Chapter 9: Lexa

Sammy and Becca decide to ride with Octavia and me, and the rest spilt up and say they will meet us there. I send Ash a quick text telling her where we are going and then follow O's directions. About ten minutes later, we pull into a parking garage and walk about a block before you see the line to get in. Once again, I follow Octavia straight to the door, where the doorman lets us go right in.

I can't believe what I see when I get inside. There are tons of people lined up in rows dancing to the DJ's song while shouting out different words. I look at Octavia and say, "What the hell is this? I have never seen anything like this before!"

She replies, "It is called country line dancing. The DJ plays a song and then calls out the moves to the dance, and everyone does them."

"I don't know about this."

She laughs, "It isn't as hard as it looks, and they play other music also, and they do square dancing too."

"What is square dancing?"

Jess walks up and says, "Oh, this is going to be fun. We'll teach you, but first, let's find a table and order up some drinks."

I spend the next hour or so just watching, trying to figure out all the moves that go with the words the DJ says, and of course, drinking to loosen up. O finally decides it is time for me to try to square dance. I follow her out onto the floor and follow her lead. I catch on pretty quickly, which is good considering no one told me we would randomly switch partners. I end up dancing with Jess, Clarke, much to the dislike of Finn, then end up with some people I don't know. The song seems to go on forever, but I'm having a good time.

When the song ends, I head back over to the table where Jess has a round of my favorite shots waiting. We throw them down just in time for the next line dance. Jess drags me out there between her and O. The music starts, and I try to find my rhythm, but this is just so different than anything I have ever tried before, and I screw up and go back when I'm supposed to go forward and bump into this large, manly looking girl who doesn't take it lightly. I quickly say excuse me and sorry, but she just shoves me into Octavia.

Before I can say anything, O gets up in her face and says, "What the hell, Jack? She's learning, we're just trying to have a good time. Back off!"

I step in between them and say, "It's okay, O, I got this." I look at Jack and say, "I'm Lexa, and this is my first-time line dancing. I'm sorry I messed you up. Let me buy you a drink to make up for it. How does that sound?"

Jack looks between O and me before saying, "Sure, that sounds good. Octavia, you should learn some manners from your friend here."

O says, "Lexa, you don't owe this bitch anything. She is just mad because I kicked her ass last month in the cage."

At this, Jack lunges for Octavia, but I step up and say, "O, stop. Just go to the table while I buy my new friend here a drink." Luckily, this works, and Octavia leaves, and I buy Jack a bottle of Gin with the understanding she doesn't start anything else.

When I get back to the table, I look at O and say, "What the hell, Octavia? I just want to have a good time, not get into fights with steroid Jane over there."

Everyone laughs at the name I give Jack. Finally, Angie says, "Jack is still mad because Octavia beat her in their last fight, that's all."

O says, "Yeah, she was undefeated until I beat her, and she is still mad about it."

I reply, "What are you all talking about? What is the cage?"

Clarke adds, "It is an underground, illegal fight that is held every Saturday. Octavia fights almost every week."

I just shake my head and say, "You have got to be kidding me. Does Blake know about this?"

O says, "Nope, and you aren't going to tell him, right?"

"I guess not, but why are you fighting in illegal fights?"

Octavia laughs, "Duh, for the money, and it's fun."

"We will talk about this later. Who wants a shot?"

Everyone raises their hand, no surprise since I'm buying. For the next hour or so, we drink and dance. I'm getting rather good at line dancing by now, and I start to freestyle a little, and soon I have random people, girls, and guys coming up to me asking me to dance. After about another half hour, I need a break and head for the bar to get a drink. I order a shot of tequila and a margarita. As I stand there waiting on my drink, I see a beautiful blonde at the other end of the bar with a guy on one side and a very butch-looking girl on the other side of her. From where I'm standing, I can't hear what is being said, but the blonde isn't happy from the looks of it. The butch girl puts her arm around the blonde's waist and pulls her in close to whisper something into her ear. The blonde smacks butch across the face and tries to walk away but the guy grabs her.

