit even faster.

 

Clarke was a moaning mess and had trouble trying to keep her moans low.

 

"Lexa that feels so good," Clarke moaned out.

 

"I'm going to cum," Lexa said feeling her balls tighten.

 

"Me too" Clarke moaned out.

 

"Fuck get on the desk," Lexa said and watched as Clarke went to lay on the desk with her legs spread wide open.

 

Lexa went and put her throbbing cock in between Clarke's folds and moved up and down just like how she did earlier that morning. Each time the head of cock bumped Clarke's clit she could feel her shiver.

 

"I'm cumming Lex," Clarke whispered and felt her wall contract around nothing.

 

Lexa felt Clarke become wetter to the point she was dripping on the desk.

 

"Shit," Lexa grunted as she started jacking herself off again, and not even five seconds later she was cummong all over Clarke's pussy again.

 

Lexa went towards the back of the desk and grabbed some paper towels. She wiped Clarke off and handed the younger girl her panties, shirt, and bra. Lexa wiped herself off and pulled her compression shorts and pants back up.

 

As they were heading out of the room Lexa pulled Clarke back to face her and gave her a soft kiss on the lips.

 

"Come on we need to make a pit stop by the restroom to wash our hands," Lexa said.

 

After washing their hand and leaving the bathroom Clarke and Lexa walked into the lunchroom together, side by side, and for a brief moment, everything felt perfect. Clarke had a smile on her face, the weight of the morning lifting just being next to Lexa. It felt nice to be in Lexa's orbit like she was the only person who mattered.

 

But then, as they made their way toward the lunch line, Clarke saw her. Costia. Lexa's girlfriend. Clarke's stomach dropped.

 

Costia, looking as beautiful as ever, approached them, her smile wide as she walked right up to Lexa. "Hey, babe," she said, her voice sweet voice, gaining Lexa's attention.

 

Clarke froze, trying to keep her expression neutral as she glanced at Lexa. Lexa's posture shifted immediately, and the warmth Clarke had felt a second ago seemed to vanish.

 

Lexa's eyes flickered toward Clarke, something unreadable in her gaze. "I'll catch up with you later," she murmured before turning to Costia.

 

Clarke nodded, forcing a small smile. "Yeah, no problem."

 

Without another word, Lexa walked off with Costia, leaving Clarke standing there, watching them go. She bit the inside of her cheek, feeling the familiar sting of disappointment settle in her chest. Of course, this would happen. Lexa was with Costia. No matter how close they got, Clarke had to remind herself of that.

 

Pushing those thoughts aside, she scanned the lunchroom for her best friends. Spotting Octavia and Raven sitting at their usual table, Clarke made her way over.

 

"Hey, Clarke!" Octavia greeted her with a big grin as Clarke sat down. "We were wondering when you'd show up."

 

Clarke forced herself to shake off the heaviness Lexa had left behind and smiled. "Yeah, sorry. Got a little sidetracked."

 

Raven raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. "We're just talking about Saturday. Bellamy is throwing a pool party."

 

Clarke's mood lifted a little at the mention of the party. "Bellamy's throwing a party?" she asked, intrigued. "What's the occasion?"

 

Octavia shrugged. "Who knows? Probably just because he can. Lincoln's going to be there, though with him and Bellamy being friends and all." She tried to sound casual, but the way her face lit up at the mention of Lincoln gave her away.

 

Clarke smirked. "Ah, so that's why you're excited."

 

Octavia rolled her eyes but didn't deny it. "Yeah, whatever. Anyway, you both should come. Bellamy said I can invite you both. Imagine how cool it will be to be at an upperclassmen party we are going to be the most popular sophomores."

 

"I'm in," Raven said, taking a bite of her sandwich. "Could be fun."

 

Clarke nodded. "Count me in, too."

 

"Great! It'll be fun," Octavia said, clearly excited. "Speaking of fun, though, I was thinking about joining the cheerleading squad. What do you think?"

 

"Cheerleading?" Raven asked, surprised. "I thought you were more of a dance team kind of girl."

 

"I am," Octavia admitted, "but cheer seems fun, too."

 

Raven chuckled. "I'm sticking to the STEM club and maybe the math team. That's more my speed."

 

"Sounds about right," Clarke teased, nudging Raven. "You're the brains of the group, for sure."

 

"And what about you, Clarke?" Octavia asked. "Any clubs or activities you're thinking of joining?"

 

Clarke thought for a moment. "I'm definitely interested in the Art club. I've always liked painting and drawing, so I figure that's a good fit. I'm actually kind of thinking about trying out for cheerleading, too."

 

Octavia grinned. "Yes! I could totally see that. We could both do it together."

 

"Maybe," Clarke said, her smile widening.

 

The conversation flowed easily between them, shifting from the clubs they wanted to join to random topics about school and weekend plans. Clarke felt a sense of relief as they talked, grateful to be distracted from the confusion swirling around Lexa. It was moments like this—sitting with Octavia and Raven, laughing and planning—that reminded her of what really mattered.

 

🎶🎶🎶

 

Saturday, August 10th

 

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm golden light over the backyard as Clarke, Octavia, and Raven laughed and splashed around in the pool. The vibe at Bellamy's pool party was exactly what Clarke needed—fun, carefree, and full of energy. Music blared from the speakers set up by the patio, and people were scattered all around the yard, either lounging by the pool or diving into the water.

 

Clarke was in the water with Octavia and Raven, all of them wearing cute bikinis that fit the summer vibe perfectly. Clarke's was a bright blue that complemented her eyes, Octavia had on a black bikini, and Raven wore a sleek red one. The three of them were playing a game of water volleyball with some of Bellamy's friends, laughing and cheering as they splashed around.

 

Octavia, however, kept getting distracted. Clarke caught her glancing over at Lincoln, who was standing near the pool, shirtless and effortlessly cool in his swim trunks. He was laughing with Bellamy, but every so often, he'd look over at Octavia, and Clarke couldn't help but grin. It was obvious Octavia had it bad for Lincoln.

 

"Come on, O," Clarke teased after Octavia missed a shot because she was too busy staring at Lincoln. "Eyes on the game, not the guy."

 

Octavia splashed her playfully. "Shut up! Like you're not distracted sometimes."

 

Clarke chuckled, shaking her head as she glanced around the party. She was having a great time, but then her eyes caught sight of the very person she was trying to forget: Lexa. She had just walked in with Costia, who looked incredible in a cheetah-print bikini, drawing more than a few glances from the people around them. Lexa, however, seemed oblivious to everyone except Clarke. As soon as their eyes met, Lexa's gaze lingered, moving over Clarke slowly. Clarke could feel the heat rise to her cheeks under Lexa's stare.

 

Clarke quickly looked away, her heart racing. She couldn't afford to get caught up in that right now. But it didn't help that Lexa looked good—her abs on full display in her simple black bikini top and with matching swim shorts, the same cocky confidence radiating off her even when she wasn't trying. Shaking it off, Clarke climbed out of the pool, grabbing a towel to dry off. As she did, a guy walked up to her, flashing a friendly smile.

 

"Hey, I'm Finn... noticed you earlier and thought you were so pretty and I just wanted to come say hi," Finn said shyly.

 

Clarke raised an eyebrow. "Oh, hi. I'm Clarke."

 

Finn smiled and couldn't help but do a once-over of Clarke's body.

 

"You really are pretty, and I would like to get to know you better.. maybe as friends," Finn said doing his signature smile.

 

Clarke smiled back, relaxing a bit. "Sure that's fine."

 

They talked for a few minutes, and Clarke found herself enjoying the conversation. Finn was easygoing, and he had a way of making her laugh. Soon enough, he invited her to dance, and Clarke figured, why not? She didn't want to think about Lexa and Costia right now.

 

The two of them moved to the makeshift dance floor that Bellamy had set up near the pool, the music thumping through the speakers. Clarke started dancing with Finn, trying to stay in the moment and enjoy herself. She laughed as they moved to the beat, but now and then, her eyes drifted back to Lexa.

 

She wasn't imagining it—Lexa was watching them. Clarke could feel Lexa's eyes on her, even though Costia was standing right next to her. Lexa's expression had shifted from casual confidence to something harder, something almost like jealousy.

 

Clarke tried to ignore it, but the way Lexa was looking at her made it hard. Finally, after a few more songs, Clarke excused herself from Finn, saying she needed to use the bathroom. As she made her way through the crowd and into the house, she could feel someone following her.

 

She slipped into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her she did her business and washed her hands. But then, just as she was about to turn around, the door opened, and Lexa stepped inside, closing it behind her.

 

Clarke's breath caught as Lexa stood there, looking at her with that same intense gaze from earlier. "What are you doing?" Clarke asked, her voice a little breathless, her pulse racing.

 

"I should be asking you that," Lexa said, her tone low as she moved a little closer. "Dancing with that guy... what was that?"

 

"He just asked if could we be friends," Clarke said innocently.

 

Lexa clenched her jaw, stepping even closer. "You know he wants to be more than friends he was eyeing your body like a piece of meat."

 

"Like you were doing?" Clarke shot back, her heart pounding as the tension between them grew.

 

For a moment, they just stood there, the space between them charged with unspoken words. Clarke stared at Lexa, their faces inches apart in the cramped bathroom. The tension between them was palpable, and for a second, it felt like time had stopped. But Clarke shook her head, breaking the spell.

 

Lexa's jaw tightened, her eyes searching Clarke's face for something—maybe an answer, maybe reassurance—but she stayed silent. Clarke could see the internal battle playing out in her mind, the weight of their complicated feelings hanging heavily between them.

 

"Just... let's go back to the party," Lexa said. Without another word, Lexa opened the bathroom door and slipped out, not bothering to check if Clarke was following her. The cool night air hit her as she stepped back into the chaotic hum of the party, and she watched as Clarke made her way toward the pool to her friends and that guy.

 

Clarke found Octavia and Raven near the edge of the pool, chatting and laughing with Finn, who waved when he saw Clarke approaching.

 

"There you are!" Octavia said with a grin.

 

Clarke forced a smile. "I had used the ladies' room."

 

"So do y'all want to continue playing water volleyball?" Octavia asked seeing Lincoln get into the water with a volleyball.

 

Clarke chuckled, grateful for the distraction. "Yeah, I'm ready for round two if you are."

 

They all laughed, and Clarke slipped back into the easy banter with her friends, pushing aside the lingering emotions from her encounter with Lexa. She could still feel Lexa's gaze on her, but she refused to look back.

 

Across the yard, Lexa returned to Costia, her face composed but her mind clearly elsewhere. She joined Bellamy, Anya, and a few others near the grill where Bellamy was flipping burgers. Costia immediately wrapped her arm around Lexa's waist, leaning into her, causing Lexa to smile.

 

"I love you," Lexa said in Costia's ear.

 

"I love you too baby," Costia said looking up at Lexa.

 

Anya, Lexa's older sister, shot her look and pretended to gag. "You guys are disgustingly cute."

 

Lexa and Costia laughed, and Lexa sat down pulling Costia into her lap. But as the night went on, she couldn't help but glance across the yard at Clarke. Every time she saw her laughing with that guy or splashing around in the pool with Octavia and Raven, Lexa felt a pang of jealousy twist in her chest.

 

But for now, Lexa stayed with Costia, laughing at Lincoln's jokes and making small talk with her sister. Despite the noise of the party and the laughter all around her, Lexa felt restless, her thoughts constantly drifting back to Clarke, who was doing her best to forget about her for the rest of the night.

Notes:

So this is not going to be a story where Lexa cheats with Clarke and breaks up with Costia to be with Clarke right away. Lexa loves Costia and feels guilty for cheating on her but she also does not want to stop whatever it is that she and Clarke is doing. Clarke is young and naive in this story but she likes Lexa and is willing to have her in any way that she can. But trust that Clexa is the end game.

Chapter 3: "Complicated doesn't scare me."

Wednesday, August 14th

 

Clarke lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, her phone clutched in her hand. It was Wednesday morning, and she had been waiting for a text from Lexa, hoping for some sign of normalcy after the confusing distance of the past few days. Since the pool party, things had felt off.

 

She'd texted Lexa on Monday, asking for a ride to school like they usually did, but the message remained unanswered. Clarke ended up catching a ride with Octavia and Bellamy, feeling a growing knot in her stomach. When she saw Lexa at lunch that day, she was holding her phone, and Clarke knew she had seen the message. Yet, Lexa didn't even acknowledge her.

 

Tuesday had been more of the same. Clarke sent another text, hopeful for a response, but again, nothing. That afternoon, she had passed Lexa in the hall on her way to class. She made eye contact, heart pounding, ready to say something, but Lexa just walked right by her like she didn't exist.

 

It stung more than Clarke wanted to admit.

 

Now, it was Wednesday morning, and Clarke had resigned herself to not hearing from Lexa again. She was planning to catch a ride with Octavia, but then, out of the blue, her phone buzzed.

 

Sexy Lexie❤️: I'm coming over. I'll take you to school.

 

Clarke blinked at the message, her heart leaping in her chest. After days of being ignored, Lexa was suddenly back, acting like nothing had happened. Clarke's emotions swirled—relief, confusion, a flicker of anger but overall happiness that she had Lexa's attention again.

 

She quickly typed a reply.

 

Clarke: Okay. See you soon.

 

Throwing the covers off, Clarke got up to wash her face and brush her teeth. It was only 5 am so that meant she and Lexa would finally get to hang out again. Luckily both of her parents were on the way to work so she and Lexa would be alone. As she sat downstairs on the couch waiting for Lexa. Her mind was racing. What had changed? Why was Lexa suddenly acting like everything was fine? Clarke wasn't sure, but she wanted answers but was too scared to ask.

 

Clarke took a deep breath, trying to push down the nervousness bubbling in her chest. Maybe Lexa had a reason for ignoring her the last couple of days—maybe it was just a misunderstanding.

 

But even as she thought it, Clarke didn't fully believe it.

 

A few minutes later, she heard a car pulling up and she knew it was Lexa. Clarke headed to the door, her heart pounding as she opened the front door and stepped outside. There was Lexa, leaning casually against her car, looking as confident as ever.

 

"Hey," Lexa said with a small smile as Clarke approached pulling the younger girl into a hug.

 

Clarke hesitated for a second before hugging the older girl back.

 

"Hey," Clarke responded shyly.

 

The silence between them was thick as they entered the house.

 

Clarke couldn't take it anymore. She didn't want Lexa mad at her anymore so she did the only thing she knew that would make Lexa happy with her and kissed her. She felt Lexa stiffen a little but after a couple of seconds, she kissed back. She smiled when she felt Lexa pick her up and walk upstairs to her room still kissing her. She moaned as Lexa squeezed her butt cheeks. Clarke purposely only wore a big t-shirt and panties for this exact reason.

 

Once they were in her room Lexa put Clarke down and watched as the younger girl automatically fell to her knees. Clarke had been watching porn videos since the first time she and Lexa did something together so she could learn how to give Lexa a blow job.

 

"Clarke, what are you doing?" Lexa asked brows drown in confusion.

 

"I wanted to please you... so you won't be mad at me anymore," Clarke said looking up at Lexa.

 

Lexa's eyes widened in surprise, her brows knitting together in confusion. "Clarke, what are you talking about? Why would you think I'm mad at you?"

 

Clarke bit her lip, her gaze dropping to the floor. "You ignored me for days, Lexa. I thought you were upset with me, and I didn't know why. I figured if I could just... make you happy, maybe things would go back to normal."

 

Lexa's heart clenched at the vulnerability in Clarke's voice. She reached out, gently tilting Clarke's chin up so their eyes met. "Clarke, listen to me," Lexa said, her voice soft but firm. "I wasn't mad at you per se. I've been dealing with my stuff, my feelings."

 

Clarke blinked, her blue eyes shimmering with uncertainty. "Then why did you push me away?"

 

Lexa sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Because I didn't know how to handle what I was feeling. I'm with Costia and I love her. I've been trying to do the right thing, but... I care about you more than I should."

 

Clarke's breath caught, her heart pounding in her chest. "Then why didn't you just tell me that?"

 

Lexa shook her head, her expression pained. "Because I didn't want to make things harder for you—or for me. But Clarke, you don't ever have to do anything to try to make me happy. I don't want that from you I mean at least not at this moment. When you do that I don't want it to be because you think I am mad at you. Okay?"

 

Clarke's eyes softened as she stood up...the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. "Okay... So, you're not mad at me?"

 

Lexa gave her a small smile, brushing a strand of hair from Clarke's face. "No, I'm not mad."

 

Clarke exhaled in relief, feeling the weight of her worries lift, even if just a little.

 

🌸🌸🌸🌸

 

The two girls arrived at school a around 6:50 am since Lexa had to meet with a student she was tutoring before homeroom. It was quiet in the car until Lexa turned towards Clarke.

 

"I am going to be busy most of today but just text me if you need anything okay?" Lexa said as she took Clarke's hand and kissed the back of it.

 

Clarke felt butterflies in her stomach as she nodded her head yes.

 

"I have to hurry and meet this student that I am mentoring so I'll see you later," Lexa said as she got out of the car with Clarke following close behind.

 

As they entered the school Lexa turned to hug Clarke but Costia came around the counter just as she was about to do so. Lexa's attention immediately went to Costia who was wearing a tight Forrest green collar dress, with some white lace socks, and some matching New Balances.

 

"Hmmm, you look good babe," Lexa said walking up to Costia and kissing her on her lips.

 

"You don't look too bad yourself stud," Costia said smiling, "We're matching. We have to take pictures so I can post them on my Instagram."

 

That caused Clarke to notice that Lexa was wearing a fitted Forrest green collar shirt, khaki shorts, and the same pair of New Balances that Costia had on causing her to frown.

 

"Okay babe, we can take some before the first period, I have to go do a quick tutoring session before homeroom," Lexa said giving Costia a quick kiss on the lips before leaving.

 

Clarke was about to walk off when Costia stopped her calling her name making Clarke tense up.

 

"I just wanted to ask you about the cheerleading team. I'm the captain and I would love for you to try out," Costia said sweetly.

 

Of course, she's the freaking captain of the cheerleading team. Clarke thought to herself.

 

"I don't know... maybe," Clarke mumbled.

 

"Well tryouts are next week if you become interested," Costia said walking off.

 

Clarke stood frozen for a moment as Costia walked away, her sweet voice lingering in the air. She let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. Her heart felt heavy, and the sight of Lexa so naturally matched with Costia didn't help. The way they looked together, their outfits coordinated, their chemistry so easy—it made Clarke feel like an outsider.

 

Her phone buzzed in her hand, a distraction she desperately needed. It was a message from Octavia.

 

Octavia: You in the building yet? Raven and I are by the lockers.

 

Clarke quickly replied, trying to push away the unsettling feeling in her chest.

 

Clarke: Yeah...On my way.

 

Tucking her phone into her pocket, she started walking toward her friends. The morning had barely begun, and already her emotions were spiraling. Seeing Lexa with Costia had become more painful than she ever anticipated. The two of them looked so perfect together, and despite the moments Clarke had shared with Lexa, she couldn't shake the feeling that she didn't belong in Lexa's world.

 

When she reached the lockers, Octavia greeted her with a big smile. "Hey, there you are! You look like you've seen a ghost."

 

Raven, leaning casually against the lockers, raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, what's up with you? Long morning already?"

 

Clarke forced a smile. "Something like that. I was talking with Lexa and Costia."

 

Raven smirked. "Ah, the power couple. They look good together, huh?"

 

Clarke's stomach twisted. She didn't want to admit how much that comment stung. Instead, she shrugged. "Yeah, I guess."

 

Octavia tilted her head, noticing the tension in Clarke's expression. "You okay?"

 

Clarke quickly nodded, trying to deflect. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just tired. You know, mornings..."

 

Octavia wasn't convinced but didn't push further. "Well, Bellamy's party is still the talk of the week. I swear, everyone's been talking about it. That pool volleyball game was so much fun! I still can't believe how competitive Raven got."

 

Raven laughed, nudging Clarke. "You all know how competitive I can be."

 

Clarke smiled, grateful for the distraction. "You definitely didn't hold back."

 

They chatted for a while, talking about their teachers and all the homework they already had. Despite the lighthearted conversation, Clarke couldn't stop thinking about Lexa, wondering if she was thinking about her too.

 

Meanwhile on the other side of the school...

 

Lexa sat across from Luna, a sophomore she had been tutoring in math for the past few weeks. The library was quiet, the soft hum of students working in the background. Luna was focused on the equations in front of her, but Lexa's mind kept drifting—back to Clarke.

 

She wasn't sure when it happened, but her feelings for Clarke had deepened in ways she hadn't expected. She tried to focus on helping Luna solve the algebra problem in front of her, but her thoughts kept pulling her away, back to that morning when she held Clarke's hand in the car. The softness of Clarke's skin, the way she looked up at Lexa with those hopeful eyes—it was like nothing else mattered in those moments, except the two of them.

 

Lexa shook her head slightly, trying to push the thoughts aside. You need to focus, she told herself. But the guilt gnawed at her. She was with Costia. They were supposed to be solid, a perfect couple in everyone's eyes. And yet, every time she was near Clarke, that certainty crumbled.

 

"Lexa?" Luna's voice snapped her back to the present. "Am I doing this right?"

 

Lexa blinked, glancing down at Luna's work. The numbers and symbols blurred for a second before she forced herself to concentrate. "Uh, almost," she said, pointing to the mistake. "You just need to simplify this part here."

 

Luna nodded, erasing her mistake. Lexa watched her for a moment before her gaze drifted back to the table. What am I doing? she thought to herself. She was supposed to be committed to Costia, but Clarke made her question everything. The way Clarke made her feel giddy, nervous, alive wasn't something she could ignore. But it wasn't fair. Not to Costia, and not to Clarke, either.

 

Lexa sighed softly, staring down at her own hands. She remembered the way Clarke looked that morning when she saw her with Costia. The disappointment in her eyes had been hard to miss, and Lexa hated that she had caused it. She had distanced herself from Clarke for a few days, hoping the space would help clear her head, but it hadn't. If anything, it made her realize just how much Clarke had gotten under her skin.

 

And yet, she was still with Costia. Loyal, beautiful Costia, who never questioned Lexa's feelings, who had been nothing but supportive. Lexa felt torn between the comfort of what she knew with Costia and the thrill of something new with Clarke.

 

"Lexa?" Luna asked again, looking at her curiously.

 

Lexa realized she had drifted off again. "Sorry," she said quickly, sitting up straighter. "You're doing great. Keep going."

 

Luna smiled and went back to her work, but Lexa's thoughts wouldn't let her go. She had to figure this out. She couldn't keep leading Clarke on, but she couldn't break things off with Costia, either. Not when she still felt guilty for the way her heart seemed to be split between them.

 

Clarke deserved better than to be caught up in her confusion, but Lexa couldn't deny that she wanted more with her. As much as she tried to fight it, her feelings for Clarke were growing stronger every day.

 

Lexa glanced at the clock, realizing their tutoring session was almost over. She had to get back to Costia soon, back to the life she was supposed to be living. But for now, all she could think about was Clarke and the tangled mess of emotions that wouldn't leave her alone.

 

After the tutoring session ended, Lexa packed her things quickly, her mind still swirling with the thoughts she had tried to push aside. Her conflicted feelings for Clarke had built up a tension inside her that she couldn't shake. She needed an escape, something to take the edge off and clear her head, if only for a little while.

 

As she stepped out of the library, she pulled out her phone and hesitated for a moment before sending the text to Costia.

 

Lexa: Meet me at our spot?

 

Their "spot" was a quiet, secluded area on the edge of campus, near the athletic fields. There was a small building that was used as a storage closet that was no longer in use so it was where they went when they wanted to be alone just the two of them, away from the noise of the school and everyone else's expectations.

 

Lexa hit send and slid her phone back into her pocket, walking briskly toward the meeting place. She felt a pang of guilt as she thought about what she was doing. Costia didn't deserve to be a crutch for Lexa's frustrations, especially when so much of what she was feeling had nothing to do with her. But Lexa couldn't face the turmoil inside her head without doing something to take the edge off.

 

A few minutes later, her phone buzzed in her pocket.

 

Costia🦋🩵: On my way, babe.

 

Lexa swallowed the knot forming in her throat as she approached their spot. She needed this distraction, needed something to pull her back into the routine she had with Costia the routine she was supposed to want. She leaned against the fence, waiting, her hands shoved into her pockets as she stared at the ground, her mind still flashing with images of Clarke. Of the way, Clarke looked at her with those wide, expectant eyes. Of how she made her heart race in a way she hadn't felt in a long time.

 

She was cut out of her thoughts as Costia approached. Lexa took her by the hand and led her to the building. As soon as they got inside Lexa attacked Costia's lips. She felt Costia's tongue at her lips asking for entrance which she happily provided. They continued making out until Costia started kissing and sucking on her neck. Lexa was sure a mark would form. Costia pulled back and started taking off her dress. She then took off her pink lacy bra and her matching thong. Lexa couldn't lie she was hard as a rock as she eyed her girlfriend's body. Then a certain blue-eyed blonde popped into her head making her even harder.

 

What the fuck. Lexa thought to herself frustrated.

 

Lexa felt Costia come over and start unbuckling her shorts. Lexa softly moved Costia's hands and continued taking off her shorts and boxers. She watched as Costia's eyes darkened as she eyed her dick.

 

Lexa guided Costia to a table and bent her over it. She trailed her hand down to Costia's pussy and moaned at how wet she was. She took her dick and moved it up and down her wet folds a couple of times and then stopped at her entrance.

 

"Stop teasing baby," Costia moaned out frustrated.

 

Lexa just smirked and started pushing in the tight entrance. She felt Costia's walls clench and unclench around her dick.

 

"Shit Cos," Lexa moaned out.

 

Costia was a moaning mess as Lexa started giving her fast and deep-back shots.

 

Lexa closed her eyes and immediately Clarke popped up in her head and now she was picturing it was Clarke who was bent over the table.

 

"Fuck fuck fuuuuuck... you feel so good pretty girl," Lexa moaned with her eyes closed.

 

She felt walls tighten around her and then warm wetness. Lexa kept going until she pulled out and jacked herself off cumming on Costia's round butt cheeks.

 

"Mmmmm baby so good," Costia said still coming down from her orgasm.

 

After they both cleaned up and got dressed they headed back to the school. Lexa couldn't help but feel even more guilty at thinking of Clarke as she fucked Costia.

 

🌸🌸🌸🌸

 

1st and 2nd periods went by fast and soon it was lunchtime.

 

The lunchroom buzzed with chatter and the clatter of trays as students filled every corner. Clarke, Raven, and Octavia stood in line, waiting to grab their food when Clarke's phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out and saw a message from Lexa.

 

Sexy Lexie❤️: Come sit with us at lunch. You and your friends.

 

Clarke's heart skipped a beat, her stomach doing a familiar flip at the thought of being near Lexa. But then reality set in. Sitting with Lexa meant sitting with Costia too. Clarke hesitated for a moment before turning to Octavia and Raven.

 

"Lexa wants us to sit with her and her friends," Clarke said, trying to sound casual.

 

Raven shrugged, grabbing a soda. "Sure, why not? It beats sitting alone."

 

Octavia grinned. "And Lincoln's with them, right? Say no more."

 

Clarke forced a smile, nodding. She wasn't thrilled about the idea, but she didn't want to seem awkward about it either. After grabbing their food, the three girls made their way to Lexa's table.

 

As they approached, Clarke's gaze instantly found Lexa, her heart sinking when she saw Costia sitting comfortably on Lexa's lap, feeding her bits of fruit from her plate. Lexa, leaning back with a smirk, accepted the gesture, and the two exchanged playful glances.

 

"Hey, you guys made it!" Lexa greeted, her eyes lingering on Clarke for a moment before she turned her attention back to Costia.

 

"Yeah, figured we'd join the fun," Raven said, plopping down next to Bellamy, who gave her a quick nod in greeting.

 

Clarke took the seat across from Lexa, trying to keep her expression neutral even though her heart was pounding in her chest. Costia giggled as she fed Lexa another strawberry, earning an "aw" from Anya, who was sitting beside them.

 

"God, you two are disgustingly cute," Anya teased, nudging Lexa with her elbow.

 

Lexa grinned but didn't say anything, too busy enjoying the attention from Costia. Clarke swallowed the lump in her throat, forcing herself to focus on her food instead of the obvious chemistry between the two. Everyone else around the table seemed to find it adorable, but Clarke felt like her stomach was twisting into knots.

 

"So, Octavia and Raven," Costia suddenly said, turning her attention to them. "I was trying to convince Clarke to try out for the cheer team... You guys should totally try out too."

 

Clarke blinked, caught off guard. She was about to brush it off again, but before she could speak, Octavia perked up.

 

"Wait, cheerleading?" Octavia asked, her eyes lighting up. "I was actually thinking about trying out too."

 

Costia smiled, clearly thrilled at the prospect. "Yay, we could definitely use fresh faces on the team! I can see you all fitting in perfectly."

 

Clarke felt her pulse quicken, not wanting to commit but also not wanting to seem like she wasn't interested. She glanced at Octavia, who was already sold on the idea, and sighed inwardly.

 

"Yeah, maybe," Clarke said, her voice quieter than usual.

 

Octavia nudged her. "Come on, it'll be fun! We'll do it together."

 

Clarke forced another smile. "Yeah, sure."

 

Raven on the other hand gave a flat-out no, "Well it's a no for me... cheerleading isn't my thing but I will definitely come to the games to support my besties."

 

As the conversation shifted to other topics, Clarke noticed Anya smirking at Lexa and Costia. "So, you two really couldn't wait until after school, huh?"

 

Lexa shot her cousin a warning look, but Anya kept going. "That's definitely a fresh hickey on Lexa's neck," she said, addressing the group with a grin. "And Costia you're walking funny."

 

Clarke's stomach dropped, and she felt a wave of heat rush to her face. Everyone at the table laughed, including Lincoln and Bellamy, who raised their brows knowingly. Costia just let out a cute little whine and hid her face in Lexa's neck.

 

Lexa rolled her eyes but smirked. "Thanks for sharing that, Anya."

 

Clarke clenched her jaw, the jealousy bubbling up inside her like a volcano about to erupt. She wanted to be anywhere but here, watching Lexa and Costia act like the perfect couple while everyone around them seemed to find it endearing.

 

She couldn't take it anymore. Clarke stood up abruptly, catching everyone's attention.

 

"You okay?" Raven asked, looking at her with concern.

 

Clarke nodded quickly, forcing a smile. "Yeah, I just... I need to go. I forgot I have something to do before my next class."

 

Lexa's eyes followed Clarke as she gathered her things, but she didn't say anything. Clarke felt Lexa watching her, but she didn't dare meet her gaze. Instead, she muttered a quick goodbye to her friends and left the lunchroom.

 

As soon as she was out of sight, Clarke let out a shaky breath. She had to get away from all of it from Lexa, from Costia, from the mess of emotions she didn't know how to handle. She couldn't believe Lexa and Costia had sex on school property. She couldn't believe they had sex at all. What is she kidding she bet they went at it like jackrabbits and that thought alone made her sick.

 

It seems as if the rest of the day dragged by so slowly which did not help Clarke's mood.

 

The bell rang, and Clarke hurriedly packed up her things, eager to leave her last class of the day. As she approached her locker, she spotted Octavia, Raven, and... Finn, standing together, talking. Raven and Octavia exchanged mischievous smiles, their eyebrows wiggling in a way that made Clarke immediately suspicious.

 

"Hey, guys," Clarke greeted cautiously, her eyes narrowing slightly.

 

"Hey, Clarkie," Raven replied teasingly.

 

Clarke's gaze shifted to Finn, who was standing there, looking uncharacteristically shy, his hands fidgeting.

 

"So, Clarkie," Octavia began, her voice filled with excitement, "Finn has something he wants to ask you."

 

Clarke turned her attention back to Finn, who seemed even more nervous now.

 

"I was wondering... if you'd like to go out with me this weekend?" Finn blurted out quickly, barely making eye contact.

 

Clarke's heart sank. She wished it was Lexa asking her out instead. But she forced a smile, pushing those thoughts aside, and nodded.

 

"Sure," she said, her voice bright but the smile not quite reaching her eyes.

 

Raven and Octavia squealed with excitement. "Aww, our Clarkie's got her first date!" Raven teased, clearly delighted.

 

At that moment, Lexa appeared, walking up just as Clarke and Finn exchanged numbers.

 

"I'll text you tonight," Finn said, flashing her a quick smile before hurrying off to make it to practice.

 

Lexa's eyes flicked between Clarke and Finn, her expression carefully neutral. "What's this about a date?" she asked, trying to sound casual.

 

"Nothing," Clarke replied quickly, wanting to change the subject.

 

"It's not nothing!" Octavia jumped in excitedly. "Clarke's going on her first date this weekend with Finn!"

 

"Oh?" Lexa asked, her gaze settling on Clarke, unreadable.

 

"Yep," Octavia confirmed while tapping away on her phone. "My brother has practice, so I'm going to watch Lincoln from the bleachers."

 

"You just want to ogle Lincoln," Raven teased, causing Octavia to blush.

 

"Oh, little Blake, you have a crush on Lincoln?" Lexa laughed. "Bellamy is going to lose it if he finds out."

 

"I know, but that doesn't mean I can't admire from a distance," Octavia replied with a smirk.

 

"I'm staying after school with the Math team today," Raven said, her excitement bubbling over. "We've got a competition next week."

 

"How are you getting home?" Clarke asked, concern slipping into her voice.

 

"My mom's picking me up. She actually has the next two days off," Raven answered with a smile.

 

"That's great," Clarke said, genuinely happy for her friend. "You two deserve some time together."

 

"Yep! But I'll text you later, Clarkie," Raven called over her shoulder as she left.

 

Once they were alone, Clarke felt Lexa's gaze linger on her. There was something different in the way Lexa was looking at her, something Clarke couldn't quite read.

 

"I was wondering if you wanted to watch me practice today," Lexa asked quietly, her voice low, "and then maybe we could hang out at my place after."

 

Clarke hesitated, her emotions swirling. After everything she'd seen at lunch, Lexa and Costia together, her jealousy and hurt were still fresh. As much as she wanted to spend time with Lexa, the thought of what happened earlier gnawed at her.

 

"I don't know... I think I'm just going to call my dad and have him pick me up," Clarke finally said, her voice small.

 

Lexa's expression faltered for a moment, but she quickly masked it. "Okay," she replied softly. "If that's what you want."

 

Clarke hesitated for a moment, staring down at her phone as she considered calling her dad. The image of Lexa and Costia from lunch flashed in her mind, making her stomach twist, but then she looked up at Lexa and she felt butterflies in her stomach.

 

"Actually," Clarke started, tucking her phone into her pocket, "I'll come watch you practice. We can hang out after."

 

A flicker of surprise crossed Lexa's face before it settled into a small, pleased smile. "Yeah? Cool," she said, her tone trying to stay casual, but Clarke could hear the relief.

 

Lexa nodded toward the gym. "Practice should be starting soon. Are you sure don't mind waiting?"

 

Clarke shook her head. "No, it's fine." She forced a smile, trying to push aside the lingering jealousy that gnawed at her.

 

As they walked toward the soccer field, Lexa led the way, talking lightly about the upcoming game and how the team had been improving. Clarke appreciated the effort Lexa was putting in to keep things comfortable, even though she could sense there was something more Lexa wasn't saying.

 

When they reached the field, Clarke followed Lexa to a spot in the bleachers.

 

Lexa turned toward Clarke, flashing her a quick smile before joining her teammates. Clarke leaned back, watching as the team started warming up and running drills. Lexa stood out, as she always did, with her natural skill and focus. Every movement was sharp, deliberate, and controlled. It was easy to see why everyone admired her. Lexa had a way of drawing people in without even trying.

 

But for Clarke, it was more than that. It wasn't just Lexa's athleticism. It was the way Lexa had a certain softness hidden underneath all the confidence and strength. That was the Lexa Clarke had grown to care about, the one she couldn't stop thinking about, even when it hurt.

 

As practice went on, Clarke found herself caught up in the rhythm of the game, watching Lexa move with such intensity. Lexa glanced up at Clarke every now and then, giving her subtle nods or smiles, and Clarke couldn't help but feel the warmth in her chest growing.

 

When practice finally wrapped up, Lexa jogged over, a slight sheen of sweat on her brow but still looking as composed as ever. "Not too boring for you, I hope?" Lexa asked, grabbing a towel from her bag.

 

Clarke shook her head, smiling. "No, it was actually kind of fun watching you."

 

Lexa chuckled, tossing the towel over her shoulder. "Glad to hear it. So, do you still want to hang out? We can head back to my place."

 

"Yeah," Clarke agreed, standing up and grabbing her bag. She was trying to play it cool, but the idea of being alone with Lexa made her heart race.

 

As they walked toward the parking lot, Lexa gave Clarke a sideways glance, her voice softening. "You don't have to come if you don't want to. I know... things have been weird lately."

 

Clarke looked at her, surprised by Lexa's vulnerability. "No, I want to," she said quickly. "I mean, I know things are complicated, but..." she trailed off, unsure of how to put her feelings into words.

 

Lexa stopped walking and turned to face her, her green eyes focused intently on Clarke. "Complicated doesn't scare me," she said quietly.

 

Clarke's breath hitched, feeling the weight of Lexa's gaze. For a moment, she thought about everything—the jealousy, the frustration, and how much it hurt to see Lexa with Costia. But standing here with Lexa, all those feelings seemed to blur into the background.

 

"Okay," Clarke said softly. "Let's go."

 

With that, Lexa smiled a real one this time and led Clarke to her car, the tension between them shifting into something else, something that felt right, even if it was still complicated.

Notes:

Just know this story is just going to get messier and messier because cheating is messy🤭 It’s Lexa saying “ Complicated doesn't scare me," for me😩

Next up will be more Clexa time, Lexa’s soccer game, and cheerleading tryouts.

Chapter 4: "Best date ever."

Notes:

Hey everyone! Here is a new chapter. This chapter is kind of long because I wanted to fit multiple days in this one chapter. I hope you all enjoy!

Happy Reading❤️

Saturday, August 17th

 

"Leeeex stoooop," Clarke laughed as Lexa tickled her.

 

It was Saturday morning and the two girls were in Clarke's bed playing around. Lexa was supposed to be helping Clarke study for a test she has Monday but of course that didn't go as planned.

 

"I love your smile," Lexa said as she looked down at the younger girl.

 

"Thank you," Clarke said shyly, "I love your smile too."

 

Lexa leaned down and captured Clarke's lips in a soft kiss, her hand slipping to Clarke's waist as she deepened the kiss. Clarke melted into it, her fingers curling around Lexa's shirt, pulling her closer. For a moment, everything else faded away.

 

Lexa pulled back slightly, her forehead resting against Clarke's as they both caught their breath. The smile was still there, but there was a flicker of something else in Lexa's eyes... guilt.

 

Clarke shifted underneath her. "We should... probably get back to studying," she whispered, her cheeks flushed.

 

Lexa sighed, nodding. "Yeah, we should." She lingered a moment longer, her forehead resting against Clarke's. "But I really don't want to."

 

Clarke could feel Lexa's hard-on between her legs. Clarke laughed softly, her fingers still playing with the ends of Lexa's hair. "I know. But you promised to help."

 

Lexa groaned playfully, rolling off the bed and grabbing Clarke's notes from the desk.  "Fine. Let's get to it. But after we're doing whatever I want."

 

Clarke smiled and sat up, taking the notes from Lexa. "Deal."

 

Lexa leaned back against the wall, a smile playing on her lips as she watched Clarke. The way she concentrated, her brow furrowed and the tip of her tongue peeking out slightly, was undeniably cute. Lexa felt a warmth in her chest, a mix of affection and admiration.

 

After about an hour and a half of studying, Lexa finally spoke up. "You know, if you keep focusing like that, I might just start thinking you actually enjoy this."

 

Clarke looked up, her cheeks flushed as she caught Lexa's gaze. "Well, I don't hate it. But I'd much rather be doing something else, like..." She let her voice trail off, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

 

"Hmmm like what?" Lexa said feeling herself get hard as her eyes raked over Clarke's body. Clarke was wearing only a sports bra and some small black spandex.

 

Clarke blushed seeing Lexa's eyes roam her body. "Well, you said after we finished studying we were doing whatever you want. What do you want to do?"

 

Lexa smirked and stood up from the bean bag next to Clarke. Lexa remembered the conversation she and Clarke had been texting about last night. Clarke revealed to Lexa that she has been watching porn so she could learn how to please her. Clarke disclosed that she wanted to give her a blowjob and Lexs was hard as a brick just thinking about it.

 

Clarke watches as Lexa pulls down her shorts and boxers in one go and takes off the sports bra she is wearing. Clarke became instantly wet. Lexa was truly perfect. Those beautiful green eyes, those juicy lips, those cheekbones, her perky breasts, sexy abs, and let's not forget she was well endowed. 

 

Lexa walked up to Clarke who was still sitting down. Her dick face level with the younger girl. She watched as Clarke realized what she wanted.

 

"Oh, you want me too..." Clarke trailed off blushing.

 

"Only if you want to... I remembered you mentioned it last night while we were texting," Lexa said as she jacked herself off.

 

"I still want too..." Clarke said shyly.

 

"Yeah?" Lexa said pulling the younger girl up to her feet.

 

Clarke nodded and shivered as the cold air hit her nipples Lexa removed her sports bra panties and spandex shorts.

 

"So you can get on your knees or I can lay down on the bed, whichever you prefer," Lexa said.

 

"Which do you prefer?" Clarke asked.

 

Lexa looked shy all of a sudden and Clarke could see a light blush on her face. "I um... never had anyone get on their knees before for me."

 

Now that made Clarke get to her knees quick. She wanted to be the first someone to do that for Lexa. When she got down Lexa's dick was pointed directly at her face and Clarke could see it twitch and precum ooze out of it. Clarke wanted to know what it tasted like so she slowly leaned up and licked the tip causing Lexa to let out a loud gasp.

 

"Mmmm," Clarke said after tasting Lexa.

 

"Shit," Lexa said as Clarke spit on both of her hands and bought it to her dick.

 

Clarke started jacking Lexa off hoping she was doing it right but by the moans that were coming out of the older girl's mouth, she felt a boost of confidence.

 

She tried to remember everything she read and watched so she could please Lexa. Clarke continued to jack Lexa off and then she bought her mouth to the head of Lexa's penis and swirled her tongue around.

 

"Fuck Clarke," Lexa moaned out.

 

Clarke took a little more in and started moving her head back and forth remembering to use her lips to shield her teeth.

 

Lexa was trying to be patient with the younger girl but she was so turned on and was ready for Clarke to take her further in her warm, wet mouth.

 

Clarke took another inch in her mouth and started moving faster. Clarke could feel Lexa shiver and that gave her a confidence boost to take more in.

 

"Shit... you aren't gagging," Lexa said wide eyes looking at Clarke in amazement. Lexa knew that she was on the larger side and the few times Costia did give her head she gagged so much to the point she almost threw up and at that point Lexa no longer wanted it. Lexa was pulled out of her thoughts as she felt Clarke take her deeper and then she hit the back of her throat and felt Clarke do this thing where her throat constricted around her.

 

"Oh fuck, wait babe you're going to make me cum," Lexa said holding Clarke's head still. Lexa looked down and saw Clarke looking up at her way too innocently for the given situation.

 

Lexa slowly drew her dick out and thrust back in. When she saw that Clarke didn't gag she did it again and again until she was going full force. All that could be heard is the moans and groans as Lexa's fucked Clarke's throat. Lexa never knew head could be this good she had never been this deep before and feeling Clarke's throat muscle constricts around her she knew she was about to cum.

 

Clarke watched as Lexa bit her lip and then stiffened. Lexa let out a loud cry and Clarke felt something warm run down her throat. It was a lot but she tried her best to swallow it all.

 

"Fuck fuck fuck," Lexa cried out as more cum sprayed the back of Clarke's throat. She never came this hard or long before.

 

Once she was she removed herself from Clarke's mouth and watched Clarke swallow the little she had left. A couple of seconds of silence went by as they stared at each other.

 

"Was that okay?" Clarke asked shyly.

 

"That was amazing babe," Lexa said as she helped Clarke up to her feet. "That was literally the best head I have ever got."

 

Clarke smiled shyly and then asked, "Even better than Costia?"

 

Lexa nodded as she pulled the girl to the bed. And laid her down.

 

"Are you okay with me tasting you?" Lexa asked softly.

 

Clarke's eyes widened, "Umm no I don't mind."

 

Lexa smiled softly and kissed Clarke on the lips. She then dropped kisses to her neck sucking but not enough to leave a mark. She then moved down to her breasts, sucking one nipple and then the other.

 

Clarke moaned out as Lexa paid special attention to her breast. Clarke had noticed that her breast was way bigger than Costia's and Lexa admitted to being a breast girl.

 

Lexa made her way down Clarke's body and until she reached the place she was excited to taste. Lexa settled between Clarke's legs comfortably. She kissed her right thigh and then moved to kiss up her right one.

 

Clarke watched as Lexa spread her legs further leaned in and gave a broad lick to her wetness.

 

"Oh!" Clarke yelled out and gripped the sheets.

 

"You taste so good babe," Lexa said as she leaned back in and licked all around until she moved to Clarke's clit and started to softly suck on it.

 

At this point, Clarke was moaning so loud and was glad her parents were not home. She felt Lexa start to suck harder and felt this feeling in her lower stomach.

 

"Please don't stop, I'm so close," Clarke whined out.

 

Lexa reached up and started kneading Clarke's breast as she continued to eat her out. Soon she felt a fresh wave of wetness on her tongue and Clarke shook a little.

 

"Mmm baby so good," Clarke said voice raspy.

 

"You do taste so good," Lexa said and gave Clarke a quick wink.

 

Clarke was about to respond when she heard the security system announce that the front door was being opened meaning her parents were back.

 

Clarke and Lexa quickly put back on their clothes. Well, Clarke changed into something more decent. Then they went to her bathroom and brushed their teeth when they heard a knock at the door. Clarke went and opened the door and saw her dad standing there.

 

"Hey, we were trying to see did you and Alexandria want some lunch. Your mom and making her famous turkey club sandwiches," Jake said.

 

"I definitely can go for a sandwich," Lexa said smiling as she left out of the bathroom.

 

"Okay, what about you sweetheart?" Jake asked looking back at Clarke.

 

"Yes I will take one too," Clarke said.

 

"Alrighty, I will let your mom know," Jake said as he headed back downstairs.

 

Clarke turned around and saw Lexa smirking.

 

"So did you like that?" Lexa asked.

 

"Yes I like that a lot," Clarke said blushing.

 

"Come pretty girl let's finish this last section," Lexa said pulling Clarke into her lap.

 

🎶🎶🎶

 

Later on that afternoon...

 

Clarke stood in front of the mirror, her room scattered with clothes as Raven and Octavia sat on her bed, rummaging through different outfits. "This one's cute!" Octavia said, holding up a floral sundress. "Finn will love it."

 

Clarke forced a smile, taking the dress from her. "Yeah, maybe..." She wasn't excited about the date at all. She wished it was Lexa she was getting dressed up for, not Finn. But her friends didn't know about her and Lexa, and it felt like the weight of that secret was suffocating her.

 

Raven held up a cute pair of matching sandals. "Pair this with it, and you'll look so cute."

 

Clarke smiled, though her heart wasn't in it. "Thanks, Raven." She glanced at herself in the mirror, her thoughts drifting back to Lexa. Why couldn't she just be going out with her? It felt wrong to hide everything from her best friends, especially since they admired Lexa and Costia's relationship so much. It made her stomach churn every time the topic came up.

 

As if reading her mind, Octavia sighed dreamily. "Speaking of dates, Costia went live on Instagram last night doing a Q and A for her followers and someone asked what is the best date she has been on and Costia was telling everyone about a date her and Lexa went on for Valentine's Day and it was so cute and romantic. Costia and Lexa are like the perfect pair, don't you think?"

 

Clarke's grip on the dress tightened, her smile faltering. "Yeah... perfect."

 

Raven nodded in agreement, oblivious to Clarke's discomfort. "They've been together forever. Honestly, they're kind of #couplegoals. It's rare to see a relationship like that last throughout high school , right?"

 

Clarke bit her lip, feeling the sting of jealousy and guilt. She wanted to be the one standing beside Lexa, openly, without hiding in the shadows. But instead, she was sneaking around, a secret neither of them could fully commit to.

 

Octavia glanced at Clarke, raising an eyebrow. "You okay? You seem... distracted."

 

Clarke snapped out of her thoughts, shaking her head. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just nervous about the date, I guess."

 

Raven grinned. "You'll be fine. Besides, Finn's into you. This date is going to go great." She nudged Octavia. "So O wassup with you and Lincoln?"

 

Octavia blushed. "We've been texting a little but I think he just sees me as his best friend's little sister. I need to get him to notice me but it's hard especially having to compete with older girls."

 

Clarke tried to focus on their conversation, but her mind was miles away, wishing she could tell them the truth. The truth about Lexa. About how she wished more than anything that Lexa was hers, not Costia's.

 

Raven then turned the tables. "Okay, but we can't leave me out of this. What do you think I should do about Anya? She is so cute but she always looks so grouchy. Plus, she's a senior."

 

Octavia just shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know what to tell you Ray none of us has any experience in this."

 

Clarke felt a pang of longing hearing them talk so openly about their crushes. If only she could do the same with Lexa. But for now, all she could do was pretend.

 

A couple of hours later Raven and Octavia left and Clarke stood in her room, staring at her reflection in the mirror, trying to muster the enthusiasm she knew she should have. She heard Finn's car pull up outside and the sound of him greeting her parents downstairs. Taking a deep breath, she grabbed her phone and headed down.

 

Finn was already charming her parents again when she arrived. He looked up and smiled warmly when he saw her. "Hey, Clarke. You look beautiful."

 

"Thanks," Clarke replied, forcing a smile as Abby and Jake stood nearby, clearly pleased by Finn's manners.

 

"Finn, good to see you again," Jake said, giving him a friendly pat on the shoulder. "Take care of our girl this evening and have her home by 9 pm."

 

"Of course," Finn replied, grinning as he turned toward the door. "Ready to go?"

 

Clarke nodded, following Finn outside. He opened the car door for her, and she slid in, her thoughts already wandering. She wished it was Lexa who was picking her up, who would be sitting beside her as they drove. But instead, she was here with Finn, someone her parents liked... someone she should like.

 

The car ride was pleasant enough. Finn talked about his classes and asked her about her day, genuinely interested. Clarke answered, but her mind was elsewhere. Every time Finn laughed or smiled, all she could picture was Lexa's smirk, the way Lexa teased her, or the intensity of her gaze when no one was looking.

 

They arrived at the movie theater, and Finn, ever the gentleman, opened the door for her. Inside, he bought her all the snacks she wanted, popcorn, candy, and a large soda, making sure she had everything. Clarke smiled, grateful for his kindness, but the whole time, she felt like an imposter. She should've been happy, excited even, but all she could think about was how much she wished it was Lexa by her side, sharing this moment with her.

 

As the movie started, Clarke's phone buzzed in her pocket. She discreetly pulled it out, not able to resist sending Lexa a text.

 

Lexa❤️: Have fun on your date.

 

Clarke: I wish it was you I was on a date with...

 

She stared at the screen, feeling the weight of her own words. Finn was sitting beside her, his arm resting casually on the armrest between them, unaware of the turmoil Clarke was feeling.

 

A few minutes later, her phone vibrated again. Lexa's response was short but it hit Clarke straight in the heart.

 

Lexa❤️: Me too.

 

Clarke felt her chest tighten, her mind drifting further from the movie. She snuck a glance at Finn, who was engrossed in the film and sighed quietly. He was being so sweet, so thoughtful, but it wasn't enough.

 

After the movie, Finn took Clarke to a small, intimate restaurant. He opened the car door for her again, pulled out her chair at the table, and continued to be a complete gentleman. Clarke appreciated every gesture, but it all felt so wrong. Every time she smiled or laughed at one of his jokes, she felt the guilt weighing down on her.

 

Finn was talking about their plans for the next few weeks, but Clarke was barely listening. Her phone was burning a hole in her pocket, the conversation with Lexa replaying in her mind.

 

"Are you having a good time?" Finn asked, looking hopeful as he leaned forward slightly.

 

Clarke blinked, snapping out of her thoughts. "Yeah, it's been really nice," she said, forcing another smile.

 

But even as she said it, her mind screamed the truth... I wish this was with Lexa.

 

🎶🎶🎶

 

Monday, August 19th

 

Monday morning arrived, and Clarke was standing at her locker, grabbing her books when Raven and Octavia arrived. Their lockers were right beside hers, and as usual, they fell into their easy routine of chatting about the upcoming week.

 

"So, cheerleading tryouts today," Octavia said, leaning against her locker with a grin. "You ready for this, Clarke?"

 

Clarke nodded, though she wasn't as enthusiastic as she might have been. "Yeah, I've been practicing. What about you?"

 

"Oh, totally. I've been working on my jumps all weekend. I'm going to crush it," Octavia said confidently.

 

Clarke laughed softly, though her thoughts briefly wandered to Lexa, who had mentioned she might stop by to watch. She pushed the thought away, focusing on her friends.

 

Raven smirked. "You two have fun with that. I'll be busy, you know, winning my math competition on Friday."

 

"Oh, right!" Octavia chimed in, snapping her fingers. "Raven, you're going to kill it. I still don't know how you do all those equations so fast."

 

"Genius at work," Raven replied smugly, but there was a soft blush creeping up her cheeks.

 

"So, tryouts today, math competition Friday... What else is happening this week?" Clarke asked, pretending like she didn't already know about Wednesday's event.

 

"Oh, Bellamy told me Lexa and Anya has a soccer game on Wednesday!" Octavia replied, and Clarke's stomach did a small flip.

 

Before the conversation could go further, Clarke caught a glimpse of Lexa walking down the hallway with Costia and Anya. The three girls approached them, and Clarke instantly felt her pulse quicken.

 

"Hey, you guys," Costia said with a warm smile as she approached Clarke and Octavia. "You ready for the first part of tryouts today?"

 

Octavia grinned. "More than ready."

 

Clarke managed a smile, though she felt uncomfortable with Costia standing so close to her. "Yeah, I'm ready," she answered, trying to keep her tone light.

 

Anya turned to Raven, a teasing smile on her lips. "And how are you feeling about this big math competition coming up on Friday, Raven?"

 

Raven blushed instantly, looking flustered as she met Anya's gaze. "I'm ready for it," she said, trying to sound confident.

 

Clarke noticed the way Anya's eyes lingered on Raven, but her focus was momentarily pulled to Lexa. Lexa's eyes were on her, quietly studying her in a way that made Clarke's skin tingle. It was subtle but intense.

 

Clarke shifted slightly under Lexa's gaze, her heart beating faster. She could feel the tension between them, even as they stood surrounded by their friends. What made it worse was that Anya noticed too. Clarke saw the quick glance Anya shot at Lexa, catching her in the act. But Anya didn't say anything, only raised a brow at Lexa before returning her attention to Raven.

 

Costia, oblivious to the silent exchange, smiled brightly. "Well, good luck to you both at tryouts today! I'll be watching. And Raven, can't wait to see you dominate that competition."

 

"Thanks," Raven replied, her blush deepening.

 

As Costia, Lexa, and Anya continued down the hallway, Clarke felt the weight of Lexa's lingering gaze still on her, even as she walked away.

 

The rest of the school day flew by, and before Clarke knew it, it was lunchtime. She, Raven, and Octavia made their way to the cafeteria and found Lexa and her crew at their usual spot. Clarke's heart did its usual flip-flop as she spotted Lexa sitting beside Costia.

 

The three of them sat down, and while everyone chatted, Clarke's eyes kept drifting to Lexa. Costia was leaning into Lexa, whispering something that made Lexa chuckle, and Clarke felt the sting of jealousy flare up. She hated how comfortable and cute they looked together. Lexa smiled at something Costia said, their knees brushing, the easy intimacy between them. Clarke tried to focus on the conversation around her, but it was impossible not to notice how Costia kept finding reasons to touch Lexa's arm or giggle in her ear.

 

Clarke's mood soured, but she forced herself to laugh at Raven's joke and nod along to Octavia's chatter about the upcoming cheer tryouts. Her mind was elsewhere, though, swirling with frustration. I should be the one with Lexa like that, not Costia.

 

By the time the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch, Clarke's emotions were running high, but she pushed them down, knowing she needed to stay focused for tryouts.

 

Cheer tryouts were a huge deal. The gym was buzzing with excitement when Clarke, Octavia, and the other girls arrived. The bleachers were filled with students who had come to watch much more than Clarke had expected. Her nerves kicked in as she spotted some familiar faces in the crowd, including Lexa, sitting comfortably with Raven, Anya, Bellany, and Lincoln.

 

The girls trying out all had to wear the same outfit: white shirts, blue shorts, and black or white shoes. Clarke tugged at her shirt, trying to calm her racing heart. Costia, Layla, and the other cheerleaders were already in their uniforms, looking like they owned the place. Costia, of course, was the captain, and she stood confidently in front of the group, leading the warm-ups.

 

"Alright, ladies," Costia said, her voice commanding but cheerful. "Today we're focusing on jumps. You'll need to show us what you've got, and if you can do a split, that's a plus."

 

Clarke exchanged a look with Octavia. Both of them had been practicing since last, and they felt ready. As Costia demonstrated the jumps they would need to perform, Clarke's mind flashed back to all the practice sessions. She and Octavia could nail these.

 

The girls lined up, and Clarke took her turn. She executed each jump with precision, feeling the adrenaline pumping through her veins. On her last jump, she glanced up and spotted Lexa watching her intently. That single moment gave her an extra burst of confidence. With a final push, she landed in a flawless split, her legs stretching across the floor.

 

The crowd clapped, impressed, and Clarke felt a rush of satisfaction. Costia nodded, looking pleased, and Clarke quickly rose to her feet, her heart pounding as she made her way back to Octavia.

 

"You nailed that!" Octavia whispered excitedly.

 

"You will too!" Clarke whispered back as she watched Octavia walk in front of the judges. Octavia's jumps were just as impressive, and she too finished with a perfect split.

 

Next up was flips and tricks. Costia and Layla instructed the girls to show any flips they could do. Clarke and Octavia exchanged knowing smiles. Both of them had taken gymnastics from ages 3 to 13, and this was where they would shine.

 

Clarke stepped forward, throwing a backflip effortlessly, followed by a roundoff and a front handspring. The crowd gasped in admiration, and Clarke couldn't help but feel proud. She glanced over at Lexa again, catching her watching, and felt her stomach flutter. Octavia followed up with an equally impressive series of flips, earning more cheers from the crowd.

 

At the end of the first phase, the girls were handed CDs with music tracks on them.

 

"Tomorrow is phase two," Costia announced as she handed Clarke her CD. "You'll be making up your own cheer dance to this music. We'll see what you come up with."

 

Clarke nodded, taking the CD, her mind already buzzing with ideas. As she glanced over to the stands one more time, her eyes met Lexa's, who gave her a subtle nod of approval.

 

It wasn't much, but it made Clarke smile and feel proud. Suddenly cheerleading didn't seem so bad.

 

🎶🎶🎶

 

Wednesday, August 21st

 

It was Wednesday morning, and the entire school buzzed with excitement for the evening soccer game. Clarke noticed that Lexa and Anya were the talk of the halls, their names constantly mentioned as the best players on the team. The game against their biggest rival school had everyone pumped, and with it being Spirit Day, students were allowed to dress down and show their school pride.

 

Clarke joined in the spirit, wearing a blue and gold school t-shirt, a blue jean skater skirt that twirled as she walked, and gold glittery HEYDUDES that caught the sunlight. Octavia wore the same t-shirt, paired with blue jean shorts and matching sandals, while Raven rocked the shirt with blue jean shorts similar to Octavia's and a pair of blue Crocs. They made a vibrant trio as they walked through the halls, blending into the sea of school colors that filled the corridors.

 

Clarke hadn't seen Lexa all morning, which felt strange after spending so much time together. But as soon as they stepped into the cafeteria for lunch, Clarke's stomach flipped. There, in line, stood Lexa with Costia, both wearing Lexa's soccer jersey. Lexa had paired hers with white skinny jeans and matching shoes, while Costia had on white jean shorts and the same shoes as Lexa. They were clearly coordinated, and the sight made Clarke's heart sink.

 

She watched from a distance as Lexa leaned in to kiss Costia's neck, causing Costia to giggle and shift in place. The intimacy between them gnawed at Clarke, an uncomfortable knot forming in her chest. Her hands tightened around her tray as she quickly averted her gaze, trying to ignore the pang of jealousy that settled deep in her stomach.

 

"They're so cute together," Raven said offhandedly as they passed, but Clarke could barely respond, her throat tight.

 

"Yeah... cute," Clarke muttered, forcing herself to smile as they moved to find a seat. Today, the soccer team had taken up most of the room at Lexa's usual table, so Clarke, Raven, and Octavia sat a few tables over. As they ate, Clarke tried her best to focus on the conversation with her friends.

 

"I think we did pretty good yesterday with the dance," Octavia said, her face lighting up with excitement.

 

"I know we nailed it," Clarke agreed, pushing Lexa out of her thoughts. The cheerleading tryouts were almost over, and their dance had gone off without a hitch during Phase Two.

 

"Those flips we added at the end? Brilliant." Octavia beamed, clearly feeling confident about their performance.

 

Raven, as usual, offered her support with an enthusiastic grin. "You two are basically in. They'd be crazy not to pick you."

 

Clarke laughed softly, thankful for the distraction. She wanted to believe Raven, but her mind kept drifting back to Lexa.

 

The rest of the school day flew by, and before Clarke knew it, it was time for Phase Three of cheerleading tryouts. The gym was packed with girls ready to prove themselves. This phase was different they had to learn two cheers and a dance on the spot and perform them one by one for the judges.

 

Clarke and Octavia had been practicing nonstop, but now they had to quickly pick up the new routines. As they went through the motions, Clarke felt the familiar rush of adrenaline. She could do this. She was ready.

 

When it was her turn, Clarke stepped forward confidently. She executed the cheers and the dance with precision and energy, her movements sharp and enthusiastic. She glanced toward the stands and locked eyes with Lexa, who was watching her intently. For a moment, the world around her seemed to fade, and Clarke performed with even more drive, wanting to impress Lexa more than anyone.

 

Octavia followed, just as skilled, nailing the routine. The judges whispered to one another, nodding approvingly.

 

In the stands, Lexa found it increasingly difficult to take her eyes off Clarke. Anya, sitting beside her, elbowed her, catching the look on her cousin's face.

 

"You're staring," Anya said in a voice of disapproval. "Not very subtle, Lex."

 

Lexa blinked, tearing her gaze away as a faint blush crept up her neck. "Shut up," she muttered, but she couldn't deny it Clarke had her full attention.

 

After tryouts ended, the excitement in the air shifted back to the soccer game that was just two hours away. The hallways were filled with chatter about the evening match, and Clarke could feel the energy buzzing through the school.

 

"They are gonna kill it tonight," Octavia said to Clarke.

 

Clarke nodded, her heart racing not just for the game, but for how the day had unfolded. She had done her best in the tryouts, but her mind was still clouded with thoughts of Lexa and Costia. Even now, with the excitement of the soccer game looming, all she could think about was Lexa's gaze on her during her performance.

 

And later tonight, Lexa would be playing in front of the whole school, with Costia cheering her on. Clarke sighed, unsure of how to untangle the complicated mess of feelings inside her.

 

The soccer field was buzzing with energy as the game reached its peak. The bleachers were filled with cheering students, and Clarke sat among them, watching Lexa and Anya dominate on the field. Every time Lexa had the ball, it seemed like the whole stadium was holding its breath. She was fast, powerful, and laser-focused, and Clarke couldn't help but be amazed at just how good Lexa was.

 

Clarke's eyes drifted to the section where Costia was standing. She had the number 5 painted on her cheek, matching the number on Lexa's jersey, and she waved a poster decorated with hearts and glitter that read, "#5 has my heart." Costia's bright smile beamed every time Lexa made a move, and Clarke felt a pang of jealousy. She noticed more girls around the field also screaming for Lexa, cheering louder every time Lexa sprinted down the field or passed the ball. The more Clarke thought about it, the more she realized just how much attention Lexa got from everyone.

 

Clarke's chest tightened as she watched Costia, who looked so proud of Lexa, jumping up and down in excitement, completely absorbed in the game. She wished she could be the one cheering Lexa on openly, instead of feeling like she had to hide her emotions in the shadows.

 

Suddenly, a surge of excitement rippled through the crowd as Anya stole the ball from an opposing player and expertly passed it to Lexa. The two of them worked together seamlessly, their chemistry on the field undeniable. Lexa sprinted toward the goal, Anya right behind her, their movements in perfect sync. Anya faked out one defender and passed the ball to Lexa, who weaved through two more defenders like they weren't even there.

 

Clarke's heart pounded as Lexa lined up for the shot. She kicked the ball with precision, and it soared into the top corner of the goal. The stadium erupted in cheers as the winning goal was scored.

 

Lexa grinned triumphantly, and Clarke felt a mix of pride and longing. But then, to her dismay, Lexa immediately ran toward Costia, who was already jumping up and down with excitement. Lexa scooped her up in a hug, spinning her around before pressing a kiss to her lips. The crowd around them cheered even louder, and Clarke heard someone behind her mutter, "They're such a cute couple."

 

Clarke turned away, her chest tightening painfully. She wished she could be happy for Lexa, but it was hard when all she could think about was how much she wanted to be in Costia's place. The kiss, the public affection... it all made Clarke feel invisible.

 

As Clarke stared at the ground, her phone buzzed in her lap. She glanced down and saw a message from Lexa.

 

Lexa❤️: Meet me at the locker room in 15 minutes.

 

Clarke's heart skipped a beat. Her mind was racing... Why was Lexa asking her to meet? She had just kissed Costia in front of everyone, and now she wanted to see her. Clarke was so zoned out that she didn't even realize that 15 minutes had passed. She quickly gathered her things and excused herself from the group, telling Raven and Octavia she needed to go to the restroom. With every step toward the locker room, her mind raced.

 

When Clarke reached the locker room, Lexa was already there, leaning against the wall, her hair damp from the quick shower she just took and Clarke couldn't help but admire how good she looked, even after an intense game. Lexa's eyes softened when she saw Clarke.

 

"Hey," Lexa said, her voice low, pulling Clarke into a quick hug. "Thanks for coming."

 

Clarke smiled, though the conflicting emotions from the kiss earlier still lingered in her chest. "Of course. You were amazing out there. Congrats on the win."

 

Lexa pulled back slightly, her hands resting on Clarke's waist. "Thanks. I've been thinking though..." She trailed off, her eyes searching Clarke's face.

 

"What?" Clarke asked, her pulse quickening.

 

Lexa hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath. "I want to take you out. On a real date. Saturday."

 

Clarke blinked, taken aback. A date? She never expected Lexa to suggest something so bold, especially after seeing her with Costia. "A date?" she repeated her voice barely above a whisper.

 

Lexa nodded, her gaze intense. "Yeah. I know things are... complicated, but I want to show you I care babe."

 

Clarke's heart swelled, the jealousy and confusion from earlier melting away in the face of Lexa's sincerity. This is what she had wanted, to be with Lexa openly, even if it had to be in secret. A real date. It felt like a dream. "I—I'd love that," Clarke finally said, a smile creeping onto her face.

 

"Saturday, then?" Lexa confirmed, her expression softening as she brushed a strand of hair from Clarke's face.

 

"Saturday," Clarke echoed, still in shock but feeling a warm excitement building inside her.

 

As Lexa leaned in to press a soft kiss to Clarke's cheek, Clarke's heart raced. The secret they shared made her feel closer to Lexa than ever before, even if the world outside still had no idea. They parted ways, both already anticipating the weekend, but Clarke couldn't shake the feeling of hope blooming in her chest. Maybe, just maybe, things between her and Lexa would work out after all.

 

🎶🎶🎶

 

Friday, August 23rd

 

The air was thick with excitement as Clarke and Octavia stood among the crowd of hopefuls, their hearts pounding as they waited for the results of the cheerleading tryouts. Everyone was buzzing, exchanging nervous glances as Costia and Layla approached the bulletin board with a covered poster. The chatter died down, and the group quieted, all eyes on the captains.

 

Costia smiled, addressing the crowd. "First of all, I want to congratulate everyone who tried out and made the team. You all did amazing, and even if you don't see your name on the list today, don't give up. Practice more, and come back next year."

 

With that, she pulled the cover off the poster, revealing the names of the new Grounders cheerleading team in bold letters. There was a collective gasp as the crowd surged forward, and Clarke felt her stomach twist in anticipation. Her eyes scanned the list—and there it was. Clarke Griffin. She couldn't help the smile that spread across her face.

 

Beside her, Octavia let out a squeal of delight. "We made it!" she shouted, throwing her arms around Clarke. "We actually made it!"

 

Clarke laughed, hugging her back, the excitement infectious. "I can't believe it," she admitted, grinning from ear to ear. She hadn't realized how much she wanted this until that moment.

 

As they walked away from the board, still beaming, they spotted Raven waiting for them nearby. Raven's face lit up the moment she saw their smiles. "You guys made it, didn't you?" she squealed, running toward them.

 

"We did!" Octavia said, bouncing on her feet. "We're officially cheerleaders!"

 

Raven threw her arms around them both. "I knew it! You guys are going to kill it on the squad."

 

Clarke and Octavia grinned but quickly turned their attention to Raven. "Enough about us," Clarke said, giving Raven a nudge. "Today's your big day! Math competition, remember?"

 

Raven rolled her eyes playfully. "Oh, right. No big deal or anything."

 

Octavia and Clarke pulled back their jackets to reveal their custom-made shirts that read, My Best Friend is a Genius, with Reyes and the number 1 printed on the back. Clarke laughed at Raven's expression as she saw the shirts.

 

"You two are ridiculous," Raven said, but she was clearly touched.

 

"We had to," Clarke teased. "Gotta rep our genius friend."

 

Raven was dressed in her own Math League uniform a royal blue collared shirt with the school logo and "Math Genius" embroidered in gold above it. She paired it with khaki pants and black tennis shoes, looking sharp and ready to win.

 

During homeroom, the morning announcements came over the loudspeaker, and the newest members of the cheerleading team were officially announced. Clarke blushed as her name was mentioned, and throughout the day, she was met with congratulations from classmates in the hallways. Her phone buzzed with a text from

 

Lexa❤️: Congratulations, babe 🎉

 

Clarke's heart fluttered at the message. Lexa had been so supportive lately, even more so since their talk after the soccer game. She quickly typed back,

 

Clarke: Thank you babe!

 

At lunch, Clarke, Octavia, and Raven sat with Lexa and her crew. As soon as they sat down, the conversation quickly turned to Clarke and Octavia making the cheerleading team.

 

"You guys did great," Anya said, nodding approvingly. "I saw the tryouts. You both crushed it."

 

Clarke smiled. "Thanks, Anya. We were pretty nervous."

 

"You didn't look it," Lexa added, her eyes lingering on Clarke a little longer than necessary. "You looked confident."

 

Clarke blushed under Lexa's gaze, but before she could respond, her phone buzzed again. It was Lexa, texting her right from across the table.

 

Lexa❤️: You look cute today. I'm excited about our date on Saturday. Ready to have you to myself. 

 

Clarke's cheeks grew even hotter, and she looked up at Lexa in disbelief. How could Lexa be texting her that while sitting right next to Costia? It was risky, and Clarke wasn't sure how to feel about it. She quickly hid her phone as Raven and Octavia noticed her blushing.

 

"Whoa, look at that blush," Raven teased, nudging her. "Must be Finn, huh?"

 

"Yeah, it's definitely Finn," Octavia added, smirking.

 

Clarke tried to play it off, laughing nervously, but out of the corner of her eye, she saw Lexa's jaw tense. Anya caught it too and narrowed her eyes, clearly picking up on Lexa's reaction. Clarke shifted uncomfortably, hoping no one would make the connection.

 

The rest of the day flew by quickly, and soon it was time for Raven's math competition. As Clarke made her way to her locker, she spotted Finn waiting for her.

 

"Hey," he greeted her with a smile, pulling her into a hug. "Congrats on making the cheerleading team."

 

"Thanks," Clarke said, returning the hug. "It's been a good day."

 

"I was wondering if you wanted to sit with me during the competition," Finn offered, his tone hopeful.

 

Clarke hesitated, glancing down the hall where her friends were gathering. "I was going to sit with Octavia and my other friends," she said gently, "but you're welcome to join us."

 

Finn's smile didn't falter. "Yeah, that sounds great."

 

At the math competition, Raven performed incredibly well, and by the end of it, the Grounders had won. The whole group cheered for Raven as she collected her trophy, and afterward, Anya suggested they all go out for pizza to celebrate.

 

"I'm in," Octavia said eagerly.

 

"Me too," Clarke added, looking toward Raven, who grinned proudly.

 

Costia, however, gave a regretful smile. "I can't. I have to get home to watch my little sister while my parents go out. But congrats, Raven." She gave her a quick hug before heading off.

 

At the pizza place, the group had a great time. There was an arcade in the back, and everyone split off to play games. Clarke and Lexa, however, took the opportunity to sneak off to the restroom, making sure no one noticed.

 

As soon as they were alone, Lexa pulled Clarke into a tight hug, her lips brushing against Clarke's ear. "I've been wanting to do this all day," she murmured.

 

Clarke's heart raced, her breath catching as she held onto Lexa. "I can't believe you texted me at lunch. What if someone saw?"

 

Lexa smirked. "I was careful. Besides, I couldn't help myself."

 

Clarke smiled up at her, the tension of the day melting away in Lexa's arms. They didn't have much time, but in that moment, it was enough. Saturday couldn't come fast enough.

 

Saturday, August 24th

 

It was Saturday morning, and Clarke was already awake at 8 a.m., her heart fluttering with excitement. She lay in bed for a moment, staring at the ceiling, the sunlight streaming through her curtains. Today was the day, of her and Lexa's first date. She couldn't believe it. The thought of Lexa, with her sharp confidence and undeniable charm, wanting to take her out on an actual date made Clarke's stomach flip with anticipation.

 

Sitting up, Clarke grabbed her phone from the nightstand, her fingers hovering over Lexa's contact. She'd been tempted to text her good morning but didn't want to seem too eager. Still, the butterflies in her stomach wouldn't settle. She bit her lip, smiling to herself as she replayed the moment Lexa had asked her out after the soccer game. It had felt so surreal.

 

Clarke threw off her blankets and hopped out of bed. She had a whole day ahead of her to get ready, but she couldn't wait. She began pacing around her room, mentally running through her closet. What should she wear? Casual but cute? Maybe something a little flirty, but not too over-the-top.

 

Her phone buzzed, and she jumped, heart racing as she saw Lexa's name flash across the screen.

 

Lexa❤️: Morning, babe! I'll pick you up at 6. Can't wait to see you.

 

Clarke grinned, her fingers moving quickly over the screen as she responded: 

 

Clarke: Good morning! I can't wait either. See you at 6!

 

She flopped back onto her bed, clutching the phone to her chest. Today was going to be perfect.

 

Meanwhile in a couple of houses over...

 

Lexa was pacing her room, her mind racing. It was strange for her to feel nervous she was always so composed, so in control but today was different. She had a date with Clarke, and for the first time in a long time, Lexa felt this type of excitement that she couldn't quite put into words. Her phone sat on the edge of her bed, and every few minutes, she found herself glancing at it, half-expecting Clarke to text her again.

 

She was excited, no doubt about that. Clarke made her feel things she hadn't felt in a long time. She thought about how Clarke had looked at her after the soccer game, the way she had shyly congratulated her, and blushed when Lexa asked her out. It was adorable, and Lexa couldn't wait to spend more time with her.

 

But as the excitement built, so did something else...guilt. Lexa sat on the edge of her bed and ran her hands through her hair, a frown forming on her face. Her thoughts drifted to Costia, her girlfriend. Lexa's stomach twisted at the thought. She loved Costia, she really did, but she wasn't in love with her anymore. She had tried to ignore it, to push it away, but it was becoming harder to do that. Especially with Clarke.

 

Lexa leaned back, staring at the ceiling as her mind wandered to the beginning of her relationship with Costia. She remembered the first time they met Costia had been so confident, so easy to talk to. They had clicked immediately. Lexa had been drawn to her calm energy, the way she always seemed to have everything figured out. For a long time, it had been perfect. They were the "it" couple at school. Costia was reliable, understanding, and smart. She was everything Lexa should want in a partner.

 

But then, Clarke came into her life, and everything changed.

 

Clarke was different. She wasn't polished and perfect like Costia. She was a little messy, and a little unsure, but there was something about her that pulled Lexa in. Clarke made Lexa feel vulnerable in a way that scared her and thrilled her at the same time. There was a connection there, something Lexa couldn't explain, something deeper than anything she had with Costia.

 

Lexa sighed heavily, rubbing her temples. Why do I feel this way? She thought about Costia again. She was supposed to love her, and in many ways, she did. But it didn't feel right anymore. Clarke was the one who made her heart race now, and that realization made Lexa feel guilty.

 

Her phone buzzed, pulling her out of her thoughts. She glanced at the screen.

 

Anya: I'm coming over. We need to talk.

 

Lexa's heart skipped a beat. Anya rarely sent texts like that unless it was serious. Lexa knew exactly what Anya wanted to talk about. She had caught Anya looking at her strangely a few times over the past few days, especially when Lexa had been around Clarke.

 

A few minutes later, there was a knock on her door, and Lexa opened it to find Anya standing there, her expression unreadable.

 

"Hey," Lexa greeted her, stepping aside to let her cousin in.

 

Anya walked in, crossing her arms and leaning against Lexa's dresser. "What's going on with you and Clarke?" she asked bluntly, not wasting any time.

 

Lexa froze, her heart pounding. She had known this conversation was coming, but it still caught her off guard. "What do you mean?" she asked, trying to sound casual.

 

Anya narrowed her eyes. "Don't play dumb, Lex. I've seen the way you look at her. And the way she looks at you. Y'all are lucky I am the only one who has noticed."

 

Lexa sighed, running a hand through her hair. There was no point in lying to Anya. She and Lincoln knew her too well they were more than cousins they were best friends. "I don't know, Anya. I don't know what's happening between us. It just... it just happened."

 

Anya's expression softened slightly, but her voice was firm. "And what about Costia? Does she know?"

 

Lexa shook her head, the guilt hitting her again. "No. She doesn't know."

 

Anya's face hardened. "Lexa, you're playing with fire. I love Costia like a sister. She is a good person. She doesn't deserve this. You have been together for three years and you are willing to throw that away for someone you just met."

 

"I know," Lexa replied quietly, her chest tightening. "But... I don't know what to do. I love Costia, but I'm not in love with her anymore. Clarke, she just... she makes me feel things I haven't felt in a long time."

 

Anya sighed, walking over to sit beside Lexa on the bed. "Look, I'm not judging you. But you can't keep doing this. You need to end things with Clarke."

 

Lexa looked down, her mind racing. She knew Anya was right. This couldn't go on forever but she wasn't going to end things with Clarke she was too addicted now and she was more than excited about their date today.

 

🎶🎶🎶

 

It was now 6 pm and Lexa stood at Clarke's door, nerves bubbling up inside her even though she tried to keep her cool. It was the first real date between the two of them, and even though they'd spent plenty of time together before, tonight felt different. She had planned everything down to the last detail, and as Clarke's dad, Jake, opened the door, Lexa put on her best smile.

 

"Hey, Lexa," Jake greeted warmly. "Clarke will be down in a minute. You two just hanging out tonight?"

 

"Yeah," Lexa replied smoothly, "just gonna have a fun night." She shifted slightly, trying to calm her excitement while keeping the conversation light.

 

Jake leaned against the doorframe, chatting easily about Lexa's soccer game. They didn't have to wait long before Clarke appeared at the top of the stairs, and Lexa's breath caught when she saw her.

 

Clarke was radiant in a baby blue two-piece outfit... a soft tank top paired with a pleated skirt, her hair falling in loose waves. She wore white sandals, silver jewelry catching the light, and Lexa couldn't take her eyes off her. She looked effortlessly beautiful.

 

"Hey," Clarke greeted, her eyes lighting up as she saw Lexa. She felt her heartbeat quicken as she caught the way Lexa was looking at her.

 

"Wow, you look... amazing," Lexa said, not able to hold back the awe in her voice.

 

Clarke smiled, blushing slightly. "You're not so bad yourself."

 

Once they were in Lexa's car, Clarke gave a little sigh, excited but also nervous. "So, where are we going first?"

 

Lexa grinned, keeping the mystery alive. "You'll see."

 

Their first stop was a mini-golf course. Something light, easy, and fun to break the ice and get them both laughing. Clarke giggled when she realized where they were, playfully nudging Lexa. "Mini-golf, huh? You ready to lose?"

 

Lexa smirked, pulling out the golf clubs as they headed over to the first hole. "Oh, we'll see about that."

 

It didn't take long for the competitive energy between them to kick in. Clarke was surprisingly good, sinking her first shot with ease, while Lexa struggled at first, teasingly accusing Clarke of hustling her. They laughed their way through the course, Lexa pretending to be overly serious about each shot while Clarke playfully sabotaged her focus by making faces or poking her side.

 

When Clarke managed to get a hole-in-one on the final hole, Lexa threw her hands up dramatically. "Alright, you win this round, Griffin."

 

"Of course I do," Clarke teased, giving Lexa a triumphant look. "What's next?"

 

Lexa led Clarke to a local arcade next, where they got into a heated competition over air hockey, racing games, and skeeball. Clarke won most of the games, but Lexa was determined to take her down in at least one, focusing intently during a basketball shooting game.

 

"Don't look so serious," Clarke laughed, watching Lexa's face as she furrowed her brows, trying to rack up points.

 

Lexa glanced at her, a playful smirk on her lips. "I don't play to lose."

 

After winning a small stuffed bear with their combined tickets, Lexa handed it to Clarke. "For you. A little souvenir of your victory."

 

Clarke grinned, taking the bear and hugging it to her chest. "You're a good sport, Woods."

 

As the night continued, they headed to their next destination, a cute little ice cream parlor with fairy lights strung up outside. They sat in a cozy corner booth, enjoying sundaes piled high with whipped cream and sprinkles, laughing as Clarke accidentally dropped a spoonful of ice cream on the table.

 

Lexa leaned back, watching Clarke wipe up the mess, feeling a warmth in her chest she wasn't used to. This was easy. It was fun. There wasn't the usual pressure she felt when she was with someone.

 

After they finished their ice cream, Lexa drove Clarke up to a scenic overlook just outside of town, where they parked and climbed up onto the hood of the car with blankets. The stars were scattered across the sky, and the city lights twinkled in the distance.

 

"This is perfect," Clarke whispered, leaning against Lexa's shoulder, feeling completely at ease.

 

Lexa glanced down at her, a soft smile playing on her lips. "I wanted to give us something... different."

 

They sat there in silence for a while, just enjoying the view and each other's company. Clarke shifted, turning toward Lexa, her heart pounding in her chest. "I'm really glad we did this."

 

Lexa's eyes softened, her hand brushing Clarke's as she murmured, "Me too."

 

The air between them felt charged, but comfortable at the same time. After a moment, Clarke tilted her head up, her eyes catching Lexa's, and before she knew it, they were leaning in. The kiss was soft and tentative but full of the kind of emotion that had been building between them for weeks.

 

When they pulled away, Clarke couldn't stop smiling. "Best date ever."

 

Lexa chuckled, a little bashful, but she didn't disagree. "Definitely."

 

Notes:

So a-lot went on within this chapter. Let me all know what you think.

As always thank you for reading❤️

Chapter 5: "You don't owe me anything."

Summary:

This chapter will explore the growing challenges Clarke and Lexa face as they navigate their secret relationship.

Tuesday, September 24

 

It had been a month since Lexa and Clarke's first date, and during that time, their connection had deepened in ways Lexa hadn't expected. She found herself thinking about Clarke more than she should, especially because she still had Costia. Her feelings for Clarke were growing more complicated, but she couldn't bring herself to stop seeing her. The guilt weighed heavily on her some days, especially when she was with Costia like she was now.

 

It was Tuesday morning, and Lexa sat at the dining table with her family and Costia for breakfast. Indra, Lexa's mom, was at the head of the table, dishing out instructions for the day like a general preparing for battle. Despite her stern exterior, there was no doubt she loved her family fiercely.

 

"Don't forget, Lexa," Indra said between bites of toast, "your father and I are hosting a fundraiser this weekend. We'll need your help setting things up."

 

"Of course, Mom," Lexa replied, trying to stay focused on the conversation, though her mind kept wandering to Clarke.

 

Across from her, Gustus, Lexa's dad, sat with a warm smile on his face, always the calm to Indra's intensity. He was a big man with a gentle soul, and he had always been supportive of Lexa in everything she did. Costia was seated beside Lexa, looking perfectly at ease with her surroundings. Lexa's parents adored Costia—they already considered her part of the family.

 

"How's everything going at school, Costia?" Gustus asked, turning his attention to her.

 

"Good I am working extra hard to be Valedictorian," Costia replied with a smile. "I'm really looking forward to Fall break next month though. I'll be spending it with my cousin Natalie. She lives out of town, so it'll be a nice change of pace." She turned to Lexa, placing a hand on her arm. "I can't wait to catch up with her. We always have so much fun together."

 

Lexa smiled at her, but her mind was already elsewhere. Fall break. That would mean a few days without Costia around... which also meant more time with Clarke. She caught herself before she could start daydreaming too much.

 

Her phone buzzed in her pocket, breaking her train of thought. She glanced at the screen and saw a message from Clarke.

 

Blondie👱‍♀️: Hey babe, can you give me a ride to school today?

 

Lexa's stomach tightened. She wanted to say yes immediately, but she knew it wasn't that simple. Costia was riding with her today, and the last thing she wanted was to make Clarke feel uncomfortable. She hesitated for a moment before texting back: Costia's riding with me too. Are you okay with that?

 

As she sent the message, she felt a pang of frustration. It was getting harder and harder to balance everything. Her relationship with Costia, her growing feelings for Clarke, and the secret they were keeping from everyone.

 

Costia, oblivious to the inner turmoil Lexa was feeling, leaned in closer. "I was thinking, one day this week, maybe we could go grab dinner? Just the two of us?" she suggested, her voice warm and affectionate.

 

Lexa smiled and nodded. "Yeah, we can do that beautiful."

 

Costia's hand rested on Lexa's knee under the table, and she gave her a small, appreciative smile. Meanwhile, Lexa's phone buzzed again. Clarke had responded.

 

Blondie👱‍♀️: Oh... never mind, it's fine. I'll just find another ride. See you at school.

 

Lexa frowned. She hated that Clarke had to go through these situations because of her. But there was nothing she could do right now. If only things were different. She texted a quick reply: We'll talk later, I promise.

 

"You okay, Lex?" Indra asked, noticing her daughter's distant expression.

 

Lexa nodded quickly, shoving her phone back into her pocket and forcing herself to engage in the conversation around the table. She kept her face neutral, but inside, she was already thinking about how she could make it up to Clarke—and what they might be able to do for Fall break when Costia was out of town. She didn't want to keep living in this limbo forever, but for now, it seemed like the only option.

 

Lexa sat there, nodding at the right moments, but her mind was far from the conversation. Costia, so effortlessly integrated into her family, was everything she could want—on paper. She was smart, kind, beautiful, and her parents adored her. Lexa loves Costia she knows she does but she couldn't deny the pull she felt toward Clarke, the way her heart raced every time they texted, the way her stomach fluttered when they were alone.

 

But with every glance at Costia, the guilt twisted inside her. She knew Costia didn't deserve this, the secrecy, the half-truths. She remembered how they met. It was during their sophomore year, back when Lexa had been focused solely on soccer and grades. Costia had transferred in halfway through the year, and they'd connected almost instantly. It was easy with Costia. They shared the same goals, and some of the same interests, and had fallen into a comfortable rhythm together.

 

But that comfort had become something else now something almost suffocating.

 

Just as she was lost in thought again, Indra cleared her throat. "Lexa," she said firmly, drawing her attention. "I've noticed you've been a little distracted lately."

 

Lexa looked up, caught off guard. "What do you mean?"

 

"I mean, you're not as focused. On soccer, on school. Is something going on?" Indra asked, her gaze sharp as if she could see right through Lexa.

 

Gustus looked up from his plate as well, giving Lexa a softer, but equally curious, look.

 

Lexa swallowed, feeling the weight of their attention. "No, nothing's wrong," she said quickly. "I've just had a lot on my mind."

 

Costia,  holding Lexa's hand under the table, chimed in. "She's just busy, that's all. Between soccer, being a senior buddy, a tutor, and school, there's not a lot of time to breathe."

 

Lexa couldn't help but send Costia a grateful smile. Moments like this remind her of why she loves Costia.

 

Indra didn't look convinced but let it slide. "Well, whatever it is, make sure it doesn't affect your game, Lexa. You've got scouts coming to your next match, and you can't afford to be off your game."

 

Lexa nodded. "I won't be."

 

🎶🎶🎶

 

Clarke sat in the backseat of Bellamy's car, the hum of the engine and the chatter from the front seat barely registering. Octavia was excitedly going on about their first cheer practice that afternoon, her enthusiasm infectious, but Clarke's mind was elsewhere.

 

She stared out the window, watching the familiar scenery pass by, her thoughts drifting to Lexa. The weight of their relationship or whatever it was sat heavily on her chest. Mornings like this, when she couldn't ride with Lexa, always felt off. That time they spent together, just the two of them, even if only for a short drive, had become a sacred part of her day. But today, Costia was riding with Lexa. Clarke knew she couldn't exactly be upset about that Costia was Lexa's girlfriend, after all, but that didn't stop the pang of jealousy from creeping in.

 

"Clarke, you okay back there?" Octavia asked, turning around in her seat to look at her.

 

Clarke blinked, snapping back to the present. She forced a smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just... nervous about practice, I guess."

 

It wasn't a complete lie. Their first cheer practice for the upcoming football game was today, and Clarke felt a little anxious about it, but that wasn't what had her so distracted. Still, it was easier to pretend it was just nerves about practice than to explain the complicated mess of feelings swirling inside her about Lexa and Costia.

 

"You'll do great," Octavia said confidently. "We're going to crush it today. I can already see it. Everyone's going to be blown away at Friday's game."

 

Clarke nodded, appreciating her friend's optimism. Octavia always seemed to have an endless supply of energy and confidence, and Clarke admired that about her. But today, even Octavia's enthusiasm couldn't pull her out of her thoughts.

 

Her phone buzzed in her lap, and she glanced down to see a message from Finn.

 

Finn🏈: Got you some breakfast from Chick-fil-A. Can't wait to see you this morning😌

 

Clarke couldn't help but smile as she read the text. Finn had been nothing but sweet to her lately, going out of his way to do little things that made her day easier. They'd grown closer over the past few weeks, and while Clarke knew Finn liked her as more than a friend, she wasn't quite sure how she felt about him. She liked him—maybe a little more than a friend—but it was nothing compared to how she felt about Lexa.

 

With Lexa, everything was intense confusing, and thrilling all at once. She craved every stolen moment they had together, but at the same time, it was exhausting having to keep it a secret. No one knew, not even Octavia or Raven, and the longer they kept it hidden, the heavier the secret felt.

 

Clarke sighed, responding to Finn's text with a simple "Thanks, see you soon!" before tucking her phone back into her bag.

 

"You sure you're okay?" Bellamy asked, his eyes catching hers in the rearview mirror.

 

Clarke met his gaze, giving him another small smile. "Yeah, just thinking."

 

Bellamy raised an eyebrow but didn't push it. Clarke appreciated that about him, he always seemed to know when to give her space.

 

As they pulled into the school parking lot, Clarke spotted Lexa's car again, parked in its usual spot. Costia was with her, of course, and Clarke looked away quickly before the sight of them together could settle too deeply in her mind. She had to focus on cheer, on school, on anything but the fact that Lexa wasn't hers. At least not fully.

 

Octavia bounced out of the car as soon as they parked, her excitement for practice practically bubbling over. "Come on, Clarke!

 

Clarke walked into school, still distracted from the ride with Bellamy and Octavia. Her thoughts were drifting between Lexa and the cheer practice that awaited her later that day. But for now, she had to focus on getting through the school day.

 

As she approached her locker, she spotted Finn waiting for her, his familiar smile lighting up his face. In his hands, he held a Chick-fil-A bag and a cup carrier with her favorite—caramel frappuccino.

 

"Morning, Clarke," he said, his voice warm and easy. "Got you breakfast, just like I promised."

 

Clarke smiled back, grateful for the gesture even though her mind was still clouded with thoughts of Lexa. "Thanks, Finn. You didn't have to do that."

 

"I wanted to." He handed her the drink first, then the bag. "So, I was thinking... if you're not too busy, do you want to eat it together in the cafeteria before class?"

 

Clarke hesitated for a second. Finn had been putting in effort lately, and she couldn't ignore that he genuinely cared. Plus, he is becoming someone she cares about too.

 

"Yeah, sure," she said, forcing herself to focus on the present. "Let's go."

 

They walked to the cafeteria, and Clarke tried to shake off her lingering disappointment about not seeing Lexa this morning. Sitting down at a table with Finn, she unwrapped the breakfast sandwich he'd gotten for her and took a bite. The salty-sweet combination of the food and her caramel frappuccino did wonders for her mood.

 

"So," Finn said, leaning in a little, "I'm really glad we've been hanging out more. It's been nice, you know?"

 

Clarke smiled, trying not to overthink the situation. "Yeah, it's been nice." She didn't want to lead him on, but she didn't want to shut him down either, especially with everything else swirling around her life right now.

 

They chatted for a little while, the conversation light and easy. Finn always managed to make her laugh, and for a brief moment, she was able to push aside her thoughts about Lexa and just enjoy the moment.

 

After breakfast, they headed to class. Clarke made her way into Advanced Organic Chemistry, sliding into her usual seat next to Raven, who was already there, flipping through her notes.

 

"Hey, you," Clarke greeted her best friend, taking out her notebook.

 

"Hey," Raven replied with a grin, though her eyes never left the page in front of her. "Ready to see how we did on that test?"

 

Clarke shrugged. "I don't even know. I was so distracted while I was studying that I'm just hoping for the best."

 

Before Raven could respond, Mr. Pike, their teacher, entered the room with a stack of papers in hand. "Alright, class, I've got your tests graded. Some of you did great, some of you... well, let's just say there's room for improvement."

 

Clarke felt her stomach knot up a little as Mr. Pike made his way around the room, handing out the tests one by one. She tried to focus, but her mind kept drifting back to Lexa, wondering how her morning was going with Costia. Was Lexa thinking about her? Probably not. She was with her girlfriend, after all.

 

Suddenly, the sound of paper hitting her desk pulled her out of her thoughts. She looked down at the test in front of her. 90%. A wave of relief washed over her, and she smiled. It wasn't perfect, but it was good—especially considering how distracted she'd been.

 

She quickly pulled out her phone, snapped a picture of the test, and sent it to Lexa with a simple message: Got a 90! 😊

 

Glancing over, she saw Raven flipping her test paper over. Clarke leaned into Peek and saw a big 100% scrawled at the top in red ink.

 

Clarke nudged her friend playfully. "Oh my God, Raven. A perfect score? How do you do it? It must be hard being both beautiful and a genius."

 

Raven smirked, pretending to toss her hair back dramatically. "What can I say? It's a burden I carry with grace."

 

Clarke laughed, glad for the distraction. Moments like these with Raven reminded her that no matter what else was going on in her complicated personal life, she always had her best friend by her side (even if she was hiding a secret from said best friend).

 

Soon it was time for the second period. Clarke sat in her Honors U.S. History class, absently tapping her pen on her notebook as Mr. Kane dimmed the lights and started the video on early American colonization. She should have been paying attention. After all, they had a quiz coming up, but her mind was elsewhere.

 

Clarke's thoughts were interrupted when she felt a nudge from her right. She turned and found herself face-to-face with Niylah, a very popular junior. Niylah was smiling at her and for some reason it made Clarke smile. Niylah was very pretty, she had long blonde hair, hazel eyes, and the prettiest smile with dimples.

 

"Hey," Niylah whispered, leaning in closer so only Clarke could hear. "I've been meaning to tell you this... but you're really pretty."

 

Clarke's face flushed immediately. The compliment caught her completely off-guard, and she wasn't sure how to respond. "Oh," she stammered, feeling her face heat up. "Um... thanks."

 

Niylah chuckled softly, her eyes gleaming in the low light of the classroom. "You're cute when you blush, you know that?"

 

Clarke felt her blush deepen and quickly glanced back at the screen, trying to focus on the video. But it was no use. Niylah's attention made her flustered, and she couldn't seem to think straight. It wasn't that Clarke was interested—at least not like that—but there was something about Niylah's smooth confidence that was hard to ignore.

 

Throughout the rest of the video, Niylah continued to make small comments, each one causing Clarke's heart to beat a little faster. Clarke found herself smiling at some of Niylah's jokes, and by the end of class, she was feeling a little more relaxed around her. When the lights came back on, Clarke began packing up her things, hoping to make a quick exit.

 

Before she could slip away, though, Niylah turned to her, phone in hand. "Hey, we should hang out sometime. What do you think?"

 

Clarke hesitated. She didn't want to lead Niylah on, especially when she was already tangled up with Lexa in ways no one knew about. But Niylah was nice, and there was no harm in being friends, right?

 

"Uh, sure," Clarke replied, trying to keep her tone casual. Niylah handed her the phone, and Clarke quickly typed in her number.

 

"Cool," Niylah said, flashing her a smile as Clarke handed the phone back. "I'll text you later."

 

Clarke smiled awkwardly and nodded before heading out of the classroom, her thoughts swirling. She hurried down the hallway, making her way to her locker, hoping for some peace to sort through her thoughts.

 

But when she turned the corner, she stopped dead in her tracks. Lexa was there, leaning against her locker, looking as effortlessly cool as always. She had her arms crossed, her face unreadable, but Clarke could sense something in her posture—a hint of tension that made her chest tighten.

 

Clarke walked up to her, her emotions still raw from the morning. She couldn't help but feel a little annoyed, still hurt that their morning had been disrupted by Costia. Lexa barely looked at her as she approached.

 

"Hey," Clarke muttered, unlocking her locker and putting her books inside. She didn't look at Lexa, afraid her frustration might show on her face.

 

Lexa, noticing the shift in Clarke's demeanor, stood up straight and furrowed her brow. "What's going on with you?" she asked, her voice low.

 

Before Clarke could respond, her phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out, glancing down at the screen, and saw a message from an unknown number.

 

444-655-0321: Hey, pretty girl. Had fun talking to you in class😏

 

Clarke's stomach dropped. She quickly locked her phone, hoping Lexa hadn't seen it, but when she looked up, Lexa's sharp green eyes were already on her, narrowing slightly. Clarke's heart raced. Lexa might not say anything, but Clarke could tell that she had noticed.

 

"What was that?" Lexa asked, her voice calm but edged with something Clarke couldn't quite place.

 

"Nothing," Clarke replied quickly, shoving her phone back in her pocket. "Just... someone from class."

 

Lexa's eyes darkened, and she took a step closer, her voice dropping even lower. "You sure about that?"

 

Clarke bit her lip, her frustration bubbling to the surface. She wanted to tell Lexa that it was nothing and that she didn't need to worry. But she was also still upset—upset that she wasn't allowed to have these little moments with Lexa the way Costia could, upset that she was always the one who had to hide.

 

"I'm sure," Clarke said finally, her voice more clipped than she intended. She slammed her locker shut and turned to face Lexa. "Why do you care, anyway?"

 

Lexa's jaw clenched, her eyes flashing with something Clarke couldn't quite read. For a moment, they just stared at each other, the tension thick between them. Lexa opened her mouth as if to say something, but then her phone buzzed, and she glanced down, her face hardening.

 

"It's Costia," Lexa muttered, not meeting Clarke's eyes.

 

Of course, it is, Clarke thought bitterly.

 

"Right," Clarke said, her voice tight. "You should go. Don't want to keep her waiting."

 

Lexa frowned, clearly caught off guard by Clarke's sudden shift in tone. "Clarke—"

 

But Clarke had already turned and started walking away, not wanting to hear whatever Lexa had to say.

 

"Wait, Clarke, please," Lexa called after her, her voice laced with a mix of frustration and urgency. She hated seeing Clarke upset, especially when she knew that she was the cause of it.

 

Clarke hesitated mid-step, her shoulders tense. After a moment, she stopped and turned around, her expression hard to read. Lexa could see the conflict in her eyes, and it only made her chest tighten.

