One step forward, a trillion steps back.
Clarke thought that after their brief "friendly" encounter at the cafe that maybe Lexa was starting to come around. But the girl has gone straight back to completely avoiding her at school and only talks to her at the center when she has to. Overall, she seems more distant too (if that was even possible). The only positive was that when she did actually speak to her, her voice wasn't as harsh as before. Sure, it still had a hint of annoyance, but Clarke could deal with that.
What Clarke couldn't deal with was the sinking feeling in her stomach that something more was up with the green eyed girl. Ever since she dropped her off at home she couldn't help but realize that she never sees Lexa wear short sleeves; even when it's 90 degrees outside. She's not sure how, but somehow, some way, she's going to find out what's going on.
Both Clarke and Lexa were exiting the center together that night. Lexa locked the doors and with brief "See ya" towards Clarke's direction, begin walking towards the bus stop. Once she was halfway across the parking lot, she could hear someone running up behind her and yelling her name.
"Lexa, wait." Clarke said finally catching up to her. "Yes, Clarke?" Lexa said as she turned around. Clarke ignored the girl's flat tone. "I'm heading to the hospital right now to see Charlotte and I was wondering if you'd like to join me… She's, uh, been asking about you." Lexa looked shocked. "You've been visiting Charlotte?"
It wasn't meant to sound offensive, but the utter shock in the her voice hurt Clarke. "She really doesn't think highly of me." She thought.
"I've been there everyday." Clarke answered simply.
Lexa just nodded. She looked at her watch and then to the bus stop like she was trying to make a decision. A few moments later she looked at Clarke and nodded again.
"Ok. Let's go."
Only the sound of a bad (but admittedly catchy) pop song fills the car. Clarke kept stealing glances at the brunette next to her and Lexa kept her eyes looking out of the passenger window. She could feel the blonde's eyes on her but refused to look over. She couldn't. Her thoughts were too busy trying to make sense of the girl. Had she misjudged her?
"Aren't you hot?" The blonde asks suddenly causing Lexa's head to turn.
"I'm sorry?"
"Aren't you hot in those long sleeves? I feel like I'm melting and I have a tank top on."
Lexa instantly looks down at her arms and begins mindlessly playing with the bottom of sleeves trying to push them further down. "Oh, um. No, I'm not." She pauses. "I um… I have poor circulation so I'm kind of always cold."
Clarke narrows her eyes at the girl. The light sweat she sees on the girl's forehead tells another story but Clarke doesn't push the issue. The don't say anything else on the way to the hospital.
"Lexa!" Charlotte yelled excitedly, sitting up a bit on her bed, once she saw the girl enter room behind Clarke. Lexa smiled brightly and made her way over to the girl giving her a light hug.
"Hey Charlotte. I sure have missed you, kiddo. How's it going?" She asks as she sits on the bed. The young girl shrugs. "I'm ok. I sleep a lot, it's really boring."
"Sleep is good. Resting helps your body." Clarke states simply.
Charlotte rolls her eyes playfully, "I knoooooow, Clarke." To which Clarke merely responds by sticking her tongue out at the girl. Lexa can't help but giggle at the interaction. These two have obviously been spending a lot of time together. She almost feels bad for intruding on their visit.
Lexa looks over at the small table by the bed and see a pile of papers and crayons. "Looks like you're keeping up on your art." Charlotte nods happily. "Clarke comes everyday and we draw and color. It's my favorite part of the day! Wanna see my drawings?" Lexa grabs the papers and hands them to the girl. "I was hoping you'd show me!"
Clarke sits in the chair on the other side of the bed and watches as Charlotte excitedly tells Lexa about each and every drawing. Lexa of course, gives the girl her full attention, complimenting and asking questions about every piece. Watching Lexa interact with children is one of Clarke's favorite things. It's the only time Clarke sees the brunette let her guard down and make herself completely available to someone. Her eyes are always soft and her voice is almost melodic. And her smile. God, her smile. It's so genuine and completely lights up the room.
"Charlotte, these are all incredible. You've improved so much!" Lexa gushes.
Charlotte's smile is bright. "You haven't even seen the best one Lexa."
Charlotte places her last drawing into Lexa's hands. "Wonder Woman!" Charlotte yells. Lexa's mouth drops and her eyes immediately look up to find Clarke. "She kept her promise," Lexa thinks and smiles at the blonde. Clarke returned the smile instantly. "I love it, Charlotte. It's perfect." Lexa hands the drawing back to the excited girl.
As soon as Charlotte places her drawing down she begins coughing uncontrollably. Lexa stands quickly, fear in her eyes as Clarke moves over to the young girl and rubs circles on her back. "You're okay, sweetie." Clarke soothes. After a few moments, the coughing slows, and Charlotte removes her hands from her mouth. Clarke wipes the small tears from the girl's face "You're ok." She repeats staring in the young girl's eyes.
"Clarke." Lexa whispers. Clarke turns to face the brunette and sees her eyes fixed on the girl's hands. Clarke follows her eyes and sees the blood. She immediately grabs a paper towel and hits the call button on the bed, beckoning a nurse.
Moments later, Clarke and Lexa are standing outside the room looking through the window as the doctors assist Charlotte. Clarke looks over at Lexa and sees the worry on her face. She has to fight the urge not to place a comforting hand on the girl's shoulder.
"She's stable." The doctor says as he exits the room. "We gave her something to sleep so she can rest now. You two can come back tomorrow ok." Clarke nods. "Ok, thanks Dr. Jackson." He nods and walks away.
Clarke and Lexa walk back into the room to gather their things. After she swings her backpack on, Lexa runs her hand down Charlotte's sleeping face. She looks over and notices Clarke writing a note. Clarke notices Lexa's questioning eyes. "When she falls asleep before we can say goodbye, I write her a note. Just so she has something to wake up to and knows I'll see her tomorrow." She explains before placing the note on the bedside table. Clarke leans down and lightly kisses the top of her head. "See you tomorrow, sweet girl."
Clarke and Lexa soon find themselves back in the car. She surprised when it's Lexa who breaks the silence.
"She's not getting any better is she?" Lexa asks quietly. Her eyes once again, staring out the window.
Clarke sighs sadly. "No."
Lexa nods slightly and let's out a deep breath. She begins to nervously pull at her sleeves again before speaking. "You surprise me." Her voice is quiet and timid. Clarke turns briefly to look at her. "What do mean?" She asks. Lexa turns to look at the driver. "With Charlotte. You surprise me. She seems to really like you and she's never had many people to count on."
Clarke nods and pulls up in front of Lexa's house, putting the car in park. "I told you she has me now. I care about her, Lexa. I'm not going to let her down." Clarke can see in Lexa's eyes that the girl believes her.
"Yeah, well thanks. Thanks for being there for her and for not breaking your promise. Visiting her, spending time with her… that's not part of your community service obligations. You don't have to do it. But you do anyway…" Lexa locks eyes with blue ones. "I'm just… I'm surprised by you, Clarke."
"You're only surprised because you don't know me" she says softly not breaking eye contact before she continues, "You've chosen not to get to know me."
Lexa nods. "Maybe I should change that."
Clarke smiles. "Maybe you should."