I'm not sure what is going on, but my gut tells me that the blonde needs help, so I walk toward them. When I reach the end of the bar, I step between the butch and the blonde, motioning for the bartender. I look at the blonde and say, "Hey baby, what's taking so long on getting our drinks?"

She gives me a confused look but then realizes what I'm trying to do and says, "Sorry, honey, the service here is a bit slow."

The butch girl and guy look at me, then the blonde. I look at them and say, "Can I help you guys with something?"

Butch looks me up and down and says, "You can mind your own business and stop trying to cock block me?"

I smirk, "I'm sorry? I'm new here, so I have no idea what you are talking about. I'm Lexa, and you seem to be bothering my girl. Why don't you and your friend go bother someone else."

The dude says, "If this is your girl, why is she up here alone and you are out there dancing with anyone who walks up to you?"

I laugh and say, "Okay, you got me. She's not my girl yet, but I'm pretty confident she will be by the end of the night. So why don't you both run along? You don't stand a chance against me." I look at the blonde and wink.

They look at each other like they are debating what to say before they just turn and walk away. Then, finally, the blonde looks at me and says, "Thank you, but I won't be your girl by the end of the night. I don't care if you did just save me from those two. I don't do one-night stands." With that, she turns to walk away.

I shake my head and say, "Can I at least get your name and buy you a drink?"

She looks over her shoulder at me and smirks, "Nope, but thanks for your help."

I watch as she walks away, she is tall and athletic. She has long, slender muscles and broad shoulders. Her skin is rather pale, but she has blonde hair and dark green eyes. I think to myself, what the hell just happened? Usually, if you help someone out, they at least give you their name. Whatever, I grab my drink and head back over to the table.

Sammy and Becca are the only ones currently at the table, so I point to the blonde and ask them if they know who she is. Becca starts laughing and says, "Don't waste your time on that one. She is a royal bitch. Her name is Alice Wood, and she is a spoiled bitch. She's cocky and a tease."

I laugh, "Well, okay then, why don't you tell me how you really feel, Becca?"

Sammy laughs and says, "She's not wrong. She is one of the youngest pro golfers on the LPGA Tour, and she thinks she is hot shit. I'm with Becca on this. I wouldn't waste your energy."

"I don't know. I like a challenge."

Becca laughs and says, "If you want a challenge, you should go after Clarke. I see the way you look at her. Besides, she always sticks up for you."

I was stunned, "What? She's with Finn. And even though I think he is a major asshole, I'm not going to be the type of person that breaks couples up. Besides, she acts like she hates me."

Sammy says, "That's just Clarke. She acts that way about everyone. She doesn't like to let anyone get close to her. Hell, even Finn hasn't completely broken through all her walls, and they have been together forever."

"Whatever, I think I will take my chances with Ms. pro golfer." I get up and start to head in the direction Alice walked off in and run right into Ash. I smile and say, "Hey, you made it. Great, let me get you a drink. Do you want the usual?"

She laughs and says, "Sure."

I instinctively grab her hand and lead her over to the table. I start to introduce her, but Becca gets up and hugs Ash before saying, "It is good to see you again, Ashley. How have you been?"

Ash smiles and says, "I'm doing alright, Becca. How are you?"

They begin talking, I look at Sammy, and he shrugs his shoulders. I decide to just go to the bar and order drinks. When I get to the bar, I order a bottle of Patron and 15 shot glasses. While I wait, I can't help but think about how Ash seems to know everyone, but then I remember that she did go to high school here, and Becca looks to be around her age. The bartender places the bottle and glasses in front of me, and I grab them and turn to leave. I'm in a hurry and don't see that someone has come up behind me at the bar, so when I turn, I run right into them.

I start to say I'm sorry when I realize that it is the blonde with the green eyes, and I just stop and stare at her. Finally, she clears her throat and says, "Hey, watch where you are going." Then she laughs.

I look at her and smirk, "Are you following me? I offered to buy you a drink if you wanted to get to know me. You should have accepted my offer. Then you wouldn't have to follow me around."