 

Without a word, Lexa closed the distance between them, her movements slow and careful. She gently reached for Clarke's hand, fingers brushing against hers before taking a firm yet soft grip. Lexa could feel the slight tremble in Clarke's fingers, the unspoken emotions between them like a fragile thread ready to snap.

 

"Come with me," Lexa murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

 

Clarke didn't resist, though she didn't say anything either. Lexa led her toward their "spot"—an abandoned classroom tucked away in the far corner of the detention hall, a place that had become their quiet retreat when they needed privacy. No one came down this way during the day, making it the perfect hideaway from the rest of the world.

 

Once inside, Lexa closed the door softly behind them. The room felt almost forgotten, with the dust settling on the desks and the faint echo of their footsteps against the tiled floor. It wasn't much, but it had become their place—a place where they could talk, where the weight of everything outside didn't feel so heavy.

 

Lexa turned to face Clarke, still holding her hand. Her gaze was soft, searching for the words to make this right. "I'm sorry," she started, her voice gentle. "I didn't want you to feel like I was choosing her over you. I hate that it feels like that."

 

Clarke's eyes flickered with hurt, though she remained quiet, her silence speaking louder than words.

 

Lexa stepped closer, her thumb brushing the back of Clarke's hand. "I know it's complicated with Costia, and I wish things were different. But I promise you, Clarke, I want to be with you. It's just... hard right now."

 

Clarke finally looked up at her, blue eyes shining with emotion. "It's not just hard, Lexa. It feels like I'm a secret—like I'm something you're ashamed of."

 

Lexa's heart clenched at the words, guilt washing over her. She shook her head, her grip tightening slightly on Clarke's hand. "I'm not ashamed of you. I just... I need to figure things out. With Costia, with everything."

 

Clarke sighed, her frustration evident, but there was something softer in her expression now, like she was starting to understand.

 

Lexa's chest tightened even more. She couldn't lose Clarke. Not when everything between them felt so real, so intense. She lifted her free hand and cupped Clarke's cheek gently, her thumb grazing her skin. "Just... please don't give up on me yet. I'm trying, Clarke. I want to be with you. I just need more time."

 

Clarke closed her eyes at the touch, leaning into Lexa's palm for a brief moment before opening them again, her voice quiet but filled with emotion. "I don't want to be the one waiting in the shadows, Lexa. I deserve more than that."

 

Lexa nodded, knowing Clarke was right. She deserved more than what Lexa was giving her right now. "You do. And I'll give you more. I promise."

 

For a moment, the tension between them seemed to ease, and Lexa leaned forward, pressing a soft kiss to Clarke's lips. When she pulled back, she met Clarke's gaze, her own filled with sincerity.

 

"What can I do to make you feel better?" Lexa asked.

 

"You already doing it babe," Clarke said softly as she kissed Lexa again.

 

🎶🎶🎶

 

The late afternoon sun was shining down on the football field as Clarke and Octavia stood with the rest of the cheerleading squad, listening intently to Costia and Layla as they demonstrated the next cheer. The practice had been going on for about an hour, and Clarke was already feeling the burn in her muscles, but she didn't mind. There was a buzz of excitement running through her. She had been doing well, keeping up with the routine alongside Octavia, who was easily catching on as well.

 

As Clarke shifted her weight from one foot to the other, she glanced up at the stands. A few scattered students were sitting in the bleachers, chatting or watching, but one figure in particular caught her eye... Lexa.

 

Lexa was leaning back against the bleacher seat, her arms crossed over her chest, sunglasses perched on her nose, looking effortlessly cool as she watched practice. Clarke's heart skipped a beat seeing her there. She hadn't expected Lexa to show up, and the realization that she was watching made Clarke's stomach flip in a way that was both exciting and nerve-wracking.

 

"You okay?" Octavia nudged Clarke with her elbow, grinning as if she knew exactly where Clarke's mind had wandered.

 

"Yeah, I'm good," Clarke replied, but her gaze flickered back to Lexa for just a second too long.

 

"Sure you are," Octavia teased before getting into position for the next cheer. "Come on, we're killing it out here."

 

Clarke smiled, trying to shake off the nervous flutter in her chest. She focused on Costia's instructions and threw herself into the next cheer, her movements sharp and precise. It felt good, the rhythm of the routine, the way her body moved in sync with the others, and the surge of energy that came from nailing each move.

 

As the cheer came to an end, Clarke stole another glance at Lexa. Lexa was still watching her... intensely. Even from this distance, Clarke could feel the heat of her gaze and could see the slight curve of Lexa's lips as though she were quietly proud of how well Clarke was doing. The weight of Lexa's attention made Clarke's heart race. It was a strange mix of flattery and frustration, knowing that Lexa was watching her, admiring her, but still keeping her distance.

 

Costia clapped her hands, pulling Clarke out of her thoughts. "Great job, everyone!" she called out. "You're all catching on really fast. Just a few more times through and we'll be ready for Friday's game."

 

Clarke and Octavia exchanged a quick high-five, both of them smiling. As exhausting as it was, something was rewarding about being part of the team, about working together and getting it right.

 

Practice wrapped up soon after, and as everyone gathered their things, Clarke felt her phone buzz in her pocket. She pulled it out and saw a message from Lexa:

 

Lexa❤️: You were amazing out there. Want to hang out later?

 

Clarke's heart skipped again. She glanced up toward the bleachers, but Lexa was gone, already disappeared. She smiled to herself, her frustration from earlier softening. Despite everything—the secrets, the complications—Lexa still found a way to be there, to show her that she was watching, that she cared.

 

"What's with the look?" Octavia asked, catching Clarke's smile as they started walking toward the locker rooms.

 

"Nothing," Clarke said quickly, slipping her phone back into her pocket. "Just... I think I'm hanging out with someone later."

 

"Oh? Someone?" Octavia raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "Care to share?"

 

Clarke laughed but kept it vague. "Not yet. Maybe soon."

 

Clarke walked toward the parking lot, her phone still in her hand after sending a text to Lexa that she would love to hang out. The day had been long, and she craved those quiet moments when it was just her and Lexa.

 

As she rounded the corner, her steps faltered when her eyes landed on Lexa's car.

 

There, pressed against the side of it, was Lexa with her hands tangled in Costia's hair, lips locked in what looked like a heated kiss. Clarke's stomach dropped, a wave of nausea and anger crashing over her all at once. She froze in place, her heart pounding painfully in her chest as she watched the scene unfold in front of her.

 

It was like the world slowed down. The sound of her own breathing filled her ears as she stood there, completely rooted to the spot. For a brief second, Clarke thought about turning around and pretending she never saw it, but before she could move, Lexa opened her eyes, pulling back slightly from Costia.

 

That's when Lexa saw her.

 

Clarke's breath caught in her throat, and their eyes locked from across the parking lot. Lexa froze, her lips still slightly parted from the kiss, and an unmistakable look of panic washed over her face. She immediately pulled away from Costia, who hadn't even noticed Clarke standing there yet.

 

Clarke clenched her phone tightly in her hand, her knuckles turning white as her chest rose and fell rapidly. Her mind raced with a million different emotions hurt, betrayal, jealousy but most of all, the feeling of being the outsider in Lexa's life was impossible to shake.

 

Costia finally seemed to notice the shift in Lexa's behavior and turned her head to follow her gaze. She spotted Clarke standing a few feet away, her expression a mix of confusion and curiosity. She glanced between Lexa and Clarke, clearly not understanding the significance of the moment.

 

Clarke saw Lexa say something to Costia and then started to walk over to where she was. Clarke watched as Costia got into Lexa's car and Clarke knew that she and Lexa wouldn't be hanging out later.

 

Once she reached Lexa reached her she took a step back and Lexa took another step forward, her voice cracking with desperation. "Clarke, I—"

 

Clarke shook her head, her eyes glossy with unshed tears. "I get it, Lexa," she said, her voice trembling.

 

"Clarke, please—" Lexa's voice cracked, her desperation bleeding through. She wanted to explain, to say anything that might fix the mess she'd created, but no words came. There was nothing she could say that would make this moment any better.

 

Clarke met Lexa's gaze one last time, her eyes filled with a mixture of pain and resignation. She took a deep breath, willing herself to stay strong, even though her chest felt like it was caving in. "It's fine, Lexa," Clarke said, her voice cold and distant. "You don't owe me anything." And with that, she walked off texting Octavia that she was riding home with her and Bellamy.

 

Lexa watched Clarke walk away, her heart sinking with every step Clarke took. She considered going after her but knew it would only raise more suspicion. With a frustrated sigh, Lexa turned and headed back to the car, her emotions spiraling.

 

As she got into the car, she slammed the door harder than she meant to, the sound reverberating through the small space. Costia looked at her, her brow furrowed in confusion.

 

"Is everything okay, babe?" Costia asked softly, her voice full of concern.

 

Lexa forced a smile, starting the car as she tried to compose herself. "Yeah, everything's fine," she replied, though her tone was tight, betraying the tension she felt.

 

Costia, oblivious to Lexa's inner turmoil, started chatting, her voice light. "I'm so excited for tonight. I've been thinking about how we can spend some time together, maybe cuddle, watch a movie, and... you know," she trailed off suggestively.

 

Lexa nodded absentmindedly, barely paying attention. Her mind was on Clarke — the hurt in her eyes, the disappointment on her face. She wanted to shake off the guilt, but it clung to her, making it hard to focus on anything else.

 

"Are you sure everything's okay?" Costia asked again, her voice tinged with concern. "I saw Clarke leave upset back at school. Is she alright?"

 

Hearing Clarke's name made something snap inside Lexa. She didn't know why, but the mention of Clarke at that moment irritated her.

 

"I said everything's fine, Costia. Can you drop it?" Lexa snapped, her voice harsher than she intended.

 

Costia recoiled, gasping softly in surprise. Lexa immediately regretted it, the sight of Costia's wide eyes and the tears that quickly welled up making her stomach twist with guilt. They never raised their voices at each other.

 

"I—" Lexa started, but the words stuck in her throat. She hadn't meant to lash out, but everything was piling up, and she didn't know how to fix it.

 

Costia wiped her eyes quickly, biting her lip to keep from crying. "You never talk to me like that," she whispered, her voice trembling. "What's going on with you, Lexa? If something's wrong, just tell me."

 

Lexa bit the inside of her cheek, the tension in the car so thick it was suffocating. She wanted to tell her, to just confess everything — that she was falling for Clarke, that the guilt was eating her alive, that every time she kissed Costia, she thought of Clarke. But she couldn't. She wasn't ready for that conversation, not here, not now.

 

"I'm just... stressed," Lexa said, forcing the words out, though even she didn't believe them. "The game, school, everything is piling up, you know?"

 

Costia nodded, but she still looked hurt. "I understand, but if you're stressed, you can talk to me. I'm here for you." Her voice softened as she reached over to rest her hand on Lexa's arm. "I love you, Lexa. I just want to help."

 

Lexa swallowed the lump in her throat. The way Costia said "I love you" sent a fresh wave of guilt washing over her. She knew Costia meant it, but Lexa couldn't bring herself to say it back. Not today. Not when her mind was filled with thoughts of Clarke.

 

"I know," Lexa said, giving Costia a small, forced smile as they pulled up to Costia's house. "I just need a little time to clear my head."

 

Costia studied her for a moment, then nodded, though it was clear she was still hurt. Costia opened the car door but before she got out she looked at Lexa with an unreadable expression and then left.

 

This was their first argument—if it could even be called that. Lexa had never raised her voice at Costia before, and the fact that she had now felt like crossing some invisible line. It wasn't a shouting match, it wasn't cruel words hurled in anger, but it was enough to shake the foundation of what they had. They didn't fight. They didn't argue.

 

"What the fuck," Lexa whispered to herself.

Notes:

So give me those thoughts. How do y'all feel about the Lexa and Costia situation with Lexa snapping on her?

Chapter 6: "I love a girl who knows what she wants.”

Wednesday, September 25th

 

It was early morning, and the soft light filtered through Lexa's curtains, casting a gentle glow across the room. She lay on her bed, staring up at the ceiling, her mind tangled in thoughts of Costia. The guilt from the night before gnawed at her, replaying Costia's tearful eyes over and over again.

 

Lexa had never meant to snap. She hated that she did.

 

She sat up, running her hands through her hair, the feeling of guilt settling heavily on her chest. This wasn't who she was—not with Costia, not with anyone she cared about. And no matter what confusion was brewing inside her about Clarke, she knew she needed to fix things with Costia. It was the right thing to do.

 

Reaching for her phone, Lexa hesitated for a moment, her thumb hovering over the screen. She typed and deleted the message twice before finally sending a simple text: Hey, I'm sorry about last night. Come over? I want to make it up to you.

 

She stared at the message after hitting send, her heart thudding in her chest. Part of her hoped Costia would respond right away, eager to fix things. Another part, the one that was knotted up in confusion and guilt, felt conflicted—because no matter how much she tried to focus on Costia, Clarke's face kept sneaking into her thoughts.

 

Shaking her head, Lexa stood up and began to straighten up her room. If Costia did come over, she wanted to make sure everything felt right, even if she wasn't sure how to untangle the mess inside her.

 

Lexa moved around her room, tidying up the scattered clothes and organizing her desk, trying to distract herself. Every action felt mechanical as her thoughts continued to drift back to last night. She could still see Costia's tearful eyes. She hated that she spoke to Costia like that.

 

A familiar ping from her phone jolted her from her thoughts. She quickly grabbed it, her heart skipping a beat when she saw the reply from Costia.

 

Costia🌸💕: Okay. I'll come over in about 30 minutes.

 

Lexa let out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding. She typed back a quick, “See you then," and sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the message. This was her chance to make things right, to show Costia that she cared, that she hadn't meant to hurt her.

 

But the guilt wasn't just from snapping at Costia... it was from the truth she kept avoiding. Lexa loved Costia, but lately, every moment she spent with her felt like she was only going through the motions. It wasn't Costia's fault; she was perfect, kind, and patient, everything Lexa had always wanted. Yet, Clarke lingered in the back of her mind, making her question everything.

 

Thirty minutes passed in a blur. Lexa heard the familiar sound of a car pulling into her driveway and moved to the window. She watched as Costia stepped out, looking as radiant as ever, though there was a quiet hesitation in her movements.

 

Lexa's chest tightened with both guilt and affection. She hurried downstairs, opening the door before Costia even knocked.

 

"Hey," Costia greeted softly, offering Lexa a small smile, though her eyes still held a hint of sadness. "I wasn't sure if you really wanted me to come over after last night."

 

Lexa stepped aside, allowing her in, her heart aching at the uncertainty in Costia's voice. "I did. I... I need to apologize for how I acted."

 

Costia walked inside, crossing her arms over her chest as she turned to face Lexa. "You snapped at me, Lex. That's never happened before. I just... I don't understand what's going on."

 

Lexa sighed, running a hand through her hair, struggling to find the right words. "I know, and I'm sorry. I didn't mean to take it out on you. I've just been... overwhelmed lately, and it came out in the wrong way. You didn't deserve that."

 

Costia's expression softened a little, though the concern in her eyes remained. "Is it Clarke? Is every okay with her at home? You know my mom is a social worker and my dad is a lawyer so I could help."

 

The fact that Costia still had a caring heart and was willing to help someone even when she was upset is why she loved her. Lexa didn't know what to say, or rather, she knew, but the words felt too heavy to speak. She shook her head, trying to keep the walls she had built from crumbling. "No, it's not about her. It's just... school, soccer, and college scouts. Everything's been a lot lately."

 

Costia stepped closer, taking Lexa's hands in hers, her touch gentle but firm. "Lexa, if something is going on, you can tell me. We've always been honest with each other."

 

Lexa met her gaze, guilt twisting in her stomach again. She wished she could just say everything, be completely honest, but she wasn't ready. Not yet. Instead, she forced a smile and squeezed Costia's hands. "I know, and I will. But right now, I just want to make things right between us."

 

Costia studied her for a moment before nodding, though there was a flicker of doubt in her eyes. "Okay. Let's just... move past it, yeah?"

 

Lexa nodded, pulling Costia into a hug, but as she held her close, she couldn't help but wonder if things would ever really be the same.

 

Lexa pulled back and saw Costia looking up at her and she couldn't deny how beautiful she was.

 

"Let me make it up to you baby," Lexa mumbled as she kissed Costia.

 

"We are going to be late for school?" Costia whispered.

 

"What I am about to do you will definitely be worth being late for," Lexa said smirking as she led Costia to her bedroom.

 

🎶🎶🎶

 

Lexa was leaving her second-period class, her mind still buzzing from the lecture, when she spotted Clarke standing a few lockers away. But she wasn't alone. Standing next to her was Niylah Greene, the popular junior known for her talent in art and sculpting. The sight made Lexa's stomach twist.

 

Clarke was laughing softly, her body turned toward Niylah in a way that made Lexa feel something strange, a flicker of jealousy she hadn't expected. Niylah, with her laid-back confidence and easy smile, was saying something that clearly had Clarke's full attention. Lexa slowed her pace, her eyes narrowing as she took in the scene. The way Clarke's face lit up in conversation with Niylah didn't sit right with her.

 

Lexa gripped the strap of her backpack tightly, forcing herself to keep walking toward her locker. She didn't want to make a scene or seem like she was hovering, but the sight of Clarke so comfortable with someone else, especially Niylah, stung.

 

When she got closer, she could hear Clarke's soft giggle, followed by Niylah's smooth, casual tone. "I think you'd really like the piece I'm working on. Maybe I could show you sometime?"

 

Clarke smiled, her cheeks tinged pink, and Lexa felt her jaw clench. She stopped at her locker, just a few feet from them, pretending to fumble with her combination, but her attention was fully on the conversation.

 

"Yeah, I'd love to see it," Clarke replied, her voice light, almost flirtatious.

 

Lexa's chest tightened. She hadn't seen Clarke like this with anyone else. Not even with her. It wasn't overtly romantic, but there was something... different about the way Clarke interacted with Niylah. Something that made Lexa uneasy.

 

Niylah leaned in a little closer, her voice low but loud enough for Lexa to catch. "I'll text you later then. We can meet up after school?"

 

Lexa's hands stilled on her locker dial. Her heart thudded as Clarke nodded, looking flustered but pleased. "Sounds good."

 

Lexa's breath hitched. She turned her head slightly, watching as Niylah smiled and gave Clarke a small wave before walking off, her confidence radiating with every step.

 

Clarke stood there for a moment, still smiling to herself, before she noticed Lexa standing just a few lockers away. The smile faded, replaced by an expression of guilt and uncertainty.

 

"Hey," Clarke greeted, her voice softer now.

 

Lexa forced a smile, trying to push down the knot forming in her chest. "Hey." She leaned against her locker, watching Clarke closely, the unspoken tension between them growing heavier. "You and Niylah seem... close."

 

Clarke's eyes widened slightly, and she shifted on her feet. "She's just... we were talking about art. She's really talented."

 

Lexa nodded slowly, but her gaze remained sharp, trying to read Clarke's expression. "Right. Art."

 

There was a pause, thick and awkward. Clarke seemed to sense the tension, her gaze flicking nervously toward Lexa. "It's nothing serious, Lexa," she added quickly, as if trying to ease Lexa's mind. "Just friends."

 

Lexa let out a breath, but the discomfort didn't fully disappear. "Good," she said quietly, though even she wasn't sure if she believed her own words.

 

As they stood there, the weight of unspoken feelings between them, Lexa couldn't shake the image of Clarke with Niylah. It shouldn't bother her this much but it did.

 

"Do you want to hang out after school?" Lexa asked, her voice more vulnerable than she intended.

 

Clarke hesitated, glancing down at her phone briefly before looking back at Lexa. "Um... sure. Maybe later on tonight" she offered, her tone uncertain.

 

Lexa forced a nod. "Yeah, later tonight works," she echoed, though the knot in her stomach only tightened.

 

As Clarke walked away, Lexa leaned back against her locker, watching her go.

 

🎶🎶🎶

 

Clarke walked through the nearly empty art room after school, her eyes taking in the scattered canvases and sculptures lining the walls. It smelled of paint, clay, and something faintly metallic, a comforting mix that reminded her of the art classes she used to love so much. Niylah had invited her here to see something she was working on, and Clarke found herself genuinely curious.

 

At the far end of the room, Niylah stood next to an easel, her sleeves rolled up, hands still smudged with charcoal and pastel colors. Her hair was pulled back into a loose bun, a few strands falling into her face as she carefully adjusted the position of the canvas. She looked up and smiled when she saw Clarke approaching.

 

"Hey," Niylah greeted warmly, wiping her hands on a rag before gesturing to the piece in front of her. "I've been working on this for a while. Wanted to show you."

 

Clarke stepped closer, her eyes widening as she took in the artwork. It was a large charcoal and pastel drawing of a pair of hands, intricately detailed, reaching out toward each other. The shading was masterful, the contrast between light and dark making the hands almost seem three-dimensional like they were coming off the page.

 

"Wow," Clarke breathed, stepping even closer. "This is incredible, Niylah. It's... it feels so real."

 

Niylah smiled, the compliment clearly meaning something to her. "Thanks. I've always been fascinated by hands—how much they can express, you know? You can tell so much about someone by the way they hold or reach for something."

 

Clarke nodded, still in awe of the delicate yet powerful strokes that made the hands look almost alive. "I love it," she murmured. "It's so detailed. You're really talented."

 

"Thanks," Niylah said again, her voice softer now. She paused, looking at Clarke with a curious tilt to her head. "Do you draw?"

 

Clarke blinked, surprised by the question, then nodded slowly. "Yeah, sometimes," she admitted. "I used to a lot when I was younger. I've always loved art, but I haven't really put as much time into it as I should."

 

Niylah's eyes lit up, clearly intrigued. "What do you like to draw?"

 

Clarke shrugged, feeling a bit self-conscious as she continued. "Mostly sketches—people, landscapes, stuff like that. Nothing serious, but it helps me relax." She glanced back at Niylah's art piece, feeling a little in awe of how skilled she was in comparison. "I've never done anything as amazing as this, though."

 

Niylah's smile widened, her eyes sparkling with encouragement. "You should totally do it more often. I mean, you've clearly got an eye for it. Art isn't about being the best, anyway—it's about what it does for you." She leaned against the table, crossing her arms. "You know, we've got an art club. We meet a couple of times a week after school. If you're interested, you should come check it out."

 

Clarke smiled at Niylah, her interest piqued. "I actually did know about the art club. I've been thinking about joining but haven't really had the time to check it out yet."

 

Niylah's eyes lit up. "You should definitely come! We've got a great group, and it's super chill. You'd love it. Plus, we could always use more creative people."

 

Clarke felt a warmth spreading through her chest at the idea. Art had always been a way for her to express herself, and with everything going on in her life, she could use an outlet like that more than ever. "I think I will. I've been sketching a lot lately—just small stuff—but joining the club might push me to actually commit to it."

 

Niylah grinned. "You should! Honestly, we're working on a project right now where everyone's doing something different. You could totally come in and show off your skills."

 

Clarke's smile widened. "I don't know about showing off, but I'm definitely interested. I could use something like that right now." She glanced back at the art piece Niylah had been working on. "And maybe you can give me some tips."

 

Niylah laughed, leaning casually against the table. "Anytime. Just come by after school on Mondays and Wednesdays. We're usually in here working on stuff, brainstorming ideas, and getting ready for art competitions."

 

Clarke nodded, feeling lighter than she had in days. Joining the art club seemed like exactly what she needed—a place to escape the chaos and focus on something she loved.

 

As they wrapped up their conversation, Clarke's phone buzzed again. This time, it was a text from Lexa.

 

Lexa❤️: Ask your parents if can you spend the night.

 

Clarke hesitated, still feeling some of the frustration from yesterday, but quickly typed back: Okay I'll ask. See you tonight.

 

She tucked her phone away and glanced back at Niylah. "Thanks for telling me about the club. I'll definitely check it out."

 

Niylah gave her a warm smile. "I'm glad. It'll be fun having you there."

 

With that, Clarke headed out of the art room, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves about her decision. Art had always been something personal to her, something she did quietly on her own. But now, with the idea of joining the club, she was opening herself up to sharing that part of herself with others.

 

Her mind briefly wandered back to Lexa and the tension between them, but for the moment, she focused on the thought of a fresh start with art, something just for herself amidst the chaos.

 

🎶🎶🎶

 

Clarke's eyes lit up when she saw her dad's familiar truck pulling up outside the school.

 

"Hey, kiddo," Jake said with a warm smile as she got in and buckled her seatbelt. "How was school?"

 

Clarke grinned, feeling a sense of comfort wash over her. "It was good, actually. Got a 90 on my chemistry test."

 

Jake raised an impressed eyebrow. "That's my girl! I knew you'd nail it. We should celebrate with some ice cream or something."

 

Clarke laughed. "Maybe after dinner."

 

Jake feigned a look of disbelief. "You never turned down ice cream before dinner before."

 

They both laughed, the easy banter between them making the day's tension fade a bit. Clarke took a deep breath, leaning back in her seat as they pulled out of the school parking lot.

 

"Dad, can I ask you something?" she started, glancing at him from the corner of her eye.

 

"Always," Jake replied, giving her a curious look. "What's on your mind?"

 

"Well... Lexa asked if I wanted to hang out tonight," Clarke said, trying to sound casual. "And wanted me to ask if could spend the night."

 

Jake glanced at her briefly before returning his attention to the road. "You've been hanging out with Lexa a lot lately. You two are becoming close, huh?"

 

Clarke nodded, her fingers fidgeting with the strap of her backpack. "Yeah, she's... she's cool. We just get along really well."

 

Jake hummed thoughtfully. "And her parents are okay with you staying over?"

 

"Yes," Clarke reassured him.

 

Jake smiled at that, nodding slowly. "Alright, I don't see why not. Just make sure you text your mom and let her know too. And no staying up all night, alright?"

 

Clarke grinned. "No promises."

 

As they drove a little further, Clarke's thoughts drifted to her conversation with Niylah earlier, and she found herself smiling again. She decided to share it with her dad, feeling like she could tell him anything.

 

"Dad, there's this girl in my U.S. History class, Niylah... She's an artist, and she showed me some of her work today after school. It's incredible," Clarke said, her voice laced with admiration.

 

Jake raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Yeah? What kind of art does she do?"

 

"Paintings, sculptures... all kinds of stuff," Clarke explained. "She's, like, really talented. She told me about the art club at school, and I think I want to join. I've always liked drawing, you know?"

 

Jake nodded thoughtfully, his eyes softening as he glanced at her. "You've always had a creative side. I think joining the art club would be great for you."

 

Clarke's cheeks flushed slightly, and she smiled, staring out the window. "Yeah, I'm excited about it."

 

Jake noticed the blush and smirked, giving her a teasing nudge. "Sounds like someone's got a little crush."

 

Clarke's eyes widened, and she immediately shook her head, even though her face gave her away. "What? No, Dad, it's not like that."

 

"Oh, really?" Jake grinned, his teasing in full swing now. "You're turning about as red as a tomato right now, Clarke."

 

Clarke rolled her eyes, though she couldn't help but laugh. "She's just... cool, okay?"

 

"Uh-huh, sure," Jake replied, clearly enjoying himself. "Just a cool girl who happens to be an amazing artist. Got it."

 

"Dad!" Clarke groaned, but she couldn't stop smiling, even if she was embarrassed.

 

Jake chuckled, patting her knee. "Alright, alright. I won't push. But hey, if you do end up joining the art club, I want to see some of your work. I know you've got talent in you."

 

Clarke's smile softened at his words. "Thanks, Dad. I'll definitely show you."

 

As they pulled into the driveway, Clarke felt lighter. Talking to her dad had a way of making everything seem a little easier. Even though there was so much going on. She knew she could always count on her dad to listen, tease her when needed, and support her every step of the way.

 

🎶🎶🎶

 

Lexa sat at the dinner table with her parents, nervously picking at the food on her plate. She cleared her throat before speaking. "Hey, I invited Clarke over tonight to hang out... is it cool if she spends the night?"

 

Gustus, ever the easygoing one, smiled warmly and nodded. "Of course, Lexa. Clarke seems like a nice girl. No problem with me."

 

Lexa glanced over at her mom, waiting for her reaction. Indra, however, didn't share her husband's immediate acceptance. She gave Lexa a long, thoughtful look before setting down her fork. "Clarke... you are her senior buddy right?"

 

Lexa's pulse quickened, but she tried to play it cool. "Yes."

 

Indra leaned back slightly, crossing her arms. "I've noticed you hang out with her alot."

 

Lexa shifted in her seat, feeling her mom's gaze bore into her. "Yeah. We just hang out sometimes, that's all."

 

Indra remained silent for a moment, her sharp gaze narrowing as she studied Lexa. "And what about Costia?" she asked, her voice firm. "You know how much we care for her. She's practically part of the family now, Lexa. She's perfect for you."

 

Lexa felt a pang of guilt at the mention of Costia. The weight of her mom's words pressed down on her, but she managed to nod, forcing a small smile. "Yeah, Mom, I know. Clarke and I are just friends. She's cool."

 

Indra's expression didn't soften. "I expect her to join us for breakfast tomorrow so we can properly meet her," she said, her tone making it clear this wasn't a request.

 

"Of course," Lexa replied, her voice quiet but steady.

 

"And she'll sleep in the guest room," Indra added, her eyes still fixed on Lexa, leaving no room for argument.

 

Lexa swallowed, nodding again. "Okay, Mom."

 

Indra gave her daughter one final scrutinizing glance before turning her attention back to her meal. Lexa exhaled softly, a quiet relief settling over her as the conversation shifted and her dad started talking about a situation that happened at work.

 

Just then, her phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out and saw a text from Clarke.

 

Blondie👱‍♀️: Hey, what time are you thinking about picking me up?

 

Lexa read the message and felt a knot form in her stomach. She glanced at her parents, wondering if they sensed how much was truly going on beneath the surface. Trying to stay casual, she texted Clarke back quickly: Be there in 15 minutes.

 

She slipped her phone back into her pocket, her mind already racing with the thought of seeing Clarke, even as her mother's words echoed in her head.

 

As soon as dinner wrapped up, Lexa excused herself from the table and headed toward the garage to grab her keys. Her heart pounded in her chest, a mixture of nerves and anticipation. She couldn't help but think about what her mom had said about Costia—how "perfect" she was for Lexa. The pressure of that expectation weighed heavily on her. But when it came to Clarke, things just felt... different.

 

Lexa started her car and pulled out of the driveway, her thoughts racing. Why did everything have to feel so complicated? With Costia, things were safe and predictable. But with Clarke, it felt like she was constantly on the edge of something bigger, something she couldn't fully control.

 

Lexa stood by her car, waiting as Abby disappeared into the house. She glanced up at the warm glow of the windows, feeling a mix of anticipation and nervousness. Clarke had been distant earlier in the day, and Lexa wasn't sure what to expect tonight.

 

A few moments later, the front door opened, and Clarke stepped out, a soft smile on her face as she saw Lexa. Abby waved them off from the doorway before heading back inside.

 

"Hey," Clarke said as she approached, slinging her overnight bag over her shoulder. "Sorry for the wait."

 

"No problem," Lexa replied, her tone soft. She opened the passenger door for Clarke, and as Clarke slid in, Lexa could sense something was still on her mind.

 

The drive back to Lexa's house was quieter than usual. Lexa glanced over at Clarke every so often, trying to figure out what she was thinking but not wanting to push too hard. Finally, she spoke up.

 

"You okay?" Lexa asked gently, her voice breaking the silence.

 

Clarke turned to look at her, biting her lip before she spoke. "Yeah, just... thinking about stuff."

 

Lexa nodded, keeping her eyes on the road but pressing a little. "Do you want to talk about it?"

 

Clarke hesitated, then shrugged. "I don't know. It's just... complicated."

 

Lexa didn't push further, but her curiosity only grew. She reached over and gave Clarke's hand a light squeeze. "Whatever it is, I'm here."

 

Clarke's expression softened as she looked down at their hands. "Thanks, babe," she said quietly, giving a small smile before turning her attention back out the window.

 

By the time they pulled up to Lexa's house, the tension between them had eased a little. Clarke grabbed her bag, and the two walked toward the front door.

 

Lexa smiled, but inside, she was already preparing herself for the inevitable questions from her mom. As they stepped out of the car, she took a deep breath, trying to shake off her nerves. She held Clarke's hand as they walked toward the house, the cool night air clinging to them.

 

Inside, the house was calm, the only sound coming from the living room where Gustus was watching TV. Lexa led Clarke in, still holding her hand, the warmth of Clarke's touch grounding her.

 

"Hey, Dad," Lexa greeted as they stepped into the room.

 

Gustus looked up from the TV and gave them a welcoming smile. "Hey, sweetie," he said, his eyes shifting to Clarke. "And you must be the famous Clarke?"

 

Clarke caught off guard, smiled shyly. "Um, yes? Hi," she said softly, her voice almost a whisper.

 

Lexa chuckled, giving Clarke a reassuring squeeze before realizing she was still holding her hand. "You don't have to be shy, Clarke," she teased. "My dad might look intimidating, but he's a total softy."

 

Gustus laughed heartily, and Clarke joined in, relaxing a little. Just as the moment lightened, they heard a throat clearing behind them.

 

Indra stood in the doorway, her expression unreadable, but her eyes instantly focused on their hands. Lexa followed her mother's gaze and suddenly realized what Indra was staring at. She quickly let go of Clarke's hand as if it had burned her, her cheeks heating with embarrassment.

 

"Hi, sweetheart. Aren't you going to introduce me to your friend?" Indra asked, her eyes scanning Clarke with a scrutinizing look.

 

Lexa swallowed nervously. "Uh, yeah. Mom, this is Clarke. Clarke, this is my mom, Indra."

 

"Nice to meet you, Clarke," Indra said, her tone polite but distant.

 

"Nice to meet you too," Clarke replied softly, feeling the coolness in Indra's demeanor.

 

Indra's gaze lingered on Clarke for a moment longer before she turned back to Lexa. "Well, don't stay up too late, and I expect Clarke to sleep in the guest room, Lexa," she said firmly before heading back upstairs.

 

Lexa watched her mom disappear, her shoulders sagging slightly with relief as the tension in the room lifted.

 

Lexa exhaled, glancing at Clarke with an apologetic smile. "Let's just head upstairs," she whispered, leading Clarke toward the stairs, trying to shake off the tension that had settled in the air.

 

An hour had passed since they retreated to Lexa's room, and the quiet focus of studying had filled the air. Lexa had been deep into her advanced physiology notes, while Clarke reviewed material for her upcoming history test. The only sound was the occasional flipping of pages or the tapping of Clarke's pencil against her notebook.

 

Lexa stretched, closing her textbook with a thud and leaning back on her hands. "Okay, I am tired of studying now," she said with a playful smile.

 

Clarke laughed softly, closing her own book and setting it aside. "Yeah, me too. I think my brain is officially done for the night."

 

"I already took a shower, and I can smell your vanilla body wash, so I'm guessing you did too?" Lexa asked with a teasing grin.

 

"Yep, I took one right before you picked me up," Clarke replied, smiling at the thought of Lexa loving her vanilla scent.

 

"Do you want to cuddle and watch Tell Me Lies on Hulu?" Lexa suggested, her eyes lighting up with excitement.

 

"Yes! Raven started watching it and kept going on and on about how good it is," Clarke said, her enthusiasm matching Lexa's.

 

Lexa watched as Clarke stripped down to her bra and panties and climbed into the bed.

 

Lexa quickly took off her clothes until she was left in her sports bra and boxers.

 

She turned on her 65-inch smart TV and went to Hulu.

 

The soon started and the girls were tuned in.

 

"Fuck Raven was right this is so good," Clarke whispered to herself as the show went on.

 

"It has a lot of sex scenes," Lexa said as she watched the two of the main characters fucking again. Lexa felt herself begin to grow hard. "Shit."

 

She was sure Clarke could feel it because they were cuddling and Clarke's butt was pressed firmly against her dick. She felt Clarke move a little and gasp.

 

"Lex you're hard," Clarke said as she turned around to face the older girl.

 

"I know I was thinking about how it would be when we finally have sex," Lexa said and groaned as Clarke guided her hand inside her panties.

 

Lexa moved her fingers up and down Clarke's wetness. "Fuck you are so wet... I want to fuck you so bad right now babe."

 

Clarke moaned as Lexa started rubbing her clit. She wanted to have sex with Lexa, she felt like she was ready.

 

"I'm ready baby," Clarke moaned out.

 

"We can't," Lexa groaned as she rubbed over Clarke's tight hole.

 

"What? Why?" Clarke whined out.

 

"Because I want your first time to be special and I want us to be alone," Lexa said sweetly kissing and sucking on Clarke's neck.

 

"Okay.. can we do other stuff then? I like it when you eat me out," Clarke said causing Lexa to smirk.

 

Lexa started kissing down Clarke's body until she got to where Clarke needed her the most.

 

"I love a girl who knows what she wants," Lexa teased with a playful smirk, her eyes twinkling as she pulled Clarke's panties to the side.

 

🎶🎶🎶

 

Thursday, September 26th

 

It was a Thursday morning, and the air at the breakfast table was thick with tension. Clarke sat next to Lexa, nervously pushing scrambled eggs around her plate while Gustus read the paper in silence. Indra, seated at the head of the table, watched them both with a watchful eye. Clarke could feel the weight of Indra's gaze, making her even more anxious. Lexa was quiet too, sneaking glances at Clarke now and then, trying to offer some comfort.

 

The breakfast was far from relaxing, and Clarke could feel the unease growing in the pit of her stomach.

 

Just a couple of minutes into the meal, the doorbell rang. Indra's eyes flicked to Lexa. "Go answer that, Lexa," she said coolly.

 

Lexa, already on edge, nodded and stood up, heading toward the door. When she opened it, her heart sank. There, standing with a bright smile, was Costia. Lexa's stomach dropped.

 

"Hey, baby!" Costia greeted cheerfully, leaning in for a quick kiss on the lips. Lexa forced a tight smile, her mind racing.

 

"Hey Cos," Lexa said, her voice strained as she stepped aside, letting her in. As they walked back toward the dining room, Lexa felt like she was walking into a storm she couldn't avoid.

 

Clarke's face transformed the second she saw Costia walk into the room. Surprise flashed across her features, quickly replaced by anger. Lexa noticed the shift in Clarke's expression and felt a wave of panic wash over her.

 

Indra, however, didn't miss a beat. She saw Clarke's reaction and smiled slightly before turning her attention to Costia. "I invited Costia to join us for breakfast. Hi sweetheart," she said warmly.

 

Costia smiled and greeted Gustus and Indra. However, when she got to Clarke she looked confused.

 

"Oh... hi, Clarke," she said, her tone unsure. "What are you doing here?"

 

Indra answered before anyone else could. "Clarke spent the night," she said casually, glancing at Lexa with raised eyebrows.

 

Lexa's eyes widened as she scrambled to explain. "We, uh... we studied together last night, and it got late, so Clarke stayed over," she added quickly, trying to keep the situation from spiraling.

 

Costia, still a bit puzzled, nodded slowly and sat down as Lexa went to fix her a plate. The tension in the room became palpable.

 

Throughout breakfast, Indra didn't miss a chance to make things worse. "You know," she said, cutting into her toast, "Costia and Lexa are so perfect together. I can't wait until they get married one day."

 

Clarke's grip on her fork tightened, but she kept her eyes down, focusing on her food to avoid showing her true emotions.

 

Indra wasn't done. "Costia is practically our daughter-in-law already," she said with a proud smile, glancing between Lexa and Costia. "We couldn't have asked for someone more perfect for our Lexa."

 

Lexa shot a quick, apologetic glance at Clarke, but there was nothing she could say in front of everyone. Clarke's heart pounded in her chest, her face flushed with frustration, but she swallowed her emotions, pretending to focus on her breakfast. She couldn't let herself lose control, not here, not now.

 

To be continued…

Notes:

So let's talk about it… give me your thoughts💭

Chapter 7: "Time isn't going to fix this, Lexa."

Continuation from last chapter...

 

Clarke couldn't take it anymore. The constant praise of Costia, the way Indra gushed over her as if Clarke wasn't even sitting there, made her stomach turn. She clenched her hands tightly under the table, her fingernails digging into her palms, trying to keep her emotions in check. But when Indra made another comment about how "perfect" Lexa and Costia were together, it was the last straw.

 

Clarke abruptly pushed her chair back, the legs scraping against the floor loudly. Everyone at the table turned to look at her, startled by her sudden movement. "I'm going to finish getting ready for school," Clarke said, her voice tight, barely concealing the frustration bubbling beneath the surface.

 

Indra arched an eyebrow but didn't stop her, simply nodding as Clarke quickly made her way out of the dining room. Lexa watched her go, guilt flooding through her as she saw the hurt etched across Clarke's face. She wanted to go after her, to explain, to apologize, but with Costia and her parents sitting right there, she felt trapped.

 

"Well," Indra said after a moment of silence, "I suppose Clarke isn't much of a morning person." She sipped her coffee, her eyes following Clarke's retreat with an unreadable expression.

 

Lexa swallowed hard, forcing herself to respond. "She probably just has a lot on her mind, with the test and all," she said, trying to smooth over the awkwardness. But inside, she was worried. She knew Clarke was more than upset — she was hurt.

 

Costia, still unaware of the deeper tension, smiled softly. "I get it, I have a test today too. Maybe you should check on her, Lex. She seems a little stressed... or I could go," she offered, glancing between Lexa and Indra.

 

Lexa quickly shook her head, forcing a smile. "Oh no, I'll go. But thank you for offering, babe. You really are the sweetest." Her mind, however, was already racing with how she'd handle things with Clarke once they were alone.

 

"Well, breakfast was great as always, but I have to head out. My freshman buddy needs help with some last-minute homework," Costia said, standing up and stretching.

 

Indra smiled approvingly at Costia's responsible nature. "Of course, you go ahead, dear."

 

"I'll walk you out," Lexa offered quickly, but Costia waved her off with a grin.

 

"No need, babe. You go check on Clarke. I'll see you at school," she said, leaning in to give Lexa a quick kiss. "Love you."

 

"I love you too," Lexa replied, her heart sinking as she watched Costia leave, knowing the storm she was about to face with Clarke.

 

As soon as the door closed behind Costia, Lexa took a deep breath, steeling herself for what was coming. She headed toward the hallway, feeling Indra's eyes burning into her back. The tension in the air was palpable, and Lexa knew she couldn't avoid this confrontation with Clarke any longer.

 

When she reached her room, she found Clarke sitting on the edge of the bed, her arms crossed, and her expression a mix of frustration and hurt. Lexa's stomach twisted at the sight, guilt washing over her.

 

"Clarke..." Lexa began softly, stepping into the room and closing the door behind her.

 

Clarke looked up, her eyes sharp. "You didn't tell me she was coming over for breakfast," she said, her voice low but biting.

 

"I didn't know," Lexa admitted, running a hand through her hair. "My mom invited her. I would've told you if I knew."

 

Clarke scoffed, standing up and walking toward the window. "You're really going to act like this isn't a big deal? She was sitting right there, and your mom just kept talking about how perfect she is for you."

 

Lexa winced. "Clarke, I'm sorry. I know it was uncomfortable—"

 

"Uncomfortable?" Clarke snapped, turning to face her. "Lexa, I'm sitting there, listening to your mom gush over how Costia is basically your future wife, while I'm... I'm just what? A side piece?"

 

"You know you're more than that to me," Lexa said, stepping closer, her voice desperate. "But it's complicated. I—"

 

"Complicated?" Clarke interrupted, shaking her head. "Lexa, I don't want to be a secret anymore. I don't want to sit here pretending like I don't care about you when all I can think about is you."

 

Lexa swallowed hard, her heart aching at Clarke's words. "I don't want to hurt you, Clarke. I never wanted to hurt you."

 

Clarke's expression softened for a moment, but the pain was still evident in her eyes. "Then stop hiding me, Lexa. Stop pretending like what we have doesn't matter."

 

Lexa stood there, torn between her feelings for Clarke and the reality of her situation with Costia. "I... I just need more time. Please."

 

Clarke shook her head, her voice barely a whisper. "Time isn't going to fix this, Lexa." Then she turned away walking out of the room leaving Lexa standing there, feeling more lost than ever.

 

Clarke walked downstairs and pulled out her phone to see how far her Uber was. There was no way she was riding with Lexa after all of that.

 

The screen flashed: Your driver will arrive in 5 minutes.

 

Good, Clarke thought. She wasn't about to sit through any more awkward breakfasts or deal with Lexa's constant juggling of her and Costia. It was too much.

 

As she reached the bottom of the stairs, Indra was in the kitchen, pouring herself a second cup of coffee. She glanced up when she saw Clarke, her sharp eyes narrowing slightly.

 

"Are you okay?" Indra asked, a hint of curiosity in her tone.

 

"Yes ma'am... I'm just waiting for my Uber to come," Clarke said, trying to keep her voice steady, but she knew she didn't sound convincing.

 

"Lexa isn't driving you," Indra added, clearly noticing something was off.

 

Clarke forced a tight smile. "No I have something I need to do before school and don't want to make Lexa late." She wasn't in the mood for any more of Indra's probing questions.

 

Indra watched Clarke for a moment longer, but thankfully didn't press the issue. Clarke sighed in relief and slipped out the front door, standing on the porch as the cool morning air hit her face. Her phone buzzed again. 3 minutes away.

 

She could feel her heart pounding, not from nerves, but from the overwhelming frustration of it all. How had things become so messy? Being around Lexa, with Costia always looming, was becoming unbearable. Clarke liked Lexa, but being hidden like a secret, especially after breakfast this morning, was too much to take.

 

Clarke saw her Uber pull up to the curb, its headlights cutting through the early morning light. She took a deep breath, clutching her phone tightly. She could feel the tension still coursing through her, but the sight of her escape made her feel a little more at ease.

 

Just as she reached for the door, and Lexa appeared at the top of the stairs. Lexa was still oblivious to Clarke's decision, her eyes scanning for her with a small, concerned frown.

 

"Clarke, wait!" Lexa called out, walking quickly down the stairs, her voice a mix of confusion and urgency. "I was going to take you to school. Where are you going?"

 

Clarke paused for a split second, her back turned toward Lexa. She didn't want to face her right now, not after everything that had happened upstairs. Not after being sidelined in favor of Costia.

 

"My ride's here," Clarke said flatly, her voice devoid of the usual warmth she saved for Lexa.

 

Lexa froze mid-step, her eyebrows furrowing as she processed Clarke's words. "What? Your ride?" She glanced out the window and saw the Uber parked outside, realization slowly dawning on her face. "Why didn't you tell me you were getting a ride?"

 

Clarke finally turned to face her, eyes hard but her voice quieter. "I didn't think I needed to."

 

Lexa took another step toward her, a hint of panic flashing across her face. "Clarke, come on... Why are you leaving like this?"

 

Clarke's jaw clenched, and she looked away, staring at the ground for a moment before meeting Lexa's eyes again. "I can't do this right now, Lexa. Not after... everything this morning."

 

Lexa opened her mouth to respond, but the sound of the Uber's horn interrupted her. Clarke took it as her cue and walked out of the door.

 

"Clarke, wait, we can talk—" Lexa started, but Clarke shook her head.

 

"Not now," Clarke cut her off. "I just... I need space."

 

Without waiting for Lexa's reply, Clarke walked out the door and toward the waiting car. She didn't look back, even though she could feel Lexa's eyes on her. The moment she got into the car and shut the door, she let out a long breath, finally feeling the weight of the morning lift, if only just a little.

 

🎶🎶🎶

 

Clarke sat at her desk in her second-period Honors U.S. History class, tapping her pencil absently against the paper in front of her. The words in the textbook blurred together, and no matter how hard she tried to focus, her thoughts kept drifting back to the morning. The tension with Lexa, Costia's unexpected arrival, and Indra's pointed comments—it all swirled in her mind like a storm she couldn't shake.

 

She barely registered when Niylah, sitting a few seats over, leaned toward her. "Hey, Clarke, you okay? You seem off today," Niylah said, her tone gentle but concerned.

 

Clarke forced a polite smile, not wanting to engage. "I'm not really in the mood to talk right now, Niylah. Sorry."

 

Niylah gave her a sympathetic look but nodded, backing off. "Okay, I get it. Good luck with the test."

 

Clarke appreciated Niylah's understanding, but as soon as the test began, the frustration only deepened. She stared at the questions, her mind drawing blanks on material she knew she'd studied. The words felt like they were slipping through her fingers, and no matter how many times she read the questions, nothing made sense. Her thoughts kept circling back to Lexa, to Indra's comments, and to the way she'd felt invisible during breakfast.

 

Her chest tightened in frustration. She scribbled answers, crossing them out, second-guessing herself. By the time the test was over, Clarke was overwhelmed with the sense that she had failed—not just the test but everything that morning.

 

As soon as the bell rang, she bolted from the classroom, her breaths shallow. She needed to get out of there, away from the stifling pressure. But before she could make it down the hall, she heard Niylah's voice call after her.

 

"Clarke, wait!"

 

Clarke paused, her back still to Niylah. She wiped at her eyes, hoping Niylah wouldn't notice the tears threatening to spill over.

 

Niylah caught up to her and gently touched her arm. "Are you okay? You seemed... different today."

 

Clarke shook her head, her voice shaky. "No, I'm not." She tried to keep her composure, but the tears came anyway, spilling over despite her best efforts.

 

Niylah's eyes widened, and without hesitation, she led Clarke down the hall to the art room, which was empty. She guided Clarke inside and shut the door behind them, offering the privacy Clarke so desperately needed.

 

"Hey, it's okay," Niylah said softly, her concern evident as she sat beside Clarke. "What's going on?"

 

Clarke hesitated for a moment, the weight of everything pressing down on her. But finally, she couldn't hold it in anymore. She told Niylah everything—the tension, the jealousy, the way she felt pushed aside—but she left out specific names, too afraid of revealing too much. Even without the details, though, she poured her heart out, the words spilling out faster than she could control.

 

Niylah listened quietly, her eyes never leaving Clarke's. When Clarke finished, she felt a strange sense of relief, like a heavy burden had been lifted off her chest.

 

"You've been carrying all of that by yourself?" Niylah asked softly, shaking her head in disbelief. "No wonder you're so stressed."

 

Clarke nodded, wiping her eyes. "Yeah... I didn't realize how much it was weighing on me until now."

 

Niylah placed a comforting hand on Clarke's shoulder. "I'm really glad you told me. You don't have to go through stuff like that alone."

 

Clarke wiped her eyes once more, feeling the weight of everything she had just shared finally lifting off her chest. She looked at Niylah, her eyes filled with gratitude. Without thinking, she leaned forward, wrapping her arms around Niylah in a tight hug.

 

"Thank you," Clarke whispered softly, her voice still shaky but filled with relief. "I really needed to get that off my chest."

 

Niylah hugged her back, gently rubbing Clarke's back. "I'm glad you told me."

 

Clarke pulled back slightly, and before she could think about it, she leaned in and pressed a soft kiss on Niylah's cheek. "You're a really sweet," Clarke said, offering a small, genuine smile for the first time that day.

 

Niylah's cheeks flushed a little, but she smiled warmly in return. "Anytime, Clarke. I'm here for you."

 

Before Clarke could respond, her phone dinged, indicating a new text. She glanced down and saw it was from Octavia and Raven in their group chat, asking where she was. The message brought a smile to her face.

 

"There goes that beautiful smile," Niylah teased, noticing Clarke's sudden change in mood, causing Clarke to blush.

 

Feeling a bit bolder, Clarke asked, "Do you want to have lunch with me and my friends?"

 

Niylah smiled warmly. "I'd love to."

 

As they walked to the cafeteria and stood in line for food, they continued chatting. The conversation flowed easily, and Clarke felt more at ease than she had all day. But her comfort shattered when she spotted Lexa walking in, hand-in-hand with Costia. Lexa's eyes landed on her, and her expression quickly shifted to a frown when she saw Clarke with Niylah.

 

Clarke's heart tightened, but she quickly averted her gaze, refusing to let Lexa's presence affect her. Instead, she continued her conversation with Niylah, forcing herself to focus on anything but the fact that Lexa was in the same room.

 

Once they got their food, Clarke led Niylah to the table where Raven, Octavia, Jasper, and Monty were already sitting.

 

"Finally, Clarke! We thought you bailed on us," Raven said, waving them over.

 

"Sorry! I got caught up," Clarke explained, taking a seat.

 

Raven introduced Jasper and Monty. "This is Jasper and Monty. They are also sophomores and my teammates on the math team."

 

Clarke smiled at them before gesturing to Niylah. "This is Niylah. She is a junior and an amazing artist."

 

"Hey, Niylah!" Octavia greeted with a grin. "Welcome to our lunch crew."

 

The group easily fell into a lively conversation, filled with jokes and playful banter. Clarke found herself laughing, the earlier tension forgotten, at least for now. The atmosphere was light and fun, and for the first time that day, Clarke felt like she could breathe again.

 

🎶🎶🎶

 

Clarke and Octavia arrived at the field, adjusting their practice uniforms as they got ready for cheer practice. The sun was just beginning to dip, casting a warm glow over the grass. As they chatted about the game tomorrow, Clarke noticed Costia walking toward them with a pleasant smile on her face.

 

"Clarke, hey," Costia greeted, her tone soft but carrying a hint of concern. "Are you okay from this morning?"

 

Octavia's eyes flickered between the two, clearly confused but staying quiet, letting Clarke handle it. Clarke kept her expression neutral, giving a polite nod. "Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks for checking on me."

 

Costia lingered for a moment, as if expecting Clarke to say more, but when Clarke offered nothing, she gave a brief smile and walked away toward the stands.

 

As soon as she was out of earshot, Octavia turned to Clarke, raising an eyebrow. "What was that about? Why is she asking if you're okay?"

 

Clarke quickly thought up something that wouldn't raise suspicion. "Oh, she just saw me stressed about the test earlier and wanted to check in, that's all. Nothing major."

 

Octavia seemed to accept the explanation with a shrug. "Oh okay... well it's nice of her to check on you."

 

With that, the two joined the rest of the squad, ready for practice. The routine went smoothly, and everyone was hitting their marks, fueled by the excitement of the upcoming football game. The coach gave them pointers on their final stunts, and the atmosphere was buzzing with energy as they perfected their cheers.

 

Clarke was in the zone, focusing on the flips and formations. As the practice went on, she felt a certain weight on her, like someone was watching her closely. She glanced up and saw Lexa leaning against the bleachers, her eyes fixed on her. Lexa wasn't trying to be subtle—her intense gaze locked onto Clarke, tracking every move she made. Clarke felt a familiar flutter in her chest but quickly looked away, trying to keep her focus on practice.

 

Just as the team was wrapping up, Clarke spotted Niylah walking into the field. Her mood instantly lifted, and a bright smile spread across her face. She waved at Niylah, who smiled warmly and waved back. Clarke couldn't help but feel a sense of relief and comfort seeing her.

 

From her spot at the bleachers, Lexa's eyes narrowed as she watched the interaction. Jealousy flared up in her chest as Clarke's attention drifted to Niylah. The easy smile Clarke gave her and the way she waved made Lexa's stomach tighten. She clenched her jaw, trying to push away the frustration she felt rising inside her, but her gaze remained fixed on Clarke, unwilling to let it go.

 

As cheer practice ended, the team started gathering their bags and chatting about plans for the football game tomorrow. Clarke wiped the sweat from her forehead and glanced toward Niylah, who was waiting near the entrance of the field. A smile tugged at her lips as she made her way over.

 

"Hey, you," Clarke said, her voice light and cheerful.

 

Niylah's face brightened as Clarke approached. "You were great out there."

 

Without thinking, Clarke wrapped her arms around Niylah, giving her a warm hug. It felt natural, comforting even, and Niylah's embrace was just as gentle as she returned the hug.

 

"Thanks," Clarke said softly, pulling back slightly but still standing close.

 

From across the field, Lexa, who had been helping Costia gathering her things, froze when she saw the hug. Her hands tightened around the straps of her bag, her eyes narrowing as jealousy twisted in her gut. She couldn't look away—watching Clarke's easy affection with Niylah was like a punch to the chest. She knew Clarke and Niylah were friends, but seeing them like this, so close, was harder than she expected. She watched as Clarke lingered in Niylah's space, laughing softly at something Niylah said.

 

Unable to bear the sight any longer, Lexa turned sharply and walked away, her footsteps heavy as she headed toward her car, the image of Clarke hugging Niylah burned into her mind.

 

As Lexa headed toward her car, her shoulders tense and her jaw clenched, Costia caught up with her. She had been watching from a distance, picking up on Lexa's sudden change in mood. Costia gently touched Lexa's arm, stopping her.

 

"Babe are okay?" she asked, her voice soft but concerned.

 

Lexa, trying to push down the bubbling frustration, forced a smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. "I'm fine," she muttered, glancing briefly in Clarke and Niylah's direction before looking away quickly.

 

Costia followed Lexa's gaze, noticing Clarke still chatting with Niylah by the field. She raised an eyebrow, realizing what had upset Lexa. "It's about Clarke, isn't it?" she asked, her voice calm but probing.

 

Lexa stiffened, trying to act nonchalant. "No, it's just... nothing. I'm just tired from the day."

 

Costia wasn't convinced but didn't press any further. Instead, she smiled softly and squeezed Lexa's arm. "You know, if something's bothering you, you can talk to me. I'm here."

 

Lexa nodded, appreciating the gesture but not ready to open up. "Thanks, babe," she said quietly, though her thoughts were still spinning.

 

They walked toward the car together, Lexa's mind lingering on the hug between Clarke and Niylah. No matter how much she tried to push it down, the jealousy gnawed at her.

 

As Lexa and Costia reached the car, Lexa's frustration and jealousy surged. She cast a quick glance toward Clarke, who was still standing with Niylah. Clarke's laugh carried across the parking lot, light and carefree. It was the final push Lexa needed.

 

Without thinking twice, Lexa turned to Costia, her eyes gleaming with intent. She leaned in suddenly, capturing Costia's lips in a heated kiss. Costia, surprised but responsive, wrapped her arms around Lexa's neck, kissing her back with just as much passion. Lexa pressed her against the car, deepening the kiss, fully aware of where Clarke was standing.

 

Clarke, catching the movement out of the corner of her eye, turned to see Lexa and Costia locked together in a passionate embrace. Her heart sank. The jealousy was immediate, twisting in her gut, but she forced herself to look away. Her smile faded as she tried to focus on Niylah, who was still talking, oblivious to Clarke's distraction.

 

Lexa, still making out with Costia, felt a flicker of satisfaction knowing Clarke had seen. It was childish, she knew, but in that moment, she didn't care. It was easier to put on a show than confront her real feelings. Costia pulled back slightly, smiling up at Lexa, her cheeks flushed.

 

"Wow, what's gotten into you?" Costia teased, not noticing the calculating look in Lexa's eyes.

 

Lexa just smirked and shrugged. "I just wanted to kiss you," she replied casually, though her gaze flickered back toward Clarke for a brief second.

 

Clarke, her hands clenched into fists, took a shaky breath and turned her attention back to Niylah, who noticed her distraction.

 

"Clarke, are you okay?" Niylah asked, her voice filled with concern.

 

Clarke forced a smile, nodding. "Yeah, I'm fine," she lied, but inside, the jealousy and hurt gnawed at her.

 

As Clarke saw her dad's familiar car pull up, she smiled at Niylah and gave a small wave. "I'll see you tomorrow," she said softly.

 

Niylah smiled back, her eyes warm. "Of course."

 

Clarke waved once more as she headed toward the car, feeling a bit lighter after their conversation. She climbed into the passenger seat, and her dad, Jake, greeted her with a smile.

 

"Hey, sweetheart. Ready to head home?" he asked, putting the car into drive.

 

"Yeah, thanks for picking me up," Clarke replied, buckling her seatbelt. The car ride back home started with silence, but soon, Clarke's excitement for her first football game as a cheerleader bubbled up.

 

"So," Jake began, glancing over at her, "you excited for tomorrow's game?"

 

Clarke shook her head, grinning. "A little nervous, but mostly excited. It's going to be fun. The whole squad is ready."

 

"That's my girl," Jake said proudly. "You'll do great out there. I can't wait to see you cheer. Your mom and I will be there, front row."

 

Clarke smiled at the thought. "Thanks, Dad. It means a lot that you and Mom are coming."

 

The ride home was filled with light conversation, Jake telling Clarke about his day at work, going over some of the new projects he was handling as an engineer. Clarke listened intently, feeling lucky to have a dad who was always interested in what she was doing but also willing to share his own experiences.

 

By the time they pulled up to the house, Clarke felt a sense of peace she hadn't felt earlier that day. Tomorrow's game would be a big day, and even though her mind briefly wandered to the thought of seeing Lexa and Costia again, she quickly pushed it aside, focusing instead on the support of her family—and her new friend, Niylah.

 

Clarke had just finished her nightly routine—dinner with her parents, completing her homework, and taking a warm shower. Now, dressed in her comfy pajamas, she found herself unable to focus on anything. The thoughts of the day swirled in her mind, especially the moments with Lexa and Costia at cheer practice. But it wasn't Lexa she wanted to think about right now.

 

She grabbed her phone, her fingers hovering over the screen for a moment before she scrolled to Niylah's contact and hit "call."

 

The phone rang twice before Niylah picked up. "Hey, Clarke," she answered, her voice soft and smooth, as if she had been waiting for the call.

 

Clarke smiled to herself, relaxing immediately. "Hey, Niylah. I hope I'm not bothering you."

 

"You could never bother me," Niylah said, the smile in her voice evident. "What's up?"

 

"I don't know," Clarke admitted, sitting cross-legged on her bed, twirling a strand of her hair. "I guess I just wanted to talk."

 

"I'm more than happy to talk to you," Niylah responded. "Tell me something... anything."

 

Clarke laughed softly. "Well, what do you want to know?"

 

And that was how it started. They began asking each other questions—about school, hobbies, favorite books, family. Clarke found herself easily opening up to Niylah, talking about her favorite things, how much she wanted to get back into art, and how much she enjoyed cheerleading, despite being nervous about it at first.

 

In turn, Niylah shared stories of her own, her smooth voice comforting Clarke. She talked about her passion for history and how she wanted to be a professor one day. Clarke found herself fascinated, drawn in by Niylah's calm, collected energy.

 

"So, are you coming to the football game tomorrow?" Clarke asked after a while, almost shyly.

 

Niylah chuckled. "Do you want me to come?"

 

Clarke blushed, grateful Niylah couldn't see her flustered expression. "Well, yeah. I mean, I think it'd be nice. You could see me cheer," she added softly.

 

Niylah's voice dropped to that smooth, confident tone Clarke was beginning to love. "Then I'll be there. I wouldn't miss it for anything."

 

Clarke smiled, her heart feeling lighter. "Thanks, Niylah. That means a lot."

 

"Of course," Niylah replied.

 

They kept talking, the conversation flowing naturally between them. They laughed about random things, shared more stories, and the more they spoke, the more Clarke felt at ease. Before she knew it, the clock on her nightstand blinked 1:00 AM.

 

"Oh my God," Clarke said with a surprised laugh. "It's 1 AM. I didn't realize we were talking this long."

 

Niylah's chuckle was soft. "Time flies when you're having a good conversation."

 

"I guess so," Clarke agreed, smiling into the phone. "I should probably get some sleep."

 

"Yeah, me too," Niylah said. "But I'm really glad we talked tonight."

 

"Me too," Clarke whispered, feeling a warmth settle in her chest. "Goodnight, Niylah."

 

"Goodnight, Clarke. Sweet dreams."

 

Clarke hung up, staring at her phone for a moment before setting it down beside her. For the first time in what felt like days, her mind wasn't filled with anxiety or frustration. Instead, she felt content, her thoughts lingering on the smooth, comforting voice of Niylah as she drifted off to sleep.

 

🎶🎶🎶

 

Friday, September 27th

 

Clarke bounded down the stairs, her cheerleading uniform on, hair tied up in a neat ponytail. She could already smell breakfast wafting from the kitchen and smiled, her nerves about the game slowly transforming into excitement. Today was the day.

 

As she entered the kitchen, she found her mom, Abby, setting plates on the table, while her dad sat sipping his coffee, scrolling through his phone. They both looked up at her, grins spreading across their faces.

 

"Look at you!" Abby exclaimed, beaming. "Our cheerleader, ready for her first football game!"

 

Jake raised his coffee mug in a mock toast. "You look great, Clarke.”

 

Clarke laughed, sitting down at the table as her mom set down a plate of scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast in front of her. "Thanks, Dad. I just hope I don't mess up any of the routines."

 

"You won't," Abby said confidently, sitting down across from her. "You've been practicing non-stop. You've got this."

 

Jake nodded. "Yeah, just have fun with it. It's your first game enjoy the moment."

 

Clarke smiled, feeling reassured. The three of them ate breakfast together, the light conversation keeping her mind off any last-minute jitters. Abby, who had the day off, offered to drive Clarke to school, something she hadn't done in a while with her demanding career, but Clarke didn't mind. She always enjoyed these little moments with her mom.

 

As they finished up breakfast and got ready to head out, Clarke hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Mom, there's something I wanted to tell you."

 

Abby looked up as she grabbed her keys. "What is it, sweetheart?"

 

"I, um... I've been talking to someone," Clarke said, feeling a little nervous. "Her name's Niylah."

 

Abby's face lit up with curiosity. "Oh? Niylah, huh? Is she a friend from school?"

 

"Yeah, she's in my history class," Clarke explained as they walked to the car. "She's really nice."

 

Abby smiled warmly as she pulled out of the driveway, but then her expression shifted slightly. "That's great, Clarke. But... what about Finn? I thought he liked you."

 

Clarke sighed, feeling a little awkward. "Mom, I don't like Finn like that. He's nice, but I just don't feel the same way he does."

 

Abby glanced over at Clarke, nodding in understanding. "I see. Well, you know you don't have to feel pressured into anything. If Niylah makes you happy, that's what matters."

 

Clarke smiled, feeling relieved that her mom didn't push the issue further. "Thanks, Mom."

 

The rest of the ride to school was filled with easy conversation about the game that evening, with Abby excitedly talking about how she and Jake were planning to come watch. By the time they arrived at school, Clarke felt lighter.

 

Clarke headed to her locker, a buzz of energy already filling the school hallways. As she approached, she saw Octavia leaning against her locker, already in her cheerleading uniform, and Raven standing beside her, dressed in a school T-shirt, blue jeans, and matching blue sneakers.

 

"Look at you two!" Raven gushed, her eyes lighting up as she took in Clarke and Octavia in their matching cheer uniforms. "You both look so cute!"

 

Clarke smiled and did a playful spin. "Thanks, Raven. You look cute too."

 

"Please, I always do," Raven teased, flipping her hair dramatically.

 

As they laughed, Clarke noticed Costia and Lexa walking down the hall together. Her eyes couldn't help but linger on Costia, who looked effortlessly stunning in her cheer uniform, the captain pin gleaming proudly on her chest. Clarke swallowed the small pang of jealousy that rose in her throat, reminding herself that she was over this... or at least trying to be.

 

Costia stopped as they passed by, flashing a bright smile at Clarke and Octavia. "You two ready for the pep rally and the game tonight?" she asked, her voice full of excitement.

 

Clarke forced a smile. "Yeah, totally ready. It's gonna be a good one."

 

Octavia nodded eagerly.

 

Lexa lingered a few steps behind, her eyes fixed on Clarke. Clarke could feel Lexa staring, and when she dared to glance in her direction, she saw the look in Lexa's eyes a mixture of longing and something unspoken. Clarke quickly looked away, unsure how to feel under the intensity of Lexa's gaze.

 

Suddenly, Anya appeared and made her way over to Raven, pulling her into a quick hug. Clarke and Octavia both raised their brows, exchanging amused looks. Raven pretended not to notice their teasing expressions.

 

"Hey, Anya," Raven said casually, as if this kind of greeting wasn't unusual between them.

 

"Hey," Anya replied, giving a nod to the group before walking off down the hall.

 

Just as Clarke was about to make a comment, her phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out and smiled when she saw a good morning text from Niylah. A soft blush crept up her cheeks, and before she could hide her reaction, Octavia and Raven noticed.

 

"Oh my god, is that Niylah?" Octavia teased, nudging her. "What did she say?"

 

Raven caught on quickly, nudging Clarke. "Ohhh, what's that smile for? You still floating from last night's marathon phone call?"

 

"Shut up," Clarke said, laughing as she tucked her phone away, but the blush on her face only deepened.

 

As they continued talking, Clarke could feel Lexa's eyes on her, watching every move. But she didn't look back this time, choosing instead to stay focused on her friends and the warmth that Niylah's text had brought her.

 

The school day flew by, and before Clarke knew it, it was time for the pep rally. The energy in the gym was electric as the cheerleaders, including Clarke and Octavia, performed with high energy and enthusiasm. The crowd roared, cheering them on. Afterward, the football coach and team captain took the microphone, delivering spirited speeches meant to rally everyone for the game later that evening.

 

As soon as the pep rally ended, the school day quickly wrapped up. Clarke, Raven, and Octavia headed to Octavia's house to relax before the big game. The atmosphere was light and fun as they lounged around, chatting about the pep rally and taking a breather after the busy day. Clarke and Octavia knew they had to be at the stadium an hour before the game, so they made the most of their downtime.

 

At one point, Octavia pulled out her phone. "We need pictures," she said excitedly. The girls took a series of fun photos in their cheer uniforms and outfits, some goofy, some serious, and of course, the classic pre-game selfies. They posted the best ones to Snapchat and Instagram, letting everyone know they were game-day ready.

 

As Clarke scrolled through her phone, admiring their pictures on Instagram, she saw a text notification pop up. It was from Lexa.

 

Lexa❤️: Hey, I was hoping we could talk?

 

Clarke stared at the message for a moment, her mind racing back to everything that had happened between them—the tension, the jealousy. She wasn't ready to deal with it right now, especially not before the game. With a sigh, she locked her phone and ignored the message. She wasn't going to let anything ruin her mood tonight.

 

"You okay?" Raven asked, noticing Clarke's sudden shift in mood.

 

"Yeah, I'm good," Clarke said with a small smile, pushing the thoughts of Lexa aside.

 

Soon they were on the way to the football stadium nervous and excited.

 

The evening air was electric as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the football field. The stands were packed with excited fans, many of them decked out in the Grounders' colors— blue and gold. Clarke stood at the edge of the field, adrenaline coursing through her veins as she prepared with her fellow cheerleaders.

 

The cheerleaders kicked off the evening with an energetic routine that highlighted their teamwork and enthusiasm. Clarke felt the rhythm of the music pulsing through her, and as she performed her stunts and cheers, she couldn't help but steal glances at the crowd. Her parents were seated near the front, cheering enthusiastically, while Raven and Niylah waved from the stands, their smiles infectious. Clarke's heart swelled with joy at the sight of them.

 

As the football game commenced, the Grounders took the field with determination. Lincoln and Bellamy, the team's star players, were both in top form, displaying impressive skill and strategy. With each play, the crowd roared, urging them on. Clarke felt the excitement building as Costia led the cheer squad in chants to boost their team's morale.

 

"Let's go, Grounders!" she shouted, her voice ringing out over the cheers of the crowd.

 

The game intensified, and Lincoln executed a breathtaking touchdown, sprinting past defenders and diving into the end zone. The stands erupted in cheers as the announcer's voice echoed, announcing the score. Clarke jumped up and down, cheering along with her teammates, her spirit soaring.

 

She exchanged a glance with Octabia, who was practically bouncing with excitement, and they both threw their arms in the air in celebration.

 

Just moments later, Bellamy seized the opportunity to score another touchdown, charging through the defense like a warrior, embodying the spirit of their mascot. Clarke could hardly contain her excitement, and as she cheered for her team, she locked eyes with Niylah in the stands, who beamed back at her, giving her a thumbs-up.

 

With each score, the momentum shifted in favor of the Grounders, and the atmosphere became electric. The cheers grew louder, the excitement palpable, as the final minutes of the game ticked down. The Grounders held a strong lead, and as the clock ran out, the crowd exploded into wild celebration.

 

When the final whistle blew, signaling the Grounders' victory, the stands erupted into a frenzy. Clarke couldn't help but jump up and down with her teammates, hugging them in celebration. The football players celebrated on the field, high-fiving and embracing one another, proud of their hard-fought win.

 

As Clarke took a moment to catch her breath, she felt a wave of happiness wash over her. The Grounders had won, and the cheers from the crowd felt like a triumphant anthem. She scanned the stands for her family and friends, her heart swelling with pride, knowing that they were all there to share in this unforgettable moment.

 

Of course, the moment did not last as as Clarke watched as Lexa walked towards her. The noise of the crowd seemed to fade into the background as Lexa stopped in front of her, looking uncharacteristically nervous.

 

"Hey, Clarke... can we talk?" Lexa asked, her voice low, almost hesitant.

 

Clarke blinked, her mind racing. She glanced over her shoulder at her friends, who were still caught up in the excitement of the victory, then back at Lexa.

 

Clarke sighed, crossing her arms. "What is it, Lexa? Now's really not the best time."

 

Lexa ran a hand through her hair, looking down for a moment before meeting Clarke's eyes again. "I know. But we need to talk. About everything." Her eyes flicked to where Niylah had been standing moments ago, then back to Clarke. "Please."

 

Clarke hesitated, biting her lip. "Lexa, I don't know if—"

 

Before she could finish, Costia's voice cut through the air, calling out from the other side of the field. "Lexa! There you are!"

 

Clarke's heart sank as she saw Costia heading toward them, a bright smile on her face, completely oblivious to the tension crackling between her and Lexa. The distance between Clarke and Lexa, which had already felt so large, suddenly felt insurmountable.

 

Lexa's jaw tightened, her eyes flicking toward Costia and then back to Clarke. "Wait," she said quickly, her voice almost pleading. "Don't go. Not yet."

 

But Costia was already beside them, wrapping an arm around Lexa's waist. "Hey, babe," she said brightly, leaning in to kiss Lexa on the cheek. "Ready to head out?"

 

Lexa's eyes stayed locked on Clarke, something unreadable in her expression. Clarke swallowed hard, her emotions swirling in a confusing mix of frustration and hurt. She couldn't do this not now, not like this.

 

"Yeah," Lexa finally said, though her voice sounded distant, distracted. "Just... give me a second."

 

But Clarke had already turned away, her heart pounding as she walked back toward her friends. She didn't need to hear whatever Lexa was going to say. Not while Costia was standing right there.

 

As she disappeared into the crowd, Clarke couldn't help but wonder what Lexa had been about to tell her, and why it suddenly felt like it was too late to ever find out.

Notes:

Give me your thoughts 💭

Chapter 8: "You're too smooth for your own good."

Monday, October 14th

It was a cool Monday afternoon, and Clarke stood in front of her closet, trying to decide what to wear to Niylah's house. The school was out for Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples' Day, but the art club had decided to meet anyway. Niylah's parents had converted their basement into a spacious art studio, making it the perfect spot for the group to gather. Clarke smiled, thinking about spending time with Niylah—she always felt at ease around her.

As she rifled through her clothes, her mind wandered to Lexa. It had been two weeks since she had spoken to her, and even though Lexa had been relentlessly texting, Clarke had ignored every message. At first, it had been hard. She'd read every text—some of them long, some short, all of them filled with an urgency that Clarke didn't want to face. But Niylah had made it easier, distracting her with conversation, late-night calls, and moments that pushed Lexa further into the background.

Still, no matter how much she tried to shake it off, Lexa lingered in her mind.

Clarke sighed, pulling a cozy sweater from her closet. She shook off the thoughts of Lexa as she pulled the sweater over her head. Today was about art, and spending time with Niylah. She was going to focus on that—on the way Niylah made her laugh, how safe she felt around her, and how much fun they had together. But deep down, Clarke knew that avoiding Lexa was only temporary, and at some point, she'd have to face whatever it was Lexa had been so desperate to say.

But today, Clarke told herself, was not that day.

Clarke slipped into her black leggings and glittery pink HEYDUDES, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. Today was going to be her first time hanging out with Niylah at her house, and Clarke couldn't help but feel the butterflies fluttering in her stomach. Up until now, their hangouts had been in public places like a cozy cafe where Niylah had introduced her to the best vanilla latte, or the park where they'd spent hours talking. This felt different. More personal. More intimate.

As she stood in front of the mirror, brushing out her hair, Clarke's phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen and saw it was from the group chat with Raven and Octavia.

Raven: So, are you ready for some alone time with Niylah today? 👀

Octavia: Don't be nervous, Clarke! You've got this.

Clarke smiled, her heart skipping a beat. She had confided in them about her growing feelings for Niylah, and of course, they had been nothing but supportive and a little teasing, as usual.

She quickly typed back a response.

Clarke: I'm ready... a little nervous, but excited!

Raven: Don't overthink it. Just be yourself, she already likes you. 😏

Clarke laughed softly and tucked her phone away, feeling a little more reassured. The thought of spending the day with Niylah, just the two of them before the rest of the art club showed up, made her feel giddy. She wondered what it would be like—if they'd laugh as easily as they usually did, or if things might feel... different. Maybe even better.

She checked the time. Niylah would be there soon to pick her up. Taking a deep breath, Clarke gave herself one last look in the mirror, hoping the butterflies in her stomach wouldn't be too obvious.

Clarke walked downstairs, the smell of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies filling the air. Her mom was just pulling a tray out of the oven, smiling warmly at Clarke.

"I thought these would be a nice treat for your art club meeting," Abby said, setting the cookies down to cool.

"Thanks, Mom. They smell amazing," Clarke replied, grabbing a glass and pouring herself some lemonade. Her dad, always supportive of her passion for art, had recently bought her two new sketchbooks, drawing pencils, and expensive colored pencils she'd been eyeing for weeks. She smiled, thinking about using them today at Niylah's house.

Abby glanced over, noticing Clarke's excitement. "Niylah coming to pick you up soon?"

"Yeah," Clarke nodded, "should be here any minute."

As she took a sip of her lemonade, her phone buzzed. Expecting it to be Niylah letting her know she was outside, Clarke grabbed her phone. But her smile faded slightly when she saw the name on the screen: Lexa.

It had been two weeks since Clarke had spoken to her. Two weeks of unread messages and ignored calls. Lexa's name popping up made her stomach twist in a way that wasn't quite pleasant.

She hesitated, thumb hovering over the message notification, before finally unlocking her phone to read it.

Lexa❤️: Hey, Clarke. I know it's been a while, but can we please talk? I miss you.

Clarke stared at the words, a mix of emotions swirling inside her. She missed Lexa too if she was being honest with herself, but things were complicated now. Niylah had been helping her move on, distracting her from the hurt Lexa had caused.

But still, Lexa's message lingered.

Clarke took a deep breath, her fingers hesitating over the screen. She thought for a moment before typing back.

Clarke: I'm not ready to talk yet, Lexa... but I miss you too.

She stared at the message for a few seconds, her thumb hovering over the send button. Finally, with a sigh, she pressed it, feeling a small weight lift off her chest but still unsure of what it all meant. There was no going back now, but she wasn't ready to face whatever came next either.

As she slipped her phone into her pocket, her mom walked over with a tray of cookies wrapped up for her to take.

"Here you go, sweetie. I'm sure your friends will love them," Abby said with a smile.

Clarke smiled back, grateful for the distraction. "Thanks, Mom. Niylah should be here soon."

Her phone buzzed again, but Clarke didn't look. Not yet. Instead, she took a deep breath, focusing on the day ahead and trying to push her complicated feelings about Lexa to the back of her mind. For now, she was excited about spending time with Niylah.

About ten minutes later, the sound of a car pulling up outside caught Clarke's attention. She glanced out the window and smiled when she saw Niylah's car. Before she could head to the door, Abby beat her to it.

"Mom, I've got it!" Clarke called, but Abby was already opening the door.

Clarke playfully rolled her eyes, knowing how her mom loved to chat with anyone who came by. Sure enough, as soon as the door swung open, Niylah's smooth voice filled the space.

"Hi, Mrs. Griffin. It's so nice to finally meet you," Niylah said with her usual charm.

Abby beamed. "Well, it's nice to meet you too, Niylah. Clarke's told me all about you. You're the talented artist, right?"

Niylah chuckled. "I don't know about 'talented,' but I love what I do."

Clarke stood back, watching as her mom's smile widened. Abby was clearly impressed. Niylah had that effect on people. Clarke couldn't help but feel a little proud and a little nervous at how well they were getting along.

"Mom, can I take the cookies and go now?" Clarke asked, stepping forward and grabbing the tray.

Abby laughed softly, stepping aside. "Of course, of course. You girls have fun at your art club. Niylah, it was lovely meeting you. You're welcome here anytime."

"Thank you, Mrs. Griffin. I appreciate it," Niylah said with a warm smile before glancing at Clarke. "Ready to go?"

Clarke nodded, her heart doing a little flip as she followed Niylah out the door. As they walked to the car, she glanced back and saw Abby watching them from the window with a smile.

"Your mom's really nice," Niylah said as they got in the car, her smooth voice making Clarke's nerves flutter.

Clarke smiled. "Yeah, she liked you right away. You've got a way with people."

"Maybe," Niylah replied with a grin. "But I'm only worried about impressing you."

Clarke felt her cheeks heat up, and she quickly looked out the window, trying to hide her smile.

 

🎶🎶🎶

 

Lexa and Costia sat side by side on her bed, the soft hum of the TV in the background as they half-heartedly watched a show neither of them were really paying attention to. Lexa leaned back against the headboard, her arms crossed loosely over her chest, while Costia sat with her head resting against Lexa's shoulder. It was a scene that should have felt natural, comfortable even, but something about it was off.

For the past two weeks, Costia had been more clingy than usual. Small things—like asking Lexa to spend more time together, texting more often, or wanting constant reassurance felt a bit suffocating. It wasn't that she didn't care about Costia, but something had shifted, and she couldn't quite put her finger on it.

"You okay?" Costia's soft voice pulled Lexa from her thoughts. Her hazel eyes were filled with concern as she lifted her head to look at Lexa. "You've been... different lately."

Lexa tensed slightly, feeling the weight of the question. "Different? How?"

Costia sat up, folding her legs under herself as she turned to face Lexa more directly. "You've been... distant. I mean, we don't talk as much, and when we're together, it's like you're not really here." Her voice was laced with worry, and Lexa could see the hurt in her eyes.

Lexa let out a small sigh, rubbing her hands together. "I've just had a lot on my mind," she said carefully, not wanting to hurt Costia but also not wanting to lie. "School, soccer, everything. It's been a bit overwhelming."

Costia searched her face, clearly not convinced. "Is it just school? Because I feel like there's something else. You can tell me if something's bothering you, Lexa. I'm here for you."

Lexa swallowed hard. She knew she should say something, be honest, but the words wouldn't come. She cared about Costia, but her feelings were muddled. Ever since things with Clarke had become complicated, she hadn't been able to focus properly on her relationship with Costia.

"I know you're here," Lexa said softly, reaching out to take Costia's hand. "I appreciate it, really."

Costia squeezed her hand, but Lexa could see the doubt creeping into her expression.

Lexa's eyes lingered for a moment as she took in Costia's appearance. She hadn't really noticed it before, but now that she was looking, she realized just how intentional Costia had been, wearing the light pink lacy bralette and matching thong. It was subtle, but it was clear that Costia was trying to get closer to her, both physically and emotionally. A wave of guilt washed over Lexa again, as she realized they hadn't had sex in a couple of weeks.

"Come here," Lexa whispered, gently pulling Costia into her lap. She gave her a soft, lingering kiss on the lips, trying to push away the guilt that had been gnawing at her for weeks.

"You know I love you, right?" Lexa murmured against her lips, her voice tender but tinged with uncertainty.

Costia nodded, her voice barely audible. "Yes," she said quietly, but the hesitance in her tone was unmistakable.

Lexa kissed her again, a deeper time, and moaned as their tongues collided. Lexa felt herself harden.

"I want you," Costia moaned into Lexa's mouth.

"You have me baby," Lexa said as she took off Costia's bralette immediately taking a nipple in her mouth.

"Fuck Lex," Costia moaned out.

Lexa spent time showing both breasts some love but she was ready to be inside of her girlfriend.

Lexa sat Costia up a little so she could pull her boxers down. She then pulled Costia's thong to the side and watched Costia grab her cock and sank.

"Fuck Cos," Lexa moaned out feeling how wet and tight she was.

"You feel so good baby," Costia moaned as she took all nine inches.

Lexa's hands instinctively moved to Costia's hips, guiding her gently.

Costia however had different plans. She started bouncing up and down faster.

"I'm going to come, baby," Costia whined.

Lexa was so close to coming too but wanted Costia to break first.

Lexa removed one hand from her hip and bought it down to her clit she felt walls tighten around her dick and Costia let out a loud scream.

Lexa gave three more pumps until she felt herself about to come. She quickly pulled Costia up and jacked off until she was nutting all over her hand and thighs.

"I'll go get a washcloth," Costia said quietly.

Lexa watched as Costia walked to the bathroom and came out a few seconds later with a wet rag. Lexa wiped herself off and then they both went to the bathroom to shower.

After showering the two cuddled up in bed together. Costia pulled back slightly, her eyes searching Lexa's face with uncertainty. "Are we going to be okay?" she asked softly, her voice almost a whisper, filled with vulnerability.

Lexa hesitated, the question hitting her harder than she expected. She forced a smile, brushing a strand of hair behind Costia's ear. "Of course," Lexa replied, her voice steady, though inside she felt the weight of the lie. "We're going to be fine."

But as the words left her mouth, Lexa knew she was only saying what she thought Costia wanted to hear.

 

Meanwhile on the other side of town...

Clarke had been at Niylah's house for about an hour, and she was already feeling comfortable. She had met both of Niylah's mothers—one of whom she called Mom and the other Mama—and they had welcomed her warmly. Their smiles and easy conversation put her at ease right away, and Clarke couldn't help but feel a sense of belonging.

Niylah had given Clarke a tour of the house, showing off its charming and eclectic decor. When they reached Niylah's room, Clarke was amazed. The space was filled with art—paintings, sketches, sculptures—all of which reflected Niylah's talent and creative spirit. Clarke felt inspired just being in the room, surrounded by all that beauty.

They had settled on watching Bridgerton on Netflix, lounging comfortably together on Niylah's bed. The conversation had been light so far, filled with laughter and easy moments. Clarke couldn't help but glance around the room, still taking in the personal touches, and noticing how at peace Niylah seemed here.

As the episode continued to play, Clarke felt more at ease in Niylah's presence, her earlier nervousness starting to fade.

"I'm having a great time with you," Clarke said shyly, her cheeks flushing a little.

Niylah looked over at her, her smile brightening the room and making her dimples pop. "I'm having a great time with you too."

Niylah checked the time on her Apple Watch, noting that they still had an hour and thirty minutes before everyone was scheduled to arrive.

"So, I was thinking I could give you a tour of my art studio before everyone gets here," Niylah suggested, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"I would love that," Clarke replied, her enthusiasm bubbling over and causing Niylah to giggle.

"Okay, follow me!" Niylah said, jumping up and pulling Clarke along with her. They walked down the hallway, and Clarke felt a thrill of anticipation for what awaited her in Niylah's creative space.

When they entered the art studio, Clarke was immediately amazed. The space was like walking into a miniature art museum. Paintings of various styles and sizes adorned the walls, sculptures lined the shelves, and there were sketches scattered across the worktables. The room was bathed in natural light, giving everything an inviting glow.

"Wow, Niylah... this is incredible," Clarke said, her voice full of awe. She moved slowly, taking in every detail, admiring the depth and creativity in each piece.

Niylah smiled softly, watching Clarke's reaction. "Thanks, it's my little world. I spend a lot of time in here."

Clarke turned to Niylah, eyes wide with admiration. "You're so talented. It feels like each piece tells a story."

Niylah walked over to one of her sculptures, tracing her fingers along the edge as she glanced at Clarke with a playful smile. "I have to admit, I wanted to impress you a little," she said, her voice soft but with a flirty edge.

Clarke raised an eyebrow, her heart fluttering. "Well, you did," she said, glancing around the studio again. "You didn't need to, though. I already think you're amazing."

Niylah chuckled, stepping closer to Clarke. "I'm glad, but showing you this part of me feels... different. Special." Her eyes held Clarke's for a moment longer, her gaze filled with warmth.

Clarke blushed, feeling her pulse quicken as Niylah's words sank in. She looked around the studio, trying to collect herself, but her thoughts kept drifting back to Niylah's intense gaze. "It's... special for me too," Clarke admitted, her voice softer now.

Niylah took another small step closer, standing right in front of her. "You know, Clarke," she said teasingly, her dimples appearing as she smirked, "I really like how you look in my studio."

Clarke laughed nervously, feeling the heat rise in her cheeks. "Oh yeah? And why's that?"

Niylah tilted her head, eyes sparkling. "Because you fit here. And I like having you in my space."

Clarke smiled, her heart racing as she held Niylah's gaze.

Clarke swallowed, her pulse quickening at Niylah's words. She felt both nervous and excited being this close to her, in her private world. "I like being in your space," Clarke admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Niylah smiled wider, her eyes softening. She reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair behind Clarke's ear, her fingers lingering just a second longer than necessary. "Good, because I want you here more often."

The air between them felt charged, the playful flirtation turning into something more meaningful. Clarke looked up at Niylah, feeling both grounded and breathless all at once. "I'd like that too."

Niylah took a small step back, her eyes never leaving Clarke's as she gestured around the studio. "Come on, let me show you my favorite pieces before everyone shows up." Her voice was still soft but carried that familiar playful tone.

Clarke nodded, smiling as she followed Niylah through the studio, her mind still spinning from the moment they'd just shared. Every painting, sculpture, and sketch felt like a glimpse into Niylah's soul, and Clarke couldn't help but feel honored to be here, experiencing it all.

Niylah stopped in front of a large, abstract painting. "This one's special to me," she said, her voice quieter now. "It's a mix of all the emotions I couldn't put into words."

Clarke looked at the vibrant swirls of color, the way the shapes seemed to blend and clash at the same time. "It's beautiful," she whispered, feeling the weight of Niylah's emotions in the strokes.

Niylah leaned in slightly, her voice smooth and soft. "Just like you."

Clarke's breath hitched, her cheeks warming as she turned to look at Niylah, who was watching her with an intensity that sent butterflies fluttering in her stomach. "You're too smooth for your good," Clarke said, trying to play it off, but her smile betrayed her.

Niylah chuckled, her dimples deepening. "Maybe, but it's the truth."

Before Clarke could respond, the door to the garage opened, and in came six or seven people, laughing and talking. The chatter quickly died down as they noticed Clarke and Niylah standing very close, the air between them charged with something unspoken.

One of the girls, with a raised eyebrow and a smirk, broke the silence. "Uh, did we interrupt something?"

Niylah casually stepped back, not missing a beat, her relaxed smile still in place. "Just giving Clarke a tour. You guys are right on time."

Clarke, feeling the sudden shift in the room, tried to steady her breath. She gave the group a small wave, her cheeks still warm.

"Hey," she greeted awkwardly, trying to shake off the tension.

Everyone waved back, their smiles easing the tension in the room. Niylah began introducing each person, pointing to them one by one as she said their names.

"This is Luna, Gia, Harper, Wells, Miller, Emori, and Murphy," Niylah said with confident ease, her eyes lingering on each of them for a moment before returning to Clarke.

Clarke offered a friendly smile to each person, nodding as they acknowledged her. "Nice to meet you all."

Luna, tall and serene, gave a small wave. "Good to have a new face around here," she said, her voice calm and soothing.

Murphy, standing near the back with a smirk, crossed his arms and nodded. "Hope you're ready for some chaos," he teased.

Niylah gestured around the room, her confidence shining through. "This isn't all of the members of the club, but these are the ones who compete," she explained. The group nodded in agreement, each of them with a unique air of focus and creativity.

Niylah turned back to Clarke, her tone becoming more personal. "Actually, there's a competition coming up for new amateur artists. It's a great opportunity for someone just getting back into art." She smiled warmly, her dimples showing again. "I think you should enter."

Clarke raised her eyebrows, intrigued by the idea. "You think so?" she asked, her interest piqued. The thought of competing had never crossed her mind, but maybe this was the push she needed.

Niylah nodded, stepping a little closer. "I do. You've got talent, Clarke. Sometimes it just takes something like this to remind you how much you love it."

Clarke felt a spark of excitement growing inside her. Maybe this competition was the motivation she needed to take her art seriously again. "I'll think about it," she said, smiling.

"Good," Niylah said with a wink, her confidence infectious. "No pressure, but I'll be here to help you if you want to prepare."

The rest of the meeting continued smoothly, with Niylah naming two additional competitions for more experienced artists, sparking excitement among the group. Clarke could see the passion in their eyes as they discussed their ideas and plans for the upcoming events.

"Alright, let's see what everyone's been working on," Niylah said, her voice light but encouraging. One by one, the members of the group began showing their pieces, each reflecting a unique style and perspective. Luna had an abstract painting full of chaotic colors, while Miller showed a stunningly detailed charcoal sketch of a cityscape. The diversity in talent was impressive, and Clarke found herself feeling inspired.

When it was Clarke's turn, she hesitated for a moment but then pulled out her sketchbook. "It's not finished, but this is what I've been working on," she said, flipping to a sketch of two girls reaching for each other, their arms outstretched, yet separated by miles of empty space. The lines were soft, and the expressions on the girls' faces conveyed a quiet longing.

The room went silent for a second as everyone took it in.

"Wow, Clarke," Niylah said softly, her voice filled with admiration. "That's... powerful."

The others nodded, and Clarke felt a sense of pride she hadn't experienced in a long time. Maybe this was exactly what she needed.

 

🎶🎶🎶

 

Niylah had just dropped Clarke off, and Clarke couldn't stop smiling. She had really enjoyed herself and was already looking forward to the next art club meeting. As she headed upstairs to get ready for a shower, her phone rang. Expecting it to be Octavia or Raven calling to ask how everything went, she glanced at the screen, only to see Lexa's name.

Her heart skipped a beat.

"Hey," Clarke answered softly, her voice unsure but curious.

"Clarke," Lexa's voice came through the phone, low and filled with emotion. "I miss you."

Clarke closed her eyes for a second, the familiar sound of Lexa's voice sending waves of feelings she'd been trying to ignore rushing back to the surface. "I miss you too," Clarke replied, despite everything. Hearing Lexa again after so long stirred something deep within her.

Lexa began to sweet-talk her, weaving her words carefully, telling Clarke how much she thought about her, how things weren't the same without her around. Clarke tried to stay grounded, but the effect Lexa's voice had on her was undeniable. Every word pulled her closer to the memories they shared, making it harder to hold back the emotions swirling inside.

"Maybe we can talk in person soon?" Lexa suggested, her voice hopeful.

Clarke hesitated, knowing how complicated things had become, but hearing Lexa made her wonder if she was ready to confront those feelings again.

Clarke hesitated, biting her lip as she considered Lexa's words. Part of her wanted to say yes, to see Lexa and figure things out, but another part of her remembered why she had distanced herself in the first place. The confusion, the frustration—it all lingered in the back of her mind. But Lexa's voice, so familiar, so comforting, tugged at her heart.

"Maybe," Clarke finally whispered, unsure of what she wanted. "I don't know, Lexa."

Lexa sighed, sounding vulnerable. "But I can't stop thinking about you. About us."

Clarke swallowed hard, her fingers trembling slightly as she gripped the phone. She glanced at her reflection in the mirror, trying to steady her racing thoughts. "It's just... a lot has happened," she admitted, feeling the weight of everything that had changed.

"I get it," Lexa replied, her voice soft but insistent. "I just want a chance to talk, face-to-face. I need you to know how I feel."

Clarke closed her eyes, her heart pounding in her chest. Hearing Lexa so raw, so open, made it hard to keep her guard up. A part of her longed to hear Lexa out, to see if they could make sense of this tangled mess between them. But then there was Niylah... the easy connection they were building, the comfort she felt around her.

"I'll think about it," Clarke finally said, her voice barely above a whisper.

There was a pause on the other end, and Clarke could almost feel Lexa's relief through the phone. "Okay," Lexa said softly. "That's all I ask."

After a few more moments of quiet conversation, Clarke hung up, her mind spinning with thoughts of Lexa, Niylah, and the choices she now had to make. She sat on her bed, staring at the phone, wondering what her next move would be. Would she let Lexa back in? Or was it time to truly move on?

Chapter 9: "Because I don't want there to be any more confusion. We're in this together now."

Summary:

This chapter is going to set the tone for all of the future chapters.

Notes:

Not gone lie alot of y’all are going to be pissed after reading this chapter🤭

Happy reading❤️

Thursday, October 17th

 

It was Thursday morning, and Clarke felt the exhaustion weigh down on her as she trudged through the school hallways. She yawned for what felt like the hundredth time, her eyes heavy from staying up late on the phone with Niylah. Her night had been filled with laughter, soft conversations, and that excitement you can't quite shake when you're getting to know someone new. But now, she was paying for it.

 

As Clarke opened her locker, she saw Octavia and Raven walking up to her with mischievous grins on their faces. She knew what was coming.

 

"Well, well, well, someone looks like they didn't get much sleep last night," Octavia teased, leaning against the locker next to Clarke's.

 

Raven smirked, crossing her arms. "Let me guess... stayed up late, on the phone with Niylah? Again?"

 

Clarke rolled her eyes, though a small smile crept onto her face. "Maybe."

 

Octavia nudged her playfully. "Come on, details! What did you two talk about all night? Was it cute stuff or, you know..." she wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.

 

Clarke shook her head, blushing slightly. "Nothing like that! We were just talking. You know... about life, art, random things."

 

Raven chuckled. "Sure, sure. Just 'talking.' Guess Niylah's pretty good at keeping you awake, huh?"

 

Clarke playfully shoved Raven's shoulder. "You two are the worst."

 

"Oh, we know," Octavia said, flipping her hair dramatically. "But seriously, you're glowing, Clarke. It's kind of disgusting."

 

"Yeah," Raven added, smirking. "You better not pass out during the first period, though. You can't look all cute and glowy if you're asleep in class."

 

Clarke sighed, feeling her cheeks warm. "I'll survive. But if I do fall asleep, just make sure I don't drool on my desk, okay?"

 

"Deal," Raven laughed, as she was putting things inside of her locker.

 

As Clarke, Octavia, and Raven were laughing at some inside joke, Finn approached the group, his face showing the faintest trace of frustration. He had been texting Clarke for the past few days, but her replies had either been short or nonexistent. Every time he thought he was getting closer, she seemed to pull back. It confused him, but more than that, it upset him. He liked Clarke a lot and he had hoped to ask her out again, to finally get a clear answer.

 

Clarke gave a small smile to Finn, "Good morning Finn."

 

He took a deep breath and stepped closer to Clarke, ready to ask her to talk. "Hey, Clarke, can we—"

 

Before he could finish, Niylah appeared from behind Clarke, sliding her arms around her waist and hugging her tightly. Niylah planted a light kiss on Clarke's cheek, causing Clarke to blush instantly, her smile widening.

 

"Hey, beautiful," Niylah said softly, her voice full of warmth.

 

Clarke turned to look at Niylah, clearly flustered but happy, and Raven and Octavia exchanged amused glances. Finn, on the other hand, froze, the words he had been about to say catching in his throat.

 

Niylah, noticing Finn standing there raised a hand casually. "Oh, hey, Finn. Wassup?" she greeted him, her tone easy and friendly.

 

They were cool with each other both being in some of the same classes since Freshman year but Finn wasn't sure how to respond at that moment. His mind was racing. He didn't expect this. He glanced between Clarke and Niylah, feeling a knot tighten in his chest.

 

"Uh... hey," Finn muttered, trying to play it cool. He gave Clarke a quick look, but she wasn't even making eye contact with him. Her attention was fully on Niylah, and it was clear in the way Clarke leaned into her that something had shifted between them.

 

The air grew awkward for a moment as Finn stuffed his hands into his pockets, unsure of what to say. He had his answer now, though he didn't like it. He cleared his throat, forcing a smile. "I'll, uh, catch you later, Clarke."

 

Without waiting for a response, Finn turned and walked off, his shoulders tense as the reality of what he'd just witnessed started to sink in.

 

Clarke watched Finn walk away, her heart sinking a little. She hadn't meant to hurt him, but she considered him a friend. She sighed softly, knowing she should have been more upfront with him instead of avoiding his texts.

 

"You okay?" Niylah's voice broke through her thoughts, her arms still loosely wrapped around Clarke's waist.

