The next day, Lena arrived early to school and waited at Kara's locker with her hands behind her back.
"Hey," she said casually, when Kara approached.
"Uh… Hey," Kara greeted her, surprised by her presence, which seemed to be intentional.
"I, um… I just wanted to say thanks again for saving my ass last night," Lena said shyly, then held out her hand, which contained a bouquet of pink lilies.
"Holy shit, Lena. You really didn't have to—"
Lena instantly began to blush.
Gritting her teeth, she cursed, "Would you just take the fucking flowers, Four Eyes?"
Kara pushed her glasses up on her nose, cheeks turning a deep shade of red, and took the flowers.
"Thank you," she managed, face burning.
"Don't make it a huge deal, okay? It's just a thank you."
"I'm going to put these on my desk in my room, so I can look at them while I'm doing chemistry and think about your serious face telling me to focus," Kara teased.
Rolling her eyes, Lena shoved Kara's shoulder – which didn't budge – and moved past her.
Calling back without looking behind her, Lena said, "Meet me in the library after class. I'll help you study."
She walked away before Kara could say anything, leaving the blonde confused and surprised. Lena seemed to have a knack for that.
~!~!~
After school that day, Kara met Lena in the library.
She entered so quietly that Lena didn't notice her come in or look up to see her walking in her direction. This meant that Kara was able to spend a little more time than necessary staring at the glow of Lena's hair as the light from the setting sun that poured in the through the window.
After a long moment, Kara snapped out of her trance and approached the table where Lena was sitting.
"Hey, uh…" Kara started nervously. "I, um… I was thinking… Maybe we could study over dinner? I'm kinda starving."
Lena looked up, startled by the girl's sudden appearance, and blinked a few times before replying, "I… Uh… Sure, I guess. Where do you want to go?"
"I was thinking the café down the street. My treat?"
"No way, Girl Scout. I can pay for my own meal. The café sounds fine though. I could go for a Greek salad right now."
Kara shrugged as Lena packed up her things then followed her out of the school.
They walked close together on their way out, after Kara insisted on walking on the street side of the sidewalk.
"Why?" Lena had asked.
"I just like to," Kara said, although this was a complete and total lie.
It was the gentlemanly thing to do, and she wanted to reduce the possibility of Lena getting hurt if an accident were to happen. Hopefully, though, that would never come to pass.
But the season's first snow made the road slick, so by incredible happenstance, a car actually did slide off the road in their direction.
Without thinking, Kara reached out and reflexively stopped the car, putting both hands on the front of the hood to keep the car from going up on the sidewalk where Lena was standing close by.
Luckily, Lena hadn't been looking when Kara stopped the car with her bare hands. Kara knew she shouldn't have used her super strength in normal street clothes, but there was no way she was going to risk Lena's safety. Thankfully, though, this didn't backfire.
"Holy shit!" Lena cried, hearing the skidding noise as the car's wheels hit the edge of the sidewalk.
Kara had already pulled away from the car, so Lena suspected nothing.
Kara's terror was plain in her eyes, and Lena noticed, so she quickly said, "You okay?" and touched the girl's forearm without thought.
The tender gesture caught Kara even more off guard, and she was surprised to find the genuine look of concern in Lena's eyes.
"I'm… I'm fine. Are you okay?"
Lena nodded and confessed, "Just a little startled. I'm glad you're okay."
"Let's check on the driver," Kara said, quickly remembering the car that had skidded off the road.
"You okay?" Kara asked, approaching the car's driver door.
The driver rolled the window down and nodded, saying, "Yeah, I'm good, thanks. Just barely hit the curb, thank God."
Kara blushed slightly, hoping the driver hadn't seen her stop the car.
"Glad you're okay," she said quickly.
She then turned back to Lena, but not before noticing the small dent in the hood where her hands had been.
~!~!~
"Fuck, this is hard," Kara huffed, once they'd sat down with their food at the café and opened their books.
"You're not the only one who feels that way," Lena told her, her tone one of sincerity and understanding.
Kara raised an eyebrow, asking, "You struggled with it too?"
Hesitating, Lena answered, "Well… No… I didn't. But plenty of people do…"
A blush rose to Kara's cheeks as she nodded, slightly ashamed of the fact that it was so difficult for her but so easy for Lena.
Soon, the two forgot their studies as they became distracted by the meal – which was more appetizing than Lena had expected – and more so… each other's company.
"God, Lena," Kara laughed loudly, after the girl had deadpanned a joke that Kara found to be hysterical. "You're too much."
Raising her gaze and smiling at Kara, Lena's cheeks turned a slight shade of pink.
