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She stands still, gaze not focused on the ocean but the horizon along the beach instead. Her arms are crossed in front of her as she tries to keep every muscle in her body from twitching. It's an unbecoming trait but she can't help her fingers from drumming against her arm as she waits. She's never been this restless.

There's this feeling in the pit of her stomach, weighing her and causing anxiety as she waits. She's unaccustomed to this particular discomfort.

She tries to shake it off by reminding herself it shouldn't matter so much if Kara keeps her word or not. The girl has no obligations to her and really she's overreacting. They'd only met yesterday for crying out loud. There's no reason to be so attached.

But she remembers those bright blue eyes and all rational thought seem to fly out the window. Lena continues to wait.

She recognizes the disappointment, that particular burden dragging down the middle of her torso, threatening to settle. Usually she steels herself, saves herself from desire, from looking forward to something. Life has taught her everything comes with a price because people usually come with favors they require or expectations she will never live up to. They come with baggage she's expected to carry or even deeds she's supposed to see through.

All because of the blood running through her veins that's connecting her to a name she didn't always have.

But there's a feeling nagging at her, from the recess of her mind, urging her to hold out if only for a little longer. It reminds her neither of them had been wearing a watch when they met. Also there's the possibility that Kara might not even know how to tell time. The thought brings a grin to form on her lips.

The feeling is ultimately alien. It's one she's never had until she met Kara. She's heard of this particular emotion but she's never encountered it and won't dare declare its name.

Just then she sees a figure approaching, recognizes the honey blonde slowly making her way. She releases a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding as Kara with her beaming smile stirs something warm, and dare she say it fuzzy, inside. It radiates from her chest, spreading through her veins.

Absurd, it seems. To be enraptured by someone she doesn't know. But after their encounter yesterday she can't help herself.

Kara's a contradiction, open yet from her deflection of certain questions Lena can tell she's harboring a truth she's guarding closely. She's spirited, resilient, but kind. Traits Lena admires, respects because they're hard to come by.

She wonders about her new friend and what exactly does Kara know. Based on the look of fascination seemingly permanently fastened on the blonde's curious face she surmises there's a lot that's still foreign. It's like she's constantly encountering new discoveries every day.

Lena doesn't know the last time she encountered such an innocent creature. It's no wonder she finds herself engaged.

Usually she finds these sorts of things tedious. At school whenever they do partner work, she takes the liberty of doing things herself. It saves her the trouble of having to explain to a dimwitted nimrod who probably only gained entrance to a prestigious school because of the depth of their parent's pockets.

Of course she's no exception to the acceptance rule. Esteemed means expensive in her world and boarding school for the elite is certainly costly.

But unlike most of the platinum spoon fed rug rats, she actually works. She's part of the few who wish to make their own way in the world and not just follow the breadcrumbs their equally entitled ancestors have left. Besides, it's unlikely she would ever be handed her anything.

Kara enters her space and extending her arms before wrapping them around Lena. It's a welcomed surprise, one that the brunette is happy to reciprocate.

"I was worried you weren't going show." Lena forgoes pretenses, another first.

She doesn't see the harm in being truthful with Kara whom she's certain wouldn't harm a swarm of bees even if they stung her until she blew up like a balloon.

"I would not miss our meeting." Kara declares as they release each other's hold. She's matching the taller girl's honesty. Lena finds her candidness refreshing. "I apologize for making you wait." she says, baby blues peering up at the sky. "I could not help but watch them." the seagulls above them, gliding through the gentle breeze.

"Not a lot of birds where you're from." a simple observation, one void of judgment.

"None." Kara confirms.

"Well, here we have different types of birds of different sizes." she remembers Kara's fascination with her eyes and vows to find a green bird so she can show the shorter girl. "Even different colors." Lena bites her lower lip. "I can show you tomorrow if you wish?" they haven't even finished their day and she's already making plans for tomorrow.

But Lena has never been this eager to spend time with an individual before. She's usually better at keeping her cool but she can't contain her emotions.

"You will?" Kara turns away from the flock, locking eyes with Lena.

Baby blues shimmer tentatively. It occurs to Lena that Kara's probably asked this of someone before and was rejected. It certainly explains her apprehension.

"Of course." Kara doesn't know this yet but she's a woman of her word.

"It would not be too much trouble?" the blonde looks so utterly small as she hunches, fidgeting in hesitation. "I do not wish to take up your time." surely Lena can make better use of her time than helping her assimilate.

"I'm making you my priority."

"I do not wish to take advantage of your kindness."

"Kara, contrary to your belief, I'm not an altruistic person." Kara looks like she's ready to disagree. "You'd really be doing me a favor." she senses Kara's about to protest so she beats her to it. "You need a guide and I want to spend time with you." killing two birds with one convenient stone.

"Why?" Kara's sure there is someone who is worthier of Lena's attention.

"Why not?" the raven haired girl supposes she can go flash her money around, make some new acquaintances, and wreak havoc in Midvale. It wouldn't be the first time she's found that sort of amusement in a small town. "I find you interesting, Kara." she hopes this explanation will suffice.

