I've always believed that in your life you have moments of clarity, where the fog clears and you finally see things in color. Regardless of your plans, your goals and your dreams there's that moment where everything changes. You see the world differently - colors look brighter, your black coffee tastes bitter and your days seem longer. You're constantly searching for meaning in this merry-go-round of a world, until your moment of clarity hits. For me that moment was when I first met Clarke Griffin, 3 years ago.
"Lexa, your coffee's ready. Have a great afternoon at work!' The barista smiled and Lexa took her coffee, holding it closely while she made her way to the bench she sat at once a week. This was her favorite spot in Seattle, it was peaceful and overlooked the water where the ferry would take daily trips despite the up and down weather. Somehow today felt different to the 25 year old, the sky was a light grey - like most days in Seattle but the wind was particularly cold. Lexa missed the sun, the blue sky and the sunsets that California was known for. But when a prestigious law firm offers you a job fresh out of college you take the opportunity.
Lexa made her way to her favorite bench and noticed someone sitting there, overlooking the water and drawing in a sketch pad. In her 5 months of living here she had never seen anyone else sit on the bench at this time in the morning. She shrugged and made her way over to her spot, she could share the bench as long as the stranger didn't start a conversation. She wasn't in the mood to be social - this was her time to relax and enjoy the outdoors, time that she rarely got since she was always held up in her office working on various cases. When Lexa approached the bench the stranger looked up, smiled and returned to her drawing. Lexa missed the sunsets, the blue sky and the warm weather but nothing compared to the look that the stranger just gave her. It was like every sunset she had seen in her lifetime and all the warm Los Angeles days thrown into one. This was a feeling that she wasn't used to.
"It's a beautiful day, isn't it?" The girls blonde hair flowing in the wind as spoke while watching the ferry and Lexa couldn't help but take a glance at the girls sketch pad.
"Yes it is." Lexa spoke confidently and nodded at the smile the girl returned. Lexa could tell the girl was looking at her but she kept her eyes towards the water, watching birds dive in the cold water to catch small fish. Once she felt it was safe to glance over at the stranger she noticed two things. One, the girl was breathtakingly beautiful. Two, the drawing of the ferry boat was almost complete and Lexa couldn't believe how amazing it was.
"Do you come here often? I usually don't get up this early to draw but I thought I would take a chance today to hopefully see the sun." The stranger chuckled lightly, took another glance at Lexa and returned to her drawing adding small finishing touches.
"Yes, I come here every Thursday before work." Lexa didn't want to mention that she saw the sun in the girls hair and the blue of the sky in her eyes. She needed to focus - she didn't have a time for a distraction in her life. Work was too important and she wanted to make sure that she did everything correctly and to her best ability - she wasn't a perfectionist but her parents raised her to be a goal oriented person.
"That's awesome, it's beautiful here. I see why you keep coming back. I'm Clarke by the way." The blonde girl smiled and continued to look at Lexa.
"It is very nice here. I'm Lexa." She gave a half smile and finished her coffee before getting up. "Enjoy your day Clarke. Your drawing is beautiful."
Clarke looked down at her sketch pad and smiled she loved when people complimented her work. This wasn't her best work, it was messy and the shading was too dark. She could hear her mother in the back of her mind saying that it was 'terrific" which was her way of saying that it was good enough but she expected better. Clarke ripped the drawing out of her sketch pad, signed her name in the bottom corner of the page and looked at Lexa who was now standing against the rail, getting one last glance of the scenery before her never ending work week.
"Thank you, I appreciate it. Here…" Clarke stood and handed Lexa the drawing. "This is for you." Clarke gave Lexa a smile and watched as the girl hesitated before taking the paper.
"I cannot take this Clarke, it is your artwork." Lexa was confused at the kindness of the stranger who sat on her bench this morning. Clarke just smiled and Lexa was captivated by her blue eyes. The blonde girl picked up her bag, shoved her sketch pad in it and turned to face Lexa again.
"On the days when you can't come here you have my drawing to remember it. It's a beautiful view. Have a good day Lexa. I'll see you around." Lexa watched as Clarke walked away and stared at the drawing in her hand. She hoped that the blonde girl would be back next week and she was already counting down the days until next Thursday. She scolded herself for letting her thoughts get the best of her. Yes, Clarke was beautiful and yes she could draw but there was no reason for Lexa to get hung up on a stranger she met who just happened to be sitting in her favorite spot.
Lexa was already thinking of spots she could hang Clarkes drawing. She was still amazed that people had talents like this - sure she could play piano but that was after 6 years of lessons. Lexa started the walk to her office and then it hit her…. The moment of clarity.