AN: Hey, everyone! This is the first chapter of my first Clexa fic. I hope you enjoy it and stick around for the next chapters - I'm planning at least 5.
Clarke got out of the cab stunned by all the buildings around her. There was nothing imposing about them. They weren't fifty-story skyscrapers with shining mirrored windows - no. If anything, they were the exact opposite. The tallest buildings on the street had no more than five floors and were mostly made of dirty, stained bricks. The opaque walls held large rusty-iron-framed-windows that were sometimes adorned with flower pots. Well, dead flower pots. It was beautiful, really. Looking up at her own building – the place she would now call her home – she saw an old cat looking out the window, glaring at her. She was more of a dog person, never really liked cats, but she was so caught up in the beauty of the place she actually opened up a smile.
"Lady! Hey, lady!", Clarke was suddenly withdrawn from her reverie. Eyeing the grouchy cab driver behind her – an honest, friendly smile still gracing her lips – she reached for her wallet. Her belongings were now ungraciously spread by the sidewalk. She tried not to falter at the sight and paid the driver with an added tip that she supposed was enough for his troubles. He slapped the trunk door shut and mumbled something she couldn't make out over the loud metallic thud. Maybe the tip wasn't enough? He slipped back in the car and drove off leaving Clarke alone to deal with all her baggage.
It wasn't a lot, actually. Just two large pieces of luggage with her clothes, her A3 sized portfolio folder, a backpack and two cardboard boxes full of knickknacks. It wasn't a lot – but it was heavy. And she would need more than one trip up and down the flight of stairs at the entrance of the old building. She's started by taking the backpack that was already on her back and the portfolio folder, which she was tightly holding as her most precious possession – after all, it had brought her here, it was her very own golden ticket. She went back for the large suitcases, one at a time, and finally the boxes. She wouldn't label herself as sedentary but, if she was being honest, she felt ashamed of all the sweat gracing her forehead right now.
Now that her things were safely inside the entrance hall of the building she got her phone from her back pocket and started to dial at the same time she pushed the button for the elevator. With the phone to her ear, she looked back at her stuff, proud of her brand new independence.
"Hey, honey! You there already? How are you?", the voice in her ears were full of excitement but still she could detect a mama-bearness kind of ring to it.
"Hi, mom! I'm great. I just got here. To the building, I mean. I just brought my stuff inside the entrance hall and now I'm waiting for the elevator", with her back to said elevator, she turned her head slightly to check on it, "It's taking forever, though."
"Did you press the button, Clarke?"
"Wow, mom! Such a great idea! Why didn't I think about it before?", she did bite a laugh but her pitch gave away the very amused nature of those words.
"Well, I forget how smart you are, smarty-pants! Either way, just try pushing on it again. Maybe it's one of those really old buttons that only work if you press it with an exact amount of pressure and from an exact angle or-"
"Mom! It's just a button. It's not rocket science. But fine. I'll press it again.", and so she did.
"But really press it this time, honey. Give it your all.", it was just a button, but if Clarke didn't know better, she'd thought her mom was giving her the same motivational speech she did every time she started a new chapter of her life since she was child.
She rolled her eyes lovingly even though her mom couldn't see it. "I did, mom."
"So…?", it was a lot of anticipation just for an elevator, but Clarke wasn't surprised. Her mom was extra worried, having her only child far away for the first time. It was her way of taking care of her grown up baby.
"Nothing yet", she pressed her free ear to the elevator door and tried to hear something, gears, cables, anything. But she got nothing. "I'm starting to think this thing is broken."
"Did you put a good pressure when yo-"
"Yeees, moooom!", she drawled almost annoyed now, pushing the button repeatedly, the tip of her index finger half red, half white.
"Oh, this is not going to work.", she turned around to the entrance of the building to find a young looking man standing there. His messy long hair and his jovial smile gave him an amiable face, easing her concerned stance into a more cordial one.
"Hey, mom, I have to hang up but I'll call you back in a while, kay?" the words were blurted out hastily and she didn't wait for a response hanging up to a very curious looking man smiling way too much at her.
"Oh, sorry, I'm Finn", he got two steps closer and stopped at arm's length reaching out her hand to her. She eyed him with a bit of suspicion but still took his hand, "I'm on the 5th floor."
