A/N: I apologize for the long wait. I've been very busy with finals and such. I will update the next chapter ASAP. Thank you, and enjoy.
Clarke's feet hit the ground, the beat of her heart deafening. She thrusts each foot forward, willing her body to go faster. The early morning air burns her throat and lungs as she takes gulps of air, her body close to giving up but her heart beats faster as she wills herself to continue through the pain. She fights to keep up with Lexa but the girl's pace is unbearably fast.
They run down the beaten path towards the beach, trees surround them and beautiful flowers of all different colors distract Clarke as she pushes onward. The path turns from dirt to sand as she and Lexa emerge to the opening of the beach. Lexa gains speed as she hits the sand and heads for the water, the morning mist nearly gone as the sun slowly rises from the horizon.
Clarke tries to gain speed when she hits the sand, but her body fails her, and she ends up making a slow jog to an awaiting Lexa at their finishing point. Lexa greets her with a breathtaking smile, her stomach doing a small flip despite her exhaustion.
Sweat beads down her forehead and neck as she collapses next to Lexa's feet, taking deep breaths to calm the rapid beat of her heart. Feet in front of her, she wraps her arms around her bent knees and hears Lexa plop down beside her. She can feel Lexa's eyes on her, and she glances up to see a cocky smile from the girl.
"Told you I was faster." Clarke grunts which earns a laugh from Lexa as she turns her head toward the ocean, the sun barely peeking up over the edge. She can not describe the feeling the overwhelms her as the water stretches out as far as the eye can see, making her feel small and petty, but capable and strong.
Her heart swells with happiness as the sun causes the water to glisten and the sky to change from dark blue to bursts of pinks, oranges, and yellows. She can't help but stare, her mind going blank, and the feeling of fatigue prominent.
She wants to feel this free forever, not worrying about nightmares, or anxiety, or panic attacks. Just the nostalgic feeling of the sun rising up over the water and the feeling of hope in her bones. The hope for new experiences, friendships, and love. The hope for life. But suddenly the dead of eyes of her father flash through her mind, his lifeless body engraved into the back of her eyelids, reminding her that it was not a dream, and that her father and Wells aren't here anymore. That she should have been the one to die, not them.
The weight of her pain and grief make her entire body feel like an anchor. She feels guilty for having this one peaceful moment, for wanting to be happy, for the way her stomach flips every time Lexa smiles, and for coming back to this place.
They should be here.
Pain threatens to push her tears over the edge as she stares straight ahead. She sighs deeply but doesn't let them fall. Clarke clears her mind, and continues to take in the beauty of the scene before her. She fights and pushes back the tidal wave of emotions and memories that come bubbling back to the surface. Sometimes they win, but she always gets back up, and she always will. But some wounds leave scars, scars that Clarke fears may never go away.
Clarke glances at Lexa and notices her staring intently. She holds her gaze for a few moments before sighing and turning away to look at the sunrise. They sit in silence for another few minutes before Lexa gets up and stands in front of her, holding out her hands for Clarke to grab. Clarke grabs them and Lexa helps her stand.
Clarke brushes the sand off her back, and looks back up to see Lexa smiling at her. "Oh come on! We just got here!" Clarke whines. Lexa starts to pull Clarke back towards where they came before letting go and starting a light jog. "Come, Clarke. I'll go slower on the way back. Just for you!"
Clarke glares at Lexa's back as she catches up. "This is only the third time we've run! You think someone would go easy," she huffs. Lexa laughs and picks up the speed a little bit. "Can you not handle this, Clarke?" Lexa grins while using her hands to motion towards her body, making Clarke blush and roll her eyes. Clarke replies by shoving Lexa a little and picks up the pace, forcing Lexa to catch up this time.
"I totally won that race!"
"Clarke, you tripped me. I do not think that qualifies as a win."
"Whatever." Clarke grumbles, making Lexa chuckle.
