Chapter 4
Just a Common Sunday
Clarke could literally see tears in Raven's eyes as her friend held her stomach tightly. After spewing out her sip of beer all over the coffee table in the living room, Raven had burst out laughing uncontrollably and all Clarke had managed to do was to hold her own head with her hands, resting her elbows on her knees and just wait for that fit of laughter to subside.
Octavia was trying too hard not to cackle, but she was doing a terrible job at it, so she just covered her mouth with both hands in an attempt to muffle her own amusement.
After some minutes, which felt like hours, Clarke looked up at a very red Raven who was wiping away her tears with her fingers and asked her: "are you done?"
Raven nodded enthusiastically; however, as soon as she had a look at the screen of her cell phone, she began laughing again.
Growling, Clarke grabbed the cushion next to her and threw it at Raven's face.
The sly Latina dodged it successfully and the soft missile landed on the floor behind the love seat where the target was seated.
"I swear to God, Raven, if you don't stop, I will…"
"Hit me with a baseball?" Raven asked, giggling.
"Drown her in a lake?" Octavia chimed in, mocking her.
At that, Raven just fell onto the floor, roaring with laughter.
Clarke rolled her eyes and held her hand up, flipping the bird at each of them. "I hate you both so much right now!"
Octavia breathed in and out to pull herself together for the sake of her blonde friend. She and Raven had just finished listening to Clarke's story about the previous day and those anecdotes had been hilarious. She was sure they would come up again someday when they gathered around a bonfire with their grandchildren and shared horror stories and war wounds. But for now, they had already teased her friend enough, so she was going to pretend to be the mature friend Clarke needed and stop the mockery.
"Ok, ok… I'm sorry, Clarke." Octavia said, finding her voice at last. "I promise we're going to be the supportive gals you need us to be from now on…"
Clarke glared at the piece of meat on the floor that was still snickering non-stop.
"Really, Octavia?" the blonde asked, making a point.
"Ok, I am going to be the supportive one." The cute brunette said; she then spared a glance at Raven. "She is going to keep on being the buffoon of the gang."
"Hey!" the Latina protested, sitting and leaning her back against the love seat. She had decided to remain there since she knew her legs were too wobbly to stand up and sit on the piece of furniture properly.
Clarke sighed meekly, slouching her shoulders. "I don't know what I am supposed to do now." She confessed.
"About Finn?" Octavia asked.
"Or about this really amazing picture of you which I will get framed as soon as I leave your apartment?" Raven asked, practically shoving the photo on Instagram in her face.
Of course Ontari had uploaded her picture on the social networks, on every social network she could have access to. Raven had just come across that picture that very same morning -Clarke completely soaked in Central Park-, hence, their unannounced visit.
Clarke narrowed her eyes at Raven's comment. "Don't you dare, Reyes!"
"C'mon, Clarkey! Look at the bright side! You look smokin' hot in that drenched t-shirt!" Raven winked at her, showing her the pic again. "It's gotten so many likes already!"
"Bite me, Reyes!" Clarke retorted.
"With that t-shirt clinging to those deadly curves of yours, I'd be glad to." Raven sniggered.
Clarke groaned and let herself fall completely onto the spongy surface of the sofa, making Octavia scoot over further to the other side to give her more space to sprawl.
"That was one of the worst days, ever." She said, fixating her gaze at the ceiling.
"But it's over and you're here with us." Octavia pointed out, caressing her friend's hair fondly.
"Yeah, Griffin. Your dignity is at the bottom of that lake, but you're here and that's all that matters."
Octavia was about to laugh, but she stopped herself when she saw a scowl on Clarke's face.
"Remind me why I keep you as a friend, Reyes…?"
Raven finally rose from the floor, lifted Clarke's feet and sat down on the couch, placing the blonde's limps on her lap. " 'Cause you love my wits and charm, Griffin. That's why."