 

Clarke nodded, leaning back into Niylah's embrace. "Yeah... I just, I think I should've been more clear with Finn."

 

Raven, always observant, piped in. "He's been crushing on you hard, Clarke. But," she smirked, "looks like someone else has your attention now."

 

Octavia chuckled, nudging Clarke playfully. "Clarke and Niylah sitting in the tree K-I-S-S-I-N-G."

 

Clarke blushed again, rolling her eyes. "You two are impossible."

 

"Impossible but right," Raven teased, winking.

 

Niylah gently turned Clarke around to face her. "You know, if you need to talk to Finn, I get it. I don't want to make things awkward for you."

 

Clarke smiled up at her, touched by her understanding. "I will... but not right now. Right now, I'm good with this." She glanced at Niylah's arms still around her, then back at her friends, who were watching with amused grins. "And with you."

 

Niylah smiled back, her dimples deepening as she kissed Clarke lightly on the forehead. "Good."

 

Octavia and Raven watched the interaction with playful expressions before Octavia piped up, "Okay, lovebirds, we should head to class before we're all late."

 

Clarke reluctantly pulled away from Niylah, but not before giving her hand a quick squeeze. "See you later?"

 

"You definitely will," Niylah said giving Clarke a quick wink and walking off in the opposite direction.

 

Raven leaned in close to Clarke. "So... when are we getting the full story about you and Niylah?"

 

Clarke smirked. "Maybe after you give us the full story with you and Anya."

 

Raven blushed smiling. "It's nothing really. We text here and there but other than that nothing... I think she just sees me as some dweeby sophomore."

 

Clarke raised an eyebrow, amused by Raven's sudden shyness. "You think Anya sees you as a 'dweeby sophomore'? Come on, Raven. I've seen the way she looks at you. It's definitely not 'dweeby.'"

 

Raven rolled her eyes, though the blush deepened on her cheeks. "She's a senior, Clarke. And she's... well, she's Anya. She probably thinks I'm just some nerd who can't even talk to her without tripping over my own words."

 

"Look who we just spoke up," Octavia whispered, nudging Clarke as they spotted Anya and Lexa walking down the hallway in their soccer uniforms.

 

Clarke couldn't help but check Lexa out. She looked so good in her soccer uniform, walking with the kind of confidence that made it impossible not to notice. The way she carried herself like she knew she had all eyes on her, made Clarke's heart skip a beat.

 

As they got a little closer, Anya said something to Lexa, and Clarke watched as the most beautiful smile spread across Lexa's face. That smile—it was warm, genuine, and utterly captivating.

 

Clarke felt a rush of butterflies flutter in her stomach, her breath catching for a moment. She hadn't expected Lexa's presence to still have such an effect on her, but here she was, feeling like her heart was about to leap out of her chest.

 

Anya and Lexa stopped in front of them, and without missing a beat, Anya pulled Raven into a quick hug. "Hey, do you want me to walk you to class?" Anya asked, her voice casual but her eyes soft as they lingered on Raven.

 

Raven, not one to usually shy away from anything, suddenly looked a little flustered. She smiled shyly and nodded. "Yeah, I'd like that."

 

Octavia shot Clarke an amused look, and Clarke returned it, holding back a grin. As Anya and Raven began walking away, Octavia gave Clarke a playful nudge. "Well, I'll catch you later, Clarke. Bye Lexa," she said before heading off to her class, leaving Clarke and Lexa standing alone in the hallway.

 

There was a moment of silence as Lexa shifted slightly, her eyes meeting Clarke's with a familiar intensity. "Hey," Lexa said softly, her tone holding something unspoken, something that lingered in the air between them.

 

Clarke swallowed, feeling those butterflies again. "Hey," she replied, wondering where this moment would lead.

 

”You have your anatomy test today right?” Lexa asked.

 

"Yeah, I do," Clarke nodded, her voice steady despite the sudden flurry of nerves she always felt around Lexa. "I'm kind of nervous though since that is my hardest class."

 

Lexa's eyes softened with a hint of a smile. "You'll do great. You always do."

 

Clarke couldn't help the small smile that tugged at her lips. Lexa had always known how to calm her, even with something as simple as encouragement.

 

"Thanks," Clarke said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear and yawning.

 

Lexa laughed a little at how cute and sleepy she looked. "Tired?"

 

Clarke gave a small laugh. "Yeah, I didn't get much sleep last night. Stayed up too late."

 

"Studying?" Lexa asked.

 

"Not exactly," Clarke admitted, thinking of her late-night phone call with Niylah.

 

Lexa glanced around the hallway, ensuring they were alone, before stepping closer to Clarke. Her hands found their way to Clarke's hips, the touch both familiar and electrifying.

 

"I miss you," Lexa's voice was soft, barely above a whisper, but the intensity in her eyes made Clarke's heart race.

 

Clarke looked up, meeting Lexa's gaze, and felt her walls crumbling. The connection between them was undeniable, no matter how much she'd tried to resist it.

 

"I miss you too, Lex," Clarke whispered back, her voice filled with the longing she'd been trying to suppress.

 

 

Lexa's grip on Clarke's hips tightened slightly, drawing her even closer, their faces inches apart. The intensity in Lexa's eyes made Clarke's heart race faster, the familiar pull between them impossible to ignore.

 

"I hate how things are between us," Lexa continued her voice barely above a whisper, her breath warm against Clarke's skin. "It feels... wrong."

 

Clarke swallowed, her resolve fading with every second they stood like this. "It does," she admitted, her own voice shaky, betraying the confusion and emotions swirling inside her. "But how do we fix it?"

 

Lexa's thumb gently grazed her side, her touch sending shivers down Clarke's spine. "We'll figure it out," Lexa promised. "We have to."

 

Clarke felt the familiar tug of emotions she'd tried to bury over the past weeks. Before she could respond, they heard footsteps approaching from around the corner. Lexa pulled back slightly, but her hands remained on Clarke's hips, not wanting to let go just yet.

 

Before Clarke could respond to what Lexa said, Gaia and Echo, two of Lexa's soccer teammates, walked around the corner, their conversation halting the moment they saw Lexa standing so close to Clarke.

 

Both girls exchanged a glance, clearly confused but not commenting on it. Gaia looked between them before saying, "Uh, hey Lex... we were actually looking for you we have a question about the game today."

 

Echo raised an eyebrow but stayed quiet, her eyes flicking between Lexa and Clarke.

 

Lexa didn't move at first, her hands still resting on Clarke's hips. "I'll be right there give me a minute," she said calmly, her voice steady even though the moment had been interrupted.

 

Gaia and Echo exchanged another look but nodded, walking away without a word. Clarke felt the weight of their brief encounter, her heart still racing as Lexa finally let her go.

 

"We'll talk soon, right?" Lexa asked, her voice soft but full of intent.

 

Clarke hesitated for a moment, her eyes searching Lexa's face. She could feel the familiar tension between them, that pull she couldn't seem to shake no matter how hard she tried.

 

"Yeah," Clarke finally whispered, nodding slightly. "We will."

 

Lexa gave a small, almost relieved smile before stepping back completely, the moment between them lingering even as she turned to walk away toward her teammates. Clarke watched her go, her emotions swirling as she realized that she had stronger feelings for Lexa than she realized.

 

🎶🎶🎶

 

The rest of the school day flew by, and soon it was time for cheer practice. In the locker room, Clarke quickly realized that no topic was off-limits as she overheard personal conversations bouncing around the space. She and Octavia were getting ready when Clarke caught a snippet of Costia's conversation with her two best friends, Layla and Gina.

 

"I don't know, you guys. Lexa's been so different lately," Costia said, sounding unsure.

 

"Maybe it's just stress. We're all feeling the pressure with the ACTs, SATs, and college applications, not to mention trying to keep up perfect grades," Gina offered, trying to reassure her.

 

"Yeah, don't overthink it, Cos. Lexa loves you," Layla chimed in.

 

Costia bit her lip, clearly still worried. "Maybe I'll plan something romantic for us this weekend. Just the two of us. We could talk."

 

"That sounds perfect," Layla said.

 

"You should book a hotel, get some cute lingerie... you know, make it special," Gina teased with a wink, making all three of them laugh.

 

Clarke's heart sank as she listened. She knew it was wrong, but the thought of Lexa and Costia having a romantic weekend together made her stomach twist in knots. Without thinking, Clarke pulled out her phone and sent a quick text to Lexa:

 

Hey, I'm ready to talk. How about we do it this weekend? My parents won't be home.

 

"I'll ask her after her soccer game today," Costia said excitedly, her eyes sparkling as she continued to plan.

 

Clarke felt her chest tighten but kept her expression neutral, focusing on her own routine as they finished changing and headed out to the field for practice. The team buzzed with energy, preparing for the upcoming game.

 

During practice, Costia took on her usual role as the captain, keeping everyone on task. As they worked through their routine, Costia suddenly called out, "Clarke, can you demonstrate the back tuck for everyone? You're one of our best tumblers."

 

Clarke, feeling a strange mixture of emotions, nodded and stepped forward. She felt Costia's eyes on her as she prepared for the move. The tension in the air wasn't just about cheerleading—it was everything else swirling beneath the surface.

 

With a deep breath, Clarke executed the back tuck flawlessly, landing with precision. The team clapped, and Costia gave her an approving nod. But even as she smiled for the sake of the team, Clarke's mind was already thinking about the weekend—and the conversation that was about to happen with Lexa.

 

Meanwhile across the school...

 

Across the school at the soccer field, Lexa and the rest of the team had just wrapped up a quick practice, running through drills in preparation for their game that evening. Lexa wiped the sweat from her brow, her muscles still buzzing with adrenaline, and headed toward the locker room with her teammates.

 

As she walked, she felt her phone buzz in her pocket. Slipping it out, she glanced at the screen and saw Clarke's name. The simple notification made her heart skip a beat. After so much silence and brief, casual texts, this one felt different.

 

She opened the message and read:

 

Hey, I'm ready to talk. How about we do it this weekend? My parents won't be home.

 

Lexa stopped in her tracks, her teammates walking ahead without noticing her sudden halt. The message sent a jolt through her—both excitement and confusion swirling in her chest. She had been waiting for Clarke to say something like this for weeks now, but the timing felt... strange.

 

She stood there for a moment, staring at the screen, before finally typing back: I'll be there. I can come around noon Saturday.

 

As she sent the message, a small part of her couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more behind Clarke's sudden willingness to talk this weekend. But whatever it was, she couldn't deny that she wanted to see her. Needed to see her.

 

Hours passed quickly, and soon the atmosphere on campus shifted as students, teachers, and families began gathering at the soccer field for the big game. The sun was setting, casting a warm glow over the bleachers as the crowd filled in, buzzing with excitement. Clarke had finished cheer practice and was now in the stands with Raven and Octavia, waiting for the soccer match to start. Clarke scanned the field, her eyes inevitably drawn to Lexa, who was warming up with her team. Lexa was a force on the field, commanding her teammates with sharp movements and confident strides. Clarke couldn't help but admire her.

 

Clarke was pulled from her thoughts as she heard her name called and saw Gia from the art club approaching her.

 

"Hi, Clarke!" Gia said with a bright smile. "Are you into soccer?"

 

"Kind of," Clarke replied, returning the smile. "My senior buddy plays, and I come to show my support."

 

"Awww, that's sweet! My sister is number 6, Gaia. I come to every game to cheer her on," Gia explained enthusiastically.

 

Hearing her senior buddy's name, Octavia perked up. "I don't mean to jump in, but Gaia is my senior buddy! She's so cool. You're lucky to have her as a sister. Oh, and I'm Octavia, by the way."

 

"And I'm Raven," Raven chimed in.

 

"It's nice to meet you both! I'm Gia," she said, her excitement evident. "Gaia is like the coolest big sister ever. I think it helps that we're close in age. Do you mind if I sit with you all?"

 

"Of course not!" Clarke said, her smile growing wider.

 

"How do you and Clarke know each other?" Raven asked, curiosity dancing in her eyes.

 

"Art club," Clarke and Gia said in unison, causing them both to giggle.

 

Good conversation fills the air as they wait for the game to start.

 

Soon the game kicked off with Lexa taking charge, her intensity on full display. She moved fluidly across the grass, leading her team with sharp passes and strategic plays. Now and then, her eyes would flicker toward the stands, searching for Clarke. When she spotted her sitting there with her friends, a wave of emotions hit her, but she pushed it aside, focusing on the game.

 

The game was fast-paced, with both teams giving it their all. Lexa scored a goal midway through the first half, sending the crowd into a frenzy. Clarke couldn't help but cheer along with everyone else, her chest tightening as Lexa celebrated with her teammates.

 

A few rows over Clarke noticed Costia proudly sporting a shirt with Lexa's face printed on it. She watched Costia cheer and wave, and it made her stomach churn with a pang of jealousy.

 

The game neared its end, and with just moments left on the clock, Lexa made an unbelievable move. She did a flip, landing perfectly, then in one fluid motion kicked the ball into the goal with force and precision. The stadium erupted in cheers, the crowd going wild. Clarke couldn't help but join in, her claps louder than usual, as if her heart was in sync with the rhythm of the applause.

 

Anya rushed over and high-fived Lexa, both of them grinning from ear to ear, and soon the rest of the team joined in the celebration. Clarke watched from the stands, feeling both proud and conflicted. It was hard to ignore the way Lexa lit up when she was on the field, just as hard as it was to ignore the feeling in her chest every time their eyes met.

 

And then, it happened. Amidst the chaos of the celebration, Lexa's eyes scanned the crowd and landed directly on Clarke. Their gazes locked for what felt like an eternity. The noise around them faded, and at that moment, it was just the two of them. Clarke could feel her heart thudding against her chest, and by the look in Lexa's eyes, she knew she wasn't the only one feeling the pull.

 

For a second, neither of them moved. Lexa gave her a subtle, almost imperceptible nod, her lips curving ever so slightly into a soft smile. Clarke's breath caught in her throat, the intensity of the moment settling in.

 

Then, as quickly as it had happened, Lexa was swept up again by her teammates, leaving Clarke standing in the bleachers, still reeling from that one look.

 

🎶🎶🎶

 

Friday, October 18th

 

Lexa stared at herself in the mirror, adjusting the jersey that Costia had custom-made for them. The bold red lettering on the front—marking the date they got together—and the "Lexa and Costia 4 Life" on the back were a constant reminder of the relationship she was trying to hold onto, even if her heart was pulling her in another direction.

 

She slipped on her red Nike Air Max, her reflection staring back at her with a conflicted expression. Her mind was still replaying the conversation from the night before. Costia had been so excited about the idea of them spending the weekend together, just the two of them. But Lexa had already made plans with Clarke—plans she couldn't, and frankly didn't want to, cancel.

 

The memory of the conversation from the night before played out in Lexa's mind as she continued getting ready.

 

She and Costia had been lying on her bed, the soft glow of fairy lights illuminating the room. Costia was snuggled against her, tracing idle patterns on Lexa's arm. The mood had been light, but there was an underlying tension, something Lexa couldn't quite place until Costia turned to her, eyes wide with excitement.

 

"Lex," Costia began, her voice soft but eager. "I was thinking... maybe we could spend the weekend together? Just us? I could book us a room, maybe even bring some wine, and we can just... I don't know, be together."

 

Lexa hesitated, her heart skipping a beat. Any other time, she would have jumped at the chance to spend a romantic weekend alone with Costia. But now, with Clarke in the picture, things felt different—more complicated. She could already hear Clarke's voice in her head, the way it softened when they talked late at night, and the quiet excitement they shared about spending time together this weekend.

 

Costia was watching her, waiting for an answer, and Lexa realized she had been silent for too long. She scrambled for something to say, anything that wouldn't betray the truth.

 

"That sounds... amazing," Lexa started slowly, her mind racing. "But, I have to help my parents with something this weekend. It's this... thing they've been planning for a while, and I can't really get out of it."

 

The words felt wrong as soon as they left her mouth, and she hated how easily the lie slipped out. Costia's face fell for just a moment, but she recovered quickly, forcing a smile.

 

"Oh, okay. Maybe another time?" she asked, her tone lighter than the disappointment in her eyes.

 

"Yeah, for sure. We'll plan something soon," Lexa promised, trying to sound sincere. She reached out and gently squeezed Costia's hand, guilt gnawing at her.

 

They lay there in silence for a while after that, but the easy comfort they usually shared was gone, replaced by something heavy, unspoken.

 

She sighed, running a hand through her hair as she grabbed her bag and headed downstairs. Her mind was already racing with how she could make it up to Costia, but the truth was, her thoughts kept drifting back to Clarke. The weekend with Clarke felt inevitable, like something Lexa had been waiting for without even realizing it.

 

As she headed out the door, Lexa promised herself she'd find a way to make everything right. But deep down, she knew the situation was growing more complicated.

 

The drive to school was unusually quiet for Lexa. No music, no podcasts—just the low hum of the car engine as her thoughts swirled. She was focused on this weekend, replaying ideas of how to make it special for Clarke. Her mind wandered, thinking about what small gestures would show Clarke that she wasn't invisible, that she truly cared for her. A small smile tugged at Lexa's lips, excitement building at the thought of spending uninterrupted time with Clarke.

 

So lost in her thoughts, she barely realized she had already arrived at school. Pulling into the parking lot, she parked and stepped out of the car. That's when she saw them—Clarke and Niylah. They were leaning casually against Niylah's car, and Niylah was leaning in close, whispering something into Clarke's ear. Clarke's face lit up with a smile, her eyes shining in a way that made Lexa's heart tighten.

 

A pang of jealousy hit her hard, twisting in her chest. Lexa clenched her jaw slightly, watching as Niylah's presence lingered around Clarke, the way Niylah's body language was easy and intimate. Lexa wanted to be the one standing there, close enough to whisper in Clarke's ear, to make her smile like that.

 

Forcing her feet to move, Lexa started toward the school, trying to push the jealousy down. But the image of Clarke and Niylah together stayed with her, unsettling her in ways she didn't want to admit.

 

Clarke's eyes followed Lexa as she walked by, her expression clouded by a noticeable frown. There was no mistaking it—Lexa had seen her and Niylah together.

 

As Clarke and Niylah walked into school, Clarke's eyes narrowed when she spotted Lexa and Costia standing by her locker, both dressed in matching outfits talking with Octavia. 

 

"Don't Lexa and Costia look cute?" Octavia asked with a grin, her eyes flicking between the matching couple and Clarke.

 

Clarke forced a smile, the words bitter on her tongue. "Yeah... they do."

 

And they did. That was the frustrating part. As much as Clarke hated to admit it, Lexa and Costia looked effortlessly perfect together, like they belonged. But the tension gnawing inside Clarke made it hard to care about appearances right now.

 

Raven, who had been deep in conversation with Anya, joined the exchange. "Gotta admit, they pulled off the whole matching thing pretty well," Raven said with a smirk, while Anya nodded in agreement.

 

The sight of Lexa and Costia, so coordinated and seemingly in sync, left a sour taste in her mouth. She was starting to regret even coming near her locker.

 

The school day passed quickly, everyone buzzing with excitement for the football game later that evening. After the final bell rang, Bellamy dropped the three friends off at Clarke’s house to hang out before heading to the game.

 

In the living room, Octavia was curling Raven's hair while Clarke worked on her own. The room was filled with laughter and the scent of hair products as they excitedly discussed their upcoming Fall break and Clarke's birthday.

 

"Fall break is going to be amazing!" Clarke said, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "A whole week off from school! And my birthday is right in the middle of it!"

 

Octavia grinned as she carefully twisted Raven's hair. "I can't believe you're turning 16! That's such a big deal! And we're throwing you a party, remember?"

 

Clarke's heart raced at the thought. "I can't wait! I love that it's going to be a costume party!"

 

Raven nodded, her curls bouncing as she added, "And Octavia's parents will be gone for their anniversary, so we'll have the house all to ourselves. It's going to be epic!"

 

"I can't believe you both are planning the whole thing," Clarke said, beaming at her friends. "It means so much to me. I just want to have fun and celebrate with all of you."

 

"Trust me, we're going all out," Octavia said with a wink. "Costumes, snacks, music—the works! Your party is going to be unforgettable."

 

Clarke felt a warmth spread through her as she thought about turning 16 she couldn't wait. The three girls finished getting ready quickly before long, they were heading out the door and piling into Niylah's car to make their way to the football game.

 

The football game was electric, and the stands buzzed with excitement as the Grounders faced off against their rivals. Clarke and Octavia cheered enthusiastically, their voices blending with the crowd's roar. The team played flawlessly, showcasing impressive teamwork and skill, and the energy in the stadium was contagious.

 

During halftime, the cheerleaders took the field for their routine. Clarke and Octavia had a short spotlight moment, where they executed their flips perfectly, ending in a dramatic split that drew cheers and applause from the crowd. The pride swelling in Clarke's chest was exhilarating; she loved being part of something so spirited and energetic.

 

As the game resumed, the Grounders continued to dominate, ultimately securing a triumphant victory. The crowd erupted into cheers as the final whistle blew, and the team celebrated on the field. Clarke felt a rush of happiness as she joined her friends, high-fiving and cheering alongside them.

 

After the game, Clarke walked with Niylah toward the parking lot, her heart still racing from the adrenaline from the game.

 

As they neared the car, Clarke spotted Finn leaning against his car on his phone. A mix of guilt and apprehension flooded her, and she paused.

 

"I need to talk to him really quick," Clarke said, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

 

Niylah nodded, a knowing look in her eyes. "Go for it. I'll wait here."

 

Clarke took a deep breath and approached Finn, who looked up as she neared. His smile was warm, but something in his eyes felt distant.

 

"Hey, Finn. Congrats on the win," she said softly, feeling a flutter of nerves.

 

"Hey, Clarke, and thank you," he replied, his voice casual but lacking the usual warmth.

 

"I just wanted to say... I'm sorry for how things turned out between us," she began, trying to find the right words. "I didn't mean to leave things unresolved."

 

Finn nodded, his expression serious. "I appreciate that. I really did like you, Clarke."

 

Clarke glanced down, guilt tightening in her chest. "I liked you too... but as a friend. I should have just told you from the beginning."

 

"Yeah, you should have but I understand," he said, his tone softer now. "It's just... disappointing, you know? I thought we were on the same page and then I see you hugged up with Niylah who is awesome by the way."

 

"I know. I'm really sorry. You deserved better than that," she admitted, looking back up at him.

 

Finn smiled faintly, his eyes softening. "It's okay. I just hope you find what you're looking for, Clarke. You deserve to be happy."

 

"Thanks, Finn. I hope the same for you," she said, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders.

 

They shared a moment of silence, a bittersweet understanding passing between them. Clarke turned to head back to Niylah, feeling a mix of relief and sadness.

 

🎶🎶🎶

 

Saturday, October 19th

 

It was around 11:30 am and Clarke was up cleaning her room. She was folding up the clothes she had just taken out of the dryer when her phone buzzed. She saw she had three texts. One from Octavia in the group, one from Niylah, and one from Lexa.

 

She read Lexa's message first.

 

Lexa❤️: Hey Clarke... I was thinking we could have lunch together when I come over. I know this great sandwich spot. I could go get us some while I'm out.

 

Clarke smiled and texted her back that would be nice and what type of sandwich she wanted. She then checks her message from Octavia.

 

Tavia👯‍♀️💕: Omg!!! Why did Lincoln just like three of my pictures back to back on Insta😩

 

Clarke couldn't help but laugh at Octavia's excitement. She replied: What?! He is clearly interested. I think he just hasn't made a move because of Bellamy.

 

Lastly, she checked the text from Niylah who was at an art museum with her parents out of town.

 

Niylah🎨: This museum is amazing Clarke. We seriously have to go here together one weekend.

 

Clarke hearted the message and texted back Niylah that would be nice.

 

While putting her clothes up in the closet Clarke heard the doorbell ring. Clarke's heart skipped a beat knowing it was Lexa. Quickly smoothing down her shirt, she rushed downstairs, her mind racing as she approached the front door.

 

When she opened it, there was Lexa, holding a bag with their sandwiches. Lexa's signature calm smile tugged at her lips as she met Clarke's gaze.

 

"Hey," Lexa said softly, her eyes lingering on Clarke a little longer than usual.

 

"Hey," Clarke replied, feeling a flutter of nerves. "Come in."

 

Lexa stepped inside, the familiar scent of sandwiches wafting through the air. "I got the sandwhich you wanted," she said, holding up the bag with a small grin.

 

Clarke smiled back, closing the door behind her. "Thank you."

 

They made their way into the kitchen, where Clarke set out plates for the food. The air between them felt charged, a mix of tension and excitement that had been building since their last conversation.

 

As they sat down at the table, Lexa handed her the sandwich. "I figured we could just relax for a bit before talking."

 

Clarke nodded, unwrapping her sandwich. "Yeah, that sounds good."

 

The conversation started light, casual. They talked about school, soccer, Clarke joining the art club, and other small things, but Clarke could feel the unspoken words hovering between them, waiting to surface.

 

As they ate, Clarke kept stealing glances at Lexa, feeling the tension simmering just beneath the surface. She wasn't sure how to start the conversation, but she knew they couldn't avoid it forever.

 

Lexa finished her sandwich and leaned back slightly, her green eyes locking onto Clarke's. She hesitated for a moment, then spoke, her voice softer than usual. "Clarke, I know we've been texting and trying to keep things normal, but... we need to talk about us."

 

Clarke's stomach twisted at the words she'd been expecting but still wasn't quite ready for. She set down her half-eaten sandwich and wiped her hands on a napkin, taking a breath. "I know," she whispered, her voice a little shaky. "I've been thinking about it a lot."

 

Lexa leaned forward, resting her arms on the table, her eyes intense. "I don't want to lose you, Clarke. Whatever this is between us... I don't want it to just fade away."

 

Clarke looked down at her hands, her mind racing. The truth was, she didn't want to lose Lexa either. No matter how complicated things had gotten between them, the connection they shared felt too important to let go of.

 

"I don't want that either," Clarke finally admitted, looking up to meet Lexa's gaze. "But... it's hard. With everything... Costia, Niylah..."

 

Lexa's face tightened slightly at the mention of Niylah, but she nodded, understanding. "I know. It's complicated. I've been thinking about that too, about what we're doing. But I need to know what you want, Clarke."

 

Clarke's heart pounded in her chest. What did she want? She looked at Lexa, the weight of the question settling over her. The truth was, she wanted Lexa, but at what cost? And was she really ready to make that choice?

 

"I want you Lex," Clarke said softly. "I care about you, Lexa. A lot." She paused, trying to find the right words. "I just... I want you."

 

Lexa's expression softened, and she nodded. "Then you have me but I need time to break things off with Costia. You have to understand that we have three years worth of history and I can't just break it off with her as easily."

 

For a moment, they sat in silence, the weight of everything hanging in the air between them. Clarke could feel her emotions swirling—confusion, desire, fear—all tangled up together.

 

Finally, Lexa stood, slowly walking over to Clarke's side of the table. She hesitated, then placed a gentle hand on Clarke's shoulder. "I mean it, Clarke. I'm yours if you will have me."

 

Clarke looked up at her, feeling the familiar warmth that always came when Lexa was near. She gave a small but genuine smile. "Okay, but I want to be on the same plane field as Costia. I know in a way I won't be but I need to know you care for me just as much."

 

Lexa nodded with a serious expression on her face. "Okay. So we are doing this? We are... together now?"

 

"Yes," Clarke said blushing with a smile on her face.

 

Without another word, Lexa leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to Clarke's lips before pulling away. Clarke closed her eyes, letting the warmth of that brief touch linger.

 

Lexa stood still for a moment, letting the tension between them settle. She could feel Clarke's breath against her lips, their closeness so palpable it almost hurt. Clarke's eyes fluttered open, her cheeks flushed, and Lexa couldn't help but smile.

 

"I'll handle everything with Costia," Lexa said, her voice steady yet full of the weight of the decision she had just made. "I promise. I just need time. But no matter what happens, just know... I'm with you."

 

Clarke nodded, her heart racing, but she felt a sense of clarity she hadn't felt in a while. "I trust you," she whispered.

 

Lexa's lips curved into a soft smile, one that was just for Clarke. "Good," she replied. "Because I don't want there to be any more confusion. We're in this together now."

 

Clarke's heart swelled with a mix of excitement and anticipation. For the first time in a long time, things felt like they were falling into place. She reached for Lexa's hand, squeezing it gently.

 

"Together," Clarke echoed, her voice filled with hope.

 

Lexa walked over to her bag, her cheeks tinged with a soft blush as she pulled out a small gift box. She hesitated for a moment before looking at Clarke, her eyes full of affection.

 

"I got you something," Lexa said, her voice slightly nervous. "Just to show you how much I care."

 

Clarke's eyes lit up with excitement as Lexa handed her the box. She carefully opened it, and her breath caught as she saw the delicate gold chain inside. Attached to it was a beautiful, shiny "L" charm and a small art palette charm, both gleaming in the light.

 

"Lexa," Clarke gasped, her heart swelling. "You didn't have to... it looks so expensive."

 

Lexa smiled shyly, her blush deepening. "I wanted to. This way a piece of me will always be with you even when we are apart."

 

Clarke bit her lip, feeling overwhelmed with emotion. "It's perfect."

 

Lexa stepped closer, gently taking the necklace from Clarke's hand. "Here, let me put it on you," she said softly, moving behind her. Clarke held her hair up as Lexa fastened the chain around her neck, her fingers lingering for a moment on Clarke's skin.

 

Clarke could feel the warmth of the necklace settling on her skin, and she reached up to touch the charm with a smile. "It's beautiful, Lex. I love it."

 

Lexa stepped back to look at her, a nervous smile tugging at her lips. "I'm glad. I just wanted to show you how much I care."

 

Clarke smiled, feeling the necklace against her skin and the affection behind the gesture. She leaned forward, placing a soft kiss on Lexa's lips. "You really do care, don't you?"

 

Lexa nodded, her eyes locking with Clarke's. "More than you know."

 

The two spent the rest of the day curled up on the couch, watching Tell Me Lies on Hulu. They laughed and commented on the drama, sharing inside jokes between episodes. After a while, they took a break to bake chocolate chip cookies, teasing each other with playful smears of cookie dough and stealing kisses in between.

 

When they returned to the couch, warm cookies in hand, the show soon became background noise as they lost themselves in each other. Every touch, every kiss felt electric, like the world outside had fallen away, leaving just the two of them.

 

To Clarke and Lexa, it was perfect. A quiet, intimate afternoon filled with laughter, sweetness, and the unspoken promise of more to come.

Notes:

This chapter is the chapter where everything changes. The line between right and wrong, once clear, are now blurred beyond recognition. The feelings between the two are something neither of them can ignore any longer. It wasn’t just temptation now—it was a choice.

It was no longer about mistakes; this was deliberate. And from here on, things will only get more complicated.

The guilt, the passion, the betrayal—it is all about to spiral out of control. They are crossing a line they can no longer uncross, and the fallout is inevitable. The real cheating has begun, and with it will come consequences that neither of them are ready to face.

Okay so let me have it. Leave me your thoughts💭

P.S. I tried to tell Clarke don’t fall for Lexa charm but she would not listen but can you blame her? It’s Lexa🙃

Chapter 10: “Flattery will get you everywhere.”

Monday, October 21st

 

It was the start of Fall break, and Lexa lay smiling, thinking about Clarke. She couldn't believe they had made things official—well, as official as they could for now. Checking the time, she smiled. It was already 1:32 pm, and her lunch break was over. She'd been helping her dad build a gazebo for their backyard, and though he insisted on a full-hour lunch break, she was eager to get back to work. Just as she headed outside, her phone rang. Seeing Costia's name pop up on FaceTime, Lexa sighed and answered.

 

Costia's beautiful face appeared on the screen, smiling, and her grin widened when she saw Lexa looking so happy.

 

"Hey babe! You look so happy today," Costia said, her voice light.

 

"I've been in a great mood since the weekend, and it's a plus that I get to see your pretty face right now," Lexa replied smoothly, making Costia blush.

 

"Leeeex, stop!" Costia giggled, causing Lexa to laugh with her.

 

"Is that my favorite cousin-in-law, Lexie?" Lexa heard Costia's cousin Emory shout in the background.

 

"Hey, Em!" Lexa called back, and soon Emory's face popped onto the screen. The two of them were practically identical. They were first cousins and looked exactly alike, so alike that it was almost unsettling. Their mothers are identical twins and they both look like their moms so Lexa assumes that is why they look so much alike. The only things that set Emory apart from Costia now were a nose ring and lighter brown hair, which she'd dyed for her 17th birthday.

 

"Hey, Lexie! How's your Fall break going?" Emory asked, practically taking over the phone while Costia groaned dramatically.

 

"It's going good so far. I'm helping my dad build a gazebo, so that's been fun," Lexa shared.

 

"That sounds awesome," Emory said with a grin. "By the way, Costia was telling me about some party that cheerleader Octavia is throwing for her friend Clarke on Saturday. We're definitely going to be there."

 

Lexa's smile faltered for a moment. "I thought you weren't coming until Sunday, Cos?"

 

Costia appeared on the screen again, explaining, "Octavia practically begged me to come and bring some seniors with me, so we'll be there Saturday."

 

"Oh, okay," Lexa said, trying to sound casual. "Octavia sent me an invite too, so I guess I'll go."

 

"It's a costume party!" Costia said excitedly. "We should do matching costumes, babe."

 

Lexa's mind wandered to the costume Clarke had shown her—a sexy angel costume she couldn't wait to see her in. She smiled at the thought, already imagining how stunning Clarke would look.

 

"Well, babe, we've gotta go now. Apparently, we're going shopping," Costia said, snapping Lexa out of her thoughts.

 

"Alright," Lexa said, forcing a smile. "Have fun shopping, and I'll talk to you later."

 

"Okay! Love you," Costia beamed, blowing Lexa a kiss before the screen went black.

 

"Love you too Cos," Lexa said as she hung up the phone.

 

"Come on, Lex, I'm going to need your help with this one," Gustus called out.

 

Lexa sighed and walked over to help her dad, but her mind was elsewhere. She was distracted, and it didn't take long for Gustus to notice.

 

"Lexa, what's going on? And before you say 'nothing,' remember I know you too well for that. Something's up," Gustus said seriously, pausing from his work to look at her.

 

Lexa hesitated, searching for the right words. "Well, I uh... have this friend at school. He's been with his girlfriend for a couple of years, but recently, he met someone else. This other girl makes him feel all these things he's never felt before, even though they've only known each other for a few months. He asked me for advice, but I don't really know what to tell him."

 

She felt a pang of guilt for lying, but there was no way she was going to tell her dad it was her in that situation.

 

Gustus gave her a knowing look but didn't press further. "Sounds like your friend's in a tough spot. But you know, relationships are complicated, Lex. Your friend's gotta figure out what he really wants and be honest with everyone involved. Otherwise, someone's gonna get hurt."

 

Lexa nodded, taking in her dad's words, even though they hit closer to home than she'd like to admit.

 

"Yeah, you're right," Lexa said, her voice quiet. "I just... he don't want anyone to get hurt."

 

"That's the tough part," Gustus replied, wiping his hands on a cloth. "But in the end, honesty is always better than dragging things out. Your friend needs to be upfront with both girls. It's not fair to either of them to keep them in the dark, even if it's difficult."

 

Lexa's chest tightened. She hadn't officially broken things off with Costia yet, and here she was making promises to Clarke. It wasn't fair to either of them. Gustus's words felt like a direct hit.

 

"I'll tell him," Lexa said, swallowing the lump in her throat.

 

"Good. And Lexa, one more thing," Gustus added, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Tell your friend to trust his gut. It'll guide him to the right decision, no matter how hard it seems."

 

Lexa took a deep breath, mentally pushing the weight of the situation aside for now. She wasn't quite ready to end things with Costia yet, despite knowing what Gustus said was true. There was too much history between them, and she didn't want to hurt her, not yet anyway.

 

"Thanks, Dad," she repeated, giving him a small smile before turning her attention back to the task at hand. The afternoon continued with them building the gazebo, but Lexa's mind drifted in and out, still conflicted about what to do.

 

As they wrapped up for the day, Lexa checked her phone again and saw a new text from Clarke.

 

Blondie👱‍♀️: Hey, just thinking about you. Are we still on for movie night tonight?

 

Lexa smiled, her heart warming at the thought of spending time with Clarke later. She replied quickly: Definitely. Can't wait to see you 😊

 

With that, Lexa pocketed her phone and headed inside, trying to keep her focus on the present, even though the future still weighed heavily on her mind.

 

🎶🎶🎶

 

Tuesday, October 22nd

 

It was two days until Clarke's birthday, and she could hardly contain her excitement. Turning 16 felt monumental, a milestone she had been waiting for, and she was more than ready to celebrate. Sitting on her bed, Clarke was journaling, something she had been doing a lot of lately. The last few entries had been almost entirely about Lexa.

 

Everything between them had been going so well. Since the weekend they'd spent together, Lexa had been incredibly attentive, sending sweet messages, calling her just to chat, and making her feel like she was the center of Lexa's world. Clarke loved it. And with Costia out of town, there hadn't been any awkwardness or complications getting in the way. It felt like they were in their own little bubble, and Clarke didn't want that feeling to end.

 

She smiled as she re-read some of her previous entries, her heart racing a little as she thought about Lexa's texts and the thoughtful little moments they had shared recently. Clarke had never felt so wanted, so special, and it felt perfect. But at the back of her mind, she knew things couldn't stay this easy forever—not with Costia still in the picture.

 

Clarke put her pen down, closing the journal softly. Right now, though, she wasn't going to worry about that. She had to get up and get ready for the date Lexa was taking her own. Lexa was picking her up by 3 pm and it was 1:15 pm.

 

After stepping out of the shower, Clarke wrapped herself in a fluffy robe and walked over to her closet. She had a feeling about where Lexa was taking her today. Lexa had been listening closely when Clarke mentioned how much she wanted to visit the art museum Niylah's parents had gone to. Clarke had casually brought it up in a conversation, mentioning how Niylah planned to take her one weekend, and the next thing she knew, Lexa had suggested they go on a date—out of town.

 

Clarke smiled to herself, feeling a mixture of excitement and curiosity. Lexa always had a way of making her feel special, and now, this surprise date had her nerves buzzing. She stood in front of her clothes, wondering what to wear.

 

Clarke reached into her closet and pulled out a cozy olive-green sweater dress that stopped just mid-thigh, perfect for the crisp fall weather. It was warm yet stylish, exactly what she needed for their day out. She paired it with the necklace Lexa had given her—the gold chain with the "L" and art palette charms that always made her feel connected to her. As she fastened the necklace around her neck, Clarke smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her.

 

Next, she put on a pair of gold hoop earrings, adding just the right touch of glam to her look. Finally, she slid into her favorite brown knee-high boots, completing the outfit. The boots were comfortable and fashionable, just right for walking around the museum and whatever else Lexa had planned for their day.

 

Lastly, Clarke applied some light makeup to accentuate her natural features—a touch of mascara, a hint of blush, and a soft nude lip. Satisfied with her look, she began curling her hair into loose, effortless waves that framed her face perfectly. When she was done, the soft curls cascaded down her shoulders, adding an elegant touch to her overall appearance.

 

After one last look in the mirror, Clarke smiled, feeling confident and ready for her date with Lexa.

 

By the time she was done with everything it was 2:30 pm so she still had 30 minutes to spare.

 

She decided to go wait downstairs. As she was waiting her phone buzzed multiple times and she saw that Raven and Octavia texted in the group chat.

 

Tavia👯‍♀️💕: Gosh Clarkie has been MIA since the weekend.

 

Ray Ray👯‍♀️💕: Niylah must have her pretty busy😏

 

Tavia👯‍♀️💕: OMG do you think Clarke is still a virgin?

 

Ray Ray👯‍♀️💕: I know Clarke has not lost her virginity before me😩

 

Clarke shook her head, smiling as she read through the messages. Her friends always knew how to make her laugh, but little did they know that Lexa had been the one keeping her busy, not Niylah. She thought about telling them the truth, but the timing wasn't right. Everything with Lexa was still so new, and Clarke wanted to enjoy their moments without adding any extra pressure.

 

She quickly typed a reply.

 

Clarkie👯‍♀️💕: You guys are too much😂 I know I have been MIA but I am definitely still a virgin. How about a girls' night tomorrow?

 

After sending the message, she leaned back on the couch, her mind drifting back to Lexa. These past few days had been perfect—Lexa was giving her everything she needed, and Clarke couldn't stop thinking about her. She glanced at the clock. Only a few more minutes until Lexa arrived.

 

Her heart skipped a beat at the thought of their date. Clarke couldn't wait to see what Lexa had planned for them today.

 

Wednesday, October 23rd

 

It was Wednesday night and Clarke, Raven, and Octavia were in Clarke's room giggling as they talked about sex.

All three girls were still virgins but they knew enough about sex and being in high school you hear a lot about it.

 

"I heard your first time hurts a lot, and some people even bleed," Octavia said, scrunching her face in disgust.

 

"Ugh, same," Raven added. "My older cousin Erica said her first time was a nightmare. She said it hurt like hell, and the guy had no clue what he was doing. Total disaster."

 

"Do you two ever like masturbate?" Clarke asked blushing.

 

Octavia blushed and nodded along with Raven.

 

"I started last summer... It um feels really good," Octavia said.

 

"I don't do it as often but I have done it before, Raven said.

 

"I know this is kind of off the subject. But did you guys know that Lexa is intersex?" Octavia asked.

 

"Really?" Raven asked interested.

 

Clarke kept quiet trying to hide her blush because she knew all too well what Lexa packed down there.

 

"Yeah," Octavia said, smirking. "She doesn't exactly hide it. And I heard she's... well above average if you know what I mean."

 

Clarke narrowed her eyes, trying to mask the irritation in her voice. "How do you even know that? Who told you?"

 

"A girl on the cheer team, Ava. Apparently, she and Lexa lost their virginity to each other during freshman year," Octavia said casually.

 

"What?" Clarke's eyes widened in surprise. "I just assumed she and Costia were each other's first."

 

"Oh no," Octavia shook her head. "Costia's first time was with her boyfriend from freshman year."

 

Clarke was still processing. "How the hell do you even know that?"

 

"Yeah, spill," Raven chimed in. "You've got all the gossip!"

 

Octavia shrugged, still scrolling through her phone. "Costia and I talked one day. She's actually really sweet and gave me great advice about Lincoln. We kind of clicked."

 

Clarke frowned, not sure how she felt about Octavia and Costia being that friendly. But before she could dwell on it, her phone buzzed with a Snapchat notification. She smiled, seeing it was from Lexa.

 

Clarke opened the Snapchat and saw a picture of Lexa smiling, her hair slightly messy from the wind. The caption read: Missing you right now. Wish I could see you 😏. Clarke's heart fluttered as she smiled down at the screen.

 

She quickly snapped a selfie of herself and sent it back with the caption: Miss you too! Can't wait for tomorrow 😘.

 

Octavia peeked over at Clarke's phone and grinned. "Who's got you all smiley over there?" she teased, nudging Clarke. "It's gotta be Niylah, huh?"

 

Clarke quickly locked her phone, trying not to blush too much. "Just a friend," she said casually, shrugging it off.

 

Raven raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Just a friend? So it's not Niylah? Who are you talking to?"

 

Clarke laughed it off nervously. "A friend Ray Ray... she just sent me a cute picture that's all." She waved her hand dismissively, hoping they'd drop it.

 

Before they could press any further, Clarke's phone buzzed again with another Snap from Lexa: Tomorrow can't come fast enough. I've got something special planned for you.

 

Clarke's heart raced, excitement bubbling up inside her. She quickly responded: I can't wait 💕.

 

Meanwhile, Raven and Octavia exchanged a look, clearly curious, but they let it slide for now, thinking Clarke's excitement was about something casual. Little did they know it was nothing casual about how Clarke felt at the moment.

 

Thursday, October 24th

 

It was Thursday morning, Clarke's birthday, and she woke up feeling the excitement of turning 16. After her morning routine, she headed downstairs, stopping in her tracks when she saw the kitchen and living room decorated in birthday decor. Balloons and streamers were everywhere, presents sat on the living room sofa, and a cake was placed on the kitchen table.

 

As soon as Clarke walked into the kitchen, she jumped in surprise as her parents began singing "Happy Birthday" to her. Abby, as usual, had made Clarke's favorite birthday breakfast—strawberry cheesecake pancakes, turkey bacon, eggs, and fresh orange juice.

 

"Happy birthday, sweetheart!" Abby said with a huge smile, setting the food down on the table.

 

After enjoying the delicious breakfast, her parents led her to the living room, encouraging her to open her gifts. Clarke eagerly started unwrapping the presents, finding a few new phone cases, another Stanley cup, a custom iPad case with her favorite pictures, some cute clothes she remembered pointing out to her mom online, a new pair of Uggs, a pink Lululemon belt bag, The Canvas Small Tote bag in black, and more art supplies.

 

She was thrilled with everything, but her excitement doubled when her parents handed her one last small box. Confused but curious, Clarke opened it and gasped when she saw a car key resting inside.

 

Her eyes widened, and she looked up at her parents in surprise. "Wait... is this real?"

 

Jake smiled and nodded towards the front door. "Go take a look," he said, unable to hide his pride.

 

Heart pounding, Clarke rushed to the door and swung it open, only to find a sleek black Audi A5 Sportback sitting in the driveway, a giant bow wrapped around it.

 

"Oh my god!" Clarke squealed, running towards the car, her excitement skyrocketing.

 

Clarke couldn't believe her eyes as she circled the sleek black Audi A5 Sportback, taking in every detail. The glossy black exterior shimmered under the morning light, its sharp lines and elegant design making her heart race. It was everything she could have dreamed of and more.

 

She ran her fingers along the smooth surface, still in awe. Turning back to her parents, who stood on the porch with wide smiles, she blinked, overwhelmed.

 

"Is this really mine?" Clarke asked, her voice barely a whisper.

 

Jake stepped forward, smiling proudly. "Happy birthday, sweetheart. You've worked so hard, and we wanted to do something special for you."

 

Clarke stared at the key in her hand, the iconic Audi logo gleaming back at her. With a burst of excitement, she rushed over to her parents, pulling them both into a tight hug. "Thank you! Thank you so much!" she exclaimed, tears of joy forming in her eyes.

 

She couldn't wait any longer. Unlocking the car, she slid into the driver's seat, her hands gripping the leather steering wheel. The smell of new leather filled the air, and the sleek dashboard and high-tech features made her feel like she was sitting in a dream.

 

"This is unreal," Clarke whispered, her smile wide and bright. She revved the engine lightly, feeling the smooth power beneath her fingers. It was perfect.

 

As Clarke sat in the driver's seat, taking it all in, her phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen to see a group FaceTime call coming from Raven and Octavia. Smiling, she quickly answered, and the moment their faces popped up on the screen, they both started singing.

 

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you!" Octavia and Raven sang dramatically, their voices loud and off-key but filled with enthusiasm.

 

Clarke laughed, holding the phone up so they could see her grinning face. "Thanks, guys!"

 

"Sixteen, baby!" Raven cheered, while Octavia blew into a party horn she must've grabbed just for this occasion.

 

"How does it feel to be the oldest one out of the bunch?" Octavia teased, giving Clarke a playful wink.

 

"Yeah, enjoy your youth while you can," Raven added with a laugh.

 

Clarke rolled her eyes with a smile. "You guys are ridiculous."

 

"Come on, Clarkie, give us the rundown. What did your parents get you? Any big surprises?" Raven asked, leaning closer to her screen.

 

Clarke grinned mischievously and flipped the camera, pointing it toward the car's interior. "Oh, you know... just this little thing."

 

There was a moment of stunned silence, and then both Octavia and Raven shrieked in excitement.

 

"NO WAY!" Raven shouted. "You got a car?!"

 

"Holy crap, Clarke, that's an Audi!" Octavia yelled. "It's so freaking nice!"

 

Clarke flipped the camera back to herself, laughing at their reactions. "Yep! It's an Audi A5 Sportback, and I can't believe it either. It's insane."

 

"You're officially the coolest sixteen-year-old ever," Raven said, sounding half in awe and half envious.

 

"No question," Octavia agreed. "You better be picking us up in that for school next week. We are not letting this go to waste!"

 

Clarke smiled, her heart swelling with happiness. "Of course! We'll cruise around everywhere once I go get my provisional license."

 

"Can we just take a moment to appreciate that this is the car of my dreams?" Raven added. "I swear, Clarke, if you don't treat her right..."

 

Clarke laughed. "Don't worry. I'm taking good care of her already."

 

"Alright, birthday girl," Octavia said, "We'll let you go now, but later we're all hanging out. It's a must."

 

"Definitely," Clarke agreed. "Talk to you guys later!"

 

"Happy birthday, again!" they both shouted in unison before Clarke ended the call.

 

With the phone call ending, Clarke smiled to herself. Today was already shaping up to be one of the best birthdays ever.

 

Clarke hopped out of the car, unable to contain her excitement. Despite still being in her pajamas, she didn't care—she wanted to capture the moment. Turning to her mom, she grinned.

 

"Mom, can you take a picture of me with the car? I know I'm not dressed, but I have to post this."

 

Abby smiled at her daughter's enthusiasm. "Of course, sweetheart! Stand by the car, and let's get a few good ones."

 

Clarke leaned against the sleek black Audi, flashing a bright smile as Abby snapped a few pictures. After checking them and finding the perfect one, she quickly opened her Snapchat and Instagram.

 

She uploaded the picture, the early morning sunlight shining on her face, standing next to her new car in her cozy pajamas. The caption read:

 

16th birthday starting off great already! Thanks, Mom and Dad! 🎉🚗

 

Within minutes, notifications started popping up from friends reacting to her post, but Clarke wasn't focused on that just yet. She was too busy soaking in how perfect the morning had already been.

 

With the house all to herself after her parents left for work, Clarke decided to relax. She kicked off her slippers and lay back in bed, scrolling through the birthday messages flooding her phone. Her friends, extended family, and even a few acquaintances had all sent their well wishes.

 

Her eyes lingered on Niylah's message for a moment.

 

Niylah🎨: Happy Birthday, Clarke! Hope your day is as amazing as you are! Let's celebrate soon!

 

Clarke smiled but felt a flutter of anticipation as she scrolled down to see Lexa's text.

 

Lexa❤️: Happy Birthday, baby. I can't wait to see you today.

 

Clarke's heart skipped a beat. She couldn't help but smile brighter at Lexa's message. The excitement of seeing her later made everything else seem even more perfect. She typed a quick reply: Thank you, Lex. I can't wait to see you too 🥰.

 

She closed her phone for a moment, sinking back into her pillows with a contented sigh. Today was already shaping up to be unforgettable.

 

By two o'clock, Clarke and her dad, Jake, were sitting together in the living room as he helped her schedule her road test online. He was on his lunch break, and Clarke could feel her excitement building as they discussed the steps.

 

"You've already had your learner's permit for over a year, so you're definitely ready," Jake said, glancing at the calendar on his phone to pick a test date.

 

Clarke grinned. "I feel ready! You and Mom taught me everything I need to know. I just hope I don't mess up when it counts."

 

"You'll do great, Clarke," Jake reassured her. "But just so you understand, when you pass the test, you'll get a provisional license. That means for the first six months, there are some restrictions."

 

Clarke raised an eyebrow. "Like what?"

 

Jake leaned back in his chair, explaining, "You can only drive with a couple of people under 21 without a licensed adult in the car. Also, no driving between midnight and 5 a.m. unless it's for work, school, or a medical emergency."

 

Clarke nodded thoughtfully. "Okay, I can handle that."

 

"Once you've had the provisional for a while, the restrictions will ease up, and eventually, you'll get your full license. But for now, just focus on passing the test first," Jake added with a smile.

 

"Got it," Clarke said, feeling even more excited. She could already picture herself driving her new car around town, gaining that independence she'd been waiting for.

 

Clarke and Jake found an available slot for the road test, and after some consideration, they decided to schedule it for tomorrow afternoon. Clarke's heart raced with excitement as Jake confirmed the appointment.

 

"Tomorrow it is!" Jake said, clicking the final confirmation on the screen. "By this time tomorrow, you could officially have your provisional license."

 

Clarke grinned widely. "I can't believe it! I'm so ready for this."

 

"Just keep calm and focus tomorrow," Jake advised, giving her a reassuring smile. "You've practiced enough, and you've got this."

 

Clarke nodded confidently, already feeling a mix of nerves and anticipation for the big day.

 

Later in the afternoon, Clarke heard a knock at the door. She opened it to see Bellamy standing there with Raven and Octavia behind him, both grinning widely.

 

"Happy Birthday, Clarke!" Raven and Octavia said in unison, holding up a small gift bag.

 

"Hey, happy birthday!" Bellamy added with a smile. "Thought I'd bring these two over to celebrate with you."

 

Clarke stepped aside to let them in, her face lighting up. "Thanks, guys! Come in."

 

Raven and Octavia practically bounced into the house, eager to hand over their gift. Clarke pulled out the small box from the gift bag and opened it to reveal a delicate silver necklace with a locket. She gently opened the locket and smiled when she saw a picture of the three of them together, taken during one of their many hangouts.

 

"I love it!" Clarke said, her voice full of gratitude. "This is perfect."

 

"We figured you'd like something sentimental," Octavia said, nudging Raven.

 

"Yeah, we went in together on it," Raven added with a grin. "So now you can carry us with you wherever you go."

 

Clarke hugged them both tightly. "Thank you, guys. This is the best."

 

They spent the next few hours hanging out, laughing, and sharing stories, enjoying the easy friendship they always had.

 

The rest of the day passed by fairly quickly, and now it was 6 p.m. Clarke was getting ready for Lexa to pick her up. She had already told her parents about Lexa's plan to take her out for her birthday and that she wanted to stay the night at Lexa's place afterward. Of course, her parents said yes, thinking it was just a fun night with a close friend.

 

As Clarke slipped on her thigh-high boots, she couldn't help but wonder—if her parents knew Lexa was intersex, would they still have agreed so easily? The thought lingered for a moment, but she pushed it aside. It didn't change how she felt about Lexa, and she doubted it would change her parents' trust in her either. Still, the idea made her pause briefly.

 

Clarke looked in the mirror, admiring her outfit. She wore a cute, tight burnt orange long-sleeve dress that stopped mid-thigh, paired with brown thigh-high boots and gold jewelry, including the necklace Lexa had given her. She had added clip-in hair extensions, making her hair long and wavy as it cascaded down her back. With light makeup to enhance her features, Clarke felt confident and excited for the evening ahead.

 

Lexa arrived at Clarke's house and knocked, her heart beating a little faster than usual. She knew it was Clarke's birthday, but she wasn't prepared for what she was about to see. When the door opened, Lexa froze, completely speechless.

 

Clarke stood in the doorway, her burnt orange dress hugging her figure perfectly, her long, wavy hair cascading over her shoulders. The brown thigh-high boots only added to the look, and the gold jewelry, especially the necklace Lexa had given her, shimmered against her skin. She looked stunning, confident, and glowing with happiness.

 

Lexa's mouth opened slightly, but no words came out. Clarke laughed softly at her reaction, her blue eyes sparkling. "You okay there?" she teased.

 

Lexa blinked, finally finding her voice. "You look... wow, Clarke. You're beautiful," she said, her voice low and full of admiration.

 

Clarke blushed, biting her lip. "Thank you, Lex. You clean up pretty well yourself," she said, glancing at Lexa's outfit with a smile.

 

Lexa was wearing an olive-green sweater that perfectly complemented her eyes, paired with dark jeans and matching tennis shoes. She kept her accessories simple yet stylish with a gold chain around her neck and a gold band for her Apple Watch. Her hair was pulled up into a messy bun, giving her a relaxed, effortlessly cool look.

 

Lexa smiled back, her eyes still locked on Clarke. "Ready to go?"

 

Clarke nodded, grabbing her bag before stepping out and closing the door behind her. "Let's go," she said, excitement bubbling up inside her for whatever Lexa had planned.

 

As they got into Lexa's car, Clarke settled into the passenger seat, her excitement growing. Lexa glanced over at her with a soft smile before she spoke.

 

"So, I got us a hotel for tonight," Lexa said casually, though there was a slight nervousness in her voice.

 

Clarke blinked in surprise, her heart skipping a beat. "A hotel?" she repeated, turning to Lexa with wide eyes. "For just the two of us?"

 

Lexa nodded, keeping her eyes on the road. "Yeah, I thought it would be nice. It's your birthday, and I wanted to do something special. We'll have our own space, no interruptions."

 

Clarke's lips curled into a smile. "That sounds perfect, Lexa. Thank you."

 

Lexa glanced over, her eyes softening. "You deserve it. Tonight's all about you."

 

Lexa truly made the evening all about Clarke. After arriving at a nice restaurant, they shared a quiet, intimate dinner, filled with laughter and easy conversation. Clarke couldn't help but feel incredibly special as Lexa's attention remained on her the entire time.

 

After they finished eating, Lexa reached into her jacket pocket and pulled out a small, beautifully wrapped box. "I got you something else," Lexa said with a soft smile, handing it over.

 

Clarke's eyes lit up as she opened the box and gasped. Inside was another charm to add to her necklace, a small gold "5." She immediately recognized it as Lexa's jersey number.

 

Lexa looked a bit shy as she explained. "I know you can't really wear my actual jersey," she began, her voice soft, "but I still wanted you to wear my number in some way."

 

Clarke's heart swelled, and she smiled warmly at Lexa. "This is perfect. I love it," she said, leaning over to kiss Lexa gently.

 

Lexa smiled into the kiss, feeling a wave of relief wash over her, happy that Clarke loved the gift. They sat there for a moment, the world outside seeming to fade away as they enjoyed the quiet intimacy of the moment.

 

"Thank you for making today so special," Clarke whispered, her fingers gently tracing the new charm on her necklace.

 

Lexa squeezed her hand. "You deserve all of it, Clarke. And this is just the beginning."

 

They left the restaurant and headed back to the hotel that Lexa had booked for the night. When they arrived, Clarke was impressed by how cozy and elegant the room was—Lexa had clearly put thought into everything.

 

"This is so pretty, Lex," Clarke said, admiring the charm in her hand.

 

"Just like you," Lexa replied smoothly, her voice soft and sincere.

 

Clarke blushed and grinned, looking up at Lexa with a playful glint in her eyes. "Flattery will get you everywhere," she teased.

 

Lexa chuckled, stepping closer. "Good to know," she murmured, her gaze lingering on Clarke, full of affection.

 

Clarke gave Lexa a flirty look, her eyes shining with mischief, and slowly walked toward her. Lexa's heart skipped a beat as Clarke closed the distance between them, her movements confident and teasing.

 

"Is that right?" Clarke asked softly, her voice carrying a playful edge as she stopped just inches away from Lexa. She looked up at her, letting the tension build between them, her lips curving into a smirk.

 

Lexa nodded, completely entranced by Clarke's gaze. Her pulse quickened as she took in the softness of Clarke's expression and the quiet intensity in her voice.

 

"Kiss me, Lexa," Clarke whispered, her voice a mix of command and vulnerability.

 

Without hesitation, Lexa closed the small gap between them, her hand gently cupping Clarke's face as she leaned in, their lips meeting in a tender, slow kiss. Lexa tilted her head to deepen the kiss causing Clarke to moan.

 

Clarke felt this kiss throughout her whole body.

 

Lexa's hands were all over Clarke. Squeezing her hips, to her butt, and then her breast.

 

She trailed kisses down to Clarke's neck and sucked.

 

"Mmm Lex," Clarke moaned feeling Lexa suck on her and then lick the spot to soothe the sting.

 

"Fuck I miss having you like this," Lexa mumbled hands pulling Clarke closer.

 

Clarke's hands went to the hem of Lexa's sweater. Causing Lexa to pause what she was doing and lean back to look Clarke in the eyes.

 

"Are you sure, Clarke?" Lexa asked, her voice laced with concern, searching Clarke's eyes for any hint of hesitation.

 

"Yes," Clarke replied, her expression unwavering. "I have never been more sure about anything in my life."

 

Lexa's heart raced at her words, and she leaned in closer, brushing her lips against Clarke's again, this time with more urgency.

 

Lexa pulled Clarke's dress up and her eyes widened when she saw that she had on a black lace bra and panty set.

 

"Fuck, Clarke..." Lexa groaned, her voice thick with admiration as her eyes trailed over Clarke.

 

Clarke bit her lip, feeling a little insecure with this being the first time wearing lingerie, and asked softly, "Do you like it?"

 

Lexa's gaze snapped back up to Clarke's eyes, and she stepped closer, placing her hands gently on Clarke's waist. "Are you kidding?" Lexa whispered, her voice full of desire. "You look incredible."

 

Clarke smiled kissed Lexa on the lips and lifted Lexa's shirt off. She then unbuckled her pants. Lexa stepped back and removed her pants. Both girls stood there looking over each other.

 

Lexa walked backward to the bed and sat down.

 

"Come here, baby," Lexa said softly, her voice soothing yet full of intensity.

 

Clarke, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness, shyly walked toward Lexa, her heart racing as she closed the small gap between them. As she stood in front of Lexa, their eyes locked, and Clarke felt her breath catch in her throat, the anticipation between them palpable.

 

Lexa pulled Clarke to straddle her and smiled when Clarke start kissing and sucking her neck while grinding back and forth on her hard-on.

 

"Yes, baby," Lexa moaned eyes closed.

 

Clarke was for sure marking her but at this point, Lexa did not care. Plus, Costia wouldn't be back until Saturday.

 

Clarke paused, leaning back slightly to take in Lexa's face, her pulse quickening. In Lexa's eyes, she saw a reflection of the same intensity she was feeling, a tenderness that wrapped around her heart. At that moment, amidst all the emotions swirling in her chest, Clarke realized one thing stood out above the rest—love. She was in love with Lexa, and it hit her with full force. It was terrifying and thrilling all at once, but more than anything, it felt right.

 

"I love you," Clarke whispered, her voice barely audible, but the weight of her words hung between them, undeniable.

 

Lexa's breath hitched at Clarke's words, her eyes widening in surprise before softening. "Clarke..." she gasped, her voice trembling slightly. "I love you too."

 

She cupped Clarke's face gently, her thumb brushing against her cheek as if trying to commit every detail to memory. "I've wanted to say it for so long," Lexa admitted, her voice thick with emotion. "I'm so in love with you."

 

Clarke smiled, feeling a wave of warmth wash over her. Hearing Lexa say those words made everything feel even more real, more certain. "I've never felt this way before," Clarke said softly, leaning into Lexa's touch. "And I don't want it to end."

 

"It won't baby," Lexa said and proceeded to stand up with Clarke still around her.

 

She laid her down softly and began to give her soft kisses from her neck to her breast. She undid Clarke's bra and immediately brought her mouth to a nipple.

 

"Lex!" Clarke yelled out feeling pleasure shoot through her body right to her core.

 

Lexa moaned and she moved to the other breast and gave it equal attention. She loved Clarke's breast hell she loved Clarke's body.

 

Lexa started giving her soft kisses down her body. Loving the sounds that Clarke was making. When Lexa reached both of their desired destination she wasted no time pulling down Clarke's lace panties.   Lexa immediately pressed her mouth to Clarke's dripping core, swirling her tongue around her clit. Clarke gripped the sheets and moaned out.

 

"Leeeeeex!" Clarke yelled out the pleasure indescribable.

 

Lexa's name was like a chant on her lips and she knew she was not going to last long. 

 

"Lex that feels so good! Please don't stop!" Clarke yelled out glad that Lexa got a hotel room.

 

Lexa was giving her long, slow licks up her wet slit at this point. Relishing in the taste of her girl.

 

She then switched back to Clarke's clit wrapping her lips back around it and sucking. Not long after she felt Clarke tremble and yell out. She quickly moved her tongue to Clarke's entrance.

 

Clarke was coming and there was nothing she could do to stop it. Lexa was just too good with her mouth.

 

Lexa stood up from the bed quickly to remove her boxers and crawled in between Clarke's legs.

 

"Are you sure about this Clarke?" Lexa asked wanting to be sure before they went any further.

 

"Yes," Clarke said quickly.

 

"So it is going to hurt at first but if you get to the point where you want to stop just tell me and we will okay?" Lexa said seriously.

 

"Okay baby," Clarke replied softly.

 

Lexa pushed Clarke's thighs open more and sat up a little and grabbed her cock rubbing it up and down Clarke's wetness before pausing at her tight entrance.

 

Lexa looked to put her other hand on Clarke's hip and looked Clarke in the eyes as she pushed the head inside.

 

She watched Clarke let out a loud gasp and her eyes widened.

 

Lexa pushed in a little more and stopped when Clarke let a whine.

 

"Fuck," Lexa whispered, "You are so tight."

 

Clarke was gripping the sheets, knuckles white. She knew it would hurt but she was not expecting this.

 

"Are you okay baby?" Lexa asked concerned, "We can stop right now if you want to."

 

Clarke shook her head. "I don't want to stop just give me a minute. You're huge babe."

 

Lexa smiled a little and waited for Clarke to give her the go-ahead. Which didn't take long.

 

Clarke nodded and Lexa slid in some more until she met resistance which she knew was Clarke's hymen.

 

"You okay?" Lexa asked voice low but soft.

 

Clarke nodded although her facial expression looked anything but okay.

 

Lexa looked as if she didn't believe her.

 

"Baby I'm really okay," Clarke said.

 

Lexa nodded and pushed in some more and felt as she broke Clarke's virginity.

 

"Oh god you feel so good," Lexa said as she started rubbing Clarke's clit.

 

That seemed to be the right move because soon she felt Clarke's walls fluttering around her.

 

"Fuck, baby... I'm not going to last long you're too tight," Lexa whined.

 

Clarke moaned out feeling the pain turn into pleasure.

 

Lexa started doing slow strokes in and out. She wasn't even giving her all nine inches yet. Lexa smiled as she heard Clarke's moans grow louder.

 

"You like that baby?" Lexa asked as she continued rubbing Clarke's clit and giving her slow strokes.

 

"Yeeees baby, please faster," Clarke moaned out.

 

Lexa then laid down on top of Clarke, body to body and grabbed her hands, lacing their fingers together above Clarke's head.

 

Lexa's strokes became faster and a little harder causing both girls to cry out.

 

"Yes, baby just like that," Clarke moaned out.

 

"Fuck I'm not going to last long," Lexa said groaning as she felt Clarke's tight walls sucking her in more and more.

 

Lexa kissed Clarke as she bottomed out. Clarke let out a scream in Lexa's mouth and Lexa's eyes rolled in the back of her head as she felt Clarke's walls flutter around her again.

 

Lexa started giving her deep, fast strokes and felt Clarke tighten around her.

 

"You going to come for me, baby?" Lexa whispered in Clarke's ear.

 

Clarke nodded annd let out a loud moan.

 

"I'm coming!" Clarke yelled out as her walls gripped down on Lexa's cock triggering Lexa into her orgasm.

 

Clarke moaned at the feel of Lexa's semen inside of her closing her eyes as Lexa collapsed on top of her breathing hard and twitching a little.

 

"That was amazing babe," Lexa said softly, "You were amazing."

 

"I love you," Clarke said as she pulled Lexa in for another kiss.

 

The two girls made out for a couple of minutes until Lexa pulled back to say

 

"I love you too baby."

Notes:

Sooooo yeah that happened lol… the next chapter will pick up on the weekend of Fall break with Costia coming home and Clarke’s birthday party.

As always leave me your thoughts 💭

Chapter 11: "I just want to be the only one who matters to you."

Friday, October 25th

 

It was the next morning, and Clarke lay quietly in bed, her eyes fixed on Lexa as she slept peacefully beside her. The soft rise and fall of Lexa's chest, the way her face looked so serene in the early morning light, it all felt surreal to Clarke. She still couldn't fully process everything that had happened the night before—the connection, the intimacy, the emotions that had rushed between them.

 

Clarke smiled to herself, remembering how Lexa had held her so gently, how she had whispered those three words that changed everything. She never thought she could feel this deeply for anyone, but here she was, completely in love with Lexa.

 

As she watched Lexa sleep, Clarke couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of peace and happiness. This was real. What they had was real. And for the first time in a long time, Clarke felt like everything was exactly as it should be.

 

Clarke continued watching Lexa, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. She still couldn't quite believe how perfectly the night had gone, how everything between them felt so right. The vulnerability, the affection, and the way Lexa had looked at her—it was everything she had ever wanted.

 

Lexa stirred slightly, her eyelashes fluttering as she began to wake up. Clarke's heart skipped a beat, and she leaned in closer, brushing a few strands of hair away from Lexa's face.

 

Lexa's eyes slowly opened, taking a moment to focus before locking onto Clarke's. A sleepy smile spread across her lips, and Clarke felt her breath catch at the sight.

 

"Hey," Lexa whispered, her voice soft and full of affection.

 

"Hey," Clarke replied, her voice equally tender.

 

For a moment, they just looked at each other, no words needed. Lexa shifted slightly, turning onto her side to face Clarke fully. She reached out, tucking a loose curl behind Clarke's ear, her fingers lingering on her cheek.

 

"I still can't believe last night," Clarke admitted softly, her fingers tracing gentle circles on Lexa's hand. "It was... everything."

 

Lexa smiled, her eyes full of warmth. "It was perfect," she whispered. "You're perfect."

 

Clarke blushed, feeling her heart swell at Lexa's words. "You make me feel that way," she said quietly, her gaze softening.

 

Lexa leaned in, pressing a slow, tender kiss to Clarke's forehead, her lips lingering there for a moment. "I love you," Lexa whispered against her skin.

 

Clarke smiled, her heart full, and whispered back, "I love you too."

 

Clarke noticed Lexa's expression shift, a hint of nervousness creeping onto her face. It looked like she wanted to say something but was hesitating.

 

"What is it, babe?" Clarke asked gently.

 

"I came inside of you last night," Lexa said blushing.

 

"You did," Clarke said smiling, "but we may need to go get a Plan B pill."

 

"Okay we will go when we leave here," Lexa said softly.

 

"Have you done that to anyone else before?" Clarke asked hesitantly.

 

"Come inside, someone?" Lexa asked with a surprised look on her face.

 

Clarke nodded but felt nervous about what Lexa's answer may be.

 

"No, of course not," Lexa said, "You're the first girl I ever came inside of."

 

"Hmmm.. but not the first girl you've had sex with unprotected?" Clarke asked with a raised brow.

 

"Baby, why are you asking all these questions? No one matters but you. I love you," Lexa said, pulling Clarke on top of her and kissing her neck.

 

But Clarke wasn't having it. She sat up, folding her arms with a serious expression.

 

"I love you too Lexa... but I deserve to know your sexual history," Clarke said seriously.

 

Lexa's eyes widened when she saw that Clarke was serious.

 

"Oh, you're serious right now?" Lexa said sitting up some and then placing her hands on the younger girl's hips. "What do you want to know babe? Ask me anything."

 

"How many girls have you been with?" Clarke asked.

 

"Hmmm," Lexa said tilting her head and doing the math in her head.

 

Clarke gasped and glared at her. "What the hell Lex you've been with that many girls?"

 

Lexa laughed shaking her head. "No babe I'm just kidding. My freshman year I had sex with four girls before I got with Costia."

 

"So, including me and Costia, you've had sex with six people?" Clarke stated, her tone more curious than upset.

 

"Yes," Lexa admitted, watching Clarke closely.

 

"And your first was Ava?" Clarke asked.

 

Lexa raised a brow in surprise. "How do you know that?"

 

"Don't worry about it," Clarke said with a smirk.

 

Lexa rolled her eyes, chuckling lightly. "You and your sources but yes Ava was my first she liked me and I thought she was cute so we got together. She was my first girlfriend but we were only together for like three months and we used a condom each time we had sex," Lexa explained.

 

"Continue," Clarke said gesturing her hand as if to go.

 

"Babe! You're really going to make me go through each one?" Lexa said laughing.

 

"Yes! Now tell me," Clarke said laughing as Lexa tickled her.

 

"You promise not to get mad?" Lexa asked.

 

"I promise babe," Clarke said innocently.

 

"Okay, so after Ava, I was friends with benefits with a girl named Sadé," Lexa started. "She was a senior and she literally taught me a lot of stuff. We messed around for a month or two and used a condom each time. It stopped when she and her boyfriend got back together."

 

Clarke raised an eyebrow. "A lot of stuff, huh?"

 

Lexa chuckled nervously. "Yeah... let's just say I learned quickly with her."

 

Clarke smirked, though she felt a twinge of jealousy. "Alright, continue."

 

"Um, next was Jadé," Lexa continued. "We only had sex like three times, and I used a condom each time," she added quickly. "She wasn't from our school, though. I met her at a soccer competition."

 

Clarke nodded, trying to keep her expression neutral, though her mind was racing. "Okay," she said, her voice calm.

 

Lexa gave a small, relieved smile. "Yeah, it wasn't serious or anything. Just one of those things, you know?"

 

"Yeah, I get it," Clarke replied, although she couldn't help but feel a little uneasy hearing all of this.

 

Lexa sighed, glancing at Clarke to make sure she was still okay. "Next was a girl named Taylor. We kind of had a thing for a couple of months, but it never turned into a relationship. We were friends, hooked up, and then just stayed friends. We always used protection though, every time."

 

Clarke raised an eyebrow. "So after Taylor, it's been just Costia?"

 

"Yeah, just her," Lexa said, sounding a little relieved thinking in that this talk will be over soon. "We got together at the start of sophomore year, and since then, I've only been with her. Well, now you."

 

Clarke nodded thoughtfully, processing the information. "Okay," she said quietly. Then, after a pause, she asked, "Do you and Costia use protection?"

 

She felt Lexa tense under her.

 

"For the first year and a half, we did," Lexa admitted, her voice hesitant. "But then she got on birth control, and we wanted to see how it would feel without a condom... so we did. And we haven't used one since then."

 

Clarke's jaw tightened slightly, jealousy bubbling up inside her. "So you just pull out with her or something?"

 

"Yes, I do," Lexa replied quickly, sensing Clarke's irritation. "But, baby, I don't plan on sleeping with her again. And if it ever did happen again, I swear I'd use a condom."

 

Clarke took a deep breath, trying to process everything Lexa had shared. She appreciated Lexa's honesty, but the jealousy still churned in her stomach.

 

"Okay," she said slowly, trying to keep her emotions in check. "I just... I want to make sure that you're safe, you know? I don't want to be caught off guard."

 

Lexa reached out, brushing her fingers gently against Clarke's arm. "I understand, and I promise I'll always prioritize your safety and my health. You're the most important person in my life now."

 

Clarke met Lexa's gaze, searching for sincerity in her eyes. "I just want to be the only one who matters to you."

 

"You are, Clarke," Lexa said softly, her voice filled with warmth. "Costia is going to be apart of my past soon, but you're my future. I'm all in with you."

 

Clarke's heart raced at Lexa's words, feeling a mix of relief and affection. "Okay. I just needed to hear that."

 

Lexa smiled, the tension easing between them. "I promise to always communicate with you, no matter how uncomfortable it might be. You deserve that."

 

"Thank you," Clarke said, feeling a wave of gratitude wash over her. "I appreciate you being so open with me."

 

Lexa leaned in closer, resting her forehead against Clarke's. "Now, can we get back to enjoying our time together?

 

Clarke couldn't help but grin at that. "Yes, babe."

 

With that, Lexa leaned in and kissed Clarke softly, igniting the warmth that had filled the room once more. Clarke felt a rush of happiness, knowing they were navigating this new territory together, hand in hand.

 

🎶🎶🎶

 

Saturday, October 26th

 

It was Saturday morning, the day of Clarke's birthday party, and Lexa felt a rush of excitement as she anticipated seeing Clarke again. After dropping her off the previous afternoon, Lexa had spent the rest of the day counting down the hours until they could be together.

 

As she brushed her hair in front of the mirror, she sighed, thinking about Costia and her cousin Emory, who was set to arrive at Lexa's house around 10 AM. She couldn't lie she did miss Costia in a way but that feeling didn't compare to the connection she had with Clarke.

 

Lexa picked up her phone, scrolling through the messages that had piled up since yesterday. Among the texts from friends, Clarke's name stood out, and a smile crept across Lexa's face. Clarke's excitement was palpable, and Lexa couldn't wait to celebrate with her later at Octavia's house.

 

She glanced at the clock and realized she had about 20 minutes before Costia and Emory would arrive. Lexa walked downstairs and found her mom in the kitchen preparing breakfast.

 

"Good morning, Mom," Lexa greeted her with a hug.

 

"Morning, sweetheart! Are you excited that Costia is back?" Indra asked, her tone warm and curious.

 

"Of course!" Lexa replied, trying to inject some enthusiasm into her voice, even if it felt a bit forced.

 

Indra turned to face her, studying Lexa's expression but chose not to comment on it.

 

"Remember I mentioned going to a party tonight and staying over at Anya's afterward?" Lexa continued, hoping to steer the conversation.

 

"I remember... whose party is it again?" Indra asked, her curiosity piqued.

 

"Clarke's best friends are throwing her a Halloween party for her 16th birthday that was on Thursday," Lexa said casually, keeping her tone light.

 

"Hmm... Clarke... is Costia going?" Indra asked.

 

"Yeah, she is," Lexa replied, trying to keep her tone casual. "We're going together."

 

"Okay," Indra said as she started chopping up the fruits.

 

Soon, the doorbell rang, and Lexa hurried to open it, revealing Costia and Emory standing there, both beaming with excitement.

 

"Baby! I missed you!" Costia exclaimed, wrapping her arms around Lexa and showering her with kisses on her cheeks.

 

Lexa felt a rush of mixed emotions, tensing up slightly at the affectionate display. "I missed you too," she said, forcing a smile to mask her unease.

 

"Hey Lexie, this one here couldn't stop talking about you on the ride back," Emory said, giving Lexa a quick hug.

 

"Is that right?" Lexa replied with a smirk, casting a playful glance at Costia.

 

Costia blushed and looked away, unable to meet Lexa's teasing gaze.

 

"You two are too freaking cute!" Emory exclaimed, pulling out her phone to record them for Snapchat. "Remember, I'm going to be the maid of honor at your wedding!"

 

Lexa's smile faltered, and she quickly cleared her throat. "Um, my mom made us breakfast," she said, trying to change the subject as she led them toward the kitchen.

 

As they made their way to the kitchen, the delicious smell of breakfast filled the air. Indra had laid out a spread of fluffy pancakes, crispy turkey bacon, scrambled eggs, and fresh fruit.

 

"Wow, this looks amazing!" Costia said, eyeing the spread eagerly as she took a seat at the table.

 

"Thanks, I hope you're all hungry," Indra replied with a warm smile as she set down a pitcher of orange juice. "Gustus should be joining us any minute."

 

Just then, Gustus walked in, his hair slightly disheveled and a mug of coffee in hand. "Morning, everyone!" he greeted, taking a seat at the head of the table.

 

"Morning, Dad!" Lexa replied, flashing him a smile.

 

As they dug into their breakfast, the conversation flowed easily, mostly revolving around school and college plans.

 

"So, what are your thoughts on college, Costia?" Gustus asked, glancing at her between bites of pancake. "I know you and Lexa have been looking at some schools."

 

Costia nodded, swallowing a mouthful of food. "Yeah! We've talked about UCLA or Stanford. I love the idea of living in a big city."

 

"That sounds awesome, sweetheart," Indra said warmly. "You both will definitely thrive at any school you choose."

 

Costia smiled but before she could say anything, Lexa spoke up. "Actually, I've been thinking about staying closer to home," she said, her mind flashing to Clarke and how she didn't want to be too far from her.

 

Costia looked surprised, confusion washing over her face. "What? We never talked about staying closer to home."

 

"It's just something I've been considering recently," Lexa replied with a shrug, avoiding Costia's gaze.

 

"I thought the plan was for you and Costia to go to college together," Indra interjected, her tone slightly sharper than usual. "You two were going to live together, weren't you?"

 

Lexa sighed, feeling the tension rise. "Can we not get into this right now? I just said I'm thinking about it, that's all. It's not set in stone."

 

The room fell quiet as Lexa's comment hung in the air. Costia stared down at her plate, clearly upset, while Indra shot Lexa a concerned look. Gustus, sensing the shift in mood, stayed silent.

 

The rest of breakfast passed in awkward silence, the once-lighthearted conversation now overshadowed by tension.

 

~~~

 

After breakfast, the three girls headed upstairs to Lexa's room, the atmosphere still a little tense. Emory wasted no time in trying to lighten the mood.

 

"So, Costia got you guys the cutest doctor and nurse couple costume for the Halloween party," Emory said excitedly, flashing a grin as she plopped onto Lexa's bed. "You two are going to look so adorable."

 

Costia smiled, clearly trying to move past the earlier awkwardness. "Yeah, Lex. You'll be the doctor, and I'll be your nurse. I thought it'd be cute since everyone says we make a good team."

 

Lexa forced a smile, her mind still on Clarke and the party later. "Sounds fun," she said, trying to keep her tone light.

 

Costia looked a little more at ease, but there was still a hint of tension in the air as they unpacked the costumes.

 

As they unpacked the costumes, Lexa cleared her throat. "Oh, by the way, Octavia asked me to come over around 6 pm to help decorate for the party tonight."

 

Costia's eyes lit up. "Ooh, that sounds fun! Do you need help? I'd love to come with you."

 

Emory chimed in with a grin. "Count me in, too! We'll make the place look amazing."

 

Lexa hesitated for a moment, thinking about Clarke, but she quickly nodded. "Sure, if you guys want to help, I'm sure they wouldn't mind. The more, the merrier."

 

Hours flew by, and soon the girls were heading out to Octavia's house. When they arrived, Octavia greeted them at the door with a big smile, excited to see them. "Hey guys! You must be Emory," Octavia said, giving her a friendly hug. "Costia's told me about you!"

 

Inside, the house was already buzzing with activity. Most of the people there were Bellamy's friends from the football team, and Raven was also hanging out, helping to set things up.

 

The decorating began, and the group worked together for the next couple of hours, putting up cobwebs, and string lights, and arranging the snack table. After about two and a half hours of hard work, everything was starting to look perfect.

 

The group stepped back to admire their work after hours of decorating. The house was fully transformed with cobwebs draped across the ceilings, spooky string lights flickering in the corners, and a snack table overflowing with Halloween-themed treats. The fog machine was set to create an eerie atmosphere by the entrance, and pumpkins carved with intricate designs lined the walls.

 

"Okay, everything's coming together!" Octavia said, clapping her hands. "The party starts at 10, so we've still got some time to get into our costumes."

 

A few people started to head home to change, but Octavia turned to Lexa, Costia, and Emory. "You guys are welcome to use one of the guest rooms upstairs to get ready," she offered. "No need to rush back home."

 

"Thanks, O," Lexa said with a small smile. "That'll save us some time."

 

Costia grinned, grabbing Lexa's hand. "Let's go get into our costumes! I can't wait for you to see the full look."

 

Emory chuckled, already heading upstairs. "It's going to be a killer night."

 

Lexa and Costia stepped into one of the guest rooms to get ready, while Emory took another room down the hall. As soon as the door shut, the awkward tension from earlier settled back in. Neither of them said much as they got dressed, the silence heavy in the air. Lexa focused on her costume, but her eyes kept drifting to Costia.

 

Costia looked amazing in her sexy nurse costume—it fit her perfectly, hugging every curve. Lexa adjusted her doctor uniform, glancing at herself in the mirror before turning to look at Costia again. The way the costume showed off her legs and the confidence in her smile made it hard for Lexa not to admire her.

 

Breaking the silence, Costia grinned as she caught Lexa's reflection in the mirror. "We are definitely giving Grey's Anatomy vibes," she said playfully, watching as Lexa stepped up behind her.

 

Lexa chuckled softly, standing close enough that their arms brushed. "Yeah," she said, smiling back. "We do look the part."

 

"I love you, Lex, you know that, right?" Costia asked, turning around and wrapping her arms around Lexa's neck.

 

"I know, Cos, and I love you too," Lexa replied, though her feelings had shifted. She loved Costia deeply, but more as a close friend now than anything else.

 

Costia leaned in and gave Lexa a gentle kiss. "Alright, I need to do my hair and makeup now."

 

"Okay, I'll go check downstairs, and see if anything else needs to be done," Lexa said, slipping out of the room.

 

As she stepped into the hallway, Emory emerged from her room, dressed as Catwoman. Her tight black spandex onesie clung to her figure, paired with cat ears and thigh-high boots.

 

"Well, look at you, Lexie, looking like Dr. McDreamy," Emory teased, causing Lexa to laugh.

 

"Thanks, I think?" Lexa responded, smiling. "You look great too."

 

"Appreciate it! Just need Costia to do my makeup and I'll be all set," Emory said, scrolling through Instagram on her phone.

 

"She's in there doing hers now," Lexa shared, nodding toward the guest room.

 

"Awesome, I'll head in," Emory said, walking off toward Costia.

 

Lexa nodded and continued her way downstairs. Lexa stopped in her tracks as she reached the bottom of the stairs, her breath catching at the sight of Clarke standing there talking to Bellamy. Clarke looked absolutely stunning in her angel costume—she wore a white long-sleeve onesie paired with white see-through stockings and white thigh-high boots. The soft angel wings and golden halo completed the look, but it was the way her hair was perfectly curled and her makeup lightly applied that left Lexa speechless. Clarke looked ethereal.

 

She was more than beautiful. She was breathtaking.

 

As if sensing Lexa's gaze, Clarke turned around, her face lighting up with the most beautiful smile. Lexa's heart skipped a beat at the sight, and then her eyes fell on the necklace around Clarke's neck—the one she had gifted her. Seeing Clarke wear it, Lexa couldn't help but smile, feeling a warm sense of pride and affection. Clarke looked like an angel, and at that moment, Lexa was so happy she was hers.

 

Clarke walked over to Lexa, her smile widening as she got closer. "Hey, you," she said softly, her voice filled with affection.

 

"Hey," Lexa replied, still a bit in awe. "You look... incredible."

 

Clarke blushed slightly, tucking a loose curl behind her ear. "You don't look so bad yourself, Dr. Lexa." She teased, reaching out to adjust the lapel of Lexa's doctor's coat.

 

Lexa smirked. "Well, I aim to impress." She glanced around before leaning in and whispering, "You really do look like an angel tonight."

 

Clarke's cheeks flushed again, but she kept her composure. "Flattery will get you everywhere."

 

Lexa chuckled, think of when Clarke said the same thing to her two nights ago. For a moment, it felt like it was just the two of them in the room, everything else fading away. Clarke's hand lingered on Lexa's arm as they stood close, the connection between them palpable.

 

"You ready for tonight?" Clarke asked, her eyes gleaming with excitement.

 

Lexa's smile dropped a little and she glanced toward the stairs. "Costia's here... and her cousin Emory. They came earlier to help with the decorations."

 

Clarke's expression faltered slightly, but she quickly composed herself. "Oh, I see."

 

"I didn't know how to bring it up earlier, and I didn't want to ruin the night. I just... I didn't want you to be caught off guard," Lexa added, her eyes searching Clarke's face for a reaction.

 

Clarke took a deep breath, then gave a small smile. "Thanks for telling me. It's fine, really. I can handle it."

 

Lexa exhaled, relieved that Clarke seemed okay, but the nervous energy between them lingered as they stood amid the growing party with people starting to arrive.

 

Clarke's gaze shifted toward the stairs, and her heart sank slightly as she saw Costia descending with a girl who had to be Emory. Both of them looked effortlessly sexy—Costia in her tight nurse costume, and Emory in her sleek Catwoman outfit. Clarke felt a small frown tug at her lips, though she couldn't deny that they both looked incredible tonight.

 

Lexa followed her line of sight, her nerves spiking again as she watched Clarke's reaction. "You okay?" she asked softly.

 

Clarke glanced back at her, forcing a small smile. "Yeah, I'm good." But the feeling in her chest told a different story.

 

As Costia descended the stairs, she spotted Lexa near the bottom and walked straight toward her with a confident smile. "How do I look, babe?" she asked, spinning slightly to show off her tight nurse costume. Lexa hesitated for a moment, her eyes darting to Clarke, who stood nearby. After a brief pause, she managed a smile and replied, "You look... sexy."

 

Costia beamed at the compliment and leaned in to give Lexa a long kiss on the lips. Lexa kissed her back but couldn't help glancing at Clarke, who was doing her best to maintain a neutral expression.

 

Emory followed closely behind Costia, noticing Clarke for the first time. "Hey! I'm Emory, Costia's cousin," she said brightly. "You look beautiful, by the way!"

 

Costia, turned towards Clarke and her cousin smiling, "This is Clarke, the birthday girl!"

 

"Oh, happy birthday!" Emory exclaimed, her enthusiasm palpable.

 

Clarke managed a polite smile, but she could feel the tension in the air, especially with Costia's presence. Emory was oblivious, already drifting off to join other guests while Costia continued to linger close to Lexa, leaving Clarke to navigate her mixed feelings alone.

 

Just as the atmosphere began to thicken with tension, Octavia and Raven appeared at the top of the stairs, each dressed in cute and sexy red devil costumes.

 

"Are we ready to party birthday girl?" Octavia announced, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she struck a playful pose, her devil horns bobbing slightly.

 

"Absolutely!" Raven added, showcasing her pitchfork as if it were a trophy. "Clarke, you're going to love this party!"

 

Raven and Octavia came down and stood next to Clarke each on one side.

 

Costia turned to them smiling. "You all look amazing!" she said, clapping her hands. "I have to get a picture!"

 

"Thanks! You and Lexa look great too," Octavia replied, her gaze drifting to Clarke, who was still processing the tension between Lexa and Costia. "And happy birthday again, Clarkeie! Are you ready to celebrate?"

 

"Definitely," Clarke replied, forcing a smile as she tried to shake off the lingering discomfort from earlier.

 

As they joined the dance floor, Clarke felt a wave of relief wash over her. The atmosphere lightened with Octavia and Raven's presence, and she hoped the night would distract her from the awkwardness with Lexa and Costia.

 

As time passed, the party was in full swing, and Clarke was enjoying herself despite the pangs of jealousy she felt watching Lexa and Costia dance together. Costia was grinding and shaking her butt against Lexa, who looked both amused and slightly uncomfortable.

 

Clarke was pulled out of her thoughts when someone approached from behind and playfully covered her eyes.

 

"Guess who?" the person said, their voice light and teasing.

 

"I know it's you, Niylah," Clarke replied, smiling as she recognized her friend.

 

Niylah uncovered Clarke's eyes, and Clarke turned to take in her costume. Niylah was dressed in a sexy Tinkerbell outfit, complete with a green dress that hugged her curves and delicate wings that fluttered with every movement. Clarke couldn't help but admire her friend's look, feeling a rush of warmth.

 

"Wow, you look amazing!" Clarke exclaimed, her eyes sparkling. "I love the costume!"

 

Niylah grinned, twirling to show off the full effect. "Thanks! You look incredible as an angel!" She stepped a little closer, her gaze lingering on Clarke. "You're definitely stealing the show tonight."

 

"Thanks!" Clarke said, her cheeks flushing slightly at the compliment.

 

Niylah chuckled, leaning in a bit. "No seriously Clarke. You look beautiful."

 

Clarke smiled and blushed harder. "You're just saying that because you're trying to butter me up."

 

"Maybe," Niylah replied with a wink. "But I'm serious. Let's grab a drink and have some fun. You deserve it, birthday girl!"

 

"Yeah, let's do that!" Clarke said, grateful for the distraction as she followed Niylah towards the snack table, leaving behind the sight of Lexa and Costia.

~~~

 

As Lexa danced with Costia, her attention shifted to Clarke, who was now chatting and laughing with Niylah. Lexa's heart sank a little at the sight of them together. Niylah's flirtatious energy was evident, and Clarke seemed to be genuinely enjoying herself, a bright smile on her face that Lexa had always adored.

 

She couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy as she watched Clarke lean closer to Niylah, their conversation animated and playful. The way Niylah brushed her fingers against Clarke's arm made Lexa's stomach twist. Despite Costia grinding against her, Lexa felt an overwhelming urge to be with Clarke, to pull her away from Niylah and remind her how much fun they could have together.

 

"Hey, you okay?" Costia asked, breaking Lexa's train of thought.

 

"Yeah, I'm fine," Lexa replied, forcing a smile as she tried to focus on the moment. "Just... thinking."

 

Costia raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced, but Lexa ignored it, her eyes still trained on Clarke and Niylah. She wished things could be different, that she could be the one making Clarke laugh like that instead of feeling like a bystander in her own life.

 

"Let's go get a drink! I heard there's alcohol," Costia suggested, tugging on Lexa's hand and leading her toward the area where Clarke and Niylah were chatting.

 

As Costia started mixing drinks for them, Emory came over to chat, pulling Costia's attention away. Lexa took the opportunity to move closer to Clarke, her heart racing as she approached.

 

"Are you enjoying yourself?" Lexa asked, trying to keep her tone casual.

 

"Yes... Niylah is keeping me great company," Clarke replied a playful glint in her eyes, knowing it would make Lexa a bit jealous.

 

Lexa couldn't help but let out a low, possessive growl.

 

Leaning down, she whispered in Clarke's ear, "Meet me upstairs in the guest room two doors down from the bathroom in five minutes."

 

Clarke watched as Lexa walked off, her heart fluttering. Lexa leaned in to whisper something to Costia before striding toward the stairs, leaving Clarke buzzing with anticipation.

 

Clarke felt her heart race as she processed Lexa's words. The way Lexa had leaned in, their bodies close enough for her to feel the heat radiating from her skin, sent a thrill through her. The possessive tone in Lexa's voice made her shiver, both excited and nervous about what Lexa had in mind.

 

"Everything okay?" Niylah asked, her eyes darting between Clarke and Lexa as she noticed the energy shift.

 

"Yeah, just... girl stuff," Clarke replied, trying to sound casual.

 

Niylah raised an eyebrow. "Girl stuff?"

 

Clarke nodded and bit her lip, glancing toward the stairs where Lexa had disappeared. "I'll be right back," she said, her voice slightly breathless.

 

As she made her way through the crowded room, the music pulsing around her, Clarke felt a mix of anticipation and apprehension. She pushed through the throng of partygoers, her eyes fixed on the staircase.

 

Reaching the top of the stairs, Clarke took a deep breath and headed toward the guest room Lexa had mentioned. The door was slightly ajar, and she could hear the faint sound of music and laughter from downstairs, but her heart was pounding for an entirely different reason.

 

Clarke pushed the door open and stepped inside. The room was dimly lit, cozy, and far away from the noise of the party. She felt a rush of excitement as she turned to find Lexa leaning against the wall, arms crossed, a smirk playing on her lips.

 

"Took you long enough," Lexa teased, her eyes glinting mischievously.

 

Clarke grinned, feeling bold. "You know how it is. Niylah was keeping me busy."

 

Lexa pushed off the wall, closing the gap between them. "I noticed," she said, her tone low and serious now. "I didn't like seeing you with her like that."

 

Clarke felt her cheeks flush at Lexa's admission. "Jealous, were you?"

 

"Maybe," Lexa replied, her gaze intense. "But I'd rather not think about anyone else when I'm with you."

 

The air between them thickened, and Clarke's heart raced at the tension. "So, what did you want to talk about?"

 

Lexa stepped closer, grabbing Clarke by her hips. "I wanted to see you, to be with you... away from everyone else."

 

Lexa then slowly slid her hand from Clarke's hips to her ass and gave a firm squeeze making Clarke moan out.

 

"I want you so bad right now," Lexa whispered, her breath warm against Clarke's skin.

 

"I want you too," Clarke whispered back, her heart racing as she felt the intensity of Lexa's gaze.

 

Lexa then moved from Clarke and walked to the door to lock it. She came back to Clarke and immediately kissed her. Clarke moaned at the way Lexa's lips and tongue were moving against hers.

 

Lexa pulled back, making Clarke whine. "We have to be quick babe before people notice we are gone okay?"

 

Clarke nodded and pulled Lexa back into a kiss. Lexa took off Clarke's wings and unzipped her bodysuit as they continued to kiss.

 

Clarke quickly pulled back and took off the body suit and her black bra. She then pulled off her stockings and panties in one go.

 

"Fuck," Lexa whispered to herself as she looked over Clarke's body.

 

Clarke moved to take off Lexa's white doctor coat and her shirt. Lexa stepped back so she could take off her pants and boxers in one go.

 

Clarke watched as Lexa went and sat on the edge of the bed.

 

"Come here baby," Lexa said as she jacked herself off.

 

Clarke walked over to Lexa watching her hand movement. Once she got in front of Lexa the older girl grabbed her hips and pulled her into a straddling position.

 

Lexa kissed Clarke and brought her hand down in between and found Clarke's wet center.

 

"You're so wet baby," Lexa said rubbing Clarke's clit.

 

"Mmmm, baby... I want you inside," Clarke moaned.

 

"Okay," Lexa said and laid back on the bed with Clarke still straddling her.

 

Clarke looked over Lexa briefly as she got used to the new position. She leaned forward slightly to place her hands on Lexa's shoulders. Lexa gripped her waist but her eyes were stuck on Clarke's large breasts. 

 

Clarke slowly lifted her hips over before slowly sinking herself down onto Lexa's cock. Both girls moaned out at the same time.

 

"Oh fuck, Clarke baby... fuck!" Lexa groaned as Clarke continued sinking down.

 

"Leeeeeex," Clarke purred feeling nothing but pleasure as Lexa stretched her out.

 

When Clarke was finally all of the way down. Lexa held her there, closing her eyes trying to hold off her orgasm.

 

"Shit! I'm not going to last long baby," Lexa said.

 

Clarke bit her lip as she lifted her hips again slowly before lowering them again. She did it again except faster. Soon she was riding Lexa so good it had the older girl crying out.

 

"You're riding me so good baby," Lexa moaned out as she pulled Clarke down for a kiss.

 

Clarke could feel Lexa throb inside of her and felt herself tighten around Lexa.

 

Lexa let out a growl and began to thrust up and had her hands on Clarke's hip bringing her down both meeting in the middle.

 

Clarke was moaning so loud and Lexa could feel her tighten around her even more.

 

"Let go, baby," Lexa whispered in Clarke's ear and that was it.

 

Clarke yelled out as a powerful orgasm overtook her. Lexa was still thrusting up chasing her orgasm.

 

"Fuck fuck fuck," Lexa said moaning as she quickly lifted Clarke off of her. She was about to jack herself off but Clarke beat her to it and started jacking her off with both hands.

 

Lexa came not even five seconds later all over Clarke's hands.

 

Both girls exchanged soft smiles, their breathing still heavy. Clarke got up first, heading to the bathroom to wash her hands. When she returned, she handed Lexa a wet washcloth, and Lexa cleaned up quickly. They freshened up in a comfortable silence, putting their costumes back on, the quietness filled with a sense of unspoken connection.

 

As Clarke reached for the door, Lexa gently pulled her into a warm embrace and kissed her softly on the lips.

 

"I love you," Lexa whispered, her forehead resting against Clarke's.

 

"I love you too," Clarke replied, her voice just as tender.