"Hi. I'm… Clarke", she shook his hand with some hesitance but the boy did look trustworthy, "I'm just mov-"
"Moving, yeah, I can tell!", he finished her sentence tilting his head toward the baggage, that pleased look still decorating his face. It was almost annoying, but Clarke was starting to fall back into the joyful feeling she had when she first got out of the taxi.
"Sooo, about the elevator…", she tried retracting her hand and pointing behind her.
"Oh, yeah. That. Well, it's broken.", he punctuated the sentence with a scrunch of his nose that didn't really go well with the invincible grin on his face, but Clarke found it endearing in some way.
"You have got to be kidding me!" It did not make the news any more pleasing to bear though.
"Being the fortunate resident of the fifth floor, I have to say that I wish I was kidding. But I'm not. Nope. It really is broken.", he was far too elated to be giving her such bad news, but she was starting to realize it was just his way.
"Crap. No one told me it was broken. I wonder why.", sarcastic tone to her voice, she realized she was more frustrated for being lied to than anything. Of course she didn't like the prospect of having to carry all her stuff all the way up to the third floor, but the fact that she hadn't been informed of it while deciding where she would live showed a tremendous lack of character, both from the landlord as well as her future roommate, and that was one of the few things she had a hard time dealing with – trust. Why is it so hard for people to be honest?
"I'm going to guess it's probably because everybody is used to it. The elevator has been broken forever so no one really thinks about it. The stairs just became natural."
"Or people are just too comfortable being dishonest.", sounding bitter than she wanted she threw a half smile his way to make it up for it.
"I can help you, if you want.", he pointed to her stuff and then to the stairs.
"Oh, you don't have to. Really. I think I can handle it."
"No, come on. It's okay. How high are you?"
"Excuse me?", she was taken aback for a while until he rephrased it.
"I mean, the floor. Which floor are you in?", he almost choke trying not to laugh at her misunderstanding.
"It's okay, I can do it, don't wor-"
"Clarke. Come on.", it was weird hearing a stranger say her name like that. "Let me be a good neighbor. What floor?", but she better get used to it, he is her new neighbor after all.
"Third. I'm on the third floor."
"Damn, I was hoping you would say first."
"Hey, it's fine, I can-"
"I'm just kidding, dude! Come on! Let's start with the big, heavy bags while we full of energy."
"Fine. Ok.", she said grabbing one end of the bag while he got the other. "Thank you, Finn."
"No problem, neighbor!", he winked at her in a friendly fashion.
When they got the last box upstairs Clarke reached for her new keys inside her backpack and unlocked the door of her new home for the first time. It was quite a big moment for her. Independence. Was it scary? Hell yeah, it was. But right now it was all just exciting. She stood at the doorway for a while, looking inside like she had just discovered a brand new universe – and in a way, she had.
"So you're moving in with Raven, then!", the boy behind her stated with excitement in his always-so-happy voice.
"Yes. Raven. Yes. Do you know her?", she was worried about his answer. She had exchanged a few e-mails with the girl prior to her decision of moving to this specific apartment amongst all the other possibilities, and the apparent good natured spirit of the girl had been a major dealmaker. But you never know how much of it is fake. She did have lied to her about the elevator, so… who knows.
"Oh yeah! She moved here about six months after I did. She's the best! You're gonna love her.", Clarke was relieved to hear such nice things about her new roommate, but then she didn't think Finn could say anything bad about anyone - the guy was a bottomless pit of cheerfulness. "I can't say the same thing for your other neighbor, though.", he whispered while tilting his head to the door across the hall. Ok, maybe he is able to talk badly about people.
"What's wrong with him? Her?"
"Her. You know, I keep asking myself this same question. Let me know if you find out.", he eyed the door with some kind of discomfort, a total change of aspect from the chirpy one Clarke was already getting used to. He shrugged and returned to his jolly self to say goodbye. "Well, it was nice meeting you, Clarke. I'm gonna leave you to your stuff now, I suppose you're tired and have lots to do. So… If you need help with anything I'll be upstairs. You can just scream from your balcony."
"Or I can just knock on apartment…"
"51."