Clarke moved a little, so her head would be on Octavia's lap while Raven massaged her calves gently on hers. Her eyes were still glued to the ceiling, recalling last day events. She couldn't get rid of the nagging feeling in her chest triggered by Finn's parents' talk.
"I don't want to marry him." The blonde blurted out, just like that.
Both Octavia and Raven ceased their ministrations and looked at each other, knowingly. They had sensed this coming; it was a no-brainer. Clarke and Finn looked good together because they were attractive, smart, and funny to be with, but that was it. That was all there's to it. Clarke had truly never opened up to him, she had never swooned at his presence, she had never even looked remotely whipped, not enamored couples really looked like.
"I just… I just can't picture myself with him holding my hand and listening to his vows and…" Clarke sighed and pressed her nose with her fingers. "Let alone having kids with him…I just… can't."
"So, what are you going to do?" Octavia inquired.
"I don't know, O. I've been thinking about it all morning and I am clueless."
"Dumping his ass would be the logical next step." Raven butted in.
"Yeah. I guess that's what I should do…" Clarke replied, feeling guilty. "The problem is how and when. I mean, can't I just let life work its magic? I am pretty sure we will drift apart eventually because of our jobs. That would be less messy and less painful than just telling him he's not the one for me."
"I'm afraid to tell you there's no easy way out, Clarke." Octavia stated. There was implied scolding in her tone. "I know you don't want to break his heart because you're a very noble person, but he deserves the truth and the sooner, the better."
"Yup. I agree with O, here." Raven said. "Besides, he'll get over it. He's not unpleasant to look at, so I am sure he'll find someone else in no time. And so will you."
"I don't think I am ready to start thinking about that, Raven." Clarke retorted. "A new relationship is not something I look forward to."
"Well, not even with the magical hoodie you nearly dry-humped yesterday?" Raven asked, raising an eyebrow.
Clarke kicked Raven's lap lightly. "Fuck off, Reyes!" There was a very visible blush on her cheeks.
Octavia and Raven snickered.
"Where's the holy hoodie, by the way?" Octavia asked, looking around the apartment.
"No, there's no way you'll get your paws on it. I want its scent untainted, thank you very much." Clarke knew she sounded childish, but she couldn't care less.
"Oh, c'mon! Just a peek?" Raven begged, pouting.
Clarke shook her head. "No, over my dead body, Reyes."
Raven shrugged. "Okay."
And that was all the warning Clarke got before the mischievous Latina began her merciless attack upon her. Clarke hated to be tickled, she really hated it, so when she felt skilled fingers all over her stomach and sides, she almost caved as her body was contorting and air escaped from her lungs.
"Stoooooop! Damn it, Reyes, Stooooop!" Clarke implored between gasps.
Octavia started giggling, watching the scene before her. She was definitely the mature adult in the gang.
"Wait, Raven, just hold on a sec." She stepped in, taking her friend's hands away. "I think I know how to convince Clarke to show us her new kink."
Clarke looked up at her, confused.
"Show us the hoodie and I'll tell you your savior's name." Octavia promised, winking at her. "I know whose hoodie that is. Would you like to know her name?"
Clarke's curiosity peaked and her heart seemed to have skipped a beat. "Have you met her, O?"
"No, I haven't. But I know she's Lincoln's friend and I also know she's really good looking, I mean… REALLY a babe."
Clarke sat up straight and bit her lower lip, considering her options. "Huh…"
Octavia wiggled her brows. "It's a fair trade, Clarke. We just want to take a look at the hoodie you almost banged, we are all GOT fans, you know."
Clarke pretended to be deliberating carefully, but in fact, she was just trying to not look so desperate, because who was she kidding? She was dying to know the name of the person whose perfume made her feel like walking among clouds. So, after some acceptable amount of time (5 seconds), she stood up and marched into her bedroom, coming out with the famous garment in her hands.
She didn't walk all the way over the couch where here friends were waiting, she stood halfway there and held the hoodie in front of her because she didn't want anyone to touch it. She truly loved that smell.