"Nah," she chuckled. "I just know how to tell a joke. Besides, you're weird. Of course you'd find that funny."
"Hey!" Kara cried. "I'm not weird!" After a pause, and noticing the smug smirk Lena was wearing, Kara huffed, "Okay. Maybe a little weird. But you have a great sense of humor, so…"
Raising an eyebrow, Lena shrugged her shoulders.
"At least somebody thinks so."
Kara smiled at her and took her final bite of her meal.
"We've hardly studied," Kara suddenly noticed.
"You got distracted by my dirty jokes."
"Okay, maybe. But that's not my fault!" Kara protested. "You're a riot!"
"It's getting late," Lena said, looking out the window at the sunset. "I should probably get going."
"Yeah, me too," Kara sighed, wiggling her feet anxiously as her stomach dropped with the painful realization that she didn't want to leave.
"Come on," Lena said gently. "Let's go."
"Alright. Let me pay the bill."
"Hell no!" Lena cried, but Kara had already waved over the waiter and shoved her card into his hand before Lena could remove hers from her wallet.
Grinning, Kara announced, "That's for being the best tutor ever."
Rolling her eyes and letting out a huff of protest, Lena rose from her seat, put on her coat, and slung her bag over her shoulder.
"Alright. We're out," Kara said, a hint of her disappointment in her voice.
When Lena noticed the sound of regret there, she paused. Was Kara really reluctant to leave? Lena had to admit, it had been a great time. And honestly, it felt good not to have to put up the customary Luthor front. It was just… them. Alone, having a civil conversation. No walls, no façade. Just… Kara and Lena.
Before they could leave, though, the waiter suddenly appeared beside Lena, awkwardly shifting his weight from one foot to the other as he stared at the brunette while nervously fidgeting with his hands.
"Hey, uh… Pardon me, but… Is there any chance I could… ask you out? I couldn't help but notice how stunning you were, and I—" the waiter tried, biting his lip as he looked up at Lena hopefully.
Lena laughed. Straight-up laughed. She couldn't even hold it in. This kid had no idea.
"Thanks, kid, but you're a bit too young for me," Lena replied, noticing that this guy must've been no older than fifteen or sixteen.
Not to mention… he was a guy.
Kara rolled her eyes, feeling a sudden pang of jealousy, in conjunction with a surprising amount of relief that Lena had said no, as she escorted Lena out of the building.
Outside, the two paused as they looked up at the sunset with wonder.
"Gosh that's pretty," Kara breathed, staring.
"You're a sap," Lena chuckled, playfully nudging Kara's shoulder.
Somewhat surprised by the teasing gesture, and the fact that Lena was willing to touch her at all, Kara looked over at her and blinked a few times.
It's not as pretty as you, though, she was thinking, as she gazed into Lena's bright green eyes. They were, Kara had to admit, quite stunning.
"Hey… What's the stupidest pickup line you've ever heard?" Lena asked, turning back to Kara.
"What, me?"
"Yeah, you. Obviously you. Who the hell else am I talking to?" Lena laughed. "Just tell me one."
"Alright, alright," Kara chuckled. "This one's really stupid. Ready?" When Lena nodded, Kara finished, "I'm not your boss, but I can tell you what time you get off."
"Oh, my God! Someone actually said that to you?!" Lena howled, unable to stop the laughter that escaped her.
"Yeah. It was pathetic," Kara replied with a smirk. "He was a freshman. Anyway, what's the worst one you've heard?"
"Do you have a map? Cause I just got lost in your eyes."
Kara paused, then said, "Uh, actually… that one's not bad."
"What?" Lena gaped. "That's terrible. So cheesy!"
But it's true, Kara was thinking, as she once again fell into Lena's deep orbs of green.
"Anyway," Lena said, noticing Kara's blank stare. "Want one that's actually cute? No one's said this to me before, but it's kinda funny."
Kara smiled and nodded, saying, "Go for it."
"Hey… Feel my shirt," Lena said, tugging on the hem and moving it towards Kara's hand.
Kara, totally confused, reached out cautiously and felt it, tilting her head slightly.
"Know what it's made of?" Lena asked, holding back a smirk.
Kara shrugged and let go.
"Girlfriend material!" Lena giggled.
Kara blushed and asked, "Actually, that is cute… But… girlfriend? Not boyfriend?"
Lena blinked a few times, realizing she'd likely given her orientation away. Then, she realized… Kara wasn't going to tell anyone. She wasn't that type. No, Lena didn't trust her… but Kara wasn't one to tell secrets. And after all… She hadn't told about Lena's science experiment in the bathroom, so…
In response, Lena shrugged and asked, "So?"