 

~~~

 

As they stepped out of the room, they almost bumped into Emory, who was just coming out of the bathroom. She paused, looking from Lexa to Clarke with raised eyebrows, her expression immediately turning suspicious.

 

"You two..." Emory said slowly, her gaze flickering between them. "What were you doing in there?"

 

Clarke shifted slightly, but Lexa quickly recovered, offering a casual shrug. "Just talking about some stuff," she said, trying to sound nonchalant.

 

Emory gave them both a long look before nodding slowly, though her suspicion was still clear. "Right..." she said, not fully convinced.

 

Clarke quickly jumped in, her voice steady. "I got upset about something earlier, and Lexa was just calming me down," she said, giving Emory a reassuring smile.

 

Emory studied Clarke for a moment, her eyes narrowing slightly before she finally nodded. "Okay," she said slowly, though it was clear she still wasn't entirely buying it. "Well, glad you're feeling better now."

 

"Yeah, all good now," Clarke replied, trying to sound casual.

 

With a final glance between them, Emory turned and walked off down the hallway. Clarke let out a quiet breath of relief as soon as she was gone.

 

As soon as Emory was out of sight, Clarke and Lexa exchanged a glance, tension easing between them. They walked downstairs together, but Lexa kept a bit of distance now, knowing they had to be careful. The party was still in full swing—people were dancing, laughing, and music pumped through the house. Clarke spotted Niylah again, laughing with a group of people by the snack table, and felt a flicker of guilt, but she pushed it aside.

 

Costia soon appeared, sliding up to Lexa with a drink in hand. "Where'd you go, babe? I was looking for you," she said with a playful pout.

 

"Just helping Clarke out with something," Lexa replied smoothly, offering a tight smile.

 

Costia nodded, completely unaware, before turning to Clarke. "You good now?"

 

Clarke forced a smile and nodded. "Yeah, all good. Thanks, Costia."

 

Costia grabbed Lexa's hand, her fingers lacing through hers, and tugged her playfully. "Come on, Lex, I want to show you something," she said, smiling as she pulled her away.

 

Lexa glanced back at Clarke, her expression unreadable, but Clarke saw the tension in her eyes. She watched as Lexa allowed herself to be led off by Costia, feeling a pang of jealousy but knowing there was nothing she could do about it now. They disappeared into the crowd, and Clarke let out a sigh.

 

Niylah appeared by her side out of nowhere. "Hey, you okay?" she asked, her tone soft and concerned.

 

Clarke nodded, plastering on a smile. "Yeah, just... long night."

 

Clarke tried to push her complicated feelings aside as Niylah smiled warmly at her. "Well, if you need a break, I'm right here. Want to get some fresh air?" Niylah suggested, her eyes flicking toward the back door where a few people were already hanging out.

 

Clarke glanced back at the crowd, catching a glimpse of Lexa and Costia moving through the party, and decided it would be best to step away for a bit. "Yeah, let's do that," she said, following Niylah outside.

 

The cool night air hit Clarke's face as they stepped out onto the porch. A few people were laughing and talking near the fire pit, but the atmosphere outside was much calmer than the loud music and dancing inside.

 

"You seem a little out of it," Niylah said gently as they stood near the railing. "I know it's your party and all, but you don't seem like you're having much fun."

 

Clarke shook her head and sighed, appreciating Niylah's perceptiveness. "It's been a lot tonight," she admitted. "Just... stuff I'm trying to figure out."

 

Niylah leaned closer, her arm brushing against Clarke's. "Well, I'm here to help however I can, even if it's just distracting you." Her tone was flirty, and Clarke couldn't help but smile a little at her lightheartedness.

 

"I appreciate that," Clarke said softly, feeling a bit of tension lift as they stood there, the quiet night offering her some peace.

 

They talked for a while, Niylah making Clarke laugh with her stories and comments. Clarke felt a little more at ease, but in the back of her mind, she couldn't stop thinking about Lexa.

Notes:

Lexa and Clarke are really pushing it lol. So tell me your thoughts💭

Chapter 12: "I feel a certain bond between you two-something strong and undeniable."

Tuesday, November 12th

 

It was Tuesday morning, and Clarke was up getting ready for school. She stood in front of the mirror, pulling her hair into a ponytail before curling it. Today was an away game, and Costia had insisted that the cheer team wear their long-sleeved uniform tops with jeans and cheer shoes to school.

 

As she was halfway through curling her hair, her phone rang. Clarke instantly knew who it was from the ringtone—Lexa.

 

A smile spread across her face as she answered the FaceTime call.

 

"Good morning, baby," Lexa greeted her, her voice warm and sweet.

 

"Good morning, babe," Clarke replied, her smile widening. "How's your morning so far?"

 

"Great, now that I'm talking to you," Lexa said with a playful wink, making Clarke blush.

 

"Smooth talker," Clarke mumbled, unable to hide her grin.

 

"I wish you could ride with me to the away game today," Lexa said, pouting adorably. "It feels like we haven't had any alone time these past two weeks."

 

The last time they had sex was Halloween night. It's like since that night the universe was purposely keeping them away from each other because something always came up even on the weekends.

 

"I know," Clarke sighed. "Between working on my pieces for the art competition and cheer practice, I've been exhausted when I get home. And then there's all this homework my teachers keep piling on. It's been crazy."

 

"Yeah, I get it," Lexa said, her voice soft with understanding. "I just miss you."

 

"I miss you too, baby. How about you come this weekend my parents will be out of town for my dad's colleague's wedding?" Clarke suggested, smiling when Lexa's eyes lit up.

 

"I would love that," Lexa replied, her smile mirroring Clarke's.

 

"And I love you," Clarke added softly.

 

"Now who's the smooth talker?" Lexa teased, making Clarke laugh.

 

Clarke laughed softly, shaking her head as she focused on curling another section of her hair. "I mean it though. I love you," she said sincerely, glancing back at the phone to catch Lexa's smile, which made her heart flutter.

 

As Clarke and Lexa continued their conversation, Clarke's phone buzzed with a notification from the group chat with Raven and Octavia. She glanced down and saw a message from Raven:

 

Raven👯‍♀️💕: GUESS WHAT!! Anya just asked me out!!

 

Clarke let out a loud squeal of excitement, her whole face lighting up.

 

"What's wrong?" Lexa asked, looking concerned.

 

Clarke grinned. "Nothing's wrong, I'm just excited! Raven just texted that Anya asked her out! I'm so happy for her!"

 

Lexa blinked before breaking into a wide smile. "Oh wow, finally! Anya's been crushing on her forever. That's awesome!"

 

"I know! It's about time!" Clarke quickly typed a response to Raven:

 

Clarke:👯‍♀️💕 OMG YESSS!! I'm so happy for you!!! 💃🏽💃🏽💖"

 

Turning back to Lexa, she added, "Raven's going to be on cloud nine. It's so cute that Anya finally did it."

 

Lexa chuckled. "Yeah, Anya's been nervous about making a move. Guess she finally found the courage."

 

"Maybe we'll get to double-date soon!" Clarke teased, her eyes sparkling.

 

Lexa smirked, leaning closer to the screen. "I can't wait for that."

 

"Me either," Clarke said with a soft smile, her heart warming at the thought of spending more time with Lexa in a normal, happy setting.

 

~~~~

 

Clarke drove to pick up Octavia and Raven, and soon they were on their way to school.

 

"I still can't believe you have a car, Griff," Raven said from the backseat, doing her makeup in the mirror.

 

"Forget about my car, tell us about you and Anya!" Clarke said excitedly, glancing at Raven through the rearview mirror.

 

Raven grinned. "Alright, alright. So, we were talking on the phone this morning. She called and asked if I needed a ride, but I was like no. Then she was all, 'Are you sure?' And I started thinking, why is she being so persistent?"

 

Clarke and Octavia shared a knowing look as Raven continued, "Anyway, I told her you were coming to pick me up, and she sounded kinda upset. So I asked her what was wrong, and she said she wanted to ask me something. I was like, 'What is it?' Then I hear her mumble, 'Fuck it, I'm just going to ask,' and then she asked me out!"

 

Clarke let out a loud squeal. "I knew it!"

 

Octavia laughed. "Finally!"

 

"Next up is Octavia and Lincoln!" Clarke teased, glancing over at Octavia with a mischievous grin.

 

Octavia immediately blushed, trying to hide her smile. "Clarke, stop!" she laughed, playfully nudging her.

 

Raven smirked from the backseat, "Oh, I second that. It's only a matter of time."

 

Octavia rolled her eyes, still blushing. "You guys are impossible."

 

"You love us though," Raven teased from the backseat, flashing a grin at Octavia.

 

Octavia shook her head, still smiling. "Of course I do," she replied. "Even if you two are a pain sometimes."

 

Clarke and Raven both laughed, enjoying the playful banter as they continued on their way to school.

 

The rest of the school day flew by, and Clarke only saw Lexa briefly at lunch, where she was, unsurprisingly, with Costia. Clarke couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment, but Niylah joined her and her expanding lunch crew, keeping her distracted.

 

At the table sat Clarke, Raven, Octavia, Monty, Jasper, Monty's girlfriend Harper, Jasper's new girlfriend Maya, Miller from Octavia's science class, and Wells from Clarke's art class. They chatted about random things, but most of the excitement was centered around the upcoming Fall festival that weekend.

 

The Fall Festival was a big deal in Arcadia it happened in November every year. It was kind of a mix of a carnival and a pumpkin patch mixed together. They had little rides and games but also a pumpkin patch and a trail ride. They even had a pumpkin pie contest and a pumpkin decorating contest that Clarke was sure to participate in this year.

 

"I can't wait for the food," Jasper said, rubbing his hands together.

 

"Definitely here for the funnel cakes," Raven added, grinning.

 

"We should all go on the trail ride," Maya suggested.

 

Octavia nodded. "And they're doing a bonfire with s'mores! It's going to be fun."

 

"Corn maze, anyone?" Wells asked, glancing around the table.

 

The group spent the rest of lunch planning their weekend, finally deciding that they'd all meet up on Saturday around 4 p.m. to head to the Fall festival together. Everyone seemed excited about the idea of going as a group, making plans to enjoy the day together.

 

~~~~

 

As the day dragged on, Lexa felt the urgency to see Clarke before they left for the away game. With only thirty minutes left in 4th period, she quickly sent a text: Hey babe, can you meet me in our spot? I really need to see you before we leave.

 

After a moment, she received a reply.

 

Blondie👱‍♀️: Be there in 5!

 

Lexa smiled at the response and raised her hand, asking her teacher if she could use the restroom. When granted permission, Lexa gathered her things and determined not to return to class.

 

Lexa made her way to their spot and slipped inside, her heart racing in anticipation.

 

Moments later, Clarke entered the room, immediately locking eyes with Lexa. Without hesitation, she crossed the space between them and went straight into Lexa's arms, pulling her close.

 

"I missed you," Clarke whispered softly, her face nuzzling into Lexa's neck.

 

"I missed you too," Lexa replied, holding her tight.

 

Lexa started kissing Clarke on the neck causing the younger girl to moan out.

 

"It seems like someone else missed me too," Clarke said referring to Lexa's hard-on.

 

"I want you so bad right now. You look so sexy baby," Lexa said as she Clarke to a desk and bent her over it.

 

"Baby..." Clarke moaned softly, her breath warm against the wooden desk. "I want you too."

 

Lexa's fingers trembled slightly as she began to unbutton Clarke's jeans, her heart pounding in anticipation. With a swift motion, she pulled both the jeans and underwear down in one go, leaving Clarke exposed and breathless.

 

"Lexa..." Clarke whispered, a mix of surprise and desire in her eyes.

 

Lexa couldn't help but admire the sight before her, her breath hitching. "Are you sure?" she asked softly, searching Clarke's for any hint of hesitation.

 

Clarke nodded, her breath coming in soft pants as she looked back meeting Lexa's gaze with unwavering certainty. "I want this. I want you," she replied, her voice steady despite the fluttering excitement in her stomach.

 

Lexa dropped to her knees and spread Clarke's legs.

 

"Try to be quiet babe," Lexa said before giving her wet slit a long broad lick.

 

"Fuck," Clarke moaned quietly.

 

~~~~

 

As the sun dipped low in the sky, casting a warm golden hue over the parking lot, the cheerleaders gathered around the brightly painted bus, their chatter filling the air with excitement. Clarke and Octavia stood at the front of the group, bouncing on their toes in anticipation.

 

"I can't believe this is our first away game!" Octavia exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. She adjusted the ribbon in her hair, making sure her ponytail bounced just right. "We're going to have so much fun!"

 

"I know, right? I've been looking forward to this since last week!" Clarke replied, grinning widely. She clutched her cheerleading bag tightly.

 

Octavia nudged Clarke playfully. "And don't forget the food! I heard they have the best snacks at these away games. I'm definitely going to indulge."

 

Clarke couldn't help but laugh. Octavia had a big appetite and could eat all day, yet she still remained tiny. Clarke envied that; she wished she could eat whatever she wanted without worrying about gaining weight.

 

As they loaded the bus, Octavia led Clarke to a seat toward the back and sat one seat from the last one. Clarke spotted Costia, Layla, and Gina walking onto the bus, looking flawless as always. All of the cheerleaders had changed into their uniforms, which consisted of long-sleeved tops, matching joggers, white crew socks, and cheer shoes. Costia had asked everyone to wear their hair in curly ponytails.

 

Clarke sighed as three took the seat right behind her and Octavia.

 

The ride was an hour and thirty minutes away and they were only thirty minutes in. Clarke couldn't help but wish for the ride to be over as she scrolled through TikTok on her phone. She found a cute video and turned to show it to Octavia, who was leaning over with a grin.

 

But then she overheard Costia's voice behind her.

 

"Lexa has been acting so different lately," Costia whined.

 

Clarke's ears perked up at the mention of Lexa's name, curiosity piquing her interest despite herself. She tried to focus on the video in front of her but couldn't help straining to hear more of their conversation.

 

"She is still acting weird?" Layla asked, sounding genuinely concerned.

 

Octavia leaned closer to Clarke, whispering, "Trouble in paradise."

 

Clarke could hear the exhaustion in Costia's sigh.

 

"I mean, she's distant, and we haven't had sex in a while," Costia admitted softly.

 

"What do you mean by a while?" Gina asked, lowering her voice.

 

"October the fourteenth almost a month," Costia said, sadness lacing her words.

 

"Almost a month? That's a long time, Cos," Layla whispered back.

 

"I know, right? She says she just hasn't been in the mood," Costia mumbled, frustration clear in her tone.

 

There was a brief pause before Gina asked, almost hesitantly, "I hate to ask this, but... are you sure she isn't, you know, messing around with someone else?"

 

Clarke's heart skipped a beat as she sucked in a quiet breath, her stomach tightening at Gina's words. At the same moment, Costia gasped softly.

 

Octavia, clearly invested now, leaned in and whispered, "You think Lexa's cheating on her?"

 

Clarke didn't respond, staring at her phone, her chest tightening.

 

"You don't think she would do you?" Costia asked, her voice shaky as if she was trying to hold back tears.

 

"No, no, don't cry, Cos," Layla cooed, pulling Costia closer to rest her head on her shoulder. "Lexa loves you. I'm sure she wouldn't cheat on you, right Gina?"

 

"Right... absolutely," Gina quickly agreed, though the doubt in her voice was unmistakable.

 

Octavia glanced sideways at Clarke, her expression more serious now. "What do you think, Griffin?" she whispered quietly, her usual playful demeanor replaced by concern.

 

Clarke remained quiet, torn between her feelings for Lexa and the reality that she was directly involved in the distance Costia was feeling. Part of her wanted to believe that everything would work out on its own, but hearing Costia's hurt made it impossible to ignore.

 

"Clarke?" Octavia nudged her again, sensing her unease.

 

"I... don't know" Clarke hesitated, not knowing how to respond. All she could think about was how much more complicated everything was becoming.

 

🎶🎶🎶

 

Friday, November 15th

 

It was Friday afternoon, and Lexa was on her way to meet Costia in the lunchroom, walking beside Anya, who was smiling and texting away on her phone.

 

"Texting Raven, I assume?" Lexa teased, glancing over.

 

Anya blushed and tried to hide her smile. "Shut up."

 

As they continued walking, they ran into Clarke, who was heading in the opposite direction, away from the cafeteria.

 

"Hi, Clarke," Lexa greeted, discreetly eyeing her up and down. Clarke looked stunning today in a black sweater dress that hugged her figure perfectly, paired with glittery pink Uggs. Lexa's smile widened when she noticed Clarke was wearing the necklace she had bought her.

 

"Hi, Lexa," Clarke replied, smiling back as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

 

"I guess I'm invisible," Anya said with mock offense.

 

"Hey, Anya," Clarke said, flashing a bright smile that made Anya roll her eyes.

 

"Hello, Clarke. Not eating lunch today?" Anya asked, a bit more curiously.

 

"I am, but the art club is meeting during lunch, so Niylah went to get lunch for the both of us," Clarke explained, glancing briefly at Lexa, whose expression had suddenly darkened.

 

"Hmm, okay," Anya said, eyeing Clarke's necklace with a slight frown before turning to Lexa, who was clearly not thrilled.

 

"Yeah, well, I'll see you guys around," Clarke said, giving Lexa one last lingering look before walking off.

 

"So, Niylah and Clarke are getting pretty serious, huh?" Anya said, trying to gauge Lexa's reaction.

 

"No, I don't think so," Lexa muttered.

 

"They'd make a cute couple. Plus, that necklace Clarke is wearing... I'm assuming Niylah bought it. She must really like Clarke," Anya added, watching for Lexa's response.

 

"Niylah did not buy that necklace," Lexa growled, her eyes narrowing as she watched Clarke walk away.

Anya raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by Lexa's reaction. "Oh? Then who did?" she asked, though she already had her suspicions.

 

Lexa stayed quiet for a moment, her jaw clenched as she tried to keep her emotions in check. "I did," she finally admitted, her voice low and tense.

 

Anya let out a low whistle. "I see. What the hell, Lex? You're buying Clarke necklaces?"

 

"I bought Clarke a necklace," Lexa said through gritted teeth.

 

"What the fuck is going on, Lex? Please don't tell me she's the reason you've been treating Costia like shit," Anya said, stopping in her tracks, eyes narrowing.

 

Lexa's anger flared instantly. "What the hell, An? Who are you to say I'm treating Costia like shit?" Her voice was harsh, rising with irritation.

 

"When your girlfriend comes crying to me, I think that qualifies me," Anya snapped back, crossing her arms.

 

That was all it took to push Lexa over the edge. Without thinking, her fist connected with Anya's jaw. It happened so fast that Anya barely registered the hit, but the moment it landed, she retaliated, throwing a punch of her own.

 

Before long, the two were fully engaged in a heated brawl, fists flying.

 

"Lexa! Anya! Stop!" Octavia's voice rang out from nearby. She had just been passing by when she noticed the commotion and rushed over. The noise had attracted a crowd, and soon students were flooding out of the lunchroom to watch the cousins go at it.

 

A random student ran up to Costia, who was sitting with her best friends, Lincoln, and Bellamy. "Anya and Lexa are outside the lunchroom fighting!"

 

"What?!" Lincoln said, immediately standing up, followed by Bellamy, who rushed alongside him toward the scene.

 

When they got there, a few guys were already trying to hold Lexa and Anya apart, but Lexa was still straining to break free, her face flushed with anger.

 

"Anya? Lexa? What the fuck?!" Lincoln shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos.

 

"Let me go!" Lexa growled, still trying to get at Anya, her fury uncontainable.

 

Anya had already calmed down, her fists slowly unclenching as the reality of what had just happened sank in. She stared at Lexa, guilt washing over her. "Lexa, I'm sorry," she said, her voice quieter now, full of regret.

 

"Fuck you, Anya!" Lexa spat, finally pulling herself free from the boys holding her back, only to storm off, right into Costia's path.

 

"Baby, what—" Costia began, her voice full of concern, but Lexa cut her off coldly.

 

"Not right now Costia," Lexa snapped, her tone cold as she walked past her.

 

Everyone froze, stunned into silence. No one had ever expected to see Lexa and Anya fight, much less for Lexa to lash out at both Anya and Costia like that.

 

Eventually, the crowd began to disperse, though whispers filled the air, as students returned to their lunch tables. The tense energy hung in the air even as people tried to pretend they hadn't just witnessed the explosive fight.

 

Minutes later, the loudspeaker blared through the hallways.

 

"Alexandria and Anya Woods, report to the principal's office immediately! Alexandria and Anya Woods, report to the principal's office immediately!" Principal Titus's stern voice echoed across the school, leaving no doubt that the two cousins were in serious trouble.

 

Lexa stormed through the hallway, fists still clenched at her sides, her heart pounding in her chest. She could hear students murmuring and gossiping behind her, but she didn't care. All she could think about was the fight with Anya and the guilt that was starting to creep in now that her anger had begun to subside.

 

"Why did I punch her?" Lexa muttered under her breath, though she kept walking with purpose toward the principal's office.

 

Behind her, Anya trailed slowly, her expression clouded with a mix of guilt and frustration. She never wanted things to escalate like that, especially not with Lexa, her cousin and best friend. But emotions had flared, and now they were both in deep trouble.

 

When they reached the principal's office, they found Principal Titus waiting for them behind his desk, arms crossed and a disappointed frown plastered across his face. The room felt heavy, the tension between the two girls palpable.

 

"Sit," Titus ordered, his voice calm but firm.

 

Lexa and Anya exchanged glances before taking their seats. The silence in the room was stifling. Lexa stared at the floor, her jaw still tight, while Anya shifted uncomfortably, avoiding eye contact.

 

"I don't know what's going on between the two of you," Principal Titus began, his eyes moving back and forth between them. "But whatever it is, fighting in the middle of the school is not how you handle it."

 

Anya was the first to speak, her voice low. "It was my fault. I pushed Lexa, and things just got out of hand."

 

Lexa shook her head immediately. "No, it was both of us. I started it." She looked up at Titus, her face showing the regret that had started to settle in. "I lost control, and I shouldn't have. I'm sorry."

 

Principal Titus let out a heavy sigh. "This isn't like either of you. You're both usually good students. But this... this can't happen again." He paused, leaning back in his chair. "You're both suspended for three days and will not be playing in the next soccer game. I also expect you to work out whatever issue caused this fight without resorting to violence again."

 

The suspension didn't come as a surprise, but not playing in their next soccer game did and it stung. Lexa bit her lip, nodding, while Anya muttered a soft "yes, sir."

 

"You can go now," Titus said, his tone signaling the end of the conversation. "And I suggest you start talking to each other."

 

As soon as they left the office, the silence between Lexa and Anya stretched long and awkward. Neither knew what to say at first.

 

Finally, Anya broke the silence. "I didn't mean to push you like that," she said quietly. "I was just worried about you."

 

Lexa sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I know. I'm sorry I hit you. I don't even know why I snapped like that."

 

Anya looked at her, sympathy in her eyes. "Lex, is this about Clarke?"

 

Lexa tensed again, but this time she didn't deny it. "Yeah, maybe. It's complicated."

 

"Well, whatever's going on, you need to figure it out before it blows up even worse than it did today," Anya said, her tone softer now. "And Costia... she deserves to know what's really going on."

 

Lexa knew she was right. Things were spiraling, and if she didn't get control of the situation soon, she could lose everything.

 

"I know," Lexa finally said, her voice heavy.

 

Anya gave her a small nod. "We're good, right?"

 

Lexa smiled weakly. "Yeah, we're good."

 

As they parted ways, Lexa couldn't shake the feeling of impending doom hanging over her. She had to figure things out—fast. The way things were going, it wouldn't be long before everything came crashing down.

 

🎶🎶🎶

 

Saturday, November 16th

 

It was Saturday morning, and Lexa sat in her room, officially grounded. Her parents were more disappointed than angry, and that feeling of letting them down weighed heavier on her than the actual punishment. They had grounded her for two weeks starting today, but the only reprieve was that they would still allow her to go to the Fall festival later. After that, no going out, no phone, no iPad, and no car.

 

Lexa sighed as she picked up her phone, which would soon be out of her reach, and scrolled through the messages. There were texts from Anya, Costia, Clarke, Lincoln, and a bunch of others.

 

First, she checked Anya's message. Anya had been grounded too, for two weeks just like her, but Anya wasn't allowed to go to the Fall Festival, which meant she'd miss her date with Raven. Lexa felt bad for her cousin, knowing how excited Anya had been about that date.

 

Next, she opened Costia's messages. There were a lot—Costia asking why Lexa was mad at her and begging her to talk. Lexa sighed, feeling a pang of guilt. She shot a quick reply: We can talk tomorrow morning.

 

Then came Clarke's messages. Clarke had called and texted multiple times, trying to figure out what happened. Lexa hesitated for a moment before texting Clarke back: I'll explain everything tonight. I want to see you.

 

Finally, she saw Lincoln's message. He was just checking in, making sure she was okay after the fight. Lexa smiled to herself. No matter how much she and her cousins fought—literally or otherwise—they always had each other's backs.

 

Lexa put her phone down after replying to everyone, letting out a long sigh. Being grounded sucked, but it was her parents' disappointment that weighed heaviest on her. She had always worked hard to make them proud, and now she felt like she had let them down. The fight with Anya, the way she snapped at Costia—it all felt like it was spiraling out of control.

 

Lexa glanced at the clock and realized it was still early, far too soon to be getting ready for the festival. She rubbed her eyes, feeling the weight of everything that had happened over the past few days pressing down on her. The fight, her parents' disappointment, the situation with Clarke and Costia—it was all too much.

 

Exhaustion tugged at her, and she decided she didn't want to deal with any of it right now. Maybe sleep would help her escape, even if only for a little while.

 

Sighing, Lexa set her phone aside and lay back on her bed, pulling the blanket over her. Within moments, her heavy thoughts started to fade, and she drifted off into a restless sleep, hoping things might feel a little clearer when she woke up later.

 

Meanwhile across town...

 

It was now the afternoon, and Clarke and Octavia were lounging on Raven's couch. Raven and her mom lived in a beautiful three-bedroom apartment that was both cozy and elegant. The sunroom offered a serene spot for morning coffee, while the balcony provided a perfect view of the surrounding area. The place was tastefully decorated, with many of Raven's academic and science competition awards hanging proudly on the walls. It was a testament not only to Raven's brilliance but to her mother, Rayna, who had given everything to ensure Raven had the best life possible.

 

Rayna herself was an incredibly smart woman. Valedictorian of her high school class, she had dreams of going to college. But those plans changed when she became pregnant with Raven. With no support from her parents or Raven's father, Rayna had to raise her daughter on her own. Soon after graduation, her parents kicked her and baby Raven out of the house. Desperate, Rayna reached out to Raven's father, but he wanted nothing to do with them. Undeterred, Rayna started saving money from her job at Burger King, though it wasn't nearly enough. But she didn't give up.

 

Through sheer determination, Rayna built a life for herself and Raven. Over time, she found better opportunities and created a stable, loving home. Now, Rayna had the most wonderful and intelligent daughter, and their apartment was a reflection of how far they had come.

 

Clarke couldn't help but remember a time when Raven had been reluctant to invite them over. Back then, Raven used to avoid having Clarke and Octavia visit her apartment, feeling embarrassed about her living situation while her best friends lived in big, beautiful houses.

 

Clarke smiled at the memory. "It's funny, you know," she said, glancing over at Raven. "I remember when you used to hate us coming over."

 

Raven rolled her eyes with a smirk. "Yeah, well, I was an idiot. You guys didn't care where I lived."

 

"Exactly," Octavia chimed in, tossing a pillow at Raven playfully. "We've always loved coming over here."

 

Raven caught the pillow and grinned. "Yeah, yeah, I know. Now you can't get enough of my amazing company."

 

"Something like that," Clarke teased, laughing.

 

As the three girls sat in Raven's living room, munching on snacks and watching TV, Octavia suddenly shifted the conversation. "So... what's the deal with Lexa and Anya fighting yesterday?" she asked, casually, though her eyes were curious.

 

Raven raised an eyebrow. "I heard about that but didn't get the full story. Anya is not talking about it. What happened?"

 

Clarke, who had been quiet, looked over at Octavia, a little wary of how much to say. "I was in the art room when it happened but I heard it was bad."

 

"Yeah, I was walking by when it started," Octavia said. "Lexa looked pissed, like really pissed. I've never seen her that mad, especially at Anya. It's weird."

 

Clarke sighed, "I wonder what exactly set her off."

 

Raven frowned, leaning back in her seat. "Must be pretty serious if those two were throwing punches. They're usually thick as thieves."

 

Octavia nodded. "Yeah, and Lexa cursing out Costia afterward? That was brutal."

 

Clarke shifted uncomfortably, not wanting to dive too deep into the real reason behind Lexa's behavior. She tried to brush it off, not wanting to give too much away. "I guess Lexa's just been under a lot of stress lately. Maybe she and Costia aren't as solid as we thought."

 

Raven exchanged a glance with Octavia. "Sounds like a mess," Raven said thoughtfully. "Anya didn't say much, just that she's grounded and super bummed about missing the fall festival."

 

Clarke kept her thoughts to herself, knowing there was more to the story than what anyone realized.

 

"Speaking of the Fall festival, we should start getting ready. It's already two, and we're supposed to meet everyone there at four," Octavia said as she stood up, heading toward the guest room.

 

Raven and Clarke followed suit, and soon the three girls were deep into their preparations. It took about an hour of fixing hair, makeup, and outfit adjustments, but by the time they were done, they were more than satisfied with their looks.

 

Octavia wore a white shirt that clung perfectly to her frame, a black corduroy skirt, sheer black stockings, and sleek thigh-high black boots. Raven opted for a black long-sleeve top, paired with a burgundy corduroy skirt, sheer black stockings, and black ankle boots that accentuated her bold style. Clarke, meanwhile, went for a more neutral palette with a beige long-sleeve top, an olive green corduroy skirt, and beige thigh-high boots that made her legs look long and elegant.

 

"We. Look. Hot," Octavia declared confidently, pulling out her phone to snap some photos.

 

The three girls laughed and struck different poses, taking their time to capture the perfect shots before posting them on their social media accounts. They spent a few minutes scrolling through comments and likes before it was finally time to head out.

 

"Let's go show off," Raven said with a grin, grabbing her jacket as they made their way to the door.

 

With excitement buzzing between them, they piled into Clarke's car and made their way to the Fall Festival, ready for a night of fun and surprises.

 

~~~~

 

The group strolled through the pumpkin patch, laughing and chatting as they admired the different pumpkins scattered across the field. The crisp autumn air was filled with the scent of cider and caramel, and everyone seemed in good spirits.

 

"Clarke, you turned in the pumpkin you decorated yesterday for the contest, right?" Wells asked, glancing over at her.

 

"Yep!" Clarke responded excitedly. "Hopefully I win first place this year."

 

She had been entering the pumpkin decorating contest since she was 11 and had won first place a few times. It was a tradition she cherished, and this year she felt particularly confident about her entry.

 

"You should win—your pumpkin is by far the most creative," Raven chimed in, finishing off the last of her candy corn. "I mean, that design you did was insane."

 

"Thanks, Ray," Clarke said, grinning. "Fingers crossed."

 

"I'm ready to ride some rides," Octavia whined, bouncing on her heels.

 

"Same here!" Jasper and Monty chimed in unison, making everyone laugh.

 

"Well, let's go then!" Clarke said with a grin, leading the way out of the pumpkin patch toward the rides.

 

The fair had a great selection—classic rides for kids and more thrilling ones for the older crowd. As they walked through the bright lights and sounds of the festival, the group eventually decided to split up, agreeing to meet in a couple of hours for food and the much-anticipated trail ride.

Clarke, Raven, and Octavia stood in line for a ride, chatting when Lincoln appeared. Clarke noticed how his eyes lingered on Octavia, clearly checking her out.

 

"Hey, guys," Lincoln greeted them, smiling nervously.

 

"Hey, Lincoln," they all said back.

 

Lincoln hesitated for a moment, looking a little unsure before focusing on Octavia. "So, um... Octavia, I was wondering if you wanted to ride a couple of rides with me. Maybe we could play some games after, and I could win you something?"

 

Octavia stood there wide-eyed, completely caught off guard and speechless. Raven, ever the helpful friend, pinched her to snap her out of it.

 

"Ow!" Octavia yelped, glaring at Raven. But as soon as she turned back to Lincoln, her expression softened into a smile. "I'd like that a lot."

 

Lincoln grinned, taking her hand as they walked off together.

 

As soon as they were out of sight, Raven and Clarke squealed, unable to contain their excitement.

 

"I can't believe it... but I totally can!" Clarke said, laughing.

 

"Right? It kind of makes me wish Lexa was single so you could date her. Then all three of us would be dating a Woods," Raven said, half-joking.

 

Clarke's smile faltered for a moment as the reminder of what she was hiding from her best friends hit her.

 

"Yeah, that would be cool," she said, trying to keep her tone light.

 

Raven's phone rang, and from the way her face lit up, Clarke could tell it was Anya.

 

"Hey, Clarke, do you mind riding this one alone? Anya's FaceTiming me, and I promised I'd show her some of the fair," Raven asked, already smiling at the phone.

 

"Aww, y'all are too cute," Clarke teased. "Go ahead, I'll be fine."

 

Raven shot her a grateful look before quickly answering the call and walking off with a big grin.

 

~~~~

 

Clarke had just stepped off the ride when her phone buzzed, and she smiled seeing Lexa's name flash on the screen.

 

"Hey babe," Clarke answered happily.

 

"Hey baby, I just got to the festival. Want to ride some rides together?" Lexa asked in that sweet tone that always made Clarke's heart skip a beat.

 

"Of course I do! I'm close by the Ferris wheel," Clarke replied, her excitement bubbling over.

 

"Okay, I'm on my way to you, beautiful. Love you," Lexa said smoothly.

 

"I love you too," Clarke said, blushing as she hung up, her cheeks burning with a soft pink.

 

A few minutes later, Lexa appeared, and Clarke couldn't help but grin as she spotted her. They spent the next half-hour riding rides together, laughing and enjoying each other's company. Clarke's heart soared every time Lexa reached over to hold her hand or leaned in to steal a quick kiss.

 

After they finished one ride, Lexa turned to her with a determined look. "Alright, it's time. I'm winning you that huge bear," she declared, pointing toward the game stalls.

 

Clarke laughed, both amused and touched by Lexa's sudden declaration. "You don't have to do that—"

 

"Nope, I want to," Lexa said with a wink. "Prepare to take home the biggest bear here."

 

As if she had planned it all along, Lexa handed Clarke the largest, cutest brown bear with a red bow tie. Clarke couldn't stop smiling as they carried the bear between them, their fingers brushing occasionally. The couple then made their way to a photo booth. They took silly pictures, but in one frame, they turned toward each other and kissed, capturing the moment forever.

 

Walking away with their pictures in hand, both smiling and laughing, Clarke couldn't help but feel like everything was normal. For once, it felt like they could be just a couple—free to hold hands and show affection in public. Her heart warmed at the thought, but before she could linger on it, Lexa gently tugged her toward a nearby tent.

 

Clarke looked up and realized they were stepping into a fortune-teller's tent. A curious grin spread across her face as they entered, the dim lighting and soft scent of incense surrounding them.

 

"Hello there... I am Madam Michelle," a pretty woman with warm brown skin and dark, knowing eyes greeted them from behind a small table.

 

"We're Clarke and Lexa," Lexa introduced them, her hand lightly squeezing Clarke's.

 

"Nice to meet you both," Madam Michelle replied, her voice smooth and welcoming.

 

For a moment, she just looked at them, her gaze intense as if she were peering into their very souls. Both girls shivered under her steady, knowing gaze, feeling a strange but undeniable connection form between them and the fortune teller. Something in the air shifted, and Clarke couldn't shake the feeling that they were about to hear something they hadn't expected.

 

"I feel a certain bond between you two—something strong and undeniable. But you, Lexa, have ties to someone else. Someone who loves you, but your heart is not with her," Madam Michelle said, causing Clarke and Lexa to gasp. They exchanged startled glances, wondering how the fortune teller could possibly know about their complicated situation.

 

"You have been with this other girl for years, yet you are not in love with her. She is in for a whirlwind of heartbreak because your heart lies with Clarke, and it always has since the beginning," Madam Michelle continued, her voice steady and melodic. "You and Clarke are forever soulmates...your fate is written in the stars. It transcends time."

 

Notes:

So alot happened in this chapter. Give me your thoughts 💭

The final line of the chapter, “You and Clarke are forever soulmates… your fate is written in the stars. It transcends time,” comes from one of my favorite TV shows. Can anyone guess which one?

Chapter 13: "No daughter of mine will be a cheater."

Summary:

Lexa makes a decision.

Notes:

Hey everyone! Here is a new chapter. I hope you all enjoy!

Happy Reading❤️

Monday, December 16th

 

It was now the start of Christmas break and it had been a month since Clarke and Lexa had visited the fortune teller, and life had settled into a routine—though it was far from simple. Lexa was still with Costia, but her heart wasn't in it anymore. The bond she once felt with Costia seemed to have frayed, replaced by her deepening feelings for Clarke. Despite that, Lexa still cared for Costia, and it was that lingering affection that made things harder.

 

The day after the Fall Festival, Lexa and Costia had a heart-to-heart talk.

 

Costia had noticed the shift in Lexa's behavior, the way she had been distant and more withdrawn lately. Sitting on her bed, tears welled up in Costia's eyes as she poured out her feelings.

 

"Lexa, I feel like... you're not really here with me anymore," Costia said, her voice trembling. "It's like I'm losing you, and I don't even know why."

 

Lexa sat beside her, guilt gnawing at her. She wanted to be honest, to tell Costia that her feelings had changed and that her heart was with Clarke now. But as she looked at Costia—at the way her shoulders shook with silent sobs, her face full of pain—Lexa found that she couldn't bring herself to break up with her. Not yet. Not when Costia was already feeling abandoned.

 

Instead, Lexa had reached out and pulled Costia into her arms, holding her close as she cried. "I'm sorry," Lexa whispered. "I never meant to hurt you."

 

Costia's voice was small as she asked, "Do you still love me?"

 

Lexa's chest tightened. She did love Costia, in a way, but not the way she used to. Her heart wasn't in it the same way, not since Clarke. But seeing Costia so vulnerable, Lexa couldn't bring herself to tell her the truth. "Of course I do," Lexa said softly, even though she knew it wasn't entirely true.

 

Costia had smiled weakly through her tears, and for the rest of that day, Lexa had stayed by her side, trying to pretend that everything was okay. But as the weeks passed, it became more and more difficult for Lexa to ignore the truth. Every time she saw Clarke, every shared glance, every quiet moment between them, Lexa was reminded of what her heart truly wanted.

 

And now, a month later, the guilt was starting to weigh heavily on Lexa's shoulders. She knew she couldn't keep living this lie much longer, but she also didn't know how to end things with Costia without breaking her heart and that is what she didn't want to do she did not want to break Costia's heart.

~~~~

 

Lexa was on her way to pick up Clarke, eager to spend some much-needed time together. Ever since that talk with Costia after the Fall Festival, things had taken an unexpected turn. Costia had become clingy—almost obsessively so. Every moment of Lexa's free time seemed to be taken up by Costia's requests for attention. Though Lexa still cared for her, the constant need for closeness was starting to feel suffocating.

 

What made it worse was that Costia's behavior had made it increasingly difficult for Lexa to see Clarke. Every time she wanted to spend a few minutes alone with Clarke, Costia seemed to sense it, pulling Lexa back into her orbit. It was exhausting, and no matter how much Lexa tried to convince herself that things were fine, she knew it wasn't sustainable.

 

But this week was different. Costia had gone out of state with her parents and sister for a family trip, giving Lexa a rare moment of freedom. As soon as Lexa knew Costia would be gone for the week, she'd made plans with Clarke, craving the time they could finally spend together without the weight of guilt hanging over her.

 

Lexa's heart raced a little as she pulled up to Clarke's house. She hadn't been able to see Clarke alone in what felt like ages, and today, she didn't have to worry about sneaking around or constantly checking her phone for texts from Costia. For the first time in weeks, she could just enjoy being with Clarke.

 

Clarke came out of the house, her face lighting up when she saw Lexa waiting in the driveway. She hopped into the car, immediately leaning over to kiss Lexa on the cheek. "I've missed you," Clarke said softly, her blue eyes full of warmth.

 

"I've missed you too," Lexa replied, squeezing Clarke's hand as she pulled away from the curb. "It feels like we haven't had any time to just... be together."

 

"I know," Clarke said with a sigh. "Costia's been a lot lately, hasn't she?"

 

Lexa hesitated, not wanting to talk about Costia right now, but she nodded. "Yeah, she's been... different. I just didn't know how to tell her that things have changed without hurting her even more."

 

Clarke gave her a sympathetic smile. "You care about her, I get that. But you can't keep dragging this out forever."

 

Lexa nodded, knowing Clarke was right. She had to find a way to end things with Costia, but the timing never seemed right. For now, though, she didn't want to think about that. She just wanted to focus on Clarke and the time they had together.

 

"So, where are we going?" Clarke asked, breaking the silence with a playful smile.

 

Lexa smiled as she glanced over at Clarke.  "I found this cute little restaurant out of town. It's called Willow's Bistro. I thought we could grab lunch there."

 

Clarke's eyes lit up with excitement. "Willow's Bistro? Sounds cozy. What kind of food do they have?"

 

"It's a mix of things—farm-to-table, fresh seasonal stuff. I read that they've got amazing desserts, too," Lexa explained. "Figured it'd be nice to get away from everything for a bit."

 

Clarke's smile grew. "That sounds perfect."

 

The drive to Willow's Bistro was peaceful, a quiet escape from the usual stress and tension that had been hanging over them lately. The restaurant was nestled in a charming little town surrounded by trees, with a garden out front that made it look even more inviting.

 

When they arrived, Clarke smiled as she took in the place. "This is perfect, Lexa. It's so quiet here."

 

Lexa parked the car, her own smile growing as she saw how relaxed Clarke seemed. "I thought you'd like it. Let's go inside."

 

The bistro had a rustic, intimate vibe. Wooden tables were scattered throughout, with large windows that let the afternoon sun pour in. They were seated at a corner table near the window, giving them a view of the garden outside.

 

"This is nice," Clarke said, running her fingers along the edge of the table. "I feel like we don't get moments like this enough."

 

Lexa nodded, her eyes softening. "We don't. But I want to change that. I miss spending time with you like this."

 

Clarke met her gaze, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Me too."

 

They spent the meal talking about everything and nothing, laughing and sharing stories like they used to. It felt easy again—like things had fallen back into place, even if just for this afternoon.

 

When the desserts came out, Clarke's eyes widened. "You weren't kidding about the desserts! Look at this."

 

Lexa grinned, watching Clarke's excitement as she dug into the chocolate tart. "Told you."

 

As they ate, there was a comfortable silence between them. Lexa couldn't help but think about what the fortune teller had said a month ago, about how she and Clarke were soulmates. It wasn't something she could shake. And sitting here now, with Clarke by her side, Lexa knew it was true.

 

"Lexa," Clarke said softly, interrupting her thoughts. "I'm really glad we're doing this. It feels... right."

 

Lexa reached across the table and took Clarke's hand, squeezing it gently. "It does. And I don't want to lose that."

 

Clarke smiled softly as Lexa's hand squeezed hers, the warmth of the moment sinking in. "We won't lose it, Lexa. I know things are complicated right now, but we'll figure it out."

 

Lexa exhaled, glancing down at their intertwined fingers. "It's hard, though. Costia—she doesn't deserve to be hurt. I just... I don't know how to end things without completely breaking her."

 

Clarke bit her lip, feeling the weight of Lexa's words. "I know. But you deserve to be happy too, Lexa. You can't keep pretending everything is fine when it's not. She probably already knows something is off."

 

Lexa nodded, her brow furrowing. "I can tell she knows. After we talked, she's been... clingy. More than usual. And I think that's her way of trying to hold onto something she feels slipping away."

 

Clarke frowned, trying to find the right words. "Sometimes holding on only makes things worse. For both of you."

 

"I know," Lexa admitted, her voice heavy. "I don't want to keep hurting her, but I don't want to drag this out either. It's not fair to anyone."

 

Clarke gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "Whenever you're ready, you'll do what you have to do. But remember, you don't have to face this alone."

 

Lexa's eyes met Clarke's, the unspoken promise between them clear. They both knew this situation wasn't easy, but being together, even in moments like this, felt like a step toward something better.

 

The sun had started to set as they finished their meal, casting a golden light through the bistro windows. Lexa glanced out at the fading light and smiled faintly. "Do you want to take a walk before we head back? There's a little park down the street."

 

Clarke's eyes lit up. "I'd love that."

 

They paid their bill and left the cozy bistro, stepping out into the cool evening air. Lexa took Clarke's hand as they walked down the quiet street, heading toward the small park. The peacefulness of the town was a welcome change from the usual rush of their everyday lives.

 

As they strolled through the park, the sound of leaves crunching beneath their feet, Clarke leaned into Lexa.

 

Lexa wrapped her arm around Clarke's shoulders, pulling her closer. “It feels like... like everything's right when I'm with you."

 

Clarke looked up at Lexa, her heart swelling at the sincerity in her voice. "I mean we are soulmates. You and I... we were meant to find each other."

 

Lexa smiled, thinking back to the fortune teller's words. "I know. It feels like we've always been connected, even when we weren't."

 

Clarke stopped walking, turning to face Lexa. She reached up, cupping Lexa's cheek gently. "Whatever happens, we'll figure it out. Together."

 

Lexa leaned into Clarke's touch, her heart racing as she looked into her eyes. "I love you, Clarke."

 

Clarke smiled softly, her thumb brushing over Lexa's cheek. "I love you too."

 

They stood there for a moment, lost in each other before Lexa leaned down and kissed Clarke, a kiss filled with everything they couldn't put into words. It wasn't rushed or desperate—it was the kind of kiss that promised forever.

 

When they finally pulled apart, Lexa rested her forehead against Clarke's. "Let's never lose this."

 

"We won't," Clarke whispered, holding her close. "We won't."

 

🎶🎶🎶

 

Friday, December 20th

 

The rest of the week flew by, and Clarke and Lexa were determined to make the most of their last free day without Costia.

 

"Fuck Lex right there," Clarke moaned out as Lexa gave her slow deep strokes.

 

They were currently at Clarke's house, in her bed. Her parents were at work and wouldn't be back until the evening. They would have gone to Lexa's house, but Indra was home today, making it difficult for them to find a moment of privacy.

 

"Fuck baby you feel so good... so tight," Lexa said as she gave Clarke a deep stroke.

 

"Oh my God," Clarke moaned out as Lexa stroked into her again. The pace that Lexa was going allowed Clarke to feel all nine inches of her and Clarke closed her eyes in pleasure as Lexa continued.

 

"So good," Lexa moaned as she leaned down and pressed a kiss to Clarke's lips.

 

Lexa angled her hips in a way that made her strokes even deeper and had Clarke crying out.

 

"Fuuuuck Lex... mmmmm... I love youuu," Clarke moaned as Lexa hit her spot over and over again.

 

"I love you too baby," Lexa said holding Clarke's hips with both hands and speeding up her stroke.

 

Clarke gasped feeling her orgasm approaching. "Faster baby!" She yells out.

 

Lexa quickened her strokes and could feel Clarke's walls flutter around her.

 

"You're going to cum for me, baby?" Lexa asked as she slammed into Clarke and held it there knowing that was a weakness of Clarke.

 

Clarke moaned loudly and felt her walls tightened on Lexa's dick and heard the older girl grunt.

 

"Fuck Clarke," Lexa whispered.

 

Lexa pulled back out and took both of her hands to push Clarke's thighs back and opened them wider. She looked down at Clarke's wet pussy and moaned. Still holding Clarke's thighs Lexa slid back into Clarke's wetness at a quick pace and continued. In and out. In and out. All that could be heard was loud moans, wetness, and skin slapping together.

 

"Lex! Something happening!" Clarke yelled out feeling this insane pressure almost as if she had to pee.

 

Lexa moans at the vice grip that Clarke's pussy has on her dick and feels herself about to come. Lexa starts rubbing Clarke's clit and watched as the younger girl's face scrunched up in pleasure and yells out.

 

Clarke comes hard as Lexa keeps stroking her and rubbing her clit. Lexa pulls out and liquid follows, she keeps rubbing Clarke's clit and more come out drenching Lexa's lower half.

 

"Oh fuck," Lexa groaned as she jacked herself off, "I'm cumming baby... fuck!"

 

Lexa nutted all over Clarke's pussy and bed.

 

Both girls were breathing heavily and just stared at each other.

 

Clarke moved her hand to her pussy and collected some of Lexa's cum with her fingers and brought them to her mouth sucking them off. Lexa moaned watching feeling her dick twitch.

 

"You taste so good baby," Clarke moaned out.

 

"Fuck Clarke," Lexa groaned ready for another round, "All fours."

 

Clarke rolled over and got up on all fours arching her back perfectly. Lexa didn't waste any time getting behind her and just as she was about to slide in her phone rang. Lexa groaned as she recognized the ringtone blaring from her phone. She knew that if she didn't answer, her mom would just keep calling until she did, and that would mean trouble when she got home.

 

"Dammit, it's my mom," Lexa said, glancing at Clarke with an apologetic look.

 

Clarke let out a frustrated whine, rolling over and sliding off the bed, her mood officially ruined. "Thanks a lot, Indra," she muttered.

 

Lexa offered a sheepish smile before answering the call.

 

As Clarke returned from the bathroom, she caught sight of Lexa hurriedly putting on her clothes.

 

Lexa glanced up and noticed the confused look on Clarke's face.

 

"Sorry, babe. My mom needs me to come home real quick; it sounded urgent," Lexa explained, her voice tinged with concern.

 

"Oh, okay," Clarke replied, walking over to wrap her arms around Lexa for a hug and a soft kiss. "I hope everything is okay."

 

"Me too," Lexa said, sliding on her shoes. "I'll text you and let you know. I love you."

 

Clarke smiled as Lexa leaned in for another gentle kiss. "I love you too."

~~~~

 

Lexa pulled into the driveway, her stomach twisting in knots as she prepared to face whatever had prompted her mother's urgent call. As she stepped through the front door, she was met by the sight of Indra, arms crossed and an expression of simmering anger etched on her face.

 

"Lexa," Indra said sharply, her tone cutting through the air.

 

Lexa's heart raced, and she instinctively took a step back. "Mom, what's wrong?"

 

Without responding, Indra held up a stack of photos, her eyes blazing. Lexa's breath caught in her throat as she recognized the pictures—her and Clarke, captured at the Fall Festival a little over a month ago, sharing smiles and kisses, their joy frozen in time.

 

"What is this, Lexa?" Indra asked her voice a mixture of disbelief and fury.

 

"I um..." Lexa stammered, her mind racing for an explanation but finding none.

 

"Alexandria Jazmin Woods... why are you kissing Clarke in these photos?" Indra pressed, handing the pictures to Lexa as if they were a dagger.

 

Lexa glanced down at the images, her heart sinking further. "I'm sorry, Mom... I just, um..."

 

Indra stepped forward, her eyes narrowing. "What about Costia?" she demanded, her voice rising with emotion. "You know how much I care for her. I've already considered her part of this family! And now I find you like this? Do you have any idea how this looks?"

 

Lexa felt her heart break as her mother's disappointment washed over her. "I didn't mean for it to happen," she pleaded. "It's complicated..."

 

Indra shook her head, cutting her off. "No daughter of mine will be a cheater, Lexa. You will not see Clarke again. I won't have you disrespecting Costia like this."

 

Lexa's eyes widened in shock. "Mom, please, it's not that simple!"

 

Indra's face hardened, and Lexa could see the determination in her mother's eyes. "You need to think about the choices you make. You have responsibilities to Costia, and you cannot just throw that away because of some fleeting moment with Clarke."

 

Lexa felt a mix of anger and sadness rising within her. "It's not fleeting! I love Clarke!" she shouted, the words spilling out before she could stop them.

 

Indra's expression shifted from anger to hurt. "Love? Is that what you call this? You're too young to understand what love is, Lexa. You need to think about your future and the people who care about you."

 

Lexa's heart pounded in her chest, torn between her feelings for Clarke and her loyalty to Costia. "I'm sorry, Mom," she said quietly, feeling the weight of her choices crashing down around her. "But I can't just pretend I don't feel this way."

 

Indra took a step back, her disappointment palpable. "Then you need to make a choice, Lexa. And I hope you choose wisely." With that, she turned away, leaving Lexa standing there, the photos still clutched in her hands, the gravity of her situation settling heavily upon her shoulders.

 

🎶🎶🎶

 

Tuesday, December 24th (Christmas Eve)

 

Clarke sat on her bed, staring blankly at her phone, her eyes red and swollen from crying. It had been days since she'd heard from Lexa—no texts, no calls, nothing. She had tried reaching out repeatedly, but there was only silence in return. At first, she had been angry—furious, even. How could Lexa just disappear like this after everything?

 

But soon, the anger gave way to worry. Lexa had mentioned her mom needing her urgently—what if something had happened? What if Lexa was dealing with something bigger than Clarke knew? That thought kept Clarke pacing for hours. But as much as she tried to hold onto that concern, the anger would always come back.

 

Especially after seeing Costia's post. Clarke had checked Instagram on Friday, only to see a picture of Lexa and Costia smiling at a family dinner, looking so comfortable, so... together. Clarke's heart had dropped, but she tried to brush it off. Maybe it was an old picture, something from before. But then, this morning, she saw the video. Costia had posted it last night, around 1 AM—Lexa was asleep on Costia's stomach, the timestamp confirming it wasn't old. Clarke felt her world collapse again.

 

Lexa had spent the night with Costia.

 

Clarke gripped her phone, her chest tight with the mixture of pain, betrayal, and confusion. She scrolled through her and Lexa's message thread, all of her unanswered texts sitting there like a haunting reminder of what they had—what they might still have if only Lexa would reach out.

 

She typed out a new message, her fingers trembling as tears welled up again.

 

Please, Lex. Answer me. I love you.

 

She hit send, staring at the screen in helpless anticipation, hoping, praying that Lexa would see the message and realize how much Clarke needed her right now.

 

But the minutes ticked by, and nothing happened.

 

Clarke sank back into her bed, pulling her knees to her chest, her phone resting beside her as the silence from Lexa continued to stretch on.

~~~~

 

Clarke woke up groggily, her face still damp from the tears she had shed before falling asleep. The weight in her chest hadn't lifted it felt even heavier now. She glanced at her phone, but still no reply from Lexa. Her last message hung in the air like plea— Please, Lex. Answer me. I love you.

 

But there had been no response.

 

Clarke sat up, wiping at her eyes, her resolve hardening. She couldn't take this silence anymore. Lexa wouldn't text her back, and seeing those pictures of her with Costia had only made things worse. Clarke needed answers. She needed to see Lexa.

 

Climbing out of bed, Clarke grabbed her jacket, her fingers instinctively reaching for the necklace Lexa had given her—the one she wore every day. She held it tightly as she walked, the cool metal grounding her. As her feet moved along the familiar path to Lexa's house, memories of their time together flashed in her mind—Lexa telling her she loved her, the soft kisses, the quiet moments when it felt like the world had disappeared and it was just the two of them.

 

Clarke couldn't reconcile those memories with the images she'd seen of Lexa and Costia. She needed to know where they stood. She needed Lexa to tell her, face-to-face.

 

Before she knew it, Clarke was standing at Lexa's front door. Her heart pounded in her chest as she raised her hand and knocked, her breath catching in her throat as she waited.

 

The door swung open, and Clarke's heart dropped when she saw Indra standing there, glaring at her with a look that made Clarke's stomach twist.

 

"Clarke," Indra said, her voice cold, her posture rigid.

 

Clarke hesitated, momentarily thrown off by Indra's expression. But she swallowed her nerves and spoke. "Hi, Mrs. Woods. Is Lexa home? I need to talk to her."

 

Indra's eyes narrowed. "Lexa and Costia are busy, Clarke. They're getting ready to go on a date."

 

Clarke felt her chest tighten, but she didn't back down. "I really need to talk to her, please. It's important."

 

Indra's expression darkened. "I know about you and Lexa," she said sharply. Clarke froze, the weight of her words crashing down on her. "And I want you to know that you are no longer welcome in this house."

 

Clarke blinked, taken aback. "What? No, I—I just need to talk to Lexa—"

 

"Lexa has made her choice," Indra cut her off, her tone firm and unyielding. "She chose Costia. You should have more self-respect than to come here like this. Lexa's future is with Costia, and it's time for you to leave and move on."

 

Clarke's heart shattered at Indra's words. She felt like the ground beneath her had given way, leaving her free-falling with nothing to hold onto. Her fingers tightened around the necklace, her voice barely a whisper. "But she told me she loved me..."

 

Indra's expression softened, but only for a brief second. "Love isn't enough when it comes at the expense of someone else. Lexa is with Costia, and that's where she belongs. You need to respect that."

 

Clarke stood there, speechless, the reality of the situation settling in like a cold, heavy weight. She couldn't stay. She didn't belong here.

 

Without another word, Clarke turned and walked away, the ache in her chest growing with every step she took.

 

🎶🎶🎶

 

Wednesday, December 25th (Christmas Day)

 

Lexa smiled as her mom opened the gift she got her, feeling a brief moment of warmth and seeing her parents happy. Her mom's joy was contagious, and for a moment, Lexa let herself feel good about making them proud. But beneath that surface of happiness, her thoughts wandered back to Clarke, the guilt and sadness creeping in.

 

She'd seen the messages Clarke had sent. Every single one. The voicemails, the texts—each one more desperate than the last. Lexa had listened to Clarke's voice, heard the pain and confusion, and every time she considered responding, she stopped herself. She had to make a choice, and her choice had been Costia. The "right" decision. The one that made her parents happy, that kept everything neatly in place.

 

But as she scrolled through Clarke's texts again, her heart ached. Who am I lying to? she thought bitterly, wiping at her eyes as tears began to blur her vision.  I'm not happy. I miss Clarke.

 

She stared at Clarke's last message—the one where she begged Lexa to just see her, to talk to her, to explain everything. Lexa wanted to go to her, more than anything. But the promise she made to her mom echoed in her mind, keeping her rooted in place. Indra had been clear: Lexa wasn't to see Clarke again, and Lexa had agreed if only to keep the peace.

 

But now, reading Clarke's words, feeling the depth of her own pain, Lexa wondered if keeping that promise had been worth it.

~~~~

Meanwhile at Clarke's house...

 

It was now evening, and Clarke, Octavia, and Raven sat around the kitchen table, nibbling on the Christmas cookies they'd baked earlier. Normally, their annual tradition brought warmth and laughter. But tonight, Clarke was unusually quiet, barely engaging in their conversations, and her eyes kept drifting toward her phone every few minutes.

 

Octavia and Raven exchanged concerned glances, sensing something was wrong.

 

"Clarke, what's up? You've been acting weird all night," Octavia asked, leaning forward.

 

"Yeah," Raven chimed in. "Is everything okay?"

 

Clarke looked up, her eyes already glistening with unshed tears. Before she could even answer, her emotions finally overwhelmed her, and she broke down, sobbing into her hands.

 

"Clarke!" Raven gasped, rushing to her side, while Octavia quickly followed. Both of them tried to soothe her, wrapping their arms around her, but nothing seemed to help. Clarke was inconsolable, her body trembling with the weight of everything she'd been holding inside.

 

"Clarke, please talk to us," Raven pleaded softly, brushing back Clarke's hair, "What's going on? You're scaring me."

 

It took nearly fifteen minutes for Clarke to calm down, her breath finally steadying between sobs. With tear-filled eyes and a shaky voice, Clarke began to tell them everything. From her secret relationship with Lexa that had started so long ago, to the confusing pull between them, and the heartache of Lexa choosing Costia. She told them about the messages she'd sent that had gone unanswered, and the pictures she'd seen of Lexa with Costia. By the time she finished, she was exhausted, drained from both the emotions and the vulnerability it took to tell them everything.

 

Octavia was glaring at Clarke, her jaw clenched, while Raven just stared at her, a mix of sadness and frustration in her eyes.

 

"You've been hiding all of this from us?" Octavia asked, her voice sharp, cutting through the thick silence that had settled over them. Clarke flinched at the tone, feeling even more exposed.

 

"Why didn't you tell us?" Raven's voice was softer, but her hurt was evident. "We're your best friends, Clarke... Why didn't you trust us with this?"

 

Clarke looked down, ashamed and overwhelmed. "I-I didn't know how... And then it just got too complicated. I didn't want you guys to hate me for it."

 

"We wouldn't hate you," Raven said, shaking her head. "We're not mad because you love Lexa, Clarke. We're mad because you didn't let us help you. You've been suffering alone, and for what?"

 

Octavia still seemed furious, her arms crossed over her chest, but she sighed deeply. "I get that you're hurting, but Lexa chose Costia. That's the reality, of being with someone in a relationship Clarke. You deserve better than being someone's secret."

 

Clarke's heart ached at the harsh truth in Octavia's words, but she knew deep down it was something she needed to hear.

 

Clarke sat there, tears still slipping down her cheeks, but she remained silent as Octavia's words echoed in her mind. She knew Octavia was right. Lexa had chosen Costia, and she couldn't keep living in the shadows, waiting for something that might never happen. But the pain of it was unbearable, and a part of her still clung to the hope that Lexa might change her mind.

 

"I know," Clarke whispered after a long pause, her voice barely audible. "I know I deserve better, but... I love her."

 

Raven placed a gentle hand on Clarke's shoulder. "Loving someone doesn't mean you have to wait around for them to choose you, Clarke. You've done everything you can. Lexa's the one who has to figure out what she really wants."

 

Clarke wiped her eyes, her heart heavy. She wished it were that simple—to just walk away and let Lexa go—but every part of her ached at the thought. "I just... I thought she loved me too. She said she did. But now, she won't even talk to me."

 

Octavia's anger softened slightly, seeing Clarke so broken. "Clarke, Lexa might love you, but if she can't stand up to her parents or be honest with Costia, then she's not ready to be with you. You deserve someone who's all in."

 

Clarke swallowed hard, nodding slowly. She knew that Octavia was right, but it didn't make it hurt any less. "I just don't know how to let go."

 

"We're here to help you through it," Raven said, her voice full of conviction. "You don't have to do this alone. We'll be by your side every step of the way."

 

Octavia nodded. "You're stronger than this, Clarke. And one day, when you're with someone who actually fights for you, you'll see that Lexa wasn't worth all this pain."

 

Clarke bit her lip, feeling a fresh wave of tears threatening to fall. She looked at both of her best friends, so grateful for their support. "Thank you... I don't know what I'd do without you two."

 

"You'll never have to find out," Raven said with a small smile, pulling Clarke into a tight hug. Octavia joined in, wrapping her arms around both of them.

 

They stayed like that for a while, the three of them huddled together in the kitchen, offering Clarke the comfort and strength she so desperately needed.

 

Eventually, they pulled away, and Raven handed Clarke her phone. "Okay, first things first. Block her."

 

Clarke looked at the phone, her fingers trembling as she opened Lexa's contact. It felt like an impossible step, but as she hovered over the block button, Octavia spoke up again.

 

"Think of it as giving yourself space to heal, Clarke," Octavia said softly. "You don't need the constant reminders. Maybe it's time to delete the messages too... and any pictures if you have them."

 

Clarke hesitated, staring at her phone, the weight of Octavia's words sinking in. Delete the messages? The thought of erasing everything—every word, every memory they'd shared—felt like another deep cut. But Octavia was right. How could she move on if she kept clinging to the past?

 

"I... I don't know if I can do that yet," Clarke admitted, her voice shaky.

 

Raven placed a hand on her knee. "It's okay. You don't have to do it all at once. But holding onto those things, it's only going to keep hurting you."

 

Clarke sighed, her thumb hovering over Lexa's message thread. "I don't know if I'm ready to lose everything."

 

"You're not losing everything," Octavia said softly, but firmly. "You still have your memories. But letting go of the messages? The pictures? That's giving yourself the chance to move forward, Clarke. To heal."

 

Clarke's chest tightened as she scrolled through the long thread of texts, some filled with sweet words, others with inside jokes, and still others with promises that now felt empty. The pictures weren't much better—so many smiles, stolen moments that had once felt like their own little world.

 

Her finger hovered over the delete button, her heart pounding. She looked up at Raven and Octavia, who were both watching her with understanding and support. They weren't pushing her to make a decision, but Clarke knew they were right. Keeping these things would only keep her trapped in this endless cycle of hurt.

 

"I'll try," Clarke whispered, blinking back the tears that threatened to spill again.

 

With trembling hands, she pressed the delete button on their message thread, watching as the screen went blank. A lump formed in her throat, and she felt like she'd just lost a part of herself. Next, she scrolled through her photos, her heart aching with each image of Lexa that she deleted. Each swipe felt like a goodbye, and by the time she was done, her chest was tight with grief.

 

"I did it," Clarke said quietly, the phone resting heavily in her lap.

 

Raven squeezed her shoulder. "I'm proud of you. That's a huge step."

 

Octavia nodded. "You're doing the right thing, Clarke. It'll hurt for a while, but you'll heal. You're stronger than this."

 

Clarke wiped at her face, taking in a shaky breath. "It doesn't feel like it right now."

 

"It will," Raven assured her. "You'll see."

 

And though the weight of what she had just done felt overwhelming, Clarke knew she had taken the first real step toward letting Lexa go. It was painful, but maybe, just maybe, it was the start of something new—a chance to heal.

Notes:

Poor Clarke… I feel bad for her but at the same time, she knew exactly what she was getting into when she chose to be with Lexa, knowing full well that Lexa was with Costia. And then here goes Lexa thinking with her head, not her heart, making the whole situation even more complicated. It’s a mess, and it will only get messier from here.

As always give me your thoughts 💭

Chapter 14: "Then why didn't you choose me?"

Summary:

This is just a filler chapter so you all can get an inside look to what Lexa and Clarke are feeling.

Monday, January 6th

 

It was a cold Monday morning, and school was back in session. Clarke stood in front of her mirror, brushing her hair as the weight of the day pressed on her. Today would be the first time she'd see Lexa since she had ghosted her. A part of Clarke dreaded it, the thought of coming face-to-face with Lexa after everything that happened made her stomach twist. She hadn't heard from her in almost two weeks, and despite trying to move on, the pain was still fresh.

 

"I guess it's safe to say she isn't my senior buddy anymore," Clarke mumbled to herself, her voice tinged with bitterness as she zipped up her jacket.

 

She stared at herself in the mirror for a moment, taking a deep breath and trying to steel herself for the day ahead. It wasn't just the idea of seeing Lexa that weighed on her—it was the shift in everything. Lexa had been more than just her senior buddy; she was her confidante, her escape from the world, her... everything.

 

But now, everything was different.

 

Grabbing her bag, Clarke gave herself one last glance in the mirror before heading downstairs. As she walked downstairs, she  was immediately greeted by the sweet, familiar scent of her favorite strawberry cheesecake pancakes.

 

"Mmm, my favorite!" Clarke said with a smile, walking over to hug her dad, who was sitting at the table, and then her mom, who was fixing their plates.

 

"Thought you'd like a little pick-me-up before school," Abby said, glancing over at Clarke with a warm smile, though her eyes briefly flickered with concern. Clarke had been off lately, and Abby knew better than to pry, at least not yet.

 

Clarke sat down at the table, absentmindedly twiddling with the charms on her necklace as her mom set her plate down. She knew she shouldn't still be wearing it—the necklace Lexa had given her—but she couldn't bring herself to take it off. It was a reminder of what they had, even if it hurt.

 

"You okay, sweetheart?" her dad asked, noticing her quiet demeanor as he took a sip of his coffee.

 

Clarke snapped out of her thoughts, giving him a small smile. "Yeah, Dad. Just a lot on my mind, I guess."

 

"Well, eat up. You've got a long day ahead," her mom said softly, ruffling her hair as she sat down beside her.

 

Clarke nodded, but her mind was already elsewhere—already thinking about seeing Lexa today, already bracing herself for the moment when their eyes would inevitably meet.

 

Clarke finished her breakfast in silence, her mind running through all the scenarios of how her day might go. She kept trying to convince herself that she'd be okay when she saw Lexa, but a knot of anxiety settled deep in her stomach. What if Lexa pretended like she didn't exist? What if she acted like nothing had ever happened?

 

Shaking the thoughts away, Clarke stood up, telling her parents that she would see them later, and grabbed her bag, heading for the door.

 

"Have a good day, sweetheart," Abby called after her, a worried tone still lacing her voice.

 

"I will, Mom," Clarke replied, though she wasn't so sure.

 

Clarke sat in her car outside her house, staring at the steering wheel for a moment before shaking herself out of it. She couldn't go through the day like this, not already dreading what was to come. With a deep breath, she started the engine and headed toward Octavia's place, trying to mentally prepare for the day ahead.

 

When she pulled up, Octavia was waiting by the curb. As soon as she hopped in, she gave Clarke a sympathetic smile.

 

"You okay?" Octavia asked softly, buckling her seatbelt.

 

Clarke gave a small nod. "Yeah, I will be. Thanks for asking."

 

"Of course. You're not going through this alone."

 

Next, they picked up Raven, who climbed into the backseat with a dramatic sigh.

 

"I made it! Barely. Woke up late," Raven joked before leaning forward between the seats. "How are you holding up, Clarke?"

 

Clarke gave her a small smile through the rearview mirror. "I'm okay. Just... nervous."

 

"We've got your back," Raven assured her. "No matter what happens today, we're here."

 

The drive to school was filled with light conversation as they tried to keep things upbeat for Clarke's sake. They talked about weekend plans, their classes, and a funny video Octavia had seen online. All the while, Clarke fiddled with the necklace that Lexa had given her, the familiar weight of it both comforting and painful.

 

As they pulled into the school parking lot, Clarke felt her stomach tighten again. Raven noticed the shift in her mood and reached out to squeeze her shoulder.

 

"Remember, Clarke, you don't have to face this alone. We're right beside you," Raven said firmly.

 

Octavia nodded. "Lexa might be in your life, but she doesn't have to control your happiness. You've got us, and we'll get through this together."

 

Clarke smiled at her friends, grateful for their support. "Thanks, guys. I really don't know what I'd do without you."

 

With that, the three of them climbed out of the car, and Clarke steeled herself for the day ahead. Today was going to be hard, but she would face it, even if her heart wasn't ready.

~~~~

 

Clarke's morning had been surprisingly calm. She'd gotten through her classes without much stress and, more importantly, without running into Lexa. It was a relief not to see her, even though Clarke knew she couldn't avoid her forever. She kept her focus on her friends and schoolwork, trying to distract herself from the nagging ache in her chest.

 

It was now lunchtime, and Clarke was heading to meet Octavia and Raven. She left her second-period class, her mind drifting to the conversation they were likely to have when she suddenly rounded a corner and slammed right into someone. The force of the impact knocked her and her belongins to the ground, books scattering across the hallway.

 

Clarke winced as she hit the floor, and when she looked up, her heart stopped. Green eyes locked onto hers—Lexa.

 

Of course, this would be how I run into her, Clarke thought bitterly, scrambling to her feet. She pushed away Lexa's hands as the older girl tried to help her up.

 

"I'm fine," Clarke said, her voice sharper than she intended, brushing off the dust from her pants and looking anywhere but at Lexa.

 

"Clarke, I—" Lexa started, her voice soft and uncertain.

 

"Don't," Clarke interrupted, holding up a hand as she finally glanced at her. Seeing Lexa's face, her guilt, her hesitation—it was too much. "I'm not doing this here. Not right now."

 

Lexa stood there, clearly struggling with something, but Clarke couldn't take it. She didn't want to hear whatever excuse or explanation Lexa had prepared. Not after everything.

 

Without another word, Clarke went to grab her books and headed down the hallway, her heart pounding. She didn't dare look back, even though she could feel Lexa's eyes on her as she walked away.

~~~~

 

Lexa stood frozen in the hallway long after Clarke had walked away, the sting of rejection still fresh in her chest. She had tried to help Clarke up, tried to say something—anything—but Clarke wouldn't even look at her. The way Clarke had pushed her hands away so quickly, so decisively, it felt like a slap in the face.

 

What did I expect? Lexa thought bitterly. That she'd just forgive me, just like that?

 

She knew this moment would come. She had played it out in her head a hundred times, rehearsing what she'd say if she saw Clarke again. But the reality of it was much worse than anything she'd imagined. Seeing the hurt in Clarke's eyes was a reminder of all the damage she'd caused.

 

You chose this, Lexa. You promised your mom. You made your decision.

 

That thought should've brought her some sense of relief, some clarity, but it didn't. It just made her feel worse. The promise she'd made to Indra was weighing on her more than ever, especially now that she had faced Clarke.

 

She started walking toward the lunchroom her footsteps heavy, each one harder than the last. Her phone buzzed in her pocket, but she ignored it. She knew it was probably Costia asking where she was.

 

Costia, who hadn't done anything wrong. Costia, who deserved someone fully committed, not someone whose heart belonged to another.

 

The voice of the fortune teller echoed in her head, a haunting reminder of what had been foretold. You and Clarke are forever soulmates... your fate is written in the stars. It transcends time.

 

Lexa clenched her fists, trying to block out the turmoil in her head. But the truth was, she missed Clarke. Every part of her missed Clarke—the way she made Lexa laugh, the way they could talk about anything for hours, and the way Clarke's mere presence could calm her.

 

She had told herself she was doing the right thing by staying with Costia, by keeping her family happy. But seeing Clarke again made her doubt everything. Her mom's ultimatum, her relationship with Costia, her choices—they all felt like chains pulling her in opposite directions.

 

I can't keep doing this.

 

She had thought she could bury her feelings, thought she could keep things the way they were, but now that Clarke was back in front of her, all of it felt impossible. Lexa didn't know how much longer she could hold on to the life she had chosen, and it terrified her.

 

For the rest of the day, Lexa found herself checking the hallways, hoping to see Clarke again, even though she knew it would only hurt more. She couldn't let go of the guilt, couldn't stop replaying Clarke's face in her mind.

 

The worst part? Lexa wasn't even sure she wanted to let go.

 

🎶🎶🎶

 

Friday, January 10th

 

It was Friday afternoon, and Clarke sat in her third-period astronomy class, half-listening to the teacher while her mind drifted elsewhere. The room was dim, the flickering light from the projector casting shadows on the walls as they watched a 30-minute video about the cosmos. Raven and Octavia were nearby, occasionally glancing at Clarke to make sure she was paying attention, but she was lost in her own world.

 

Earlier in the week, Raven had convinced them to sign up for the class. "Come on, it'll be fun!" she had exclaimed, her enthusiasm infectious. "Plus, we'll get to be together! How often do we get to geek out about stars and planets?" Clarke had been hesitant at first, but the thought of spending more time with her friends—and Raven's persuasive charm—had swayed her. Now, she had to admit the class was interesting, even if her heart wasn't fully in it today.

 

In her lap, Clarke had her music journal open, the pages filled with lyrics, doodles, and song ideas. Writing had always been a refuge for her, a hidden talent she cherished. The only ones who knew about her musical aspirations were her parents, Octavia, and Raven—her little secret that she wasn't quite ready to share with the rest of the world. She took a deep breath and let the music flow through her fingers as she scribbled down some thoughts.

 

I'm going under and I know there's no turning back, 

I just need to find my way through the dark...

 

She felt the words resonate within her, the raw emotions spilling onto the page. Clarke continued, I miss the way you used to say my name, 

Now I'm standing in the silence, feeling all this pain...

 

As she wrote, her thoughts flickered back to Lexa. The memories of their time together swirled in her mind like constellations forming a map of her heart. She wrote fervently, letting the ink capture the ache of longing and the weight of unresolved feelings.

 

And I just want to know, do you still think of me? 

Cause all I do is wonder, will we ever be?

 

The bell rang, jolting Clarke out of her reverie. She closed her journal and tucked it away just as Raven leaned over, a teasing smile on her face. "What were you writing?"

 

Clarke shrugged, a shy smile breaking through her earlier contemplation. "Just some lyrics," she replied, trying to downplay it.

 

Octavia chimed in, "Yes! You are back in your songwriting era! It has been a while since we heard a Clarke Griffin original. Are you going to sing it to us?"

 

Clarke rolled her eyes playfully but felt a warmth in her chest. "Maybe," she said, thinking that, for now, her music would remain her little secret, a piece of her that she could explore on her own terms. As they filed out of the classroom, the buzz of conversation surrounded her, but all Clarke could think about was Lexa and how much she missed her.

~~~~

 

Lexa sat at her desk in precalculus, the buzz of student chatter and the scratch of pencils on paper fading into the background. Her teacher droned on about polynomial functions, but the words felt meaningless, lost in the swirl of thoughts consuming her mind. This is a college prep class, the kind of class that her mother had urged her to take to prepare for the future. And of course, Costia sat a few rows ahead, diligently taking notes and seeming to hang on every word the teacher said.

 

But all Lexa could think about was Clarke.

 

The memory of their time together at the Fall Festival kept replaying in her head—the laughter, the stolen kisses, the spark that ignited between them. It was a stark contrast to the reality of her current situation, and it gnawed at her insides. She could almost hear the fortune teller's words echoing in her mind: "You and Clarke are forever soulmates... your fate is written in the stars."

 

Lexa's heart raced at the thought. Could that be true? How could something so beautiful coexist with the pain of the promise she had made to her mother? Indra had been so insistent that Lexa focus on her future, and on maintaining her relationship with Costia. She loved her mother and wanted to make her proud, but the more Lexa thought about it, the more suffocating it felt.

 

She shifted in her seat, trying to focus on the lesson, but her pencil tapped restlessly against the desk. The numbers and letters on the board blurred together as her thoughts spiraled. How was she supposed to prepare for college and a future that felt so uncertain when her heart was still tangled up in the past?

 

The promise to her mother loomed over her like a dark shadow. Lexa remembered the look on Indra's face when she had made that vow—not to see Clarke again, not to pursue any relationship that could jeopardize the stability she had built with Costia. She didn't want to hurt Costia; she cared for her. But every time she thought of Clarke, a pang of longing surged through her, reminding her of what she truly wanted.

 

Lexa glanced at Costia, who was focused intently on the teacher, seemingly oblivious to Lexa's turmoil. A wave of guilt washed over her. How could she have put herself in this position? She wanted to be honest with Costia, but how could she explain that her heart belonged to someone else?

 

She closed her eyes, trying to block out the noise around her. The weight of her decisions felt crushing, and she could feel the tension tightening in her chest. Why is this so hard? she wondered. She wanted to be true to herself, to embrace the love she felt for Clarke, but doing so would mean breaking her mother's heart.

 

With a heavy sigh, Lexa opened her eyes and glanced at the clock. Time seemed to crawl, each tick reminding her of the moments slipping away. She knew she couldn't ignore her feelings forever, but the thought of confronting her reality filled her with dread.

 

As the lesson continued, Lexa couldn't shake the feeling that she was caught between two worlds—one where she followed the path laid out by her mother, and another where she could explore the love that had blossomed so unexpectedly with Clarke.

 

🎶🎶🎶

 

Friday, January 31st

 

Clarke stood in the art room, surrounded by the smell of paint and the sound of brushes gliding across the canvas. The late afternoon sun filtered through the large windows, casting a warm glow over everything. She felt a sense of calm wash over her as she focused on her piece for the upcoming art competition. It was a blend of colors and emotions, reflecting the turmoil of her thoughts but also the beauty she found in the world around her.

 

Across the room, Niylah was engrossed in her own work. She was creating an intricate sculpture, her hands deftly shaping the clay with a skill that always amazed Clarke. The two of them had spent countless afternoons in this space, supporting each other through their artistic endeavors.

 

Clarke took a moment to observe Niylah, her brow furrowed in concentration as she molded the clay. The way Niylah's eyes sparkled with determination made Clarke's heart swell with admiration. Suddenly, Niylah looked up, catching Clarke's gaze.

 

A smile broke across Clarke's face, and she felt a rush of warmth at the sight of Niylah's dimples deepening as she returned the smile. It was contagious, and Clarke couldn't help but gush, "You have the cutest dimples, you know that?"

 

Niylah chuckled, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Thanks! But have you seen the way you light up when you talk about your art? That's pretty cute too."

 

Clarke felt her own cheeks heat up at the compliment, her heart fluttering. "Well, it's easy to be inspired when I'm surrounded by such talent."

 

Niylah shrugged playfully, turning her attention back to her sculpture. "I'm just trying to make something that can stand up to your piece."

 

"Just trying to express myself," Clarke replied, picking up her paintbrush again and returning to her canvas. She lost herself in the strokes, letting the colors blend and swirl together. It was a cathartic experience, one she needed more than ever, especially with everything happening in her life.

 

They worked in companionable silence, the atmosphere filled with creativity and understanding. Clarke glanced over at Niylah again, who was now focused intently on her work, a small frown of concentration on her face.

 

"You've got this, Niylah. I can already tell your sculpture is going to be amazing," Clarke encouraged, wanting to lift her friend's spirits.

 

Niylah paused and looked up, her eyes brightening. "Thanks, Clarke. I really hope so. This competition means a lot to me."

 

"Same here," Clarke admitted, her voice softening. "It feels like I need to prove something to myself."

 

Niylah nodded, understanding the weight of that sentiment. "Art has a way of doing that. It's like we're pouring our souls into our work, hoping someone else will see and understand it."

 

Clarke smiled, grateful for their connection. "Exactly. It's comforting to know I'm not alone in this."

 

As the silence stretched between them, Niylah put down her sculpting tools and turned to Clarke with a thoughtful look. "Clarke, I have to ask... Is there something going on between you and Lexa? I mean, at the Halloween party, there was this energy between you two. And then I saw you together at the Fall Festival. It just seemed... different."

 

Clarke felt her chest tighten. If Niylah had noticed she wondered how many others. It wasn't like she and Lexa had been very discreet, but she hadn't expected Niylah to confront her about it, especially now.

 

Clarke sighed, wiping her hands on her apron as she tried to find the right words. "Yeah... there is—or was—something between us."

 

Niylah's eyebrows shot up, but she didn't interrupt. She just gave Clarke the space to continue.

 

Clarke took a deep breath. "It started a while ago. Lexa and I... we got close. She was with Costia, but we still—" Clarke paused, trying to steady herself. "We kissed and other stuff. We spent time together, more than just friends. I know it's wrong, but it felt real."

 

Clarke's voice wavered as she continued, "But she never left Costia. After the Fall Festival, things got complicated. Lexa's mom found out about us... and now, Lexa won't talk to me. It's been weeks. I tried texting her, calling her at first, but got nothing."

 

Niylah's eyes softened with understanding, though there was a trace of surprise in them. "Wow. So that's why you've seemed... off lately." She paused, choosing her next words carefully. "Clarke, I'm sorry you're going through that. But it doesn't seem fair, does it? I mean, she's still with Costia while you're... waiting?"

 

Clarke swallowed hard, feeling her chest tighten. "I know. I feel like such an idiot. I know she loves me, or at least I thought she did. But she chose Costia and now... I just feel stuck. I don't know what to do."

 

Niylah moved closer, her tone gentle. "That's a tough situation. But you don't deserve to be a second option, Clarke. You deserve someone who's all in—someone who chooses you without hesitation."

 

Clarke remained quiet.

 

Niylah looked at Clarke, her eyes filled with sincerity. "You know," she began softly, "you would never be my second choice."

 

Clarke blinked, taken aback by the statement. There was something about the way Niylah said it—so honest, so clear—that made her heart skip a beat. She stared at Niylah, unsure of how to respond at first.

 

"I mean it," Niylah continued, her gaze unwavering. "If it were me, I wouldn't put you in a position where you had to question where you stood. You deserve better than that, Clarke."

 

Clarke felt her breath catch in her throat, the weight of Niylah's words sinking in. "Niylah, I... I don't even know what to say."

 

"You don't have to say anything," Niylah said, her voice calm and reassuring. "I just wanted you to know. You're not someone who should ever be left waiting or wondering. And I want you to see that for yourself."

 

Clarke felt a mix of emotions—gratitude, confusion, and something else she couldn't quite name. She squeezed Niylah's hand in return, her heart feeling lighter, if only for a moment. "Thank you. That... that really means a lot."

 

Niylah smiled, her dimples deepening as her eyes softened. "Anytime, Clarke. I'm always here."

 

In the quiet of the art room, Clarke found herself wondering if maybe, just maybe, things could be different—if someone like Niylah could give her the kind of love she truly deserved. But for now, she held on to the comfort that she wasn't alone in her feelings.

 

🎶🎶🎶

 

Wednesday, February 5th

 

Clarke never thought she'd end up in the same room with Lexa again. But here she was, sitting across from her. They met in their usual spot. The room felt smaller now, heavy with unspoken words. Lexa had messaged her on Snapchat, asking if they could talk. At first, Clarke had been tempted to respond with a hard no. She had every right to. Lexa had ghosted her, leaving her with nothing but broken promises and unanswered texts. But part of Clarke needed closure, needed to understand why.

 

So here they were.

 

The silence between them stretched on, each second thick with tension. Clarke stared at Lexa, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. She watched as Lexa opened her mouth a few times, only to close it again. The longer they sat there in silence, the angrier Clarke felt. Her emotions bubbled up inside her, a storm of hurt and betrayal she couldn't contain anymore.

 

"Are you gonna say something?" Clarke finally snapped, unable to hold it in any longer. Her voice was sharp, cutting through the stillness.

 

Lexa flinched slightly at the edge of Clarke's tone. "I... I just don't know where to start," she admitted, her voice low, her eyes flicking away from Clarke's gaze.

 

"How about with an explanation?" Clarke shot back, her frustration building. "You ghosted me, Lexa. After everything. No texts, no calls, nothing. And then I see you all over Costia's Instagram like nothing ever happened. Like we never happened."

 

Lexa's jaw tightened, and she nodded, looking down at her hands. "I know," she whispered, her voice almost drowned out by the intensity of Clarke's emotions. "I messed up. I—"

 

"You think?" Clarke interrupted, her voice louder now. "You didn't just mess up, Lexa. You hurt me. And you didn't even have the decency to explain why."

 

"I wanted to," Lexa said, her voice breaking slightly. "But I didn't know how. I promised my mom—"

 

"Oh, so this is about Indra?" Clarke scoffed, standing up from her chair, her heart racing with anger. "Your mom's the reason you couldn't even send me a text? The reason you left me hanging while you played happy couple with Costia?"

 

Lexa's eyes shot up to meet Clarke's, filled with guilt and something else Clarke couldn't quite read. "It wasn't like that."

 

"Then what was it like?" Clarke demanded, her voice shaking now. "Explain it to me, Lexa. Explain why I wasn't good enough to even get a goodbye."

 

Lexa stood up too, running a hand through her hair in frustration. "You were never not good enough, Clarke. That's not what this is about. I just... I was trying to do what I thought was right. For my family, for Costia, for everyone."

 

Clarke shook her head, her anger mixing with the hurt that had been festering for weeks. "What about what was right for me, Lexa? Or for you? Did you ever think about that?"

 

"I did," Lexa whispered, stepping closer, her voice desperate now. "I thought about it every day. I thought about you every day. But I made a promise to my mom, Clarke. She found out about us and gave me an ultimatum. She said I had to choose, and I—"

 

"And you chose her," Clarke finished for her, her voice hollow now. "You chose your mom. And Costia."

 

Lexa's eyes filled with tears, and she reached out, but Clarke took a step back, her heart breaking all over again. "Clarke, I didn't want to hurt you."

 

"But you did," Clarke whispered, the fight leaving her body. "You did, Lexa." She wiped a tear from her cheek, feeling her resolve crumble. "And now I'm supposed to just forgive you? Pretend like it didn't happen?"

 

Lexa's voice broke as she whispered, "No. I don't expect you to forgive me. I just... I couldn't let things end like this. Not without you knowing that I loved you. That I still love you."

 

Clarke swallowed hard, her chest tight. "Then why didn't you choose me?" she asked softly, her voice barely audible.

 

Lexa's silence was deafening.

 

Clarke closed her eyes for a moment, then took a deep breath. "I needed closure, Lexa. Not more confusion."

 

With that, Clarke turned and walked toward the door, her heart heavy but her mind made up. She didn't look back as she left, leaving Lexa standing there in the same silence they'd started in—only this time, the silence held no more hop

Notes:

So obviously Clarke and Lexa are miserable without each other but Lexa has made her choice.

Niylah is too smooth for her own good right? When she told Clarke she would never be her second choice I was like oops no shade Lexa🤭

Did anyone's eyes get a little misty when Clarke asked Lexa "Then why didn't you choose me?". I was like this 🥺 the whole time I was writing the scene. You can literally feel how hurt Clarke is.

So the next chapter will center around Valentine’s Day, the Valentine’s Day Ball, Raven’s birthday and her sweet 16. Some things may or may not happen at the party🤫

As always leave me your thoughts 💭

Chapter 15: “But, Clarke, you deserve something special—because you are special.”

Friday, February 14th (Valentine's Day)

 

Clarke was slouched in her seat, her fingers mindlessly scrolling through Instagram while her first-period class dragged on. It was Valentine's Day, and she wasn't exactly in the mood to see all the cutesy posts cluttering her feed. The pastel pinks, reds, and heart emojis were enough to make her feel sick. Everyone seemed to be in love, posting sweet messages and adorable photos with their partners, while she sat here alone, trying her best not to care.

 

But no matter how hard she tried, the emptiness gnawed at her. Especially when she thought about Lexa.

 

She sighed, tapping the heart on Raven's post. Raven and Anya had been official for a month now, and while Clarke wasn't always a huge fan of public displays of affection, the post made her smile. They were genuinely happy together, and if anyone deserved that kind of happiness, it was her best friend. Raven had gone through a lot, and seeing her with someone who made her so happy warmed Clarke's heart.

 

Next up was Monty's post. He'd been with Harper since eighth grade, and his Valentine's message was sweet and sincere, complete with a collection of old photos that made Clarke chuckle. "At least someone's having a good day," she muttered to herself, tapping another heart.

 

Her thumb hovered over the screen as she continued scrolling. That's when she saw it—the post that stopped her cold.

 

Costia.

 

Lexa.

 

Clarke's breath hitched as she stared at the post. Costia had wished Lexa a Happy Valentine's Day with a long, gushing caption. It was the kind of post that Clarke knew would get tons of comments about how perfect they were together, how they were "relationship goals." The pictures were even worse. The first one was of Costia and Lexa holding hands, smiling at the camera with the sun setting behind them. Another one of them was cuddling at some fancy dinner, Lexa's arm draped casually over Costia's shoulders as they laughed.

 

Clarke's chest tightened painfully. She didn't realize how long she had been staring at the screen until her thumb moved on its own, ready to scroll past the post, but something stopped her.

 

The hurt, the anger, the betrayal—they all surged up in her at once. She didn't want to care. She really didn't. Lexa had made her choice, hadn't she? And yet, here Clarke was, unable to tear her eyes away from the photos, from the reminder that Lexa wasn't hers. That Lexa had chosen Costia, and today, of all days, the universe had to shove that reality in her face.

 

Clarke blinked back the sting of tears. She took a deep breath and finally forced herself to scroll past the post, her heart feeling heavier than before. She knew she shouldn't care about Lexa and Costia, especially not now. Lexa was no longer a part of her life, and Clarke was supposed to be moving on, supposed to be healing. But seeing them together like this on a day that was all about love made her feel lonelier than ever.

 

Her hand absentmindedly reached up to the necklace she still wore—the one Lexa had given her. She really should take it off, but every time she tried, something stopped her. Maybe it was the small part of her that hadn't fully let go. The part that still believed in what they had shared.

 

Shaking her head, Clarke set her phone down and closed her eyes for a moment, willing the ache in her chest to fade. "Just another day," she whispered to herself. "Just get through it."

~~~~

 

Clarke and Octavia stood side by side in the pizza line, both of them quiet as they picked out their slices and grabbed drinks. The cafeteria was buzzing with excitement, especially with the Valentine's Day Ball coming up this weekend. Every couple in school had entered the competition for the coveted titles of Valentine's Day Queen and King, or Queen and Queen, or King and King. Of course, Costia and Lexa had entered this year, and everyone seemed to think they had the win in the bag.

 

Clarke, on the other hand, wasn't part of that "everyone."

 

As she and Octavia found a table and sat down with their pizza, they started chatting about the upcoming event. "So," Octavia began, biting into her slice, "who do you think will win this year?"

 

Clarke shrugged, her mood flat. "I know everyone's voting for Costia and Lexa. They're the 'it' couple," she said with a hint of bitterness in her voice. "But I voted for Jiya and Brittany."

 

Octavia raised an eyebrow. "Yeah? Why them?"

 

"They've been together just as long as Costia and Lexa, and they're just as popular. But I feel like they're more...genuine, you know?" Clarke replied, twirling her drink around absentmindedly. "They actually seem happy. Plus, they're super sweet to everyone."

 

Octavia nodded thoughtfully. "True. They've always been nice to me. But Lexa and Costia? It's like everyone's obsessed with them being some kind of power couple."

 

Clarke rolled her eyes. "Yeah, well, not me."

 

The truth was, seeing Lexa and Costia all over school being hailed as the perfect couple was like salt in the wound. Clarke wasn't about to give them any more of her energy, especially not on Valentine's Day of all days. Voting for Jiya and Brittany felt like a small, defiant act of self-care.

 

As Clarke and Octavia continued their conversation, Clarke caught sight of Lincoln approaching behind Octavia. He had a big teddy bear in one hand, a bouquet of roses in the other, and a poster decorated with hearts and glitter that read, "Will you go to the Valentine's Day ball with me?" A smile spread across Clarke's face as she realized what was happening, excitement bubbling up inside her for her friend.

 

The cafeteria seemed to hush, people noticing Lincoln's grand gesture. Clarke noticed Bellamy off to the side, recording the whole thing with a grin on his face. Octavia, still oblivious, glanced at Clarke, noticing her expression.

 

"What are you staring at?" she asked, turning around—and gasped.

 

"Lincoln, what are you doing?" Octavia asked, her eyes wide with shock. She genuinely didn't see this coming. While she and Lincoln had hung out a few times after the fall festival, he had never given any indication that he was interested in anything more.

 

Lincoln smiled nervously but confidently, holding out the roses and the bear. "I was hoping you'd say yes to going to the ball with me," he said, his deep voice carrying across the quiet cafeteria.

 

Octavia blinked, still in disbelief. She had no idea that Lincoln, of all people, had been harboring feelings for her. Little did she know, Lincoln had liked her for a long time but never acted on it out of respect for Bellamy. But after having a heart-to-heart with Bellamy a few days ago, Lincoln had finally decided to make his move. Bellamy, to Octavia's surprise, had been totally on board, knowing that Lincoln would treat his sister right.

 

Octavia glanced over at her brother, who gave her a supportive nod from across the cafeteria. Her heart raced as she turned back to Lincoln. She didn't know what to say at first, overwhelmed by the surprise. But the grin spreading across her face was unmistakable.

 

"Yes," she finally said, her voice shaky with excitement. "I'll go with you."

 

Clarke was still smiling, caught up in Octavia and Lincoln's sweet moment when she heard a wave of whispers and gasps ripple through the cafeteria again. Turning her head, she noticed that the attention had shifted toward the back of the room. Her heart skipped a beat as she saw Niylah stepping forward, looking a little nervous but determined. Clarke blinked in surprise, her curiosity piqued as Niylah approached with a gesture of her own.

 

Niylah wasn't empty-handed. She was carrying an enormous bouquet of wildflowers, much different from the usual roses or carnations everyone else had. The vibrant mix of blues, purples, and pinks instantly caught Clarke's eye. But it wasn't just the flowers. Behind Niylah, a few of the students from the music club—who Clarke recognized as having their guitars and a violin in hand—began to softly play a romantic tune, filling the cafeteria with the sound of gentle strings.

 

Niylah cleared her throat, catching Clarke's full attention now. The entire cafeteria was watching, but Niylah's gaze was locked on Clarke's.

 

"I wanted to do this right," Niylah said, her voice clear but soft, her eyes never leaving Clarke's. "I know you've been through a lot, and I know today might not feel the best. But, Clarke, you deserve something special—because you are special."

 

Clarke felt her cheeks heat up, completely caught off guard by the gesture. She glanced around, noticing that everyone was now focused on her and Niylah. Her heart raced, unsure of what to expect next.

 

Niylah gently set the flowers down on the nearest table and then pulled something else out from behind her—a canvas. Clarke's breath hitched when she saw it. It was a beautifully painted portrait of Clarke herself, done in Niylah's unique style, capturing Clarke's serene yet strong essence. The details were stunning, from the way the light touched her hair to the calm but thoughtful expression on her face. Clarke recognized it immediately—it was based on a moment they'd shared while working in the art room.

 

"I've been working on this for a while," Niylah admitted, looking a little shy now. "I didn't plan on showing you like this, but I couldn't think of a better time than now. Clarke, would you be my date to the Valentine's Day ball?"

 

Clarke was speechless. The music from the band swelled gently in the background as she stared at Niylah, overwhelmed by the grand gesture. The flowers, the painting, the music—it all felt so personal, so thoughtful, and Clarke couldn't help but feel touched by how much effort Niylah had put into making her feel seen and valued.

 

Niylah smiled nervously, stepping closer. "No pressure," she added, her voice softening. "I just wanted to ask."

 

Clarke's heart swelled. This wasn't like the grand gestures she'd seen all day, flashy and full of the usual clichés. Niylah's gesture was different. It felt real, sincere—crafted just for her.

 

Clarke finally found her voice, a smile spreading across her face. "Yes," she said, her voice quiet at first, but then more confident. "Yes, I'd love to go to the ball with you."

 

The cafeteria erupted into cheers once more, and Niylah grinned from ear to ear, stepping forward to hug Clarke. As they embraced, Clarke felt an unexpected warmth settle in her chest. For the first time in a while, she didn't feel so lost. Instead, she felt seen and appreciated, and it was all because of Niylah.

 

As Clarke sat down next to Niylah, still feeling the warmth of the moment, she caught her breath. The cafeteria was bustling with noise—friends chatting, laughter, and the soft strumming of the music club's final notes filling the air—but all of that seemed to fade into the background as her eyes met Lexa's from across the room.

 

Lexa stood near Costia and a few others, holding a tray in her hands, frozen in place. Her green eyes locked onto Clarke's, the same intensity that Clarke had always felt between them still there as if no time had passed since their last meeting. For a brief moment, everything else disappeared. It was just them, staring at each other across the cafeteria, a heavy silence hanging in the air despite the lively atmosphere.

 

Clarke's heart twisted in her chest. She could see something flicker in Lexa's expression—surprise, guilt, or maybe even longing—but it was quickly masked as Lexa broke eye contact and turned her attention back to Costia, who hadn't noticed the silent exchange.

 

Clarke let out a slow breath, feeling a familiar ache return. Despite everything—despite Niylah's sweet gesture, despite the fact that she was moving on—seeing Lexa stirred up all the feelings she thought she was starting to bury. She tried to push them down, reminding herself that Lexa had made her choice.

 

But still, that look lingered in Clarke's mind, even as she turned her attention back to Niylah, who was smiling at her, completely unaware of the storm brewing inside her.

 

🎶🎶🎶

 

Saturday, February 22nd (Valentine's Day Ball)

 

It was Saturday morning, the day of the Valentine's Day ball, and Clarke's house was buzzing with the energy of excitement. Raven and Octavia had spent the night for some much-needed girls' time, and now they were lounging around in Clarke's room, talking about their dates for the night.

 

"I'm so excited to see Anya in her suit," Raven gushed, her eyes sparkling as she spoke. "She sent me a picture of it, and let me just say—she's going to steal the show tonight."

 

Octavia grinned, shaking her head. "Well, I'm pretty sure Lincoln and I are going to give you a run for your money. He's got this whole thing planned, and I can't wait to see what it is." She smiled, her cheeks tinged with pink as she spoke about Lincoln.

 

Clarke listened to her friends, happy for them, but as their voices filled the room, she couldn't help but feel a little distant. Her mind wandered back to Lexa, as it always did, even when she tried to focus on Niylah. She knew she liked Niylah—she was kind, thoughtful, and always made Clarke feel seen—but it was Lexa she still loved, no matter how hard she tried to move on. Lexa was the one that haunted her thoughts, that made her heart twist whenever she saw her.

 

As Raven and Octavia continued to talk about their dates, Clarke absentmindedly started fiddling with her necklace. She twirled the charms between her fingers, feeling the familiar weight of the pendant. Clarke couldn't seem to take off, no matter how much it hurt to wear it.

 

Raven paused mid-sentence, her eyes narrowing slightly as she glanced over at Clarke. She noticed the way Clarke's fingers kept running over the necklace, and something clicked. "Clarke," Raven said slowly, her voice curious. "Did Lexa give you that necklace?"

 

Clarke's fingers froze around the pendant, and she looked up, her expression caught between surprise and guilt. "Yeah," she admitted quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. "She gave it to me a while ago."

 

Octavia's smile faltered as she exchanged a quick look with Raven. "Clarke..." Raven began, her tone more gentle now, "Why are you still wearing it?"

 

Clarke nodded, her heart sinking as she realized where the conversation was heading. "I know I shouldn't," she confessed, her voice breaking slightly. "But I can't... I can't take it off. It's like—like I'm holding onto something that's not there anymore."

 

Octavia sighed softly and reached over to place a hand on Clarke's knee. "You know we're here for you, right?" she said. "But, Clarke, you have to let her go. Niylah's great, and she really likes you, but if you're still hung up on Lexa..."

 

Clarke bit her lip, tears threatening to well up in her eyes. "I know, O," she whispered. "I'm trying. I really am."

 

Raven, always the practical one, gave her a sympathetic look. "Clarke, you deserve someone who chooses you completely. Lexa had her chance, and she made her choice. Maybe... maybe it's time to make yours."

 

Clarke nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. She knew they were right, but knowing and feeling were two very different things. As much as she wanted to move on, as much as she wanted to give Niylah a real chance, her heart was still with Lexa. And tonight, at the ball, she wasn't sure how she was going to face the fact that Lexa would be there—with Costia by her side.

