a/n: hey! so, sorry for not updating this fic for like a month, life got in the way of things and i hit a really bad bout of writer's block, but i managed to finish this chapter (somehow) so. uh. yeah. i honestly don't know where this fic is going.
also, the polis project was actually something i had to do in school, it was seriously called the polis project and the cornmander thing was Based On A True Story. it was like 90% of the reason why i even decided to write this fic and three months later i actually accomplished that goal.
(polis, for those unaware, is the ancient greek word for city. polis was literally a city called city. lexa lived in the city equivalent of moon moon)
Monday came by all too fast, and Clarke practically sprung from her bed in a hurry to get to school.
"How'd the broken pipe go, Mom?" she asked as she raced to pack her things.
"I think it went well," her mother replied. "How did the movie night with Raven and Octavia go?"
"I think it went well." Clarke shot her mother a grin before snatching her lunch from the counter and grabbing a piece of toast for breakfast, halfway out the door before a response could be heard.
It occurred to Lexa, as she dropped Aden off far earlier than usual, that he had no idea why she had woken him up at the crack of dawn to rush to school. Or, she thought, perhaps he did know, and just refused to say that he did. In any case, Lexa arrived at Arkadia's locker area before most of the other students - most of them, it should be mentioned, aside from Clarke.
"Was Saturday night another fluke?" she breathed. "If it was, that's completely fine, I hope you understand that. I value your friendship above all else. Nothing could change that, and if it's what you need then I would pretend Saturday never happened in an instant. You're special, Clarke, you make people laugh and you're likable and I don't think I've ever met anyone whom I would rather spend the rest of my time in high school with and-"
"Wait, Lexa, did you just say whom?" Clarke seemed to be on the brink of tears, though whether it was from barely-held laughter or true emotion, Lexa couldn't tell.
"Yes, I did."
"You're such a dork," Clarke chuckled, stepping closer. Lexa did the same, and it felt almost like a small dance, something fragile and personal despite the fact that anyone could spring in at any time. This moment belonged to the two of them and the two of them alone, and nobody could ever interrupt it. "And no," Clarke added. "It wasn't a fluke." To prove her point, it seemed, Clarke leaned forward, and the second kiss felt just as powerful and soft and wonderful as the first.
"You're sure?" Lexa murmured.
"As sure as any idiot in high school can be." Lexa felt secure, warm, safe, in Clarke's arms, and she wondered if the other girl felt the same.
Being held by Lexa felt like nothing else, Clarke thought, resting in the arms of someone who held such caution in every step and yet was holding her as if they would never see each other again.
"You know, Raven gets here early a lot too," she noted. Lexa immediately stiffened and stood back. "Hey, hey, don't worry. I talked to her about the movie night yesterday, she apologized."
"What about the other one? With the sword and the baking brother?"
"Octavia? She pinned the blame on Raven and then Bellamy, which I guess is her own version of apologizing, so you don't have to worry about either of them."
"Thanks." Clarke took a moment to look down at the carpeted floor, covered in crumpled worksheets and half-eaten breakfasts, before composing her thoughts and staring right back into Lexa's green eyes.
"Listen, Lexa, I know that you're probably not used to this kind of thing, considering the fact that you've been opting to sit on the roof with a bunch of plants for three months, but neither of them really mean any harm. Did that go a bit too far? Yeah, it did, but Raven and Octavia . . . they're good people, okay? They're weird and they act like butts half the time, but you could say the same for me. If . . . this, whatever it is, is going to work, then you'll need to deal with them too."
"I understand," Lexa murmured.
"Hey, you two!" Lexa nearly jumped out of Clarke's arms. Raven stood in the hallway, her bag of metal scraps resting on the ground beside her. "Don't mind me, I'm not trying to screw up your romantic moment or anything. Our good friend O did enough of that on Saturday."
"I thought that was your idea," Clarke deadpanned. Raven shrugged.
"Depends on who you ask," she sighed. "Anyway, I just came here to work on my little friend here. Say hi to Lexa, Charlotte!" Raven held up the object - whatever it was - and mimicked waving to Lexa.
"You named your microwave after the weird kid who used to follow Bellamy around?" Clarke asked, raising an eyebrow. "Didn't she get in a fight with Wells or something?" Raven set down the microwave and nodded.
"I mean, it's not like she actually managed to do any harm. She was a little kid, it wasn't like she had a knife or anything. It wasn't so much a fight as she just yelled at him for ten minutes until he went back inside and called his dad."
"You knew one of Raven's flatmates?"
"Yep. We used to be best friends when we were kids, actually. Kinda drifted apart, but he still lives around here. I see him once in a while."