Kara raised an eyebrow and replied, "I dunno. I just didn't think you were… into girls."
Lena shrugged with a smile, and Kara's lips parted. Stunned into silence, she gazed at Lena, first at her eyes, then dropped her attention to Lena's lips. Blushing but unable to look away, Kara felt her spine tingle – something she'd never experienced before.
"See something you like?" Lena boldly teased, noticing Kara's stare.
It wasn't like Lena to tease in that particular way, but she couldn't help herself. After all, Kara was staring directly at her. And then… Kara licked her lips, finally tearing her eyes away.
"I, um… No, I just… I was—" Kara stammered, looking at her shoes with intense focus.
"Kara?"
"Yeah?"
"Look at me for a second."
Swallowing hard, ashamed of the way she was reacting but unable to get it under control, Kara lifted her chin.
"I don't think you're annoying. Actually… You're pretty funny. And it's… kinda cute."
Mouth hanging open wider, without her consent, Kara thought in disbelief, Wait, is she into me? Quick, make a bad joke and see if she laughs.
Then, she reasoned, There's no way, though…
Still, she offered, "Did you hear the one about the skeleton who didn't go to the party?"
Lena shook her head.
"He had no body to go with!"
If Lena had been drinking anything, she would have spat it out as she cackled, "Kara, that's so funny!"
Kara stared. Usually, she would've laughed at her own joke, but instead, she thought of Lena's reaction and told herself, Well that's not a fair test. That joke's hilarious.
Then, startling Kara, Lena doubled over, still laughing, and put her hand on Kara's shoulder to steady herself.
In that moment, she wanted nothing more than to touch Lena. To slide her hands in Lena's hair. To—
Snap out of it! Kara screamed internally. Don't. DON'T.
"Tell me your best one," Lena requested, finally recovering from her fit of laughter.
Kara, still red from embarrassment, forced herself to say, "You're stalling."
Lena shrugged and replied nonchalantly, "Maybe."
Eyes widening slightly, Kara answered, "Okay. Best one ever. Ready?" When Lena nodded, Kara continued, "There's only one thing I want to change about you… and that's your last name."
It was Lena's turn to go wide-eyed as she said, "Wow. That's… actually adorable…"
Kara nodded with a smile and turned her attention back to the setting sun.
"We should get going," Kara announced solemnly. "It's getting colder anyway."
Surprised by her own reluctance, Lena nodded her head weakly and agreed, "Alright. See you tomorrow?"
Smiling broadly at the offer of another intentional encounter with Lena, Kara replied, "You bet. Take care of yourself, Lena. I'll be one call away if you need me. Don't hesitate, okay?"
Lena smiled back and nodded her head more enthusiastically.
"Thanks, Girl Scout."
Rolling her eyes, Kara nudged her shoulder as Lena had done to her earlier and walked Lena to her car in silence.
"Hey, wait," Lena said after rolling down the car window, when Kara politely shut the door for her.
"Yeah?" Kara asked, looking down at Lena.
"Get in, Loser. I'm bringing you home."
Lena was grinning – a beautiful sight that Kara had yet to see prior to that evening, and it stunned her. The girl's radiance was overwhelming. Even in the darkness, her beauty lit up Kara's vision.
"You really don't have to—" Kara protested, but Lena interrupted her.
"Get in."
Biting her lip, Kara did as she was told, rounding the car and sliding into the passenger's side.
All the way to Kara's house, Lena shuffled her music, showing off her varied taste in genres and artists.
"Wow, Lena," Kara breathed. "Your collection is amazing."
Shrugging, Lena replied, "I know. Not to mention, I have several albums signed by various musicians."
Raising her eyebrows, Kara asked, "Seriously?"
"Yeah… My mom has connections."
Kara rolled her eyes and chuckled, "Of course."
"Anyway… Thanks for letting me drive you home," Lena said, pulling into Kara's driveway.
"Don't mention it," Kara replied with a smile. Then, she furrowed her brow and said, "Wait. Why are you thanking me?"
"It's just… nice to… spend… I don't know. Nevermind. I'll see you tomorrow."
Blinking, Kara said, "Okay," not having the energy or concentration to challenge Lena to finish the sentence. "Goodnight, Miss Luthor."
Lena stared at her as she slid out of the vehicle. Miss Luthor? she was thinking. What the hell is wrong with this girl? What the hell is wrong with me?
The duration of the way home, all Lena could think about was Kara's bright smile, and alone in her bedroom, all Kara could think about was Lena's laugh.
Author's note: I grabbed the "bad joke" from Tumblr. Hope this gave you guys a chuckle. Thanks for reading!