 

The room fell into a brief silence, each of them lost in their thoughts before Octavia broke it with a determined smile. "Alright, enough of that," she said, her voice more upbeat. "Let's focus on tonight. We're going to look amazing, and we're going to have fun. Right?"

 

Clarke forced a smile, nodding along. "Right," she said, though the weight of her necklace felt heavier than ever.

~~~~

 

The day flew by in a whirlwind of excitement, pampering, and anticipation. Clarke, Raven, and Octavia had spent the entire afternoon getting ready, starting with a trip to the nail salon where they all chose colors that matched their dresses perfectly. After that, they went to the hair salon, chatting and laughing as stylists worked their magic. By the time they left, it was already 6 pm, and the ball was only two hours away.

 

Back at Clarke's house, the energy was buzzing as the girls began to get ready for the big night. Anya's parents had rented a limo, which would arrive at 7:30 to pick everyone up: Anya and Raven, Octavia and Lincoln, Clarke and Niylah, and Lexa and Costia. The idea of being in the same limo as Lexa made Clarke feel nervous, but she pushed the thought aside, focusing on the present.

 

In Clarke's room, Octavia was meticulously applying makeup to Raven after having just finished her own. Raven sat still, occasionally making faces to tease Octavia, who threatened to poke her with an eyeliner pencil if she didn't behave. Clarke, meanwhile, stood at her vanity, carefully finishing her makeup. She had gone for a soft, romantic look to match her light pink dress, highlighting her blue eyes with shimmering eyeshadow and soft blush on her cheeks.

 

Once their makeup was done, it was time to put on their dresses. The girls emerged from their respective corners of Clarke's room, each looking stunning in their own way.

 

Octavia's long dark hair was swept up in an elegant updo, strands of curls framing her face. She wore a short red strapless boat neck ruffle hem bodycon dress that hugged her figure perfectly. Her silver shoes and jewelry sparkled under the light, and she gave a playful twirl, showing off the dress. "Not bad, huh?" she said, grinning at the other two.

 

Raven, always the casual one, had traded in her usual tomboy style for something more glamorous. Her hair was also in an updo, with soft tendrils falling gracefully around her face. She wore a silk red long-sleeve, off-the-shoulder dress that stopped right above her knees, paired with gold heels and matching jewelry. She gave a mock sigh. "I feel too fancy for my own good," she joked, but her smile said otherwise.

 

Then there was Clarke. Her hair had been transformed with blonde clip-ins, curled to perfection, cascading down her back to just past her shoulders. The light pink sequined glitter off-the-shoulder front slit backless cocktail dress she wore shimmered with every movement. She paired it with silver heels and delicate silver jewelry, looking every bit the picture of elegance. The dress hugged her in all the right places, and for a moment, she felt confident — beautiful, even.

 

"Wow, Clarke," Octavia said, her eyes widening. "You look... stunning."

 

"Thanks," Clarke said, her smile soft, though her nerves fluttered at the thought of seeing Lexa tonight.

 

Raven gave her a once-over, smirking. "Niylah's jaw is going to hit the floor when she sees you."

 

Once they were all dressed, the girls headed downstairs where their parents were waiting for them. Abby and Jake stood with Octavia's parents and Raven's mom, all of them beaming with pride as the girls made their grand entrance.

 

"You girls look incredible," Abby said, her eyes misting up a little. "I can't believe how grown up you all are."

 

Jake nodded in agreement, taking in how beautiful his daughter looked. "You all are going to have a great time tonight."

 

Octavia's parents smiled proudly, while Raven's mom gave a thumbs-up, grinning widely. "You girls look like you belong on a magazine cover."

 

Clarke felt a warmth in her chest as she stood next to her friends, all of them ready to face the night together. But despite the joy and excitement, a small part of her couldn't shake the thought of Lexa — and what tonight might bring.

 

"Let's do this," Clarke whispered to herself as they waited for the limo to arrive, her heart a mix of anticipation and uncertainty.

 

When the knock came at the door, Clarke's heart skipped a beat. She stood up from where she was sitting, glancing at Octavia and Raven, both of whom exchanged excited smiles before the door opened. In walked Niylah, Anya, and Lincoln, each of them looking dapper and sophisticated, ready for the night ahead.

 

Clarke's eyes were immediately drawn to Niylah. She looked absolutely stunning in her light pink suit, which was tailored to perfection. The suit was paired with a crisp white button-down and white loafers, and she wore silver jewelry that complemented Clarke's accessories. Her dark hair was slicked back into a sleek ponytail, emphasizing her sharp jawline and warm smile. Clarke couldn't help but feel a flutter in her chest as she took Niylah in.

 

Niylah smiled softly, walking over to Clarke and taking her hand. "You look incredible," she whispered, her eyes lingering on Clarke's dress. Clarke felt her cheeks warm under Niylah's gaze and smiled in return.

 

"Thanks, you look pretty amazing yourself," Clarke replied, squeezing her hand lightly.

 

Anya, always the confident one, entered next, her dark hair straightened and sleek. She wore a black suit with a red button-down that matched Raven's dress perfectly. The two of them always seemed to have this effortless way of coordinating. Anya completed her look with red loafers, a simple gold chain, earrings, and a gold watch, her style bold yet elegant. She made her way straight to Raven, who was already grinning at her girlfriend's impeccable style.

 

"Well, don't you two look like a power couple," Octavia teased, nudging Raven.

 

Anya smirked, leaning in to give Raven a soft kiss. "Just wait until we walk into that ball," she said, her voice low with playful confidence. Raven laughed but her cheeks flushed pink, clearly loving the attention.

 

Then there was Lincoln, and Clarke could see Octavia's eyes widen when she saw him. Lincoln was always handsome, but tonight he looked particularly sharp. His black button-down and slacks were classic, but his suit jacket stood out with intricate red designs that complemented the deep red accents in his shoes. The red velvet loafers he wore were the perfect finishing touch, along with a simple silver chain and a watch that glinted under the light. He walked toward Octavia, his smile broad and sincere.

 

"Wow, Lincoln... you look..." Octavia started but seemed to struggle to find the words.

 

"Handsome?" Lincoln offered with a grin.

 

Octavia laughed, nodding. "Yeah, definitely. And more."

 

He handed her a small bouquet of roses, causing her to blush deeply. "I thought these would go well with your dress."

 

Octavia took them, her smile softening. "Thank you, they're beautiful."

~~~~

After their parents took all the pictures they wanted, the group headed outside to where the limo was waiting. As the door opened and everyone began to fill in, Clarke couldn't help but her eyes drew to Lexa. Lexa looked amazing, her hair styled in intricate little braids that gathered into a neat ponytail. Her makeup enhanced her striking green eyes, making them pop, and she wore a sleek black suit paired with a lavender tie that perfectly matched Costia's dress.

 

Costia, as always, looked stunning. Her black curly hair, now straightened, cascaded beautifully down her back, and she wore a gorgeous lavender gown that hugged her figure perfectly, accentuating her elegance. Clarke felt a mixture of admiration and heartache as she took in the sight of the two of them together.

 

Soon, the conversation started to flow, and just like that, the atmosphere in the limo transformed into one of excitement and fun. Laughter filled the air as everyone shared stories, made jokes, and talked about their hopes for the night ahead.

 

Clarke found herself caught up in the infectious energy, but a part of her mind still lingered on Lexa. She could see Lexa and Costia sharing quiet moments, exchanging smiles, and it stirred a mix of emotions within her.

 

"Can you believe we're finally going to the ball?" Octavia exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

 

"I know, right? I've been looking forward to this all month!" Raven replied, her excitement palpable.

 

Anya chimed in, "And we all look amazing! Let's make this night unforgettable!"

 

The group erupted into cheers, and Clarke couldn't help but join in, allowing herself to be swept up in the moment. As the limo glided through the streets, she tried to push her worries aside, focusing instead on her friends and the promise of a memorable evening ahead.

 

~~~~

 

The gym was alive with color and sound, each corner decorated with shimmering streamers and twinkling fairy lights. Students filled the dance floor, laughing and spinning in a blur of vibrant dresses and polished shoes. Lexa stood close to Costia, who was already buzzing with excitement, her hand intertwined with Lexa's as they danced together.

 

Clarke caught Lexa's eye from across the floor, moving gracefully as she danced with Niylah. Clarke looked stunning, the soft curls of her hair catching the light and framing her face. Lexa's heart ached with the memory of the closeness they once shared, a longing that intensified as she watched Clarke smile, her laughter ringing out above the music. Lexa felt a pang of jealousy, wishing it could be her in Niylah's spot.

 

As the night progressed, the music transitioned into something slower, and the atmosphere shifted. Lexa's heart raced when she saw Principal Titus make his way to the center of the dance floor, microphone in hand. The crowd quieted, anticipation building in the air.

 

"Attention, everyone!" Titus called, his voice booming over the chatter. "It's time to announce the couple who will be crowned this Valentine's Day Ball!"

 

Excitement rippled through the crowd. Lexa felt Costia squeeze her hand, her eyes shining with hope. Lexa could feel the tension in the air, a blend of nervousness and exhilaration.

 

"Let's get a drumroll going!" Titus encouraged, and the music cut out as everyone clapped in rhythm, their excitement palpable.

 

The drumroll echoed in Lexa's heart, and she glanced at Clarke again, wishing they could share this moment together. After what felt like an eternity, the drumroll finally stopped, leaving a charged silence in its wake.

 

"And the couple who will be crowned this Valentine's Day Ball is... Alexandria Woods and Costia Winters!"

 

The crowd erupted into cheers, the noise washing over Lexa as Costia's face lit up with joy. Lexa felt a rush of happiness mixed with a bittersweet twinge, her stomach tightening. Costia turned to Lexa, eyes sparkling with excitement, and pulled her close as they made their way to the stage, hand in hand. They were greeted with crowns and sashes. For a fleeting moment, Lexa wished that Clarke could be by her side, that they could share this victory together.

 

The rest of the night continued, and despite the excitement around her, Lexa felt the tension build with every glance at Clarke. They stole quick looks at each other, the weight of their unspoken connection hanging heavily in the air. Lexa couldn't shake the feeling of that connection she had with Clarke, but she pushed it down, reminding herself that she chose Costia.

 

🎶🎶🎶

 

Thursday, February 27th (Raven's Birthday)

 

After the Valentine's Day Ball, the days seemed to fly by, and soon enough, it was Thursday—Raven's 16th birthday. Raven was riding to school with Anya today, which worked out perfectly for Clarke and Octavia. They arrived at school early, armed with streamers, balloons, and a custom "Happy Birthday" sign, ready to decorate Raven's locker and surprise her when she arrived.

 

Clarke worked on taping up the glittery sign, while Octavia meticulously placed balloons around the locker. They had even found some space-themed decorations, a nod to Raven's love for astronomy. As Clarke stepped back to admire their work, she couldn't help but smile. They had planned this for weeks, knowing how much Raven would love the surprise.

 

"Think she'll like it?" Octavia asked, holding up a string of tiny rocket ship lights.

 

"She'll love it," Clarke replied, adjusting the sign one last time.

 

Just as they finished, students began trickling into the halls. Clarke and Octavia stepped back, waiting for the big reveal when Raven and Anya would arrive. The anticipation had Clarke bouncing on her toes.

 

"I can't wait to see her face!" Octavia grinned, looking around to make sure everything was perfect.

 

"Anya just texted—they're walking now and headed our way!" Octavia said excitedly, her eyes lighting up as she tucked her phone back into her pocket.

 

Clarke felt a rush of excitement too, her heart speeding up as she looked at the fully decorated locker. "Perfect timing."

 

They both stood a little to the side, pretending to be casual, though the grins on their faces gave them away. A few moments later, Raven and Anya appeared at the end of the hallway, their hands linked as they laughed about something.

 

Raven didn't notice the decorations at first, too focused on Anya. But as they got closer, her eyes widened, and her mouth dropped open.

 

"Oh my God!" Raven gasped, stopping in her tracks as she took in the bright streamers, balloons, and the sparkly "Happy Birthday" sign hanging on her locker. "Did you guys do this?"

 

Clarke and Octavia stepped forward, grinning ear to ear. "Surprise!" they shouted in unison.

 

Raven blinked a few times, clearly touched. "This is amazing. You guys are the best!" She let go of Anya's hand and rushed over to hug them both tightly.

 

Octavia laughed, hugging Raven back. "Only the best for you on your birthday!"

 

Clarke smiled, glad the surprise had landed perfectly. "We wanted to make sure you started your day off right."

 

Raven glanced back at the locker again, still in awe. "You totally did! I love it. This is so awesome!" Shey turned to Anya with a grin. "Looks like I'm officially spoiled today."

 

Anya chuckled and gave Raven a quick kiss on the lips. "Of course, you are babe."

 

Clarke pulled out her phone, grinning. "Alright, birthday girl—stand in front of your masterpiece. We need some pictures!"

 

Raven laughed, rolling her eyes but clearly delighted. She posed with a playful grin in front of the locker, one hand on her hip and the other giving a peace sign. Clarke snapped a few photos, capturing Raven's excitement and the bright, colorful decorations framing her.

 

"Alright, now give me a real smile," Clarke teased.

 

Raven broke into a genuine grin, her happiness radiating as she looked at the camera. Clarke snapped a few more shots, making sure to capture every moment.

 

"These are perfect," Clarke said, showing Raven a few of the photos.

 

Raven's eyes lit up as she looked through them. "Thanks, Clarke. This is seriously the best way to start my birthday!"

~~~~

 

The first two periods flew by quickly, and now it was time for lunch. Clarke eagerly headed to the cafeteria, knowing that Anya had decorated the back two tables for Raven's birthday surprise. Anya had even ordered Raven's favorite meal from Wing Dynasty: a 10-piece hot wings meal (all flats), crispy fries, and a peach lemonade. Clarke and Octavia had helped Anya pick out Raven's favorite cake flavor—chocolate—and Anya also ordered pizza for everyone else who'd be celebrating.

 

When Clarke arrived at the back of the cafeteria, she saw that quite a few people were gathered—most of them Raven's new friends from the science, math, and debate clubs whom Anya had invited.

 

"Okay, guys, Octavia just texted; they're about to walk into the cafeteria," Anya announced.

 

Clarke looked toward the entrance closest to their tables and spotted Octavia leading a blindfolded Raven toward the setup.

 

As Raven stepped closer, Octavia guided her with a grin, holding her shoulders. The cafeteria was buzzing with whispered excitement as everyone waited in anticipation, watching the birthday girl approach the tables.

 

When they reached the decorated area, Octavia said, "Alright, Raven, you can take off the blindfold now."

 

Raven tugged off the blindfold, and her eyes went wide as she took in the sight. The tables were decked out in black and purple streamers—her favorite colors—with balloons and a big "Happy 16th Birthday" banner draped above. Her favorite meal from Wing Dynasty was laid out, along with a chocolate cake topped with candles, and friends gathered around, all smiling and ready to celebrate.

 

"Happy Birthday, Raven!" everyone shouted, and Raven's face lit up in surprise and joy.

 

"Oh my god, you guys...!" she said, her voice a mix of laughter and disbelief. She turned to Anya, who was smiling proudly by her side. "You did all this?"

 

"With some help," Anya replied, nudging Clarke and Octavia.

 

Clarke grinned, giving Raven a quick hug. "Hope you're hungry; we've got all your favorites!"

 

Raven beamed, clearly touched by the effort everyone had put in. "This is perfect, you guys. Seriously, thank you."

 

As Raven made her way around, hugging her friends and thanking each one, Anya stepped up beside her and handed her a small gift box. "I know we're celebrating here, but I have something just for you."

 

Raven opened the box to find a silver necklace with a small, intricate charm of a crescent moon. She looked up at Anya, touched. "It's beautiful," she whispered.

 

"Just like you," Anya replied with a wink, causing Raven to blush as everyone cheered for the birthday girl. The lunch hour turned into a lively celebration full of laughter, friends, and plenty of food.

~~~~

 

As the girls strolled to their Astronomy class, they couldn't help but chat excitedly about the upcoming party for Raven's sixteenth birthday. "Your mom really let us go all out with the cosmic theme!" Clarke laughed, recalling the pile of decorations they'd purchased.

 

"I know, I'm still in shock," Raven said with a grin. "She literally just handed me her card and said, 'Go wild.'"

 

"And we did," Octavia chimed in. "That galaxy backdrop we found? It's going to look amazing for photos. Plus, Bellamy actually promised to help set everything up."

 

"Surprisingly," Clarke added with a smile. "It's a good thing your parents decided to make a night out of it, Octavia. Gives us the whole place to ourselves!"

 

Octavia nodded, "Yeah, they'll be staying at a hotel, so the house is ours for the night. They're trusting Bellamy to keep things in check, but you know he's more of a partier than he lets on. He's been surprisingly chill about the whole thing."

 

Raven's eyes sparkled. "It's going to be epic. Cosmic everything—stars, planets, galaxy lights. And then a night under the stars, literally. I couldn't ask for a better theme!"

 

They each walked into Astronomy with bright smiles, already buzzing with the energy and excitement of the celebration ahead.

~~~~

Saturday, March 1st (Raven’s 16th birthday party)

 

The afternoon sun cast a warm glow through the windows as everyone hustled to set up for Raven's cosmic-themed birthday party. Galaxy-colored streamers hung from the ceiling, shimmering with purple, blue, and silver hues. Clarke was busy arranging the snack table, setting out star-shaped plates and cups, while Niylah and Octavia tackled the lights and decorations for the outdoor area. They'd created a galaxy of string lights that would make the backyard feel like an open star field once it got dark.

 

Every so often, Clarke's eyes would twitch as Lexa and Costia's voices drifted over, laughing and trading playful remarks as they strung up more lights together. She could feel a little pang each time Lexa's low laugh reached her ears, and she did her best to focus on the glittering silver napkins instead.

 

"Need help over here?" Niylah asked, sliding up beside Clarke with a knowing look.

 

Clarke gave her a grateful smile, nudging her gently. "Thanks. Just... trying to keep myself distracted."

 

"Got it," Niylah replied with a soft chuckle. "Come on, let's make this table look like it's straight out of another galaxy."

 

Meanwhile, Bellamy and Lincoln worked on setting up a huge backdrop with an image of the Milky Way for photos, while Anya adjusted the cosmic decorations in the living room. Lexa and Costia moved to join them, still wrapped up in their cheerful conversation.

 

Clarke took a deep breath, her eyes meeting Niylah's steady gaze. She felt a bit lighter, grateful for Niylah's calm presence. "This party is going to be perfect for Raven," she said, her voice full of hope.

 

"Yeah," Niylah replied, smiling warmly. "She's going to love it."

 

~~~~

 

With the decorations complete, the house looked like a cosmic wonderland, shimmering with shades of purple, silver, and blue. Star-shaped balloons hovered in every corner, and the table sparkled with glittering plates, confetti, and a galaxy-themed cake. They'd even set up a DIY photo booth area against the Milky Way backdrop, complete with sparkly props.

 

Anya had left a little while ago to pick up Raven, hoping to surprise her before the guests arrived. This would give Raven, Clarke, and Octavia time to get ready together for the evening, which was shaping up to be a perfect night.

 

As the others lingered in the living room, admiring their work, Clarke glanced around, finally feeling satisfied with the setup. "Raven's going to be over the moon," she said with a laugh, her eyes sparkling.

 

Octavia grinned, nudging her. "She'd better be. We went all out for her cosmic dream theme!"

 

Niylah, still at Clarke's side, smiled warmly. "It looks amazing. You did a great job," she said softly, making Clarke's smile widen.

 

Just then, Anya texted that she was on her way back with Raven, and everyone started to gather their things and head to different parts of the house to prepare. Clarke, Octavia, and Niylah went upstairs, excited for the night ahead.

 

As they slipped into the room they'd designated as their "getting ready" space, Clarke felt a mix of excitement and relief. Tonight was all about Raven, and she was determined to make it unforgettable for her friend.

 

When Raven stepped through the front door, her eyes went wide as she took in the decorations. The cosmic theme was perfectly executed—twinkling lights like stars, deep shades of blue and purple, and shimmering galaxy-inspired touches everywhere she looked.

 

"Oh my god!" Raven gasped, turning to Anya. "This is amazing!"

 

Anya grinned, clearly proud. "You only turn sixteen once. Had to make sure it was out of this world."

 

Raven walked further into the room, spinning around to take it all in. "Clarke, Octavia, you guys really pulled this off! It's perfect." She hugged them both, practically bouncing with excitement.

 

Octavia laughed, holding up a sparkly "Birthday Queen" sash for Raven to wear. "Only the best for our cosmic queen!"

 

Clarke smiled, relieved and thrilled that Raven loved it all. "We wanted tonight to be unforgettable. And trust me, there's more to come."

 

As they got settled, Raven looked around at all the decorations, her eyes glowing with excitement. She knew this would be a birthday she'd always remember.

~~~~

 

Everyone who had helped set up was now getting ready at Octavia's house, which was convenient since they had plenty of rooms to accommodate everyone. Octavia, Clarke, and Raven were all gathered in Octavia's spacious room, the air filled with laughter and the scent of hairspray.

 

"Okay, time for the grand transformation," Clarke declared, holding up a hair straightener like a trophy.

 

Raven laughed, sitting down in front of the vanity. "You're such a dork, but I love it."

 

"Trust me, you'll look like a cosmic goddess," Clarke promised as she began to work on Raven's hair. Octavia rifled through her makeup collection, pulling out bright purples and blues to match the theme.

 

"Just wait until you see your dress," Octavia said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "You're going to look incredible."

 

"I can't believe I'm finally turning sixteen," Raven said, a dreamy smile spreading across her face. "I've been waiting for this moment forever."

 

"Sixteen is just the beginning," Clarke said, pinning back some of Raven's hair. "Tonight is all about celebrating you and having fun."

 

As the girls finished getting ready, they each looked stunning in their outfits, perfectly fitting the cosmic theme of Raven's birthday party.

 

Raven wore a breathtaking deep navy blue dress that shimmered with stars, mimicking the night sky. The dress had a fitted bodice that flared out into a flowy skirt, giving it an ethereal quality. Her hair was styled in loose waves that cascaded down her shoulders, with a silver star hairpin glimmering among her locks, adding a celestial touch. She completed her look with silver strappy heels and bold purple eyeshadow that made her hazel eyes pop.

 

She looked like she had stepped right out of a cosmic dream. The girls hurriedly went downstairs ready to celebrate Raven's special day under the stars.

~~~~

 

The party was alive with laughter, music, and the twinkling lights that mirrored the stars. Raven felt a warm rush of happiness as she glanced around, taking in the sight of her friends fully embracing the cosmic theme. She couldn't help but smile as she saw people dancing, enjoying the food, and snapping pictures at the beautifully decorated backdrop.

 

Amid the celebration, Clarke found herself dancing with Niylah, their movements fluid and carefree. She felt a familiar gaze on her, a presence that made her heart race. As she turned her back against Niylah's front, she caught sight of Lexa standing a few feet away. Their eyes locked—Clarke's bright and mischievous, Lexa's intense and focused.

 

The tension was palpable. Clarke felt Niylah press a soft kiss on her neck, sending a shiver down her spine. She glanced back at Lexa, who was clearly trying to maintain her composure, but Clarke could see the way Lexa's jaw tightened. It was a subtle but telling reaction.

 

Feeling a surge of confidence, Clarke smirked at Lexa and gave her a playful wink, enjoying the little power play. With that, she turned fully to Niylah and kissed her, relishing the moment.

As Clarke kissed Niylah, she noticed Lexa storming past them, anger radiating off her in waves. Clarke's heart raced; she knew she shouldn't follow her, that she should stay in the moment with Niylah. But before she could fully process her thoughts, her feet moved on their own, leading her upstairs after Lexa.

 

The music faded behind her, and the buzz of the party was replaced by a tense silence. Clarke found Lexa standing at the far end of the hallway, arms crossed tightly over her chest, her back turned to Clarke. Lexa's posture was rigid, and Clarke could sense the turmoil swirling within her. She saw Lexa look up and glare at her.

 

"What do you want, Clarke?" Lexa asked, her tone sharp. "Are you just going to flaunt your relationship with Niylah in front of me?"

 

Clarke felt a surge of annoyance. "It's not like that," she replied, stepping closer. "We were just dancing. It's a party."

 

Lexa matched her step, closing the distance. "Don't get smart with me. You knew exactly what you were doing, Clarke."

 

Clarke's frustration boiled over. "You made your choice, Alexandria. I'm not going to sit around waiting for you to figure out what you want."

 

Lexa growled lowly, "As if Niylah could ever replace me."

 

Clarke snapped right back, "As if Costia can replace me!"

 

The air crackled with tension, and for a moment, they stood there, locked in a heated gaze. Clarke could see the hurt in Lexa's eyes, but there was also something else—determination.

 

"I don't want to fight with you," Lexa said, her tone softening slightly.

 

"Then stop acting like I owe you something," Clarke shot back, her heart racing. "I didn't do anything wrong."

 

Lexa's expression shifted, the anger melting away and revealing vulnerability. "I just... I wanted to be with you. I didn't want to lose you."

 

"Then maybe you should have thought about that before you made your choice," Clarke replied, her voice steadier now.

 

"Maybe we could be friends," Lexa suggested, inching even closer, the connection between them undeniable.

 

"I would like that," Clarke said, her gaze lingering on Lexa's lips.

 

"Yeah?" Lexa breathed, leaning in.

 

"Yeah," Clarke responded, her heart pounding.

 

In that charged moment, Lexa moved forward and captured her lips in a fierce kiss. Clarke immediately kisses back. Lexa moaned as Clarke's tongue met hers. Lexa picked Clarke up and walked them to a room, closing and locking the door.

Notes:

Runs and go hide lol

Seriously though I just want to let you all know that Lexa and Clarke are NOT going start back messing around or anything like that. So you don’t have to worry about that.Now that I cleared that up isn’t Lincoln and Niylah asking Octavia and Clarke to the ball so cute🥰 Also isn’t Raven and Anya the cutest!

As always leave me your thoughts💭

Chapter 16: "But the truth had its price, and I paid it in time… with my heart broke, your hands bloody."

Tuesday, March 11th

 

It had been over a week since the party, and things were radio silent between Clarke and Lexa. Clarke sat in her fourth-period Advanced Art class, staring at the half-finished charcoal drawing in front of her. She tried to concentrate, to lose herself in the shades and shadows, but her mind kept drifting back to Lexa. The memory of that night lingered, as much a part of her now as the charcoal smudged on her fingers.

 

But Clarke wasn't even angry that Lexa hadn't reached out after they'd slept together that night. If anything, the silence felt like confirmation—proof that she needed to cut Lexa out completely. No friends, no lingering glances, no accidental touches. Just... nothing. It was better that way, she convinced herself. The clean break would finally give her the chance to move on.

 

She leaned forward, gripping the charcoal with renewed determination, filling in the lines with darker strokes. She would pour everything into this drawing, into her art, into anything that wasn't Lexa.

 

As Clarke continued to work on her drawing, she felt her phone vibrate in her pocket. She set down the charcoal, wiped her hands with a wet rag, and checked her phone. It was a group chat message from Raven and Octavia.

 

Raven👯‍♀️💕: So excited for Spring Break! Only a couple more weeks!

 

Octavia👯‍♀️💕: Yes! March 31st can't come soon enough. Do we have plans?

 

Raven👯‍♀️💕: Obviously! We need to celebrate Clarke's performance prep for the talent show!

 

Clarke smiled, feeling a surge of excitement. The Spring Talent Show was coming up on April 11th, and she'd signed up to perform an original song she'd written. It was personal and raw—her way of channeling everything she'd been feeling lately.

 

Clarke👯‍♀️💕: Can't wait! Thanks for being excited with me, guys.

 

It was nice to have her friends rallying around her, especially with everything on her mind. She slipped her phone back into her pocket, feeling a bit lighter as she turned back to her drawing, thoughts of spring and her upcoming performance giving her renewed focus.

 

After finishing her drawing, Clarke carefully lifted it and walked over to Mrs. Jones to turn it in. Mrs. Jones took a moment to examine the piece, a smile spreading across her face.

 

"Wow, Clarke, this is beautiful," she said, her tone warm and genuine. "I can really see you pursuing art as a career one day. You have such a unique style and an eye for detail. Keep up the good work."

 

Clarke felt a surge of pride as Mrs. Jones placed her drawing with the others. Hearing words of encouragement from a teacher she respected meant a lot, especially on a day when she'd needed a little extra motivation.

~~~~

 

After the final bell, Clarke gathered her things, made her way to her locker to put everything away, and then headed straight back to the art room, eager for her sculpting lesson with Niylah. When she entered, she found Niylah already there, setting up the clay and tools with her usual focused expression.

 

"Ready to get your hands messy?" Niylah asked, glancing up with a warm smile.

 

Clarke grinned, rolling up her sleeves. "Always."

 

They settled in, side by side, as Niylah guided Clarke's hands through the motions of shaping clay. The hum of their voices filled the space, their laughter ringing out as Clarke's attempts turned a bit wobbly at times.

 

"Alright, so if you just mold it like this..." Niylah placed her hands over Clarke's, steadying her, and Clarke's heart skipped a beat. Their eyes met, and for a brief moment, the art was the last thing on Clarke's mind.

 

"This close-up instruction—part of the lesson plan?" Clarke teased, leaning in with a playful smile.

 

"Definitely," Niylah replied, her voice soft. They both laughed, and before she knew it, Clarke leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to Niylah's lips. It was brief, but enough to make them both smile as they returned to their work.

 

The rest of the session continued with little stolen kisses, each one a bit longer, a bit sweeter, and Clarke found herself feeling lighter, her mind focused on the present for the first time in a while. As she worked, her heart raced from more than just the sculpting lesson.

 

After finishing her sculpting lesson, Clarke headed outside to her car. As she got closer, she spotted Lexa's car parked right next to hers, and to her annoyance, she saw Lexa and Costia making out against her vehicle. Clarke rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath that Lexa had to be doing this on purpose.

 

As she approached, Costia pulled away from Lexa, her cheeks flushed. "Hey, Clarke!" she said cheerfully.

 

Clarke waved politely but quickly slipped into her car before Lexa could say anything. She could feel Lexa's gaze on her, but she didn't turn back.

 

Costia looked at Lexa with a puzzled expression. "What was that about? Did Clarke seem upset?"

 

Lexa frowned, a hint of frustration in her eyes. "I don't know. She's been acting weird lately."

 

Costia looked at Lexa skeptically. "You know," she began thoughtfully, "I've noticed you and Clarke barely talk anymore. And you two used to hang out all the time. What happened?"

 

Lexa shifted slightly, glancing toward Clarke's car as it pulled away. "I guess we just... drifted apartyou know?"

 

Costia didn't look convinced. "Drifted apart? Just like that?" She studied Lexa's face. "It's just strange because you were close and you are her senior buddy."

 

Lexa forced a small smile, trying to keep her tone light. "I can’t be a buddy to someone who doesn't want to have a buddy babe," she replied, hoping the explanation would satisfy Costia.

 

But Costia's eyes lingered on her, as if searching for something Lexa wasn't saying. "Right. I just hope everything's okay. You know you can tell me anything, right?"

 

Lexa nodded, but her mind was elsewhere, the weight of everything unsaid pressing down on her. "Of course," she said, squeezing Costia's hand. "It's all good."

 

That night, Lexa found herself alone in her room, the silence almost too heavy. She unlocked her phone, hesitating for a moment before opening her gallery. A flood of photos and videos of her and Clarke filled the screen—smiling selfies, random snapshots, and videos from moments she couldn't bear to forget.

 

In one video, Clarke was laughing, the kind of laugh that made Lexa feel lighter just watching it. She could practically hear Clarke's voice, feel the warmth of those memories.

 

Lexa's fingers hovered over the screen, a pang of regret and longing tightening in her chest. She'd tried to convince herself it was better this way, that her decision had made things simpler. But staring at Clarke's smile, it only felt more complicated, as if each picture was a reminder of what she'd lost.

 

🎶🎶🎶

 

Monday, March 31st-April 4th (Spring break)

 

Spring break had finally arrived, and Clarke was beyond ready for a change of scenery and a chance to just relax. Although her initial plans with Octavia and Raven hadn't worked out—since Raven was headed to the Bahamas with her mom and Anya, and Octavia was off to Los Cabos with her family and Lincoln—she'd found herself with a new, exciting opportunity.

 

Niylah had invited her to Disney World, a trip that also included her older sister, Tazmin, who was a sophomore in college. Clarke had eagerly gotten her parents' permission, and now she was in the car with Niylah and Tazmin, watching the scenery roll by as they headed south. The excitement was contagious; Niylah and Tazmin chatted about their favorite Disney rides and attractions, already planning their list of must-sees.

 

"So, what are you most excited about?" Niylah asked, catching Clarke's eye with a playful smile.

 

Clarke grinned. "Honestly? Just being away from everything and having a fun time with you guys. I haven't been to Disney in forever."

 

Niylah's smile widened. "Perfect. We'll make this the best trip yet, right, Taz?"

 

Tazmin glanced back from the driver's seat, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Oh, absolutely. You're in for an adventure, Clarke."

 

They laughed, and Clarke felt a lightness she hadn't felt in weeks, excited for what the next few days had in store.

 

The next few days were a whirlwind of laughter, magic, and adventure as Clarke, Niylah, and Tazmin explored Disney World together. They raced to get on all the classic rides—Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, and Pirates of the Caribbean—and snapped countless pictures with characters from Mickey and Minnie to the Disney princesses. Clarke was practically beaming in each photo, loving the carefree energy and constant laughter they shared.

 

Every evening, they stayed to watch the fireworks over Cinderella's Castle, and Clarke couldn't help but feel like she was in a fairytale of her own. Tazmin often gave Clarke and Niylah some space, letting them stroll through the themed lands alone, hand-in-hand as they shared churros, cotton candy, and way too many Mickey-shaped pretzels.

 

One evening, as the sun set over Epcot's World Showcase, Niylah led Clarke to a small, tucked-away spot by the water, where lights from the nearby pavilions shimmered on the surface. She had set up a little picnic with snacks and drinks they'd picked up throughout the day, creating a cozy, magical atmosphere.

 

"Niylah, this is beautiful," Clarke said, feeling her heart flutter.

 

Niylah smiled softly, her gaze meeting Clarke's in that special way that made Clarke feel completely seen. "Clarke, I've had the best time with you, not just here but every moment we've spent together. I want us to make more memories like this. So... would you be my girlfriend?"

 

Clarke's smile was radiant as she nodded, feeling a warmth fill her chest. "Yes, I'd love that."

 

They shared a kiss, surrounded by the soft glow of the Epcot lights, and for a moment, it felt like they were the only two people in the world.

 

The next day, Clarke couldn't wait to share her excitement with Raven and Octavia. She FaceTimed them from her hotel room, giving them the rundown of the trip and dropping the news that she and Niylah were now officially together.

 

"That's amazing!" Octavia practically squealed, clapping her hands. "Niylah's awesome, Clarke. I'm so happy for you."

 

Raven grinned happy for her bestfriend. "Niylah finally grew some and asked you. About time!"

 

They laughed, spending a while chatting about each other's trips, with Raven showing off her tan from the beach and Octavia sharing some hilarious photos of Bellamy trying to surf. Clarke felt so grateful to have her friends' support and for the new memories she was making with Niylah. It was a spring break she'd never forget.

~~~~

 

Lexa tried to let herself relax as the plane touched down in the stunning Turks and Caicos Islands, but even in paradise, her mind kept drifting back to thoughts of Clarke. She pushed them away as she stepped off the plane with Costia, her hand in hers. They were there with Costia's cousin Emory, her boyfriend David, and Emory's older sister Alexus, who was chaperoning the group.

 

Their first day was filled with the kind of activities anyone would dream of: lounging on the beach, swimming in turquoise waters, and soaking up the sun. Lexa put on her best effort to be present, laughing and joking with Costia and the others, grateful for Alexus taking charge of the itinerary.

 

At night, they'd gather on the sand with music playing softly in the background, and Costia would lean against Lexa, fingers interlaced, a look of contentment on her face. Lexa would try to focus on these moments, feeling the warmth of Costia's hand in hers and the sound of her laughter, but the nagging feeling of something missing kept creeping in.

 

Throughout the week, Lexa would catch herself staring out at the ocean, wondering what Clarke was doing on her break. She found herself scrolling through old pictures of them when no one was looking, feeling the pull of memories she couldn't quite leave behind.

 

One afternoon, while lounging by the pool with Emory and David, Costia swam over to her, splashing her playfully. "You're quiet," she said, laughing as she wrapped her arms around Lexa.

 

Lexa forced a smile, pulling herself back to the present, and kissed her cheek. "Just enjoying the view," she said, her tone light.

 

She spent the rest of the day convincing herself it was enough, focusing on making Costia happy and trying to push aside the ache she couldn't shake. As the week in paradise continued, Lexa couldn't help but wonder if she'd ever feel truly at ease again.

 

🎶🎶🎶

 

Saturday, April 5th

 

The girls were sprawled across Clarke's bed, laughing and catching up after their week apart. Clarke had just finished telling them all about Disney World with Niylah and Tazmin, and they'd all had their own version of the classic spring break tan. Octavia was scrolling through pictures on her phone of Mexico while Clarke showed off a Mickey-shaped souvenir.

 

"It was so nice to get away," Clarke said, smiling as she looked between Raven and Octavia. "But I missed you both so much."

 

"Same here," Octavia agreed, her arm looped around Clarke's pillow. "Mexico was amazing, but nothing's quite like this, just the three of us."

 

"Agreed," Raven said, flopping back on the bed with a grin. "But I have to say, the Bahamas were... unforgettable."

 

Clarke raised an eyebrow, catching the mischievous glint in Raven's eye. "Oh? Do tell, Miss Reyes."

 

Raven hesitated for just a second, a blush creeping onto her cheeks. "So... Anya and I kind of... had sex."

 

Clarke and Octavia's reactions were immediate. They both squealed, reaching over to pull Raven into a massive hug.

 

"Oh my god, Raven!" Clarke exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear. "How was it?"

 

"It was—" Raven took a deep breath, her face lighting up. "It was perfect. Anya was so sweet, and patient with me. It just felt... right, you know?"

 

Octavia gave her a teasing nudge. "Look at you, all smitten. I'm so happy for you."

 

Clarke and Raven exchanged amused glances before Raven smirked, nudging Octavia. "So... anything interesting happen between you and Lincoln?"

 

Octavia rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. "As if! My parents would never let us share a room, and Bellamy gives Lincoln the death stare everytime he kisses me."

 

Clarke laughed. "Bellamy needs to chill but then again he is your big bro."

 

Octavia sighed dramatically, a smirk forming on her face. "Well, the most we managed were a few heavy make-out sessions. When we are able to be alone."

 

Clarke shook her head, grinning. "You and Lincoln are adorable, O. And hey, patience builds character, right?"

 

Octavia shrugged with a grin. "Guess it's a character-building year for me."

 

The girls spent the rest of the night capturing every moment, snapping endless photos together and filming fun TikToks that had them laughing until their sides hurt. They danced around Clarke's room, trying out new filters and choreographing quick routines, each one sillier than the last. Between takes, they fell back onto Clarke's bed, giggling and sharing inside jokes, reliving memories from the trip and making plans for their next adventure. The night was filled with laughter, pure joy, and a comforting sense of closeness, reminding them how much they'd missed being together.

~~~~

Meanwhile at Lexa's house...

Lexa slumped into the plush couch, the warmth of home wrapping around her like a favorite blanket. After a week of sun-soaked adventures in Turks and Caicos with Costia, Emory, David and Alexus, she was grateful to be back with Lincoln and Anya. They sprawled in the living room, reminiscing about their own escapades.

 

"Seriously, Lexa, swimming with dolphins?" Lincoln laughed, his blue eyes sparkling with disbelief. "I didn’t think you were going to actally do it."

 

Lexa grinned, recalling the thrill of gliding through the water alongside Costia, their laughter mingling with the ocean waves. "It was amazing! I wish you could've been there. We did so much—snorkeling, hiking, and just relaxing on the beach. Costia kept pushing me to try new things. I think I might have gotten a little too sunburned, though."

 

Anya leaned forward, her dark hair falling over her shoulders. "You're going to have to take me next time. It sounds incredible! And the sunsets?"

 

"They were breathtaking," Lexa said, her mind drifting back to those vibrant evenings. "We spent every night watching the sun dip below the horizon. It felt magical."

 

As they chatted, Lexa pulled out her phone, absentmindedly scrolling through her Instagram feed. A vibrant post from Niylah caught her eye, and Lexa's heart skipped a beat when she saw it. It was a picture of Clarke and Niylah, framed by a stunning sunset, their lips brushing together in a soft kiss. The caption read, "Happy to be yours! #Girlfriends #EstApril3rd💕."

 

The world around her faded as she stared at the screen, her jaw clenching involuntarily. Clarke—her Clarke—was with Niylah. The realization hit her like a cold wave, and anger mixed with something far deeper surged through her. She had spent so much time trying to move on, to be happy withh Costia, yet seeing them together felt like a punch to the gut.

 

"Hey, Lexa?" Anya's voice broke through her thoughts, concern etched on her face. "You okay? You look like you just saw a ghost."

 

Lexa quickly plastered on a smile, though it felt strained. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just... scrolling through posts. You know how it is."

 

Lincoln raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "You sure? Because you look like someone just took your favorite snack away."

 

Lexa forced a laugh, but the heaviness in her chest remained. "Really, I'm good. Just—" she hesitated, searching for the right words, "—just a lot on my mind. You know how it can be after a trip, settling back in and all that."

 

Anya's expression softened, but she didn't press. Instead, she leaned back, giving Lexa a moment to collect herself. As they resumed their banter, Lexa couldn't shake the image of Clarke and Niylah from her mind. It was like a loop, replaying in her head, a constant reminder of what she'd lost.

 

Despite the laughter and the warmth of her friends around her, Lexa felt the familiar pang of longing. She missed Clarke—their friendship, the moments they had shared, the connection that still lingered in the air. But now, it felt irrevocably out of reach.

 

As the conversation flowed, Lexa pushed those feelings down, reminding herself that she had to focus on the present, on her friendships, and on moving forward—whatever that looked like now.

 

🎶🎶🎶

 

Friday, April 11th (Spring Talent Show)

 

The school week flew by in a blur, and before anyone knew it, Friday had arrived. But this wasn't just any Friday—it was the day of the Spring Talent Show. The halls buzzed with excitement as students chattered about their performances, and the anticipation filled the air like electricity.

 

Every spring, this tradition brought the school together, a time for students to showcase their talents and celebrate the end of winter with a splash of creativity. Posters advertising the show plastered the walls, each colorful design drawing attention to the diverse acts lined up for the evening.

 

Clarke sat at her lunch table with Octavia and Raven, nervously fiddling with the edges of her lunch napkin. "Can you believe it's finally here?" she said, glancing at her friends, who wore matching expressions of excitement and support.

 

"I can't wait to see you perform!" Raven beamed. "Your song is going to blow everyone away, Clarke. I just know it."

 

Clarke felt her heart flutter at Raven's enthusiasm. "I just hope I remember all the lyrics," she admitted, trying to mask her nerves with a smile. "What if I mess up?"

 

Octavia nudged her playfully. "You won't. Just think about all the practice you put in. You've got this, Clarke. Besides, we'll be right there cheering you on."

 

The conversation shifted as the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch. Students scattered, filled with a mix of anxiety and excitement, each one thinking about their own performances or the friends/family they were there to support.

 

After school, the gymnasium was transformed into a dazzling stage, complete with colorful lights and a sound system that hummed with potential. Students gathered in clusters, their chatter blending into a symphony of nervous energy. Clarke could feel her heart racing as she watched her classmates prepare for their acts, some warming up, others rehearsing last-minute details.

 

Niylah found her in the crowd, her face lit up with encouragement. "Are you ready?" she asked, her voice a mix of excitement and sincerity.

 

"I think so," Clarke replied, glancing at the stage, where a few students were testing the microphone. "I just want it to be perfect."

 

Niylah took Clarke's hands in hers, grounding her. "You're going to do great. Just remember, it's not about perfection. It's about sharing something you love. Just be yourself."

 

As Clarke prepared to take the stage, she caught sight of her friends and family in the audience— her parents, some of her cousins, aunties, and uncles. Raven and Octavia were waving enthusiastically, and then she spotted Lexa stood a little farther back with Costia. For a moment, their eyes met, and Clarke felt a flicker of something between them, an unspoken connection that still lingered despite everything.

 

With a deep breath, Clarke stepped onto the stage with her guitar, her heart pounding but her determination stronger. The spotlight hit her, and the crowd fell silent, all eyes on her. Clarke closed her eyes for a moment, letting the nerves wash away. This was her moment.

 

"Hi my name is Clarke and I will be singing an original song inspired by Olivia Rodrigo's Favorite Crime," Clarke said shyly.

 

Lexa could only look shocked she didn't even know Clarks sang let alone play the guitar. She watched as Clarke started playing a beautiful melody from the guitar and started to sing.

 

"I remember the nights, feeling so alive. When every secret whispered, it was just you and I," she began, her voice steady but laced with an underlying vulnerability. With each word, she drew closer to the truth, hoping Lexa could hear the unspoken pain behind the lyrics. She held Lexa's gaze, trying to convey everything she felt in that moment.

 

"But the truth had its price, and I paid it in time,

With my heart broke, your hands bloody."

 

She could see Lexa's expression shift as the song unfolded.

 

"All the things I did just so I could call you mine.

A favorite crime, a reckless love I can't deny.

Caught in a web of all our twisted lies, 

Now I'm left here wondering why."

 

The gymnasium seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of them in an intimate bubble. Clarke felt the weight of her emotions pouring out, the hurt and longing woven into every note. "You painted me a picture, colors dark and bright, but every stroke you made cut deeper through the night."

 

As she sang, she couldn't help but recall the memories they shared, the laughter and the heartbreak, and how deeply they had intertwined their lives.

 

"I gave you all my trust, but it fell like rain, 

Each drop a reminder of the hurt and the pain."

 

Clarke could see Lexa's eyes glisten, a mixture of regret and understanding reflected in them.

 

"All the things I did just so I could call you mine, 

A favorite crime, a reckless love I can't deny. 

Caught in a web of all our twisted lies, 

Now I'm left here wondering why."

 

She moved closer to the edge of the stage, her voice gaining strength as she entered the bridge.

 

"And I know I'm not the only one to feel this way, 

But I'd do it all again, I wouldn't hesitate."

Each moment was a choice, a part of the game,  

With my heart broke, your hands bloody, it's all the same. Now look what became."

 

The final chorus surged with raw emotion, and Clarke poured everything she had into it.

 

"All the things I did just so I could call you mine, 

A favorite crime, a reckless love I can't deny. 

Caught in a web of all our twisted lies, 

Now I'm left here wondering why."

 

As she approached the end of the sond, her heart raced, and the air felt electric. "My heart broke, your hands bloody, the story's still alive," she sang, her voice unwavering. "And even if it hurts, you were my favorite crime."

 

With the final note hanging in the air, Clarke took a deep breath, her eyes still locked on Lexa. The gymnasium erupted in applause, but all she could feel was the intensity of that moment between them. She had bared her soul on that stage, and she hoped, against all odds, that Lexa understood how much she had hurt her by choosing Costia.

~~~~

Principal Titus stepped onto the stage, his presence commanding attention. The gymnasium buzzed with excitement, the energy palpable as students chattered about their favorite acts. With a warm smile, he raised his hands to quiet the crowd.

 

"Thank you, everyone, for making this year's Spring Talent Show a fantastic event!" he began, his voice resonating through the gym. "We've seen some incredible talent tonight, and I'm proud of each and every one of you who took the stage. Now, without further ado, let's get to the awards!"

 

The anticipation in the room thickened, and Clarke felt a mix of nerves and excitement. She glanced around, catching father's gaze who gave her a proud look and two thumbs up.

 

"Coming in fourth place," Principal Titus announced, "is a talented freshman whose opera performance captivated us all. Please give it up for Kelsie!"

 

The crowd erupted into applause as Kelsie beamed and made her way to the stage to accept her ribbon and a small trophy.

 

"Next, in third place," Titus continued, "we have an magician who amazed us with his tricks. Please welcome Daniel!"

 

More cheers filled the gym as Daniel took the stage, performing a quick card trick before accepting his award.

 

"In second place," Principal Titus continued, "is a ballet dancer who graced us with her elegance and poise. Let's hear it for Claire!"

 

Claire, dressed in a flowing tutu, spun gracefully onto the stage, her smile radiant as she accepted her award.

 

"And now, the moment we've all been waiting for," Titus said, his voice rising with excitement. "The winner of this year's Spring Talent Show is... Clarke Griffin!"

 

The gym erupted into applause, cheers ringing out as Clarke stood in shock, her heart racing. She had hoped to place well but didn't expect to win. With a mixture of disbelief and joy, she made her way to the stage, where Principal Titus held out the first-place trophy.

 

As Clarke stood on stage, still in disbelief, her friends and classmates began to flood toward her, their smiles wide and genuine.

 

"Clarke, that was amazing babe!" Niylah exclaimed, her eyes shining with pride. "You had everyone in here hooked.”

 

"Seriously," Raven added, beaming. "You were so good! I was getting chills the whole time."

 

Octavia bounced on her feet, excitement radiating from her. "You were incredible! That performance was everything. I told you that song was going to blow them away!"

 

"Thanks, guys," Clarke said, a shy smile spreading across her face. She felt a warmth in her chest at their praise, but a twinge of vulnerability lingered as she remembered the emotions tied to the song.

 

Just then, Lexa stepped forward, her expression unreadable. "You were incredible, Clarke," she said, her voice soft but steady. "That song... it was amazing. I can tell you really put your heart into it."

 

Clarke felt her cheeks flush under Lexa's gaze. "Thanks, Lexa," she replied, her heart racing.

 

"Seriously, though you've got a real talent," Costia said with a bright smile on her face.

 

“Yeah! You have to write more songs!" Octavia chimed in, her enthusiasm infectious. "I'm already your biggest fan!"

 

One by one, classmates approached Clarke, each offering congratulations and compliments. Daniel, the magician, even joked about needing her to write a theme song for his next trick.

 

"You were fantastic!" Claire said, still glowing from her own performance. "I can't believe you wrote that. You're so talented!"

 

The rest of the night consisted of Clarke's family taking her out to eat for a celebratory dinner and then inviting Niylah over to spend time together and cuddle.

 

The rest of the night was a whirlwind of celebration for Clarke. Her family took her out to her favorite restaurant, showering her with proud smiles and congratulations. They toasted her success, her dad sharing how moved he was by her song, while her mom reminisced about how she'd always known Clarke had a special gift with words. Clarke couldn't stop smiling; being surrounded by her family made the night feel even more special.

 

After dinner, Clarke headed home with a sense of contentment still filling her heart. Later, Niylah came over, eager to celebrate a bit more in their own way. They settled on the couch, nestled comfortably together as a quiet happiness washed over them. Niylah gently stroked Clarke's hair, telling her again how proud she was, and Clarke felt her heart swell at the warmth between them. As they cuddled, Clarke couldn't help but feel like everything was just as it should be at that moment, surrounded by love and support.

 

🎶🎶🎶

 

Tuesday, April 22nd

 

Almost two weeks had flown by since the talent show, and now the air was filled with talk of prom. The entire school buzzed with excitement, especially about the upcoming prom court. Everyone seemed to have an opinion on who would win, and friends gathered in hallways to discuss their favorites, making predictions about who would wear the crowns.

 

For prom queen, the competition was stiff. Seniors Costia, Gaia, Rosalina, and Kayla all had strong followings, each bringing her own unique charm and popularity to the race. The junior class put forward Jiya and Passion, both known for their school spirit and involvement. Even underclassmen had representation, with Octavia running as a sophomore and Kelsie, a freshman, already making a name for herself after placing in the talent show.

 

The guys running for prom king were equally competitive. Seniors Grant, Brent, and Calob led the list, each having spent years making their mark at the school. Juniors Lincoln and Finn, both well-liked and involved in various clubs, had strong backing from their classmates. Even a freshman, Niles, had thrown his hat in the ring, surprising some but earning respect from others for his ambition.

 

The school was practically wallpapered with posters, each one brighter and bolder than the last, all urging students to vote for their favorite prom king or queen. Costia's campaign stood out from the rest—being the captain of the cheer team came with perks, and she'd mobilized nearly the entire squad to campaign for her. Posters with Costia's name and glittery slogans popped up everywhere, from the cafeteria walls to locker room doors.

 

Of course, there were two cheerleaders who weren't on board with the campaign. Octavia, busy with her own run for prom queen, and Clarke, loyal to her best friend, stood apart from the cheer squad's efforts for Costia. It made the competition even more intense, with a friendly rivalry between Octavia and Costia that had everyone buzzing. Posters of Octavia began appearing as well, and her friends pitched in with her campaign. The halls were filled with laughter and excitement as each candidate tried to sway the votes in their favor, adding to the anticipation of what promised to be a memorable prom.

 

Over lunch, Octavia, Raven, and Clarke chatted excitedly, scrolling through pictures and sharing ideas for their prom hairstyles. The three of them had already chosen their dresses, custom creations from a local boutique owned by a talented designer who specialized in unique prom dresses. Each gown was carefully tailored to match their personalities and styles, and the girls couldn't wait to see the final products.

 

"I'm thinking maybe a half-up, half-down look with curls," Clarke mused, absentmindedly twirling a strand of her hair. "Nothing too over-the-top, just something elegant to match my dress."

 

Octavia nodded, tapping through a few hairstyle inspiration photos on her phone. "I'm leaning toward something with braids. Maybe an updo with little braids woven through? I want it to look a little edgy."

 

Raven, grinning, chimed in. "I want to try something different—maybe sleek and straight, with a middle part. I think it'll look good with the style of my dress."

 

They giggled over each other's choices, excitement bubbling as they imagined how everything would come together on prom night. It felt like they'd been waiting for this forever, and now that it was finally close, the reality was even sweeter.

~~~~

 

After lunch, Clarke, Octavia, and Raven headed to their astronomy class, ready to tackle the test they'd been preparing for. The classroom was hushed as the students concentrated, pencils scratching across paper. Halfway through the test, the intercom crackled, and the school president, Sydney Twan, began speaking, her voice echoing throughout the school.

 

"Hello, my fellow student body! I have a very important and exciting announcement. I'll be naming this year's Valedictorian, Salutatorian, and our honor graduates for the graduating class of 2025."

 

The classroom went silent, especially among the seniors, some of whom shifted nervously in their seats, waiting with bated breath.

 

"Alright, we'll begin by recognizing our honor graduates," Sydney announced.

 

She began listing off names, each name carrying its own ripple of excitement through the seniors:

 

"Congratulations to... Madison Blake, Elijah Carter, Vanessa Ramirez, Ryan Lee, Costia Winters, Alexandria Woods, Lily Monroe, Ethan Chen, Charlotte Foster, Marcus Grant, Sofia Rivera, Lucas Bennett, Anya Woods, Nathaniel Moore, and Maya Henderson..."

 

The list continued to name 50 honor graduates, and murmurs of excitement grew among the seniors who had just heard their names called. Clarke, Octavia, and Raven shared a quick, knowing look as they continued their test, trying to stay focused as Sydney moved on to the announcement of the Valedictorian and Salutatorian.

 

"Now, moving on to the Salutatorian for the Class of 2025... Congratulations to Ethan Chen!"

 

A ripple of applause broke out in classrooms across the school. Sydney let the excitement settle before making the final announcement.

 

"And finally, our Valedictorian, with a GPA of 4.8 and full ride academic scholarship to 6 different universities... Costia Winters!"

 

Cheers and applause erupted in the astronomy classroom, and Clarke caught the surprised but proud smiles on some of the seniors' faces. Costia's achievement was no small feat, and even Clarke couldn't help but be impressed by her academic success.

 

As the announcement ended, students murmured excitedly, especially the seniors. Clarke, Raven, and Octavia exchanged looks, sharing a mix of reactions about the news. Costia had worked hard, and even if Clarke had complicated feelings about her, she respected the dedication that went into earning that top spot.

 

Once the applause died down, their astronomy teacher, Mrs. Kent, tried to refocus everyone on the test. But the atmosphere remained charged with excitement, and whispers lingered in the classroom.

 

When the bell finally rang, Clarke, Raven, and Octavia walked out together, weaving through crowds of students buzzing about the announcement.

 

"So, Costia is Valedictorian. I wonder how her speech will be at graduation," Raven mused, glancing at Clarke with a small smirk.

 

Clarke shrugged. "I'm sure it'll be a good one. She's all about making an impression."

 

"Bet she already has her speech planned out," Octavia added with a grin.

 

As they made their way to their lockers, they could see Costia surrounded by a few of her friends, including members of the cheer team who congratulated her. Clarke noticed Lexa nearby, giving Costia a genuine smile, clearly proud of her achievement. Clarke felt a pang but quickly shook it off, refocusing on her own friends and their chatter about prom, and everything still to come.

 

Notes:

I just love this chapter! 🥰 So, it's official—Niylah and Clarke are together now (and don't worry, Clarke is not going to cheat on her).

What did you all think of the song Clarke performed? Fun fact: it was actually a poem I wrote, inspired by Olivia Rodrigo's song Favorite Crime. I thought it'd be perfect for Clarke to bring it to life on stage!

As always, leave me your thoughts 💭 Thanks for reading!

Chapter 17: "I believe you, and I trust you.”

Monday, May 5th (College Reveal Day)

 

As they walked into school that morning, the halls were filled with seniors proudly displaying their college choices on shirts, hats, and hoodies. Students were heading to every corner of the country, from big universities to specialized schools. The excitement—and a little bit of anxiety—buzzed in the air as everyone celebrated this new chapter.

 

Clarke listened to Raven talk about Anya's decision with a sympathetic expression. "Stanford? That's... really far," Clarke said, understanding her friend's worry.

 

"Yeah," Raven sighed. "She'll be all the way in California. We're going to try the whole long-distance thing, but I don't know. I've seen it work, but it's still scary."

 

Octavia gave Raven a reassuring nudge. "Hey, if anyone can make it work, it's you two. You both care about each other way too much to let distance ruin that."

 

Raven offered a small smile, clearly comforted by Octavia's words. "Thanks, O. I really hope you're right."

 

Just then, a few seniors walked by wearing shirts Costia proudly wore a crimson Harvard University T-shirt, showing off her college choice. Meanwhile, both Lexa and Anya sported matching Stanford University shirts, a sign of their upcoming journey to California. Raven sighed as she watched Anya in her Stanford shirt, turning to Clarke and Octavia.

 

"I'm really happy for her, but it's so far away," she confessed, a bit of worry in her voice. "I don't know how we're going to make long-distance work."

 

Anya, Lexa, and Costia approached the three girls, excitement evident in their expressions.

 

"Wow, Harvard! Congratulations, Costia!" Octavia exclaimed, genuinely impressed.

 

"Yep! She's going on a full academic scholarship. Beautiful and smart," Lexa added proudly, making Costia blush with delight.

 

"What do you plan to major in?" Raven asked, her curiosity piqued.

 

"Biology. I plan on becoming a doctor—an oncologist, to be exact," Costia replied confidently.

 

"Wow," Raven said, her admiration clear. "That's amazing. What about you, Lexa?"

 

"Political science... I'm going to be a lawyer, like my mom," Lexa said, a determined glint in her eyes.

 

"Impressive," Octavia remarked, nodding in approval.

 

Anya chimed in, "I'm going for psychology, but I'm not sure what I want to do with it yet."

 

Clarke remained quiet as everyone talked, feeling a headache coming on and cramps starting to twist in her stomach. She forced a smile, trying to keep up with the cheerful conversation, but the excitement around her felt distant and muffled.

 

"Hey guys, I'm going to head to class," Clarke said, trying to keep her tone light as she gave a small wave.

 

Raven's brow furrowed with concern. "You okay, Clarkie?"

 

Clarke mustered a reassuring smile. "Yeah, Ray. Just need to sit down for a bit. I'll see you all at lunch."

 

As she turned away, she could feel her friends' eyes on her, but she pushed through the ache and made her way down the hall. Her classroom felt like a quiet escape, and she let out a small sigh of relief as she finally settled into her seat, hoping a moment of rest would help her feel better.

~~~~

Clarke was currently in the bathroom throwing up and Niylah was holding her hair back from her.

 

"You probably picked up that virus that has been going around babe," Niylah said softly as Clarke got up and hugged her.

 

"I feel horrible babe," Clarke said her voice trembling making Niylah'a heart clench.

 

"Okay baby, maybe you should call your mom or dad to come pick you up. So you can go home for the rest of the day," Niylah suggested.

 

"Yeah cause I can't stay for two more periods," Clarke said as she pulled out her phone and called her mom because her dad was out of town right now.

 

The phone rang three times and then Abby's voice filled the stall in the bathroom.

 

"Hey sweetheart," Abby said cheerfully.

 

"Mom," Clarke whined out.

 

"Clarke, honey what's wrong?" Abby asked voice shifting to one of concern.

 

"I don't feel good," Clarke said as she rushed back to the toilet throwing up again.

 

"Hey Mrs. Griffen, this is Niylah. Clarke told me she hasn't been feeling good since 1st period and she doesn't look too good right now," Niylah said and Abby could hear the concern in her voice.

 

"There is a virus going on around the schools. Okay, I am about to come get her now. Can you take her to the nurse's office for me?" Abby asked.

 

"Of course," Niylah said.

 

"Thank you Niylah. I'll be there soon," Abby said.

 

"You're welcome," Niylah said and they both hung up.

 

Niylah guided Clarke down the hallway toward the nurse's office, keeping her arm around Clarke to steady her. Clarke leaned heavily against her, looking pale and drained.

 

"Almost there," Niylah whispered encouragingly. "You're doing great, babe." Clarke just nodded, clearly trying to focus on putting one foot in front of the other.

 

When they reached the nurse's office, Niylah helped Clarke onto a cot and sat down beside her, holding her hand while they waited for Abby to arrive. The nurse came over, asking Clarke a few questions about her symptoms and offering her a cool washcloth, which Clarke gratefully accepted.

 

A few minutes later, Abby hurried through the door, her face a mix of concern and relief. "Oh, honey," she said softly, moving to Clarke's side and placing a gentle hand on her forehead. "You don't look well at all."

 

Clarke managed a weak smile. "Yeah, I really don't feel good, Mom."

 

Abby looked at Niylah, gratitude in her eyes. "Thank you for taking care of her, Niylah. I really appreciate it."

 

"It's no problem at all, Mrs. Griffin," Niylah replied with a small smile. "I just want her to feel better."

 

Abby gave her a warm look before helping Clarke to her feet. "Let's get you home so you can rest, sweetheart."

 

Clarke leaned into her mom for support as they walked to the car, with Niylah giving her one last reassuring squeeze on the shoulder. "Feel better soon, okay?"

 

Clarke managed a small smile and nodded, grateful for Niylah's help. As she settled into her mom's car, she closed her eyes, hoping some rest would ease the pounding in her head and the nausea in her stomach.

 

🎶🎶🎶

 

Friday, May 9th

 

It was now Friday, and Clarke was still feeling miserable. She hadn't been able to keep anything down for days, and the constant nausea had worn her thin. Frustrated, she was more than ready for this to be over. Although she was still home from school, her teachers had kindly allowed her to complete her assignments online.

 

Currently, she was sitting in her mom's office at the hospital, waiting for her doctor's appointment. The sterile scent of antiseptic filled the air, mingling with the distant sounds of nurses and patients. Clarke fidgeted in her seat, glancing at the clock every few minutes, eager for answers.

 

Soon, Abby returned and motioned for Clarke to follow her down the hallway toward their family physician and friend, Dr. Diyoza.

 

"Okay, I'll be right back. I have a patient I need to check on," Abby said before disappearing down another corridor.

 

"Hey, Clarke," Dr. Diyoza greeted her with a warm smile as she entered the room.

 

"Hey, Doc," Clarke replied, wincing as a sharp pain shot through her chest.

 

"Are you okay?" Dr. Diyoza asked, her expression shifting to concern.

 

"No," Clarke admitted, her frown deepening. "I've been throwing up every day, and I keep getting these random cramps in my stomach. Plus, I woke up this morning with sore breasts." She paused, biting her lip. "I think my period is about to come on."

 

"When was your last period?" Dr. Diyoza inquired, her brow furrowing.

 

"It was from March third to the sixth, but it wasn't like my normal period at all. It was really light and then I skipped April altogether," Clarke explained, noticing a flicker of concern on Dr. Diyoza's face.

 

"Okay, let's get some tests done," Dr. Diyoza decided, her tone serious but comforting.

 

She handed Clarke a cup to collect a urine sample and prepared to take some blood for further testing.

 

"You can wait here while I send these to the lab," Dr. Diyoza instructed, gesturing toward a chair. Clarke nodded, her anxiety rising as she sat down, hoping for some answers soon.

~~~~

Dr. Diyoza returned thirty minutes later to find Abby seated beside Clarke, concern etched on both their faces.

 

"Hey, Abby, maybe you could wait outside while I talk to Clarke for a moment," Dr. Diyoza suggested gently.

 

Abby frowned, clearly hesitant, about to protest when Clarke interjected, "I'm fine with my mom being in here when you tell me whatever you have to say."

 

"Okay, then," Dr. Diyoza relented, a soft smile returning. "All of your tests came back normal, except for one."

 

Clarke gasped as she felt her mother squeeze her hand tightly.

 

"One of your blood tests showed that your hCG levels are significantly elevated, indicating that you are pregnant," Dr. Diyoza explained carefully, observing the expression of horror that spread across Clarke's face while Abby remained expressionless.

 

"Based on the levels I see here, you're about ten weeks along," Dr. Diyoza continued, her tone measured.

 

Clarke's mind raced back to the night of Raven's party when she and Lexa slept together. "But how? I had a period in March," she stammered, tears welling in her eyes.

 

"Actually, that wasn't a period; it was something called implantation bleeding," Dr. Diyoza clarified. "It's typically lighter than your regular menstrual flow. It might appear as spotting or a very light discharge, and it usually lasts only a few hours to a couple of days."

 

Abby's voice broke through the haze, "Clarke can't be pregnant. She has a girlfriend."

 

"She is pregnant, Abby," Dr. Diyoza said softly.

 

"Wow," Abby said shaking her head shaking her head in disbelief.

 

Dr. Diyoza nodded thoughtfully, taking in Clarke's shocked expression and Abby's disbelief. "Clarke, I understand this is a lot to process. Right now, my job is to make sure you have all the information and options in front of you. If you choose to continue the pregnancy, we'll discuss prenatal care and what that looks like moving forward. If you decide not to, we can talk about safe and supportive options for abortion. Adoption is also an alternative if that feels right to you."

 

Clarke took a shaky breath, the room feeling smaller with every heartbeat. She wiped away the tear that had slipped down her cheek, her chest tightening as the reality settled in. Despite the whirlwind of emotions, a strange, instinctive certainty emerged in her heart. "I want to keep the baby," she said softly, more to herself at first, then with growing certainty. "I'm going to keep my baby."

 

Abby's eyes widened, a mix of emotions flashing across her face—surprise, worry, and an edge of fear for her daughter's future. But when she met Clarke's gaze, she saw the determination there, and that was unmistakable.

 

Dr. Diyoza's expression shifted into one of encouragement. "Alright, Clarke. Since you're planning to continue with the pregnancy, we'll need to schedule your first full prenatal appointment for next week. In the meantime, it's essential that you start taking prenatal vitamins immediately to support your health and the baby's development."

 

She glanced down at her tablet and looked back up at Clarke. "Which pharmacy do you use?"

 

Abby, still processing everything but snapping into action when needed, responded, "We go to Maplewood Pharmacy."

 

Dr. Diyoza nodded, tapping a few keys on her tablet. "Perfect. I'll send a prescription over to them right away."

 

As they left the exam room, Clarke's mind spun with questions and emotions, but Abby's presence by her side anchored her in the moment. They stopped by the front desk, where Abby gave their information. The receptionist glanced at the schedule and typed swiftly before looking up with a friendly smile. "We've got you set for next Wednesday at 3 p.m."

 

Clarke nodded, barely registering the exchange as she tried to gather her thoughts.

 

Abby remained silent as they walked to the car, her grip on the steering wheel tight as they headed home. The tension in the car was palpable, thick enough to cut with a knife. Clarke sat in the passenger seat, her heart racing with anxiety and fear. She glanced at her mother, wanting to say something, anything to break the silence, but the words felt stuck in her throat.

 

"Mom," Clarke began hesitantly, but Abby held up a hand, shaking her head.

 

"Not right now, Clarke," she said, her voice steady but edged with a tension that made Clarke's stomach twist.

 

They drove in silence for a few minutes, the weight of the news pressing down on them both. Clarke felt the tears begin to prick at her eyes again, but she fought them back, not wanting to show any more weakness. She knew this was hard for her mom, too.

 

After a few agonizing moments, Abby finally spoke, her tone softer but still strained. "What were you thinking, Clarke? How could this happen?"

 

Clarke's heart sank. "I... I didn't mean for this to happen. I thought I was being careful. I thought I wasn't—"

 

"Careful?" Abby interrupted, frustration bubbling just beneath the surface. "Clarke, you're a smart girl. You know how this works."

 

Clarke felt her cheeks flush with shame. "I didn't think it would happen to me. I didn't—"

 

"Your father is home on his lunch break," Abby said suddenly, cutting off Clarke's words. "How are you going to tell him?"

 

Clarke's breath caught in her throat. The thought of facing her dad, of revealing this life-altering news, made her stomach churn. "I don't know," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

 

As they pulled into the driveway, Clarke's heart pounded in her chest. She glanced at her mom, who looked as tense as she felt and took a deep breath. This was it. There was no turning back now.

 

🎶🎶🎶

 

Sunday, May 11th

 

Clarke lay in her bed, staring at the ceiling as her hand rested lightly on her stomach, still struggling to process the reality of it all. Pregnant. The word echoed in her mind, strange and surreal, as though it belonged to someone else's story. She'd been in a daze since Friday, barely able to wrap her head around how her life had changed in a single moment.

 

She reached for her phone, finally unlocking it to find a flood of messages. Her screen lit up with notifications from Niylah, Raven, and Octavia—all expressing, how worried they were and to at least let them know she was okay. But she was not okay. She needed time to figure out what to say, what this meant, and how she was even going to tell them.

 

Swallowing hard, Clarke set her phone down for a moment, taking a deep breath as she braced herself for what came next. Opening the app store, she hesitated, then typed "pregnancy tracker" into the search bar. As the apps loaded, each one with its cute graphics and weekly updates, the reality of it hit her again, making her stomach flip. After scrolling for a moment, she selected an app and downloaded it quickly.

 

Once it was open, the app asked her to enter details like the date of her last period and estimated due date. Clarke's hands shook slightly as she typed in the information, hitting "next" to reveal a simple welcome screen with information on her baby's development. She was ten weeks along, and her baby—her baby—was now the size of a strawberry.

 

The thought made her heart race.

 

Clarke's eyes scanned the screen, absorbing each small, astonishing fact about the tiny life she was now responsible for. According to the app, at ten weeks, the baby's little fingers and toes were forming, and tiny buds that would become teeth were already in place beneath the gums. Even more mind-boggling, the heart was fully formed and beating at an incredible pace—about twice as fast as her own.

 

She let her fingers trace over the digital outline of what would be a fully formed baby in a matter of months. The app shared that while the baby was still so small—barely over an inch long—it was already beginning to move. It would be weeks before Clarke would feel those first kicks, but somehow, knowing they were happening made it feel so much more real.

 

Another page explained that by now, the baby's bones were beginning to harden, and some facial features were becoming more distinct. Clarke's imagination took over, wondering what those tiny hands and feet would look like, whose smile they might inherit, or if they'd have her blue eyes.

 

A wave of unexpected emotion hit her, a strange mix of fear, wonder, and even a flicker of excitement. But as she swiped through more facts, the weight of everything settled on her shoulders again. The app talked about the changes her own body would start going through soon—the morning sickness she was already feeling, the potential for cravings, the fatigue, and the weight gain. She'd need more vitamins and more rest, and she'd need to think about how to manage school with all these new demands.

 

Her mind buzzed with questions and worries. How was she going to balance her classes? And what about her future, the plans she'd had for herself?

 

Clarke closed the app and held her phone tightly, letting the silence of her room settle over her. She knew she couldn't hide away forever, but for now, it was enough just to let herself feel everything, one small piece at a time.

~~~~

Dinner was quiet, the air thick with tension. Jake hadn't said a word since they sat down, his gaze fixed on his plate. Clarke wanted nothing more than for him to break the silence, to say something—anything—to ease the ache she felt in her chest. She couldn't shake the memory of telling him she was pregnant. He'd laughed, assuming it was some poorly-timed April Fools' joke. But when Abby snapped, "It's not even April, Jake," the laughter had vanished. The look of disappointment and anger on his face had been worse than she ever imagined.

 

And when he'd demanded to know who the guy was... she could barely process her shame. Her parents didn't know that Lexa was the other parent; how could she even begin to tell them?

 

A sharp voice broke her thoughts. "You need to eat, Clarke," Abby said, her tone edged with frustration. "You're not just eating for yourself anymore. The baby needs nutrients. Did you take your prenatal vitamins today?"

 

Clarke shook her head, and she watched her mother's face tense. Abby's patience looked ready to snap, but she pressed her lips together, inhaling deeply to keep herself steady. "Where are the vitamins?"

 

"On my nightstand," Clarke murmured.

 

Without another word, Abby got up and headed upstairs, leaving Clarke alone with her dad. She picked up her fork, forcing herself to eat, even though her appetite had disappeared. Her mother was right. She couldn't afford to think only of herself anymore. The baby needed her strength—whatever she could find of it right now.

 

Abby returned, setting the bottle of prenatal vitamins in front of Clarke without a word. Clarke glanced up at her mother, but Abby's face remained unreadable, her expression guarded. Clarke unscrewed the cap, took a pill, and washed it down with a sip of water, aware of her parents watching her every movement.

 

Finally, her father sighed, breaking the silence. "Clarke... I just don't understand how this happened." His voice was low, tinged with a disappointment that cut deep. "I thought we'd taught you better."

 

Clarke swallowed hard, feeling her throat tighten. "Dad, I didn't... I didn't plan for this. I never wanted—" Her voice cracked, and she looked down, ashamed. "I made a mistake."

 

Jake shook his head, his fingers gripping his fork tightly. "It's not just about you, Clarke. There's a life involved now. A whole future." He looked away as if gathering his thoughts. "And you won't even tell us who got you pregnant!"

 

She could feel her mother's eyes on her, waiting, expectant. Clarke's heart pounded in her chest, panic tightening her throat. How could she tell them? How could she explain that it was Lexa?

 

But before she could say anything, Abby leaned forward, her gaze softening slightly. "Whoever it is, Clarke... we need to know. Not to judge, but because this isn't something you should go through alone."

 

Clarke took a shaky breath, her hands trembling as she clenched them together under the table. Her parents' disappointment weighed on her, their expectations looming over her like a shadow. But more than anything, she feared what their reaction would be once they knew the truth.

 

"It's complicated," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. "I just... I need some time to figure things out."

~~~~

Clarke asked her parents can Raven and Octavia spend the night. 

After finally getting a quiet, reluctant "sure" from her parents, Clarke didn't waste any time. She quickly texted Octavia and Raven:

 

Clarke👯‍♀️💕: Can you guys come over tonight? It's really important.

 

The replies came almost instantly:

 

Raven👯‍♀️💕: I'll be there soon❤️

 

Octavia👯‍♀️💕: Same here💕

 

A half-hour later, the two girls arrived, bursting into Clarke's room with concerned looks on their faces.

 

"Hey, Clarke," Raven began, her eyebrows furrowed. "Are you okay? Your parents looked... I don't know, like someone pissed in their cereal this morning."

 

"Yeah, it was kinda intense," Octavia added, studying Clarke carefully. "What's going on?"

 

Clarke took a shaky breath, feeling her friends' worried eyes on her. She'd planned on easing into it, but the words just tumbled out before she could stop herself.

 

"I'm... I'm pregnant."

 

Raven and Octavia just stared at Clarke, both of them frozen in shock.

 

"You're... you're what?" Raven finally stammered, her eyes wide.

 

"Pregnant," Clarke repeated, her voice barely a whisper. She looked down, trying to avoid the intensity of their gazes, her hands nervously fidgeting in her lap.

 

"What... I... Clarke, I thought you and Lexa weren't talking anymore?" Octavia said still in disbelief.

 

"We weren't but we made a mistake at Raven's party," Clarke said lowly ashamed.

 

"Wow," Raven said still in shock.

 

Octavia sat down beside her on the bed, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "Clarke, how... how are you feeling about it? I mean, this is huge."

 

Clarke shrugged, swallowing the lump in her throat. "I'm scared. And my parents... they're so disappointed. I don't know what to do."

 

Raven moved closer, resting her hand on Clarke's knee. "Hey, whatever you need—we're here for you. Every step. Right, O?"

 

Octavia nodded, her expression softening. "Of course, Clarke. You're not alone in this. You've got us."

 

Clarke took a deep breath, feeling a small sense of relief at their support. But then another worry crept up, one she hadn't voiced to anyone yet. "There's one more thing," she said hesitantly. "I haven't told... Lexa."

 

Raven's mouth dropped open. "Clarke, are you going to? I mean, she deserves to know, but... are you ready for that?"

 

Clarke shook her head. "I don't know. Part of me wants to tell her, but another part is terrified of how she'll react."

 

"And what about Niylah?" Octavia asked carefully.

 

Clarke just put her head in her hands and started crying.

 

"I'm going to lose my girlfriend. There is no way Niylah is going to stay with me once I tell her I'm pregnant," Clarke said still crying.

 

Octavia gave her shoulders a gentle squeeze. "We're here, okay? You don't have to do this alone."

 

Clarke nodded, grateful beyond words. In this whirlwind of emotions, her friends' unwavering support was her one solid ground.

 

🎶🎶🎶

 

Monday, May 12th

 

Clarke, Octavia, and Raven were finishing up getting ready for school when a knock sounded at the door. Raven stepped over to open it, revealing Abby standing there.

 

"Here's your prenatal vitamin and some orange juice," Abby said, handing the pill and cup to Clarke. Clarke took it without hesitation, swallowing it quickly with a sip of juice.

 

"I made breakfast for you all downstairs, and I filled up one of my large water bottles. Make sure you drink it throughout the day to stay hydrated," Abby said in a soft but firm voice.

 

Clarke nodded. "Thanks, Mom."

 

"You're welcome," Abby replied with a small, reassuring smile. Then, with a quick goodbye, she turned to leave for work, closing the door quietly behind her.

 

As soon as Abby was gone, Octavia looked at Clarke with a supportive smile. "Looks like she's coming around, huh?"

 

"Maybe," Clarke said, taking a deep breath, "but I think it's just going to take time."

 

The three girls finished getting ready and made their way downstairs to the kitchen, where the aroma of breakfast filled the air. Clarke picked at her plate, her appetite still a work in progress, while Octavia and Raven chatted animatedly about prom coming up Saturday.

 

Once they finished, they quickly gathered their things and headed out to Clarke's car. As they climbed in, Octavia settled into the backseat, while Raven slid into the passenger seat.

 

"Ready for another day?" Raven asked, trying to lighten the mood.

 

"Sure," Clarke replied, though her mind was elsewhere, contemplating how her life had changed so dramatically in just a few days.

 

As she started the car and pulled out of the driveway, Octavia noticed Clarke's distracted expression. "Hey, are you okay?" she asked gently.

 

"Yeah, just... feeling a bit nauseous," Clarke murmured, gripping the steering wheel a little tighter.

 

"Do you want me to drive?" Raven asked softly, concern etching her features.

 

Clarke hesitated but then nodded. "Thanks, Ray."

 

The two girls switched seats, and Raven took the wheel as they headed to school. Clarke took a sip from the large water bottle her mother had prepared for her, feeling the cool liquid ease her queasiness just a bit.

 

As Raven navigated through traffic, Octavia turned to Clarke. "Are you sure you're okay? You can tell us if something's wrong."

 

"I promise, it's just the morning sickness. I'll be fine," Clarke replied, trying to sound reassuring even though the unease in her stomach lingered.

 

Raven glanced over, giving Clarke a supportive smile. "Just hang in there. We'll get through this day together."

 

"Yeah, and if you need a break, just let us know," Octavia added, her voice laced with sincerity.

 

Clarke appreciated their concern, feeling a wave of gratitude wash over her. "Thanks, you guys. I really don't know what I'd do without you."

 

As they pulled into the school parking lot, Clarke took a deep breath, readying herself for the day ahead.

~~~~

Clarke's first two periods flew by, and now it was lunchtime. As she made her way to her locker, she spotted Niylah leaning against it, arms crossed and a worried expression on her face. Clarke hesitated for a moment, contemplating turning around, but she pushed through and moved closer, her heart pounding.

 

"Clarke, why have you been ignoring me? I've been texting and calling you since Friday. Did I do something wrong?" Niylah's voice wavered, filled with concern.

 

"No babe, you didn't do anything wrong. I have something I need to tell you," Clarke said, nerves twisting her stomach into knots.

 

"Okay, let's find somewhere more private," Niylah suggested, her expression shifting from worry to determination. She led Clarke to the art hallway, but instead of the art room, they entered a dimly lit photography room, the walls glowing red with images that hung like silent witnesses.

 

"It's the photography room," Niylah murmured, glancing around before turning her attention back to Clarke. "Now, what did you want to tell me?"

 

Clarke took a deep breath, deciding it was time to rip off the bandage. "I'm pregnant."

 

Confusion flickered across Niylah's face, quickly replaced by a dawning realization. "You're pregnant?" she whispered, disbelief coloring her tone.

 

"I found out Friday. I'm about ten weeks along," Clarke admitted quietly, her voice trembling.

 

"You're pregnant," Niylah repeated, more to herself than to Clarke, as if trying to grasp the weight of the news.

 

Clarke's heart sank. "Me and Lexa were together the night of Raven's party, and now I'm pregnant," she confessed, tears threatening to spill over. "I can understand if you want to break up with me."

 

"I just... I don't want to break up with you," Niylah said softly, her eyes searching Clarke's for reassurance.

 

"What?" Clarke whispered, unsure if she had heard her correctly.

 

"What happened between you and Lexa was before we made it official, and I can look past that," Niylah explained, her voice steady and sincere.

 

"You'll stay with me even though I'm pregnant?" Clarke asked, disbelief mingling with hope.

 

"Of course, Clarke. You being pregnant doesn't change how I feel about you. I just need to be sure nothing will happen between you and Lexa again," Niylah stated firmly.

 

"Of course not. I know me being with Lexa while she was in a relationship doesn't give me the best track record, but I would never cheat on you," Clarke replied, her voice earnest.

 

"I believe you, and I trust you," Niylah said, stepping closer and cupping Clarke's face gently before leaning in for a soft kiss on the lips.

 

Niylah pulled back slightly, her eyes still locked on Clarke's. "We should probably head to lunch," she suggested gently. "You need to eat something. You have to take care of yourself and the baby."

 

Clarke nodded, the reality of her pregnancy hitting her anew. "Yeah, you're right," she said, her voice steadier now. "I've hardly eaten anything since Friday."

 

Niylah took Clarke's hand, intertwining their fingers as they walked out of the photography room together. The corridor was bustling with students, but at that moment, it felt like just the two of them existed.

 

As they made their way to the cafeteria, Niylah glanced at Clarke. "What are you in the mood for? I'll get you whatever you want."

 

"I'm not sure. I guess anything that doesn't make me feel sick," Clarke replied, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips.

 

They reached the cafeteria, and Clarke's stomach grumbled in response to the various food options laid out before them. Niylah led her to the line, filled with healthy options—salad, grilled chicken, and some fresh fruit.

 

They got their food and went to sit with Octavia and Raven.

 

As Clarke took a bite of her salad, Niylah watched her closely. "So, have you thought about how you want to tell Lexa?" she asked cautiously.

 

Clarke sighed, putting her fork down for a moment. "Not really. I know I need to, but I'm scared of how she will react, and don't get me started with her mom who already hates me."

 

"You can do this, Clarke. We'll be right here with you, no matter what," Niylah reassured her, giving her hand a comforting squeeze.

 

Clarke smiled softly, appreciating Niylah's unwavering support. "Thank you for being so understanding," she said, a wave of gratitude washing over her.

 

"Just focus on you and the baby for now," Niylah replied. "We'll figure everything else out together."

 

Feeling a little lighter, Clarke picked up her fork again and took another bite, feeling a little better knowing she had her best friends and girlfriend by her side to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

Notes:

Okay… okay let me have it. Give me your thoughts💭

Chapter 18: “I just... I hope you're happy, Lexa. I hope Clarke and the baby give you everything I couldn't."

Notes:

All I can say is get ready for a whirlwind of emotions.

Happy Reading❤️

Wednesday, May 14th

 

It was Wednesday morning, and Lexa lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, letting the early light filter in through her window. She couldn't quite wrap her mind around the fact that graduation was just around the corner. This moment—this end to high school, this beginning of something entirely new—was one she'd been waiting for as long as she could remember.

 

A smile crept onto her face as she thought about Stanford, her future, and the possibilities ahead. She would be going off to college, not alone, but with her best friend and cousin, Anya, by her side. The idea brought her a sense of comfort and excitement. They had grown up together, been through everything side-by-side, and now they were about to tackle this next chapter in the same way.

 

With one last deep breath, she sat up and glanced around her room, taking it all in. Soon, everything would change. She felt both ready and a little scared but knew she couldn't wait to start the journey.

 

Lexa swung her legs over the edge of the bed and stretched, feeling the morning stiffness melt away. She made her way to the bathroom, splashing cool water on her face to shake off the last bits of sleep. The reflection staring back at her looked different somehow—older, she thought, as though the weight of impending adulthood had already started to settle in.

 

After brushing her teeth, she tied her hair back, letting a few loose strands frame her face. Her routine was familiar: a quick swipe of lip balm, and a little mascara, and she was ready.  She walked to her closet trying to decide what to wear. The seniors were given to choice to wear what they wanted for the remainder of the school year. She decided on a white Gucci t-shirt, some simple jeans, and matching Gucci sneakers.

 

She threw her backpack over her shoulder and glanced at her phone, spotting a message from Anya.

 

Anya: Ready to start the countdown? Graduation's almost here!

 

Lexa chuckled, shaking her head, and typed back, You know it. Meet you in the parking lot.

 

Lexa drove in silence, her thoughts drifting where she'd sworn they wouldn't go. Every time she let her mind wander like this, she found herself caught up in memories of blonde hair and blue eyes, moments that lingered even when she tried to leave them behind. She hadn't spoken to Clarke since the talent show. They'd managed to avoid each other, and though she saw Clarke in passing now and then—often with Niylah, looking genuinely happy—Lexa couldn't shake the bittersweet ache in her chest.

 

Lost in thought, she barely noticed the familiar route or the students filtering into the parking lot. She only snapped back to the present as her car coasted into a spot beside Anya's. Her cousin was already leaning against her own car.

 

Lexa took a steadying breath before grabbing her bag and stepping out to meet her.

 

Anya raised an eyebrow as Lexa slung her bag over her shoulder. "You good?" she asked, her voice gentle but laced with curiosity.

 

"Yeah, just tired," Lexa replied with a shrug. "I was up all night thinking about everything... Stanford, being so far from Costia. It's just a lot to take in."

 

Anya nodded a sympathetic smile on her face. "I get it. Same here with me and Raven. But she's worth it," she said, a note of determination in her voice as they walked into the school.

 

"You two are so cute," Lexa said, genuinely happy for her cousin.

 

"You and Costia are too," Anya replied brightly. "Everything is going to work out for both of us. Just you wait."

 

"Yeah, it will," Lexa agreed, her smile warm but not reaching her eyes.

 

Anya offered her a quick smile and made her way to meet Raven, leaving Lexa alone as she walked to her locker. Just as she was about to unlock it, her phone buzzed. She pulled it out, and her heart skipped a beat as she saw the name on the screen.

 

Blondie👱🏼‍♀️: Hey Lex... I really need to talk to you. Can you please meet me at our spot? It's really important.

 

Without hesitation, Lexa closed her locker and turned in the direction of their spot. Her heart pounded as she walked, trying to prepare herself for whatever Clarke needed to say. When she arrived, she took a steadying breath and entered. There, in the quiet, familiar space, she saw Clarke standing nervously, her fingers fidgeting as she glanced up and met Lexa's gaze.

~~~~

Lexa's heart raced as she took a step closer. Clarke looked up, her blue eyes filled with a mix of nerves and something else Lexa couldn't quite place.

 

"Hey," Clarke said softly, offering a hesitant smile.

 

"Hey," Lexa replied, folding her arms to keep herself steady. "What's going on?"

 

Clarke took a shaky breath. "I... I've been meaning to talk to you. There's something I need to tell you."

 

Lexa nodded, waiting, though a dozen possibilities ran through her mind.

 

Clarke hesitated, her hands wringing together. "I'm... pregnant." She finally said, her voice barely above a whisper.

 

Lexa felt as though the air had been sucked out of the room. "You're... pregnant?" she repeated, the words sounding strange as she said them aloud.

 

Clarke nodded, looking down. "I'm eleven weeks now."

 

Lexa opened her mouth to speak but struggled to find the words. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her thoughts. "Clarke, that's about two and half months... You waited this long to tell me?"

 

Clarke shook her head quickly, not wanting Lexa to think she'd kept this from her intentionally. "I just found out last Friday. I wanted to tell you sooner, but... I didn't know how."

 

Lexa let out a breath, her face softening slightly. "I get it... it's just a lot to take in."

 

Clarke swallowed, shifting nervously. "I didn't know what you'd think or... how you'd react. But I knew you needed to know."

 

Lexa crossed her arms, looking down as she processed it all. "So, what now? Have you told anyone else?"

 

"My parents were the first to find out," Clarke replied. "They were... shocked. Disappointed. It's been hard." She paused, her voice trembling slightly. "And then Octavia and Raven they were supportive. And Niylah. She knows, too."

 

Lexa's jaw tightened at the mention of Niylah. "Niylah knew before I did?" she asked, incredulous. "Why the hell did she get to hear it first?"

 

Clarke looked up, her eyes wide. "She wanted to know why I was ignoring her and I had to tell her why. She was understanding and still wants to be with me."

 

Lexa took a deep breath, trying to calm the anger brewing inside her. "So, she's just been there, supporting you while I was left in the dark? That's just... great."

 

"Lexa, it's not like that!" Clarke said, stepping closer. "Plus she has only known for two days. I swear I wanted to tell you as soon as I found out, but I didn't know how."

 

Lexa softened slightly as Clarke explained. "Okay, I guess I just wish you would have told me first, you know? I want to be part of this, too."

 

"I know, and I want that too," Clarke said, her voice breaking. "I really do."

 

Lexa's expression softened, her anger melting as she saw Clarke's vulnerability. She took a step closer, reaching out a hand to gently place it on Clarke's stomach. "We're having a baby."

 

Clarke let out a shaky breath, feeling a small wave of relief wash over her. "We are, Lexa."

 

Lexa's eyes filled with determination. "I'm going to be here for you, Clarke. I have a lot of things to figure out, but I'll start by accepting my offer to Arcadia University."

 

"No, Lex, I don't want you to give up your dream of going to Stanford because of me," Clarke said, her voice soft but firm.

 

"It's okay, Clarke. I need to be here for you and the baby," Lexa said, her hand resting warmly on Clarke's stomach. "I don't want to miss a thing."

 

Clarke's heart fluttered, but she focused on Lexa's decision. "I have my parents, Raven, Octavia, and Niylah. I'll be okay if you come home on weekends and holidays. I want you to follow your dreams."

 

Lexa shook her head, determination in her eyes. "No, Clarke. I don't want Niylah stepping into my place—this is my child, and I want to be here."

 

"Niylah won't replace you, Lex," Clarke assured her. "But if you're sure about Arcadia, I'd love to have you close by."

 

"Then it's settled," Lexa said with a small smile. "I'm going to Arcadia University."

 

Clarke brightened, a hint of excitement returning. "I actually have a doctor's appointment at 3 p.m. today to see the baby for the first time. My mom said I might even get to hear the heartbeat. You're invited if you want to come."

 

"I'd love to be there," Lexa said, her face lighting up. "Just text me when you're ready to go."

 

"Okay. We should get to class…we're already late," Clarke said, heading for the door.

 

"See you later?" Lexa asked softly.

 

"Yes, see you later, Lex," Clarke replied with a small smile as she left.

~~~~

Lexa struggled to concentrate in her second-period class, her mind racing with the reality of becoming a mother. The weight of the news hit her like a ton of bricks, and she suddenly froze, her eyes widening in panic.

 

"Shit, my mom is going to kill me," Lexa muttered under her breath, anxiety gnawing at her. She could already imagine the disappointment etched on her parents' faces.

 

Overwhelmed by everything that lay ahead, Lexa pulled out her phone and sent a quick message to her group chat with Anya and Lincoln.

 

Lexa: Hey guys... I really need to talk to you. Can you meet me at the soccer field during lunch?

 

After hitting send, she scrolled through her emails and found the acceptance letter from Arcadia University. According to the acceptance package, she had until June 1st to confirm her enrollment. With the class watching a video, she seized the opportunity to sneak in a few more minutes on her phone. Just as she was about to log into her Arcadia student portal to accept the offer, her phone buzzed with responses from Anya and Lincoln.

 

Linc: Sure, cuz. I'll be there.

 

Anya: Meet you there.

 

Lexa felt a wave of relief wash over her at the thought of confiding in her cousin. She was grateful to have their support as she navigated this life-changing situation.

 

Shifting her focus back to the task at hand, Lexa logged into the Arcadia portal to accept her admission offer and pay the $300 enrollment deposit to secure her spot. Afterward, she activated her student email, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension.

 

While she was thrilled about the opportunities ahead, a twinge of sadness crept in at the thought of not attending Stanford with Anya. But Clarke and their baby came first; that was her priority now. The thought of Niylah potentially replacing her also weighed heavily on her mind, despite Clarke's assurances.

 

Then, Lexa's thoughts turned to Costia, and a sharp pain pierced her heart. She knew she would have to break Costia's heart, a reality she had desperately tried to avoid.

 

"She's going to hate me," Lexa mumbled, the gravity of her situation settling in.

 

Just as her thoughts were getting too deep the bell rang, signaling the end of the period. Lexa grabbed her backpack and rushed out of the classroom, making her way to the soccer field.

~~~~

Lexa made it to the soccer field and sat down on the bleachers. Her heart was beating so fast but she had to tell Lincoln and Anya the big news.

 

The sun hung high in the sky as Lexa waited on the soccer field, her heart racing. Anya and Lincoln arrived moments later, their expressions a mix of curiosity and concern.

 

"Hey, Lexa," Anya said, crossing her arms as she approached. "What's up? You sounded serious."

 

Lincoln followed closely, looking equally intrigued. "Yeah, everything okay?"

 

Lexa took a deep breath, her palms clammy as she prepared to drop the bombshell. "I... I have some big news." She paused, glancing around to ensure they were alone. "Clarke is pregnant."

 

Anya's face fell, disbelief washing over her. "What do you mean Clarke is pregnant? You can't be serious."

 

"I am," Lexa replied, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside. "I'm going to be a mom."

 

Lincoln stared at Lexa, his expression a mix of shock and confusion. "Wait, are you saying you cheated on Costia? With Clarke?"

 

Lexa nodded. "Yes... but that doesn't matter right now. Clarke needs me, and I want to be there for her and the baby."

 

Anya's expression darkened, her arms tightening around herself. "Lexa, this is huge. You're talking about bringing a child into this world, and you're just... okay with it? What about Costia?"

 

"I care about Costia, and I'm going to tell her everything tonight," Lexa insisted, her voice rising slightly. "But Clarke is my priority right now. This is my child, too."

 

Lincoln stepped forward, his shock slowly giving way to understanding. "Are you sure you're ready for this? Being a parent is a lot of responsibility."

 

"I know," Lexa replied, her voice softening. "But I'm going to step up. I'll be there for Clarke and our baby, no matter what it takes. I can't just walk away from this."

 

Anya's expression softened, though uncertainty lingered in her eyes. "I just... I can't believe this. Costia is going to be so heartbroken, Lex."

 

"I know, but she deserves to know," Lexa said firmly.

 

Lincoln exchanged a glance with Anya before looking back at Lexa, a mix of concern and support in his gaze. "This is a bit of a shock, Lex, but if you're happy, then so am I."

 

Anya still looked frustrated. "I can't pretend that everything is fine and that I'm supportive of this."

 

Lexa frowned. "Anya... I really need you both in my corner right now. This baby will be your family, your kru."

 

At that, Anya's eyes softened slightly. "I need time to process it all, Lex. Of course, I'm going to be there for you, but this is a lot."

 

Lexa nodded, managing a sad smile. "It is a lot, but I'm not abandoning Clarke or my child."

 

"It's great that you're stepping up. Most people our age would run for the hills," Lincoln said.

 

Anya nodded in agreement, reflecting on how Raven had shared her own family story—her mom got pregnant at 16, and her dad didn't stick around. She definitely didn't want that for her new little cousin or should she say niece or nephew, given she and Lexa were more like sisters.

 

"Clarke has an appointment today at three and invited me to come," Lexa said nervously.

 

"Everything will work out, Lex," Lincoln said, walking over to pull her into a hug.

 

Anya joined in, squeezing her tightly. "And we will be here every step of the way."

~~~~

It was around 2 PM when Lexa received a text from Clarke saying she was about to check herself out and would meet her in the parking lot. Lexa quickly left her class and headed to the office to do the same.

 

As she arrived, she spotted Clarke signing herself out. When Clarke noticed Lexa, she offered her a small smile. Lexa signed out next, and they walked out together.

 

"Do you mind if we take my car?" Lexa asked.

 

"I don't mind," Clarke replied.

 

Lexa opened the passenger door for Clarke, closing it gently after she got in.

 

Still a gentlewoman, Clarke thought to herself.

 

Lexa slid into the driver's seat and smiled at Clarke.

 

"The hospital, right?" she asked.

 

Clarke nodded and yawned.

 

"Sleepy?" Lexa asked, pulling out of the school parking lot. The hospital was about a 20- to 25-minute drive, depending on traffic.

 

"Yeah, I've been feeling more tired lately," Clarke admitted, yawning again.

 

"Why don't you take a nap on the way there? With this traffic, we could be looking at least a 25-minute drive," Lexa suggested.

 

"That would be perfect," Clarke said, settling back into Lexa's seat. She closed her eyes, allowing herself to relax as the rhythmic hum of the car created a soothing atmosphere. Lexa glanced over at her, a small smile playing on her lips as she focused on the road ahead.

 

As Clarke drifted into a light sleep, Lexa kept the car steady, navigating through the familiar streets. The soft melodies of the music filled the car, creating a peaceful ambiance that made the drive feel even more serene.

 

The traffic was heavier than Lexa had anticipated, but that didn't bother her. She preferred this slower pace; it gave her more time to think and appreciate the comfort of having Clarke by her side. After a while, she quietly reached over and turned the volume down on the radio, not wanting to disturb Clarke's rest.

 

Soon they were pulling up to the hospital.

 

Lexa pulled into the hospital parking lot and parked the car. She gently reached over and brushed her fingers against Clarke's shoulder, giving her a soft nudge.

 

"Hey, Clarke. We're here," Lexa said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

 

Clarke blinked awake, momentarily disoriented, and then smiled sleepily at Lexa.

 

"Thanks for letting me nap," she said, stretching her arms above her head.

 

"Anytime," Lexa replied, her heart warming at the sight of Clarke's content expression. "Ready to go inside?"

 

"Yeah, let's do this," Clarke said, gathering her things as Lexa opened her door.

~~~~

Clarke led Lexa up to her mom's office, where they would wait since they were 30 minutes early. As they arrived, Clarke noticed that Abby wasn't in her office yet, so she quickly texted her mom to let her know they were there.

 

Lexa leaned against the wall, trying to ease the tension in the air. After a moment of silence, Clarke took a deep breath and said, "So, I should let you know that my parents don't know you're the one who got me pregnant." She watched nervously as Lexa's eyes widened in shock.

 

"What? Clarke, why didn't you tell them?" Lexa asked, her voice a mix of surprise and concern.

 

"I wanted to tell you first," Clarke admitted, fidgeting with her hands. "And then maybe we could tell them together."

 

Lexa's expression softened, a mix of empathy and understanding flooding her features. "I get that. Of course, we can tell them together. I am sure they are going to have a lot of questions."