"Here it is." She said, grinning. "Now, O, spill the beans."
Raven began to rise from her place, but the blonde gave her a stern look. "Hold your horses, Raven! You'd better stay away or I swear I won't let you come here and watch the new season of Orange is the New Black."
At that, the brunette froze and pouted, defeated.
"That's a very cool hoodie." Octavia observed. "When we see her next Saturday, I'll make sure to ask her where she got it."
Clarke's eyes widened. "When we… what?"
"Oh, Lincoln asked her to join us at the night club to celebrate my birthday." Octavia replied giddily. She knew Clarke would love that piece of information. "As far as I know, she's not very gregarious, but hopefully she'll be there."
Clarke unconsciously held the hoodie tightly in her arms, against her chest. She didn't know why her body was feeling a rush of heat flowing through it, making her light and anxious at the same time. She couldn't remember feeling something like that before. Her rational mind attributed that to the likelihood of coming down with a cold due to her experience in the park. Yes. That had to be the most reasonable explanation, because thinking about the possibility to meet that woman was not supposed to make her feel whatever she was undergoing. That didn't add up.
"Huh." That's all Clarke was able to say.
"Aren't you going to ask me what her name is?" Octavia inquired, intrigued by Clarke's reaction.
"I know you'll honor your part of the deal." The blonde replied, trying to collect herself and be cool about it.
Octavia smiled. "Lexa. Her name is Lexa."
"Please, come on in, Lexa!" The young lady's face lit up as soon as she realized who the visitor was. She always paid a visit on Sundays, but today she had dropped by a little earlier than usual.
"Hello, Luna. How have you been?" The green-eyed woman stepped into the large patio and walked towards the door, carrying two huge bags with her.
"Great! A bit busy with the refurbishment and the newcomers, but everything is running smoothly." She smiled while holding the main door for Lexa to enter. "The kids will be thrilled to see you, they are still taking their music class, though. We thought you'd come later."
Lexa left the bags on the floor by the door. "I know, but I wanted to talk to you in private first. I hope you don't mind."
Luna looked at her inquisitively. "Oh no, not at all. Please, let's talk in my office."
Both women walked down an aisle and got into the large office at the end of the corridor.
Lexa had a seat while Luna got around the desk and sat down in the leather swivel chair.
"I still think you should sit here, you know?" Luna commented, feeling suddenly a little bit out of place.
Lexa lifted a hand and shook her head. "No, that's fine. I wouldn't have it any other way. You've earned your seat, Luna."
"Thank you." The curly-haired woman smiled kindly. "So… What would you like to talk about?"
"Expansion." Lexa said. Her eyes showed a proud glint.
"Really? So soon?" Luna sounded pleased and her smile got wider.
Lexa nodded. "We have just acquired the house next door. The owner decided he would be better off out of the country and finally accepted the deal."
"That's great news! He finally caved." Luna snickered.
"Maybe that had to do with how much I pestered him. Who knows?" Lexa shrugged, playing nonchalance. "This means we can carry on with our plans. Urban farming and an animal shelter. I am sure the kids will be happy when they find out they will be able to adopt stray dogs and cats and take care of them here."
Luna's eyes studied Lexa as if she were a unique piece of art. "The world would be a better place if there were more people like you, Lexa."
Lexa took the compliment humbly. "The world would be a better place if people did what they could with what they have. I just happen to have a little bit more, so it is my duty to do more. That's all."
"That doesn't make you less amazing, Lexa."
"Thank you for your kind words, Luna." Lexa did not feel completely comfortable with flattery. A part of her still felt like she was not doing everything she could even though a great deal of her wealth had already been invested in that orphan shelter. It was a two-story building with a front patio and a large backyard; the place was big enough to fit thirty children, but there were only fifteen and most of them had been street kids who had been abandoned or who had lost their parents.
