"You talking to Nate?" Octavia asked. The two of them were supposed to be doing homework, but they were instead sprawled across Clarke's bed, both on their phones, and facing opposite directions. Clarke was propped up on her pillow, Octavia's feet next to her. It was Thursday, and Clarke was actually messaging Raven. Lexa was at her dance class, and Nathan was probably still at football practice. So she pulled the only other name she could out and replied with an easy lie.

"No, Wells. We haven't talked much lately. Just catching up," Clarke stated.

"Yeah, you don't seem to talk to him much anymore," Octavia agreed. "I would've thought you might've started hanging out with him more when I was dating Ass-rick though."

Clarke tried not to laugh at the nickname that Octavia had dubbed upon Patrick ever since being dumped by him. "Yeah, I don't know. I guess because I started talking to Nathan I didn't really need to like, fill any gaps as much. Wells and I just don't have much in common anymore."

"You and Nathan do?"

"I mean, I guess. He's nice to talk to, as a friend of course."

"Of course." Octavia sounded doubtful.

Clarke tried not to sound exasperated when she said, "You know I'm not dating him, Octavia. I would tell you if I was."

"No, I know." The brunette sat up, turning to face Clarke for real now. Locking her phone, the blonde matched her movements. "I guess… I just… I don't know, it's weird that you have a friend that everyone thinks is dating you, and you talk to him a lot, but you're not dating him, and even though I know that, I still have to listen to people talk about it."

"People still talk about it?"

Octavia shrugged. "Sometimes. It bothers me, though. I don't like it when people gossip about you. It feels unfair to you, like, I know I've been gossiped about, but for some reason, I get defensive about it when it's you they're talking about. People try to make up weird reasons for why Nathan would date you, as if there isn't a possibility that you're just like, a good person."

"Like what?"

"You don't want to know," Octavia stated flatly.

"Octavia…"

Huffing, the brunette looked away and began to talk. "I heard one girl say that you must be really good in bed for him to date you. But trust me, I did not let her get away with that. In fact, I got detention for literally slamming her into a locker."

Clarke's jaw dropped. "What? Why didn't you tell me about that?"

"I told you I had a date with Patrick," Octavia admitted. "I didn't want you to know what people were saying. Because they are shitty things said by shitty people. Which is why I almost wish that you were dating Nathan, so that two of you could talk about it and tell people to fuck off yourselves. But you and Nate are both way too not confrontational to do that while you aren't dating."

"I don't care what they say," Clarke insisted, although it did sting a little. "Nate is my friend, and eventually, the ridiculous populace that fills our dumb school will realize that it isn't a big deal. And… well, thanks for defending me, though. You didn't have to."

"Are you kidding? You're my best friend Clarke. I'd do anything for you, you know that," Octavia insisted. "You're the only person who has ever seen me cry, except for my parents, of course. I'll be damned if I don't even defend you when someone is being an asshole."

And that was the first time that Clarke felt bad about not having told Octavia that she was bisexual.

Clarke – Who was the first person you told when you came out?

Lexa – Raven, I think?

Lexa – I don't really remember. Why?

Clarke – Thinking about telling Octavia. On one hand, I don't want to. I'm scared that she'll see my differently. Like, I'm not worried about her being MAD or anything. I just worry that she won't want to change in the same room as me or something stupid like that, you know? But I hate lying to her. And we had a conversation today that just made me realize how unfair it is that she tells everything to me, and I've been omitting some major things from her.

Lexa – I say tell her then.

Clarke – Really?

Lexa – I mean, that's what I would do. Unless you think she'll tell other people, how bad could it really be? Lots of straight girls are weird about it at first, but from my experience, they get over it pretty quickly. Once they realize that you aren't about to go all lesbian over THEM.

Lexa – Not saying that Octavia would think that about you of course, that's just my experience.

Clarke – I don't know. I'll think about it. I just feel so conflicted ugh.

Clarke – Anyway, how was dance?