 

About twenty minutes later, Abby walked into the office, her brow furrowed in confusion at the sight of Lexa.

 

"Hey sweetheart," she said, giving Clarke a warm smile before turning to Lexa. "Hello, Lexa."

 

Clarke shifted nervously, glancing between her mom and Lexa. "Mom, we'll explain everything after the appointment."

 

Abby nodded, oblivious to the fact that Lexa was the other parent of her grandchild. "Well, let's get you two up to the OB floor," she said, leading them toward the elevator. "Thanks for coming, Lexa. I was expecting Raven and Octavia to be here with her, or even Niylah."

 

Abby led Clarke and Lexa down the brightly lit hallway, her steps confident despite the slight tension in the air. They reached the room, and Abby pushed the door open, gesturing for them to enter.

 

"Dr. Diyoza will be with you shortly," Abby informed them, her tone light.

 

"I have an emergency surgery to attend to so I won't be able to stay, sweetheart, but I want you to tell me all about it later, okay?" Abby said, giving Clarke a reassuring smile before gently squeezing her shoulder.

 

Clarke nodded, feeling a mixture of excitement and anxiety bubbling within her. She glanced at Lexa, who seemed equally nervous but was trying to maintain a calm facade.

 

"Okay, Mom," Clarke replied, her smile reflecting her gratitude for Abby's support.

 

As Abby left the room, Clarke and Lexa exchanged glances, the weight of the moment settling around them. The room was quiet, filled with the faint sounds of beeping monitors and distant chatter from the hallway. Clarke took a deep breath, her heart racing with anticipation.

 

"Are you ready for this?" Lexa asked softly, stepping closer to Clarke.

 

Clarke nodded, though she could feel her nerves creeping back. "Yeah, I think so. I just... I really want to see the baby."

 

Lexa reached out and took Clarke's hand, intertwining their fingers. "We're in this together, remember? Whatever happens, we'll handle it."

 

Clarke squeezed Lexa's hand in response, feeling a little more at ease. "Right. Together."

 

Clarke sat nervously in the examination room, her hands fidgeting in her lap. Lexa sat beside her, looking just as anxious but trying to maintain a calm demeanor. The walls were painted a soothing light blue, and the gentle hum of fluorescent lights filled the space.

 

Dr. Diyoza entered with a warm smile, clipboard in hand. "Hello, Clarke! It's great to see you again. And you must be a friend of Clarke," she said, her eyes twinkling as she extended a hand toward Lexa.

 

"Hi, I'm Lexa," Lexa replied, shaking the doctor's hand. "I'm the other parent or should I say mother?”

 

"Oh?" She said looking between Clarke and Lexa.

 

"I am intersex if that helps make this less confusing," Lexa said nervously as she rubbed the back of her neck.

 

"Okay. Well, thank you for sharing that with me. It is great to meet you! Now, before we start, I just want to confirm something. Clarke, have you had any complications or concerns since we last spoke?" Dr. Diyoza asked, glancing at Clarke's chart.

 

"Not really. Just some nausea and tiredness," Clarke said, her voice steadying as she spoke about her experience.

 

Dr. Diyoza nodded as she made notes on Clarke's chart. "Nausea and fatigue are very common at this stage. It's good to hear there haven't been any significant complications. Now, since you're at 11 weeks, today's appointment will include a few important checks to ensure everything is progressing well."

 

She set the clipboard aside and turned to Clarke and Lexa with a reassuring smile. "First, we'll do a quick physical exam, and then we'll move on to the ultrasound to see the baby and to listen to the baby's heartbeat. This is usually the point where we can pick it up clearly. After that, we'll discuss your if you would like to have genetic testing done today."

 

Lexa's eyes softened as she reached for Clarke's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. Clarke took a deep breath, feeling comforted by the touch.

 

Dr. Diyoza guided Clarke over to the exam table and began with the routine checks—measuring blood pressure, checking her weight, and asking questions about diet, hydration, and any specific symptoms. "It's important to stay hydrated and eat a balanced diet, even if nausea makes it difficult. Small, frequent meals can sometimes help."

 

Clarke nodded. "I've been trying, but mornings are rough."

 

"We'll keep an eye on that and make adjustments as needed," Dr. Diyoza assured her.

 

Both Clarke and Lexa nodded.

 

Dr. Diyoza smiled reassuringly. "Now, are you ready to see your little one?"

 

Clarke's heart raced as she nodded, and grabbed Lexa's hand.

 

"Okay, let's get started," Dr. Diyoza said, guiding Clarke to lie back on the examination table. She applied a cool gel to Clarke's abdomen and grabbed the ultrasound wand. "You might feel a bit of pressure."

 

As Dr. Diyoza moved the wand across Clarke's stomach, a grainy image began to form on the screen. "Here we go. What you're seeing is your baby at 11 weeks. This is the head and the little body. Your baby's facial features are becoming more distinct, with eyes moving closer together and ears starting to take shape. Limb development is also advancing, with fingers and toes beginning to form."

 

Clarke squinted at the screen, trying to make sense of the blurry shapes. "I can see it!" she exclaimed, excitement bubbling up inside her.

 

"And the heart is completely formed and pumping," Dr. Diyoza said as she adjusted the settings. The room filled with the rhythmic sound of a heartbeat, steady and strong.

 

Lexa's eyes widened, and she turned to Clarke, a grin spreading across her face. "That's our baby!" she whispered, her voice thick with emotion as she reached for Clarke's hand, intertwining their fingers...

 

" That's your baby," Dr. Diyoza said, her smile wide. "Their heart beat sounds strong and healthy."  Dr. Diyoza said smiling at their reaction. Would you like to hear it again?"

 

"Yes, please!" Clarke replied, her heart soaring.

 

Lexa quickly pulled out her phone to make a video of the ultrasound and record the sound of their baby's heartbeat. The sound of their baby's heartbeat filled the air, a beautiful melody of life that brought tears to both girls' eyes.

 

"Congratulations, you two," Dr. Diyoza said warmly. "The baby looks nice and healthy. Clarke, you are three weeks away from your second trimester and your due date is estimated as November 22nd."

 

Clarke's heart swelled with joy, a whirlwind of emotions flooding through her. She knew that being a pregnant teen wasn't ideal and that her entire life was about to change in ways she couldn't yet fully understand. But today, seeing her baby on the screen, hearing that strong, steady heartbeat—it made everything feel real. At that moment, she couldn't help but fall completely in love with the little life growing inside her.

 

"Our very own Sagittarius," Lexa said smiling.

 

Dr. Diyoza smiled warmly, clearly pleased with the girls' reaction.

 

As Dr. Diyoza organized her notes, Clarke felt a mix of excitement and anxiety about the path ahead. "So, what kind of genetic screenings are available?" she asked, wanting to ensure they made informed decisions.

 

"Great question," Dr. Diyoza replied, her tone professional yet warm. "At this stage, you have a few options. The most common is the non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), which involves a simple blood draw. It can assess the risk of certain genetic conditions, like Down syndrome, and it's over 99% accurate. There are also first-trimester screening options that include a blood test and an ultrasound to look for markers of genetic disorders."

 

Clarke nodded, taking it all in. "What are the risks of these tests?"

 

Dr. Diyoza leaned forward slightly, her expression serious yet reassuring. "Both tests are non-invasive, so there are no risks to you or the baby. However, if any results indicate potential issues, you might consider follow-up testing, which could be invasive. We'll talk through your options thoroughly so you can decide what feels right for you and Lexa."

 

Clarke shifted in her seat, absorbing the information. "I think it's important for us to be prepared for anything," she said, her voice steady. "It sounds like NIPT would be a good option. I would like to have that done."

 

As Dr. Diyoza wrapped up her notes, she looked at Clarke and Lexa, a reassuring smile on her face. "Since you're already at 11 weeks, we can go ahead with the blood draw for the NIPT today. If you want, it can also tell us the baby's sex."

 

Clarke felt a thrill of excitement mixed with nervousness at the mention of knowing the gender. "We can find out the gender this early?" she asked, her heart racing.

 

"Yes," Dr. Diyoza confirmed. "The NIPT is designed to assess fetal DNA circulating in your blood, and it can provide accurate results regarding the baby's sex as well. It's a nice bonus on top of the genetic information."

 

Lexa exchanged a glance with Clarke, a mix of anticipation and curiosity sparking between them. "Do you want to know the gender?" she asked.

 

"I think I do," Clarke said, her voice steadying with determination. "I want to know as much as we can. It helps make it feel more real."

 

"Okay, then let's do it," Lexa agreed, her eyes lighting up with enthusiasm.

 

"Great!" Dr. Diyoza said, clearly pleased with their decision. "I'll have the lab technician come in shortly to take your blood and while you are waiting I need you to complete the paper work for it. You should receive the results within two weeks, and we can discuss them at your next appointment. If you have any questions about the process or what to expect, feel free to ask."

 

Clarke nodded, feeling the weight of the moment. The uncertainty that had lingered since her last appointment was dissipating, replaced by a growing sense of excitement about their journey ahead. "Thank you for explaining everything so clearly."

 

Dr. Diyoza smiled warmly. "It's my pleasure. I want to make sure you both feel informed and supported. This is a significant time for you, and I'm here to help."

 

Clarke completed the paper work and about fifteen minutes later, a lab technician entered the room with a small cart of supplies. Dr. Diyoza stepped aside, providing space for the technician to set up. Clarke felt a flutter of nerves as she prepared for the blood draw, but Lexa's comforting presence reassured her.

 

"You've got this, Clarke," Lexa said softly, squeezing her hand. "Just a little poke, and then we'll know more."

 

Clarke took a deep breath, focusing on Lexa's supportive gaze. "Right. Just a little poke."

 

The technician was quick and professional, and before Clarke knew it, the blood draw was over. She felt a rush of relief. "That wasn't so bad," she said, looking at Lexa.

 

"See? Easy peasy," Lexa replied, grinning. "Now we just wait for the results."

 

As they wrapped up their appointment and headed to the front desk to schedule the next visit, Clarke took a deep breath, feeling a sense of hope and anticipation for what lay ahead. With her parents, Lexa, best friends, and Niylah by her side, she felt ready to face this new journey.

~~~~

Clarke and Lexa pulled up to Clarke's house, and Lexa smiled, watching Clarke stare in awe at the ultrasound printouts.

 

"I still can't believe we're going to be parents," Clarke whispered, her gaze softening as she held the images.

 

"Me either," Lexa replied, reaching out to place a gentle hand on Clarke's stomach. She hesitated for a moment. "I just realized… I never asked if this is okay... me touching your stomach?"

 

Clarke looked at her and nodded with a smile. "Of course, it's okay, Lex."

 

Lexa let out a breath of relief, her hand resting comfortably on Clarke's belly. "I need to go home and tell my parents," she said, her voice tinged with a mix of determination and nervousness. "And I'll be telling Costia tonight."

 

Clarke fell silent, absorbing the weight of Lexa's words. The feeling of Lexa's hand on her stomach was calming, a gentle reassurance she didn't know she needed.

 

"Your mom already hates me," Clarke murmured after a moment, her voice barely above a whisper.

 

"She doesn't hate you, Clarke," Lexa said gently. "She was just disappointed... in me, for cheating on Costia."

 

Clarke gave a small, sad smile. "Costia is definitely going to hate me."

 

Lexa shook her head, squeezing Clarke's hand. "Let me worry about them. I don't want you stressing about anything, okay? Are you and the baby hungry? We could go grab something, or I can Doordash you whatever you're craving."

 

Clarke couldn't help but laugh, a playful glint in her eyes. "Is this how you're going to be the whole pregnancy?"

 

Lexa grinned. "Absolutely."

 

"Well, I am hungry," Clarke admitted, and right then her stomach rumbled under Lexa's hand.

 

Lexa chuckled. "Alright, what sounds good?"

 

"I can just eat here at home. My mom made spaghetti last night, so I'll have that," Clarke said as she opened the car door to get out.

 

Lexa stepped out with her, instinctively walking her to the front door.

 

"So, I'll see you later... when we're ready to tell my parents together?" Clarke asked, glancing at Lexa with both hope and apprehension.

 

"Yeah. Just text or call me," Lexa said, then paused, a little shyly. "Is it okay if I give you a hug?"

 

"Yes," Clarke replied softly and smiled as Lexa pulled her into a warm embrace.

 

When they finally let go, Clarke gave her one last glance before disappearing into the house. Lexa got back into her car, her mind filled with thoughts of Clarke and the baby they would soon bring into the world together.

~~~~

Lexa's heart pounded as she pulled into the driveway, seeing both her parents through the window. She knew this wasn't going to go well, and a wave of nerves washed over her. Before stepping out, she pulled out her phone and quickly typed a message to Costia, asking her to come over later so they could talk. With a sigh, she put her phone away, grabbed the ultrasound printouts, and finally mustered the courage to head inside.

 

The moment Lexa stepped through the door, her parents looked up from the living room.

 

"Hey, sweetheart," Indra greeted, her gaze quickly turning concerned when she saw Lexa's anxious expression. "Lexa, what's wrong?"

 

Gustus looked over as well, his eyes narrowing with worry. "Come here, honey. You look like you've seen a ghost."

 

Lexa swallowed, her voice shaky as she stepped forward and handed the ultrasound images to her mother. "I... um... here."

 

Silence filled the room as her parents examined the printouts, their expressions unreadable. Lexa felt each second stretch on as if time itself had slowed, her stomach twisting with each passing moment.

 

Gustus finally took a deep breath, leaning back on the sofa, his gaze unreadable as he looked at his daughter. Indra, however, stood up, her face a mix of shock and anger as she glared at Lexa.

 

"Lexa," she said in a low, dangerous tone, "why did you just hand us an ultrasound with Clarke's name on it?"

 

Lexa felt her throat tighten, but she forced herself to answer. "She's... pregnant," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I got her pregnant."

 

Her parents simply stared at her, the weight of her words settling over the room like a heavy cloud. Gustus's face remained impassive, but Indra's eyes flashed with fury.

 

"Lexa," Indra said slowly, each word laced with barely contained anger, "you've been dating Costia. And now you're telling us that you... you've gotten Clarke pregnant?"

 

Lexa looked down, unable to meet her mother's gaze. "I know I messed up. I... I didn't plan for this to happen. But it did, and I'm going to be there for Clarke and the baby."

 

Gustus cleared his throat, his voice calm but firm. "Lexa, do you understand the seriousness of this? A child is a lifelong commitment."

 

Lexa nodded, trying to keep her voice steady. "I know. I'm ready to take responsibility. I love Clarke, and I want to do right by her and the baby."

 

As Indra processed Lexa's revelation, her face darkened, and any initial shock quickly morphed into frustration. She took a step toward her daughter, her tone harsh and unforgiving.

 

"Do you have any idea what you've done, Lexa?" Indra's voice trembled with barely controlled anger. "You've thrown away everything you worked for. Your future with Costia, the plans you made together? All of it, gone."

 

Lexa swallowed, feeling her mother's words like physical blows. She had expected disappointment, but hearing it out loud was almost too much to bear.

 

"And for what?" Indra continued, her tone growing colder. "To throw your life away for a mistake? Do you realize how selfish this is? Not just for you, but for Costia, for me, and your father!"

 

Lexa's fists clenched at her sides, but she remained silent, letting her mother's words wash over her.

 

"And honestly, Lexa," Indra pressed on, her voice lowering as she looked at the ultrasound pictures with disdain, "have you ever considered... alternatives? It would be better for everyone if this situation was... taken care of."

 

As soon as Indra said, something snapped in Lexa. Her vision blurred with anger, and before she knew it, she was stepping forward, her gaze locked on her mother. Every instinct told her to defend her child, to protect the life that she and Clarke had created. Her fists clenched, and her body was tense with fury as she advanced on her mother.

 

"Don't ever suggest that again," Lexa said, her voice shaking with fury. "This isn't just some situation that can be 'taken care' of mom! This is my child—Clarke's and mine. I won't walk away from that, and I won't pretend this doesn't exist."

 

Seeing Lexa's anger reach a boiling point, Gustus quickly stood up, moving between her and Indra. He put a firm but gentle hand on Lexa's shoulder, grounding her before things escalated any further.

 

"Lexa, take a breath," he said, his voice calm but commanding. He turned to Indra, his gaze hardening. "Indra, that was out of line."

 

Indra scoffed, folding her arms across her chest defensively. "Out of line? I'm just trying to make her understand the gravity of this situation. She's throwing her life away!"

 

Gustus shook his head, his tone firm but gentler than hers. "She doesn't need to be told that her child, our grandchild is a mistake. She needs our support, not our judgment."

 

Indra's face softened slightly, but the frustration in her eyes remained. "Gustus, I'm just trying to protect her. She's too young for this. They both are."

 

Gustus looked at her meaningfully. "Then help her. The way that you are handling this will only drive her away, Indra. You know that."

 

Lexa took a deep breath, the anger slowly dissipating as she looked between her parents. Gustus's hand remained steady on her shoulder, a silent reminder that not everyone in the room saw her child as a burden.

 

Indra let out a long sigh, glancing away as she crossed her arms more tightly. "Fine," she said reluctantly. "But I'm not going to pretend I'm happy about this. Lexa, you've complicated everything, and it's not going to be easy. I hope you realize what this means."

 

Lexa rolled her eyes but nodded. "I do, Mom. I know it won't be easy, but I'm ready to face whatever comes. I'm going to be there for Clarke and our child."

 

Gustus gave Lexa's shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "And you won't have to face it alone," he said, his voice a calming presence amid the tension. He looked pointedly at Indra. "We'll support you, Lexa. Both of us."

 

Indra's jaw tightened, but after a long moment, she gave a reluctant nod, her gaze softening slightly. "Alright, Lexa. I may not agree with this, but I won't abandon you or your... child."

 

Lexa nodded, acknowledging her parents' words, but the anger simmered just beneath the surface. She couldn't shake the resentment that flared every time she thought about what her mother had suggested. It wasn't just disappointment she felt—it was hurt. She had expected anger, maybe even frustration, but she never imagined her mother would go so far as to suggest something so drastic.

 

She looked at Indra, her gaze hard and unyielding. "I hear you, Mom, but I want you to know something. This baby is my baby. My blood... your blood. I'm not going to regret having him or her, no matter what happens."

 

Indra met Lexa's stare, a flicker of something unreadable in her eyes, but she said nothing. Lexa held her ground, her silence speaking volumes.

 

Gustus gently placed a hand on Lexa's shoulder, sensing the tension still heavy in the room. "Why don't we all take a moment? This is a lot to process, and everyone needs time."

 

Lexa nodded, her jaw clenched. She looked back at her mother one last time, the hurt in her eyes clear. "I don't need you to agree with me, Mom. But I do need you to respect my choice."

 

Without waiting for a response, she turned away, taking a deep breath to steady herself as she walked toward the staircase. The conversation had left her drained, but she knew one thing for certain—no matter what her mother thought, she would protect her baby and be there for Clarke, no matter what.

~~~~

Lexa could feel Clarke's hand trembling slightly as they sat in the living room across from Clarke's parents, Abby and Jake. She could see the anxiety in Clarke's eyes, and she wanted nothing more than to ease her nerves. Gently, she took Clarke's hand, giving it a comforting squeeze. She noticed the way Abby and Jake's eyes shifted to their joined hands, a mix of curiosity and tension in their expressions.

 

Taking a deep breath, Lexa looked at them and spoke in a calm, steady voice. "I wanted to let you both know that I'm the other parent of the baby."

 

Jake's eyes widened as he straightened up on the sofa, a look of shock crossing his face. "What?" he asked, his tone disbelieving.

 

Abby looked equally surprised, a mixture of confusion and concern on her face. "Lexa, sweetie, what do you mean?"

 

Lexa glanced briefly at Clarke, who gave her a small nod, then turned back to Abby and Jake. "I mean that I'm... I'm the biological parent of Clarke's baby," she began. "I was born intersex, which means I have both male and female reproductive traits."

 

The room fell into silence as Abby and Jake processed this information. Their eyes moved back and forth between Lexa and Clarke, a mixture of emotions swirling in their expressions. After a few tense moments, Jake turned to Clarke, his gaze firm.

 

"How long has this been going on?" he asked, his voice steady but layered with tension. "You two... having sex?"

 

Clarke's gaze dropped to the floor, and she spoke softly, almost as if she didn't want to be heard. "Since my 16th birthday."

 

Jake's expression tightened, frustration etched into his features. "And you didn't think to tell us? All those times we let you spend the night at her house, or when she spent the night here? You didn't think we should know that Lexa was intersex?"

 

Clarke remained silent, her face flushed with guilt, her eyes still downcast.

 

Jake took a deep breath, rubbing his forehead before he spoke again, his tone slightly softer but still laced with disappointment. "Clarke, this isn't about Lexa being intersex. We don't have an issue with that. But you two didn't even think to let us know, to help us understand what was going on under our own roof. It feels like we've been kept in the dark about something we had a right to know, especially if it led to this."

 

Abby nodded in agreement, her expression pained. "We trusted you both. We just would've appreciated the chance to have an honest conversation, to know what was really going on." She looked at Lexa with a soft sigh. "Lexa, you're family now, but you have to understand how difficult this is for us to process."

 

Lexa nodded, her own voice filled with remorse. "I'm sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Griffin. We didn't mean to hide anything from you. We were just... I don't even have an excuse. I should have been honest with you both."

 

Clarke finally looked up, her voice trembling. "Mom, Dad... I'm so sorry. We never wanted to betray your trust."

 

Jake took a deep breath, his expression softening just a bit as he looked at Clarke. "We love you, Clarke. Both of you. But trust is a two-way street, and we just want to make sure you understand that we need honesty from now on."

 

Abby reached out, placing a hand on her daughter's shoulder. "We'll get through this together, but only if we're open with each other from here on out. No more secrets."

 

Lexa and Clarke both nodded the weight of their parents' words settling heavily on them. Despite the tension in the room, there was a sense of relief, too.

 

Jake looked at Lexa, his expression shifting from disappointment to something softer, a mixture of concern and responsibility. "So... what happens now, Lexa?" he asked, his voice measured. "We know you have an acceptance to Stanford. We'll be here to support Clarke, but we also expect you to step up. This is your child too."

 

Lexa took a deep breath, steadying herself as she prepared to share her decision. "I know. And that's why I'm not accepting my admission to Stanford. Instead, I'll be attending Arcadia University this fall so I can stay close to Clarke and the baby."

 

Both Jake and Abby blinked, taken aback. Jake's brows lifted in surprise. "You're... you're turning down Stanford?"

 

Lexa nodded a quiet determination in her eyes. "Yes. Stanford was my dream but Clarke and the baby are my priority now. I want to be here, to be part of their lives, not just from a distance. I'm committed to being there for them every step of the way."

 

Abby exchanged a look with Jake, clearly moved. "Lexa, that's... that's a big sacrifice," she said softly.

 

"It's not a sacrifice to me, Mrs. Griffin," Lexa replied. "It's a choice. One I'm making because I want to be there for Clarke and our child. I'm also planning to start looking for a job, even if it's part-time while I'm in school. I need to be able to support our child financially too. I don't want everything to fall on you or my parents' shoulders. This is my responsibility, and I'm prepared to step up."

 

Jake let out a long breath, nodding slowly. "I have to admit, I didn't expect this. But I respect it, Lexa. It's clear you're taking this seriously, and we appreciate that."

 

Abby smiled, a hint of warmth breaking through her initial concern. "Lexa, I know this isn't what any of us had planned, but I'm grateful that Clarke has someone like you by her side."

 

Clarke squeezed Lexa's hand, her eyes shining with gratitude and relief. This was one of the hardest conversations of her life, but hearing Lexa's commitment, and seeing her dedication—made her feel supported in a way she hadn't expected.

 

Jake leaned forward, looking at both girls with a serious expression. "We're in this together. All of us. But remember, it won't be easy. You're both going to have to work harder than ever. You have our support, but you'll also have our expectations. We need you to follow through."

 

Lexa nodded, meeting his gaze with a steady resolve. "I understand. And I promise you, I won't let Clarke or our child down."

 

Abby reached over, placing a reassuring hand on Lexa's arm. "Thank you, Lexa. For choosing to stay, for putting them first. We'll be here for you both. We'll get through this together as a family."

 

At that moment, the room felt lighter, the path forward a little clearer. They had a long road ahead, but with each other's support, they could face whatever challenges lay ahead.

~~~~

It was now 9 PM, and Lexa and Costia sat on the bed in Lexa's room, a heavy tension hanging in the air. Lexa was nervous about the revelation she was about to make, while Costia was anxious, completely unaware of what Lexa wanted to discuss.

 

"Costia, I..." Lexa hesitated, unable to find the right words.

 

"What is it, Lex? You can tell me anything," Costia said sweetly, though her voice quivered with nervousness.

 

"Fuck," Lexa whispered, tears welling in her eyes. "I cheated on you."

 

Costia's expression shifted from confusion to hurt, a deep pain etched across her features.

 

"I knew something was off when you started acting differently, and it all changed when Clarke came around," Costia said, tears streaming down her face. "I asked you multiple times if you had anything to tell me, and you always said there was nothing."

 

Lexa felt guilt wash over her as she remained silent, watching Costia break down.

 

"It was Clarke, wasn't it?" Costia whispered.

 

Lexa nodded, tears escaping down her cheeks. She cared for Costia deeply, even loved her, but those feelings had changed.

 

"For how long?" Costia's voice trembled.

 

"Costia, that doesn't matter right now. I have something else—"

 

"How long, Lexa?" Costia interrupted sharply. "At least give me the decency to tell me how long you've been cheating on me."

 

"Since the beginning of the school year..." Lexa said quietly, her voice barely a whisper.

 

"The beginning of the school year," Costia echoed as if trying to process the weight of Lexa's confession. Tears fell faster now.

 

"I'm so sorry, Cos," Lexa said, her heart aching for the pain she had caused.

 

"I just don't understand. We were so happy at least I thought we were and then you go and cheat on me," Costia said, her voice breaking.

 

Lexa stayed quiet, feeling the depth of Costia's hurt.

 

"I love you, Lexa. I don't want to lose you. We can work through this," Costia said, looking into Lexa's eyes, pleading.

 

Lexa furrowed her brows, confused. "What?"

 

"We can move past this. I still love you," Costia insisted. "I could even go to Stanford so we can be together and—"

 

Lexa cut her off, her voice heavy with emotion. "She's pregnant."

 

Costia gasped, her face paling. "She's pregnant? Clarke is pregnant?"

 

"Yes... she told me today. She's a little over two months along," Lexa explained, her heart-shattering at Costia's reaction.

 

Costia stared at the wall, tears streaming down her cheeks. "We were supposed to get married and have kids... that's what we talked about."

 

"I'm so sorry, Costia. You deserve better than me," Lexa said, her voice thick with regret.

 

"I don't want better, Lex. I want you," Costia cried, her anguish palpable. "I can forgive you, and I'll accept the fact that you got her pregnant. I just want you."

 

"I love her, Cos..." Lexa confessed through her tears. "I'm in love with her."

 

"No, no, no!" Costia yelled, her cries echoing in the room.

 

"I'm sorry, Costia. I'm so sorry," Lexa repeated, her heart breaking for both of them.

 

The room fell into a heavy silence, the kind that lingered and thickened, pressing down on both of them as they sat there, barely inches apart yet feeling miles away. Costia's shoulders shook as she sobbed, her face buried in her hands. Lexa sat beside her, heart breaking with every tear Costia shed, but knowing there was no going back.

 

Costia finally looked up, her eyes red and filled with anguish. "You're really in love with her?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper, as though she were holding onto a fragile hope that Lexa might deny it.

 

Lexa took a deep, shuddering breath and nodded. "Yes, Costia. I never wanted to hurt you, but... my feelings for Clarke they're real. I've tried to ignore them, to push them away, but... I can't."

 

Costia swallowed hard, letting the weight of Lexa's words sink in. She looked down, clutching the edge of the bed as if it could somehow keep her grounded. "So, that's it?" she whispered. "We've been together for years, Lexa. I... I loved you. I still love you. You're everything to me, and now you're just... leaving?"

 

Lexa closed her eyes, feeling the pain of her actions come crashing down on her. "I know you don't understand, and I'm sorry. I never wanted things to end like this. I never meant to fall for someone else, but I did. And now there's a child involved. I have to be no I want to be there for Clarke and the baby. It's my responsibility."

 

Costia bit her lip, trying to hold back another wave of tears. "And what about us? All the promises we made, everything we planned... does it mean nothing to you?"

 

"It means something, Costia," Lexa said, her voice filled with regret. "You mean something to me. You always will. But I can't keep pretending. It wouldn't be fair to you."

 

Costia looked at Lexa, searching her face for any sign that she might change her mind. But all she saw was a mixture of sorrow and resolve. "You're really not coming back, are you?" she whispered.

 

Lexa shook her head, unable to say anything else. The reality of it hurt, but she knew this was the right thing to do, however painful.

 

With one final, broken sob, Costia stood up, wrapping her arms around herself as if to hold herself together. "I guess... I don't know what else to say," she said, her voice thick with heartbreak. "I just... I hope you're happy, Lexa. I hope Clarke and the baby give you everything I couldn't."

 

"Costia..." Lexa reached out, but Costia stepped back, her eyes flashing with anger through the tears.

 

"No, Lexa. Just... don't," Costia said, her voice shaking. "You've done enough."

 

Without another word, she turned and walked out, leaving Lexa alone in her room, feeling the weight of everything she had lost. As the door clicked shut behind Costia, Lexa sank back onto the bed, her heart heavy with regret, sadness, and a painful sense of finality. She knew she'd made her choice, but that didn't make the loss of what she and Costia had shared hurt any less.

Notes:

Writing this chapter was an emotional journey. The part that hit me the hardest was the conversation between Lexa and Costia. My heart broke for Costia, but I’m proud of Lexa for being honest and stepping up to be there for Clarke and their child.

As always give me your thoughts💭

Chapter 19: "But... I believe in fate, and if we're meant to find our way back to each other, we will."

Notes:

Hey everyone! Here is the next chapter. It’s over 9,000 words so it is kind of long. I hope you enjoy!

Happy Reading❤️

Friday, May 16th

 

Clarke hadn't expected it to spread like wildfire that Lexa and Costia had broken up, let alone that she was the reason behind it. By Monday morning, the halls were buzzing with whispers, and it seemed like everyone at school had an opinion on the situation. Clarke, Lexa, Costia, and even Niylah had somehow become the main gossip topic.

 

Walking through the halls, Clarke could feel the weight of judgmental stares. Some people openly sneered at her; she was sure she heard a few muttered insults like "slut" or "whore" as she passed by. Others just looked at her with disgust or pity, fueling her anxiety and making each step feel heavier than the last.

 

Meanwhile, people eyed Niylah with confusion, whispering about why she was still with a girl who was pregnant by someone else. Clarke noticed some of Niylah's friends and teammates casting questioning looks her way as if wondering what had possessed her to stay by Clarke's side amid all the drama.

 

Then there was Costia. She hadn't been to school since Wednesday, but the entire student body seemed to rally behind her. People spoke of her with sympathy, painting her as the heartbroken victim of the whole affair. Clarke's stomach twisted each time she overheard someone say how "strong" Costia was or how unfairly she'd been treated.

 

As for Lexa, her situation couldn't have been more different. She walked the halls with an air of resilience, seemingly unaffected by the whispers. The boys were giving her props, treating her like some kind of legend, while several girls were already trying to get her attention, eager to catch the eye of the now "freshly single" senior.

 

Clarke felt overwhelmed and exposed. She hadn't asked for any of this attention, and it pained her to think she was seen as nothing more than a reason for a breakup. The only solace she had was her friends, her girlfriend, and Lexa's unwavering. But even with them by her side, Clarke knew that facing the gossip and judgment every day would be an exhausting battle.

 

Clarke was in the second period, trying her best to concentrate on her notes while tuning out the whispers swirling around her. She just wanted to get through the day without any confrontations. But as she stole a glance up, she spotted Makayla from the cheerleading team striding toward her desk, a determined look on her face.

 

Makayla crossed her arms, her expression a mixture of confusion and judgment. "Clarke," she said, her voice dripping with disappointment, "how could you do that to Costia?"

 

Clarke's stomach twisted, and a knot formed in her throat. She scanned the room, noticing several students nearby watching their exchange with keen interest. Heat rushed to her cheeks under their scrutiny, but she forced herself to meet Makayla's gaze.

 

"Can we not do this here? I'm trying to work," Clarke replied, trying to keep her voice steady.

 

"Makayla, have a seat, please," their teacher intervened, casting a stern glance in her direction.

 

Makayla hesitated but then shot one last glare at Clarke. "Just know you messed up big time, you little slut," she spat before turning on her heel and returning to her seat.

 

Clarke's heart raced as she felt the sting of Makayla's words, the weight of her shame pressing down harder than ever. She tried to refocus on her notes, but all she could think about was the hurt she had caused and the judgment from those around her.

~~~~

Lexa was sitting in her second-period class, focused on her notes when she felt her phone vibrate. Glancing at the screen, she saw a text from Anya.

 

Anya: You guys have been the talk of the school since yesterday, and so far, I've heard nothing nice about Clarke. You might want to check on her.

 

Lexa furrowed her eyebrows, feeling a mix of concern and frustration. She knew the rumors were swirling after her breakup with Costia, and she suspected it was Gina and Layla who had spread the news. Lexa quickly typed a message to Clarke, asking if she was okay.

 

As she waited for Clarke to reply, her mind drifted to Costia. She hadn't heard from her since Wednesday, and it was unlike her not to show up to school. Lexa had tried reaching out, but she found herself blocked on everything.

 

Lexa sighed, feeling the weight of the situation settle heavily on her. She tried to refocus on her notes, but all she could think about was Clarke and hoping that none of this was causing her too much stress. She glanced at the clock, willing the seconds to pass more quickly.

 

Finally, her phone buzzed again. It was a text from Clarke.

 

Clarke: I'm okay. Just trying to get through the day. Thanks for checking on me❤️

 

Relief washed over Lexa, but she couldn't help but worry about what Clarke was enduring at school. She quickly typed a response.

 

Lexa: Do you want to meet for lunch? We could go to Chick-fil-A.

 

After a brief pause, Clarke replied.

 

Clarke: I'd like that. I could use a break from all this.

 

Lexa felt a surge of determination. She needed to be there for Clarke, to show her that she wasn't alone in this mess. She sent back a quick confirmation and then glanced at the teacher, who was still oblivious to the tension in the room.

~~~~

When the bell finally rang, Lexa packed her things quickly and headed out. As she walked through the hallways, she could hear snippets of conversations about her, Clarke, and Costia. Rolling her eyes she made her way to Clarke's classroom and found her waiting outside.

 

"Hey," Clarke said, her expression a mix of relief and exhaustion.

 

"Hey," Lexa replied, giving her a small smile. "Let's get out of here."

 

They walked to Lexa's car in silence, but the air between them was heavy with unspoken words. As they drove off campus, Lexa glanced over at Clarke, who was staring out the window, lost in thought.

 

"You okay?" Lexa asked gently.

 

Clarke sighed, finally breaking the silence. "Not really. I didn't think it would be like this. I mean, I knew people would talk, but the things they're saying... It hurts."

 

Lexa nodded, feeling a surge of anger at how unfairly Clarke was being treated. "You don't deserve any of this. Just know I'm here for you, okay? No matter what they say."

 

Clarke turned to her, her eyes glistening. "Thank you, Lexa. I really need that right now."

 

They pulled up to Chick-fil-A and parked. As they walked inside, Lexa took Clarke's hand, wanting to offer her some comfort during the chaos. She could feel Clarke's grip tighten around her fingers, and it gave her a sense of hope that they could navigate this together.

 

After ordering their food, Clarke and Lexa found a quiet corner table at the Chick-fil-A. The soft hum of conversations around them provided just enough background noise to give them some privacy. For a moment, it felt like they were back in simpler times, sharing a meal and just enjoying each other's company.

 

Clarke poked at her fries, looking down before glancing up at Lexa, who was sipping her lemonade. "Can I ask you something?"

 

Lexa put down her cup and looked at Clarke, giving her full attention. "Of course."

 

Clarke hesitated, fiddling with her straw wrapper. "Do you... regret anything? Being with me, and everything that's happened?"

 

Lexa's heart ached at the question. She reached across the table and took Clarke's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "No, Clarke. I don't regret any of it. I love you, and I already love our baby. It's just... a lot to figure out, but I wouldn't change it."

 

Clarke's eyes widened slightly, her lips parting in surprise. "You still love me?"

 

Lexa nodded, her gaze unwavering. "I never stopped, Clarke. But I know you're with Niylah now, and I respect that. I just want to be here for you and our baby, however, you need."

 

Clarke's cheeks flushed, and she looked away, feeling a familiar warmth spread through her. She cleared her throat, nodding softly. "Thank you. That... that means a lot."

 

For a moment, the two fell into a comfortable silence, each lost in their thoughts. Lexa kept her hand wrapped around Clarke's, a silent promise that she would be there, no matter what.

 

Their food arrived, and they started eating, the tension easing with each bite. They shared a few laughs, catching up on little things about school, and classes, and even some shared memories that brought back genuine smiles.

 

Halfway through the meal, Lexa looked at Clarke with a slight smirk. "Do you need anything else? Dessert? Another sandwich? A milkshake?"

 

Clarke laughed, rolling her eyes. "Lex, I'm fine.”

 

Lexa chuckled, leaning back in her seat. "Get used to it. I'm going to be like this for the next seven months—and probably for the rest of our kid's life."

 

Clarke smiled, her heart swelling as she realized how serious Lexa was about stepping up. She glanced down at their hands still intertwined, feeling a surge of gratitude and relief. She didn't know how things would play out but for now, in this little corner of Chick-fil-A, everything felt right.

 

She wasn't alone, and that made all the difference.

~~~~

They arrived back at school just in time for the third period. As they walked up to the building, Lexa suddenly stopped, gently pulling Clarke into a hug.

 

"Everything's going to be okay, Clarke," Lexa murmured, holding her tightly. "I'll handle this. You don't need to stress about it, alright?"

 

Clarke took a deep breath, letting the comfort of Lexa's embrace and the familiar scent of her cologne calm her nerves. "Okay," she whispered back, feeling a little more grounded.

 

They pulled apart and entered the school, heading to their separate classes. As Clarke walked into her Astronomy class, she immediately felt the weight of stares on her and heard the whispers buzzing around the room. Keeping her head down, she made her way over to her seat between Raven and Octavia.

 

Raven leaned over as soon as Clarke sat down, her face set in a fierce scowl. "These people are insane. Do you know how many times I had to curse someone out today because they thought they could trash-talk you?"

 

Octavia nodded, rolling her eyes. "And the cheerleaders are basically rallying behind Costia. They even made a group chat to gossip about you…rookie mistake to put me in it, though." She smirked a glint of determination in her eyes. "Don't worry, Clarke. I've got your back. I am cursing them out as we speak."

 

Clarke felt her chest loosen a bit at her friends' support. "Thanks, you two," she said softly, grateful for the loyalty and fierceness they showed in standing by her side.

~~~~

After school, Clarke made her way to the art room, where she saw Niylah waiting. Niylah's face softened with a gentle smile as Clarke walked in.

 

"Hey, babe. How was your day?" Niylah asked, her voice warm with concern.

 

Clarke sighed, leaning against a nearby table. "It was rough... but Lexa said she'll handle it. She doesn't want me stressing."

 

As she spoke, her phone buzzed with a new message.

 

Mom💕: Hey, we're having dinner with Lexa and her parents tonight. Her mom just invited us over.

 

Clarke replied with a quick "okay" before texting Lexa to ask if she knew about the dinner, then put her phone away.

 

"So... you and Lexa went off-campus for lunch?" Niylah asked, her tone light but her eyes showing a hint of worry.

 

Clarke nodded. "Oh, yeah. We just went to Chick-fil-A. It was nothing, really."

 

Niylah gave her a small smile but frowned slightly as she spoke. "I trust you, babe... it's Lexa I'm not sure about."

 

Clarke's eyebrows knitted together, feeling a bit defensive. "Why, though? She's only trying to be supportive."

 

Niylah shrugged, looking down at her hands as she fiddled with a pencil. "I don't know... it's just hard. I really like you, Clarke, but now that you're pregnant with Lexa's baby, I keep worrying she might try to win you back somehow."

 

Clarke reached out, placing a hand gently on Niylah's shoulder. "Niylah, listen. Lexa and I are going to be co-parents, so yes, she's going to be around a lot. But she respects our relationship, and I'd really love for things not to be tense whenever the two of you are in the same room. Lexa just wants to be there for me during the pregnancy, nothing more."

 

Niylah looked up, her gaze softening. "I get it. I just... don't want to lose you."

 

"You're not going to," Clarke said reassuringly, squeezing Niylah's hand. "I'm here because I want to be with you."

 

Niylah smiled, her shoulders relaxing as she met Clarke's eyes, but there was still a flicker of worry lingering there.

 

"Look, I really hope this does last," Niylah said carefully. "But if at any point you start feeling things for Lexa... I need to know, Clarke. I don't want to end up like Costia."

 

Clarke nodded, understanding the vulnerability in Niylah's words. She knew it took a lot for her to admit that fear and Clarke wanted to be as honest as possible. "I get it, Niylah. And I promise, if anything ever changes, I'll tell you. I don't want to hurt you."

 

With that, Clarke leaned in, pressing a soft, reassuring kiss to Niylah's lips. It was gentle but full of the promise of commitment she felt for her. When she pulled back, she could see that Niylah seemed a little more at ease, a small smile tugging at her lips.

 

"Thank you," Niylah whispered, giving Clarke's hand one last squeeze. "I trust you, Clarke."

 

Clarke smiled, feeling a renewed sense of warmth between them. "And I trust you too."

~~~~

Clarke saw a message from Lexa when she got home, her heart skipping a beat as she opened it.

 

Lexa: Hey! Just found out from my mom.

 

Clarke's stomach churned slightly at the thought of sitting down with Lexa's parents after everything that had happened. She typed back quickly.

 

Clarke: Yeah, my mom just told me too.

 

She paused, considering her next words.

 

Clarke: How do you feel about it?

 

Lexa replied almost immediately.

 

Lexa: Honestly? A little nervous. But I think it'll be okay.

 

Clarke took a deep breath, feeling a mix of anxiety and hope. She appreciated Lexa's perspective, but the thought of facing their parents weighed heavily on her.

 

Clarke: I hope so. I guess it's just another step in this crazy journey.

 

Lexa: Exactly. We're in this together, right?

 

Clarke smiled at that, her heart warming at Lexa's reassurance.

 

Clarke: Right. Together.

 

As she set her phone down, Clarke couldn't shake the feeling of uncertainty that loomed over the dinner.

 

Clarke decided to wear a cute light blue dress, paired with silver sandals and delicate jewelry that complemented her outfit perfectly. She made her way downstairs, feeling the soft fabric swish around her legs, but her nerves only intensified as she caught sight of her parents waiting for her in the living room.

 

"Ready, sweetheart?" Abby asked, a warm smile on her face, though Clarke could see a hint of concern in her eyes.

 

"As ready as I can be..." Clarke replied, trying to keep her voice steady, but the slight tremor betrayed her anxiety.

 

Jake looked over from where he was adjusting his tie, sensing the tension in the air. "Hey, it'll be fine."

 

Clarke nodded, though her heart raced at the thought of facing Lexa's parents, especially after everything that had happened. "I know."

 

"We are just getting to know Lexa's parents better and make plans for what comes next," Abby reassured her.

 

Taking a deep breath, Clarke felt a mix of determination and fear. She wanted to make her parents proud while also standing firm in her choices. "Okay, let's do this."

 

As they headed out the door, Clarke felt a knot in her stomach but also a sense of solidarity with Lexa. Together, they would navigate whatever came next.

~~~~

As they drove to Lexa's house, Clarke's mind raced with thoughts of how the dinner would go. She kept glancing at her parents, who were engaged in light conversation, trying to ease the tension. It helped a little, but the weight of the situation still loomed over her.

 

When they finally arrived, Lexa was already outside waiting for them. She looked beautiful in a simple yet elegant outfit that highlighted her features. Clarke's heart fluttered at the sight of her, momentarily forgetting the stress of the evening.

 

"Hey, you look amazing," Lexa said with a genuine smile, her eyes sparkling as she took Clarke in.

 

"Thanks, so do you," Clarke replied, feeling a warmth spread through her.

 

Lexa's smiled as she glanced at Clarke's parents who were stepping out of the car. "Hey, Mr. and Mrs. Griffin," she greeted them politely.

 

"Hello, Lexa," Abby replied warmly and Jake nodded giving a polite smile.

 

As they walked inside, Clarke took a moment to appreciate the cozy atmosphere of Lexa's home. The living room was tastefully decorated, and she could smell something delicious wafting from the kitchen. Lexa's parents, Indra and Gustus, were already at the dining table, setting up for dinner.

 

"Clarke, come help me with the drinks," Lexa said, gently squeezing Clarke's hand as they walked to the kitchen.

 

Once inside, Lexa let out a small sigh. "I just wanted to let you know that my mom is not on board with everything right now but my dad is all in."

 

Clarke turned to her, trying to appear confident despite the flutter of nerves in her stomach. "Okay... I am so nervous but we'll get through it together."

 

"We will," Lexa said, her expression softening. "Just remember that."

 

Clarke nodded, appreciating Lexa's reassurance. "Thanks, Lex. It means a lot."

 

They returned to the dining area, and as they sat down, Clarke felt the weight of their parents' gazes. Indra, with her serious demeanor, looked expectantly at Clarke.

 

"Thank you all for coming," Indra began, her voice steady."

 

"Of course," Abby said, warmly. "We appreciate the invitation."

 

Dinner started with a light conversation, each person sharing a bit about their day. But as the evening wore on, the questions began, and Clarke and Lexa soon found themselves the focus of everyone's attention.

 

"So, Clarke," Gustus started, his tone warm yet curious, "how are you planning to handle a newborn and school?"

 

Clarke exchanged a glance with Lexa, who gave her a small nod of encouragement.  "Well, after the baby is born, I'll need about six weeks at home. My mom's going to talk to Principal Titus about allowing me to do my classes online during that time."

 

"And once you're back at school?" Indra asked, her tone sharp and her gaze piercing as she looked at Clarke with barely concealed judgment.

 

Clarke shifted uncomfortably. "We thought about daycare... but honestly, Lexa and I haven't figured out all the details yet."

 

Indra turned her attention to Lexa, her voice gaining a hard edge. "Lexa, how is any of this supposed to work when you'll be all the way in California at Stanford?"

 

Clarke's eyes widened, and she exchanged a panicked glance with her parents. "Lexa, you didn't tell her?" she asked quietly.

 

Indra's eyes narrowed, her tone demanding. "Tell me what, Lexa?"

 

Lexa folded her arms, her expression a mix of defensiveness and resignation. "We haven't exactly been on speaking terms, Mom."

 

Indra's jaw clenched, her voice dangerously low. "Tell. Me. What. Lexa?"

 

The room fell silent, everyone watching, waiting for Lexa's response.

 

Lexa began, her voice steady but soft, "I won't be going to Stanford."

 

Indra, who had been taking a sip of water, paused mid-sip, her eyes narrowing as she processed Lexa's words. She set her glass down slowly, an icy silence settling over the table.

 

"What do you mean you won't be going to Stanford?" Indra asked, her tone cold and unforgiving.

 

Lexa swallowed, holding her mother's gaze. "I mean... I'm turning down my acceptance. I'll be going to Arcadia University instead so I can be here for Clarke and the baby."

 

Indra's eyes darkened, and her hands clenched on the table. "Lexa, do you even realize what you're throwing away? You have a full scholarship to one of the top universities in the country, and you're giving it up... for this?"

 

Clarke's cheeks flushed, feeling the sting of Indra's words, and she could feel the tension rising around the table. Lexa, though hurt by her mother's tone, kept her composure.

 

"I know what I'm giving up, Mom," Lexa said firmly. "But this is what I want to do. I want to be there for Clarke and my child, and I can't do that if I'm thousands of miles away."

 

Indra shook her head, her expression a mix of anger and disbelief. "You think this is what you want? You are only seventeen, Lexa. You don't know what you're doing. And Clarke"—she shot a sharp look at Clarke—"I'm sure this is what you want too, isn't it? For Lexa to throw away her future?"

 

Clarke looked down, feeling the weight of Indra's accusation, but before she could respond, Jake spoke up, his voice steady and calm. "Indra, that's enough. Lexa is making this decision for her own reasons, and while it's not what any of us would have planned, she's choosing to step up."

 

Indra's gaze flicked to Jake, her expression hard. "This isn't stepping up. This is throwing away years of hard work and opportunity for a mistake that could've been prevented."

 

"Mom," Lexa said, her voice growing sharper, "this isn't just a 'mistake.' This is my child, and I want to be here for them. I want to support Clarke and be a real parent."

 

Indra scoffed, shaking her head. "You think you know what that means, Lexa? Do you think you can just... give up everything and have it all work out? Being a parent is not some fantasy; it's real work, and you're not ready."

 

Gustus, who had been listening quietly, finally intervened, his tone gentler but firm. "Indra, this is her choice. She knows what she's doing, and if she's willing to take on this responsibility, then we should support her."

 

Indra clenched her jaw, her gaze never wavering from Lexa. "I just... I can't believe you'd throw away Stanford for... this."

 

Lexa felt her chest tighten at her mother's words, but she held her ground. "I'm not throwing anything away. I'm choosing to be there for my child and Clarke."

 

The tense silence around the table didn't last long before Indra broke it, her gaze narrowing as she looked at Clarke, her tone laced with bitterness.

 

"You know, Lexa had a good relationship before all of this," Indra said, her voice cold. "Costia was good for her. They were happy, and Lexa was set on a bright future. And now, thanks to... this"—she gestured sharply between Lexa and Clarke—"you've destroyed that. Costia's heart is broken, and Lexa's future is in ruins."

 

Clarke felt a wave of guilt and shame wash over her as Indra's words hit hard. She opened her mouth to respond but couldn't find the right words. Lexa clenched her jaw, clearly bristling at her mother's accusations, but before she could speak, Indra turned her sharp gaze back to Clarke.

 

"You should be ashamed of yourself, Clarke," Indra continued, her tone unforgiving. "Breaking up a good, happy relationship for your own selfish reasons. What did you think would happen?"

 

"Excuse me?" Abby interrupted, her voice cool but strong as she leaned forward, meeting Indra's glare with one of her own. "It takes two to tango, Indra. If we're talking about who made choices here, Lexa was just as involved. It's not fair to put all the blame on Clarke."

 

Indra's eyes flashed, but Abby didn't back down, her expression unyielding. "Our daughters are both responsible for their actions. And whatever happened between them, it's not our place to sit here and judge their relationship. Lexa made her own choices, and Clarke didn't force her into anything."

 

Lexa's father, Gustus, nodded in agreement, his gaze shifting to Indra. "Abby's right, Indra. Lexa is young, yes, but she's not a child. She made her own decisions, and she knows the consequences."

 

Indra's jaw tightened, clearly unwilling to let go of her anger. She looked at Lexa, her eyes filled with a mixture of disappointment and frustration. "So this is it, then? You're giving up a future you worked so hard for, breaking someone's heart, and throwing everything away... for what?"

 

Lexa's voice wavered, but she held her mother's gaze. "For my child, Mom. For the chance to be there for them and to support Clarke. I know I hurt Costia, and I'm not proud of it, but that's in the past. I have to think about the future now."

 

Indra scoffed her expression a mix of bitterness and resentment. "The future? Do you think this is what the future looks like? Sacrificing everything you've worked for?"

 

"Enough, Indra!," Gustus yelled surprising everyone, his voice firm. "This isn't helping anyone."

 

Clarke, feeling a renewed sense of resolve from Abby's support, held Lexa's hand tightly under the table. She met Indra's angry gaze, her voice soft but determined.

 

"Lexa and I are taking responsibility for this, and we'll do what we need to for our child... your grandchild," Clarke said. "We both know we hurt people, and we're sorry for that. But we're moving forward, whether you approve or not."

 

Indra, though visibly seething, finally looked away, her silence a reluctant acceptance as the room fell back into a strained quiet.

~~~~

Clarke and Lexa sat together in the small wooden gazebo that Lexa and her father had built during Fall break. The soft glow of the garden lights cast a warm hue around them, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves nearby, giving the moment a sense of peace they both desperately needed after the tense dinner.

 

Lexa sighed, rubbing the back of her neck before she looked at Clarke apologetically. "I'm really sorry about my mom. She's just... dealing with all of this in her own way, but it doesn't excuse how she acted or what she said. I hate that she made you feel uncomfortable."

 

Clarke offered her a soft smile, reaching out to place her hand on Lexa's. "It's okay, Lexa. I expected some pushback, honestly. This is a big change for all of us."

 

Lexa nodded, squeezing Clarke's hand. "Still... I'll talk to her. I don't want her making things harder for you. For us."

 

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, watching the stars in the night sky. Clarke took a deep breath, a hint of excitement in her eyes as she looked at Lexa. "So... do you ever think about what you want the baby's gender to be?"

 

Lexa grinned, looking thoughtful. "It honestly doesn't matter to me boy or girl I will be happy either way. I just want them to be healthy and happy."

 

Clarke's smile grew, her eyes softening. "Same. I just... can't believe this is really happening, you know?"

 

Lexa nodded, the reality of it all sinking in as she gazed at Clarke. "Yeah. Sometimes I wake up, and it hits me all over again. But I'm excited. Scared, but excited."

 

"Oh, I meant to show you something," Clarke said, pulling her phone out. She opened an app and handed it over to Lexa. "It's this pregnancy tracker I've been using. It tells me how big the baby is, what's developing each week... all of that."

 

Clarke handed the phone to Lexa with the pregnancy tracker app open on the current week. Lexa looked at the screen, her eyes lighting up with curiosity as she read aloud.

 

"Eleven weeks," she said softly. "It says here the baby's about the size of a fig now, around 1.6 inches. And... their fingers and toes aren't webbed anymore." She chuckled a little, glancing at Clarke. "Our baby's growing so fast already."

 

Clarke smiled, leaning closer to read along with Lexa. "I know, it's crazy, right? It also says they're starting to kick, but they're still too small for me to feel it yet. And apparently, their little taste buds are forming, even though they're not using them yet."

 

Lexa's expression was filled with awe as she continued reading. "It even says here that the baby's ears are moving to the sides of their head where they're supposed to be... and their diaphragm is forming, so they'll start practicing breathing soon." She glanced up at Clarke, a soft smile on her face. "This is incredible."

 

Clarke nodded, feeling a little spark of excitement. "Tomorrow, I'll be twelve weeks. Just one more week, and I'll be in the second trimester."

 

Lexa's eyes widened a bit, her grip on Clarke's hand tightening slightly. "Wow... the second trimester already. That feels like a big step."

 

"It does," Clarke agreed, a hint of relief in her voice. "I'll be past the highest risk of miscarriage, too. I think I can start breathing a little easier."

 

Lexa nodded, giving Clarke's hand a gentle squeeze. "I'm glad to hear that. I want you to feel safe and comfortable, Clarke. And I want to be there for every moment."

 

They continued to look through the little facts on the app, and Lexa absorbed in each tiny detail. As they sat there, under the soft glow of the gazebo lights, both of them felt the excitement and anticipation of what was to come—a new chapter, filled with unknowns, but also a shared determination to face it together.

 

🎶🎶🎶

 

Saturday, May 17th (Prom)

 

It was ten in the morning and Clarke, Raven, and Octavia were up and excited.

 

"Ah! I can't believe prom is here!" Octavia said excitedly.

 

"Right and I love the theme," Raven said, "A night under the stars... it sounds so romantic."

 

"I just know the prom committee is going to have the building decorated beautifully," Clarke said as she rested her hand on her stomach.

 

Raven began how she was getting her hair styled later that afternoon, and Clarke's phone buzzed with a new text. She glanced down and saw it was from Lexa.

 

Lex: Happy 12 weeks!

 

Clarke's face softened as she read the message, her smile growing wider. Just as she was about to reply, another message came in.

 

Lex: Our baby is the size of a lime 🥺

 

And then another one.

 

Lex: It says the baby's vocal cords are beginning to form. I hope they can sing like you.

 

Lex: Their tiny heart is pumping blood through their body, beating around 120 to 160 times per minute. That's so fast 🤔

 

Clarke couldn't hold back a laugh, finding Lexa's enthusiasm endearing. Her reaction caught Raven and Octavia's attention, and they looked over at her, grinning.

 

"Whatcha laughing at?" Raven asked, raising an eyebrow knowingly.

 

Clarke shook her head, still smiling. "Lexa's just... really into the pregnancy updates."

 

Raven smirked, leaning over to peek at Clarke's phone. "Aww, she's keeping track of all the little details? That's adorable."

 

"Yeah," Clarke said softly, her smile growing even wider. "She's really excited. She just sent me all these facts about the baby. I didn't even know she was following along this closely."

 

Octavia grinned. "Lexa seems pretty invested. It's sweet that she's making an effort. You two may not be together, but it sounds like she's really committed."

 

Clarke nodded, a mix of warmth and nerves settling over her. "She's been so supportive. It makes everything feel... a little less scary, you know?"

 

Raven wrapped an arm around Clarke's shoulders. "You've got this, Clarke. And we are going to be here every step of the way."

 

"Thanks, Raven," Clarke replied, squeezing her friend's hand. She glanced down at her stomach, feeling a gentle surge of excitement as she thought about reaching the 12-week milestone. "I'll officially be in my second trimester after next week. Time's moving so fast."

 

Octavia leaned over, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "Have you and Lexa talked about the gender yet?"

 

Clarke chuckled. "Actually we did last night. We're both pretty open. We just want the baby to be healthy."

 

"Aw, come on," Raven teased. "No little wishes for a little girl with Lexa's brown curly hair and your blue eyes?"

 

"Or a little boy with your blonde hair and Lexa's green eyes?" Octavia added in.

 

Clarke laughed. "Okay, maybe a little. Lexa would be such a softie with a girl, but she'd also make the best boy mom. One thing I know for sure is that I want a mini Lexa whether it is a boy or girl."

 

Raven and Octavia exchanged glances, grinning from ear to ear. "I can't believe you're going to be a mom," Octavia said, her voice soft. "I just know you and Lexa are going to be great parents."

 

Clarke blushed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Thanks, Octavia. That means a lot."

 

Just then, her phone buzzed again. She looked down to see yet another message from Lexa.

 

Lex: By the way, are you hungry? I could go grab you some breakfast!

 

Clarke chuckled, a wave of warmth flooding through her at Lexa's sweet gesture. She quickly hearted all of the recent texts Lexa had sent and replied: Good morning, Lex! You're so adorable with these 12-week facts! Just so you know, I'll be expecting them every week now, lol. As for breakfast, I'm good—my mom made us something before she left for work. But lunch might be a different story...🤔

 

Lex: Okay, just let me know what you want, and I'll have it Doordashed.

 

Clarke smiled at Lexa's eagerness and felt warmth spreading through her. She typed back quickly.

 

Clarke: You're the best! Maybe some Chick-fil-A for lunch? I've been craving their nuggets!

 

Lexa replied instantly.

 

Lex: Chick-fil-A it is! I'll make sure to get extra sauce for you.

 

Clarke's smile widened as she read the message.

~~~~

At 2 pm, Clarke, Raven, and Octavia were sitting around the kitchen table, happily digging into the Chick-fil-A that Lexa had ordered for them. The smell of chicken nuggets and waffle fries filled the air, and each of them had a small stack of sauce packets on their plates.

 

"Lexa really went all out with this," Raven commented, popping a fry into her mouth. "I think there's enough sauce here to last us a month."

 

"She's definitely spoiling you," Octavia teased, nudging Clarke with a grin. "Not that you're complaining."

 

Clarke blushed, smiling down at her food. "She's just... amazing. I feel so lucky."

 

"She didn't just order this for you; she got enough for all of us. That's serious girlfriend material," Raven quipped, raising her cup in a mock toast. "To Lexa—the best lunch provider ever."

 

Clarke rolled her eyes and lightly swatted Raven's arm. "I have a girlfriend, you know."

 

"Ow!" Raven said, feigning hurt. "I'm just saying, Niylah's got some competition, and honestly? I'm team Clexa."

 

"Clexa?" Clarke asked, raising an eyebrow.

 

"Yeah, you know! Clarke plus Lexa—Clexa," Raven grinned, clearly pleased with her own invention.

 

"Oh my gosh, that's genius, Ray!" Octavia laughed.

 

Clarke could only shake her head, smiling despite herself.

 

"And now you're having a little Clexa baby," Raven teased, wiggling her eyebrows.

 

Clarke laughed, rolling her eyes. "I thought you both liked Niylah?"

 

"We do!" Octavia insisted. "Niylah is amazing!"

 

"Yeah, she's great," Raven agreed, nodding.

 

Clarke looked at them, her suspicion growing. "But...?"

 

"But..." Raven dragged out, glancing at Octavia for support, "I just feel like you and Lexa are kind of... endgame. And it's not just because of the baby. It's like... you two are meant to be."

 

Clarke felt her cheeks flush, a small smile playing on her lips. "It's funny you say that... Lexa and I went to the fortune-teller at the Fall Festival, and she said some interesting things."

 

Raven and Octavia leaned in, eyes wide. "What did she say?" Octavia urged.

 

"Yeah, spill, Clarke. You can't just drop that and not give us details!" Raven added.

 

Clarke laughed. "Alright, alright. She said she felt a strong bond between Lexa and me—something undeniable. She told Lexa she had ties to someone else, someone who loves her... but that her heart wasn't with that person."

 

Raven and Octavia gasped, hanging on every word.

 

"She told Lexa that, while she's been with this other person for a long time, she's not truly in love. She warned that the other girl would end up heartbroken because Lexa's heart is with... me. She said Lexa and I are soulmates. That our fate is written in the stars and transcends time."

 

Raven and Octavia sat back, staring at Clarke with wide, almost reverent expressions.

 

"Wow, Clarke... just wow," Octavia murmured.

 

"My Clexa heart is so happy right now!" Raven grinned.

 

Octavia laughed, "Imagine if we all married Woods. How cool would that be?"

 

"I know, right?" Raven agreed.

 

They shared a laugh, and the conversation shifted naturally to prom. The three friends chatted away, excitement filling the air as they planned for the night ahead.

~~~~

Soon, the evening had arrived, and the three girls were nearly ready. Their parents had pulled out all the stops, hiring a professional makeup artist and hairstylist to pamper them, leaving only the final touch: slipping into their dresses. As they stepped into their outfits and fastened their heels, they took a moment to admire one another.

 

"We look amazing," Clarke said, grinning as she took in their reflections.

 

Octavia and Raven nodded, beaming with excitement.

 

"Tonight's going to be unforgettable," Octavia declared, her eyes sparkling.

 

"Ready to go?" Raven asked, glancing at the others.

 

With enthusiastic nods, they made their way downstairs. As they reached the entrance, they were greeted by their dates, each one standing by the door, clearly taken aback by how stunning the girls looked.

 

Clarke's hair was swept up in an elegant updo, with soft curls framing her face. Her makeup was flawless, complementing her long, strapless glittery silver dress that featured a daring slit. She wore sparkling stiletto sandals and delicate silver jewelry, completing her look with a touch of timeless grace.

 

Octavia's hair was styled in a sleek, high ponytail that cascaded in loose curls down her back. She wore a midnight blue A-line dress with a sweetheart neckline and tiered glittery layers that shimmered with every move. Silver-blue jewelry and glittery silver-heeled sandals added a perfect finishing touch.

 

Raven's hair was pinned into an elegant bun, with soft curls framing her face. She wore a stunning burgundy satin mermaid dress with a slit that added a bit of edge to the classic silhouette. Silver-heeled sandals and matching jewelry gave her look a sophisticated charm.

 

Each girl looked radiant, and their smiles only grew as their dates admired them, sharing compliments and wide-eyed expressions.

 

Clarke smiled as she walked up to Niylah. "You look absolutely stunning, baby." Niylah's hair was sleekly pulled back into a low ponytail that accentuated her features. Her pristine ivory-white suit was adorned with shimmering, intricate silver embellishments that sparkled under the lights like delicate threads of stardust. The tailored blazer hugged her figure perfectly, featuring a plunging neckline that added a touch of elegance. The matching trousers fit snugly through the thighs before flaring slightly at the hem, elongating her silhouette beautifully. She completed her look with silver heels and matching jewelry that added a sophisticated shine.

 

Raven's gaze was fixed on Anya, who looked effortlessly beautiful. Anya's hair was styled with a middle part and fell in loose curls that framed her face. She wore a striking burgundy women's two-piece satin suit, paired with metallic textured slip-on glitter loafers that added a modern twist to her look.

 

"Lincoln, you look amazing!" Octavia exclaimed, her eyes sparkling as she took in his outfit. He wore a deep navy blazer that featured a subtle, textured floral pattern, giving it a refined, almost velvety look. The black satin lapels provided a luxurious contrast, framing the crisp white shirt beneath, complemented by a perfectly tied black bowtie. His slim black trousers were tailored to perfection, and he paired the ensemble with matching deep navy loafers that completed his polished appearance.

 

"You all look absolutely stunning," Abby said, her eyes shining with pride.

 

"My baby girl is growing up," Jake added, his voice slightly choked as he blinked back tears.

 

"They grow up too fast," Octavia's mom, Hermione, remarked a bittersweet smile on her face. Her father, Luke, stood beside her, beaming with pride as he looked at Octavia and Lincoln.

 

Rayna smiled at Raven and Anya, feeling a wave of gratitude wash over her. She appreciated that her daughter was getting to experience everything she had missed out on. It was a moment filled with love and support, as the parents watched their children prepare to embark on a night that would surely be filled with cherished memories.

~~~~

After a professional photographer captured their memories in the backyard, the group made their way to the limo that Anya's parents had rented once again.

 

"Okay, so we're going to pick up Lexa first and then head over to get Bellamy and Echo," Anya announced, excitement buzzing in the air.

 

"Why didn't Bellamy and Echo just come here?" Raven asked Octavia, raising an eyebrow.

 

"Echo's parents already hired a professional photographer to take their pictures," Octavia explained, glancing at Raven.

 

It didn't take long to reach Lexa's house, which was conveniently close to Clarke's. As they pulled up, Clarke's breath caught in her throat.

 

Lexa stepped outside, and she looked absolutely stunning. Her hair was styled in a sleek middle part, much like Anya's, but it hung bone straight. Her makeup was on point, with heavy mascara that made her striking green eyes pop. She wore a hunter-green three-piece women's suit that fit her perfectly, complemented by sleek black Gucci loafers and elegant gold jewelry.

 

"Look at you," Anya said as Lexa slid into the limo, taking a seat next to Clarke.

 

Niylah, sitting on the other side of Clarke, couldn't help but discreetly roll her eyes. She didn't like Lexa and saw her as a competition.

 

"Yeah, you look great, Lex," Lincoln added, nodding in approval.

 

"Thanks! You all look amazing too," Lexa replied, her gaze softening as it landed on Clarke. "You look nice."

 

"Thanks," Clarke said quietly, feeling a warmth spread through her. "So do you."

 

Clarke's heart fluttered as she noticed Lexa resting her hand on her stomach, rubbing it gently. She could sense Niylah tensing up beside her.

 

"How are you and our little one?" Lexa asked, her hand still resting on Clarke's stomach.

 

"We're fine, and thank you again for the Chick-fil-A earlier," Clarke replied, grateful for Lexa's thoughtfulness.

 

As Clarke looked up, she caught Raven and Octavia smiling at them, and she rolled her eyes playfully, a smile creeping onto her face in response.

 

The limo soon pulled up to Echo's house, where they spotted Echo and Bellamy stepping out. Echo had her hair pinned up elegantly and wore a stunning black dress, paired with chic black heels and silver jewelry. Bellamy looked sharp in his all-black suit and matching shoes.

 

"Aw, you two are so cute!" Octavia exclaimed, snapping a picture of the couple with her phone.

 

The rest of the ride was filled with casual conversation and laughter as they snapped pictures, capturing the excitement of the night ahead.

~~~~

As the group stepped out of the limo, they were greeted by a flurry of lights and laughter spilling out from the entrance of the building that the school had rented for prom. Clarke took Niylah's hand, excitement bubbling in her chest as they walked up the steps.

 

Once inside, they paused, their jaws dropping in unison at the breathtaking decor. The theme "A Night Under the Stars" came to life with twinkling fairy lights draped across the ceiling, creating a canopy of shimmering stars overhead. The walls were adorned with deep blue and silver fabric, resembling a starry night sky, while the dance floor was illuminated with soft, pulsating lights.

 

"Oh wow, this is amazing!" Clarke exclaimed, pulling Niylah closer as they stepped further inside.

 

"I know, right? It's like we're in a fairy tale," Niylah replied, her eyes sparkling with wonder.

 

Octavia and Raven raced ahead, their laughter echoing in the air as they pointed out the photo booth set up in one corner, complete with starry backdrops and fun props.

 

"Come on, let's get a picture before it gets crowded!" Octavia called back, dragging Lincoln along with her.

 

As they made their way through the room, Clarke couldn't help but feel grateful for the moment. She glanced around, taking in her friends, the beautiful decorations, and the feeling of joy in the air. Niylah squeezed her hand, and Clarke turned to her, catching her eye.

 

"Ready to make some memories?" Niylah asked, her smile contagious.

 

"Definitely," Clarke replied, leaning in for a quick kiss before they joined their friends at the photo booth.

~~~~

Lexa sat at her table, her gaze fixed on Clarke and Niylah as they danced together, joy radiating from Clarke's smile. It warmed Lexa's heart to see her happy, even if it was with someone else. But her moment of peace was shattered when she heard her name called out angrily. She turned to see Emory, Costia's cousin, striding toward her with a fierce glare.

 

"What the hell, Lex?" Emory hissed, keeping her voice low to avoid drawing attention. "How could you do this to Costia?"

 

"Emory, I'm sorry," Lexa said, trying to remain calm. "I know I hurt Costia, and I never meant to. I just messed up. I should've ended things sooner when I realized my feelings were changing."

 

"I can't believe you would cheat on her with that little—" Emory began, but Lexa cut her off.

 

"Don't you dare say it," Lexa snapped, her anger flaring.

 

"Oh, so now you're defending the bitch?" Emory taunted, stepping closer.

 

Lexa felt her fists clench at her sides as she moved toward Emory. "Don't call the mother of my child that," she warned sharply.

 

Emory opened her mouth to retort but hesitated, glancing behind Lexa. Curious, Lexa turned around to see Costia standing there, looking stunning in a black and silver sequin mermaid dress, her hair elegantly styled in an updo. Lexa's heart sank at the sight of her.

 

"Em, I told you not to come over here," Costia said softly.

 

"I know, Cos, but she hurt you! I had to say something," Emory insisted, still glaring at Lexa.

 

"Thanks, but it's not necessary," Costia replied, her gaze locking onto Lexa. Despite the pain, a flicker of love still lingered in her eyes.

 

Lexa felt her heartache as she looked back at Costia, memories of their time together flooding her mind. "I'm going to go," she said quietly, unable to bear the weight of the moment any longer. Without another word, she turned and left the two cousins behind, feeling a mix of anger and guilt.

~~~~

Lexa stepped outside the venue, taking in a deep breath as the cool night air met her skin, offering a refreshing contrast to the warm, chaotic energy inside. But it didn't calm the churning in her chest.

 

After a few moments of silence, she heard footsteps approach. Turning, she saw Clarke, her face gently illuminated by the string lights adorning the entrance. There was a look of concern in her eyes, one that Lexa was all too familiar with.

 

"Hey," Clarke said softly, "are you okay?"

 

Lexa exhaled, running a hand through her hair, feeling the weight of the evening settle heavily on her shoulders. "Not really," she admitted. "I just... had a run-in with Emory and Costia. It didn't go well."

 

Clarke took a step closer, her brow furrowing. "What happened?"

 

Lexa paused, searching for the right words. "Emory's angry with me for hurting Costia. She... didn't hold back, and I guess I can't blame her," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Then Costia came over, and the way she looked at me... it's like she still loves me, and it made me feel so guilty."

 

Clarke's face softened, her heart aching for Lexa. "I'm sorry you had to go through that tonight."

 

"Thanks," Lexa replied, her voice filled with quiet gratitude. "I never wanted to hurt Costia. I still care about her, but I couldn't ignore what I feel for you. It's... it's complicated."

 

They stood in silence for a moment, the air thick with unspoken feelings. Lexa finally met Clarke's gaze, searching her eyes as if they held all the answers. "Do you ever think," she asked hesitantly, "that you and I will end up together? Someday, somehow... in the future?"

 

Clarke's expression softened further, a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "I can't say what the future holds, Lexa," she said gently. "But... I believe in fate, and if we're meant to find our way back to each other, we will."

 

Lexa nodded, taking comfort in Clarke's words. For the first time that night, she felt a small measure of peace settle over her.

 

"Come on," Clarke said, gently taking Lexa's hand in hers. "Let's go back inside. They're about to serve food, and you know I can't miss that."

 

Lexa chuckled, a soft smile spreading across her face as she looked at Clarke. "Alright, let's go. We need to make sure you and our little one are well-fed."

 

Clarke smiled back, feeling the warmth spread through her as they walked together. The brief moment outside had settled some of the evening's tension, and she squeezed Lexa's hand reassuringly before letting go as they neared the entrance.

~~~~

The atmosphere at the table was lively, filled with laughter and animated conversations as everyone enjoyed their meals. The school had chosen an upscale restaurant for catering, and the aroma of the delicious food wafted through the air, making everyone's mouths water.

 

Clarke took a bite of her pasta, savoring the rich flavors. "This is amazing! I'm glad they went all out for prom," she said, glancing around at her friends.

 

Raven, who was seated next to her, nodded enthusiastically. "Seriously, I could eat this all night!"

 

Octavia chimed in, "And the desserts! I can't wait to try those chocolate lava cakes!"

 

The group continued to chat about their favorite dishes, and soon the conversation turned to their plans for the summer. Excited ideas were tossed around, from road trips to beach outings, and the anticipation of spending more time together added to the festive atmosphere.

 

As they enjoyed their meal, Clarke's eyes drifted across the table and she found herself meeting Lexa's gaze. Lexa was already watching her, a small, almost shy smile tugging at her lips. Clarke smiled back, a silent acknowledgment passing between them, something unspoken but deeply felt.

 

Niylah, sitting beside Clarke, noticed the brief exchange and shifted slightly.

 

"You okay?" Niylah asked gently, keeping her tone light.

 

Clarke's attention returned to Niylah, her hand instinctively finding Niylah's under the table. "Yeah, I'm fine," Clarke replied, squeezing her hand.

 

Niylah's smile returned, though a hint of uncertainty lingered in her gaze. She leaned in close, her voice quiet but affectionate. "I'm glad you're here with me."

 

"Me too," Clarke whispered, her fingers lacing through Niylah's.

 

The moment passed, and Clarke took a deep breath, refocusing on the laughter and conversation at their table.

 

"Alright, everyone," Raven announced, raising her glass. "Here's to a night we'll never forget and to all of us making amazing memories together!"

 

The group clinked their glasses together, the excitement in the air palpable as they continued to enjoy their meal.

~~~~

The dance floor was alive with laughter, music, and colorful lights as everyone returned after their meal, the energy in the room reaching new heights. Clarke swayed to the rhythm, her hand in Niylah's, but her gaze drifted now and then across the room, where she spotted Lexa dancing with another girl—Luna from the art club. Lexa was smiling, laughing even, as she spun Luna around, looking relaxed and happy. Clarke's heart tightened slightly, and she found herself feeling an unexpected pang of jealousy. She knew it was irrational, yet the sight of Lexa enjoying herself with someone else stirred something in her.

 

Niylah, ever attentive, noticed the slight tension in Clarke's expression. "You okay, babe?" she asked gently, her eyes warm with concern.

 

Clarke blinked, snapping herself out of it, and nodded. She leaned in, giving Niylah a quick kiss on the lips as if to reassure herself and her girlfriend. "Yeah, I'm good. Just... caught up in the moment, I guess."

 

Niylah smiled, pulling Clarke a little closer.

 

Clarke managed a genuine smile, her focus returning to the girl in front of her. She was here with Niylah, her wonderful, supportive girlfriend, and she didn't want to spoil the night with confusing feelings about Lexa. She took a deep breath, grounding herself in the moment as she and Niylah continued to dance, letting the music drown out everything else for a little while.

 

As the night reached one of its most anticipated moments, the lively chatter in the room quieted down as Principal Titus stepped onto the stage. He adjusted the microphone, his face radiating pride as he looked out over the crowd of students.

 

"Good evening, everyone," he began with a warm smile. "I just want to say how proud I am to see all of you here tonight, looking so sharp and full of life. I know it's been a challenging year for many of us, but seeing all of you come together tonight for this celebration makes it all worthwhile."

 

The students cheered, a mix of laughter and applause filling the room.

 

"Prom is a night where we celebrate friendships, memories, and everything that makes high school a special time in our lives. And part of that celebration is recognizing two individuals who've been chosen by you, their classmates, to represent the spirit of this night. These two have shown dedication, kindness, and resilience. They have been positive examples to their peers and embody what it means to be part of our school community."

 

He paused, building suspense as he held up a small, sealed envelope.

 

"So, without further ado, it's my honor to announce our Prom King and Queen for this year."

 

The room fell silent as Principal Titus carefully opened the envelope, his eyes scanning the names written inside. He looked back up, his voice full of enthusiasm.

 

"Your Prom Queen is... Costia Winters!"

 

The crowd erupted in applause and cheers as Costia made her way to the stage, her face glowing with surprise and happiness. She gave a gracious smile to everyone around her.

 

"And your Prom King," Principal Titus continued, waiting for a beat, "is... Brent Jacobs!"

 

Another wave of applause swept through the room as Brent joined Costia on the stage, both of them looking thrilled and a bit overwhelmed. Principal Titus stepped aside, allowing last year's Prom Queen to approach with the crowns. With a bright smile, she placed the glittering tiara onto Costia's head and carefully positioned the crown on Brent, stepping back to let them bask in the crowd's admiration.

 

Costia beamed as she glanced out over the sea of clapping students, and Brent gave a small, appreciative bow, clearly humbled by the honor. They exchanged a quick, delighted look, grateful for the moment, as the cheers grew louder.

 

"Congratulations to our 2024 Prom King and Queen, Costia Winters and Brent Jacobs!" Principal Titus announced, extending his hands toward the newly crowned pair. "Let's give them one more big round of applause!"

 

As the clapping continued, the DJ started up a slow song for the royal dance, and Costia and Brent took each other's hands, moving gracefully to the center of the dance floor. Their classmates looked on, some joining in the dance, while others watched, soaking in the enchanting atmosphere.

 

Clarke stole a glance at Lexa, who was watching Costia and Brent with a faint, bittersweet smile.

 

Clarke noticed the distant look in Lexa's eyes as she watched Costia dance with Brent, her expression a mix of pride and a lingering sadness. It was as if Lexa was grappling with memories and emotions she hadn't fully come to terms with yet. Clarke felt a pang of sympathy, recognizing how hard it must be for Lexa to watch someone she once deeply cared about move on, even if she herself was the reason for their separation.

 

Clarke gave Niylah's hand a gentle squeeze, feeling her own mixture of emotions. She was happy with Niylah, but there was an unspoken tension lingering between her and Lexa—a connection she couldn't quite ignore.

 

"You okay?" Niylah asked, noticing Clarke's sudden quietness.

 

Clarke blinked, pulling herself from her thoughts and looking at Niylah with a soft smile. "Yeah, I'm good. Just... thinking."

 

Niylah returned her smile, brushing a strand of hair behind Clarke's ear. "Well, tonight is all about us, so let's enjoy every moment, okay?"

 

Clarke nodded, determined to focus on the happiness of the night. They made their way back to the dance floor, joining in with the other couples swaying to the music.

 

As the song shifted to a more upbeat tune, the energy in the room transformed, and soon everyone was laughing and dancing freely. Lexa, too, joined in, her earlier melancholy slipping away as she was pulled into a circle of friends, letting herself go in the joyful chaos.

 

Eventually, Lexa and Clarke's eyes met across the dance floor, and despite the laughter and movement around them, a silent understanding passed between them. For now, they were both where they needed to be, with the people who cared for them, surrounded by friends, on a night they would remember forever.

 

The evening stretched on, filled with laughter, dancing, and moments of shared happiness. Prom was turning into a night of celebration, of closing old chapters, and perhaps, opening new ones. The tension between past and present hung in the air, but for now, it was enough to simply live in the moment.

Notes:

Did anyone notice the difference in how Clarke is treated at school compared to Lexa? And wow, that dinner… Indra is still upset!

As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts 💭

Chapter 20: “We're all moving forward, and sometimes that's just... part of growing up.”

Monday, May 19th

 

The halls buzzed with energy as students filed in, their chatter filled with stories and laughter from prom night. Photos were being passed around, phones were flashing with shared memories, and groups gathered in clusters to recap every moment from the weekend.

 

Clarke walked into the school alongside Raven and Octavia, the trio giggling over a funny picture Octavia had taken of Raven mid-dance.

 

"Seriously, I look like I'm trying to fly," Raven said, rolling her eyes but laughing.

 

"Hey, at least you didn't trip in your heels," Octavia teased, nudging Clarke. "I think that deserves a round of applause."

 

Clarke chuckled, shaking her head. "I'm proud you made it through the whole night without a single fall."

 

As they passed by the main hallway, Clarke's eyes caught sight of Lexa at her locker. Lexa was talking with Anya, who was animatedly recounting something with big gestures, but she paused when she noticed Clarke. Their eyes met for a split second before Lexa offered a small smile and a nod. Clarke returned it, feeling the familiar flutter in her chest.

 

"Earth to Clarke," Raven said, waving a hand in front of her friend's face. "Did you space out on us?"

 

Clarke blinked and turned back to her friends. "Sorry, just...thinking about prom."

 

Raven smirked knowingly. "Yeah, I'm sure prom was full of thoughts for a lot of people."

 

Octavia chuckled. "I bet the Monday morning gossip is out of control. I've already seen people on Instagram and TikTok trying to make Costia and Brent the new 'it' couple."

 

"I doubt that's going anywhere," Raven replied. "She's definitely not over Lexa."

 

"Raven!" Clarke said, giving her a light shove. "That was insensitive and—"

 

"True," Raven finished with a shrug as they reached their lockers.

 

Clarke glanced around, catching snippets of conversations. The air was full of excited whispers about who danced with whom, the prom queen and king, and who stole the show with their outfits.

 

Niylah approached from down the hall, a warm smile lighting up her face as she caught sight of Clarke.

 

"Hey, beautiful," she said hugging Clarke.

 

Clarke grinned and leaned up for a quick kiss. "Hey."

 

"You guys look like you're surviving Monday morning pretty well," Niylah said to the group, slipping her hand into Clarke's.

 

"Barely," Octavia said, "I hate Mondays."

 

Clarke and Raven laughed knowing how serious their best friend was.

 

Just then, they heard familiar voices behind them. Lexa and Anya approached, both wearing a confident smiles.

 

"Hey, everyone," Anya greeted, walking straight over to Raven and giving her a soft kiss.

 

Raven grinned, blushing. "Hey, babe. And hey, Lex."

 

Lexa nodded at the group, her eyes briefly flickering to Clarke and Niylah, who were holding hands. "Hey."

 

Clarke watched as Lexa walked up to her, her hand reaching out to rest gently on Clarke's stomach. Lexa crouched down, a small, affectionate smile forming as she greeted the baby. "Hey, mini-me," she said softly before giving Clarke's stomach a quick kiss.

 

Standing back up, Lexa returned to her spot beside Anya, glancing at Clarke, who was now looking down at her stomach with a mixture of emotions, while Niylah's expression remained unreadable.

 

There was a pause, a slightly tense silence hanging between them all until Octavia broke it with a grin. "Sorry Lex but I'm sure baby Clexa will be a mini Clarke."

 

Anya laughed, shaking her head. "No way! Baby Clexa will definitely be a mini Lexa."

 

Lexa let out a small laugh, her eyebrows raising in confusion. "Wait... what's a 'baby Clexa'?"

 

Raven's face lit up at the question. "It's your and Clarke's names combined! Genius, right?"

 

Lexa chuckled, shaking her head. "Let me guess... you came up with that, didn't you, Ray?"

 

"Of course I did!" Raven replied, looking pleased with herself.

 

Clarke chuckled, feeling the tension ease a bit. "Honestly, I'm just hoping they're a good mix of both of us."

 

Lexa's eyes softened as she looked at Clarke, and a small, genuine smile tugged at her lips. "A mix would be perfect."

 

Niylah wrapped her arm around Clarke's waist, pulling her in close, and smiled at the group. "No matter what, this baby is going to be amazing with Clarke as their mom."

 

"Agreed... because Clarke is amazing," Lexa added, meeting Niylah's gaze. Niylah's expression remained unreadable, but there was a subtle tension in the air.

 

Clarke smiled warmly, touched by Lexa's words. But before she could say anything, the bell rang, signaling the start of the first period.

 

The group collectively groaned, reluctantly acknowledging the impending start of their day. Lexa lingered a moment, catching Clarke's eye once more.

 

"Take care of yourself, okay?" Lexa said softly, her gaze gentle and sincere.

 

Clarke gave a small nod, her hand instinctively resting on her stomach. "I will. Thanks, Lex."

 

With a final, lingering smile, Lexa turned to head to class with Anya, while Clarke watched her go, a swirl of emotions she couldn't quite name settling over her.

 

Clarke felt a squeeze on her hand as Niylah whispered, "See you at lunch?"

 

"Of course," Clarke said, giving her hand a gentle squeeze back and headed to class.

 

As Clarke entered her first class, she was relieved to notice that no one was staring or whispering as she made her way to her seat. The usual nerves she'd expected were nowhere to be found.

 

"Thank goodness," Clarke muttered under her breath as she settled into her chair.

 

Pulling out her phone, she quickly typed a message to Lexa: I don't know what you did or said, but thank you.

 

Moments later, Clarke's phone vibrated with Lexa's response.

 

Lexa: Anything for you and the baby❤️

 

Clarke put her phone away and focused on the lesson. Still, she couldn't help but glance out the window, her thoughts drifting to Lexa and how, despite everything that she has been showing up and Clarke loved that.

~~~~

First and second periods flew by, and soon it was time for lunch. Clarke was both hungry and in desperate need of the restroom… a side effect of her recent increase in water intake. She decided to use the restroom closest to the cafeteria, hoping to get in and out quickly.

 

After finishing in the stall, Clarke stepped out to wash her hands, only to find herself standing beside someone she hadn't expected. Costia. She was already at one of the sinks, washing her hands in silence. They exchanged a brief glance in the mirror, an unspoken tension filling the room. Clarke felt her stomach twist as she turned on the faucet, focusing on the running water to calm her nerves.

 

After a moment, Costia's eyes drifted down, lingering on Clarke's stomach. She hesitated, then, in a soft voice, said, "Congratulations."

 

Clarke felt a surge of nervousness and guilt. "Thank you... I didn't expect to see you here, I mean—"

 

Costia let out a short, emotionless laugh as she dried her hands. Her expression remained unreadable. "What? You didn't expect to run into me so soon?" she murmured. "Neither did I. But... here we are."

 

An awkward silence hung between them as Clarke processed her words. Finally, Clarke tried, "Costia, I—"

 

But Costia held up a hand, her tone calm but firm. "No. Don't. I don't want or need an apology from you."

 

Clarke was taken aback, unsure what to expect, but it certainly wasn't this calm, almost resigned reaction. She half-expected Costia to yell, lash out, anything that felt more fitting for the situation.

 

Instead, Costia stepped closer, giving Clarke a faint smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Despite everything, I genuinely hope you have a safe and healthy pregnancy."

 

Clarke blinked, surprised and confused. "Why aren't you... I don't know, angry? Yelling at me?"

 

"Why would I?" Costia replied, meeting Clarke's gaze with a level stare. "What would that change?"

 

"I... I don't know," Clarke said quietly.

 

"Lexa owed me loyalty, not you," Costia said, her voice carrying a heavy finality as she walked toward the door. "Apologies don't undo what's been done. Lexa made her choice, and so did you. Now, I just have to live with it, whether I like it or not."

 

With that, Costia walked out, leaving Clarke standing by the sink, staring at her own reflection. She let out a shaky breath, murmuring to herself, "What the hell just happened..."

 

Clarke left the restroom, still feeling the weight of her conversation with Costia lingering in her mind. She shook it off as she entered the bustling cafeteria, scanning the lines to decide what she wanted for lunch. It didn't take long to spot Lexa standing in the pizza and wings line, waving her over with a smile.

 

Clarke made her way over, and as she stood in front of her, Lexa reached around her, gently placing her hand on Clarke's stomach. The small gesture brought an unexpected sense of comfort, grounding Clarke in the present moment.

 

"Is my mini-me hungry?" Lexa asked, a playful grin tugging at the corners of her mouth.

 

Clarke laughed, feeling some of the earlier tension dissolve. "Yes, baby Clexa is definitely hungry," she replied. "We want pizza, wings, and a salad."

 

"Then pizza, wings, and salad you both shall get," Lexa replied, grabbing two plates, one for herself and one for Clarke.

 

Clarke laughed, shaking her head. "I can carry my own plate, Lexa."

 

Lexa smirked, giving Clarke a quick wink. "I know you can, but you don't have to."

 

Clarke felt a blush rise to her cheeks as she watched Lexa carefully pile their food onto the plates, making sure to grab everything Clarke wanted.

 

As they approached the table, Clarke grinned. "Looks like we've got the whole crew today," she said as she held two water bottles. One for herself and one for Lexa.

 

Everyone greeted them as they sat down, Clarke settling in between Raven and Niylah. Lexa placed Clarke's plate down in front of her and started to move to sit next to Anya, who was beside Raven.

 

But before she could, Raven nudged Anya with her elbow. "Hey, Lex, you can sit right here," she said, scooting over to make room. "Anya, scoot over a bit."

 

"Oh, um... okay," Lexa said, a little surprised, but she took the spot next to Clarke with a soft smile.

 

"I can't believe the last day of school is Wednesday," Monty said and everyone agreed.

 

"We will be juniors come August!" Raven said excitedly.

 

"And Lincoln, Bellamy, and Niylah will be seniors," Octavia said smiling at Lincoln.

 

"And me and Lex will be high school graduates after Friday," Anya said excitedly.

 

Clarke glanced at Lexa and saw her smile bright at what Anya said, and felt a little flutter in her chest.

 

"I can't wait for graduation Friday," Lexa added.

 

"Me neither," Niylah mumbled but Clarke heard her.

 

With both Niylah and Lexa sitting on either side of her, she couldn't help but notice the silent tension between them. However, everyone else seemed to be in high spirits, laughing and sharing stories from prom, talking about the last day of school, and graduation Friday. For now, Clarke just focused on enjoying lunch with her friends, trying to push aside any lingering awkwardness.

~~~~

The rest of the school day flew by, and Clarke was putting her things away in her locker, already dreaming about a nice, long nap when she got home. As she slid her last textbook in, she caught a familiar scent—Lexa's cologne. A small smile crept onto her face as she turned around.

 

"Hey," Lexa greeted softly, her usual calm expression softened with a hint of warmth.

 

"Hey yourself," Clarke replied, leaning against her locker. "What's up?"

 

"Just thought I'd check in... make sure you're doing okay," Lexa said, her gaze flickering briefly to Clarke's stomach. "And see if you need anything before you head home."

 

Clarke chuckled, touched by the concern. "I'm fine, Lex. Just tired. Really looking forward to a nap."

 

Lexa nodded, a gentle smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "I bet. You deserve some rest you are carrying a whole human inside of you. I'm sure it is exhausting."

 

"You think?" Clarke said teasingly with a playful grin. Then, more seriously, she added, "Thank you... for looking out for me. For, you know, everything."

 

Lexa's expression softened even more. "Of course. I'll always be here for you... and for our little one."

 

Clarke's hand instinctively went to her stomach, and she felt a wave of gratitude and something else—something she couldn't quite name—wash over her.

 

"So... I'll see you tomorrow?" Lexa asked, her voice soft.

 

"Yeah," Clarke replied, giving her a reassuring smile. "See you tomorrow."

 

With a final nod, Lexa took a step back, offering Clarke one last lingering look before turning and heading down the hallway. Clarke watched her go, her heart feeling strangely full.

 

🎶🎶🎶

 

Wednesday, May 21st (Last day of school)

 

It was Wednesday morning, and Lexa was sitting in the drive-thru line at Chick-fil-A, picking up breakfast for herself and Clarke. Clarke had texted her earlier, craving Chick-fil-A, and Lexa had immediately asked for her order. Now, she was waiting to grab their two chicken biscuit meals, a berry parfait, and a medium fruit cup.

 

As soon as Lexa received the food from the drive-thru worker, she pulled off to the side and gave Clarke a call.

 

"Hey, Lex," Clarke's voice came through, cheerful but still a bit sleepy.

 

"Hey yourself," Lexa replied, smiling at the sound of her voice. "I got everything you asked for. I'll be at school in about ten minutes."

 

"You're a lifesaver," Clarke sighed happily. "Thank you so much, Lexa. Seriously."

 

"Anything for you and our little one," Lexa said, her voice softening.

 

Clarke chuckled. "Well, our little one appreciates it, too. See you soon?"

 

"See you soon," Lexa replied, hanging up and heading toward the school with a contented smile.

 

As she drove, Lexa couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in being able to take care of Clarke, even in these small ways. It was something she felt honored to do, and knowing she could make Clarke's morning a little brighter made it all worth it.

 

As Lexa got to the school she made her way into the cafeteria which was bustling with excitement for the last day of school, carrying the bags with Chick-fil-A breakfast carefully balanced in her hands. She spotted Clarke at the table with Niylah, Raven, Anya, Octavia, and Lincoln sitting towards the back. As she approached, Octavia grinned and teased her.

 

"Oh my gosh, Lexa, you shouldn't have," Octavia said, taking a bite of some waffles with a playful smirk.

 

Lexa chuckled, smiling as she walked over to the table. "Sorry, O," she teased back. "This breakfast is reserved for me, Clarke, and our little one."

 

As Lexa set the bags down in front of Clarke, she noticed Niylah's gaze shift. There was a subtle tightening of her jaw as she watched Lexa place the food in front of Clarke, but she masked it with a thin, almost forced smile. It was clear to Lexa that Niylah was doing her best to hide her jealousy.

 

Clarke, oblivious to the tension, smiled warmly at Lexa, her eyes lighting up. "Thank you, Lexa. This is perfect."

 

Lexa nodded with a soft smile and stood back, watching Clarke dive into the breakfast with a satisfied grin.

 

Octavia, sensing the slight tension and eager to lighten the mood, leaned forward. "Soooooo, its the last day of school! I am so ready for summer break!"

 

"Same here!" Raven chimed in, grinning at Anya. "I can't wait for our vacation with your family."

 

Anya smiled back, squeezing Raven's hand. "Bahamas, here we come."

 

Octavia shifted her attention to the two soon-to-be graduates. "How does it feel to be graduating on Friday, you guys?" she asked Anya and Lexa.

 

Anya glanced over at Lexa before replying, her tone casual but laced with excitement. "It's surreal, honestly. But we're both looking forward to what's next."

 

Lexa nodded, a calm confidence in her voice. "Yeah, I'm definitely excited. It feels like a brand-new beginning, and I'm ready for it."

 

For a moment, her gaze drifted to Clarke, a flicker of something deeper passing between them—something that spoke to the uncharted future they were moving toward together. Clarke returned the look with a soft, warm smile.

 

"So you and Anya will be heading off to Stanford in August?" Niylah asked Lexa.

 

Lexa shook her head, her expression confused. "No, I'll actually be going to Arcadia University."

 

Niylah's brow furrowed. "Oh. I thought you were accepted into Stanford?"

 

"I was, but..." Lexa glanced at Clarke, her gaze steady. "I decided to stay close to Clarke and our baby. So I declined the offer."

 

Niylah's eyes narrowed slightly, her expression tightening as she met Lexa's gaze. Clarke, sensing the change in Niylah's demeanor, nudged her gently.

 

"Is something wrong?" Clarke asked, taken aback by Niylah's unexpected reaction.

 

"Nothing," Niylah replied, her voice clipped as she got up and gathered her things. "I just remembered I have a piece I want to work on in the art room."

 

Clarke watched Niylah walk away, confused. "I'm sorry, guys. I don't know what just happened."

 

Raven shrugged. "Maybe she just woke up on the wrong side of the bed."

 

Before Clarke could respond, the bell rang, signaling the start of the first period. As Clarke rose from her seat, Lexa stepped up beside her, gathering Clarke's trash without a word.

 

"I think Niylah's upset about me," Lexa said carefully.

 

Clarke nodded slowly, still processing. "I think so too... but I honestly don't know why."

 

"Maybe just talk to her," Lexa suggested, though the words seemed to weigh on her. "Let her know she has nothing to worry about."

 

Clarke gave a small nod, feeling the heaviness of the situation. "Yeah, I'll talk to her after school."

 

Lexa gave a soft smile, nodding. "Alright... talk to you later?"

 

"Of course," Clarke replied, returning the smile. They shared one last look before parting ways, each heading to class with thoughts lingering on the quiet tension that had just unfolded.

~~~~

The rest of the school day flew by in a blur of laughter and excitement. With it being the last day, teachers across the board were lenient, letting their classes relax, chat, and savor the final moments of the school year. Desks were rearranged, games were brought out, and the mood was light, as everyone buzzed with anticipation for summer break.

 

By the time lunch rolled around, the cafeteria was unrecognizable in the best way possible. Instead of the usual meal options, the school had gone all out, setting up stations serving fair food—corn dogs, funnel cakes, pretzels, and even mini donuts. The air was filled with the sweet and savory smells, and students were practically bouncing with excitement as they lined up to grab their food. As a special treat, a local band had been invited to perform in the courtyard just outside the cafeteria, adding a festive vibe. Music drifted through the air, energizing the crowd, and groups of friends danced and laughed together, enjoying the upbeat atmosphere.

 

Clarke, surrounded by her friends, couldn't remember the last time she felt so carefree. She and Lexa shared a few laughs, stealing moments amidst the crowd, but she also noticed that Niylah was keeping her distance. Clarke made a mental note to talk to her later, not wanting anything to overshadow such a joyful day.

 

After the lively lunch, Clarke, Raven, and Octavia made their way to their third-period class, where the teacher welcomed them with a simple, "Free day! Relax, chat, do whatever you want—but keep it calm." The room erupted in cheers and laughter as everyone quickly settled into their chosen spots to hang out and talk.

 

Clarke, Raven, and Octavia claimed a corner, pulling their chairs together. Almost immediately, Raven shot Clarke a look, her eyebrow raised.

 

"So... what's going on with Niylah?" Raven asked, leaning in curiously. "She seemed a little... off at lunch."

 

"Yeah, what happened?" Octavia added, glancing at Clarke with a mixture of concern and intrigue. "She barely looked at you guys when Lexa brought that breakfast, and she just took off during lunch."

 

Clarke sighed, glancing down as she tried to piece together her own thoughts. "Honestly, I'm not sure," she admitted. "Lexa mentioned she thought Niylah might be feeling a little... I don't know, insecure or something? But I didn't expect her to act this way."

 

Octavia and Raven exchanged knowing looks, nodding.

 

"Well, think about it, Clarke," Raven said gently. "You and Lexa have this... connection. Niylah probably notices that even if she doesn't say anything."

 

Octavia chimed in, "And, yeah, she knows you're having Lexa's baby. She might feel like she's on the outside looking in, you know?"

 

Clarke sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I guess... I just didn't think she'd actually feel that way. I mean, I told her she had nothing to worry about, but maybe I need to talk to her again."

 

Raven patted Clarke on the shoulder. "Sounds like a good idea. Just be honest with her, let her know where you stand. She probably just needs some reassurance."

 

Clarke nodded, feeling a little more resolved. "Yeah, I'll talk to her after school. I don't want things to be weird between us."

 

"Good," Octavia said, giving Clarke a supportive smile. "She probably just needs to hear that nothing's changed."