"Anyway," Lexa realized she had spaced out and forced herself to join the conversation once again. "The neighbor's house will be ready to be demolished in two or three weeks and construction will begin immediately afterwards. Titus has already made the arrangements."
Luna nodded enthusiastically. "How long will it take for the new garden to be finished?"
"About twenty days or so. I'll make sure it doesn't take too long. I want the kids to have more space to play and maybe, when winter comes, they will be able to enjoy making snowmen." Lexa's lips twitched up into a small smile. She herself loved snow, it was a secret, though.
"Perfect! When they find out they'll go crazy!"
"Please, don't tell them yet, Luna. I want this to be their Christmas present."
The woman took one of her hands to her face and made a gesture with her fingers in front of her lips, as if she were zipping them. "My lips are sealed, I promise."
"Good." Lexa stood up and walked towards the window, admiring the view of the front patio and the trees and flowers which decorated it. Little by little that dream was actually coming to life. "How are classes going? Are the children happy?"
"They are." Luna replied, mimicking the chestnut-haired woman and joining her in her contemplation. "The music lessons are doing wonders to their mood and most of them are very good at sports, too. In fact, some of them have asked me to tell you that they'd love to take martial arts classes… with you."
Lexa turned her head and looked at her raising an eyebrow. "Have they now?"
"What can I say, Lexa? You're their hero." Luna said as a matter-of-factly and shrugged. "Would you? I mean, I know you're becoming this badass FBI agent as of tomorrow, but… they really want you to be their teacher and spend time with you."
Lexa clasped her hands behind her body and looked up to the sky through the window. The sky was clear and so, so blue that day.
"I'll think about it." She finally said. She did want to spend more time with them, but she wondered whether it was a good idea to get closer to them, to make them get used to her presence. What if things suddenly changed? What if something happened to her due to her perilous profession? What if she grew more attached to their presence?
It was hard. Getting close to people was something she had been avoiding for some time.
Luna sensed her discomfort and placed a hand on Lexa's shoulder. "One class per week, that's all they ask. I'm sure you could all benefit from that companionship."
"Let's see how my first week goes and I'll get back to you on that, Luna." Lexa felt hesitant, but she didn't want to turn those kids down. She would have to sleep on it before making a final decision.
"Okay." Luna retrieved her hand and smiled at her. "Oh, and by the way, some children have also expressed their interest in painting classes."
"I'll put my shoulder to the wheel then and find them a teacher." Lexa allowed herself to smile at that. "Meanwhile, they'll just have to settle for the surprise we have prepared for them today."
Luna beamed at the words and then looked at her watch. "Oh! It's about time!"
"Go get the kids, I'll be waiting for you outside." Lexa requested and then walked to the door, gesturing Luna to leave the room first so she could follow.
"Yeah, we'll be there shortly." The woman said and she made her way down the aisle, going out of sight after a few seconds.
Lexa headed to the main door of the two-story building, picked up the bags she had brought and walked out to the patio. It was large and the part surrounding the entrance was full of trimmed bushes, plants, flowers and some small trees; however, there was a space to the right which consisted of only a squared concrete area which children used to play soccer, basketball or just jumping rope. The walls in that spot had been painted in white that very same morning and Luna had had to forbid the kids to go out in order to keep them away from the work in progress. It was supposed to be a surprise, so children had protested the command stubbornly until Luna promised them to get them some pizza later that evening.
Now, Lexa and Luna were ready to show them that their patience -bribed with pizza- would pay off.
Lexa dropped the bags right in the middle of the concrete square and looked around.
She hoped the kinds would like the unexpected arrangement. She smiled to herself thinking about the upcoming mess, but it would be worth it.
A couple of minutes later, she was able to hear the children's uproar approaching.
Lexa turned and saw the kids streaming out of the building and running towards her. They looked like a horde of minions that had just seen a banana plantation within their grasp.
"Lexaaaa!"