"That's nice." Clarke smiled, and Lexa could feel her heart melt a bit more. I am not going to make out with Clarke Griffin again in front of her explosive-obsessed friend. I am not going to make out with Clarke Griffin in front of her explosive-obsessed friend. I am not-
"So, I guess you two really are dating now?" Raven interrupted Lexa's stream of thought with the question. Clarke looked to Lexa for confirmation, and Lexa gave her a nod, trying as hard as she could to hide the smile spreading across her face.
"We are," Clarke answered with an affirmative squeeze of her hand.
"I'm happy for you two, then." Raven leaned in to whisper into Lexa's ear. "Remember my warning," she muttered. "If you hurt my friend, you can expect the rest of this year's calculus classes to be very miserable." Lexa nodded, and Raven's voice returned to its usual chipper tone. "Well, I'll see you two lovebirds later! Crap, there are two couples in this friend group who're dating now. This is going to be hard to figure out . . ." Raven walked away as she continued talking to herself.
"Is this considered an official confession?" Lexa wondered. Clarke blinked.
"Wait, is this the first time you've been with someone? What about the girl you talked about a while ago, the one from middle school?" Lexa stiffened.
"We . . . the two of us, we never really told anyone," she murmured. Clarke deserves to know at least this much. "It would have proven disastrous, that was the argument she used."
"You don't have to tell me the rest if it's making you uncomfortable."
"No, it's . . . it's fine." Lexa adjusted her posture, still trying to seem as regal as she could in the middle of the sophomore locker area. "Her name was Costia. We did everything together, but somehow nobody noticed that we had a relationship that went a bit deeper than-"
"Gal pals?" Lexa raised an eyebrow. "Sorry. Just trying to lighten the mood a bit."
"Yes, actually. They just assumed that we were close friends, nothing more. It wasn't until a family reunion dinner, which my uncle had reluctantly allowed Costia to join, that people found out. Namely, the student who goes to this very school and is obsessed with destroying me."
"Ontari."
"Yes. She saw us and told her stepmother, who in turn told my uncle. I've mentioned the Nightblood Corporation before, right?"
"Yeah."
"Well, my uncle believes that Nia - Ontari's stepmother - will bring ruin to it if she somehow manages to place Ontari into the position of power. It's something of an unspoken rule that we don't cause any trouble, don't create any scandals, nothing that could reach the front page of a trashy magazine. He refused to allow me to see her again, told me that Nia was already plotting to overthrow us with something as small as two middle schoolers kissing."
"That's terrible."
"It is. I never saw her again after that."
"I'm sorry." Clarke leaned against Lexa's shoulder in an attempt to comfort her, hesitation clear on her face. She was treating her like something fragile, Lexa realized, and the small bit of regret that had started to surface was tossed away as Clarke gently squeezed her hand with a reassuring smile. She cares, Lexa thought, squeezing her hand back. She cares about me, even though we've only been 'officially dating' for twenty minutes now, she cares enough to be so gentle when we didn't even know if we were dating less than half an hour ago.
"I don't know why you're doing this," Lexa finally said. Clarke looked up.
"Doing what?"
"Being so nice. You still don't know me very well, hardly anybody does, yet you're holding me like I'm such a gentle, precious thing. I told you something not very many people know, but that . . . god, Clarke, you're too nice." Clarke laughed, tilting her head back so that the dim lights of the room caught her in such a way that her hair positively glowed, and in that moment she seemed just a bit like an otherworldly goddess.
"Listen, Lexa, if I decide that someone's worth caring about, I'm more or less willing to protect them with my life. My mother, Raven, Octavia. You're a part of that, now - for lack of a better word, you're my people."
"You sound like the protagonist of a terrible sci-fi novel," Lexa chuckled, pressing her lips to Clarke's cheek. "One where the teenage girl is forced to carry the burden of everything and everyone she's ever known." Clarke traced the back of Lexa's neck with her fingertips, the touch sending shivers down her spine, and she came to the realization that she really didn't care if Clarke knew about the small tattoo that rested there.
"I hate those," Clarke breathed. "They're all just kids, they shouldn't need to have that stuff weighing them down." Lexa pulled her in for another kiss. "We should be allowed to live, enjoy the time we have. I don't know about you, but I think the world would be a lot better off if they realized that a High School Musical is just as valuable as a Romeo and Juliet. We don't always need to end in tragedy." There were little giggles between her words, and Lexa wondered how long she had held onto this thought. "Happy endings are pretty special, Lexa."
"I agree."
"Of course you do, you nerd."
"If I'm a nerd, then what does that make you?" Clarke flashed a smile, her eyes twinkling.
"Well, I guess that makes me the co-leader of my nerd people."