 

As they continued chatting, Clarke felt a renewed sense of determination. She was grateful for friends like Raven and Octavia, who could help her see things clearly and give her the encouragement she needed to set things right. For the first time that day, Clarke felt a sense of calm, ready to confront whatever was ahead with Niylah.

~~~~

The excitement was at an all-time high as students poured out of the school building and made their way onto the field for the final pep rally of the school year. It was a warm, sunny day, and the entire student body was buzzing with energy, ready to celebrate their last day of school together. Teachers, staff, and students alike gathered around the stage that had been set up on the field, eagerly awaiting the start of the festivities.

 

Principal Titus took the microphone, his booming voice carrying across the field. "Good afternoon, Grounders!" he greeted, receiving an enthusiastic cheer from the crowd. "It's hard to believe another school year has come and gone, and for some of you, this is the last one. Seniors, congratulations on making it to the end!"

 

The crowd erupted in applause, especially the seniors, who cheered and whooped, some already tossing their caps in excitement. Principal Titus chuckled, letting the applause die down before continuing.

 

"It's been an incredible year, filled with ups and downs, challenges, victories, and memories that will last a lifetime. We're so proud of every one of you for everything you've accomplished." He paused, glancing over the crowd with a warm smile. "And to celebrate, we have a few things planned for you all today!"

 

With that, he motioned toward the cheerleading squad, who lined up on the field, led by Costia in the center. The music started, and the cheerleaders launched into an upbeat, choreographed routine. Costia moved confidently, her timing perfect as she led the team through high-energy moves, flips, and cheers. The crowd clapped along, cheering them on with each beat.

 

After the routine ended, the field was filled with applause and whistles, and the cheerleaders took a quick bow before heading back to join their classmates. Principal Titus returned to the microphone, smiling as he held up a small stack of papers.

 

"And now," he announced, "for what you've all been waiting for... the results of this year's senior superlatives!"

 

The students perked up, eagerly awaiting the announcements. Winning a senior superlative was a fun way to be remembered in the yearbook, and everyone was excited to see who had taken home the titles.

 

Principal Titus began reading off the list, his voice filled with enthusiasm.

 

"First up, for Best Bromance, we have... Anya Woods and Alexandria Woods!"

 

The crowd cheered as Anya and Lexa grinned at each other, sharing a quick fist bump. Raven wolf-whistled, and Clarke laughed, catching Lexa's eye with a smile.

 

"Next, for Beauty and Brains, we have Costia Winters!"

 

Costia smiled gracefully, accepting the applause from her friends and classmates.

 

"For Biggest Gossiper... Gina Martin!"

 

Gina laughed, throwing her hands up in mock surrender, as her friends teased her good-naturedly. Everyone knew she always had the latest scoop.

 

"Best Dressed goes to... Layla McKnight!"

 

Layla gave a little spin and struck a playful pose, making everyone laugh as they applauded. She had always been known for her impeccable style.

 

"And for Most Likely to Succeed, we have... Costia Woods and Ethan Chen!"

 

Costia and Ethan both exchanged smiles and nods, and the crowd cheered for them. They were known for their ambitious goals and academic achievements, and no one was surprised to see them win this one.

 

"Best Eyes goes to... Alexandria Woods!"

 

The crowd cheered again, and Lexa smiled, looking momentarily bashful as her friends clapped and whistled. Clarke couldn't help but smile, remembering all the times she'd been captivated by those green eyes.

 

"Best Laugh goes to... Anya Woods!"

 

Anya chuckled, shaking her head, and Raven gave her a playful nudge.

 

"Most Likely to Brighten Up Your Day goes to... Lily Monroe!"

 

Lily beamed, waving to the crowd. Her positivity and kindness had touched so many people, and everyone agreed she deserved the title.

 

"Class Clown... Kent Jones!" Kent gave a theatrical bow, making everyone laugh.

 

"Most Artistic... Luna Floukru!" Clarke watched as Niylah and some of the other members from the art club clapped for Luna, who waved modestly. Her creativity had always stood out.

 

"Most Athletic... Brent Jacobs!" Brent flexed for the crowd, grinning as his friends cheered him on.

 

"Best Smile... Kyla Thorpe and Jason Reece!" They had beautiful smiles with the cutest dimples.

 

"Most Likely to Travel the World... Caleb Moore!" Caleb looked surprised but thrilled, as his friends congratulated him.

 

"Most Changed Since Freshman Year... Carter Miles!" Carter gave a shrug and a grin, acknowledging the cheers with a wave.

 

Principal Titus continued announcing, reading off more names as the crowd reacted with cheers and applause. As the last of superlatives was announced, Principal Titus beamed, looking over the sea of happy faces. "Congratulations to all of our winners and the entire senior class. You've left your mark on Arkadia High, and we know you'll go on to do great things. Now, let's finish this day strong and head into summer!"

 

The crowd erupted into applause and cheers as the pep rally wrapped up. Clarke looked around at her friends, feeling happy and grateful for all the memories they'd shared. It was a day filled with laughter, friendship, and the promise of the future a perfect way to end the school year.

~~~~

School had ended a couple of hours ago, and Clarke felt a mixture of excitement and nervousness as she waited for Niylah to arrive at her house. She knew they needed to talk, to clear the air after the strange tension that had been lingering between them all day. Clarke didn't fully understand what was bothering Niylah, but she was determined to find out.

 

Soon, there was a knock at her front door. Clarke took a deep breath and opened it to see Niylah standing there, hands in her pockets, looking a bit apprehensive.

 

"Hey," Clarke greeted, offering a small smile.

 

"Hey," Niylah replied, her tone neutral as she stepped inside. Clarke led her to the living room, where they both settled onto the couch, a noticeable tension in the air.

 

There was a pause as Clarke gathered her thoughts, then she decided to dive right in. "I wanted to talk because... it seems like something's been bothering you. I noticed it today, and I just... I want us to be honest with each other."

 

Niylah looked away for a moment as if gathering her own thoughts. "Clarke, I know you and Lexa have this... connection," she began, her voice calm but laced with something Clarke couldn't quite identify. "And I get it—she's the other parent to your child. But sometimes, I feel like... maybe I don't really fit in."

 

Clarke's eyes widened slightly, surprised by the admission. "Niylah, of course, you fit in. You're so important to me, and I don't want you to feel pushed aside."

 

Niylah sighed, looking down at her hands for a moment before meeting Clarke's eyes. "I don't know, Clarke. I guess... things just feel different now." She paused, choosing her words carefully. "I can't help but feel... left out, sometimes."

 

Clarke's brow furrowed in confusion. "Left out? Niylah, you're my girlfriend. You're one of the most important people in my life."

 

Niylah gave a small, sad smile. "I know that. But with Lexa around... it feels like I'm always second place." She took a deep breath, clearly finding it hard to express these feelings. "Like today, with the breakfast. I know it was a small thing, but when Lexa brought you food... it just felt… I don’t know weird."

 

Clarke's face softened as she listened, understanding beginning to dawn on her. "Niylah, I never meant for you to feel that way. I care about you so much, and I'm sorry if it seemed like I was prioritizing Lexa over you or anything like that. She is the other parent of my baby, but that doesn't mean she's taking your place."

 

Niylah nodded, though she still looked uncertain. "I guess it's hard for me to accept that sometimes. You two share something that I can't really be a part of."

 

Clarke reached over, taking Niylah's hand in hers. "But you're a huge part of my life, and I want you to be a part of this journey too. I want you to feel included. If there's ever anything that makes you feel uncomfortable, just tell me, okay?"

 

Niylah looked down at their intertwined hands, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "I appreciate that, Clarke. I just... I want to be there for you, but I don't want to be seen as just someone who's 'on the side' while you and Lexa figure things out."

 

Clarke squeezed her hand. "You're not on the side. You're my girlfriend, and that means so much to me. Lexa is going to be in my life because of the baby, but that doesn't mean you're any less important."

 

Niylah's smile grew a little, and she looked visibly relieved. "Thank you, Clarke. I just needed to hear that, I guess."

 

Clarke gave her a soft smile. "Then I'll keep saying it as many times as you need me to. We'll work through this, together."

 

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the tension between them slowly melting away. Clarke squeezed Niylah's hand gently.

 

"So... now that we've cleared the air," Clarke said, her tone lightening, "how about we make some popcorn and watch that movie you've been wanting to see?"

 

Niylah's lips curved into a small smile. "Yeah, I'd like that."

 

With a sense of understanding renewed between them, they settled in for the rest of the evening, both feeling a little closer and a lot lighter.

 

🎶🎶🎶

 

Friday, May 23rd (Graduation Day🎓)

 

The afternoon sun streamed through Lexa's bedroom window, casting a warm glow across the room. Lexa and Anya sat on her bed, surrounded by their neatly pressed caps and gowns, chatting and laughing as they prepared for the biggest day of their high school lives. Graduation day had finally arrived, and the air was thick with a mix of excitement and nostalgia.

 

Anya looked over at Lexa, a soft smile on her face that held just a hint of sadness. "I can't believe we're actually graduating," she said, her voice quieter than usual. "I mean, we've talked about this day for years, and now... it's here."

 

Lexa nodded, looking thoughtful. "Yeah, it feels surreal. But I'm ready. I think we both are."

 

Anya took a deep breath as if preparing herself for what she wanted to say next. "I know you're staying here for Clarke and the baby, and I get it, Lex. I really do. But... I can't help feeling a little sad that we won't be at Stanford together like we'd always planned."

 

Lexa's expression softened, and she reached over to give Anya's shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "I know, Anya. I wanted that, too. But... I can't leave Clarke now. She needs me here. I want to be here."

 

Anya nodded, understanding in her eyes, but her face held a tinge of worry. "I do understand, Lex. It's just... I guess it's hard to let go of the idea that we'd be experiencing college together, watching out for each other like we always have."

 

Lexa gave her a gentle smile. "I'll still be here for you, Anya, no matter where we are. And you'll have Raven."

 

Anya's expression wavered, her eyes dropping to her hands. "That's what scares me, though. Long distance isn't easy, and Stanford's so far away. I don't know what it's going to be like to not see her every day."

 

Lexa wrapped an arm around Anya's shoulders, pulling her into a comforting side hug. "You two are strong, Anya. I see it every time you're together. You'll figure out how to make it work. And hey, if you ever need to vent or just talk, I'm only a phone call away."

 

Anya sighed, resting her head against Lexa's shoulder. "Thanks, Lex. I guess I'm just... afraid. Afraid of the distance, of the changes, of losing something that feels so important. It's hard to think about starting this whole new chapter without you all around."

 

Lexa nodded, understanding completely. "I get it, Anya. It's a big change, and it's scary. But change doesn't mean you'll lose what's important. Besides, it's not like you're never going to see us again."

 

Anya chuckled softly, a glimmer of hope returning to her eyes. "I guess you're right."

 

"Exactly," Lexa agreed, squeezing Anya's shoulder before letting go. "This is a new chapter, but it doesn't mean leaving everything behind. We're all moving forward, and sometimes that's just... part of growing up."

 

Anya smiled, nodding slowly as she took in Lexa's words. "You're right. Thanks for that, Lexa."

 

The comforting silence lingered between them for a moment, both of them processing the magnitude of everything. Graduation day. The end of high school. The uncertainty and excitement of what lay beyond. Lexa gave Anya's shoulder a final squeeze before they both pulled away, a renewed determination in their eyes.

 

Anya exhaled, her smile turning a bit more genuine. "Okay," she said, her voice firmer now. "Let's focus on today. We've got a graduation to get through, and a party to survive."

 

Lexa laughed, her eyes lighting up. "Right. And it's not every day we get to dress up in these ridiculous caps and gowns and toss them in the air like we're in some cheesy movie."

 

Anya snorted, the tension easing as she rolled her eyes. "Hey, speak for yourself. I've already got a plan for the perfect cap toss. Gotta make it look epic for the pictures, you know?"

 

"Of course you do," Lexa said with a grin. "Only you would be planning out the logistics of a graduation cap toss."

 

Anya gave her a playful nudge. "Hey, this is a big moment! We need the memories to look perfect." Her expression softened as she looked at Lexa. "And even though you won't be at Stanford with me, at least I'll have these memories to look back on... us together, all of us, before everything changes."

 

Lexa's smile faltered, her gaze warm. "We'll have plenty of memories, Anya. And it doesn't matter where we end up. We're family, no matter what."

 

Anya nodded, blinking back a little moisture in her eyes. "You're right. And when I come back home for breaks, we're going to have a huge party each time."

 

"Deal," Lexa said, holding out her pinky.

 

Anya rolled her eyes but linked her pinky with Lexa's, sealing their promise with a playful grin.

 

Just then, there was a knock on Lexa's door, and Indra peeked in. "Girls, are you both ready? We should head over to the school soon."

 

Lexa looked at Anya, sharing one last smile before nodding to her mom. "Yeah, we're ready."

 

They gathered their caps and gowns, smoothing out imaginary wrinkles and making last-minute adjustments. Lexa tucked her tassel to the side, catching a glimpse of herself in the mirror. For a moment, the excitement of the day made her feel weightless, the future ahead filled with endless possibilities.

 

As they made their way to the car, Anya looped her arm through Lexa's, giving her a reassuring squeeze. "Here's to the next chapter," she whispered, her voice filled with equal parts nervousness and excitement.

 

Lexa smiled, looking at her friend with a mixture of pride and gratitude. "Here's to the next chapter," she echoed softly.

~~~~

The gym was transformed, decorated with banners that hung from the rafters, matching the graduates' caps and gowns. Families and friends filled the bleachers, waving and craning their necks to spot their graduates in the sea of students sitting in folding chairs on the gym floor. The atmosphere was charged with excitement, nerves, and a hint of sadness as everyone prepared to say goodbye to the place that had been their world for the past four years.

 

The graduates fidgeted, adjusting their tassels, glancing around to catch the eyes of friends, or stealing glances up at the crowd, hoping to spot their families. Phones were out, some snapping last-minute selfies, others nervously checking the time. Teachers lined the edges, beaming with pride as they watched the students they'd guided now sitting on the verge of adulthood.

 

Principal Titus stepped up to the podium, tapping the microphone to quiet the buzz of conversations in the gym. "Welcome, families, friends, faculty, and most importantly, the Class of 2025!" The crowd broke into applause and cheers, and a few students hooted in response, earning laughs from those around them.

 

After a few opening remarks about the journey they had all taken together, Principal Titus introduced the Salutatorian, Ethan Chen. He stood and walked up to the stage, slightly stiff but composed, and gave a speech filled with gratitude for the friendships he'd made and memories he'd carried with him. He shared funny stories from their freshman year and a few heartfelt words about how fast time had gone, ending with advice to always "keep a little piece of high school with you, no matter where you go next."

 

Principal Titus stepped up to the podium, beaming with pride. "And now," he announced, his voice carrying through the room, "it's my pleasure to introduce this year's Valedictorian, a student who has set the bar high with her intelligence, hard work, and dedication. Please give a warm welcome to Costia Winters."

 

The crowd erupted into applause as Costia stood and made her way to the podium. She looked composed and elegant in her cap and gown, her eyes bright with determination. Taking a deep breath, she placed her speech on the podium, gazing out over her classmates before she began.

 

"Good evening, everyone," she started, her voice steady but warm. "Parents, teachers, friends, family, and, of course, my fellow graduates—thank you for being here with us today. Standing here before you all, I can't help but feel the weight of this moment. This is not just the end of high school, but the beginning of something new and unknown, something that holds both excitement and challenge."

 

She paused, her gaze drifting over the audience as she spoke from the heart.

 

"As we move forward from this chapter, I want to remind us all of something we might easily forget in the years to come: our ability to make a difference. Here, within these walls, we've had teachers who believed in us, friends who supported us, and countless experiences that shaped us into who we are. But the world beyond here? It's unpredictable. It's vast. And it's waiting for each one of us to find our place within it."

 

She took a deep breath, and the room was silent, everyone hanging on her words.

 

"When we were young, we were told that we could do anything. But somewhere along the way, many of us started to doubt that. Maybe we weren't the best at a subject. Maybe we faced challenges we didn't expect, or maybe we were told that our dreams were unrealistic. But I want to say this now: we are all capable of achieving incredible things. The only limits we have are the ones we place on ourselves."

 

Costia glanced down at her notes briefly, a small smile tugging at her lips before she continued.

 

"I know we all have different dreams, and that's what makes us unique. Some of us will go to college, some will enter the workforce, some will travel, and some might still be figuring out their path—and that's okay. The world needs all kinds of people: thinkers, creators, leaders, healers. Every dream has value, and every path has meaning."

 

She looked out over her classmates, her eyes shining with sincerity.

 

"So as we walk out of here today, let's carry forward the best parts of what we've learned here. Let's carry forward our friendships, our resilience, our kindness. Let's support each other in our journeys, even if they take us in different directions. Let's be the kind of people who inspire, who uplift, who never forget the power of kindness and hard work."

 

Her voice softened, carrying an unmistakable warmth.

 

"To my classmates, thank you for the memories, the laughter, and the lessons. We've shared an unforgettable journey together. And as we step into this next chapter, let's promise ourselves one thing: to never settle for less than what we're capable of. Dream big, even if those dreams seem out of reach. Take risks, even when you're afraid. And always, always believe in yourself, because I believe in each and every one of you."

 

Costia smiled, and there was a beat of silence as her words settled in. Then, the crowd erupted into applause, cheers ringing out as her classmates clapped and hollered for her. She took a step back from the podium, feeling both pride and relief as she looked out over her fellow graduates, their faces shining with excitement and appreciation.

 

After the speeches, Principal Titus took the podium again, a proud smile on his face. "And now, what you've all been waiting for—it's time to call the graduates!"

 

One by one, the graduates were called up to receive their diplomas. Each name was read out loud, and each graduate received applause, some polite, others wild and thunderous. A few had friends who stood and cheered or even tried to blow air horns, which were quickly hushed by teachers. Parents leaned forward with phones, cameras flashing, as their child crossed the stage, shook hands, and received that precious diploma.

 

Some students grinned as they walked across the stage, others looked solemn as if trying to fully absorb the weight of this milestone. A few stumbled, earning chuckles from the audience, while others strutted proudly, clearly soaking in every second. Lexa and Anya exchanged an excited high-five as they passed each other, the cheers for them particularly loud as friends and family hollered from the bleachers.

 

Finally, with everyone seated once more, the principal addressed the graduates one last time. "Class of 2025," he began, his voice steady but warm, "you came in as kids and now leave as young adults. I hope each of you carries forward the lessons you've learned here, whether in the classroom, in the hallways, or on the field. You are the future, and I have no doubt you will go on to do incredible things."

 

He took a deep breath, letting the moment settle, and then said the words everyone had been waiting for: "Congratulations, graduates! You may now turn your tassels!"

 

With a collective gasp, then a cheer, the graduates turned their tassels from right to left, marking the end of their high school journey. Caps flew into the air, laughter, and cheers echoed through the gym, and friends hugged each other tightly, tears and smiles mingling. Families flooded down from the bleachers, calling names, ready to embrace their graduates.

~~~~

Lexa and Anya stood facing each other, the weight of the moment sinking in. The gym buzzed with the voices of students and families, but for a brief second, it was just the two of them, standing there in their caps and gowns. Their eyes filled with tears, and neither could hold back the emotion as they wrapped their arms around each other in a tight hug.

 

"We did it," Anya whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

 

Lexa's chest tightened, her own tears falling freely as she whispered back, "We did."

 

For a moment, they just held each other, not wanting to let go. They had been through so much together—through highs and lows, laughter and tears. They are cousins, yes, but more than that, they are best friends. Now, the reality of their lives changing hit them both at once. This would be the first time they would be apart for so long, their paths diverging as they each stepped into their own future.

 

They pulled back slowly, each wiping at their eyes, the tears not fully stopping but now accompanied by small, bittersweet smiles. There was an unspoken promise between them—one that neither could break, no matter where life took them. They would always be there for each other, through every challenge, every joy, and every moment in between.

 

As they walked side by side toward their families and friends who were waiting for them, they exchanged a quiet smile. There was a shared understanding between them—an acknowledgment that while this was the end of one chapter, it was also the beginning of something new and exciting. The next chapter of their lives.

 

Lexa nodded at Anya, her face a mix of determination and hope. "We're ready."

 

Anya gave a small smile in return, her heart swelling with pride. "Yeah, we are."

 

Together, they joined their families and friends, their hands still linked, walking forward into the next adventure, confident in the bond they shared. The future was waiting, and they were ready to face it—together, no matter the distance.

Notes:

Awe Lexa and Anya are moving on to a new chapter in their lives🥹 Super proud of them!

So what do you think about Clarke’s run-in with Costia? I think Costia handled it better than most people would.

Do you feel like Niylah's feelings are valid?

As always give me your thoughts💭

Chapter 21: “Are you ready?”… “Always.”

Monday, June 16th

 

Three weeks had passed since graduation, and life was settling into a steady rhythm. Lexa, true to her word, had secured a job shortly after graduation. Her father's close friend, Nyko, had hired her at the diner he owned, and she had started just last week. So far, she liked it. Lexa's quick learning made it easy for her to pick up the responsibilities, and the pay was surprisingly good. Though she suspected Nyko was paying her more than the usual starting rate.

 

It was now her lunch break, and Lexa had just clocked out, heading to a booth in the back of the diner. Settling into the seat, she unwrapped a freshly made burger and fries, one of the perks she enjoyed about the job: free staff lunches. She was halfway through her meal when her phone vibrated in her pocket. Pulling it out, Lexa saw Clarke's name appear on FaceTime.

 

Her lips curled into a soft smile as she answered. Clarke's beautiful face filled the screen.

 

"Hey, Lex! How's work going?" Clarke asked, her smile radiating through the camera.

 

Lexa chuckled softly. "Work's good. I got to run the register today, so that was fun."

 

"I'm glad you're enjoying it," Clarke said warmly. Then, her voice softened. "Thank you for wanting to provide for our baby."

 

Lexa's expression turned tender. "Of course, Clarke. I'll always take care of the both of you."

 

Clarke blushed at Lexa's sincerity, and Lexa felt a flutter in her chest.

 

"You don't have to provide for me, Lexa," Clarke said shyly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

 

Lexa shook her head, her tone unwavering. "You're the mother of my child. Of course, I do." She popped another fry into her mouth as Clarke rolled her eyes, still blushing.

 

"So," Clarke said, changing the subject with a smile, "are you ready for the gender reveal on Saturday?"

 

"Ready?" Lexa said, excitement lighting her face. "It's all I've been thinking about." Her enthusiasm made Clarke laugh as Lexa tried to talk through a mouthful of fries.

 

"Same," Clarke said, grinning. "My mom's taking her role as the gender keeper very seriously. She won't even tell my dad."

 

Lexa laughed, shaking her head at Abby's dedication. The results of the genetic testing, which also revealed the baby's gender, had come back almost two weeks ago. Per their agreement, the results were sent directly to Abby's email. She'd gone over the genetic testing with them, confirming that Baby Clexa was perfectly healthy so far.

 

"Your mom was definitely the perfect choice for this," Lexa said.

 

"I agree," Clarke said with a nod. Then her eyes lit up. "Oh! I wanted to show you something!"

 

Clarke flipped the camera, and Lexa watched as she pulled her shirt up slightly, revealing a small bump.

 

Lexa gasped, her voice filled with awe. "Clarke, you have a baby bump."

 

Clarke laughed lightly, keeping the camera focused on her stomach. She was sixteen weeks along now and had been noticing the changes in her body. While the bump was still small and only visible when she lifted her shirt, seeing Lexa's amazed reaction made it worth showing.

 

"I'm coming over after work," Lexa said excitedly. "I need to see it in person."

 

"Okay," Clarke said, smiling at Lexa's reaction. "And bring me one of those burgers and fries. Oh, and a strawberry milkshake!"

 

Lexa laughed, loving how Clarke was letting her be there for her. "Alright. I'll bring it all over as soon as I get off."

 

"Okay, I'll see you then. Later, Lex," Clarke said, flipping the camera back to her face.

 

"See you then," Lexa replied, her smile lingering as she watched Clarke end the call.

~~~~

 

It was almost 6 p.m., and Lexa had just clocked out of work, feeling a mixture of exhaustion and excitement. She placed an order for Clarke's meal, a burger, fries, and a strawberry milkshake, and leaned against the counter, scrolling through her phone while waiting for the cooks to prepare it.

 

The comforting hum of the diner filled the air as Lexa thought about seeing Clarke and the baby bump again. Despite the long hours, moments like these made everything worth it.

 

A few minutes later, her coworker approached with a smile, handing over the neatly packed bag of food and the milkshake. "Here you go, Lexa. Have a good evening!"

 

"Thanks, you too," Lexa said, offering a warm smile as she grabbed the bag and drink. With a quick wave to the remaining staff, she headed out the door, the scent of freshly cooked food following her as she stepped into the cool evening air.

 

Sliding into her car, Lexa placed the food carefully on the passenger seat before starting the engine. The thought of Clarke's face lighting up when she saw the meal and Lexa herself made her drive just a little quicker than usual.

 

Lexa pulled into the driveway of Clarke's house just as the sun was beginning to set, painting the sky with streaks of orange and pink. She grabbed the food and milkshake carefully, making her way up to the front door. Before she could knock, the door swung open, and Clarke stood there, smiling brightly.

 

"Perfect timing. I'm starving," Clarke said with a grin, stepping aside to let Lexa in.

 

Lexa held up the bag and the milkshake proudly. "One burger, fries, and a strawberry milkshake, as requested."

 

Clarke chuckled, taking the food. "You're officially my favorite person. Come on, let's eat in the kitchen."

 

They made their way to the table, and Clarke wasted no time digging into her meal. Lexa sat across from her, propping her chin in her hand as she watched Clarke eat with a small smile.

 

"How was your day?" Lexa asked after a moment, her voice soft.

 

Clarke took a big sip of her milkshake before answering, her eyes lighting up. "It was good! Pretty relaxing, actually." She grabbed her burger for another bite, her words muffled as she added, "I've been looking forward to this all day, though."

 

Lexa let out a quiet laugh, shaking her head. "I'll wait until you're done. Take your time."

 

While Clarke continued eating, Lexa casually scrolled through TikTok, sneaking glances at her every now and then. The room was filled with a comfortable silence, the occasional sound of Clarke's happy hums as she enjoyed her food.

 

A few minutes later, Clarke leaned back with a contented sigh, patting her stomach. "That was so good, Lex. Thank you for bringing it."

 

Lexa smiled, setting her phone aside. "Anything for you and baby Clexa."

 

Clarke shook her head, her cheeks still flushed as she stood up to toss her trash away. "Well, you're spoiling us, but I'm not complaining."

 

Lexa chuckled and leaned back in her chair, watching Clarke move around the kitchen. "I don't see it as spoiling. I see it as taking care of my family."

 

Clarke paused mid-step, her back to Lexa. She felt her heart swell at Lexa's words. Turning around, she gave her a small, shy smile. "You always know the right thing to say."

 

Lexa stood and walked over, gently placing her hands on Clarke's shoulders. "I mean every word, Clarke. You and the baby are everything to me."

 

Clarke smiled feeling her heart race. "Do you still want to see the bump?"

 

Lexa's face lit up instantly. "Yes! Show me!"

 

Clarke laughed, lifting her shirt just enough to reveal her small but noticeable baby bump. Lexa's eyes widened in awe, and she immediately got up, stepping closer.

 

"Clarke..." Lexa whispered, kneeling slightly to get a better look. "It's... incredible."

 

Clarke chuckled softly. "It's not much, but it's there."

 

Lexa gently placed her hand on Clarke's bump, her touch soft and reverent. She stayed there for a moment, completely captivated. "I can't believe there's really a little person in there."

 

Clarke smiled, her hand covering Lexa's. "Our little person."

 

Lexa looked up at Clarke, her green eyes glistening. "I'm going to love them so much, Clarke. Just like I love you."

 

Clarke felt her breath catch, her own emotions bubbling to the surface. "We're lucky to have you, Lex. Both of us."

 

Lexa placed a soft kiss on Clarke's stomach and stood up wrapping Clarke in a gentle hug, her arms protective around her. "I'll do whatever it takes to make sure both of you are happy and safe."

 

Clarke rested her head against Lexa's shoulder, feeling completely at peace. "I know you will. And I love you for it."

 

🎶🎶🎶

 

Thursday, June 19th

 

It had been a couple of days since their quiet evening together, and Lexa was enjoying her day off. She was currently out with Clarke and Abby at a local baby store, their first official outing to shop for the baby.

 

Abby had texted Lexa early that morning, inviting her to join them. Unbeknownst to Clarke, Lexa had already agreed, so when Clarke FaceTimed her five minutes later, excitedly asking her to come along, Lexa couldn't help but laugh.

 

"Your mom beat you to it," Lexa told her over the call, smirking.

 

Clarke had pouted adorably, her lower lip sticking out just enough to make Lexa's heart race. "Well, I'm still officially inviting you. You have to come!"

 

"Don't worry, Clarke," Lexa said with a soft chuckle. "I'll be there."

 

Now, standing in the baby store surrounded by aisles of tiny clothes, cribs, and an overwhelming number of baby supplies, Lexa was trying to keep up with Clarke and Abby's excitement. Clarke was holding up a tiny onesie with an astronaut print on it, her eyes sparkling.

 

"Look at this, Lex! Isn't it the cutest?" Clarke said, holding it up against herself for size comparison.

 

Lexa smiled, running her fingers over the soft fabric. "That's adorable. And it's neutral, so it works no matter what."

 

Abby, standing nearby, chuckled as she examined a stroller. "At this rate, the baby's wardrobe will be bigger than mine."

 

Clarke turned to Abby, grinning. "Well, they have to be fashionable, Mom."

 

Lexa couldn't help but laugh.

 

As they moved through the store, Abby took the lead in explaining the practicality of certain items while Lexa and Clarke hovered near the clothes and toys. Every so often, Clarke would hold up something ridiculously cute, and Lexa would just nod, already knowing it would end up in their cart.

 

At one point, Abby approached with a sleek, high-end stroller. "This one's durable, easy to maneuver, and folds up for storage. What do you think?"

 

Lexa glanced at it, impressed. "It looks great. What do you think, Clarke?"

 

Clarke ran her hand over the stroller's handle, nodding thoughtfully. "I love it. Let's get it."

 

As Abby placed it into their cart, Lexa leaned in closer to Clarke and whispered, "You're really good at this whole mom thing already."

 

Clarke blushed, nudging Lexa lightly with her shoulder. "And you're not so bad yourself."

 

Lexa smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. This moment, shopping for their baby with Clarke and Abby, felt like a glimpse into the family life she'd always dreamed of.

 

By the time they left the store, their cart was filled with gender-neutral baby clothes, blankets, a stroller, and an assortment of other essentials. As they loaded everything into Abby's car, Lexa caught Clarke's eye and smiled.

 

"This is really happening, isn't it?" Lexa said softly.

 

Clarke nodded, her hand resting on her small baby bump. "Yeah, it is. And I wouldn't want to do this with anyone else but you."

 

Lexa reached out, squeezing Clarke's hand gently. "Me neither."

 

Abby, overhearing their exchange, smiled to herself but didn't say anything, letting the moment stay between them.

 

Clarke and Lexa exchanged a look, their connection unspoken but undeniable.

~~~~

Lexa was now back home after helping Clarke and Abby unload everything they had bought from the baby store. She stood in the kitchen, twisting the cap off a water bottle when her mother's voice broke the silence.

 

"Hey, sweetheart. What's got you smiling so hard?" Indra asked, her tone light as she began gathering ingredients for lunch.

 

Lexa leaned against the counter, still holding her water bottle. "I went shopping with Clarke and Abby for baby stuff today," she said, watching her mom's reaction closely.

 

Indra glanced up from washing lettuce, her brow raised. "Shopping? Without knowing the gender?"

 

Lexa nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "We picked out gender-neutral clothes and blankets. Abby also chose some bottles and this really cool stroller."

 

Indra paused, setting down the lettuce. She looked at Lexa thoughtfully. "I suppose we should get some things for the baby to keep here, too," she said, her voice calm but with a hint of warmth.

 

Lexa's eyes widened, her face lighting up with a grin. "You'd want to do that?" she asked, her excitement evident.

 

Indra gave a small smile. "Of course. It only makes sense. We can go after the gender reveal so we know what theme you want for the nursery."

 

Lexa stepped forward and wrapped her arms around her mom. "Thank you, Mom. That means a lot to me."

 

Indra patted Lexa's back briefly before returning to the lettuce. "Maybe we can invite Clarke and Abby to join us," Lexa suggested carefully, gauging her mom's reaction.

 

Indra stiffened slightly but gave a polite smile. "Of course. We can invite them."

 

Lexa frowned at the subtle tension in her mom's expression. She hated the strained dynamic between her mom and Clarke. "Are you excited for the gender reveal on Saturday?" Lexa asked, trying to steer the conversation in a positive direction.

 

Indra's smile softened, her eyes lighting up. "Of course I am. I'll finally know if I'm having a grandson or granddaughter."

 

Lexa grinned. "You know Abby ordered some pink and blue ribbons so people can pin them to their shirts the day of the reveal."

 

Indra arched a brow. "Yes, I know. Abby and I talk, you realize."

 

Lexa chuckled. "I didn't know that."

 

Indra smirked slightly. "Who do you think has been helping plan the gender reveal and picking up some of the decorations?"

 

Lexa blinked in surprise. "No offense, Mom, but I didn't think you'd want to be that involved with anything baby-related."

 

Indra's hands paused mid-motion, and she let out a sharp breath. "Is that why you barely talk about the baby with me? Because you think I don't want anything to do with my own grandchild?"

 

Lexa hesitated but nodded. "You suggested an abortion when I told you, Mom. So... yeah."

 

Indra's lips pressed into a thin line, and she leaned against the counter, crossing her arms. "Lexa, I love my grandchild. I know when you first told me Clarke was pregnant, I reacted harshly. But that wasn't because of the baby—it was because you got Clarke pregnant. I can't lie to you... I wish it had been Costia instead."

 

Lexa's eyes narrowed, frustration flickering across her face. "Well, Mom, it's not Costia. And it's never going to be Costia," she said firmly. She sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I just wish you'd accept Clarke. She's important to me, and she's the mother of your grandchild."

 

Indra's face softened slightly, but her tone remained guarded. "I am accepting of my grandchild, Lexa. And for now, that has to be enough." She turned back to the cutting board, resuming her task with careful precision.

 

Lexa opened her mouth to argue, to press the point but then stopped herself. If her mom was happy about the baby, maybe that was all she could ask for right now. Forcing her to accept Clarke, too, might only make things worse.

 

"Fine," Lexa muttered as she left the kitchen to go upstairs and take a nap.

~~~~

It was now evening, and Clarke and Niylah were hanging out in Clarke's room, lounging on her bed while an episode of Outer Banks played on Netflix. The soft glow of the screen filled the room as the two relaxed in each other's company.

 

"So," Niylah began, her tone casual, "I saw you and Lexa did some baby shopping today."

 

Clarke's face lit up at the mention. "Oh, yeah, it was so much fun. My mom came too." She got up and headed to her closet, pulling out a few shopping bags with excitement.

 

Niylah raised an eyebrow at the number of bags and smiled faintly. "Your mom bought all that? Looks like she went all out."

 

"No, Lexa did!" Clarke said, her smile growing softer. "She told me to pick out whatever I wanted, and she paid for everything."

 

"Oh," Niylah replied, her smile faltering slightly.

 

Clarke didn't seem to notice the shift in Niylah's expression as she sat back down on the bed, pulling out tiny baby clothes and soft blankets. "It was so much fun. I can't wait for the gender reveal. After that, we're going shopping again."

 

Niylah watched Clarke, her eyes lingering on the items in her hands. Despite her best efforts, a twinge of jealousy flared in her chest.

 

"We picked out all gender-neutral stuff for now," Clarke continued, holding up a soft beige onesie adorned with little stars. She smiled at the thought of her baby wearing it.

 

Niylah forced a smile, her voice soft. "That's nice... you two seem to be working really well together."

 

Clarke glanced at Niylah and noticed the hint of something behind her words, but she decided not to press. Instead, she folded the onesie and placed it neatly back in the bag. "Yeah, I think we're figuring it out. Lexa's been really supportive."

 

Niylah nodded, but her thoughts wandered. She couldn't help but feel like she was slowly being pushed to the sidelines of Clarke's life, and it was hard not to compare herself to Lexa, who seemed to be stepping up in every way.

 

"So... have you two talked about what things will look like once the baby's here?" Niylah asked carefully.

 

Clarke smiled softly. "Not everything yet, but we're taking it one step at a time." She paused, looking at Niylah thoughtfully. "You're still going to be part of this too, you know. You're important to me, Niylah."

 

Niylah's heart warmed at Clarke's words, but the lingering jealousy still whispered at the back of her mind. "I know, Clarke," she said with a small smile, trying to push the feeling aside.

 

Clarke reached over and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze before turning back to the TV, letting the comforting sound of the show fill the space between them.

 

🎶🎶🎶

 

Saturday, June 21st (Gender Reveal🩷🐝💙)

 

It was the day of the gender reveal, and Clarke was sitting on the patio, watching as Lexa helped set up everything outside. Clarke had tried to pitch in, but of course, Lexa shooed her away. Clarke couldn't help but laugh as she remembered the playful glare Lexa gave her when she tried to pick up a box to help.

 

The decorations were coming together beautifully, and Clarke was beyond excited. Her mom and Indra had really gone all out with the planning. They had decided on a cute bumblebee theme for the party. Clarke's eyes lit up as she saw her mom and Indra directing her dad and Gustus on how to hang the banner. The banner read, "He or She? What will baby Clexa BEE?" Clarke thought it was absolutely adorable.

 

Her heart swelled when she saw Lexa walking her way, holding a water bottle in one hand and a bowl of fresh, cut-up watermelon in the other.

 

"Are you okay over here? It's pretty hot out," Lexa said, setting the water bottle and bowl down in front of Clarke.

 

"Yes, I'm fine. Thank you," Clarke said, her voice soft as she smiled up at Lexa.

 

"I just wanted to check on you and bring you a little snack," Lexa replied, giving Clarke a warm smile before heading back to help with the decorations.

 

"So sweet," Clarke murmured to herself, watching Lexa walk back to the group, feeling a flutter in her chest.

 

About 45 minutes later, everything was set up. The decorations for the gender reveal were buzzing with cheerful energy, perfectly capturing the bumblebee theme. The space was a bright mix of yellow, black, and white, with accents of gold for a touch of elegance.

 

A large balloon arch stood at the entrance, made up of clusters of yellow and black balloons, with a few gold accents scattered in between. It framed the area where everyone would gather to watch the reveal. Paper lanterns were hanging from the trees, resembling honeycombs, swaying gently in the warm breeze.

 

The center of the yard featured a big table adorned with a yellow and white striped tablecloth, covered with bumblebee-shaped plates, napkins, and cups. The centerpiece was a large vase filled with fresh sunflowers, adding a burst of color. Small jars of honey, with tiny bumblebee labels, were placed around the table as party favors for guests to take home.

 

The large banner hung between two trees. The backdrop for the reveal had clusters of balloons in a mix of yellow, black, and white, with a few gold ones to make it pop. There were also cute bumblebee cutouts placed strategically around the yard, creating a fun, whimsical atmosphere.

 

A smaller table off to the side, on the table were snacks and treats, all carefully arranged to match the theme, yellow cupcakes with black icing shaped like little bees, honeycomb-shaped cookies, and mini sandwiches arranged to look like flowers.

 

Clarke smiled seeing the finished product. She couldn't wait to see the look on Lexa's face when they finally found out if they were having a little boy or a girl.

~~~~

The gender reveal was now in full swing, and the excitement in the air was palpable. Clarke looked effortlessly adorable in a yellow spaghetti strap sundress that ended just above her knees, paired with a cute pair of sandals adorned with little bumblebees a gift from her mom. Her hair was pulled up into a simple ponytail, and she wore no makeup, letting her natural glow shine through. Lexa, on the other hand, was equally as stylish in a yellow short-sleeve button-up shirt, matching yellow shorts, and a pair of custom sunflower Vans that added a playful touch to her look.

 

A good-sized crowd had gathered to celebrate the special day. Clarke had invited Niylah, her friends, and some members of the art club, while Lexa had brought her cousins Lincoln and Anya, a few close friends, and some of her old soccer teammates. Abby and Jake had invited a few of their relatives and also the parents of Clarke's friends if they chose to come, and Indra and Gustus had included Lincoln and Anya's parents in the invite list.

 

As they stood in front of the decorated backdrop, Abby couldn't help but smile and snap a picture of the two of them.

 

"You both look so cute," she said, her voice filled with pride as she adjusted her camera.

 

"Thanks, Mom," Clarke said, grinning as her mom continued to capture the moment.

 

Abby smiled warmly as she clicked the shutter on her camera, making sure to capture every moment of her daughter's special day. Lexa stepped closer to Clarke, adjusting her posture and holding out a hand to take her in. The two shared a brief, quiet moment, exchanging a soft smile that spoke volumes.

 

Abby took a few more pictures before putting the camera down and giving them both an approving nod. "Alright, enough with the photos. You two look great. Let's get this thing started!" she said with excitement in her voice.

 

As the guests mingled and chatted, one of the most eye-catching details at the gender reveal was a large poster board placed at the edge of the yard. The board had been custom-made by Indra, matching the bumblebee theme of the decorations. It was a fun and interactive touch that immediately caught everyone's attention.

 

The board was divided into two sections, with "Team Boy" on one side and "Team Girl" on the other. There were bright yellow and black bee-shaped stickers all around the edges, adding to the playful vibe. At the top of the poster, in bold, decorative letters, it read:

 

"He or She? What Will Baby Clexa BEE?"

 

Underneath that, a line of instructions was written:

 

"Please place your name under the gender you think baby Clexa will be!"

 

The paper was filled with spaces for names, and each person was invited to mark their guess by writing it down under either the boy or girl section. Many guests enthusiastically grabbed pens, some playfully debating with others about whether it would be a boy or girl, while others just smiled, eager to make their guess.

~~~~

Clarke and Lexa sat closely side by side at a table, their fingers intertwined under the table as they exchanged soft smiles. They had barely parted since the reveal began, basking in the joy of the day. Niylah, though she wasn't entirely thrilled by their constant closeness, remained silent, not wanting to ruin Clarke's happiness.

 

"I still can't believe we're finally going to find out what baby Clexa is!" Octavia exclaimed, practically bouncing with excitement. She wore a pink ribbon pinned to her dress, signaling her guess that it was a girl.

 

"I know, right?" Raven added, her voice equally enthusiastic, with a blue ribbon pinned to hers in support of her guess that it would be a boy.

 

Before anyone could respond further, Abby's voice rang out, announcing that it was time to eat. The scent of homemade food filled the air as she and Indra, both clearly proud of their work, started serving baked chicken, roasted vegetables, and a heaping dish of baked mac and cheese.

 

"Finally!" Clarke said dramatically causing the group to laugh.

 

"Everything looks amazing, Mom," Clarke said to Abby, who was beaming as she handed Clarke her plate.

 

"Thanks, sweetheart. I'm just so glad we could all be together for this," Abby replied, her smile softening as she looked at both of them. "It's a big day."

 

Lexa squeezed Clarke's hand under the table, feeling the weight of her words. It was a big day.

 

Everyone began to dig into their meals, and the conversation turned lighthearted, with people sharing how the summer had been, discussions on starting college for the ones who recently graduated, and discussions about the new school year for the ones returning to school next year.

 

"I'm going to need a nap after all this food," Raven said, laughing as she wiped her mouth with a napkin.

 

"Same," Clarke replied, feeling full and slightly tired, but all of that faded away when she saw her dad bringing out the big balloon that would reveal the gender of baby Clexa.

 

They also had some gender-reveal confetti cannons ready to go.

 

"Alright, alright, are you all ready for the big reveal?" Indra called out, her voice full of excitement.

 

The chatter died down, and everyone turned their attention to Clarke and Lexa, who were walking toward the large balloon. Abby had assigned Octavia, Raven, Anya, and Lincoln to pop the confetti cannons at the same time as Clarke and Lexa popped the balloon, making it a coordinated, dramatic moment.

 

The crowd slowly gathered near the banner, eagerly watching. Lexa stood on one side of the balloon, Clarke on the other, each holding a small needle to puncture it. The air was thick with anticipation.

 

"Are you ready?" Clarke whispered to Lexa, her voice full of excitement and nerves.

 

Lexa gave her hand a reassuring squeeze and nodded. "Always."

 

Clarke looked around at their friends and family, feeling her heart race. This moment felt bigger than she imagined, a life-changing reveal that she would share with the person she loved most.

 

"Alright, let's count down from three," Abby called out, her eyes gleaming with excitement.

 

Clarke and Lexa shared one last glance before they readied themselves. As the countdown began, the tension was palpable, everyone holding their breath in anticipation.

 

"Three... two... one!" Abby called, and the sound of popping balloons and confetti bursting through the air filled the space.

 

The crowd erupted into cheers, and Clarke and Lexa's faces lit up in joy as the color of the powder from the balloon and confetti filled the air.

 

It was a.….

Notes:

How did you all feel about Clarke and Lexa in this chapter?

What were your thoughts on the conversation between Indra and Lexa? And Clarke and Niylah?

As always leave me your thoughts 💭

Chapter 22: "It's okay. Really. I'd rather us be honest with each other than keep pretending everything's fine when it's not."

Saturday, July 12th

 

It had been three weeks since the gender reveal, and Clarke was lying in bed, her face glowing with happiness as she scrolled through her phone. Lexa had already texted her that morning, and as always, her messages brought a smile to Clarke's face.

 

Lex: Happy 20 weeks 💕

 

Lex: Our baby girl is the size of a banana now 🥺 She's growing so much.

 

Clarke felt a familiar flutter of butterflies as she typed back.

 

Good morning, Lex 💕 Thank you, and yes, our baby girl is growing. My stomach has gotten bigger.

 

She attached a picture of her baby bump, which had noticeably grown over the past few weeks. It was surreal to see how much her body had changed since the beginning of her pregnancy. Along with the excitement of watching her belly grow, she'd been dealing with some not-so-fun symptoms: constant backaches and relentless heartburn had become her daily companions.

 

Lexa's reply came almost instantly.

 

Lex: Clarke😩 I need to come over so I can talk to my baby girl.

 

Lex: Oh, and did you know that her digestive system is practicing swallowing and producing her first poop? Ngl, it sounds kinda gross, but since it's our baby girl, it's adorable. 🥰

 

Clarke laughed out loud, shaking her head. Leave it to Lexa to make something like that sound cute. Her excitement and fascination with every little detail about the baby warmed Clarke's heart. It was clear that Lexa already had plans to spoil their daughter endlessly.

 

She smiled while shaking her head replying: Only you could make something like that sound adorable 😂 Come over, your baby girl miss you.

 

Lex: Tell her I am on my way! And I'm bringing snacks for you and her💕

 

Clarke smiled, her heart full. Lexa's excitement and devotion made everything, the aches, the heartburn, and the sleepless nights feel completely worth it. She rested her hand gently on her bump and whispered, "Me and your mommy are already obsessed with you."

 

Clarke was still smiling at Lexa's texts when there was a soft knock on her bedroom door. A moment later, her mom peeked her head inside, her warm smile instantly making Clarke feel at ease.

 

"Hey, sweetheart," Abby said, stepping into the room. "I just wanted to let you know that lunch is ready. I made something light, nothing that should give you bad heartburn this time, I promise."

 

Clarke chuckled softly. "Thank you, Mom. You're a lifesaver. What did you make?"

 

"Grilled chicken wraps with lots of veggies and a side of fruit," Abby said, stepping fully into the room. "I figured it'd be easier on your stomach than anything too heavy or spicy."

 

Clarke smiled. "That sounds perfect. Thanks, Mom."

 

Abby walked over and sat on the edge of the bed, her eyes softening as she looked at Clarke. "How are you feeling today?"

 

"I'm great. Like I have been on cloud nine since the gender reveal but my back's killing me, though, and the heartburn is still hanging around," Clarke admitted with a small sigh.

 

Abby reached out and gently tucked a stray strand of hair behind Clarke's ear. "You're doing great, you know that? Pregnancy isn't easy, but you're handling it so well."

 

Clarke felt her cheeks warm. "Thanks, Mom. I'm really lucky to have you and Dad in my corner."

 

Abby smiled. "And you're lucky to have Lexa, too. She's been amazing through all of this."

 

"She really has," Clarke agreed, her hand instinctively moving to her bump. "She's on her way over now. She's bringing snacks for me and the baby."

 

Abby laughed lightly. "That sounds about right. Lexa's already wrapped around that baby's little finger, and she's not even here yet."

 

Clarke nodded, her smile widening. "She's going to be the best mom."

 

Abby stood and placed a hand on Clarke's shoulder. "You both will be. Now, come on, let's get you and my grandaughter fed."

 

Clarke laughed and carefully slid out of bed, following her mom downstairs.

~~~~

It was now an hour later, and Clarke was lounging on the couch in the living room, watching Lexa and Jake bond over the baseball game on TV. Well, watching might've been a strong word. She was more focused on her phone and occasionally glancing at the screen, trying to muster some level of interest. But baseball wasn't her thing, and Lexa and Jake were clearly in their own world.

 

"Did you see that play?" Jake said enthusiastically, leaning forward in his seat.

 

"Unreal!" Lexa replied, equally excited. "That throw to first base was perfect."

 

Clarke rolled her eyes playfully. "I'll take your word for it."

 

Lexa turned to her, smirking. "Come on, Clarke, you've got to appreciate the strategy behind it. It's not just a game, it's an art."

 

Clarke raised an eyebrow. "An art? Sure, if by 'art' you mean a bunch of people running around trying to hit a ball."

 

Jake chuckled. "Not everyone sees the beauty in it, Lexa."

 

Lexa shook her head, pretending to be scandalized.

 

Clarke laughed, leaning back against the cushions. "I think I'll survive without appreciating baseball, thanks. Besides, you two are way too into this. It's like I'm not even here."

 

Lexa reached over and grabbed her hand, squeezing it. "You're always here, Clarke. I promise I'll make it up to you after the game. We can do whatever you want."

 

Jake grinned, glancing between the two of them but kept quiet.

 

Clarke smiled softly, her heart warming at Lexa's words. "Okay fine."

 

She leaned her head back on the couch, watching Lexa's animated expressions as she debated a play with her dad. It made her wonder would their baby girl grow up liking sports like Lexa. She definitely wouldn't mind.

 

After what felt like hours of enduring baseball though it was nowhere near that long. Clarke and Lexa had retreated to her room. Clarke was nestled comfortably in bed, propped up on pillows, while Lexa lay across the bed with her face hovering close to Clarke's growing belly.

 

"Hey, little one, it's Mommy," Lexa said in a soft, playful voice, her tone light and affectionate.

 

Clarke couldn't help but smile at the sweetness of the moment, her heart swelling as she watched Lexa interact with their baby.

 

Lexa placed a gentle hand on Clarke's stomach, her thumb stroking softly over the fabric of Clarke's shirt. "You've been growing so much, and we're so proud of you already," she murmured, her voice filled with love. "I can't wait to meet you, little one. I promise I'll always protect you and your mama."

 

Clarke ran her fingers through Lexa's hair, her heart melting at how natural Lexa was in this role already. "You know, she's probably already in love with your voice," Clarke said with a soft smile.

 

Lexa looked up at Clarke briefly, her green eyes glowing with warmth. "I hope so. I want her to know she's loved every single second, even before she's here."

 

Clarke's heart melted at Lexa's words. "You're going to be such a good mom," she said softly.

 

Lexa looked up at Clarke with a shy smile. "You really think so?"

 

"I know so," Clarke assured her. "You already are."

 

Lexa kissed Clarke's stomach lightly. She leaned closer and began to hum a melody Clarke didn't immediately recognize but found soothing nonetheless.

 

"You're humming," Clarke teased, her smile wide. "That's new."

 

Lexa shrugged, her cheeks flushing. "I just want her to feel calm. You said music is good for her, right?"

 

"Definitely," Clarke said, her voice laced with warmth.

 

For a while, they stayed like that, Clarke smiling while Lexa spoke softly to their baby girl. The room was filled with a peaceful, almost magical quiet, the kind that made time seem to stand still.

 

"You're incredible," Clarke whispered after a moment.

 

Lexa looked up at her, her green eyes shining bright. "So are you, Clarke. We're doing this together."

 

They stayed like that until they both eventually drifted off to sleep.

~~~~

Abby paused in the hallway, her heart softening at the sight before her. Clarke's bedroom door was opened, offering a glimpse of a moment so tender it brought a smile to her face.

 

Clarke was propped up by a stack of pillows, her head tilted slightly to the side as she slept peacefully. Lexa, on the other hand, was sprawled across the bed, her head resting gently on Clarke's lap. One of her hands lay protectively on Clarke's stomach as if shielding their baby even in her sleep.

 

Abby smiled softly, leaning against the doorframe for a moment to take it all in. Despite the challenges and uncertainties that had come with Clarke's pregnancy, moments like this reminded her that everything was going to be okay.

 

She quietly pulled her phone out of her pocket, snapping a quick photo. This was a moment she wanted to have so she could share it with Clarke, Lexa, and her granddaughter.

 

She stepped away, careful not to disturb them, and continued down the hallway, leaving them for their peaceful nap.

 

🎶🎶🎶

 

Sunday, July 13th

 

"I can't believe you are about to be a mom," Anya said to Lexa, her voice filled with amusement.

 

"Right?" Lincoln added, nodding in agreement as he glanced at Lexa, clearly still processing the idea.

 

"Well, believe it," Lexa teased back with a grin, holding up a tiny pink and white long-sleeve onesie that had Princess written across it in gold glitter. It was one of those baby items that was just too cute to ignore.

 

Lexa and her cousins were currently wandering through the mall, their feet carrying them into yet another baby store. After the gender reveal and all the excitement surrounding it, shopping for baby things quickly became a favorite pastime for Lexa.

 

"That's adorable," Anya said, leaning over to look at the onesie. "She's going to be so spoiled."

 

"Totally," Lexa agreed with a laugh. "I'm already thinking about how many cute clothes she's going to have."

 

Lincoln smiled, shaking his head. "You're in for it, Lexa. That little one will have you wrapped around her finger before she even knows what's going on."

 

Lexa couldn't help but smile at the thought. "I know. But it's going to be worth it."

 

They continued browsing through the store, picking out all sorts of adorable outfits, but Lexa's mind kept drifting back to how much her life had already changed. Seeing all these baby things made everything feel so real, and with every passing moment, she found herself more and more excited for what was to come.

 

I'm definitely getting this," Anya said, pulling Lexa out of her thoughts as she held up a lavender two-piece outfit with a matching headband.

 

"That is so cute An," Lexa said, her face softening as she glanced at the tiny clothes. "I can't believe how real this is starting to feel. I'm so ready to meet her."

 

"We are too," Lincoln chimed in, holding up a pair of tiny pink shoes he'd just picked off the shelf. "A new little member of our cru."

 

Lexa chuckled, the excitement bubbling in her chest. "Yeah a new little member of our cru," she said softly.

 

By the time they made their way to the register, the cart was overflowing with tiny outfits, blankets, shoes, and even a few toys.

 

The cashier raised her eyebrows as she scanned each item. "Someone's preparing for a very lucky baby."

 

Lexa grinned. "She deserves it all."

 

As Lexa, Anya, and Lincoln stepped out of the store and started making their way toward the food court, Lexa nearly bumped into someone walking from the opposite direction.

 

"Sorry about that—" Lexa started but froze mid-sentence when her eyes landed on the familiar face.

 

Costia.

 

Her sleek dark hair was pulled back into a neat ponytail, and she was dressed in a cute light pink romper with matching sandals. She looked beautiful as always, but the air between them immediately shifted with tension.

 

"Lexa," Costia said, her tone neutral but her eyes scanning Lexa's face. Then her gaze dropped to the bags in Lexa's hands. "Looks like you've been doing a lot of shopping."

 

Lexa cleared her throat and straightened her posture, gripping the shopping bags a little tighter. "Costia. Uh, yeah... Just picking up some baby stuff."

 

Costia's expression froze for a second, and she blinked. "Of course," she said quietly, her voice almost inaudible. "I heard you were having a baby girl... Congratulations."

 

Thank you," Lexa said softly. She could see the sadness behind Costia's eyes. She knew she was probably thinking about the times when they talked about the future and kids. Costia always said she wanted them to have a girl first.

 

There was a brief, awkward silence, the kind that felt like it stretched forever. Finally, Costia spoke again, her tone less guarded. "Hey, Anya and Lincoln."

 

"Hey Cos, how have you been?" Anya asked going to hug her.

 

Lincoln gave a polite smile and said hello.

 

"I've been good, I was picking up a couple of outfits for a vacay I am going on with Emory before we both head off to college next month," Costia said as she looked back at Lexa who was still looking at her.

 

"That sounds fun," Anya said giving her a soft smile, "We should do something like that Lex."

 

Lexa pulled her eyes away and gave Anya a quick smile. "Yeah, we should."

 

An awkward silence settled between them again.

 

Costia cleared her throat and looked at the bags in Lexa's hand again. "Well, it was nice running into you three. Take care, Lexa."

 

“You too,” Lexa said, watching as Costia turned and walked away.

 

As soon as she was out of earshot, Anya turned to Lexa with a raised eyebrow. "Well, that wasn't awkward at all."

 

Lincoln patted Lexa on the shoulder. "You okay?"

 

Lexa nodded, though she felt a knot in her stomach. "Yeah. Just... unexpected."

 

"How about we get some food on the way back to your house or better yet have it delivered?" Lincoln suggested.

 

"Yeah that sounds better," Lexa said.

 

But deep down, she couldn't ignore the weight of the encounter.

~~~~

An hour had passed since they left the mall, and the cousins were now sprawled out in Lexa's living room as the trio focused on the large TV screen. The sound of gunfire and explosions from Call of Duty echoed through the room.

 

"Lex, watch out!" Anya yelled, leaning forward and focused. Her character was pinned behind a wall, and she was frantically trying to reload.

 

I got it!" Lexa yelled back, her eyes glued to the screen as her character ducked behind cover and took out an enemy player with a precise headshot. "Boom! That's what I'm talking about."

 

Lincoln laughed, shaking his head as he respawned. "Alright, alright. Don't get cocky. We're still behind by two kills, and I'm carrying this team."

 

Anya scoffed, shooting him a playful glare. "Excuse me? I'm the one who's been running the point this entire match. You're just cleaning up after me."

 

"Teamwork, Anya. You can't just go lone wolf," Lexa teased, smirking.

 

"You're one to talk," Anya shot back. "Okay, fine. Next round, I'll stick with the squad."

 

As the game continued, the cousin's competitive banter filled the room. Lexa couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. After the unexpected run-in with Costia, she needed a distraction, and nothing worked better than hanging out with her cousins.

 

Got him!" Anya cheered as she took out an opponent trying to flank them. "Double kill, baby! Let's go!"

 

Lincoln groaned. "Alright, that was a solid play, but don't let it get to your head."

 

As the game timer ticked down, Lexa's character launched a grenade into the enemy spawn point, scoring a triple kill just as the buzzer went off. The words Victory flashed across the screen, and Lexa threw her arms in the air triumphantly.

 

"YES! That's how it's done!" she shouted, laughing as Anya and Lincoln groaned.

~~~~

It was now around 10 pm, and Lincoln and Anya had gone home a while ago. Lexa was currently lying in her bed looking at old pictures of her and Costia and rereading old texts.

 

Lexa scrolled through the gallery on her phone, smiling sadly at the pictures of her and Costia. Pictures of them at school, on dates, and vacations. Her chest tightened as she swiped further.

 

Eventually, she moved to old texts. Long threads of late-night conversations filled with inside jokes, shared dreams, and casual "I love you"s that felt heavier now than they ever had before. She read one in particular that made her pause:

 

"I don't care where life takes us, as long as you're there🩷."

 

Lexa exhaled shakily, her jaw clenching. It wasn't that she wanted Costia back, but she did miss her. Before everything, they had been close, and she knew that bond was damaged beyond repair. The ache in her chest wasn't from longing it was from guilt. She had hurt Costia, deeply, and it was all starting to hit her out of nowhere.

 

Her phone dimmed from inactivity, the screen going dark and leaving her alone with her thoughts in the quiet of her room. She placed the phone on the bedside table and rubbed her hands over her face. She spent the rest of the night thinking about how to approach Costia and planning exactly what she would say.

 

🎶🎶🎶

 

Monday, July 14th

 

"Clarke, your stomaaaaaach," Raven said dramatically, reaching out to gently rub her baby bump.

 

"Seriously, like wow," Octavia added, her eyes wide with fascination.

 

"I know, it's growing," Clarke replied with a laugh, amused by their reactions.

 

"Is it heavy?" Octavia asked curiously.

 

"Yes, it's definitely heavy," Clarke said with a smile. "And sometimes it hurts, especially on the sides of my stomach."

 

"You are a trooper," Octavia said moving her hand hesitantly to Clarke's stomach.

 

"It's okay, Octavia, you can touch it," Clarke said with a smile.

 

"It's so firm... I still can't believe you're having a baby," Octavia said, amazed.

 

"I can't either," Clarke laughed, shaking her head.

 

"Have you and Lexa thought of any names?" Raven asked.

 

"We've thrown out some random names over text, but we haven't actually sat down and had a serious conversation about it yet," Clarke explained.

 

"Oh, by the way, Lincoln told me they ran into Costia at the mall yesterday," Octavia said, scrolling through Instagram.

 

"Really? Lexa didn't mention that when we FaceTimed last night," Clarke said, furrowing her brow. She wondered if that was why Lexa had seemed a little off on the phone.

 

"Yeah, Lincoln said it was super awkward, but Costia was still as sweet as ever," Octavia said with a shrug.

 

"Oh yeah, Anya told me about that... I could only imagine how awkward that was," Raven said shaking her head.

 

"I'm sure it was very awkward. Especially for Costia," Clarke replied feeling her phone vibrate with a message from Niylah.

 

Niylah❤️: Hey I won't be able to come over. Something came up.

 

Clarke frowned and let out a frustrated sigh. Her mood visibly shifted.

 

"What's wrong Clarkie pooh?" Raven asked causing Octavia to laugh at Raven using the nickname that she knew Clarke hated.

 

Clarke rolled her eyes getting more annoyed. "Don't call me that," she mumbled.

 

"Okaaaaay, okay," Raven said holding her hands up in mock surrender, "Seriously though what's wrong?"

 

"It's Niylah," Clarke groaned, "she's been acting strange ever since the gender reveal."

 

She watched as Octavia and Raven both looked at each other with a certain look.

 

"What?" Clarke asked, narrowing her eyes.

 

Raven hesitated as if she was thinking if she wanted to say something or not, but Octavia spoke first. "You really don't see it do you?"

 

"See what?" Clarke asked confused.

 

"You and Lexa have like this connection," Octavia carefully. "Like at the gender reveal you two never left each other side and I'm not saying anything is wrong with that but..."

 

"But what?" Clarke asked even more confused as Octavia trailed off not finishing her statement.

 

"I could see why Niylah would feel some type of way," Octavia said quickly finishing her thought.

 

Raven watched as Clarke frowned again, her brows furrowing. Raven quickly spoke up.

 

"Clarkie don't get upset," Raven said softly, "I'm team Clexa all the way it's just that maybe you should break up with Niylah."

 

Clarke's eyes widened in surprise. "What Raven? Why would you say that?"

 

Raven and Octavia looked at each other again before Octavia spoke up. "Look I love Niylah she's great really, but... it doesn't seem like your heart is in it."

 

"That's not true! I really care about Niylah," Clarke said immediately becoming defensive.

 

"But you love Lexa," Raven added softly.

 

Clarke opened her mouth to immediately deny what Raven had said but realized she couldn't because she still loved Lexa.

~~~~

A couple of hours had passed since Octavia and Raven had been over. Clarke was lounging in bed, scrolling through Instagram to pass the time. She came across a post from Niylah, who was apparently out with friends. The picture showed Niylah smiling with a group, and a casual caption that read "Good vibes with the best people✨."

 

Clarke double-tapped the post to like it, then kept scrolling without a second thought.

 

She realized she wasn't even upset.

 

It was like the feelings she should've had weren't there, replaced instead by a quiet acceptance she couldn't quite explain.

 

Placing her phone down on the nightstand, Clarke leaned back against her pillows and stared at the ceiling. Her conversation with Octavia and Raven earlier still played in her head, especially Raven's words: "But you love Lexa."

 

The truth of that statement was something she wasn't sure she was ready to face just yet. Maybe that's why she didn't feel upset about Niylah. Her mind and her heart were somewhere else entirely.

 

Her phone buzzed with a text, pulling her out of her thoughts. It was from Lexa.

 

Lex: Hey, how are you and our baby girl? Just checking in.

 

Clarke felt a smile tug at her lips as she picked up her phone to reply:

 We are both okay, just relaxing. What about you?

 

A moment later, her phone buzzed again.

 

Lex: Same. Just got off of work about to shower. Want me to come by?

 

Clarke hesitated for a brief second before typing back:

Yeah, I'm sure baby Clexa would love that lol.

 

Clarke hit send on her message to Lexa and then immediately switched over to her text thread with Niylah. Her fingers hovered over the keyboard for a moment before typing out the words she knew were long overdue:

 

We need to talk.

~~~~

Clarke and Lexa were in the living room, the glow of the TV lighting their faces as they watched Chilling Adventures of Sabrina on Netflix. Lexa seemed engrossed in the episode, but Clarke had something else on her mind.

 

"So, I heard you ran into Costia at the mall," Clarke said casually, her eyes flicking over to Lexa.

 

Lexa turned to look at her, her expression shifting slightly. "Yeah, I did. It was... um, awkward."

 

"I can imagine," Clarke said, remembering when she ran into Costia in the school bathroom not long after prom.

 

Lexa quickly changed the subject. "So, I got the 21st off so I can go with you to your appointment," she said, a soft smile forming on her lips.

 

Clarke's face brightened. "We'll get to see the little cutie again. More ultrasound photos."

 

"I can't wait," Lexa said, her hand moving instinctively to rest on Clarke's growing belly. She rubbed it gently, her smile widening as she added, "Our baby girl is going to be so perfect."

 

Clarke looked at Lexa, her heart racing as she felt butterflies fluttering in her stomach. The way Lexa's hand rested so gently on her belly, the way she smiled... it all felt so right.

 

Oh God, Clarke thought, trying to steady her breathing. She hadn't realized just how strong her feelings for Lexa were until that very moment.

 

Her pulse quickened, and she tried to shake off the nervousness that crept up on her, but it was hard to ignore the undeniable pull between them.

 

Just as Clarke was about to speak, her phone rang. It was Niylah calling, and she quickly answered.

 

"Hey Niy," Clarke said softly.

 

"Hey... I saw your text, and I agree, we need to talk," Niylah replied, her tone distant and off.

 

"Okay... so when do you want to do that?" Clarke asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

 

"Today. It's not that late. Do you think your parents would mind if I came over?" Niylah asked.

 

"Oh, um, I wasn't expecting it to be today, but yeah, you can come over. I'll ask Lexa to leave," Clarke said, a little unsure.

 

"Lexa is there?" Niylah's voice had a noticeable edge to it.

 

"Yes, but like I said, I'll ask her to leave," Clarke responded.

 

"Mhm, I'll be there in about 15 minutes," Niylah said flatly.

 

"Okay, see you then," Clarke replied, a knot forming in her stomach.

 

"Yes, see you then," Niylah responded and hung up. Clarke set her phone down, feeling nervous.

 

Clarke turned to Lexa, noticing the concern etched across her face.

 

"Is everything okay?" Lexa asked gently.

 

Clarke let out a small sigh. "Yes... well, no. I think Niylah and I are about to break up," she admitted, her tone tinged with sadness.

 

The genuine shock on Lexa's face caught Clarke off guard, and she couldn't help but let out a soft laugh despite the situation.

 

"Clarke, I'm so sorry," Lexa said, quickly pulling her into a comforting hug. "Are you okay?"

 

"I'm fine," Clarke replied as she leaned into the embrace. "A little sad, but... yeah."

 

After a moment, Clarke pulled back, meeting Lexa's eyes. "Do you mind leaving for right now? You can come back if want but Niylah's about to come over."

 

Lexa hesitated, searching Clarke's face for reassurance. "Of course not. But are you sure you're going to be okay?"

 

"I will," Clarke said firmly, offering a small, reassuring smile. "I promise."

 

Lexa nodded and leaned in for a quick, supportive hug before heading toward the door. "Call or text me if you want me to come back over. Okay?"

 

"I will," Clarke said, her smile soft but grateful as she watched Lexa leave.

~~~~

About 20 minutes later the doorbell rang. Clarke's stomach fluttered nervously, and she took another deep breath before walking to the door. When she opened it, Niylah stood there, looking slightly apprehensive but determined.

 

"Hey," Clarke said quietly.

 

"Hey," Niylah replied, stepping inside as Clarke moved aside.

 

They both walked quietly to the sofa and sat down. Niylah sat with her arms folded and a small frown on her face. Clarke took a seat opposite her, the air thick with unspoken tension.

 

"So..." Clarke began, taking a deep breath. "I think we both know why we're having this conversation."

 

Niylah nodded slowly, her eyes dropping to her hands. "Yeah. I kind of had a feeling this was coming."

 

Clarke felt a pang of guilt at the sadness in Niylah's voice. "It's not because I don't care about you. I do. You were there for me when all of that drama happened at school. You stayed and I'll always be grateful for that."

 

"I know," Niylah said, her voice steady despite the faint quiver in her lips. "And I care about you too, Clarke. But... I think we were meant to be just friends."

 

Clarke reached out, placing a gentle hand over Niylah's. "I think so too. And with everything going on with the baby, Lexa... It's not fair to you."

 

Niylah met her eyes, and for a moment, they both sat in silence, letting the weight of the moment settle between them. Finally, Niylah gave a small, bittersweet smile. "I think I knew that from the start that we wouldn't last very long... you and Lexa just... I don't know."

 

"Niy, I didn't mean for things to happen this way," Clarke said quickly, her voice thick with emotion.

 

Niylah squeezed Clarke's hand. "It's okay. Really. I'd rather us be honest with each other than keep pretending everything's fine when it's not."

 

"I'm sorry," Clarke whispered, as tears welled in her eyes.

 

"Me too," Niylah said softly, her own eyes glistening as she wiped at them. She managed a small, sad smile. "Well... I guess this is it."

 

"Yeah... I guess," Clarke replied, her voice trembling.

 

Niylah took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "Don't be a stranger, okay?" she said, attempting a lighthearted tone, though her laugh carried a trace of sadness.

 

"I won't. I promise," Clarke said, her lips curving into a bittersweet smile.

 

Niylah hesitated for a moment, as if she wanted to say more, but then nodded. "I'm gonna go. Take care of yourself, Clarke."

 

"You too," Clarke said, her voice soft as Niylah turned and walked toward the door. She paused briefly, her hand on the doorknob, before glancing back with a faint, wistful smile.

 

"See you around," Niylah said, her tone gentle.

 

"See you around," Clarke echoed as Niylah stepped out and quietly closed the door behind her. Clarke sat in the silence that followed. She didn’t know why but she felt the need to cry. Like really cry. So she did.

Notes:

So yes, baby Clexa is a girl, and Lexa as a mom will always be the cutest thing to me🥰

Lexa, Lincoln, and Anya hanging out is so cuuuute. What are your thoughts on their run-in with Costia?

Also, Clarke finally admits she still loves Lexa…like we didn’t already know that 🙄.

And lastly, Clarke and Niylah break up. How is everyone feeling about that?

As always leave me your thoughts💭

Chapter 23: Update

Hey everyone,

December was a very hard month for me mentally. I was in a really bad head space and made a decision that I was never writing again and with that decision, I impulsively deleted my account. I am doing better and have every intention to keep writing and finishing this story so I can start on new ones. A new update will be out on Sunday.

Chapter 24: "I only want one person. Okay?"

Notes:

Hey everyone, Happy Tuesday! I hope you all are having a good day. I got off work early today so I am in a good mood. I know I was supposed to upload this chapter Sunday but hey it's better late never. So without further ado here is the next chapter. I hope you all enjoy it!

Happy Reading❤️

Friday, July 18th

It was a hot Friday afternoon, and Lexa was at the gym with Anya and Lincoln. The air was filled with the rhythmic hum of treadmills and the occasional clang of weights being racked. The three of them were side by side on the treadmills, each at their own pace but in sync with the steady rhythm of their runs.

"So Lex," Anya started, barely out of breath as she glanced over at her cousin. "Costia really agreed to talk with you?"

Lexa nodded, adjusting the settings on her treadmill. "Yeah, we're meeting today. Later on this evening at my house."

"Today?" Anya said, raising an eyebrow as she glanced at her cousin. "That's... soon. How did you even get in contact with her didn't she block you on everything?"

"She didn't do it her best friends did," Lexa said rolling her eyes. "So I emailed her."

"You emailed her?" Lincoln asked, slowing his pace as he wiped his forehead with a towel. "You must really want to talk to her."

"Yeah, what Linc said," Anya added, turning her treadmill off and stepping down.

Lexa nodded, her pace slowing to a stop as well. "Yes, I emailed her and asked if could we talk. I just want to apologize and explain things properly this time."

"So you want like closure?" Anya asked.

"Yes for me and her," Lexa said, her tone thoughtful. "The way things ended... it wasn't fair to her. I feel like I've been carrying this weight, and it's time to let it go."

Anya let out a low whistle. "Well, Costia's sweet so hopefully everything goes the way you want it to go."

Lexa nodded, wiping sweat from her brow. "I'm ready for whatever she has to say. I just want to make things right... or at least try to."

"Good luck with that," Lincoln said, picking up his gym bag. "Let us know how it goes."

"I will," Lexa said pulling out her phone to text Clarke:

Hey, I just finished at the gym. I'm about to shower and be on the way to you and baby Clexa.

Not even a minute later a reply came through.

Clarke💖: Hey! Okay, can't wait to see you!

Lexa smiled at the thought of seeing Clarke and their baby girl, her heartwarming as she read Clarke's text again. She tapped the heart icon on the message and headed to the locker room to shower.
~~~~

"Lexa is about to come over," Clarke told Raven and Octavia who had been over her house hanging out since this morning.

Is that your way of asking us to leave?" Octavia asked, raising an eyebrow, a teasing grin spreading across her face.

Raven immediately burst into laughter. "Of course it is, O. Clarke is way too polite to just kick us out."

"Stoooop! It's not!" Clarke said her cheeks turning red. "You can stay if you want but I wanted to let you know that she is coming over."

"Oh, your cheeks are so red! It's definitely your way of asking us to leave," Octavia teased as she nudged Raven, who was still laughing.

"Right? Clarke's all like, 'You can stay,' but secretly she's praying that we get the fuck on," Raven added, grinning.

"Seriously, you two can stay if you want," Clarke said, though her blush deepened, completely betraying her.

Octavia raised an eyebrow. "Clarke, it's fine. We know you want some alone time with Lexa."

"Yeah, it's not like we're offended," Raven said, standing up and grabbing her bag. "Besides, I've got stuff to do anyway."

Octavia followed suit, slinging her jacket over her shoulder. "Same. Have fun with your girlfriend," she said, dragging out the last word dramatically.

"She's not my girlfriend! Niylah and I just broke up like four days ago" Clarke said, though her voice was more flustered than convincing.

"Sure, Clarke. Keep telling yourself that," Raven said walking up to rub her stomach. "Bye, baby Clexa and bye Clarkie."

Octavia followed suit, gently rubbing Clarke's stomach before saying her goodbyes. As she walked out behind Raven, she paused at the door and smirked. "Oh, and tell Mama Lexa we said hi."

Clarke groaned, shaking her head, but couldn't help the small smile that tugged at her lips.

She couldn't lie, she was super excited about Lexa coming over. Maybe, just maybe, she did want to spend time with her alone. The thought brought a small smile to her face, but it was quickly followed by a pang of guilt. She had just gotten out of a relationship, and feeling this way so soon made her feel a little conflicted.

Clarke let out a sigh as she made her way downstairs to get a bottle of water and settle on the couch. She pulled out her phone and started strolling through TikTok trying to distract herself from overthinking. She reminded herself that she and Niylah had ended things on good terms, and it wasn't wrong to be happy about spending time with Lexa especially since they were having a baby together.

Before her mind could spiral a text popped up from Lexa letting her know she was outside. Her heart skipped a beat as she went to let her in. When she opened it, she was greeted by Lexa's warm smile.

"Hey," Lexa said softly, her eyes lighting up when they met Clarke's.

"Hey," Clarke said softly letting her in. Clarke watched as Leca went to put the food she bought on the table in the kitchen and came back and kneeled. The butterflies in her stomach were instant as Lexa kissed her stomach and started talking to their baby girl.

Lexa got up and hugged Clarke. "I'm so ready to meet her."

Clarke felt her heart rate speed up as she and Lexa hugged.

"I am too," Clarke whispered.
~~~~
Clarke and Lexa were currently eating the food Lexa bought from La Dolce Tavola. A cute little Italian restaurant.

"So, your doctor's appointment is Monday at two, right?" Lexa asked, taking a sip of her water.

"Yeah, that's right," Clarke replied, a playful smile spreading across her face. "My mom was joking around yesterday, saying, 'What if, when they do the ultrasound, they find another baby?'"

Lexa's eyes widened, and she froze mid-bite, her fork hovering above her plate. "That can happen?!"

Clarke burst out laughing at the look of horror on Lexa's face. "Apparently, yeah! But don't worry, she was just kidding. My mom only made the joke because my stomach's a little bigger than expected for 20 weeks, but it's just one baby, Lexa."

"I mean if it was two I wouldn't be upset, but we would have to come up with a whole new game plan," Lexa said putting her fork down thinking.

"Lexa there aren't two!" Clarke said laughing.

"But imagine though Clarke a little boy and a little girl. That would be epic!" Lexa said excitedly.

"That would be epic but let's save our son for later when we are older and more established," Clarke said without realizing it.

"Later? You planning our future already, Clarke?" Lexa teased with a playful glint in her eyes.

Clarke's face immediately turned red as she realized what she'd just said.

"Wait, no! I didn't mean it like that," she stammered, her words tumbling out in a fluster. "I just meant... well, maybe I should think about having another baby when I'm older and more established." She could feel the heat creeping up her neck and cheeks.

"Mhm, more established with me?" Lexa raised an eyebrow, her smirk growing wider as she teased Clarke further.

"Lex, stop!" Clarke whined, her hands instinctively covering her face, sure it was getting even redder.

"Okay, okay, I'll stop," Lexa said, winking at Clarke, clearly enjoying the moment.

Clarke rolled her eyes but couldn't help smiling. "You're impossible," she muttered under her breath.

Shifting gears, Clarke tried to steer the conversation in a different direction. "So, someone has a birthday coming up," she said with a grin. "Are you excited?"

"Very, the pool party that Anya and Lincoln are throwing me is going to be fun," Lexa said and then paused thinking should she tell Clarke that she was thinking about inviting Costia.

"I am also thinking about inviting Costia when I talk to her later today," Lexa said watching Clarke's expression.

Clarke raised a brow. "Oh really?"

"Yes, do you think that is stupid like should I not ask?" Lexa asked sounding nervous.

Lexa had already told her she would be talking to Costia, but seeing the way she was talking about it now made Clarke feel like it wasn't just about closure. Clarke felt a surge of jealousy she couldn't quite explain, and before she knew it, her words slipped out sharper than she intended.

"I mean, if you want to ask her, go ahead. It shouldn't matter what I think," Clarke snapped, her voice laced with frustration before she even realized it.

"Woah," Lexa said, her eyes wide as she looked at Clarke, clearly taken aback by the sudden shift in her tone. "What was that?"

Clarke sighed, regretting the words as soon as they left her mouth. She knew she shouldn't feel this way but she couldn't help it.

"Nothing, if you want to get back with her then you should..." she said, standing up quickly to throw her trash away, hoping the action would distract her from the rush of thoughts in her head.

"Wait, Clarke, I'm so confused right now," Lexa said, her voice softer now, watching as Clarke sat back down. "I'm not trying to get back with Costia."

Clarke froze for a moment before meeting Lexa's eyes. She could see the sincerity in Lexa's face, and the weight of her own words hit her. She knew she had overreacted, but the jealousy was still there, gnawing at her.

"I don't know what's going on with me..." Clarke admitted, feeling a bit embarrassed. "I guess it's just my hormones?"

Lexa nodded, even though she knew it was more than that. "You sure that is all?"

Clarke hesitated, unsure how to express the jumble of feelings inside. "Maybe it's more but I'm not ready to talk about it right now."

Lexa reached across the table, gently taking Clarke's hand. "Well, whenever you are ready I'll be here okay? And I am not trying to get back with Costia. I promise."

Clarke nodded her breath caught in her throat as she stared into Lexa's eyes.

"I only want one person. Okay?" Lexa asked a small smile forming on her lips.

Clarke's heart fluttered seeing Lexa's smile. She also felt a sense of relief as she squeezed Lexa's hand, a smile tugging at her lips.

"Okay."
~~~~
It was around 7:30 pm and Lexa was at home in her room watching some of Arcadia University soccer games on YouTube. The sound of the doorbell broke her concentration, and she instantly knew who it was.

Lexa made her way downstairs and stopped at the bottom seeing Costia and her mom embraced in a hug.

"I've missed you so much Costia. How is everything going?" Indra asked.

Costia smiled politely as she stepped back from the hug, her hands clasped nervously in front of her. "Um, everything has been going okay. I've been enjoying my summer before I head off to Harvard."

"That's still so amazing that you're going to Harvard. I'm so proud of you," Indra said with a warm smile.

"Thank you," Costia replied, her smile genuine.

"You should stay for dinner," Indra suggested without hesitation.

Lexa's jaw tightened slightly, as she walked towards the two women. "Mom... I'm sure Costia has plans after we talk," she said, her tone laced with frustration.

Indra raised an eyebrow, her expression calm but firm. "It's been so long since we've all sat down for a family dinner. I still consider you family, Costia."

Costia hesitated, glancing between Lexa's aggravated face and Indra's hopeful smile. She felt a wave of conflict but nodded slowly. "Um, sure. I'd love to stay for dinner."

Lexa sighed internally, pinching the bridge of her nose. This was not how she had envisioned the evening going. She had hoped for a straightforward conversation with Costia, not an impromptu family dinner.

"Great!" Indra said with a satisfied smile. "I'll get started on dinner. Lexa, why take Costia to your room to talk or better the gazebo?"

"Sure, Mom," Lexa said, forcing a polite smile. As Indra disappeared into the kitchen, Lexa turned to Costia, her expression softening slightly. "We can go sit in the gazebo."

Costia followed Lexa out back to the gazebo the evening air was a bit cooler now as the sun began to set. They settled on the bench and Lexa turned to face her.

"I wasn't expecting this to turn into a dinner invitation," Lexa said with a faint chuckle, trying to lighten the mood.

Costia smiled awkwardly. "Me neither. But your mom is... persistent."

"Yeah, that's one way to put it," Lexa said, shaking her head. Then, her tone grew more serious. "So I wanted to talk to you about everything."

Costia nodded, leaning back slightly. "I'm listening."

Lexa took a deep breath. "I wanted to apologize. For how things ended between us, for the way I handled everything... I know I hurt you, and that's something I've regretted ever since."

Costia took a deep breath, choosing her words carefully as she looked at Lexa. "I still don't understand. How could you do it? How could you cheat on me with Clarke?"

Lexa flinched at the mention of Clarke's name, but she kept her gaze steady. "I never meant for it to happen, Costia. It was a mistake."

"A mistake?" Costia repeated, her voice rising with frustration. "You don't accidentally stick your dick in someone Lexa!"

I know," Lexa whispered, her voice trembling. "It just happened and before I knew it I was falling for her."

"Falling for her..." Costia whispered to herself as she clenched her fists in her lap. "I want to know why. Why Clarke? Why her? You always told me that you were happy. You said you loved me. So, what happened?"

Lexa winced at the rawness of the question, feeling the sting of guilt all over again.

"I— I do love you, Costia," Lexa began, her voice trembling slightly. "And I'll always care for you. But the truth is, I wasn't in love with you the way you deserved. I didn't realize that until I met Clarke. It's not an excuse, and I shouldn't have let things get so far. I should have ended it with you before it went as far as it did."

Costia's eyes flickered with hurt, but she nodded slowly. "So you were never in love with me? Because you don't just fall out of love with someone."

"I don't think I was ever was in love with you but I did... I do love you," Lexa said watching tears come to Costia's eyes.

A few tears fell from Costia's eyes. "You could've told me, Lexa. You could've been honest with me from the start. Instead, you cheated on me. You broke my heart."

Lexa closed her eyes for a moment, tears falling. "I know. I know I failed you, and I will never forgive myself for that. I was afraid of hurting you, but in the end, I hurt you more. I'm so sorry, Costia. You didn't deserve that. You deserved honesty, and I took that away from you. I regret it every day."

Costia was quiet for a long time, her eyes still downcast. She slowly wiped away a stray tear before lifting her gaze back to Lexa. "I don't know if I can forgive you right now. But I appreciate the honesty and I am glad we had this talk. I just... I need time."

Lexa nodded, understanding. "Take all the time you need. I know I don't deserve your forgiveness, but I hope you can find it eventually. I'll always be grateful for what we had. You were a big part of my life. I will never forget you."

Costia gave a faint, bittersweet smile. "I'll never forget you either. I am still so in love with you Lexa. I just... I have to heal."

"I understand," Lexa said softly, her voice filled with raw emotion. "I wish you the best Cos. You're an amazing person. You deserve someone who can give you everything."

For a moment, the two of them just sat there, the weight of the conversation hanging in the air between them. Lexa's heart ached, but she knew she had done what she could to make things right. She had apologized, and been honest, and now it was up to Costia to decide what came next.

"I think I'll go now," Costia said, her voice gentle but filled with finality. "Tell your mom I'm sorry I couldn't stay for dinner."

"Of course," Lexa said as she stood up, and watched Costia walk away. "Goodbye, Costia."

"Goodbye, Lexa," Costia replied without looking back.

🦋🦋🦋🦋

Sunday, July 20th (Lexa's Birthday🎉)

Lexa sat at the breakfast table with her parents eating strawberry crepes. She had woken up to her room was filled with black and white balloons scattered across the floor, and a big black number 18 balloon floated proudly near the ceiling. Her parents had burst into her room with smiles, singing "Happy Birthday" just like they had every year since she was little. Lexa couldn't help but smile, feeling the love and warmth of their tradition. She loved it.

After finishing her breakfast, Lexa eagerly opened her gifts. The first one was exactly what she had hoped for a sleek, black iPhone 16 Pro Max. She grinned widely at her parents.

"Thank you, guys," Lexa said, her voice full of excitement as she admired the new phone.

Her mom handed her another gift, this one wrapped in soft, gold paper. Lexa carefully tore it open to reveal a stunning, elegant gold necklace with a pendant in the shape of a heart. It was simple yet beautiful.

"This is gorgeous," Lexa said, her voice filled with appreciation.

Next, her dad handed her a large box. Inside, she found a collection of stylish clothes from a few of her favorite stores. She had been eyeing some of these pieces for months and couldn't believe they remembered.

Finally, her mom handed her the last gift, a box with a pair of expensive sneakers from Versace. They were just her style, both casual and cool.

"These are perfect! I love them, thank you!" Lexa exclaimed getting up and hugging both of her parents.

Her parents shared a proud smile, happy to see her so happy. "You're welcome, sweetie. Happy birthday," her mom said, kissing her on the cheek.

"If we could give you the world we would," Gustus said squeezing Lexa in a tight hug. "Happy birthday kiddo and check your account when you have time. I put a little something in there for you."

Lexa smiled, shaking her head. "Dad you really shouldn't have."

"Of course, I should have," Gustus said kissing her forehead and heading up to upstairs to get ready for the day.

Lexa took her gifts upstairs and placed everything carefully on her bed. She walked over to her nightstand and picked up her phone, knowing it would be filled with messages from friends and family wishing her a happy birthday. Sure enough, when she unlocked the screen, the notification bar was packed with messages.

There were texts from her family and friends, wishing her a happy birthday. But it was one particular message that stood out to her. It was from Clarke.

Clarke💖: Happy birthday, Lex! I hope your day is as amazing as you are. Baby Clexa and I love you❤️

Lexa's heart skipped a beat when she saw the message from Clarke. The mention of their daughter made her smile even wider, and she couldn't help but feel a warm feeling spread through her chest. She responded:

Aww, thank you! You and Baby Clexa are the sweetest! I love you both too❤️

Lexa set her phone down with a smile still lingering on her face.

Now to find something to wear," she mumbled to herself, going through the clothes that her parents gifted her.

She grabbed the white T-shirt with "Adult-ish" written across it in bold black letters, a cheeky nod to her turning 18. Next, she paired it with the black Versace shorts her mom had given her and completed the look with her brand-new Versace sneakers.

Lexa decided to accessorize with silver jewelry. Silver diamond earrings, a diamond bracelet, and a sleek silver chain that glimmered against her shirt. For her hair, she pulled it up into a cute curly messy bun, letting a few tendrils frame her face.

She checked herself in the mirror, adjusting her bun and giving herself a satisfied nod. The outfit was effortlessly cool, and the silver accents tied it all together perfectly.

As Lexa was texting a few people back, thanking them for their birthday wishes, she heard the doorbell ring. She made her way downstairs and opened the door to Anya and Lincoln standing there with big smiles on their faces.

"Happy birthday, kiddo!" Anya said, pulling Lexa into a tight hug.

"Happy 18th, Lex. You ready to be big kids for the afternoon?" Lincoln asked.

"What are you two up to?" Lexa asked suspiciously, her gaze flicking between the two of them.

"You'll see. Are you ready to leave you got everything?" Anya asked ready to hit the road.

Lexa nodded and with that, the trio was in the car and heading towards their location.

About 30 minutes later, after a car ride full of playful bickering they finally arrived.

"An arcade?" Lexa asked looking at the newly built arcade.

"Not just any arcade this place has laser tag, VR games, go-karts, and a giant ball pit," Lincoln said, practically bouncing with excitement.

Lexa grinned. "You two are ridiculous but I love it. Let's go!"

The afternoon was a blur of laughter and competition. Anya annihilated them in laser tag, claiming her title as "Queen of Stealth," while Lexa and Lincoln teamed up in the VR zombie game, screaming and laughing as they tried to survive the hoard.

"Okay, I think my legs are jelly now," Lexa said, collapsing onto a bench after winning a go-kart race against Lincoln.

"Don't get too comfortable," Anya said, smirking as she pointed to the giant ball pit. "We're not leaving until we dive in there."

"You're kidding," Lexa said, staring at the massive pool of colorful balls.

"Nope. Come on, birthday girl!" Lincoln said, grabbing her hand and pulling her toward it.

With a laugh, Lexa gave in, jumping into the ball pit alongside her cousins.

By the time they left the arcade, everyone's arms were full of prizes they'd won from ticket games.

"Thanks, guys. This was the perfect way to spend the afternoon," Lexa said as they drove back home.
~~~~
Later on that evening...

"Happy birthday, Lex!" everyone shouted as Lexa stepped into the backyard, her face lighting up with a big smile. She took a moment to take it all in—the backyard was buzzing with energy, music playing in the background, and laughter filling the air. Anya and Lincoln had gone all out for her birthday party, and it showed.

The decorations were impeccable. A massive gold number "18" stood glowing near the pool, black, white, and gold balloons were everywhere even in the pool. The entire crowd had matched the theme, wearing swimwear in shades of black, white, or gold, making the party feel sophisticated yet playful.

Lexa's eyes landed on the hand-painted banner stretched across the backyard fence. It read Happy 18th Birthday, Lexa in bold gold letters with intricate designs. She could tell it had been handmade.

One of Lexa's older cousins was on the grill, flipping burgers and hotdogs, while others mingled around the pool, chatting and laughing. There was a snack table filled with chips, dips, fruit platters, and desserts, including cupcakes with gold sprinkles and a beautifully crafted cake adorned with the number 18.

"Wow," Lexa said, taking it all in. "This is... amazing."

"You didn't think we'd let you turn 18 without making it unforgettable, did you?" Anya said, walking up to her with a smirk.

"Yeah, we're not half-assing your birthday," Lincoln added, slinging an arm around her shoulder.

Lexa laughed and hugged both of them. "You guys are the best. Thank you."

As Lexa made her way further into the party, she spotted Clarke near the snack table, chatting with Raven and Octavia. Clarke wore a black one-piece swimsuit with a flowy cover-up, her growing belly impossible to miss. Lexa couldn't help but smile as she walked over towards them.

"Hey birthday girl," Clarke said hugging Lexa.

"Happy birthday!" Octavia and Raven said at the time.

"Thanks, guys," Lexa said, laughing as she hugged each of them. Her gaze lingered on Clarke, who smiled warmly at her.

"You look great," Clarke said softly.

"You too," Lexa replied, her voice just as soft.

"So, Octavia, why don't we leave the two lovebirds alone and hit the pool?" Raven said with a smirk, already grabbing Octavia's arm to pull her away.

"That's a great idea, Raven," Octavia said, playing along and winking at Clarke. "We'll catch up with you later, Clarke."

"They're so annoying," Clarke said, rolling her eyes but unable to hide the playful smile on her face.

"But you love them," Lexa said, her tone light and teasing.

"I do," Clarke admitted with a laugh, shaking her head.

Lexa took a step closer, her expression softening. "Thank you for making the banner. It's perfect."

Clarke raised an eyebrow, pretending to be surprised. "How did you know I made it? Anyone could have done it."

Lexa gave her a knowing look. "Because I just know. It has you written all over it."

Clarke smiled, her cheeks tinting pink. "Mhm... well, you're welcome," she said softly.
~~~~
It was going on an hour since the party had started and everyone was enjoying themselves. People splashed around in the pool, a game of water volleyball broke out, and others danced near the poolside. Lexa jumped into the pool at one point, laughing as Anya and Lincoln teamed up to dunk her underwater.

Clarke stayed mostly on the sidelines, sipping on a non-alcoholic mocktail and enjoying the atmosphere. At one point, Lexa swam over to her and splashed water playfully, trying to coax her into the pool.

"I'm not getting in," Clarke said, laughing as she held up her hands in defense. "I just want to look cute on the sidelines."

"Well you are doing a good job at that," Lexa said and smiled as she saw Clarke blush.

As the sun began to set, the fairy lights lit up the backyard. Everyone gathered around the dessert table as Anya lit the candle on the cake. The entire crowd sang "Happy Birthday" to Lexa, who couldn't stop smiling as she blew out the candle.

Later, as the party continued, Lexa found herself sitting with Clarke on one of the lounge chairs, a towel draped over her shoulders.

"Having a good birthday?" Clarke asked.

"The best," Lexa said sincerely.

Clarke smiled. "Good, you deserve it."

"It's crazy to think that we will be planning birthday parties for our baby," Lexa said already imagining their baby girl's first birthday.

"We're about to be responsible for an actual tiny human," Clarke said, glancing at Lexa with a mix of excitement and nerves.

"And we're going to be amazing at it," Lexa replied, reaching over to take Clarke's hand in hers.

Clarke smiled, feeling a wave of reassurance. "Yeah, we are. Together."

"Always," Lexa said firmly, no hesitation in her voice.

🦋🦋🦋🦋

Monday, July 21st

It was a sunny Monday afternoon, and Clarke had just finished getting ready for her doctor's appointment. She felt a mix of excitement and nerves. Lexa was already downstairs, most likely hanging out with her dad, Jake. Clarke smiled at the thought of how their relationship was growing. Lexa was becoming such a natural part of their lives.

As Clarke made her way downstairs, she heard Lexa and Jake's voices coming from the living room. From the snippets of conversation, it sounded like they were watching a soccer game together.

When she stepped into the living room, it was confirmed: the game was on, and both Lexa and Jake were completely engrossed.

"I think you are going to make a great addition to their team, Lex. They are a good team but with you on it, they will be great," Jake said eyes focused on the screen.

Clarke couldn't help but join in. "You're definitely going to make them great," she said, earning a surprised look from both of them.

Lexa turned toward Clarke, a soft blush coloring her cheeks. "Thanks, guys. That means a lot."

"We are just speaking the truth," Jake said with a smile.

Lexa glanced down at her Apple Watch and saw the time. "We should be heading to your appointment. We don't want to be late."

"Yep, that's why I came down," Clarke replied with a smile as she walked over to give her dad a hug. "We'll be back soon, Dad."

"Alright, drive safe," Jake said, giving Clarke a kiss on the forehead. "Let me know when you get there. Love you."

"I will. Love you too," Clarke replied before heading out the door with Lexa.

It didn't take long to get to the hospital and Clarke and Lexa headed inside.

Clarke sat nervously in the waiting room, her fingers tapping lightly against the armrest as she glanced over at Lexa, who was sitting beside her, holding her hand. This was the big 20-week appointment the one where they would get a clearer picture of how everything was going.

"Hey, you okay?" Lexa asked softly, her thumb brushing over Clarke's hand.

Clarke smiled, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Yeah, just... nervous. I'm excited to see the baby again, but I just want everything to be okay, you know?"

Lexa nodded, squeezing her hand gently. "Everything will be fine. You're strong, and so is our baby girl."

Clarke nodded, feeling comforted by Lexa's words, though the nervous energy still fluttered in her chest. A moment later, the door opened, and a nurse came out.

"Clarke Griffin?" the nurse called, and Clarke stood up, giving Lexa a reassuring smile before following the nurse who took Clarke's weight first on the scale outside of the room. Clarke couldn't help but glance at the number, noting that it had gone up a little since her last visit. It was expected, of course, but still, the weight gain was always a little unsettling.

When entering the room the nurse took Clarke's blood pressure.

Everything looks good," the nurse said, noting the numbers on her chart. "Now, let's get your urine sample."

Clarke nodded and stood up again, glad that the room had a restroom inside of it. When she returned with the sample, the nurse placed it on the counter and made a few more notes in the chart before turning to Clarke with a smile.

"Okay, now we will head to the ultrasound room. Your technician will be Carley today and then after you will see Dr. Diyoza," the nurse said leading them to the room.

"Hi, Clarke, Lexa," Carley said with a warm smile, gesturing to the bed. "Ready to see your little one?"

Clarke nodded eagerly, moving to the bed as Lexa stood beside her, holding her hand tightly.

"Alright," Carley said as she applied the cool gel to Clarke's belly. "Let's take a look at your baby girl. I'll talk you through everything I'm seeing, so don't worry."

Clarke watched the screen intently as Carley moved the ultrasound wand gently over her stomach. The familiar gray and white image of the baby began to appear, and Clarke felt her heart swell at the sight of their baby girl.

"There's your baby," Carley said, pointing to the screen. "You can see the head, the little arms and legs. It's all looking good so far."

"She's growing so fast," Lexa added, her voice full of awe.

Carley continued to move the wand around, adjusting the image. "Let me check some measurements here... everything looks great... head's measuring just right."

"Is this the heartbeat?" Lexa asked, her voice full of awe.

Carley nodded. "Yep, that's the heartbeat. Nice and strong, about 150 beats per minute, which is exactly what we want to see at this stage."

"Everything looks perfect so far," Carley continued, adjusting the machine slightly to get a better view. "Let's take a look at a few more things."

She clicked a few more buttons, and the image on the screen shifted slightly as she focused on the measurements. Clarke glanced over at Lexa, who was still focused on the screen in awe.

But then, something changed. Carley's fingers paused on the controls, and she zoomed in on the screen.

"Hmm, that's strange," Carley muttered, leaning a little closer to the screen.

"What is it?" Clarke asked, her heart starting to racing.

Carley didn't immediately respond, still adjusting the machine, her fingers flying over the keys. She glanced over at them briefly, offering a small, reassuring smile. "I need to call Dr. Diyoza in to take a second look before I say anything."

Clarke's anxiety was through the roof at this point. "What's going on?"

Carley gently pulled the wand away from Clarke's belly and turned to the door. "I'll be right back with Dr. Diyoza. I just get her in here to confirm what I'm seeing."

Clarke looked at Lexa, who was now staring at the screen, her face pale. Clarke's heart raced as she tried to make sense of what was happening. What had Carley seen? What could possibly be wrong?

The door opened, and Dr. Diyoza walked in, her expression neutral but concerned as she looked at the screen.

"We're just double-checking something," Carley explained, stepping aside.

Dr. Diyoza nodded, her gaze fixed on the screen as she clicked through the images. The room was silent except for the soft sounds of the machine. Finally, she turned to Clarke and Lexa.

"Clarke, Lexa," Dr. Diyoza began, her voice calm. "There's something we need to discuss."

To be continued...

 

Notes:

As always leave me your thoughts💭

Chapter 25: "I know I can't keep you to myself 24/7... but I really I wish I could."

Summary:

This is just a chapter with Clarke and Lexa being ridiculously cute🥰

Notes:

Hi everyone here is the next chapter.

Happy Reading❤️

Saturday, September 13th

 

Clarke woke up from her sleep and groaned as she heard her phone ding. She reached over to her nightstand and grabbed her phone rubbing the sleepiness out of her eyes before unlocking it and going to her texts. Clarke couldn't help but smile as she read the text Lexa sent her.

 

Favorite girl💕: Happy 29 weeks pretty girl❤️

 

A lot has changed between them and Clarke loved it. They were not in a relationship yet... but it sure felt like it. To Clarke at least. She had a crush on Lexa all over again.

 

She bit her lip, rereading the message a few times before finally typing a response.

 

Clarke: Good morning, Lex❤️ 29 weeks... we're getting close 👀

 

Almost immediately, another text came through.

 

Favorite girl💕: We really are🥹 How are you feeling this morning? Did that pregnancy pillow I ordered help with making you comfortable?

 

Clarke smiled, her heart fluttering. She sat up a little more propped up by some of her pillows and texted back.

 

Clarke: The pillow worked a little but the babies were moving a lot last night. I think they were having their own little soccer match in there 😅

 

Clarke smiled as she felt hard kicks as if the babies knew she was talking about them. She couldn't believe that she and Lexa were having twins. When she joked about it that day she had no idea it would become their reality. She laughed as she thought about Lexa's reaction when they found out.

 

Flashback to the doctor's visit...

The door opened, and Dr. Diyoza walked in, her expression neutral but concerned as she looked at the screen.

 

" We're just double-checking something," Carley explained, stepping aside.

 

Dr. Diyoza nodded, her gaze fixed on the screen as she clicked through the images. The room was silent except for the soft sounds of the machine. Finally, she turned to Clarke and Lexa.

 

"Clarke, Lexa," Dr. Diyoza began, her voice calm. "There's something we need to discuss."

 

Clarke's heart pounded as she glanced at Lexa, whose brows furrowed in concern.

 

"What's wrong?" Clarke asked, her grip tightening around Lexa's hand.

 

Dr. Diyoza offered a reassuring smile before turning the monitor toward them. "Nothing is wrong, but there is... an unexpected surprise."

 

Dr. Diyoza pointed at the screen. "You're having twins."

 

Silence.

 

Lexa blinked. "What?"

 

Carley pointed at the screen, showing them the second sac, the second heartbeat, the second baby. "You're having twins."

 

Silence filled the room as the words hung in the air. Clarke's mouth fell open slightly as she stared at the grainy image. Two. Two babies.

 

Lexa, however, was completely frozen. Her grip on Clarke's hand had gone slack, her lips parted in shock. "Twins?" she echoed dumbly.

 

Carley chuckled softly. "Yep, two little ones. Looks like they were positioned in a way that made it harder to see at first, but there's no mistake. Two heartbeats, two babies."

 

Lexa exhaled sharply and then, to Clarke's surprise, started laughing a mix of disbelief and excitement. "Holy shit," she muttered. "Twins."

 

Dr. Diyoza chuckled. "It's a lot to take in, I know. But from what I can see, both babies look healthy and are growing well. We'll keep monitoring closely, but so far, everything looks great."

 

Clarke nodded, still feeling overwhelmed but happy. She turned to Lexa, expecting to see more shock, but instead, she found Lexa already staring at her with something soft and unreadable in her eyes.

 

Lexa took a deep breath, nodding slowly as if finally accepting it. Then, she looked at Clarke. "Two babies, huh?"

 

Clarke smiled. "Two babies."

 

Lexa exhaled a laugh, squeezing Clarke's hand. "We got this."

 

"Together?" Clarke said, squeezing back.

 

Lexa didn't even hesitate. "Always."

End of flashback...

 

Clarke snapped out of her thoughts as her phone lit up with a new message from Lexa.

 

Favorite girl💕: They just wanted to play a little🙃 Do you want me to come over and rub your belly? Strictly for the babies, of course.

 

Clarke laughed, shaking her head before she replied.

 

Clarke: Mhm, sure. Strictly for them.

 

Favorite girl💕: Okay, maybe a little for me too. I miss you.

 

Clarke's stomach did a little flip at those words. It was moments like this that made it hard not to fall even harder for Lexa.

 

Clarke: I miss you too. Come over.

 

The three dots popped up immediately, and Clarke knew she was in trouble.

 

Favorite girl💕: Omw sweetheart

 

Clarke's heart fluttered. It was the little things with Lexa like the way she always thought about her, always made sure she was okay. Made sure their babies were okay.

 

Clarke: You're kind of perfect, you know that?

 

She hesitated after sending it, wondering if it was too much. But before she could overthink, Lexa responded.

 

Favorite girl💕: Only for you❤️

 

Clarke let out a small laugh, shaking her head as warmth spread through her chest.

 

Yeah, she definitely had a crush on Lexa all over again.

