CHAPTER 2 - GIVE ME A CHANCE
"So Piper, how's community service going?" Raven said with smirk.
"Ugh, please stop calling me that." Clarke groaned. She is sitting in the cafeteria of Arkadia High with her friends Raven and Octavia. Her friends haven't stopped with the 'Orange Is The New Black' jokes since her sentencing. It's annoying but, since they both warned her Finn wasn't good for her in the first place, she decided to let them have their fun.
"Seriously though, how's it going Clarke? I've heard some of the kids there can be pretty rough" Octavia comments as she takes a bit of her salad.
Unbeknownst to them, a green eyed brunette is sitting directly behind them and can hear every word. She's gripping her fork trying to remain calm. This isn't the first time she's overheard someone make judgements about the AYRC and by default, about her. She was about to turn around and say something when she hears the blonde speak.
"I wouldn't call any of the kids 'rough'... They just have it rough. I feel so bad for them - " she's interrupted by the sound of someone's chair being pushed backwards behind her. When she turns around to look she is shocked to find Lexa standing above her.
"Lexa! I didn't know - " again she's interrupted. This time by a hand in her face.
"Listen princess, us 'kids' may 'have it rough' but we don't need your pity." She says sternly before walking away, leaving a shocked blonde behind.
"I'll see you guys later." Clarke says quickly to her friends before standing and rushing out of the cafeteria, desperately trying to catch up to the brunette. She walks out of the doors and does a quick survey of the hallway. She finally spots her entering the girls bathroom.
When she enters the restroom she finds Lexa washing her hands. "Lexa?" She says cautiously. The brunette looks up and rolls her eyes. Clarke takes a deep breath and continues. "I didn't know you went to school here. Did you just transfer?" Clarke could tell by Lexa's 2nd eye roll that the answer was probably no. Clarke watched as the girl dried her hands and walked to stand right in front of her before speaking.
"We've been going to the same school since 7th grade Clarke. I'm not surprised you've never noticed. We don't exactly run in the same social circles."
Clarke's mouth drops open. 5 years? They've gone to the same school for 5 years. Honestly, she's a bit ashamed of herself. She's always thought she was an inclusive person, but somehow she's been so wrapped up in her friends and activities she's never noticed this beautiful girl before. Well, she's going to make up for it now.
"I'm sorry I've never taken notice... and I'm sorry if what I said at lunch offended you. That wasn't my intention." She said sincerely.
"Whatever princess. Don't be late to Rec Center." Lexa says before walking out of the restroom leaving the blonde standing alone.
Clarke is sitting in the art room surrounded by a dozen 8-10 year olds. Today, she's showing them how to draw their favorite animals. There are elephants, lions, monkeys, even a couple of unicorns. "Ms. Clarke!" One of the children yell. Clarke turns to face the young girl "Yes Amber?" "Look!" The young girl holds up her finished panda bear and Clarke smiles widely. "That's wonderful Amber. Great job! Let's hang it up." She takes the girl's hand and they make there way to makeshift "gallery" Clarke created on her 3rd day. Already, it's full of the children's creations.
As she is hanging the latest drawing, Clarke notices Lexa kneeling in front of a young boy right outside the art room. He's crying and holding onto his elbow. She watches intently as Lexa gently removes his hand and places a band-aid on his injury. Lexa's face is soft and gentle and Clarke is in awe. How is that the same girl who she talked to at school today?
Clarke feels a tug on her shirt and finds another child eagerly holding up their drawing. She smiles before hanging up that one as well.
It's 7:30 and Clarke is sitting in the reception area with Charlotte. The girls social worker called and said she would be late picking her up. Apparently she had another child who needed to removed from their current home and since social services was beyond short-staffed, Charlotte had wait. The young girl doesn't seem to mind though. She's currently talking animatedly to Clarke about a comic book she found in the library.
"...So then, Wonder Woman used her shiny lasso and beat the bad guy!" The girl recalled to Clarke swinging her arm like she's throwing a lasso. "Clarke, when I get to come back to the center will you show me how to draw Wonder Woman?"
"What do you mean 'when you come back'? Won't you be here Monday?" Clarke asked curiously.
The child nods sadly. "No. I need to go get my medicine and they don't let me come back for few weeks after I get it." She pauses then looks back up at Clarke. "But when I get back, will you show me?"
"Absolutely." Clarke replies.
"Promise?" She asks softly.
"I promise."
Before Clarke could ask the girl about her medicine her social worker arrived. She waves goodbye to Charlotte and when she turns around she immediately jumps back, startled.
"Jesus, Lexa! You scared me." Clarke gasped as she put her hand over heart.
"Don't make promises you can't keep." Lexa warned.
"Excuse me?"
"Don't make promises to Charlotte if you don't intend on keeping them. She's been through alot and doesn't deserve to be disappointed." Lexa's voice is soft but stern.
"I have every intention on keeping my promise." Clarke replies seriously. After a brief pause she continues cautiously, "What's going on with her?"
Lexa shakes her said. "It's not my place to say Clarke. Just don't disappoint her."
Clarke nods. "I won't."
Lexa stares straight into her eyes. "I want to believe you."
"Give me a chance. I'll let my actions speak for themselves."
Lexa nods and walks away. Leaving Clarke standing alone… again.