"A good idea!"
"What?"
"Nevermind. I'll explain some other time.", she shook her head, "51 then. Okay. But hey, thank you so much! Really! I owe you one!"
"I see more than one bag here, Clarke. So you owe me more than one.", he kept an impressive serious tone despite the obviousness of the joke.
"Whatever, Finn. Thanks, Finn!", she screamed after he darted up the stairs to his own apartment.
She caught a final glimpse of the door across the hall, her gaze curious and concerned. She thought about knocking and casually introducing herself, but instead she turned back to face that universe she couldn't wait to step in – and so she did.
The apartment was empty. Raven had informed her that she wouldn't be there upon her arrival due to some work related affair but "You should totally feel home! Just don't sit naked on the couch, please!" – she had said in the latest e-mail. Looking straight to said couch, she felt her lips stretch into a content smile. It was a regular red leather couch facing a large but old television, the CRT kind. A rectangular coffee table set between them. At the back wall a large bookshelf made out of old looking ladders placed side by side with wood planks sitting on the steps across the ladders. On the right, the large glass window was an entrance to the balcony. It was all very quaint, she loved it. She was enraptured by it. She had seen it in pictures before, of course, but being there was different. A fresh wave of excitement washed over her body as she passed by the kitchen and headed towards her room. A bright ultramarine blue paper was fixed to her bedroom door with stylish "Welcome, Clarke!" handwriting in white. It was a nice touch to get her already pumping self even more charged – she was already starting to love this roommate.
After taking a deep breath and growing her grin to a full toothy smile she opened the door and went in the room. It had a closet to her left, a window facing an alley, a reasonable sized twin bed with a bedside table, a couple of shelves on the wall and a desk by the door. It was plain. It was hers. It was perfect.
Clarke spent the rest of the afternoon unpacking and getting her stuff organized in her new room. When she got to the trinkets box, she picked up a portrait that brought up an instant beam to her face. It was a family portrait from her childhood days. Two glowing parents were crouched beside a 6 year old Clarke, a toothless smile plastered across her face, her messy blonde hair all over the place and sticky with sweat. The cherry on the top was a cute baby monkey on her lap. She was suddenly ripped out of her contemplation when a metallic wah-sound came from her back pocket. She didn't have to pick up to know it was her mother so she started apologizing as soon as she slid across the screen to answer.
"Hey, mom! Sorry I forgot to call back! I'm sorry."
"You better be! Not even one day away and you already forgot about me.", Clarke could clearly hear the pout on her mother's voice. It would be heartbreaking if it wasn't adorable.
"Oh, come on, Mrs. Griffin! There's no need for all this drama. I was just about to call you, actually.", she hadn't fully thought about it, but it wasn't a lie. With the picture still in her hands, she realized it was just a matter of time, her mother just beat her to it.
"What took you so long? I was worried, you hung up in such a hurry!"
"Well, turned out my button-pressing skills are just perfect, thank you very much.", she chuckled into the speaker and heard her mother doing the same. "The elevator, otherwise, is not. The damn thing is broken."
"Well, that was my second guess."
"Yea, you just had to doubt my finger dexterity first.", she bit her tongue realizing how dirty this sounded in her mind and hoped her mother hadn't catch that. If she had said that anywhere near her friends she was sure they would break into a fit of laughter and she would be the target of finger-dexterity jokes the whole week. "Anyway,", she decided changing the subject was the best option, "When I hung up one of my neighbors had just walked in. He told me the elevator has been broken forever. Can you believe it?"
"I can believe it as much as I believe in your finger dexterity, honey.", she said trying to hold down her laugh but failing miserably at it. Clarke's cheeks were instantly pink and she was glad her mom couldn't see it. She chose to ignore it and just kept talking.
"So. Finn helped me carry my stuff upstairs and I spent the last hours unpacking."
"Who's Finn?"
"My neighbor, mom."
"Oh, right! Well, that was nice of him! Make sure you make something nice to thank him."
"I already said I owe him."
"That's not enough, Clarke. Put that finger dexterity to use and bake the guy some cookies.", Abby managed to suppress a laugh now, but the amusement was still evident in her voice. Clarke should've known better, occasionally inviting her mom to hang out with her friends would now haunt her forever.