She looks me over like she is seeing me for the first time. Then she says, "Don't flatter yourself. I'm just waiting on my drink."

"Suit yourself, my offer still stands. My friends and I were just about to have a few shots if you would like to join us." I don't wait for an answer. Instead, I just turn and head back to the table. When I get back to the table, the group has grown, and surprisingly the blonde has followed me back to the table. Everyone is now at the table because the music has stopped.

Clarke looks at Ash and then me before saying, "If you aren't with Ashley anymore, why is she here?"

"I told you we are still friends, so I invited her. Is this a problem, Griffin?"

Finn speaks up, "Nope, not at all. Maybe now we will hear the real story of what happened in the valley because I don't think you told us the whole story. So, Ash, what is your side of the story?"

Octavia says, "What the hell is your problem, Finn? Are you really that vulnerable that you think she's making up what happened?"

I chuckle and say, "Hey guys, this is…."

I look to the blonde, she smirks, "Allie."

"Okay, this is Allie. She's going to join us. Allie, this is Octavia, Ash…" I continue around the table until I have introduced everyone. Then I just start pouring shots while looking at Ash. She looks like a deer caught in the spotlight. I can't help but laugh. I hand her a shot, and everyone else grabs theirs, and we throw them back. I pour another round, and then the DJ says, "I'm going to switch things up for the next half hour we are going to salsa." There are some groans from the crowd, but there are also some cheers.

I look to the group and say, "Who wants to salsa?" To my surprise, everyone shakes their head no, even O. "What the hell is wrong with you guys, does no one like to salsa?" Everyone just laughs at me. "Whatever, sorry Ash, that means it's just you and me."

Ash looks at me and says, "I don't think so. You aren't making me dance tonight."

"Really? I thought you liked dancing with me. Why even bother coming if you aren't going to dance?"

Clarke says, "Yeah, Ashley, why did you come out here tonight, if not to dance?"

That's when Jess speaks up, "Clarke, everyone knows that Ashley Fletcher can't dance. She probably just came out to keep an eye on Lexa."

Ash suddenly turns red and says, "Oh, hey, little Jessie. I didn't know you were a part of this group. How have you been?"

Jess's face turned bright red at this, and everyone laughed. "I'm doing good. How's my sister and Asher? I heard you spent some time with them recently."

I look between the two of them, "What?"

Ash says, "Didn't anyone tell you that little Jessie here is Callie's little sister?"

I look around the table, and no one would look me in the eyes. Well, this is simply great! I need to dance, or I'm going to punch something or someone. I can feel myself turning red, and my fists are clenching and unclenching. I look at Ash and say, "Why don't you tell Finn the story of the valley so he will get off my back. Apparently, he doesn't believe me while I find someone to salsa with. Damn, I wish Cree was here."

I look over at Allie and ask, "Will you dance with me?"

She just looks at the floor and says, "I don't know how to salsa, plus I kinda want to hear the story."

"Fine!"

As I turn to walk away, I notice a couple of girls heading my way. I gave them the once over, they were pretty but not really my type, but I didn't really care right now. When they got to the table, one of them looked at me and said, "Are you, Lexa?"

Everyone at the table stopped talking to listen to my conversation. So I say, "Yeah, who wants to know?"

They both just started giggling before the other one said, "Really, you're Lexa? The Lexa that kicked ass in Dubai?"

Ash started laughing. I just shook my head, "Yeah, that's me."

The redhead says, "Do you mind taking a couple of selfies with us?"

"That depends on whether either of you likes to salsa. See, my friends here apparently don't like to salsa, and I require a dance partner."

She just giggled, "I will gladly dance with you. Penelope, go get us some drinks while I dance with Lexa."

The other girl, I guess Penelope, says, "But Marley, I want to dance."

I laugh and say, "Don't worry, Penelope, you can have the next dance. There is plenty of me to go around. O, here will get you and Marley whatever you want from the bar." I look at Ash and say, "Ash, why don't you tell Finn here whatever he wants to know about me since he doesn't seem to like or believe anything I say while I show these girls a good time."