They walk down Clarke's driveway, both smiling, and head up the stairs. "Are you still able to go for a run tomorrow as well?" Lexa asks. "I should be able too. I'll text you if I can't." Lexa's stomach growls suddenly, making her smile sheepishly.
Clarke chuckles and unlocks the door, holding it open for Lexa. "Stay for breakfast?" "I'd love too." Lexa replies. Lexa enters the house and takes off her shoes.
"Bathroom is under the stairs, and the kitchen is straight ahead. I'll be right back." Lexa nods and heads down the hallway as Clarke heads upstairs. Her body fatigued and sore already, she walks to her room throwing her things on her bed, and taking off her shirt. She grabs a fresh, plain white tank top, and takes her phone off her nightstand before heading downstairs. On the way down she reads her mom's text message with a groan. Yes, I'll give it to her is Clarke's reply.
She turns the corner and heads into the kitchen, looking up from her phone only to find a fully dressed Octavia and Raven staring at Lexa across from the kitchen island. Octavia looks as if she is angrily trying to put together a puzzle, and Raven just looks tired. "Oh hey guys. This is Lexa. Lexa, Raven and Octavia." Raven gives a sleepy grumble, and Octavia continues to stare. "Its nice to meet you both." Lexa says with a smile as Clarke walks over to her side and turns to Raven and Octavia. "Where are you two going?" Clarke asks as she motions to their outfits as reasoning. "Especially this early?"
"We're going down to town to pick up groceries." Octavia replies, glaring at Lexa. "Oh, right. The two most important things to you two. Food and sleep. But food first." Raven and Octavia give an affirmative nod, Octavia never taking her eyes off of Lexa, and Raven nodding off. Raven jerks awake, looking confused, and then pulls Octavia towards the front door, passing by a blank faced Lexa.
Octavia points two fingers towards her eyes, then one towards Lexa as if to say i'm-watching-you, but ends up poking her own eye after a few times. Clarke notices Lexa trying to stifle a laugh while she rolls her eyes at Octavia. "Oh don't mind her," Raven says dragging Octavia behind her, "she's an idiot."
The door closes behind them both and Lexa breaks out in laughter, making Clarke smile. "I love your friends." Lexa says with a chuckle as she sits down at the bar, and shakes her head with a smile. Clarke walks over to the pantry, and examines its contents. "So I completely forgot we didn't have any food, so we'll have to make do with cereal."
Lexa picks up Clarke's dishes and places them inside the dishwasher before closing it. "So you're going to school for art after this summer is up?" "Yeah. It'll be far away from home so I'm not sure how my mom is going to take it." Lexa nods her understanding. "Speaking of which, I need to give my aunt something." Clarke heads into the living room, Lexa trailing behind, and picks up a box of miscellaneous items, bring it into the foyer.
"My mom texted me this morning about it, but I'm really not looking forward to the long walk, especially after this morning." Clarke says as she starts to reach down to put her shoes on, Lexa doing so as well.
"I got it, Clarke." Clarke looks up and stares at Lexa as she slides her shoes on. "Thats nice Lex, but—" "No buts. You offered breakfast, now I will return the favor." Lexa picks up the box from the ground, tucking it under one arm and opening the front door with the other.
"You don't even know where she lives. Plus her place is hard to find." Lexa turns her head slightly, confusion lacing her features as she takes a step outside. "I live with Anya. I thought you knew." Red tinting her cheeks as she shrugs her shoulders. Clarke's eyes open wide as she watches Lexa go down the steps, possibilities of what that statement could mean filling her mind.
Lexa turns around at the bottom of the stairs, staring at Clarke, "See you tomorrow, Clarke." She says with a smile.
At that she turns around and heads off down the road, box tucked under her arm, leaving a gaping Clarke to her own. "They're not…" Clarke says to herself as confusion muddles her brain. "They can't be… Can they?"
Clarke stares at a disappearing figure, her heart dropping slightly with disappointment.