The children's voices calling her made her feel overcome with a strange, yet a warm emotion. She couldn't help but grin at them fondly. In a blink of an eye, she found herself hugged and surrounded by fifteen kids who were giggling and jumping eagerly.
"Hello, Natblidas," she let out, ruffling their hair while trying to remain standing, "how have you been? Have you behaved?"
Some of the kids nodded enthusiastically, some other just kept holding her tight.
Lexa smiled. Even though this always happened whenever she visited them, she hadn't gotten used to the amount of love and caring they always displayed around her. It was too overwhelming.
"C'mon, kids, let her breathe!" Luna's voice echoed in the patio. Emori was standing right next to her, amusement written all over her face.
Lexa cleared her throat and decided to divert their attention. "As much as I enjoy your effusiveness, Natblida, I would like you to cast a look around and tell me if you find something different."
The kids listened to her and then realized the walls had been changed and were completely white.
One of the girls, the youngest, pointed at the two bags that they had managed to avoid while lovingly attacking Lexa. "What's that?" she asked curiously.
Lexa squatted down and unzipped the bags carefully, revealing dozens of small paint cans and paintbrushes.
Many sets of eyes looked up at her, expectantly.
"Well… Those white walls are waiting for you to bring them back to life." Lexa said. "This is your home, it's time for you to decorate it to your liking."
All the kids looked dumbstruck, and as if on cue, they looked behind them at both Luna and Emori, as if awaiting their approval.
"Lexa and we want you to do magic on those walls, kids. This place needs a makeover and who better than you to do it?" Luna spoke softly, encouraging them to take the initiative.
The lady next to her, the other caretaker, clapped her hands cheerfully. "What are you waiting for? Let's paint!"
The kids cheered and whooped and began taking the paint cans and brushes out of the bags quickly. In a matter of seconds, Lexa was left standing there in awe. Those children were as swift as ninjas. However, they were struggling to open some of the cans, so she decided to help them out. Luna and Emori were right beside her, aiding them as well.
After some minutes, Luna noticed that Lexa had moved away a little.
"Hey! No fair! Come over here, Lexa!" she demanded playfully. "There's no way you're going to leave unscathed from Polis!"
Lexa smirked witnessing the colorful disaster unraveling in front of her. Emori and Luna were already smeared with paint all over.
"Uhm… I am just admiring their work, Luna. I have a better view from here." Lexa simply replied.
Luna narrowed her eyes at her. "Sure, Woods."
Lexa chuckled lightly when one of the kids shook a paintbrush a little too hard and blue paint ended up on Luna's curly hair. The woman yelped when she felt the liquid dripping on her forehead.
Lexa shrugged when the smurf-woman gave her a death glare.
"Don't worry, it's non-toxic paint." The pristine woman told her shamelessly.
"Remember what I told you back in my office, Lexa?" Luna wiped away her forehead with the back of her hand. "I take that back… you're a terrible, terrible person."
It was around 4 PM when Clarke was finally left alone. Octavia had excused herself saying that she had already made plans with her sweetheart, Lincoln and she definitely looked too excited to spend the rest of the day with him since she didn't get to see him as much as she wanted to because of his job as a police officer. On the other hand, Raven had just said she would hang out with Jasper and Monty who had invited everyone to go to the cinema. Clarke had turned down their invitation politely; she didn't feel like being thrown popcorn at or being glared at by the other people who would find seeing a movie an impossible deed thanks to her boisterous gang.
So, there she was. Wandering around the streets with a cup of coffee in one of her hands, enjoying her last free Sunday afternoon. She had just had lunch on her own at a café and was on her way back home. She opted for walking instead of taking the subway. The afternoon was pleasant, clear skies, a gentle wind playing with her hair.
She had never been very keen on exercise; actually, she loathed it. Yet, the past events made her feel restless, hence the walk.