Lexa – Sierra was there again, probably hoping that I wouldn't be this time. But I was actually not at all thrown off by it, and she was way more uncomfortable about it than I was. It was a little bit of a power trip, not going to lie XD I felt like the bigger person.

Lexa – Although, now that I just said that, I realize it makes me an asshole, because I broke up with her.

Lexa – Clarke why am I such a bad person XD

Clarke – You aren't, weirdo. You just talk before you think sometimes. :P

There was a pause in the snapchat conversation, and Clarke knew what that meant. Sure enough, a little red square suddenly appeared, and she clicked on it eagerly. The picture of Lexa that came through was actually breathtaking. Lexa was sitting at her kitchen table, her hair curly and crazy, looking like she had just taken it down from the bun it would've been in for her dance class. She was wearing a tight white tank top, and was sporting possibly the cutest grin possible. After taking in the girl's picture, Clarke barely had time to read the message over it: You're not wrong!

Falling to her habit, she swiped out of the message threat and double tapped Lexa's name. The camera popped up, and it looked up at the lit up light on the ceiling. Her ceiling fan was also spinning around the light. Normally, this is where she would freeze an image of it and type her text back, but something made her stop, her thumb hovering over the little circle at the bottom.

Slowly, her thumb moved upwards, and double tapped her ceiling. The camera flipped, and in front of her appeared her face, at an extremely awkward angle due to her laying down. Taking in a deep breath, she sat up, tossing her hair back. She hadn't changed into pajamas yet or gotten ready for bed, since Octavia had only left about half an hour ago and Clarke had yet to have dinner, so she actually looked pretty nice.

She tossed her hair a couple more times, watching her eyes in the screen. When she finally decided that she looked presentable, she held the camera little ways away from her face, did her best to make a smirk-like smile that was still cute, and snapped the picture.

It actually ended up nice, but she dragged the first filter over it and then opened up the text box, adding: That's because I'm always right. ;)

Lexa was shoveling food into her mouth in between messaging Clarke on snapchat, which was normal for her after teaching a dance class. Having not eaten since lunchtime, that was understandable.

There was an unusually long pause in their conversation once she sent Clarke a picture of herself, so she assumed that the blonde had also gone to get dinner or something. Or maybe her parents had called her. Whatever it was, Lexa knew there was a good reason, so she set her phone down and focused on eating.

Then, she got a normal snapchat from Clarke. Unfazed, she unlocked her phone again and clicked on the new snap. What she was not prepared for was a face – Clarke's face. It had to be, anyway. Her eyes were so blue, and her hair was light and kind of messy, tossed back carelessly and somehow beautifully. Lexa could see the collar of what was likely her school uniform, but the top two buttons had been undone. Clarke wasn't wearing much makeup, but she didn't need it. Her face was absolutely beautiful – and although she could tell that there was a filter over it, she knew it would be either way.

"Holy fuck," she breathed out, just as the image disappeared. She'd missed what the caption over it had said.

Slightly embarrassed, she double tapped Clarke's name and held her selfie camera in front of her. Aware that she was blushing, she snapped the picture and typed: I'm not going to lie, I was too distracted by your face to read the message. Sorry. I guess I get distracted by beauty too easily ;)

She followed it up by sliding over to her messages with Clarke and typing more.

Lexa – Okay, I can't believe that you don't think you look hot. You better tell me if those rich bitches at your school ever say that you aren't, because I'll personally somehow figure out how to figure out where you are and beat the shit out of them, because you're beautiful.

Clarke – oh my god I'm blushing Lexa

Lexa – Hahahaha sorry, but I'm serious. You didn't have to send me that, though.

Clarke – Funnily enough, I trust that you aren't going to start maniacally stalking me or something by first tracking me based on a photo. :) Plus, I'm trying to be brave – or else I'll never tell anyone that I'm bi.