Clarke wished that she could say that there was some problem within the next few weeks, something small enough to remain under the surface but big enough to cause her at least some concern. Nothing of the sort occurred - it was some kind of perfect, she thought, really - Lexa was the most wonderful girlfriend anyone could ask for, and Clarke felt like she was walking on air. That, in itself, caused her more worry than any sharp-edged glance or sudden change in demeanor ever could. Everything was going so well, she was so happy, yet the knowledge of nothing lasts forever rang in her mind every time she was alone. It was a fear held by many, she knew - being afraid of losing the happy times that came so unexpectedly wasn't exactly uncommon - but she was worried nonetheless.
"You're nervous," Lexa noted one day, leaning against Clarke on a bench alongside several plants on the rooftop. Clarke had found it easier to go to Lexa than to convince her to join her small group, and so they spent many of their days eating lunch together in Lexa's spot.
"The student election's coming up," Clarke lied. What else could I say? 'You're so amazing that I'm legitimately worried about this being too good to be true?' "I don't want you to lose."
"I'm not particularly worried about it," Lexa admitted. "It'd be nice to help the school from the 'puppet government,' as Raven calls it, but if I lose, it wouldn't be terrible."
"Isn't your cousin running too, though?"
"Ontari? Yes, she's running, and that is a bit concerning, but I'm under the impression that this position is more of a figurehead than anything. The school wouldn't let a power-mad freshman bring it to its knees, that's how I view it."
"You're optimistic."
"I understand how these things work. They pretend that part of our crowd, the cool teens, has actual power, but they delegate us to organizing carnivals and Friday morning snacks. We can't truly affect anything, Clarke, and if you want the truth, the only reason why I ran for this position in the first place was in order to take my mind off of . . . certain things."
"What kinds of 'certain things?'"
"You, for one." Clarke blinked, her cheeks flushing red.
"Oh."
"In any case, if the student government really held any influence, we would already have the free tampons that Raven has been complaining about ever since I met her."
"Hey, if you can make that happen, I'd be more than willing to do anything to help."
"How long have people been asking for the free tampons, anyway? It seems to be in high demand."
"Well, Raven came here two years ago and people were already clamoring for it by then, so I'd be willing to bet that they've wanted them for a while now. I'm surprised, really, that they - the school board - hasn't at least tried to make that happen, considering how unnecessarily rich this school is."
"They refuse to hire an official nurse, as well," Lexa noted, tilting her head up as if the sky would provide the answer to Arkadia's lack of medics. "There was a boy in my history class who fell on his face in the middle of class and he needed to go home because your mother was having a sick day and there wasn't anyone who could actually treat his injury." Clarke shrugged.
"They've got skewed priorities, but at least they try. I'm okay with no nurse and no tampons if it means that the teachers care and the school's pretty welcoming."
"What do you mean by that?" Lexa's eyes sparkled a brilliant green in the sun, and Clarke could feel the warmth swell in her chest, the knowledge that she was dating this girl an unbelievable occurrence.
"It's a nice place. It feels lived in, if that makes any sense. It's not just a bunch of cold hallways and white brick walls."
"I think I understand," Lexa murmured. "It's more of a home than a school, is that what you're saying?"
"Yeah."
"I think . . ." Lexa began slowly, deliberately, as if every syllable held great importance. "I think that I'm starting to see that, too. It's truly a lovely campus, and the teachers - most of them, in any case - really do seem to respect us. I'd probably be in a very different place than I am now if I had been able to attend a place like this when I was younger." Clarke wondered what was running through Lexa's mind at that moment, what things she had seen. She wanted to know, she wanted to help, but at the same time she feared that Lexa could fall apart before her eyes, the dark past buried beneath the cool exterior taken out and put on display. Clarke was worried about Lexa breaking, and she feared that she wouldn't be able to help piece her back together again.
"We should talk about stuff at my house sometime," Clarke said, feeling the comfortable weight of Lexa's hand in hers. Lexa tilted her head in confusion.
"We're already talking about stuff. Why would it be any different at your house?" Clarke shrugged.
"It'd be more private, I guess. Not to mention the fact that we wouldn't be limited by weather." As if in response to Clarke's comment, a few drops of rain began to fall from the sky. "See?"
"I understand your point, Clarke. Would tonight work?" Clarke scrunched up her face in concentration for a moment, trying to remember if she had any prior plans.
"Yep, I'm pretty sure that'd work."
"I suppose we should consider it a date, then."
Lexa had just barely managed to sit through an excruciatingly dull history class, during which the irritable teacher had given them a group project to be completed in the next two weeks, when her phone let out a doot-doot-doot. Curious, she dug the phone out of her bag, wondering who it could be.
the best gf in existence: Hey!
Lexa: hi clarke
the best gf in existence: So, did you get that assignment too?
Lexa: the polis project?
Lexa: yes
Clarke: It's kind of ridiculous, how far some of my classmates are already taking it.
the best gf in existence: Octavia, for example.
the best gf in existence: Everyone has started chanting "anarchy! anarchy! anarchy!" and saying that they can do whatever the hell they want.
the best gf in existence: We're going to fail.