She took a swig of her caramel latte macchiato and felt the hot and sweet liquid ease the lump in her throat. She was still unsure about what to expect from her new job, about her relationship with Finn, about… Well, pretty much about everything in her life. She knew that drink was a temporary placebo and a nice distraction, but she couldn't care less.
After walking aimlessly, the sound of laughter and giggles got her attention.
She realized she was in an unfamiliar neighborhood because, hey, her built-in GPS was miscalibrated since birth, so all she could see was odd-looking buildings all around and black bars which formed a perimeter fence around a two-story building that looked like a school of some sorts. Through the bars next to her, she could see a group of kids covered in paint, shouting happily and bouncing on their feet as paintbrushes and hands glided on the far end walls of a patio.
She walked a little further and placed herself closer to the source of the bubbly noise.
A wide smile spread across her face at the sight.
She was suddenly transported to the past and she could feel the cool paint in her fingertips and she was snickering while her hands moved on a flat surface, leaving streaks of different colors on their path. Her parents were right behind her, she was not able to see them, but she knew they were both smiling at her sloppy artistic skills. It had been her father's idea to give her a whole room for herself as a birthday present, a room she could decorate as she saw fit even though she was not taller than a counter stool.
Those had been good days.
"Hi!"
A little voice snapped her out of her thoughts and she had to look down because there was a tiny person addressing to her.
"Hello" Clarke answered, still smiling.
A girl, who was probably around five or six years old, was staring at her curiously. Her clothes were completely spotted with paint.
"What's your name?" the little girl asked.
"My name is Clarke" she lowered her gaze and her body bent a bit forward. Her forehead almost touching two bars of the fence. "What's yours?"
"My name is Tris. Wanna come and help us?" the girl pointed at the kids in the patio.
Clarke chuckled. "I… I don't know if I'd be allowed. What's this? A school?"
"It's home." Tris replied happily.
Luna turned around just in time to see Tris sneaking off to talk to a passer-by through the fence and she walked towards them.
"Hey, Tris, who are you talking to?" the woman asked, eyeing Clarke from head to toe.
"This is Clarke. She wants to help us to paint the walls. Can she?" Tris looked hopeful and she tugged Luna's sleeve insistently.
The blonde opened her mouth to say something, but she was cut off.
"Is it true? " Luna questioned carefully. The woman didn't look threatening or anything like that, but she knew better than to let people in so easily. Yet, there was something about this woman that made her feel untroubled.
Clarke simpered a little bit nervous. "Uhm, well… I was just walking by and the scene caught my eye. I am a painter myself, I mean, I used to be, so…" She babbled, obviously caught off guard.
"Oh, a painter, huh? Luna inquired. "What are the odds? The owner and I had just talked about finding a painting instructor for these little demons. I wish she could have met you, but I'm afraid she had to leave."
"See? See?" Tris tugged Luna's sleeve harder. "Clarke is here to help!"
The blonde scratched the back of her head anxiously. " I- I don't know if I am suited to be an instructor…"
"Well, Tris trusts you so we can give you a try if you'd like." Luna smiled kindly at the flustered blonde. "If you promise me you're not a serial killer, I will let you in and you can show us what you've got."
Clarke looked at the woman and then at Tris, whose starry eyes looked pleading and so, so big.
She felt awestruck. Not by the situation itself, but by her own emotions. She did feel like coming in, she did feel like joining those children and helping them to create a world of beautiful shapes and wonder. Her fingers actually itched at the thought. It had indeed been a long time, and somehow, standing there, her heart yearned to pant again, even if it was just for a moment.
"C'mon. No strings attached." Luna insisted. "Just have fun with us for a while."
Clarke glanced at the colors on the walls and at the kids' attempts to paint some amorphous animals and trees, and why not? Maybe it was life that was trying to give her a break after what had happened the previous day. Maybe it was life sending her a message and giving her the chance to take up painting again.
"Alright" the blonde finally said.
Tris squeaked, delighted as Luna reached for the door to unlock it.
"Welcome to Polis Shelter, Clarke."