"Mom. Please.", she tried to sound bothered, but that proved to be very hard with her mom's giggles at the other end of the line.
"Ok. Fine. I'll stop."
"Thanks."
"Bake him some cookies, though. Do you need a recipe? I can e-mail you mine."
"I know how to bake cookies, mom.", she looked at the photograph in her hands and her voice became tender "I'm not six anymore."
"Ugh, I know. My baby's all grown up and now I'm abandoned.", and there it was again, the long distance pout. "Promise you'll call me every day."
"I already did, mom."
"Do it again."
"Fine. I promise to call every day."
"And make sure you're eating properly."
"Yes, ma'am. Anything else?"
"I miss you already, honey."
"I just left, mom! You need a boyfriend, you know?"
"And you need to be nicer."
"I actually need to finish unpacking, mom."
"Fine. I'll leave you to it, you ungrateful daughter, you." Clarke loved bickering with her mother, it made their relationship so much fun. And she felt it brought them together since her father had passed away. He was always the one making jokes and picking at them. The first time they did this after he died, they both laughed so much they started crying. It was a really beautiful moment and they haven't stopped since then.
"Hey, mom"
"Yes, daughter?"
"I love you.", there was a genuine smile reaching and glossing Clarke's eyes. It was a big moment for her and also for her mom. When Clarke got the news that she had been accepted to an internship in a different city – and a different state – she struggled with leaving her mom by herself. She thought about refusing it but her mom wouldn't let her. So here she was now. Part thrilled, part bitter. But mostly thrilled.
"I love you too, kid.", Clarke's throat tightened a bit. That's how her dad used to call her. She decided to hang up before giving any chance to the tears.
"Bye, mom.", she was suddenly way too emotional. And she was tired. Exhausted.
She finished setting her stuff up and headed for a much deserved shower before passing out on her bed. It had been a long day, and the next one would be even longer.
The next day, Clarke woke up feeling sore from carrying her stuff upstairs. "I really need to start working out. This is ridiculous.", she groaned with the pain of simply getting out of bed, but the groan quickly faded as her stomach got all her attention demanding food. With all the hassle from moving she had forgotten to eat properly. Opening the bedroom door, a heavenly scent wafted from the kitchen enveloping her nostrils and she basically hovered in its direction just like a starving cartoon.
"There you are, roomie!", as soon as Clarke entered the kitchen Raven's head shot up, a radiant grin embellishing her already beautiful face. The way she was greeted made her feel like they were longtime friends already. It made her feel truly welcomed. She returned her most genuine smile and proceeded to properly greet her roommate.
"Raven! It's great to finally meet you!", the brunette girl stepped out from behind the kitchen counter and Clarke put her hand out for a handshake. Raven took it and pulled the blonde in for a hug.
"Oh, come on! Don't be shy. We're going to be living together, you're probably seeing me naked.", she joked into the hug. Clarke was a bit awkward at first, but she's always been a hug person, so she just gave into it and hugged it out sharing a laugh with her roommate.
"Hey, if I'm gonna see you naked you could at least buy me dinner first!", she laughed enjoying the easiness of the situation.
"I see you're a sucker for traditions, huh!"
"Must admit I am."
"Well, I can't promise dinner but I'm making some pancakes for breakfast, especially for you! You know, as a welcome treat. Don't get used to it.", she winked.
"I did hear you're the best! And I'm starting to realize that's true.", Clarke winked back.
"Oh, so I gather you met Finn already.", Raven was quick in her thought process, Clarke was delighted.
"Indeed. He helped get my stuff upstairs. Such a gentleman.", Clarke said with a mocking British accent.
"Oh, right! Because the elevator-"
"Is broken. Yeah."
"Damn, I'm sorry I forgot to tell you about that. I swear it wasn't on purpose.", she scrunched her face in an apologetic manner. "The damn thing's been broken for so long now I don't even think about it anymore."
"That's what I heard.", Clarke just couldn't get mad at her.
"I mean, I have to confess, I really did want you to choose me. I would have been able to lie if it meant I'd be the chosen one.", she confessed sporting a mischievous grin.
"You are the chosen one."