~~~~

Lexa smiled as she sent her last text to Clarke. She couldn't believe how different things were now. She and Clarke were more close. There was a new kind of warmth between them, an unspoken understanding that made Lexa's heart feel full in a way she hadn't expected and she loved everything about it.

 

Lexa doesn't even know when it started. She thought back to last month, the first time she had called Clarke a pretty girl. It had slipped out so naturally that she hadn't even realized what she said until it was already hanging between them.

 

Flashback to a random weekend last month...

They were sitting on Clarke's bed, a movie playing in the background while Clarke scrolled on her phone, absentmindedly rubbing her belly. Lexa had been watching her more than the screen, taking in the way Clarke's blonde curls framed her face, the way her blue eyes softened when she focused on something.

 

"You comfortable, pretty girl?" Lexa had asked without thinking, her voice gentle as she reached for Clarke's water bottle to hand it to her.

 

Clarke paused, her fingers stilling over the fabric of her oversized t-shirt as she looked up at Lexa. There was a flicker of something in her eyes surprise, maybe even something softer but then she smiled. A real, genuine smile.

 

"I am," Clarke answered, voice a little quieter than before. "Thanks, Lex."

 

Lexa had nodded, playing it off like her heart wasn't hammering in her chest. She waited for Clarke to call her out on it, to tease her, maybe even ask where it came from. But she didn't. Instead, she just kept smiling, and Lexa realized she didn't mind the way it had slipped out at all.

 

Because the truth was, it felt right. And Clarke didn't seem to mind either.

End of flashback...

 

From that moment on, Lexa found herself using the nickname more and more. At first, it was casual an innocent slip here and there. But then it became intentional. A quiet goodnight, pretty girl before Clarke fell asleep on the couch during one of their movie nights. A teasing what's wrong, pretty girl? When Clarke was pouting about her back hurting. A soft you're doing amazing, pretty girl whenever Clarke talked about how nervous she was to become a mom.

 

And every time, Clarke never corrected her. Never shied away from it.

 

Instead, she leaned into it.

 

Lexa wasn't sure when things shifted between them. When just being there for Clarke turned into something deeper. When it started to feel like they weren't just co-parenting but something more.

 

But what she did know was that she liked it. She liked the way Clarke looked at her now like she trusted her completely. She liked the way Clarke always reached for her hand when they walked side by side like it was the most natural thing in the world. She liked the way Clarke smiled every time Lexa called her pretty girl.

 

And Lexa really liked that Clarke had started calling her her favorite girl in return.

 

She didn't know where they were headed or what this was becoming, but she was excited to find out.

~~~~

Lexa arrived at Clarke's house around 11 am. She walked up and rang the doorbell. And smiled as she saw Clarke open the door.

 

"Hi," Clarke said staring into her favorite green eyes.

 

"Hi pretty girl," Lexa said stepping closer to Clarke and kneeling to kiss her stomach. "And hey my little monsters."

 

Clarke smiled feeling the babies kick at Lexa's voice and watching Lexa's face break out into the brightest smile.

 

"They always get excited when they hear your voice. They love you already," Clarke said sweetly.

 

"I love them even more," Lexa said, her gaze softening before she stepped closer to Clarke. Leaning in, she whispered, "And you."

 

Clarke gasped her heart rate speeding up but before she could respond Jake came pulling the front door all the way open.

 

"Are you two actually planning on coming inside, or are you just gonna stand out here making googly eyes at each other all day?" Jake teased, crossing his arms as he leaned against the doorframe.

 

Clarke groaned, her face instantly heating up. "Dad!"

 

Lexa, on the other hand, just chuckled, rubbing the back of her neck. "We're coming in," she assured him.

 

"Good," Jake said with a grin. "Because I was starting to wonder if I needed to bring you both a chair."

 

Clarke rolled her eyes but couldn't fight the smile tugging at her lips as she grabbed Lexa's hand and pulled her inside.

 

As they stepped inside, Jake shut the door behind them and gave Lexa an approving nod. "So, how's college treating you, Lexa?" he asked, leading the way toward the living room.

 

Lexa smiled as she sat down on the couch. "It's going great, honestly. Classes are challenging, but I like them. And soccer—" she let out a small laugh, shaking her

head—"it's a lot different from high school. The pace, the training, the competition... everything is just on another level."

 

Jake nodded knowingly. "Yeah, I can imagine. High school soccer is one thing, but college ball is a whole different beast. You handling it okay?"

 

Lexa grinned. "Yeah, it's tough, but I love it. It's pushing me to be better."

 

Jake gave her a proud smile. "That's what I like to hear." He then glanced at Clarke, who was watching Lexa with that soft, unmistakable look in her eyes. "And I'm guessing Clarke's your biggest fan?"

 

Clarke rolled her eyes playfully. "Obviously."

 

Lexa chuckled, nudging her gently. "Best cheerleader I could ask for."

 

Jake headed upstairs smiling leaving Clarke and Lexa in the living room.

 

"So how was school last week? I remember you saying that you already have an art project," Lexa asked.

 

Lexa noticed the shift in Clarke's expression immediately. The bright, easy smile she usually wore around her faded just a little, replaced by something more subdued.

 

"Same ole, same ole," Clarke muttered, sinking further into the couch.

 

Lexa tilted her head, watching her carefully. She knew the school had been hard for Clarke. When it started back in August, Clarke had been 23 weeks pregnant clearly showing. Lexa wasn't able to see her until that evening, but she remembered Clarke texting her about it throughout the day.

 

Everyone is staring.

 

Even the teachers.

 

Lexa clenched her jaw at the memory. She hated that Clarke had to deal with that, that people were so quick to judge. 

 

"Is it still bad?" Lexa asked softly, shifting closer.

 

Clarke sighed, resting her head against the back of the couch. "It's not as bad as the first few weeks. People are used to it now, I guess."

 

Lexa frowned. "Used to it?"

 

Clarke shrugged. "The staring isn't as intense. No one whispers as much anymore. But it's still... weird. It's like I walk into a room, and everyone remembers all over again. And then, for a second, it's like I'm just the pregnant teen girl instead of Clarke."

 

Lexa exhaled through her nose, her frustration evident. "I'm sorry you have to deal with that pretty girl."

 

Clarke gave her a small smile, appreciating the way Lexa always had her back. "It's fine. I just try to focus on getting through the next two weeks and then I will start virtual learning until the little ones come."

 

Lexa reached over, giving Clarke's hand a reassuring squeeze. "Just know that I am always here and you have Octavia and Raven. Even Anya and Lincoln."

 

Clarke felt warmth spread through her chest as she squeezed Lexa's hand back. "You always know what to say."

 

Lexa smirked. "It's a talent."

 

Clarke laughed, feeling some of the heaviness from the conversation fade away. "Well, keep it up. I need all the pep talks I can get."

 

"Always," Lexa promised giving her a soft forehead kiss.

 

Monday, September 15th

 

"Clarkie, you look so pretty!" Raven gushed as they walked into the school.

 

"Yeah, you're glowing, babes," Octavia added with a grin.

 

Clarke had woken up in a good mood, and she was pretty sure Lexa had everything to do with it. Her parents had let Lexa stay over for the weekend, and falling asleep beside her then waking up to her was nothing short of amazing. Lexa had given her all the stomach rubs and cuddles she could ever want, making her feel safe, cared for, and so, loved.

 

This morning, they had gotten ready together, laughing and stealing glances in the mirror. Lexa had insisted on taking her to grab breakfast before dropping her off at school on the way to her first class. It was such a simple thing, but it made Clarke's whole day feel lighter.

 

As Clarke walked through the halls with Raven and Octavia, she couldn't help but notice the lingering stares. Some were curious, others judgmental, but none of it mattered to her as much as it once did. She had her people her real support system and that was enough.

 

"So, how was the weekend with your favorite girl?" Raven teased, nudging Clarke playfully.

 

Clarke rolled her eyes but couldn't help the small smile that tugged at her lips. "It was perfect," she admitted. "Lexa was amazing, as always. She made sure I was comfortable, gave me all the cuddles, and basically spoiled me."

 

"Sounds about right," Octavia smirked. "That girl would move mountains for you."

 

Clarke blushed, looking down for a second before shrugging. "She really would."

 

They reached Clarke's locker, and as she grabbed her books, her phone buzzed in her pocket. Pulling it out, her heart warmed instantly at the message on her screen.

 

Favorite girl💕: Miss you already. I hope you a great day. Text me if you need anything. ❤️

 

Clarke bit her lip, feeling that familiar rush of affection.

 

"She texted, didn't she?" Raven smirked, crossing her arms.

 

"Shut up," Clarke mumbled, typing back quickly before closing her locker.

 

The day might have just started, but she already couldn't wait to see Lexa again.

 

Clarke sighed as she walked to her first period and sat down. Two more weeks. Just two more weeks, and she wouldn't have to deal with the stares, the whispers, or the way people seemed to watch her like she was some kind of cautionary tale.

 

At least she got to leave early today. That was the one good thing about having a doctor's appointment. She was excited to see her babies again, to hear their little heartbeats, and to know they were okay. Today's appointment was different, though. Normally, Lexa would be there to hold her hand, to help calm her nerves, but Lexa had class during the time of the appointment and couldn't make it. Instead, Indra was coming along. Clarke respected Indra as Lexa's mother, of course, but there was always that lingering tension between them. Clarke knew Indra didn't exactly like her, even though she'd never outright said it. It wasn't hard to feel that cool distance whenever Indra was around.

 

I can handle this, Clarke thought, taking a deep breath. It's just a doctor's appointment. I'll be fine.

 

First and second period flew by and soon the bell rang, to head to lunch and students began filling the hallway. While everyone else was heading to the cafeteria Clarke was heading to the office to check herself out. She couldn't help but feel nervous as she finished signing herself out and headed outside. What would it be like with Indra there? Would she feel judged? Would she get that sense of coldness again?

 

Clarke bit her lip as she watched Indra pull up in her 2024 Range Rover. Clarke could already feel the awkward tension between them as she got into the car.

 

"Ready?" Indra asked, her tone neutral.

 

"Yeah," Clarke replied, giving her a quick smile, and putting on her seatbelt.

 

Indra glanced over at Clarke, her hands resting on the steering wheel as they drove toward the doctor's office. She didn't seem to know what to say at first, but after a few moments of silence, she spoke.

 

"So, how's school going?" Indra asked, her tone tentative, as though she wasn't sure how to navigate the conversation.

 

Clarke shifted uncomfortably in her seat, glancing out the window before answering. "It's... going okay, I guess. It's a lot harder balancing everything, but I'm managing. I'll be starting virtual school soon, though, so that should help."

 

Indra nodded, her eyes focused on the road. "That's good. Virtual school should make things easier for you."

 

Clarke smiled, nodding in agreement. "Yeah, hopefully."

 

There was a brief moment of silence between them. Clarke could feel the tension thick in the air, the weight of their strained history settling over the car like an invisible fog.

 

As they approached the doctor's office, Indra's gaze remained fixed on the road, her expression unreadable. Clarke could tell she was trying, but it wasn't enough to cut through the awkwardness.

 

Clarke shifted in her seat, unsure of what to say next. It wasn't that she didn't want to talk; it was just that she didn't know how to bridge the gap between them.

 

"So, um... are you excited to see the babies today?" Clarke asked, breaking the silence, her voice quieter than usual. She didn't know if Indra would respond or if it would make things even more awkward, but it was the only thing she could think of.

 

Indra glanced at her briefly, her expression softening for just a moment. "I am," she said, her voice low but genuine. "It's... it's a big moment. I'm glad to be here with you."

 

Clarke nodded, her heart giving a small flutter at the words. Maybe it wasn't much, but it was a start.

 

"Thanks," Clarke whispered, offering Indra a small smile. She didn't know if everything between them would ever be perfect, but she hoped this little moment of understanding was a sign of things getting better.

~~~~

Clarke adjusted her shirt as she glanced around the waiting room. It wasn't her first appointment, but something about today made her more anxious than usual. Maybe it was the fact that Lexa wasn't here with her, or maybe it was the quiet presence of Indra sitting beside her, hands folded neatly in her lap.

 

She stole a glance at Indra, who looked just as stoic as ever, but Clarke could tell she was paying close attention to everything going on around them. It was weird having her here instead of Lexa but at least she wasn't alone.

 

A nurse stepped into the waiting area, scanning the room before calling out, "Clarke Griffin?"

 

Clarke stood up, smoothing her shirt down over her belly. She felt Indra stand beside her, and together they followed the nurse down the hall to an exam room.

 

"All right, Clarke, we're going to do the usual today," the nurse said with a warm smile. "I'll check your weight and blood pressure, and we'll get a urine sample. After that, Dr. Diyoza will come in and check on the babies."

 

Clarke nodded, stepping onto the scale. The nurse jotted down her weight before leading her to the blood pressure monitor. Clarke sat quietly as the cuff tightened around her arm, listening to the steady beep of the machine.

 

"Blood pressure looks good," the nurse said, scribbling the numbers onto her chart. "Now, if you can give me a urine sample, we'll be all set for Dr. Diyoza."

 

Clarke took the cup and headed to the restroom, returning a few minutes later. Indra hadn't moved from her chair, but she looked up as Clarke sat back down on the exam table.

 

It wasn't long before the door opened, and Dr. Diyoza walked in, clipboard in hand. She gave Clarke a small smile before glancing at Indra.

 

"Clarke," she greeted, before tilting her head slightly toward Indra. "And I don't believe we've met."

 

Clarke shifted, smiling a little. "This is Indra. She's Lexa's mother the twins' other grandmother."

 

Indra smiled a little Clarke's introduction liking being referred to as grandmother.

 

"Nice to meet you, Dr. Diyoza," she said extending her hand.

 

"Likewise," Dr. Diyoza said, shaking Indra's hand before turning back to Clarke. "Alright, Clarke, let's check in on everything. How have you been feeling? Any new symptoms?"

 

Clarke sighed. "Honestly? Tired. A lot more than before. And my back is killing me."

 

Dr. Diyoza nodded knowingly as she jotted down notes. "That's completely normal at this stage. Your body is carrying a lot more weight now, especially with twins. Any headaches, dizziness, or swelling?"

 

"Some swelling in my feet, but nothing crazy," Clarke admitted.

 

Dr. Diyoza smiled. "That's good. Keep drinking plenty of water, and try to put your feet up when you can. Now, let's check on these babies."

 

She pulled on a pair of gloves and moved to the ultrasound machine. "We're at 29 weeks now, which means we'll be keeping an even closer eye on growth and movement. You should be feeling pretty consistent kicking now."

 

"Oh, definitely," Clarke said with a small laugh. "Sometimes it feels like they're having a full-on soccer match in there."

 

Dr. Diyoza chuckled. "That's a good sign." She gestured for Clarke to lie back and lifted her shirt just enough to expose her growing belly. "This will be a little cold," she warned before squeezing the gel onto Clarke's skin.

 

Clarke shivered slightly at the cool sensation but settled as Dr. Diyoza moved the wand over her stomach. The screen flickered to life, revealing two small, wiggling figures.

 

Indra leaned forward just slightly, eyes locked on the screen. Clarke stole a glance at her, noticing the way her expression softened and a soft smile on her face.

 

"Both babies are measuring right on track," Dr. Diyoza said as she examined the images. "Baby A is head-down, which is good news for delivery if they stay that way. Baby B is still in a breech position, but they have time to flip."

 

Clarke let out a small breath of relief. "That's great."

 

"They look strong," Indra murmured, almost to herself.

 

"They are," Dr. Diyoza confirmed. "Everything is looking great. Clarke, you're doing a good job taking care of them."

 

Dr. Diyoza wiped the gel off Clarke's stomach and pulled her gloves off. "I'll see you in two weeks for your next check-up unless you have any concerns before then. If anything feels off, call me right away, okay?"

 

Clarke nodded. "I will."

 

As they wrapped up and got ready to leave, Indra turned to Clarke. "You're handling all of this well," she said after a moment.

 

Clarke blinked in surprise before giving a small smile. "Thanks, Indra, and thank you for coming with me."

 

"Well, you're the mother of my grandchildren, so that makes you family, Clarke," Indra said.

 

Clarke nodded with a small smile, letting the words sink in as they walked out together.

~~~~

Later on that evening...

 

Lexa leaned against the back wall of the break room, looking into her phone pouting as she talked to Clarke on FaceTime. "I swear this shift is dragging," she muttered, glancing at the time. Today she was working night shift and would't get off until 11:30 pm.

 

Clarke's soft laugh came through the phone. "Probably because you'd rather be here with me," she teased.

 

Lexa smirked, shaking her head. "Maybe," she admitted. "Between classes, work, and practice, I feel like I never get to see you."

 

"It's different now," Clarke said frowning a little. "I know I can't keep you to myself 24/7... but I really I wish I could."

 

Lexa's expression softened. "Yeah?"

 

"Yeah, I miss my favorite girl," Clarke said softly. "Or should I say we miss our favorite girl," she added with a slight grimace as the babies kicked as if reminding her not to leave them out.

 

Lexa glanced at the time, not wanting to hang up but knowing her break was almost over. "I miss y'all so much more, pretty girl. I'll call you when I get off, okay?"

 

"Okay," Clarke said. "Love you."

 

Lexa froze for a second before she heard Clarke's nervous laugh. "I mean—"

 

"I love you too," Lexa cut in without hesitation, a smile creeping onto her face.

 

The line went quiet for a beat, the moment sinking in before Clarke spoke again. "Okay... have a good rest of your shift."

 

Lexa chuckled. "I will now."

Notes:

Sooo, I know I originally said Clarke wouldn’t be having twins, but I changed my mind lol. She’s having a boy and a girl!

Was anyone surprised by how nice Indra was to Clarke? Are we witnessing some character growth?

Clarke and Lexa are absolutely adorable in this chapter like I cannot. I fear Clarke saying, “I know I can’t keep you to myself 24/7… but I really wish I could,” is so me when I really like someone.

Next chapter will bring even more cuteness… plus the baby shower!

As always, leave me your thoughts💭

Chapter 26: “You've got this, Clarke. You're stronger than you think.”

Notes:

Happy Reading❤️

Tuesday, October 7th

 

Clarke was currently finishing an online assignment for her science class. The school had allowed her to switch to virtual learning for the remainder of her pregnancy and during her six-week maternity leave if she felt up to it, ensuring she wouldn't fall too far behind. She was grateful to be home now, especially since not long after starting virtual learning, she began experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions.

 

At first, they had caught her off guard, the tightening in her belly making her pause whatever she was doing. But after talking to Dr. Diyoza, she learned it was normal her body's way of preparing for labor. Still, the discomfort could be annoying, especially when trying to concentrate on her assignments.

 

With a sigh, Clarke shifted in her chair, rubbing her belly absentmindedly as she typed out her last answer. She was determined to stay on top of her schoolwork, but she couldn't deny that being this far along in her pregnancy was exhausting.

 

Just as Clarke submitted her assignment, she felt another Braxton Hicks contraction tighten across her belly. She exhaled slowly, rubbing soothing circles over the firm stretch of her skin. These practice contractions were becoming more frequent, though they weren't painful just uncomfortable.

 

Clarke glanced at the clock and saw that it was 2:30 pm. She had been working non-stop and decided she needed a break. Standing up from her desk, she slowly made her way downstairs. By the time she reached the bottom, she was already out of breath, and she let out a quiet exhale.

 

"Shit," she muttered under her breath, still standing at the base of the stairs, trying to catch her breath.

 

"Language," came a voice from behind, causing Clarke to jump in shock.

 

"Mom! You scared me!" Clarke said, her heart racing as she clutched her chest.

 

Abby laughed softly and walked over to Clarke, kissing her forehead. "Sorry, sweetheart."

 

Clarke took a few deep breaths, still feeling her heart pounding. "It's fine," she mumbled, trying to calm down.

 

"Do you want some lunch? I was about to make myself a chicken salad. I can make you one too," Abby offered as she headed toward the kitchen.

 

"Yes, please," Clarke replied, following her mom into the kitchen. As she took a seat at the table, she couldn't help but laugh lightly at how far she was from the edge. Her stomach, now so large at 32 weeks, made everything seem a little further away than it used to be.

 

Abby raised an eyebrow, glancing over. "What are you laughing at?"

 

Clarke gestured to her round belly, still smiling. "My stomach, Mom. I'm huge."

 

But as she looked down at her belly, the laughter slowly faded, and tears began to form in her eyes. The smile on her face faltered.

 

"I'm freaking huge, Mom!" Clarke's voice cracked as the tears came.

 

Abby's eyes softened, and she immediately rushed over to Clarke, kneeling beside her. "Sweetheart, it's okay," she said gently, trying to console her.

 

But Clarke only cried harder, shaking her head. "It's not okay, Mom! I feel like I weigh 500 pounds, and Lexa... she'll never find me attractive like this."

 

Abby's heart ached for her daughter, and she squeezed her hand comfortingly. "Clarke, Lexa loves you. She's in love with you, and she loves you exactly the way you are."

 

Clarke sniffled, looking up at Abby. "You think so?"

 

"I know so," Abby replied softly, squeezing Clarke's hand tighter. "You're beautiful, sweetheart. And Lexa sees that. She loves you, inside and out."

 

Clarke remained quiet for a few seconds, wiping her eyes. She took a deep breath, the weight of her emotions slowly lifting.

 

"Okay," she said with a small smile, the tears still fresh on her face but the tension easing. "I think I'm ready for my salad now."

 

Abby smiled warmly, letting out a chuckle, and returned to preparing their salads. 

~~~~

The evening had settled in, and Clarke, Raven, and Octavia were lounging in the living room, talking while their moms prepared dinner in the kitchen. Outside, Jake and Octavia's dad were inspecting a project Jake had been working on, their voices occasionally drifting in through the open window.

 

"It's been forever since we've had a family dinner," Raven said with a grin, stretching out on the couch.

 

"I know, right?" Octavia added, throwing her hands up dramatically.

 

"And the food smells amazing," Clarke said, rubbing her belly as it let out a soft growl.

 

Octavia chuckled before her eyes flickered down to Clarke's stomach. "I still can't believe you're actually having twins."

 

Clarke let out a small, quiet sigh. "Yeah... me neither."

 

Raven frowned, instantly picking up on the shift in Clarke's tone. "What's wrong, Clarkie?"

 

Octavia, noticing it too, turned to Clarke with concern.

 

Clarke already felt the burn of tears forming in her eyes, and she swallowed hard, trying to keep them at bay. God, she hated how emotional she'd been lately.

 

"I love my babies already. Like, so much," Clarke started, her voice shaking. "But... I'm scared, guys. I put on this brave face, but I'm absolutely terrified." She wiped at her cheeks as the tears started falling faster. "I'm about to give birth to two babies, and I'm only 16. What kind of mother can I be when I'm still a kid myself? They deserve the best, and I don't know how I'm supposed to give that to them."

 

Octavia scooted closer, placing a reassuring hand on Clarke's arm. "Clarke, you are going to be a great mom," she said softly.

 

"Yeah," Raven agreed, her own eyes growing glassy. "It doesn't matter if you're 16, 21, or 30 you are going to be the best mom to our little niece and nephew. You can't doubt yourself like this."

 

Raven swallowed hard, suddenly thinking about her mother and how alone she had been when she had her. Clarke had something different—she had them. She wasn't going through this alone.

 

"And you're not doing this by yourself," Octavia added, squeezing Clarke's hand. "You have us, Lexa, your parents... You have so many people who love you and are going to be there every step of the way."

 

Clarke sniffled, looking between her two best friends, her heart feeling just a little bit lighter. "I don't know what I'd do without you guys."

 

"Good thing you'll never have to find out," Raven said with a smirk, wiping at her tears.

 

Clarke let out a watery laugh, nodding. "Yeah... good thing."

~~~~

The dining room was filled with the rich aroma of baked chicken, honey-glazed carrots, creamy mashed potatoes, baked macaroni and cheese, and warm dinner rolls. The moms had truly outdone themselves, and everyone was eager to dig in.

 

Clarke sat between Raven and Octavia, taking a deep breath as she leaned back in her chair. The warmth of the room and the lively conversation around the table made her feel at ease.

 

"It's been way too long since we've done this," Jake said as he reached for a roll.

 

"I agree," Rayna said with a smile. "We need to make this a regular thing."

 

"That would be nice," Clarke said, glancing at her plate. "Especially since there will be two new little people coming next month."

 

"We'll definitely make it happen," Luke assured her. "Two babies just mean double the reason to get together."

 

As the conversation continued, Abby turned to Raven. "How's Anya doing at Stanford? I know soccer has her busy."

 

Raven perked up at the mention of her girlfriend. "She's doing great! She loves it there, but yeah, soccer is definitely keeping her busy. We FaceTime all the time, though. She's finally getting into a routine."

 

"That's good," Abby said with a nod. "Stanford is intense, but I'm sure she's handling it well."

 

"She is," Raven said proudly.

 

The conversation naturally shifted to Clarke's upcoming baby shower, and Abby clapped her hands together. "So, sweetheart, are you ready for your shower this weekend?"

 

Clarke smiled, rubbing her stomach absentmindedly. "I think so. I'm really excited about the theme."

 

"Oh, I think the Halloween theme is just adorable," Hermonie gushed. "It's so unique and fun. I can't wait to see how everything turns out."

 

Clarke beamed. "I wanted something festive but still cute, and since it's so close to Halloween, it just made sense."

 

Octavia smirked. "My mom and I went shopping one-day last week, and let's just say the shopping cart was full of baby stuff."

 

Luke chuckled. "I'm not even surprised."

 

"Oh, it was packed," Hermonie added. "I think the twins will officially own every onesie ever made."

 

"You can never have too many," Rayna said knowingly. "Babies go through clothes so fast."

 

"Exactly," Hermonie agreed. "And they're all so tiny and cute. It's hard to resist."

 

"Well, we're all excited," Abby said. "It's going to be a great day to celebrate you, Lexa, and the twins."

 

Clarke looked around the table, feeling overwhelmed with gratitude. "Thank you, all of you. It means so much to me to have everyone's support."

 

"Always," Abby said, squeezing her daughter's hand.

 

The table fell into a comfortable silence as everyone focused on their food, enjoying the warmth of good company.

~~~~

Everyone had finished eating and, feeling content, the men volunteered to clean up the kitchen while the rest of the group moved to the living room. Raven and Octavia were animatedly sharing the latest gossip from school with Clarke.

 

As they were talking, Rayna walked over, her expression thoughtful. She cleared her throat gently, catching Clarke's attention. "Clarke, would you mind if I had a word with you?"

 

Raven, who had noticed the look in her mom's eyes, nodded knowingly. She wasn't surprised her mom had been wanting to talk to Clarke for a while. She was probably the only one in the room who could truly relate to what Clarke was going through right now.

 

Clarke, a little confused but curious, nodded in agreement. "Sure, no problem." She followed Rayna out the back door, stepping onto the quiet patio. The cool evening air felt refreshing against her skin. They both sat down on one of the chairs, facing each other.

 

Rayna gave her a small smile before speaking, her voice calm yet gentle. "I just wanted to check in with you, Clarke. You've been through a lot lately, and I know that. It's not easy, especially when you're going through this at such a young age."

 

Clarke looked down at her hands, her thoughts swirling. "I don't even know where to begin."

 

Rayna nodded understandingly. "You don't have to say everything all at once. But I want you to know, I've been where you are. You know I had Raven when I was young, and there were times I didn't think I'd make it through. But I did and you will too."

 

Clarke met Rayna's eyes, feeling a sense of relief. It wasn't just the sympathy in her voice—it was the understanding. Rayna knew exactly what she was talking about.

 

"Thank you," Clarke said, her voice quiet but full of gratitude. "I don't always feel like I'm going to be able to do this. Sometimes I feel like I'm just... too young for all of this."

 

Rayna reached over and placed a reassuring hand on Clarke's. "I get it, believe me. You know, when I was pregnant with Raven, I didn't have the kind of support system that you do now. I was on my own, trying to figure everything out how to handle the pregnancy, and how to be a mother when I was still trying to figure out who I was. It was tough."

 

Clarke listened intently, her heart softening at Rayna's words.

 

Rayna continued, her voice quieter now. "But, the one thing that kept me going was knowing that I had to do my best for Raven. I didn't have the luxury of having people around me like you do now. I had to learn things the hard way."

 

She paused, a slight smile playing on her lips. "But Clarke, I'm so glad you don't have to go through that. You have amazing parents, friends, and people around you. And you have Lexa too, and that's something really special. It might not be easy, but you're not facing it alone."

 

Clarke's eyes welled up with emotion as Rayna's words settled in.

 

"I know I'm lucky," Clarke said softly. "I don't know what I would do without all of you."

 

Rayna smiled and wiped some tears that fell down her face. "You've got this, Clarke. You're stronger than you think. And don't ever hesitate to reach out if you need someone to talk to. I know exactly what you're going through, and I'm here for you."

 

Clarke smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. "Thank you, Rayna. That means a lot to me."

 

Rayna gave her a comforting smile. "That's what family is for, Clarke."

 

They sat in comfortable silence for a few moments, and Clarke felt her nerves at ease as she looked out at the darkening sky. Tonight was just what Clarke needed a reminder that she wasn't alone, that she had a whole village behind her, ready to love and support both her and her babies.

 

🎶🎶🎶

 

Thursday, October 9th

 

It was noon, and Clarke was taking a well-earned lunch break from her schoolwork. She was already a week ahead, but she kept pushing forward, wanting to stay even further ahead while she still had the energy. As she took a bite of the Chick-fil-A that Lexa had door-dashed for her, she felt her heart race at the mere thought of Lexa.

 

Things between them had been amazing lately. Lexa had been spending the night more often, and Clarke found herself looking forward to it every time.

 

Curiosity had finally gotten the best of her last week, and she had asked her mom why they allowed Lexa to stay over. She had been genuinely surprised the first time she asked, expecting some hesitation or rules about it, but both of her parents had said yes without much debate.

 

Abby had given her a knowing look before answering. "Because, sweetheart, we trust Lexa. And we trust you."

 

Clarke had blinked at her, surprised. "That's it?"

 

Abby sighed, setting down the laundry she had been folding. "Look, Clarke, your dad and I know you're going through a lot. You're sixteen, pregnant with twins, and your life is about to change completely. If having Lexa here makes things easier for you… if it gives you comfort then we're not going to stand in the way of that."

 

Clarke had been quiet for a moment, taking in her mom's words. "It does," she admitted softly. "Having her here helps a lot."

 

Abby nodded with a small smile. "Then that's all that matters."

 

Clarke didn't question it or push for more explanation. She simply smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her chest, and wrapped her arms around her mom in a grateful hug.

 

Now, it had become such a normal thing that her parents didn't even ask anymore. They just told her to let them know when Lexa would be staying over as if it were as simple as making plans with any other friend. Clarke loved that they trusted her and trusted Lexa. It made everything feel easier like she had the support she needed without having to fight for it.

 

Clarke was pulled from her thoughts by the sound of her phone ringing. She glanced at the screen and smiled when she saw Lexa's name pop up. Without hesitation, she answered, and soon Lexa's face appeared, slightly jostled as she walked.

 

"Hey, pretty girl," Lexa greeted with a small smile, adjusting the strap of her bag. The hum of students talking in the background let Clarke know she was on campus.

 

"Hey," Clarke responded, feeling a blush creep up her cheeks.

 

Lexa noticed immediately and let out a soft chuckle. "What's that look for?" she teased.

 

Clarke rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her smile. "Nothing," she muttered. "How's your day been so far?"

 

Lexa shifted her phone slightly. "It's been good. I'm heading to my Criminal Justice 101 class now. Then I have two more classes and soccer practice."

 

Clarke nodded. "Sounds like a busy day."

 

Lexa shrugged. "It is, but I wanted to check in on you. How's your day been?"

 

Clarke let out a dramatic sigh. "I've been drowning in schoolwork all day, but I'm actually a week ahead now."

 

Lexa's lips curled into a proud smile. "Good girl."

 

Clarke froze. Her heart raced—not just in her chest, but lower too. Heat spread through her body, and she quickly looked away from the camera, biting her lip.

 

Lexa's brows furrowed. "Clarke? You okay?"

 

Clarke nodded quickly, still avoiding the camera. "Yeah, I'm fine," she mumbled, trying to will away her blush.

 

Lexa was still confused, but she let it slide. "Alright..." she said slowly before a small smile tugged at her lips. "Put the phone on your stomach."

 

Clarke did as she was told, angling the phone so Lexa had a clear view of her belly.

 

"Hey, little ones," Lexa said softly. "I hope you're being good for your mom today. Don't play around too hard in there okay? Mama loves you both."

 

Clarke felt her chest tighten in the best way possible as warmth spread through her. 

 

Lexa adjusted her bag again as she reached the door to her classroom. "I gotta go, but I'll call you before soccer practice later, okay?"

 

Clarke nodded. "Okay. Have a good class."

 

"Thank you, pretty girl," Lexa said before hanging up.

 

Clarke stared at her screen for a moment, her heart still racing. 

~~~~

A couple of hours had passed, and Lexa was now at soccer practice. She had just gotten off the phone with Clarke, who told her that Jake was grilling today and that they were inviting her parents over. The thought of some good grilled food after a long practice sounded perfect, especially since she was off work today. She was looking forward to just relaxing and spending time with Clarke and their babies.

 

As Lexa was in the locker room changing into her practice gear, one of her teammates walked over. She was pretty, tall and athletic, with dark hair styled into two neat braids and striking brown eyes. There was something sharp yet graceful about her features, and she carried herself with confidence. Lexa vaguely remembered her name but couldn't quite place it.

 

"Hey, Lex. You ready for practice?" the girl asked, leaning against the locker next to hers.

 

Lexa nodded slowly, still trying to recall her name.

 

The girl let out a small laugh, noticing Lexa's hesitation. "I'm Ontori."

 

Lexa gave her a sheepish smile. "Right. Sorry, I forgot."

 

"It's fine," Ontori said with a smirk, stepping a little closer. "You're lucky you're cute."

 

Lexa's eyes widened slightly, and a faint blush appeared on her cheeks. "Uh, thanks?"

 

Ontori smirked. "You must know it, though. I bet you had all the girls swooning in high school."

 

Lexa let out a soft chuckle. "I was actually in a relationship."

 

"Was?" Ontori raised an eyebrow. "She let you go?"

 

Lexa hesitated for a moment, unsure if she should reveal the whole truth.

 

"It's a long story, but I broke up with her," Lexa said quickly.

 

"Oh?" Ontori leaned in, clearly intrigued. 

 

"Mhm," Lexa responded quietly.

 

Ontori studied her intently, scanning Lexa from head to toe. She had heard Lexa was intersex, and from the outline of her print she had seen once before, Ontori could tell she had an impressive size. And she wanted it. "Well, if you broke up with her, I'm guessing you're single now?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.

 

"Umm, no... well, I mean yes... it's complicated," Lexa replied, tugging her jersey over her head.

 

Ontori didn't let go of her smirk. "Complicated?"

 

"Yeah. Complicated," Lexa muttered, not meeting her gaze as she focused on getting ready.

 

Ontori hummed thoughtfully, her gaze still lingering.

 

Lexa glanced at her briefly, then turned her attention back to her task, trying to ignore the tension in the air.

 

"Do you want to hang out after practice? I've got an apartment not far from campus," Ontori asked, her tone casual but her eyes sharp with intent.

 

Lexa paused for a moment, from tying her shoes. She didn't immediately respond, feeling a bit uncomfortable with how forward Ontori was being. She could feel the weight of her gaze, but she was still processing everything from the conversation.

 

"I'm actually, uh, spending the evening with someone," Lexa finally said.

 

Ontori raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued but not deterred. "Maybe another time then," she said giving Lexa a certain look.

 

Lexa gave a tight smile and nodded, relieved the conversation was shifting. "Yeah, maybe."

 

As Ontori walked away, Lexa let out a quiet breath, feeling the tension from the exchange slowly ease. However, during practice, she caught Ontori and a couple of other players staring at her. Lexa however ignored them and stayed focused. 

 

🎶🎶🎶

 

Saturday, October 11th

 

It was Saturday afternoon, and Clarke and Lexa were getting ready for the baby shower in Clarke's room. Clarke had just finished her makeup and was in the middle of chatting about how excited she was for the event. She mentioned how kind it was of Lexa's parents to rent out a building for them to celebrate in.

 

Lexa tried her best to focus on the conversation, but it was hard. Clarke, standing in front of her, was only wearing her bra and panties, and Lexa couldn't help but notice. Clarke's figure had always been beautiful, but now, pregnant, her body had transformed in ways that made Lexa's heart race a little. But what really caught Lexa's eye were her breasts they had grown... a lot and were drawing Lexa's attention despite her best efforts to stay focused.

 

Clarke continued talking and putting on her pumpkin earrings and necklace but she soon realized that Lexa's responses were short and distracted. Clarke glanced over, and when she met Lexa's gaze, she noticed that Lexa's eyes were fixed on her chest. Clarke raised an eyebrow, a little surprised by the attention but also amused. She couldn't help but smile, knowing exactly where Lexa's mind had wandered.

 

"Lexa?" Clarke said softly, trying to pull her out of her trance.

 

Lexa blinked and quickly looked away, clearing her throat. "Sorry, I... I'm just... Um, I like the earrings you are wearing." She gave a sheepish smile, but the blush creeping up her neck gave away that she'd been caught.

 

Clarke smirked, enjoying the effect she had on Lexa. "You like my earrings?" she teased, her voice light but full of affection.

 

Lexa nodded, her eyes briefly flicking back to Clarke. "Yeah, they look great." She grinned, trying to shift the focus back to the event. "The baby shower's gonna be amazing. Can't wait."

 

Clarke just laughed, shaking her head as she finished putting on her bracelet. "You're adorable, you know that?"

 

Lexa chuckled nervously, grateful for the lighthearted mood Clarke had set. "I think I need to focus on finishing getting ready before I get too distracted... by your earrings," she said, the hint of a grin still on her lips.

~~~~

As they made their way to the baby shower, Clarke and Lexa were filled with excitement and anticipation. Neither of them had any idea how the venue was decorated or what surprises awaited them. Their moms had taken full control of the planning, keeping everything a secret from the expecting parents.

 

The only detail Clarke and Lexa knew for sure was the theme—Halloween. It was the one element they had chosen themselves, and they loved the idea of a fun, festive atmosphere. Guests were encouraged to wear costumes, and of course, Clarke and Lexa had decided to match.

 

Clarke was dressed in a cozy black onesie with a white skeleton print, featuring an adorable design of two tiny skeleton babies over her belly. As soon as she and Lexa had seen it, they knew it was perfect. She accessorized with cute little pumpkin earrings, a necklace, and a bracelet. For her shoes, she wore Halloween-themed crocs. Her makeup was done light and natural. Her blonde hair was styled in a messy bun, a few loose strands framing her face. She looked effortlessly beautiful, and Lexa had told her so multiple times before they left.

 

Lexa matched her perfectly in a black skeleton onesie with a crisp white bone design. The fabric was comfortable yet flattering, fitting just right in all the places Clarke had definitely noticed. She paired it with a classic pair of white Nike Air Force 1s and a small pumpkin necklace that Clarke had picked out for her. Her dark hair was pulled back into a sleek ponytail, making her sharp green eyes stand out even more.

 

As they pulled up to the venue, Clarke glanced at Lexa, her excitement bubbling over. "I can't wait to see everything," she said, practically bouncing in her seat.

 

Lexa smiled, reaching over to squeeze her hand. "Me neither."

~~~~

As Clarke and Lexa stepped out of the car, the Halloween atmosphere immediately hit them, with decorations scattered across the front of the venue. Little white ghosts, each with wide, playful eyes and flowing sheets, hung from the trees and floated in the breeze. They were strung up on fishing wire, gently swaying and adding a lighthearted, spooky touch to the surroundings. A few glowing Jack-o'-lanterns sat by the entrance, casting warm orange light, while tiny black bats fluttered across the windowpanes.

 

But the showstopper was the large sign near the entrance, that would be sure to catch everyone's attention. It was set against a backdrop of twinkling purple fairy lights and framed by a garland of autumn leaves, orange pumpkins, and black spiders. The sign was a large wooden board painted in shades of deep purple and black, with the words:

 

"Boo, It's Two! The Woods Twins Are On the Way!"

 

The letters were painted in bold, whimsical white script, with each word outlined in glittering gold. Above the text, two adorable ghost figures floated, their little hands waving as if greeting guests.

 

Clarke gasped, covering her mouth with her hands as her eyes sparkled with excitement. "Oh my God, Lexa! Look at that!"

 

Lexa chuckled, admiring the creativity. "I have to admit that is cute."

 

As Clarke and Lexa stepped inside the building, they were immediately welcomed by more Halloween magic. The entrance area was decorated with tiny floating ghosts, just like outside, with cute expressions and little arms stretched out. Some were attached to the walls, while others dangled from the ceiling on invisible threads, giving the space an eerie yet playful atmosphere. The soft glow of Halloween lights illuminated the room, adding a warm, inviting touch.

 

On the wall near the entrance was another sign, just as charming as the one outside. It read: "Boo, It's TWO!" with bold, fun lettering, surrounded by playful skeletons and pumpkin illustrations.

 

Directly across from the entrance, a large white poster board stood against the wall. At the center of the poster was an ultrasound image of the twins, their tiny forms captured in a precious moment. The ultrasound was framed with festive orange and black ribbons, and around the image, there was plenty of space for guests to write sweet messages and notes for the babies. Markers in every color of the rainbow were placed nearby, inviting everyone to share their love and well wishes for the twins on the way.

 

Clarke couldn't help but feel a swell of emotion as she looked at the ultrasound image. She had seen it a thousand times, but it felt so special to see it so prominently displayed. The thought of everyone coming together to celebrate her little ones made her heart race with excitement.

 

"This is perfect," Clarke whispered to Lexa, her voice filled with warmth.

~~~~

Thirty minutes had passed, and the baby shower was in full swing. Clarke was overwhelmed by the number of people who had come to celebrate and show love to her twins. She honestly hadn't expected such a large turnout, especially knowing that many members of her family on both her mom's and dad's sides disapproved of her being pregnant at such a young age.

 

But, to her surprise, a good number of relatives from both sides had shown up.

 

As she glanced around the room, her eyes landed on Lexa, who was deep in conversation with an older woman. Clarke faintly remembered Lexa showing her a picture of her grandmother before, and based on the resemblance, she assumed this had to be her.

 

She watched as Lexa glanced in her direction and waved her over. Clarke's heart started beating a little faster as she made her way toward them. When she reached them, the older woman gave her a once-over, her expression unreadable.

 

"Hm... she's pretty, Alexandria," the woman said in a formal tone before looking at Clarke. "I'm Irene, Lexa's grandmother, Indra's mother." She held her hand out in greeting.

 

Clarke quickly shook her hand, feeling a little shy under the woman's sharp gaze. "Nice to meet you."

 

Irene hummed in response before turning her attention back to Lexa. "Now, where is your other half?"

 

Lexa immediately glanced at Clarke, a soft smile tugging at her lips.

 

Irene caught the look, and so did Clarke. She felt her cheeks heat up and quickly looked away, while Irene's lips curled into a barely-there smile.

 

"I meant Anya," Irene clarified.

 

Lexa let out a small chuckle. "Oh, she's over there with her girlfriend, Raven." She gestured toward a nearby table where Anya and Raven were standing, dressed in their Mario and Luigi costumes, laughing about something.

 

Irene's gaze followed Lexa's gesture, and after a moment, she nodded. "I'm going to go over and say hello." She then turned back to Clarke and gave her a polite smile. "Nice meeting you, Clarke."

 

Clarke returned the smile. "You too."

 

With that, Irene walked away, leaving Clarke standing beside Lexa, still feeling a little flustered. She glanced up at Lexa, who was already looking at her with amusement.

 

"You okay?" Lexa asked, her voice laced with fondness.

 

Clarke huffed a small laugh, shaking her head. "Yeah, just… your grandmother is intense."

 

Lexa chuckled. "Yeah, she has that effect on people."

 

Just as Clarke was about to respond Indra announced it was time to start the games.

~~~~

The energy in the room was buzzing as everyone gathered in a large open space for the Mummy Wrap Race. The guests who wanted to play quickly partnered up, laughter already filling the air as they grabbed rolls of toilet paper. Clarke stood off to the side, holding her belly as she laughed, already entertained before the game even began.

 

"Alright, everyone!" Abby called out, holding up her phone to time them. "You have one minute to wrap your partner up like a mummy. The best-wrapped mummy wins! Ready? Set... go!"

 

The room erupted in chaos as the wrappers hurried to cover their partners in layers of toilet paper.

 

Raven and Anya were going at full speed, Raven determinedly wrapping Anya up while Anya laughed, already struggling to stay still.

 

Octavia and Lincoln, dressed adorably in their matching Tinker Bell and Peter Pan costumes, worked together with Lincoln trying his best to stand still as Octavia ran around him with the toilet paper. "This is harder than it looks!" she whined.

 

Bellamy, paired with Lexa, was fully enjoying the game. "Come on, Lex! I better be the best-looking mummy in here," he teased with a grin.

 

"I'm trying!" Lexa replied, hustling to wrap him up properly. But every time she moved too fast, the fragile toilet paper ripped, making Clarke burst into laughter from the sidelines.

 

"Come on, Lex! You're supposed to be good at this!" Clarke teased, her hands resting on her baby bump as she watched with amusement.

 

Lexa groaned as another piece tore. "Bellamy, stop moving!"

 

"I'm literally just standing here!" Bellamy laughed, holding out his arms.

 

The room erupted in laughter as the players examined their work or lack thereof. Anya, Lincoln, and Bellamy were all wrapped to various degrees of success, though Lincoln's was falling apart, Bellamy's looked half-done, and Anya looked like a messy ghost.

 

"I think we all failed," Raven declared, hands on her hips as she surveyed the toilet-paper-covered guests.

 

"No way, I think Anya looks the best," Lexa said, stepping back to examine the mummies.

 

"I agree," Clarke said, grinning. "Winner is... Raven and Anya!"

 

Anya did a little victory dance well, as much as she could wrapped in layers of toilet paper while Raven pumped her fist in the air.

 

"That was unfair," Octavia pouted. "I had a good strategy, but Lincoln's too tall!"

 

Everyone burst into laughter again as they helped their partners out of their toilet paper wrappings.

 

After a few more rounds of fun and laughter with the games, it was finally time to eat. The guests eagerly made their way to the buffet-style setup, where a delicious spread of food awaited them. The moms had put together a great menu that had something for everyone.

 

The main attraction was a huge roasted chicken and a few trays of cheesy baked ziti, with garlic bread on the side.

 

There were also platters of finger sandwiches, including cucumber, turkey and cheese, and egg salad, all neatly cut into small, bite-sized triangles. Bowls of fresh fruit salad, with vibrant chunks of watermelon, cantaloupe, and grapes, were set alongside a creamy dip. There were also savory appetizers like mini quiches, stuffed mushrooms, and meatballs glazed in a sweet BBQ sauce. A large pasta salad was placed at the center, with colorful veggies and a tangy vinaigrette dressing.

 

At the moms-to-be table, decorated to match the Halloween theme, Clarke and Lexa sat side by side, glancing around the room. The table was adorned with black tablecloths, bright orange napkins, and small ghost-shaped candle holders flickering softly in the dim light. A centerpiece of tiny white pumpkins and baby-themed decorations added to the festive vibe.

 

"Is everything good?" Lexa asked, glancing over at Clarke with a soft smile.

 

"Yeah, it's perfect," Clarke replied, taking a bite of her food. "Everything looks amazing. I didn't expect it to be this big."

 

"I'm glad you're enjoying it," Lexa said, squeezing her hand gently under the table.

 

"I'm ready for some dessert though," Clarke said excitedly as she looked over at the dessert table.

 

The dessert table was a hit, with a variety of themed treats. There were sugar cookies shaped like little pumpkins, ghosts, and baby bottles, all decorated with colorful icing. Chocolate cupcakes topped with orange and black frosting sat beside a towering cake that was adorned with a skeleton design and the words "Boo, It's Two!" written in bold, spooky lettering.

 

There were also cake pops shaped like little ghosts and pumpkin-flavored mini cheesecakes.

 

"I'm definitely about to get some cookies and a cake pop," Clarke said with a grin, eyeing the dessert table.

 

"I can get it for you if you want me to," Lexa offered, her voice warm.

 

"No, it's fine. I can get mine and yours," Clarke replied, smiling softly at Lexa. "Is there anything you want?"

 

Lexa paused for a moment, her brow furrowing slightly as if considering. "Hmm... I'll take two cake pops."

 

"Okay, coming right up," Clarke said winking at Lexa. 

 

Clarke stood up from the table, ready to head over to the dessert table when she suddenly felt a strange sensation. She paused for a moment, her smile faltering as a sharp, uncomfortable pressure settled in her lower abdomen. She instinctively placed a hand on her stomach, but before she could process what was happening, she felt a warm trickle between her legs.

 

Her heart skipped a beat, and panic rose within her as she realized what was happening.

 

"Lexa..." she said quietly, looking over at her with wide, panicked eyes.

 

Lexa's head snapped up from her plate, instantly noticing Clarke's worried expression. "Clarke? What's wrong?"

 

Clarke's voice trembled slightly as she looked down, feeling the warmth beneath her. "I... I think my water just broke."

Notes:

As always leave me your thoughts💭

Chapter 27: "They're perfect."

Summary:

Our little Clexa babies will be introduced this chapter🥰

Notes:

Happy Reading❤️

Continuation of the last chapter (still at the baby shower)

 

Clarke's voice trembled slightly as she looked down, feeling the warmth beneath her. "I... I think my water just broke."

 

Lexa shot up from her seat so fast that her chair nearly toppled over. Her eyes were as wide as saucers, her face suddenly a shade paler as she processed Clarke's words.

 

"Okay... okay... oh my fuck," Lexa muttered, her voice barely above a whisper as she ran her hands through her hair. "Stay calm... stay calm... oh my God. Nope, not calm. Definitely not calm."

 

Clarke blinked, her lips twitching despite the situation. "Lexa," she said softly, trying to keep her own panic in check, "breathe."

 

"Breathe. Right. Good idea." Lexa nodded rapidly, inhaling so deeply it sounded more like she was trying to vacuum all the air in the room. "I can do that. I'm breathing. We're breathing."

 

Clarke's eyebrows lifted smiling a little. "Lexa..."

 

"Wait, no! We need to go to the hospital!" Lexa slapped her forehead like she had just realized the most obvious thing in the world. "Yes! Hospital! Oh my God, Clarke, we need to go!"

 

Clarke couldn't help but laugh, despite the discomfort and anxiety building in her stomach. "Lexa... I know."

 

Okay, I'll... I'll get Abby." Lexa nodded determinedly, then froze again. "Wait. Should I get the car first? No, no. Abby. Definitely Abby." Her eyes darted back to Clarke. "Don't move."

 

"Not going anywhere," Clarke murmured, biting her lip to keep from laughing at Lexa.

 

Lexa spun around, her movements jerky as she scanned the crowd. Her eyes finally landed on Abby near the drink table, chatting with someone. Without thinking, Lexa darted toward her, nearly colliding with Octavia on the way.

 

"Lexa, what the—"

 

"Later!" Lexa barked, waving her off as she practically sprinted the rest of the way.

 

"Abby!" Lexa hissed, her voice low but urgent. She grabbed Abby's arm, eyes wild. "We have a situation."

 

Abby turned, her brows furrowing at the sheer panic on Lexa's face. "Lexa? What's wrong?"

 

Lexa's mouth opened and closed, as if she was trying to find the right words but was currently buffering like a slow internet connection. "Clarke... Clarke's water... there's water. Everywhere. Not everywhere but like... enough." She threw her hands in the air. "It broke! The water broke!"

 

Abby blinked. "Her water broke?"

 

"Yes!" Lexa practically shouted, then immediately slapped a hand over her mouth, realizing how loud she was. She leaned in closer, her voice a frantic whisper. "Abby, what do we do? I mean, I know what we should do, but what do I do?"

 

Abby's eyes widened for a moment before her medical instincts kicked in. She placed a calming hand on Lexa's arm. "Okay, Lexa, take a breath."

 

Lexa inhaled sharply—too sharply—and ended up coughing. "Right. Breathing. I keep forgetting that part."

 

Abby's expression turned more serious. "She's 33 weeks," she murmured, more to herself, her face tightening slightly. "We need to get her to the hospital now."

 

"Thirty-three weeks," Lexa repeated, her panic flaring again. "That's early. Is that too early? It's too early, right?"

 

Abby gave her a reassuring but firm look. "It's early, yes, but we'll be okay. We're going to move quickly and get her to the hospital. Preterm labor isn't uncommon with twins. We'll be ready."

 

"Okay, okay. Hospital. Yes." Lexa nodded rapidly, looking like a malfunctioning bobblehead. "I'll get the car!"

 

"Lexa," Abby said, her tone firm but kind. "Maybe walk this time?"

 

Lexa paused, blinked, then nodded slowly. "Right. Walking. Good idea."

 

She turned, her steps much calmer until she nearly ran into Jake, who had just walked over with a plate of dessert.

 

"Lexa?" Jake raised an eyebrow, looking between her and Abby. "What's going on?"

 

Lexa pointed dramatically toward Clarke. "Water. Broken. Babies. Hospital!"

 

Jake's eyes widened as he took in the scene, his plate forgotten. "Oh! Oh, okay. We need to go."

 

They went to Clarke, who was still standing by the table, a mix of amusement and anxiety on her face.

 

"Lexa's cute when she's panicking," Clarke murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

 

Abby smiled softly, her eyes full of love for her daughter. "Yeah, she is. But let's get you to the hospital before she has a heart attack."

~~~~

4 hours later...

 

Clarke's body felt like it was on fire. Her fingers dug into Lexa's hand, her knuckles white as another contraction tore through her. Her head fell back against the pillow, her jaw clenched so tightly that her teeth ached.

 

"Breathe, Clarke," Abby murmured gently, brushing Clarke's damp hair back from her face. Her voice was soothing, but her eyes betrayed her concern. She had been by Clarke's side the entire time, her doctor's instincts in a constant battle with her emotions as a mother.

 

Clarke tried. She really did. But the pain was relentless, each contraction coming stronger and closer together. The pressure in her lower back was unbearable, and her entire body felt like it was being wrung out.

 

"I... I can't," Clarke gasped, her chest heaving as she fought to catch her breath. Her eyes were glassy with exhaustion, her body trembling from the strain. "I can't do this anymore..."

 

Lexa leaned in closer, her forehead nearly touching Clarke's as she squeezed her hand tighter. "Yes, you can," she whispered softly, her voice filled with so much love and unwavering determination that it brought tears to Clarke's eyes. "You're doing so good, pretty girl. I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere."

 

Clarke blinked, her vision blurry from the tears and the pain. Lexa's face was pale, her jaw tight as she tried to stay calm, but Clarke could see the worry in her eyes. Lexa was terrified. But she was holding it together for Clarke.

 

"I'm so tired..." Clarke whispered, her voice barely above a breath.

 

"I know, baby," Lexa murmured, her lips brushing against Clarke's temple. "But you're almost there. You've got this."

 

Clarke's body tensed as another wave of contractions gripped her. Her face was flushed, her breathing uneven as she tried to ride out the intensity of the contraction.

 

"Breathe, baby," Lexa murmured softly, her voice full of love and concern. "In through your nose, out through your mouth. Just like that."

 

Clarke's jaw clenched as she exhaled shakily, her eyes squeezed shut as she tried to focus on Lexa's voice letting out a shaky breath as the contraction finally eased, her body sagging in relief. But she knew it was only temporary. The next one wasn't far behind.

 

Dr. Diyoza, standing at the foot of the bed, was closely monitoring everything, her eyes sharp as she checked the fetal heart rate monitor and Clarke's progress.

 

"Alright, Clarke," Diyoza said, her voice calm but authoritative. "You're about six centimeters dilated now. We're making progress, but with twins, things can move quickly from here. Baby A is still head down and in a good position, but I want to keep a close eye on Baby B."

 

Clarke nodded weakly, her eyes fluttering closed for a moment. The exhaustion was starting to creep in, but she knew she had to keep going.

 

Lexa's thumb rubbed soothing circles over Clarke's knuckles, her green eyes filled with worry despite her calm exterior. "Do you want me to get you some ice chips?" she asked softly.

 

Clarke shook her head, her voice barely above a whisper. "Just stay here."

 

"I'm not going anywhere," Lexa promised, leaning down to press a soft kiss to Clarke's forehead.

 

Another contraction hit, and Clarke's entire body tensed again. A sharp cry escaped her lips before she could stop it. Her breathing came out in short, ragged gasps as she gritted her teeth, trying to focus on anything but the pain.

 

"Deep breaths, Clarke," Abby murmured, her voice steady and reassuring. "You're doing great. You've got this."

 

Clarke's eyes fluttered open, meeting Lexa's. Despite the pain, despite the exhaustion, there was something steady in Lexa's gaze that grounded her. "I love you," Clarke murmured softly.

 

Lexa's lips trembled as she smiled, her eyes glistening. "I love you too."

 

"Okay," Clarke whispered, her voice barely audible. "I can do this."

 

Another contraction started building, and Clarke braced herself, her grip on Lexa's hand tightening once again. Lexa stayed by her side, her words a soothing balm as she whispered encouragement with each passing moment.

 

Abby watched them closely, her heart aching and swelling at the same time. Her little girl was having her own babies now. And while the doctor in her was focused on keeping Clarke and the twins safe, the mother in her was overwhelmed with pride and love.

 

"Almost there, sweetheart," Abby whispered softly, her eyes never leaving Clarke. "You're almost there."

~~~~

Two hours later...

 

Dr. Diyoza stood back at the foot of the bed, her expression calm but focused as she monitored Clarke's progress. "You're doing amazing, Clarke," she said gently, her eyes flicking up to meet Clarke's. "You're fully dilated, and Baby A is ready to make her entrance. I know you're exhausted, but I need you to push now."

 

Clarke's heart pounded as fear gripped her chest. 

 

"Okay," Clarke whispered, her voice shaky but determined.

 

"Deep breath in," Abby coached softly from Clarke's other side, her voice steady but her eyes filled with worry. "When the next contraction hits, push as hard as you can."

 

Clarke nodded, trying to focus despite the overwhelming exhaustion. A moment later, the next contraction hit, and Clarke gasped, her body instinctively bearing down. The pressure was almost unbearable, and she felt the burning stretch as she pushed with everything she had.

 

"That's it, Clarke!" Dr. Diyoza encouraged. "You're doing great. Give me another big push."

 

"Come on, baby, you've got this," Lexa murmured, her voice thick with emotion. She pressed her forehead to Clarke's, her lips brushing softly against Clarke's skin between whispers of encouragement.

 

Clarke's body shook as she pushed again, her face contorted with pain and effort. She felt like she was being split apart, but she didn't stop. She couldn't. Her babies needed her.

 

"I can see the head," Dr. Diyoza said, her tone reassuring but focused. "One more, Clarke. One more big push."

 

Clarke let out a strangled cry as she bore down again, her entire body trembling with the effort. And then...

 

A sudden, overwhelming sense of relief.

 

The sound of a tiny, fragile cry filled the room.

 

Clarke's body sagged against the bed, her chest heaving as tears streamed down her face.

 

"Your baby girl is here," Dr. Diyoza said softly, lifting the tiny, pinkish infant for Clarke and Lexa to see.

 

Clarke's eyes welled up as she looked at her daughter, her heart swelling with an indescribable love. The baby's cries were weak but steady, her little chest rising and falling with effort.

 

"She's beautiful," Lexa whispered, her voice trembling as her eyes filled with tears. "Oh my god, Clarke..."

 

Do you want to cut the cord?" Dr. Diyoza asked, glancing up at Lexa.

 

Lexa's eyes widened, her face pale with emotion. "Me?" Her voice was barely above a whisper, her hand shaking as she looked at Clarke, silently asking for permission.

 

Clarke gave her a small, exhausted nod, her lips trembling as tears slid down her cheeks. "Go ahead," she whispered.

 

Lexa's hand was trembling as Dr. Diyoza handed her the scissors. She took a steadying breath, her eyes never leaving their daughter as she carefully cut the umbilical cord.

 

"Good job, Lexa," Dr. Diyoza said softly, offering a small smile before passing the baby to the waiting neonatal team.

 

"She's small, but she's strong," one of the nurses said softly as they began assessing their baby girl.

 

Clarke's heart swelled with relief, but there was no time to rest.

 

"Okay, Clarke," Dr. Diyoza said gently, her voice pulling Clarke back. "Your baby boy is ready. We're almost there. I just need a few more pushes."

 

She nodded, her breathing ragged as she tried to gather her strength.

 

"Breathe, Clarke," Abby murmured, her hand gently cupping Clarke's cheek. "You've got this."

 

"Come on, baby," Lexa whispered softly, her voice thick with emotion as she kissed Clarke's forehead. "One more time."

 

Another contraction built quickly, the pressure intense as Clarke's body bore down again.

 

"Push, Clarke," Dr. Diyoza urged gently.

 

Clarke gritted her teeth and pushed, her entire body trembling with effort.

 

"Good, Clarke," Dr. Diyoza said, her tone calm and reassuring. "Baby B is coming fast. I just need one more big push."

 

Clarke's body felt like it had nothing left to give, but she dug deep, summoning every last bit of strength she had. She gave one final, powerful push.

 

And then—another cry.

 

Slightly weaker than his sister's but there.

 

"Your baby boy," Dr. Diyoza said softly, lifting the little body into view.

 

Clarke's sobs came harder this time as she gazed at her son, her heart nearly bursting with love and relief.

 

"Lexa?" Dr. Diyoza offered the scissors again, her voice gentle.

 

Lexa's hands were shaking even more this time, but she took the scissors, her eyes clouded with tears as she cut the cord for their son.

 

"You did so good, baby," Lexa whispered, her voice barely above a breath as her lips pressed softly against Clarke's. "They're here... you did it."

 

Clarke's body sagged against the bed, her head falling back as her chest heaved with exhaustion. Tears streamed down her face, her heart pounding with both relief and overwhelming love.

 

The neonatal team worked quickly, assessing both babies.

 

"Baby A is 5 pounds, 12 ounces and 16 inches long," one of the nurses said softly. "Baby B is 4 pounds, 8 ounces and 15.5 inches long. Both are stable."

 

"Can we see them?" Clarke's voice was barely above a whisper, her eyelids heavy, but she needed to see her babies before they left.

 

"Of course," the nurse said gently.

 

The nurses carefully brought the babies over, both swaddled snugly in tiny blankets. Clarke's heart swelled as she caught her first real glimpse of her daughter and son. Their little faces were pink and scrunched up, their eyes barely open.

 

Clarke reached out weakly, her fingers brushing gently over their tiny faces. "Hi, my loves..." she whispered, her voice breaking with emotion.

 

Lexa stood beside her, her hand trembling as she brushed her fingertips lightly over the babies' soft cheeks. Tears streamed down her face as she looked at their children with awe and love.

 

"They're perfect," Lexa whispered, her voice barely holding together.

 

"They're so perfect..." Clarke echoed, her heart full despite the exhaustion weighing her down.

 

The nurses gave them a few moments before taking the babies to the NICU.

 

"I'll go with them," Abby said softly, giving Clarke's shoulder a reassuring squeeze before following the nurses.

 

Clarke's head fell back against the pillow, her body completely spent. But even through her exhaustion, her heart was full.

 

Lexa leaned down, pressing her forehead gently to Clarke's. "They're okay," she whispered softly, her voice filled with emotion. "They're strong. Just like you."

 

Clarke gave her a weak, teary smile. "They're really here."

 

Lexa's lips brushed gently against Clarke's, her tears mingling with Clarke's. "Yeah," she whispered. "They are."

~~~~

About an hour later...

Clarke's body was still weak, but she had insisted on being wheeled to the NICU as soon as they were allowed. Lexa was right by her side, her hand never leaving Clarke's as they followed Abby through the quiet hallways.

 

The sterile scent of the NICU hit Clarke the moment they entered. The soft beeping of monitors and the low hum of machines filled the air, and Clarke's heart pounded in her chest.

 

Her eyes scanned the room anxiously until Abby guided them to two small incubators placed side by side.

 

"Here they are," Abby whispered softly, her voice barely above a breath.

 

Clarke's breath caught in her throat as she saw them.

 

Her babies.

 

They were so small. Too small. Their delicate bodies swaddled in soft blankets, their tiny heads covered with little caps. Both of them had tiny CPAP prongs attached to their noses, the gentle hum of the machines helping to keep their fragile lungs open as they adjusted to breathing on their own.

 

Clarke's heart clenched as she took in their delicate features soft pink skin, tiny fingers curled into loose fists, and their chests rising and falling steadily.

 

"Baby girl is doing well," Abby said softly, her tone gentle but professional. "She's responding nicely to the CPAP. Her oxygen levels are stable, and she's strong."

 

Clarke's eyes were locked on her daughter, whose tiny chest moved rhythmically with the help of the machine. "She's so beautiful..." Clarke whispered, her voice breaking as tears welled up.

 

"And baby boy..." Abby's voice softened as her gaze moved to the other incubator. "He needed a little more support initially, but he's holding his own now. His oxygen levels have improved, and the CPAP is doing its job."

 

Clarke's gaze shifted to her son, her heart squeezing at how small and fragile he looked. His tiny fists were curled near his face, and his body looked so impossibly small beneath the blanket.

 

"Oh my God..." Clarke's voice was barely above a whisper, her tears falling freely now. "They're so tiny..."

 

Lexa's grip on Clarke's hand tightened, her own eyes glistening with tears as she took in the sight of their children. "They're perfect," she murmured, her voice thick with emotion.

 

Clarke's free hand reached out, her fingertips brushing softly against the glass of their baby girl's incubator. "Hi, baby girl," she whispered, her voice trembling. "Mommy's here..."

 

Her hand trembled as she moved to touch the glass of their baby boy's incubator next. "Hi, sweet boy," she murmured softly, her voice barely holding together. "We're right here..."

 

Lexa crouched down beside Clarke, her arm wrapping gently around her shoulders as she pressed her forehead softly against Clarke's temple. "They're strong," Lexa whispered, her voice full of awe and love. "Just like their mama."

 

Clarke's lips quivered, a tear slipping down her cheek. "They're so small, Lex..." Her voice cracked as her eyes stayed locked on their babies. "What if... what if something happens?"

 

Lexa's jaw clenched, but she pressed a gentle kiss to Clarke's temple, her voice soft but steady. "They're fighters. They are going to be just fine," she murmured.

 

Clarke leaned into Lexa's touch, her heart swelling with an overwhelming mix of love and fear. "I love them so much already," she whispered, her voice barely above a breath.

 

"Me too," Lexa murmured, her eyes locked on their children. "So much."

 

Abby stood quietly beside them, giving them a moment to take it all in before speaking softly. "Do you want to touch them?"

 

Clarke's eyes snapped up, her heart pounding. "I can?"

 

Abby nodded with a small smile. "We can't take them out just yet, but you can reach in and touch them. Skin-to-skin will be possible soon."

 

Clarke's hand trembled as Abby helped her reach through the small openings in the incubator. Her fingertips brushed gently against her daughter's tiny hand. The moment their skin touched, baby girl's fingers instinctively curled around Clarke's finger.

 

Clarke let out a shaky breath, tears streaming down her cheeks as she whispered softly. "Hi, sweet girl... Mommy's here..."

 

Lexa followed suit, her hand slipping gently into their son's incubator. Her fingertips brushed softly against their son's tiny hand, her heart pounding as his delicate fingers curled around hers.

 

"Hey, little man," Lexa murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "We've been waiting so long to meet you..."

 

Clarke and Lexa sat in the NICU for a while their eyes never leaving the tiny incubators that held their children. The world outside the glass walls of the NICU felt distant irrelevant. All that mattered was right here.

 

Clarke had barely spoken, her eyes flickering between their daughter and son, watching every small movement, every rise and fall of their tiny chests. Lexa hadn't left her side, her arm wrapped around Clarke, offering quiet strength while her own heart felt like it was being squeezed in a vise.

 

A nurse approached quietly, her expression kind. "How are you both doing?" she asked softly, her voice gentle.

 

Clarke blinked, her lips trembling as she glanced up. "I... I don't know," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "They're so small. I just... I don't know how to feel."

 

The nurse gave her a compassionate smile. "That's completely normal. They're premature, but they're doing really well given the circumstances. The CPAP is helping them breathe, and their vitals are stable." She glanced at the monitors, her expression reassuring. "They're strong. But I know it's a lot to take in."

 

Clarke nodded, swallowing hard as she turned her gaze back to the incubators. "When... when can we hold them?" Her voice cracked as she asked the question that had been weighing on her heart.

 

The nurse's smile softened. "If they remain stable, we can try kangaroo care in a few hours. Skin-to-skin contact is so good for preemies. It helps regulate their breathing, keeps their body temperature steady, and helps them bond with you."

 

Clarke's heart swelled with hope. "A few hours?" she whispered, her eyes darting back to her babies.

 

The nurse nodded gently. "Yes. We'll be monitoring them closely. If everything continues to go well, you'll be able to hold them soon."

 

Clarke looked at both of her babies smiling, her throat tightening. "Did you hear that, babies?" she whispered softly. "Mommy's going to hold you soon..."

 

Lexa, who had been watching quietly, spoke up, her voice barely steady. "And me?" she asked, her eyes flickering toward Baby B. "Will I be able to hold them too?"

 

The nurse's expression warmed. "Of course. Both of you will get to do skin-to-skin. It's important for both parents."

 

Lexa's jaw clenched, her eyes shining with emotion as she looked back at their babies. "Thank you," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

 

Clarke leaned her head against Lexa's shoulder, her body finally starting to relax, if only slightly. 

 

Lexa pressed a soft kiss to Clarke's temple, her lips lingering as she whispered, "They're going to be okay, Clarke."

 

Clarke nodded, her eyes never leaving their babies. "They have to be," she whispered, her voice filled with quiet determination. "They're ours."

 

🍼🍼🍼🍼

Sunday, October 12th

 

It was 5:00 am  when Dr. Diyoza came into the with an encouraging smile. Clarke was able to get a couple of hours of sleep but woke up as soon as she heard the door open.  

 

 "They're both doing well," she said softly, stepping closer to where Clarke and Lexa sat. "Vitals are stable. I think it's time."

 

Clarke's heart pounded. "Time?"

 

"Time for you to hold them," Dr. Diyoza said with a small smile.

 

Lexa's breath caught in her throat as Clarke's eyes widened with a mix of excitement and nervousness. "Really?" Clarke whispered, her voice trembling.

 

Dr. Diyoza nodded, her expression warm. "We'll take it slow, but yes. Skin-to-skin contact will do wonders for them." She motioned to the nurse, who began carefully preparing the babies to be moved.

 

Lexa stood up first, her hand gently brushing against Clarke's. "You go first," she murmured softly, her voice thick with emotion. "Hold her."

 

Clarke's eyes filled with tears as she nodded, her heart pounding in her chest.

 

The nurse carefully lifted their baby boy from the incubator, his tiny body wrapped gently to keep him warm as she placed him delicately against Clarke's chest. Clarke's hospital gown was already pulled down slightly, allowing her son's soft skin to touch hers.

 

The moment their skin met, Clarke felt her entire body relax. Tears slipped down her cheeks as she cradled her daughter to her chest, her tiny body fitting perfectly against her.

 

"Hi, baby boy..." Clarke whispered softly, her voice trembling as her lips brushed against her son's tiny head. "Mommy's here..."

 

Lexa crouched down beside her, her eyes locked on their son with pure wonder. "He's so small," Lexa whispered, her voice barely above a breath.

 

"But he's strong," Clarke murmured, her lips pressing another gentle kiss to her son's head.

 

Soon the nurse got their baby girl out of the incubator. 

 

"Ready, Mom?" the nurse asked softly, her eyes meeting Lexa's.

 

Lexa nodded, her throat too tight to speak.

 

When their daughter was placed gently against her chest, Lexa felt her entire world shift. Her tiny body was so warm, so small, and yet she could feel the steady rhythm of her heart against hers.

 

"Hey, Princess..." Lexa whispered, her voice breaking as tears slipped down her cheeks. 

 

Clarke watched through misty eyes, her heart swelling as she saw the love and awe in Lexa's gaze.

 

"Look at her, Clarke," Lexa whispered softly, her voice barely holding together. "She's perfect."

 

Clarke smiled softly before kissing their baby boy's head again. "They both are."

~~~~

It was now around 1 pm and Clarke was sitting up in her hospital bed, her body still sore and exhausted, but her heart felt lighter after holding the babies. Lexa was beside her, one hand resting gently on Clarke's leg as they both watched the NICU nurse adjusting the monitors for their babies. Their tiny bodies were still connected to the CPAP machines, but they looked stronger than they had the night before.

 

A quiet knock at the door pulled Clarke's attention away.

 

"Come in," Lexa called softly, her voice laced with exhaustion.

 

A middle-aged woman with kind eyes and a warm smile stepped inside, holding a clipboard. Her navy-blue badge read Vital Records Office.

 

"Good morning," she said gently. "I'm Angela. I'm here to take care of the birth certificates. Congratulations, by the way. I heard they're doing really well."

 

Clarke offered a tired smile. "Thank you," she murmured.

 

Angela stepped closer, her tone warm but professional. "I just need to ask if you've chosen names for the babies. No rush if you're still deciding, but we can get the paperwork started whenever you're ready."

 

Clarke and Lexa exchanged a glance, and without hesitation, they both nodded at the same time.

 

"We have names," Clarke said softly, her voice filled with certainty.

 

Lexa's lips curved into a small smile as she glanced at Clarke before looking back at Angela. "We finalized them last week," Lexa added, her voice laced with quiet pride.

 

Angela's smile grew as she pulled out a form. "Wonderful. I'll take your daughter's name first," she said, glancing between them.

 

Clarke's eyes softened as she looked toward the incubator where their daughter lay. "Madilyn Rose Woods," Clarke said, her filled with so much love.

 

Angela wrote it down carefully, repeating it softly. "Madilyn Rose Woods... Beautiful name."

 

Lexa's hand brushed gently against Clarke's, and Clarke felt the familiar warmth of her touch grounding her.

 

"And your son's?" Angela asked gently.

 

Lexa's gaze shifted toward their son, her expression filled with awe and quiet devotion. "Aden Alexander Woods," Lexa said proudly.

 

Angela smiled softly as she wrote down the name. "Aden Alexander Woods," she repeated. "Strong name for a strong little boy."

 

Clarke's eyes shimmered with tears as she squeezed Lexa's hand. "They're perfect," Clarke whispered softly, her gaze flickering between their babies.

 

Lexa leaned in, her forehead gently touching Clarke's. "They are," she whispered in agreement.

 

Angela gave them a moment before speaking again, her voice soft. "I'll get these submitted and have everything processed. You'll get their official birth certificates in the mail soon."

 

"Thank you," Lexa said quietly, her voice thick with emotion.

 

As Angela left the room, Clarke's head rested lightly against Lexa's, their hands still intertwined. Their hearts swelled as they looked at their children. 

 

Welcome to the world Madilyn Rose Woods and Aden Alexander Woods!

Notes:

Next chapter will be a time jump. I don't know how far ahead yet I am still thinking about that. But you guuuuys our little Clexa babies are here🥹 I'm so happy🥰

As always leave me your thoughts💭

Chapter 28: "This moment... is everything."

Notes:

Wow it has been a while since I have updated this story. Well here is a new chapter!

Happy Reading❤️

Thursday, December 12th

Two months had passed since Maddie and Aden were born, and Lexa and Clarke were still figuring it all out: being new moms, juggling school, trying to find some kind of balance. They had a routine, sort of, but it didn't make things any less exhausting. The late nights were killer, and getting up early for classes after barely sleeping was no joke. They talked about it before the twins were born, swore they were ready, but actually living it? That was a whole different thing.

Right now, it was five in the morning, and Lexa's alarm had just gone off.

Clarke groaned into her pillow. "I swear we just went to sleep..."

Lexa fumbled around blindly, knocking her phone off the nightstand before finally silencing the alarm. She sat up slowly, blinking groggily as she rubbed her eyes. "We did. Three hours ago."

Clarke let out a soft, sleepy laugh. "Right. Luxury."

Like clockwork, they got up and started their day. Weekdays were always the same. Lexa and Clarke got ready first, brushing their teeth, throwing on something comfortable but decent, fixing their hair just enough not to look like zombies. Then it was time to get the twins up and fed.

"Oh my gosh, look at the way our big boy is drinking his milk," Clarke gushed, holding Aden close as he finished off his three ounces of breast milk like a champ.

Maddie, on the other hand, had already downed four and was eyeing the bottle like she wanted more.

"That's my girl," Lexa smiled as she burped Maddie, who gave a tiny, satisfied grunt.

"He is so adorable," Clarke said, pressing a soft kiss to Aden's forehead. "He looks just like you, Lexa. Honestly, they both do."

Lexa laughed, shaking her head as she laid Maddie down in her bouncer. "Aden is your twin, babe. He just stole my eye color."

Clarke giggled, rubbing Aden's blonde curly hair. "Okay, fine. But Maddie? That is one hundred percent your mini-me. Same hair, same eyes, perfect just like you."

Lexa walked over to her, cupping Clarke's face gently in her hands before leaning in and kissing her softly.

"I love you so much," she whispered against her lips.

"I love you too," Clarke whispered back, eyes fluttering shut for a second.

Once the twins were done eating and Clarke packed their diaper bag as Lexa finished getting them ready, which took longer than they planned because they kept stopping to squeal over how cute they looked.

Aden had on the cutest little khaki corduroy overalls with a long-sleeved red thermal underneath. His tiny Timberland boots matched perfectly, and Clarke had added a soft beige beanie with little bear ears on top that made him look even more adorable.

Maddie was dressed in a dusty rose knitted sweater dress with matching tights and the tiniest UGG boots anyone had ever seen. Her brown curls peeked out from under her white knit hat that had two pom-poms on top, almost like ears. Lexa had wrapped her in a little cream-colored fleece jacket with bunny ears on the hood, and Clarke couldn't stop taking pictures of them.

They looked like they belonged in a holiday catalog, and the best part was they stayed warm and cozy the whole day.

"We seriously have the most adorable babies in the world," Clarke smiled, holding Maddie close as they slowly made their way down the stairs.

"We really do," Lexa agreed, carefully adjusting Aden in her arms. They were both being extra cautious, taking their time with each step like they always did when carrying the twins.

"Okay, so today I have to meet with the art club after school," Clarke said glancing over at Lexa. "We're finishing the final touches on our Christmas portraits."

Lexa nodded. "And my mom's picking the twins up from daycare since I've got basketball practice."

"Yeah, and we're staying at your house tonight," Clarke added, her voice warm.

Lexa smiled as she looked over at her. "Yes."
~~~~

When they finally made it downstairs, the smell of breakfast met them immediately. Abby was already in the kitchen, flipping pancakes while Jake set the table.

"Morning, girls," Jake greeted with a soft smile, nodding toward the coffee pot. "Fresh pot just finished."

"You two are lifesavers," Clarke said with a tired laugh, gently placing Maddie in the little bassinet-style play bed they kept tucked in the corner of the living room. Lexa did the same with Aden, both babies having fallen back asleep on the way down.

Once they were sure the twins were cozy and settled, the girls joined Abby and Jake at the kitchen table. Abby already had two plates made, stacked with pancakes, eggs, and turkey bacon.

"Thank you, Mom," Clarke said, her stomach growling as she sat down.

"You're welcome, sweetheart. I figured you'd both be running on fumes," Abby said as she took her seat across from them.

"We are," Lexa admitted, brushing her hair back with a sigh.

Jake smiled gently. "You're doing great. Both of you."

"Thank you again mom and dad," Clarke said softly as she reached for the syrup. "Seriously. For everything."

Lexa nodded beside her. "Yeah, really. You and Abby... we couldn't do this without you guys."

Jake smiled warmly and shook his head. "You don't need to thank us for helping with my grandbabies. We would do anything for them."

Clarke glanced over at the play bed where Aden and Maddie were snuggled side by side, still asleep. "I still can't believe they are two months old today."

"Time's flying," Abby said with a smile as she sipped her coffee. "And their first Christmas is right around the corner."

Lexa's eyes lit up as she looked between Abby and Jake. "We already ordered them matching onesies. They say 'My First Christmas' and have little reindeer ears on the hoods," Lexa said proudly, pulling out her phone to show Abby and Jake the screenshot she'd saved. "Look how cute!"

Abby leaned in, grinning instantly. "Oh my god, Lexa, those are perfect. They are going to look so precious in this."

Jake laughed. "I can already see it now. Abby's going to take about a thousand pictures."

"Try two thousand," Abby teased. "I already started putting together a Christmas photo album for them."

Clarke's face lit up. "Wait, really?"

"Of course," Abby nodded. "We have to document every little moment. It's their first everything first tree, first snow, first Christmas morning."

Lexa looked over at the twins again, her expression softening. "I can't wait to see their faces when they see all the lights. I mean, they won't fully get it yet, but still..."

Clarke reached under the table for her hand and squeezed it gently. "They'll feel the love. That's what matters most."

Just before anyone could say anything else, Clarke's phone alarm went off, the soft chime cutting through their conversation. She glanced at the screen and sighed, "Ugh, time for school."

Lexa stood up with her, already knowing the routine. "Let's go grab the babies."

They walked into the living room where Maddie and Aden were still peacefully asleep in their downstairs bassinet. Clarke leaned down and gently picked up Maddie, while Lexa scooped up Aden, careful not to wake him too much.

They made their way to Lexa's car carefully strapping the babies in.

"Text me after you drop them off," Clarke said softly as she adjusted Maddie in her arms.

"I will," Lexa nodded. "Have a good day. Love you."

"Love you too," Clarke smiled, leaning in to kiss her.

Clarke went and got in her car and Lexa in hers. Clarke was off to high school, and Lexa was headed to the college early learning center to drop off the twins before her first class. It was early, it was exhausting, but they were doing it together.
~~~~

Clarke was now in her first period class, Honors English 11. Academically, school was going well for her. She was keeping up with the workload, even excelling in a few areas. But socially, things were different. People still stared. Still whispered. The cheerleaders hadn't exactly rolled out the welcome mat again either they continued to keep their distance, a silent reminder of the drama from last year.

Thankfully, Octavia was in most of her classes, including this one. Having her best friend nearby made it easier to ignore the gossip and just focus. Raven, on the other hand, didn't share any classes with them this semester. She was taking all AP and dual enrollment courses and was on track to graduate a year early.

"So," Octavia whispered, dragging out the word like it was a secret she couldn't wait to spill, "how's married life?"

Clarke blinked. "What?"

Octavia raised her brows. "You and Lexa. She's at your house every day. She eats dinner with your parents. She sleeps over more than she doesn't. Babe, she basically lives there."

Clarke rolled her eyes, trying not to smile. "We're not married. We aren't even girlfriends."

"Mm-hmm," Octavia said, clearly unconvinced. "She literally caters to you like it's her full time job. Your dad literally thanked her last night for taking out the trash. And Abby? She calls her 'sweetheart' now. That's wife status."

Clarke bit her lip to stop from laughing, cheeks flushing. "We're just...comfortable."

"Comfortable?" Octavia grinned wiggling her eyebrows.

Clarke leaned her head against the desk with a groan. "Why are you like this?"

"Because I love watching you squirm," Octavia said, nudging her. "Also, you and Lexa being a married old couple in high school is the best slow-burn fanfic I never knew I needed."

Clarke lifted her head just enough to give her a playful glare. "You're the worst."

"Only when I'm right," Octavia grinned.

And as much as Clarke hated to admit it... maybe she kind of was.
~~~~
Later that morning on campus...

It was 10:32 AM, and Lexa adjusted the strap of her backpack as she walked across the sunlit campus, the familiar weight of her textbooks resting on one shoulder. Her first class of the day Introduction to Political Theory had ended not long ago, and now she was on her way to U.S. Government and Legal Systems, one of the courses she was most excited about this semester.

As a freshman majoring in political science, Lexa had a very clear goal: law school. She'd known for years that she wanted to fight for those who didn't always have a voice. But everything had taken on a new layer of urgency and purpose after the twins were born. She wasn't just chasing her dreams anymore she was building a future for her family.

Her family. Clarke and the twins.

A small smile tugged at her lips as she crossed the quad. Becoming a mother at her age hadn't been in her original plan, but neither had Clarke. Life had a funny way of rearranging priorities when love and two perfect babies were involved. And Lexa wouldn't change a thing. She might be juggling classes, papers, final exams, diaper changes and feedings but she wouldn't trade any of it.

Her phone buzzed.

She glanced down and saw a blurry selfie of Clarke in class, mid-eye-roll and making faces at the camera.

LOML💗: Octavia keeps saying we are an old married couple. She's been saying it since first period🙄

Lexa laughed quietly under her breath, her thumb already moving.

Lexa: I mean we basically are😩

Sliding her phone back into her pocket, Lexa felt that now-familiar warmth in her chest. It still felt surreal sometimes how deeply she loved them. How she got to be the one Clarke leaned on. How they shared the responsibility, the late-night feedings, the morning chaos. Clarke wasn't doing it alone, and neither was she. They were figuring it out together.

As she entered her building and made her way toward the second-floor lecture hall, her pace slowed just slightly. She liked taking this moment, the few minutes before class started, to breathe. To remind herself that she was doing it. All of it. She was a student, and a mother and despite the pressure, the long nights, and the stares they still got from people who didn't understand... she was happy.

As she entered the classroom her phone buzzed and she couldn't help the big smile that broke across her face as she read it:

LOML💗: I definitely wouldn't mind spending forever with you💕

Yes she was truly and undeniably happy.
~~~~
Later on that evening...

The day passed by quicker than Clarke expected, and soon she found herself in the art room, meeting with the club after school to work on the final touches of their Christmas portraits. She had her sleeves rolled up and was completely focused on blending the reds and golds just right when she heard someone come up beside her.

"Hey, stranger," Niylah said with a small smile.

Clarke looked up and grinned. "Niylah! Hey." She set her brush down and gave her a quick side hug. "It's been forever."

"I know," Niylah laughed. "Figured I'd come over and catch up."

They spent the next few minutes catching up as Clarke continued working on her painting. She told Niylah about the twins how much Maddie and Aden had grown in just two months and how she and Lexa were finally starting to settle into some kind of routine, even if it was exhausting.

"I'm not gonna lie, it's hard," Clarke admitted, "but every time they smile or look up at us, it's all worth it."

Niylah smiled. "You're doing amazing, Clarke. Seriously."

Clarke tilted her head curiously. "What about you? What's new?"

"Well," Niylah said, her cheeks coloring just a bit, "I actually have a big art competition coming up next month. I've been pouring everything into this one piece. I'll show you when it's ready. And..." she paused for dramatic effect, "...I started dating again."

Clarke's eyes widened, a teasing smirk forming. "Ooooh, okay! Details?"

Niylah laughed softly. "Her name is Sky short from Skylar. We met in one of my studio classes that I go to on Saturdays. She's so pretty, kind and smart."

"That's amazing," Clarke said with a big smile. "I'm glad you're happy."

"Thanks," Niylah said, nudging her shoulder gently. "And I'm glad you're still painting. You're so talented, Clarke. Your painting is amazing."

Clarke nodded, feeling the weight of those words settle in. She hadn't picked up a paintbrush in weeks before this project, and it felt good... really good to be painting again.

The two girls continued to chat as Clarke painted and Niylah leaned against the table beside her. The room buzzed with holiday energy, students finishing their pieces and humming along to the Christmas music playing in the background.

Soon Niylah stood up to go put the final touches on her part of the Christmas portrait, wiping her hands on her apron as she glanced back at Clarke.

"Don't be a stranger, Clarke," she said with a soft smile.

Clarke looked up from her canvas and smiled back. "I won't be. I promise."

They shared one last nod before Niylah walked off.

Clarke turned back to her painting, her thoughts drifting to Lexa and the twins, already looking forward to seeing them later on.
~~~~

It was just after 6 PM and Lexa was finishing up her final laps around the gym after an intense basketball practice. Her legs ached, her arms burned, and sweat clung to her skin like a second layer. Coach Ray, who never went easy on them, had pushed the team hard: conditioning drills, defensive slides, full-court scrimmages, and free-throw rounds to close it all out.

"Nice hustle today, Lexa," Coach Ray called out as the players grabbed their waters and started toward the locker room. "You've been on fire since the season started."

"Thanks, Coach," Lexa said, breathing heavy but steady. She wiped the sweat from her brow with the bottom of her jersey and made her way toward the showers.

She stripped down and stepped into the shower, letting the hot water roll over her tired muscles. By the time she stepped out and wrapped her towel around her body, most of the team had already left.

Except Ontari.

Lexa paused, startled to see her leaning against the lockers.

"Ontari," Lexa said flatly, walking past her to get to her locker.

Ontari didn't move. "Alexandria," she said with a smirk, voice low and sultry.

Lexa exhaled, annoyed. "I'm not doing this with you."

"Why not?" Ontari stepped closer. "You and Clarke aren't even official. I know you're not getting what you really need from her. You've got that look, Lexa. You're wound up. I just wanna help you unwind."

Lexa stared at the inside of her locker trying to keep her anger under control.

"I'm not doing this with you," she repeated, quieter this time. "You don't get to talk about Clarke like that. And you don't get to decide what I need."

Ontari's smile slipped into something colder. "You're telling me you don't want this?."

Lexa turned to face her then, expression hard. "I'm not going to disrespect Clarke. I will never fuck you Ontari."

Ontari's expression darkened as she scoffed. "Whatever.You having kids is a major turn off anyway."

Lexa didn't dignify it with a response. She turned back to her locker, quickly throwing on her clothes, blocking Ontari out. The moment her shoes were tied, she grabbed her bag and walked out without another word, her mind already on Clarke and the twins the only people she wanted to be with.

Her and Clarke really haven't talked about what they are yet. So no technically they didn't have a label yet. But that was changing tonight. Lexa knew what real connection felt like now. And she wasn't about to throw it away for someone who didn't understand that.
~~~~

Clarke and the twins were already at Lexa's parents' house by the time she got home. The comforting aroma of something savory greeted her as she stepped inside, and she found Indra in the kitchen, calmly stirring a pot on the stove.

But it was the soft baby sounds coming from the living room that pulled Lexa in that direction first.

She stepped into the cozy space and couldn't help but smile at the scene: Aden and Maddie were on their tummy time mat, their tiny arms wiggling with effort. Gustus was stretched out on his stomach right in front of them, making silly faces and encouraging sounds.

Lexa paused and quietly took out her phone, snapping a photo of the cute moment.

"Hey, Dad," she said through a chuckle. "Getting in some tummy time of your own today, huh?"

Gustus grinned, not even lifting his head. "Hey, sweetheart. I suppose I am. Anything for my little angels."

Lexa laughed and shook her head before kneeling beside them. She placed a kiss on each of the twins' foreheads, soft and loving. "Hey, my sweet babies."

She lingered a little longer, watching as Maddie made a valiant attempt to lift her head, cheeks puffed in effort. Aden gave a dramatic grunt and then collapsed against the mat, clearly done with it already.

Lexa's smile lingered as she rose and made her way to the kitchen.

"Hey, Mom. Smells amazing in here," she said, reaching for a piece of chopped carrot from the cutting board.

Indra glanced over with a small smile. "Hey sweetheart. Dinner will be ready in thirty. Clarke's upstairs."

"Thanks, Mom."

Lexa headed up to her room and pushed the door open without knocking, expecting to find Clarke maybe lying down scrolling on her phone.

What she didn't expect was Clarke completely naked standing by the bed, rubbing lotion into her legs.

Clarke gasped when she looked up and saw Lexa. She spun around, quickly grabbing the towel from the bed to cover herself.

"Shit, Lex! I didn't know you were home. I would've changed in the bathroom," Clarke said, her cheeks flushing deep red.

Lexa just stared, frozen. Words completely failed her.

"I'm really sorry—" Clarke began, still flustered.

But Lexa suddenly blurted, "Be my girlfriend!"

Clarke blinked, startled. "What?"

Lexa took a breath. "Be my girlfriend. Please. I—I had this whole thing planned. Like candles and a speech and maybe dessert after dinner... but it just hit me again, seeing you like this. Not just like that—" she motioned vaguely toward Clarke's towel, flustered herself now. "I mean... here. In my room. With my babies downstairs. Just being part of my life. And I don't want it to be this... undefined thing anymore. I want you to be mine. Officially."

There was a pause. And then Clarke's whole face lit up.

She practically launched herself into Lexa's arms, wrapping her up in a hug so tight it knocked the breath out of her.

"Yes! Of course I'll be your girlfriend, Lex!" Clarke laughed joyfully, pulling back just enough to kiss her deep, tender, and full of promise.

Lexa kissed her back, heart soaring.

When they finally pulled back, Clarke rested her forehead against Lexa's and smiled. "You didn't need the speech baby. That was perfect."

Lexa grinned, brushing her thumb along Clarke's jaw. "Still wish I'd at least lit a candle or something."

Clarke kissed her again before whispering, "This moment... is everything."

The kiss deepened quickly, slow, then hungry. Clarke let out a soft moan as she felt Lexa's hands slide down and squeeze her butt.

"Lex!" she gasped, pulling back just slightly, though her hands stayed tangled in Lexa's hair. "Your parents are literally downstairs."

Lexa groaned in frustration and dropped her forehead to Clarke's shoulder. "Don't remind me."

Clarke giggled, biting her lip. "Trust me I want to. But I will definitely be too loud."

Lexa let out another low groan, her hands gripping Clarke's waist as she tried to will herself to calm down—unsuccessfully. She pulled away just enough to glance down between them, then sighed with a frustrated chuckle. "Yeah, not helping."

Clarke bit her lip again, clearly enjoying her effect on Lexa. "Rain check ?" she offered softly, her voice sultry but teasing.

Lexa looked up at her with narrowed eyes and a playful pout. "You're evil."

Clarke kissed her one last time and smiled against her lips. "You love it."

"I do," Lexa whispered honestly, wrapping her arms around Clarke and just holding her for a moment longer.
~~~~

Once Clarke finished getting dressed, they headed back downstairs. The smell of Indra's cooking had only gotten stronger, and it instantly made both girls realize how hungry they were.

They walked into the kitchen to find Indra setting the table while Gustus was still with the twins, holding Maddie in one arm and playing peek-a-boo with Aden.

"Oh, you two are just in time," Indra said as she glanced up. "Set the extra plates. Abby and Jake are coming over."

Clarke's eyebrows lifted. "They are?"

Indra nodded. "Jake called a little while ago. Said they wanted to stop by for dinner and see the babies."

A few minutes later, the doorbell rang, and Lexa went to get it. She opened the door to see Abby and Jake standing there with a bottle of wine and a small gift bag.

"We come bearing dinner gifts," Jake said with a grin.

"And two new rattles for the twins," Abby added, holding up the bag.

Lexa stepped aside to let them in. "They're in the living room with my dad. Clarke's in there too."

They followed her in and were immediately greeted with coos and tiny smiles from the twins. Clarke was talking to Maddie and Aden in that soft baby voice that always made them smile.

Dinner was loud and full of laughter stories being passed around the table, a few jokes from Jake, and Clarke reaching over every few minutes to make sure the twins were okay in their bouncer seats nearby.

At one point, Lexa reached under the table to squeeze Clarke's hand. Clarke looked over and smiled, their shared look quiet but full of everything unspoken.

Home.

Family.

Love.

And neither of them would trade it for the world.

 

Notes:

So this is the end of this story, you guys 🥺

Thank you to everyone who stuck with me and this story from the very beginning. I actually started this story last year, then deleted it, and reuploaded it again and so many of you still stayed with it through every step. That means the world to me❤️

I will eventually upload an epilogue showing our little Clexa and their babies in the future, but for now… this is the end of their journey.

Thank you for reading and supporting me. Until next time 🫶🏾