Lexa, Clarke, and Octavia sit at a round table inside the school's cafeteria slowly eating their food. Lexa with a simple salad, along with a glass of water. Clarke has a chicken sandwich, and Octavia has a burger. Lexa rubs her hands together as she once again takes in her surroundings.
"You are a typical freshman." Clarke says.
"Um, what's that supposed to mean?" Lexa asks slightly offended.
"Relax. I'm not trying to offend you. Everyone does it. You're frazzled. Which is to be expected. UCLA is a big school." Clarke says.
"Well, wouldn't you be too?" Lexa asks as she takes a small bite of her salad.
"I was. Trust me, everyone is a little taken back at first. Just ask your roommate." Clarke says giving Octavia a smirk.
"Very funny Clarke." Octavia says taking a bite of her burger. Lexa turns her head and smiles when she sees a familiar face walk into the cafeteria. Her best friend in high school, Raven Reyes. Raven is a sophomore, and also plays basketball.
"Raven!" Lexa calls out. The dark haired woman turns her head on a swivel, and her eyes lock with Lexa's. Raven gives a small wave, as she makes her way over to where they sit. She plops down next to Lexa, and gives a small smile towards the others.
"I'd figured you would be in here Lex. You're always eating, yet you seem to not gain anything." Raven says giving her a small nudge.
"Hey, not my fault." Lexa says taking a bite of her salad.
"So, there's this party tonight. Just underclassmen, because the seniors are a bunch of pricks. Anyway, you guys want to go?" Octavia asks.
"Sure. Sounds fun." Clarke says.
"I'm down." Raven says.
"Why not. I got to do something." Lexa says. Lexa wipes her mouth, before going over to throw her salad away. Clarke takes her trash, and makes her way to the trash can. She dumps her food in the bin, before looking at Lexa.
"Hey. Want to take a walk? I could show you some things around campus." Clarke says.
"I have nothing else to do. Why not." Lexa says. Clarke smiles, before walking out of the cafeteria. Lexa walks with her side by side. Lexa takes in her surroundings, as they walk down one of the sidewalks.
"So, you play basketball?" Clarke asks.
"Yeah, you could say that." Lexa says.
"Just making sure. I mean, our women's program has been down for a couple years. They won the Women's NIT last year though. Everyone was pretty stoked when you chose to play here instead of UCONN and Kentucky." Clarke adds.
"Yeah, I came here for the academics. The athletics is a side project. I plan on graduating here with a degree in film and television." Lexa says.
"Glad to hear you have your priorities in check. Most athletes just care about athletics, and nothing else." Clarke says as they walk by Moore and Kerckhoff Hall.
"So, you know about the new basketball performance center?" Clarke asks.
"Yeah, I read into it. I'm just assuming you're a big fan of basketball." Lexa says smiling as they stop in front of Pauley Pavilion.
"Yeah, I go to every home game the women's team has. I used to play myself, but I had to quit due to concussion problems." Clarke says.
"Oh, that really sucks. Well, at least you still are a part of the sport." Lexa says.
"So, you're going to tell me that athletics had nothing to do with you coming here? You didn't just once think about playing in front of 13,000 screaming UCLA fans?" Clarke asks giving Lexa a look.
"I didn't know you had drill Sergeant qualities Clarke. Yeah, it crossed my mind. If that's the answer you were looking for." Lexa says.
"That would be it." Clarke says.
"So, what else do you have to show me?" Lexa asks.
"Nothing on this side of the campus. But, I was asked to bring you here." Clarke says.
"By who exactly?" Lexa asks looking around.
"That would be me Stalkhos." A voice says. Lexa snaps her head around, and sees her coach standing behind her. Coach Cori Close.
"Of course. Nice to see you again Coach Close." Lexa says shaking her coach's hand.
"You as well Lexa. Clarke, thank you." Coach Close says, as Clarke walks off in the opposite direction.
"So, what do you need me for?" Lexa asks.
"Well, I wanted to introduce you to our only Senior, and I wanted to see how you were adjusting to life here." Coach Close says.
"I mean it's a big campus, but I think I'll get used to it. Made a couple new friends as you can see." Lexa says.
"Good to hear. Clarke is a proud supporter of our program. In my opinion, our number one fan. I heard you were already friends with Raven. You and her both come from Santa Clara." Coach Close adds.
"Yeah, we're both extremely competitive. But, you already know that." Lexa says as the two walk towards the entrance to the Mo Ostin Basketball Center.
"Yes, of course. Well, let me take you in our newest facility." Coach Close says as she stands in front of the facility. Lexa nods, as she follows her coach inside.
"This is the lobby. This is also the first floor. Elevators are down the hall. The Hydrotherapy pools, training room, and filming room are to your left. Let me take you to the locker room." Coach Close says walking down one of the hallways.
"This place is even better than I imagined it was." Lexa asks as they stop in front of a door. A door that leads into the women's locker room.
"Well, when you're known for basketball, it has to be state of the art." Coach Close replies. She pushes the door open, and let's Lexa walk in first. Lexa looks around at the locker room. UCLA blue lockers with a yellow trim around them. The room is equipped with showers, and anything else you can think of.
Lexa spots a woman sitting in a chair on her cell phone. The door closes behind her, as Coach Close stands beside her.
"Nirra! Come here." Coach Close calls out. The dark skinned woman looks up from her phone, and stands up. She shoves her phone in her back pocket.
"This her Coach?" Nirra asks.
"Yes. Lexa Stalkhos, meet Senior Nirra Fields." Coach Close says. Lexa extends her head, and Nirra shakes it firmly.
"Good to finally meet you. I got it from here coach." Nirra replies.
"Okay, make her feel welcome. She is after all a lady Bruin." Coach Close says, before exiting the locker room.
"Come on, I'll show you around the facility." Nirra says. Lexa nods as she follows Nirra out of the locker room. Lexa knows she's being welcomed into UCLA with open arms. She knows she will be proud of being a Bruin.