"Does that mean I have to find all the horcruxes?", Raven looked so proud of her potterhead remark she couldn't hold her nerdy grin down.
"AND destroy them!", they both laughed in understanding until Clarke's stomach made a noise so loud she actually felt ashamed.
Raven looked straight to the blonde's stomach and adopted a very serious expression, "I think I just found the first one."
With the same seriousness, Clarke replied "And I know exactly how to destroy it."
At that commentary, both girls dramatically averted their eyes towards the pancakes, and then back at each other breaking into another fit of giggles.
"Gosh, you really are the best.", Clarke admitted with great joy in her chest.
"I am. And you really are hungry. Let's eat!"
The girls sat at the counter for a whole hour, eating and getting to know each other. They had shared very basic information with all the e-mail exchange. What they did for a living, what kind of music they liked, favorite entertainment options. Just a quick test to learn if they were minimally compatible. And they were. They were both kind of nerdy – Raven for the sciences, Clarke for the Arts, they both enjoyed modern music but couldn't give up the classics, they enjoyed their quiet times but knew how to properly throw a party. They even watched the same TV shows, except for some minor differences – Clarke loved all kinds of construction/renovation shows, Raven hadn't ever stopped to watch Discovery Home & Health. Raven had the complete "How it's made" DVD collection, Clarke had fallen asleep during an episode of "Extreme Engineering". But they both loved "Cosmos" and had "Interstellar" as their top favorite movie.
After finishing breakfast and doing the dishes, Clarke changed out of her pajamas, got ready to leave for some shopping, and pulled a piece of paper from her bedside's drawer. It was a quick sketch she had done the night before from the front of the building where she now lived. It was signed and dated, and at the top left corner it read "Our place looks awesome! Thanks for having me!"
She went back to the living room where Raven sat, watching TV, and handed her the sketch. "That's for you."
Surprised, Raven looked at the drawing in awe and looked back to Clarke. "Did you do this?"
"Yup.", Clarke was usually modest about her drawings, but she was proud of this one, it wasn't just another building, it was her new home, it had sentiment.
"And that's our building.", it sounded more like a question, like she wasn't believing it.
"Yes, it is."
"Wow, I'd never realized how beautiful it is. You're really talented, Clarke.", Raven couldn't tear her eyes away from the simple but beautiful lines and shades. When she did, she remembered it was a gift for her. "Oh my god, thank you! I love it!"
"I'm glad you like it! I just really wanted to thank you for being such an awesome roommate already. I feel really welcomed here. So. Thanks!"
Raven got up to her feet and hugged her new roommate. It was really amazing, for both of them, how well they got together. They could tell they would be good friends.
"So," Clarke stepped out of the hug, "I have to leave now, but I shouldn't be late." she warned.
"Damn right you shouldn't be!" Raven blurted out. Seeing the confused look on the blonde's face she continued, "We're having a party today."
"What?!" Clarke really was surprised.
"We're having a welcoming party for you, I'm going to introduce you to the people." she answered proudly.
"The people?"
"Yea."
"What people?"
"You know."
"…" Clarke was giving her a hard time staring with such questioning eyes.
"Everyone."
"…" she was just having some fun with the brunette though.
"So…?"
"Are there going to be cute guys at this party?"
Raven opened up a smile and cheered "Super cute guys!"
"And cute girls?" Clarke challenged.
"Even cuter girls! Super duper cute girls!" she squealed.
"Did you just say "super duper", Raven?" she teased.
"I did. Super duper. Super duper. Super duper!" Clarke just burst "Sooooo? Is that a yes? Are you coming to the party?"
"Well, I live here now, don't I? I guess I have to participate, don't I?" the blonde was holding an impressive laugh inside her but did her best to sound nonchalant.
"Yes, you do. It's specifically stated at the Roommate Agreement!" she playfully accuses.
Not being able to stop herself, the blonde quickly goes out of character and adds with her everyday voice "Oooh, we should totally make one of that!"
Raven agrees instantly "Oh, totally!" and falls back into play. "So you better be here, missy!"