Lexa: that actually isn't as bad as mine
the best gf in existence: How?
Lexa: well
Lexa: the class decided that their main export is corn
Lexa: and they decided that i should be the cornmander
Lexa: commander of the corn
Lexa: please don't change my contact name to cornmander
Clarke chuckled at Lexa's messages as she walked down the hall.
Clarke: Okay.
the great cornmander: i'll see you tonight
the great cornmander: please tell me that you didn't do what i think you did
Clarke: Whatever you say, Cornmander.
the great cornmander: you are a nerd
Clarke: I'm /your/ nerd.
Raven peered over Clarke's shoulder at the messages, rubbing her chin thoughtfully. After what looked to be a moment of deep pension and thought, she broke into a grin.
"You two," she began, "might be the most disgustingly cute couple I've ever laid eyes on, and that's saying something, considering the fact that O and Lincoln went to a pet store and played with puppies together for a solid three hours. Seriously, it's like all four of you are trying to make me suffer."
"We're trying to do what, now?" Octavia piped up, casually hoisting her sword behind her back as if it was simply a bag and not a deadly weapon.
"When did you get here?" Clarke and Raven asked in unison. Octavia shrugged.
"I've been trailing you for about thirty seconds. Figured that I wouldn't push my luck. I think that's a new record, actually."
"A new record for what?" Clarke asked, suddenly concerned once again for her friend's safety.
"I've been working on my stealth."
"Does that mean you're going to start jumping on us in the hallways?" Raven deadpanned. Octavia looked up in earnest.
"Maybe."
"That's not the kind of thing you say with an honest face like that!"
Lexa stood in the gymnasium in her usual spot, awaiting Clarke's arrival as she nervously looked back and forth. As things were, however, she found herself face-to-face with a smirking Raven, leaning on one of the bleachers as she set down her microwave, which was actually beginning to somewhat resemble a microwave at this point.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't the cornmander herself?" Raven looped an arm around Lexa, and she quietly resolved to tell Clarke to never speak of her exploits to Raven again. "If you're wondering, Clarke didn't tell me. I heard that ninth grader-"
"Freshman."
"Whatever. I heard her snickering to a couple of her friends about that. She thought it was hilarious for some reason. I mean, it is, but she was acting like it was the funniest joke in all of human history. She's a weird kid."
"I'm aware of that." Lexa paused for a moment, unsure of whether to tell Raven of something this important. "If I tell you something, will you promise to keep it a secret?" Raven dutifully nodded. "This may seem somewhat ridiculous to you, but Ontari-"
"Hey, Lexa!" Lexa and Raven turned to see Clarke running through the gym with her backpack slung over one shoulder, panting heavily. "Sorry I'm late, one of my crappy teachers stopped me to talk about why my essay was lacking in substance and how I needed to stop doodling."
"He sounds like an asshole," Raven breezily commented. "I'm glad I didn't have him back when I was your age."
"You're hardly even a year older than me!" Clarke yelped indignantly. "Speaking of which, do you have any tips for the, uh, Polis Project? We all got assigned to it today, I'm not really sure how to handle some of my classmates."
"The Polis Project? The history thing? Man, that was an experience. I'm pretty sure that I still have my team's flag lying around somewhere. Really, all I can say about tips is for the love of god, please have backups for the hula hooping contest."
"There's a hula hooping contest?" Clarke said. "Why?" Raven shrugged.
"The ancient Greeks invented the Olympics. They're using this as an excuse for sports, I guess. Anyway, we lost because half of our team didn't show up and someone who had never hula hooped had to suddenly hula hoop for a prize." Lexa had pulled out a notebook, scribbling details as fast as she could. "What kind of wacky things have you guys come up with? Lexa's the cornmander, I know that, but your city can't not have weird crap in it, Clarke, otherwise it kinda defeats the purpose of letting a bunch of sophomores loose in designing a political system."
"Ours is a city in the sky," Clarke muttered, almost too quiet to be heard.
"What?"
"I said, ours is a city in the sky filled with anarchists who don't take this seriously. I don't know how the teacher approved it, but she did, and now we're a flying city that doesn't have a real government." Raven didn't even try to hold back her laugh.
"Oh my god," she guffawed, tears practically leaking out of her eyes from laughing so hard. "That, my friend, is the greatest thing I've ever heard."
"I'm glad you like it," Clarke muttered. "Now, do you think you could help me out with the actual political system tomorrow? My classmates are all a bunch of idiots."
"I gathered that from the - pfft - sky village thing. Sure, I'll do it. I guess I should leave you and your girlfriend to talk, though." With that, Raven slipped away, humming to herself.
"We may be dating now," Lexa began, "but I still stand by my opinion that your friends are rather strange."
"That's fair."