"Because I am different?" her smile breaks as her lower lip juts out.

Lena's pretty sure she's never seen someone so adorable before. She reaches out, brushing the pouting girls bangs from her face so she may see her eyes clearly.

"Being different isn't a bad thing." a smile takes form on her lips, one that's meant to reassure her friend. "I've been around the same kind of people." the same brand name wearing, wealth flashing, arrogant, uptight, dull glitterati. "In my experience most people are frauds, hiding their true selves until they get what they want." greed driven creatures all cut from the same cloth.

"Have these people hurt you?" Kara's brows furrow in concern.

"No," she'd have to let them close for them to accomplish such a feat. "They've tried." but she's always been so careful to stay ahead of the game. "And failed."

"I am thankful they did not succeed."

"I'm an excellent judge of character," Lena's spent most of her life observing people, watching for little idiosyncrasies which can divulge one's true nature.

"You do not know me that well." Lena wishes to change this, she finds herself wishing for the opportunity. "But I would not trick you." bright blues shine with such determination, as though she's willing her every bone and muscle in her entire being to follow through with her declaration. "I would never hurt you." and somehow, Lena knows she's telling the truth. "Please believe that." it should surprise Lena, how much she does believe the words of this foreigner, but she finds herself hanging onto Kara's words.

The dark haired girl feels pressure on her hand and looks down, seeing that Kara is holding hers. There's warmth and tenderness that's unfamiliar yet so damned pleasant that she doesn't want to pull away. She squeezes Kara's hand instead, finding her skin smooth yet incredibly firm under her touch.

"And that's why you're diamond among stones." Lena murmurs.

"Diamond?" Kara delves into her mind for the meaning but her learning matrix on the ship had been damaged when she flew into the Phantom Zone and her lessons had been incomplete. "What is a diamond?"

"A valuable gemstone."

Kara nods, processing this new information. She knows crystals are valuable on Earth as well but she doesn't quite know why.

"What is its purpose?" surely it doesn't store information like it did on Krypton.

"It's used as jewelry." Lena wonders just how remote whatever village Kara came from is. "It's an accessory people adorn to demonstrate wealth." she can't help but smile as the honey blonde girl tilts her head. "Usually, the size, cut, and clarity can demonstrate how vast an individual's wealth is."

"What makes it so valuable?" Kara doesn't understand how a trinket could be such a detrimental indicator to Earth's social caste.

"Some would argue that it's because it's hard to mine." no one would put so much effort if there were no profits. "Honestly, I think it's just because people believe it to be beautiful." it's a simple truth.

"Value is determined based on aesthetics."

"Most of the time." the simplicity of the notion fascinates Kara because Kryptonians often valued things because of their purpose. They were a race of intellectuals, not bothering much with aesthetics most of the time. "Accessibility is another factor too." at least practicality seems to be a common practice in Kara's new home world.

"Where I am from," the honey blonde girl begins carefully. She's been instructed not to over share because not everyone will accept that she's not from Earth. "Jewelry is worn for specific reasons." one doesn't just go gallivanting around with rings and necklaces to show off. "They are signifiers, not of wealth, but of jobs, ranks, family," she supposes that Lena will not decipher too much from her statement. "And status in society." briefly her mind wanders to signet rings, necklace pendants depicting family symbols, and marital bracelets.

"They can be used for that purpose as well." Lena assures, knowing Kara needs to know that wherever she's from is not that different to this side of the world.

"Thank you for your explanation."

There's warmth radiating between their joined appendages but not enough to make their palms sweat. The blonde looks at her, mouth opening and closing as she tries to communicate her emotions. Lena waits.

"If you really wish to help me, then I am grateful." Kara inhales. "But I must ask you to be patient with my learning pace." she looks down, shoulders sagging in shame. "Sometimes I may forget, struggle to remember." she thinks of Earth customs she's been taught and forgotten. "There is just so much to learn." Kara remarks, sounding tired, as she is no doubt overloaded by the new information and discoveries. She's trying to process it all. "And I am afraid I will disappoint you by not being the student you deserve." the last thing she wants to cause any negative emotions for her friend.

"Nonsense." Lena's head shakes. "First of all, I'm only two years older than you so that means you aren't my student." Kara releases a laugh then. "Second of all, I will be patient. It'll take time to adjust." Lena states knowingly. "But I'm sure you can do it." she's far from optimistic and she despises these sort of talks. But Kara's baby blues are darkening in defeat and she misses their brightness. "I haven't known you very long but I know you're smart." as far as Lena's concerned, she's only stating facts. "And I'll be here to help." she's not the sort of person to offer assistance, believing one should make their own way in the world using their own means.

"Promise?"

Kara's bright blues peer through her bangs. Lena brushes them off again. Finding the reddening of the honey blonde girl's to be utterly enchanting, Lena can't help her grin.

"Promise."

It's a declaration Lena's certain she'll resolutely keep.

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