"I shall be, ma'am!" Clarke saluted and went out the door dramatically breaking into a fit of laughter as soon as the door closes behind her. Her abs hurting for holding it for so long combined with the "workout" from the previous day. She stands in front of the elevator for half a second and spits out a "Oh, dammit!" while turning towards the stairs. She starts racing down the first set of steps, turns left for the second set, and when she turns left once more for the third set of stairs she almost bumps into a dashing dark, long hair racing up the stairs. She starts to apologize but the girl just keeps on running up until she disappears out of Clarke's sight. Rude. The occurrence doesn't affect her high spirits though and she keeps on walking, only more careful now.
She was only supposed to look around in office supplies stores while getting to know the city's downtown area. And check out the building she would be starting to work in just a couple of days. They mentioned she could be working from home some days if she wanted to, but if she chose to do this she would have to buy her own drafting table. After some research she found an adjustable one that was a board instead of a table that she could just place on top of her desk, saving both space and money.
She kept on walking around town until she got to the exotic looking building in front of her. It was modern but with the classic hint of yore. It wasn't really high. It was like a rectangular box but with softly rounded edges. It had different sized circular windows that decreased in radius from the right to the left, each circle merging with the circles next to it, making it look like a really symmetrical cloud thinning out. The glass was a transparent cyan hue. It was really beautiful. Clarke had seen pictures of the building on the internet, of course, but seeing it personally, right in front of her eyes, was something else entirely. She felt the blood rushing fast through her veins, never had she been as excited about something as she is about this internship. She's going to learn from one of her favorite architects. And her office is inside one of his very own masterpieces. Why would she even want to work from home? She took a moment to take in the beauty of the design and then looked around the block. Across from the building there was a circular and simple square with a small fountain in its center and some benches around it resting on top of the shades and under the protection of the trees. That's going to be the best spot for lunchtime, she thought. The fountain was tinted orange from sundown and that's when Clarke realized how late it had gotten.
She needed to head back home and get ready for the party. How should she dress? She did ask Raven about the cuteness of the guests but it was just a joke, she wasn't really interested in meeting anyone at this point - was she? She hadn't dated anyone in a while. Except for a one night stand with her ex, Niylah. But that didn't count as date. It was just sex. She concluded she wouldn't make any decisions right now and would only worry with the amount of alcohol she would allow down her throat. Thinking of that, she stopped by a liquor store on the way home and bought a bottle of Tequila to celebrate. And a six-pack. The closer she got to the building, the more excited she got. She was really thrilled about the party now, and couldn't wait to meet some of Raven's friends. They couldn't possibly be bad people if she was friends with them.
And they really weren't. Clarke had already had 4 bottles from different kinds of beer and had downed 3 shots of Tequila with Raven. They were now preparing for the fourth one.
"Hey, have I said you look really hot tonight?", Clarke declared with a bit o slur to her words.
"You're that drunk already, roomie?" Raven teased.
"Shut up, Raven. I'm making a nice compliment to you. It's a compliment. I'm not complimenting you. Wait. No. I am complimenting you. I'm not flirrrting you. With you," yeah, maybe she was a bit drunk already. Maybe she should stop drinking. Soon. "Whatever, you hot."
Raven laughed hysterically and returned the compliment to her blonde roommate, "You got the looks too, princess" she winked and added "and I'm not the only one who thinks so. Dude over there won't stop looking at you." Clarke instantly turned around to peak and Raven wasted no time stating, "Wow. So subtle."
"Shoosh.", she looked behind him once more and then turned back to her friend, "He's actually kind of cute. What's his name?"
"That's Blake."
"Blake?" Clarke contemplated for a while and realization dawned on her, "Oh, I think I might have talked to his sister. Octavia, I guess."
"That's the one."
"Well, she much cuter than him.", she voiced sloppily.
"Tell that to her boyfriend." she pointed with a nod of the hand to a tall bald guy across the room. His arms were twice the size of Raven's and he had massive black tattoos.
"Dayum! He's hot stuff!" she squealed. She really was drunk.
"I know, right? Let's drink to that!"
"Damn right!" they clinked they shots, licked the salt off their hands and swallowed the liquid in one gulp. The fluid burning down their throats and the lemon twisting both their faces. "Cheers!"
"Hey, why don't we down another shot and you go over there, have a word with Blake?"