Lexa – Well, I'm glad you trust me. It's really nice to be able to put a face to you though, if I'm being perfectly honest. I've been making up faces in my head a lot. None of them looked as good as you actually do though ;)

Clarke – Oh my god stop my cheeks are going to burn off of me or something ahhhhhh

Lexa – Well we can't have that, can we? XD

Lexa – Now I just wish I knew what you sound like….

Lexa's heart was pounding, and she was mentally cursing herself for not screenshotting Clarke's picture. Then again, maybe that would've been the wrong first thing to do right after Clarke decided to trust Lexa. After a few seconds, Lexa got another snap from Clarke, but this little square was purple.

Her food completely forgotten now, Lexa shoved away her plate and leaned back against her chair as she made sure that the volume on her phone was turned up. Hitting the button, she held her breath.

"This is what I sound like," Clarke said, her cheeks considerably flushed, "and I don't see what the big deal is about my face. I'm extraordinarily ordinary."

The video ended, and Lexa released her breath. She double tapped Clarke's name and held down on the circle at the bottom of the screen. "Shut up, you're gorgeous. Seriously. If you're ordinary, the rest of us are shit." She stopped the video and sent it without watching it over. She imagined Clarke watching back her own snap before sending it, and the thought made her grin.

Practicing some wicked form of self-control, Lexa pocketed her phone and cleaned up her dishes. Then, she went to her bedroom, closed and locked the door, even though her mom wasn't due to be home for hours. Once she was seated at her desk, she took her phone out again and she had a snap from Clarke. This was just a picture, though, and she couldn't help but be a little disappointed.

It was a cute picture, and the caption read: Flattery will get you nowhere, Lexa ;)

Taking in a deep breath to give her some form of confidence, she clicked off the photo, dragged over into her messages with Clarke, and clicked on the live snap button. Her screen froze for a moment, and then her reverse camera appeared, showing her face back at her. "Come on, Clarke, I've seen you and heard your voice now, you've already left your hiding place behind your keyboard."

After another long few seconds, Lexa's face became a small bubble, and Clarke's face appeared in front of her. "Hey," Clarke said quietly, shyly. Lexa found it utterly adorable.

"Hey. Wow. It's really weird like… talking to you in person… sort of," Lexa said with a shy chuckle of her own. "But it's nice. I like it."

"I guess I'm at an advantage. I've already seen and heard you talk 'in person,'" Clarke recalled. "I think I was just… kind of scared of what showing my face and stuff might mean online. That probably sounds stupid."

"It doesn't," Lexa insisted with a firm shake of her head. "Trust me, Clarke, and I never would've asked you to show me what you look like or anything like that."

"No, I know you wouldn't," Clarke shrugged off. "But again, I trust you and… I wanted you to know."

"So I guess I can go brag to Raven that, once again, you're on my side."

Clarke smirked. "Lexa, I think I'm pretty much always on your side. Raven won't be surprised."

"Aw, you admitted it! You like me more than her." Clarke opened her mouth to reply, and then she shut it quickly, and Lexa couldn't help but wonder what the blonde had been thinking. She didn't press, however. "I still haven't told her that I didn't ever actually guess your name. I'll tell her after she drives me all the way to Venice for spring break."

Now, Clarke laughed, any embarrassment gone from her expression. "You're such a cheater."

"Only when it comes to games with Raven. To be fair, though, she always makes up the dumbest rules when she's losing," Lexa insisted, and Clarke laughed brightly. Lexa absolutely adored the sound. A calm silence suddenly settled between the two of them, and although it probably should've been awkward, it just felt there. Not necessarily bad or good. But after a beat of the quiet, the brunette decided to fill it, "How was your day?"

"Well, it could've been worse I guess," Clarke answered, "but I'm kind of like… I guess just bummed out after talking to Octavia's earlier. I feel like an awful friend."