"Nah. He's not really my type." She dismissed.
"What's your type?"
"Fierce exterior, soft interior."
"Blake can be soft."
"Oh, I can see that. I'm just not sure I see fierce there."
"Go over there and find out! Now join me in this shot and just go."
"Fine!"
"Great. Now. Arriba!"
"Abajo!"
"Al centro"
"Y adentro!" they both yelled in unison before chugging the drink.
"Now go!" Raven gave a friendly push to Clarke's shoulder and the blonde started walking towards the nice looking guy. She was halfway there when a buzz sounded loudly in her ears. She stopped dead in her tracks and looked around. No one else seemed to care about the buzz. People just kept on drinking and talking to each other. The buzz echoed again and she realized it was coming from above her head. It was the doorbell.
"Hey, blondie!" Clarke turns around following Raven's voice "You're the newbie here! You answer the door!"
"You're a bully, you know that?", Clarke shouted all the way across the room.
"It's an honor!", Raven retorted with a not-so-gracious bow. Clarke dismisses it with the wave of a hand and turns to answer the door.
When she opens it, she finds a grumpy looking girl staring back at her with distaste in her eyes. She's dressed in a lose black t-shirt and black sweatpants. Her feet are bare. She's but 2 inches taller than Clarke. Her long dark hair cascading down her shoulders and her face is studded with a pair of killing green eyes. They're gorgeous. Her strong jaws are clenching and her chin is slightly elevated, making her gaze appear even more threatening. If looks could kill, Clarke would be cold dead right now, she thinks. Analyzing the girl and admiring the hard lines of that exquisite face had sent her somewhere else entirely and she is snapped out of her trance when the girl repeats for the third time, raising her voice, "Excuse me!" Clarke doesn't really know what's going on so she stays silent and just steps aside, inviting her in but the girl doesn't move.
"Is it possible for you people to turn down the volume?", the words had a harsh sound nailed to it.
Clarke's not sure what she's talking about so she takes a step forward to try and hear the girl better, "What is it?"
With a roll of her eyes, the brunette repeats herself. "I'm trying to sleep over here and you people are too loud." Clarke isn't sure she's following, she's getting really distracted with the view in front of her. "Would it be possible for you to turn the goddamn volume down?"
"It's Saturday!" is all Clarke can say at this moment, with the alcohol and the unexpected presence in front of her, blurring any reason she has left in her.
"It's two in the morning!", the somber tone of her voice reveals her patience is quickly wearing thin. Completely ignoring that fact, Clarke proceeds to voice some of her thoughts with that surprise kind of guest.
"Woooow," she drunkenly starts, "I am really drunk right now". The girl at the door breathes out an impatient huff and keeps silent when Clarke continues to slur her nonsenses.
"And you!", she points to the grumpy girl, "You are beautiful!", Clarke has a confused look on her face but she smiles nonetheless. The girl in front of her, however, is taken aback by the revelation and doesn't really know how to react. After a while, she finally mumbles something along the lines of "Just be quiet." and turns around towards her apartment. That's when Clarke realizes the door across the hall is opened.
"Hey!", she calls at her newly discovered neighbor and the girl turns back around startled, waiting for a continuation, "Go out with me!", Clarke finally delivers. What the hell was she saying? She didn't know. The dark haired girl looks utterly confused, a fast and outraged "No." jumping out of her lips. She darts back to her apartment, her eyes so wide it feels like her eyeballs are almost jumping out of her face. Clarke promptly screams at the other girl's back "Your loss!".
The brunette quickly shuts the door, but not before giving a last peak to her drunk, nonsensical neighbor – the blonde is still standing there, beaming a drunken smile her way.
"You looked!" Clarke screams to the now closed door across from her.
At the other side of the hall, a stunned Lexa leans on the door. The burning skin on her forehead touching the cold wood. Her eyes close and she whispers to herself, "Shit!"
AN: That's it for the first chapter, people! I planned on elaborating more on it, but I was too anxious to publish. So let me know what you think of it before I publish the next chapter :D
Thanks for reading! And if you liked it, please recommend it to other Clexa shippers, with the promise that there will be much more interaction between these two in the next chapters ;)