"I'll tell you what, though… if you come out to her in a week, or a month, or a year, or whenever, and she can't understand that you needed to do it on your own terms with your own time, then she's the awful friend." Clarke's gaze immediately bounced away from the camera, and Lexa bit down on the inside of her lip. "Trust me, Clarke, if she's really your best friend, she'll get it. It might take some time for her to, but she will. That's the great thing about best friends, you know?"

Clarke looked back at the camera, and Lexa let a smile spread across her lips. It only took half a second before Clarke was smiling as well, even though it looked like she might've been resisting doing so. "It's so weird to be like… talking to you."

"Tell me about it," Lexa agreed. "A few weeks ago, you were without a name or a face, and now I can even hear your voice." She grinned a dorky smile as she finished the comment, and felt a bubble of pride in her chest when she saw Clarke's cheeks tinge pink and a laugh escaped her.

"Oh my god, you're so weird," Clarke murmured, her right hand coming up to her face and covering one of her cheeks.

"Aw, your blushing is super cute."

Clarke's mouth opened in surprise for a second, and then she furrowed her eyebrows and insisted, "I'm not blushing!"

"Yes, you are," Lexa argued. "And it's honestly so adorable."

"I hate you," Clarke muttered without any real vigor, eliciting another laugh from the brunette.

"You really don't take compliments well, do you?"

Clarke huffed. "Your compliments aren't true."

"Compliments are based off of opinions, and since opinions are subjective, they can be true to me and not to you," Lexa stated firmly. "Although, I'm a big promoter of self-love, so I think that you should try and realize how adorable your blushing is."

Clarke's face was beet red now. "You're ridiculous."

"Mmhmm, sure."

Clarke bit down on her lower lip, switching which hand she was using to hold her phone, but Lexa couldn't get past how entrancing the blonde was. She almost missed what Clarke was starting to say. "Anyway. Octavia and I were doing homework when we got back here after school, and I never changed out of my stupid uniform." She was standing up from her bed, it seemed, and probably heading toward her dresser or closet or something.

"Can I see?" Lexa asked. "Your uniform, I mean."

Clarke gave her a confused look. "Why?"

Lexa felt redness come to her cheeks, because her first thought was that she thought school uniforms were sexy on the right person, and it didn't help that her second thought was that she wanted to see Clarke at full body length rather than just her face. Feeling like a creep, she quickly came up with something else to say, "I don't know, I'm curious about what it looks like. I've never actually met anyone who goes to a private school."

Clarke laughed incredulously, but pulled her phone away from her body and angled it down anyway.

Lexa's breath caught in her throat. It wasn't really because of the uniform either – it was pretty much what Lexa expected. A light blue button down for a top, and then a dark blue, plaited skirt that fell almost down to Clarke's knees. Below that were tights that looked way too thick for summer in California. Either way, it wasn't the outfit that made Lexa unable to breathe for a moment, but Clarke herself.

She still felt like a creep when the blonde brought the camera back up to look at her face. "Is it everything you hoped and dreamed for?" she asked sarcastically, and it took Lexa a second to realize the joke – and the fact that Clarke wasn't talking about her body, her curves and her boobs.

"Oh definitely," Lexa said anyway, winking at Clarke through the camera, and inducing a blush on the other girl's face. She immediately laughed at Clarke's embarrassment. "Do you blush this much when I send you text message winking faces?"

Clarke scoffed. "No, I'm not that weird."

"Mm." Lexa knew that she'd blushed multiple times when Clarke had sent winking faces, but she probably wouldn't admit that either.

"One sec, I have to change. I'm just going to put the phone down."

"Okay," Lexa said lightly, trying to avoid leveling up a creepy level by picturing Clarke changing. She tried to think of something different, and then she had a thought. "Wait, are you left handed?"

"Yes," Clarke replied with a chuckle from off camera. "I can't believe you paid enough attention to notice that."

"I'm an observant person."

"Clearly."

Lexa smiled softly, kind of glad that Clarke couldn't see her flushing bright red now. She could get used to this, that was for sure.