Clarke scrunches her face in mock-disgust. "Eww, no."
Lexa rolls her eyes and giggles. "Clarke, you can't keep saying 'eww'. There are only a certain number of places I can afford and I need find something before the hearing on Wednesday."
"I know that, but I will not allow you to live with the roaches... or with those god awful puke green curtains." She says pointing at the computer screen while pretending to gag.
"Okay, okay. Don't throw up all over your computer, we'll keep looking."
It's early Saturday afternoon and they had been searching for apartments for the past hour. It ended up being a lot harder than Lexa had expected. The couple of apartments she had researched before she got hurt were long gone and now everything seemed to be out of her price range or down right disgusting.
"Any luck?" Mr. Griffin asks as he walks into the living room.
"Not yet. And your daughter isn't helping. Her standards are way too high."
"Hey! That's rude." Clarke states playfully slapping the girl's arm.
Mr. Griffin laughs and shakes his head before he leans over the couch to look at the computer. A few moments later, he points at the bottom of the screen. "What about that one?"
Lexa follow his finger and clicks the link:
Studio Apartment
$400/month
Utilities included
"So far, so good." Lexa says as she opens up the photo slide show. It's small but she doesn't need a lot of room and it looks like there's a bay window. Perfect for her to read ("or for Clarke to sketch", she thinks).
"Perfect" She and Clarke say at the same time.
"And it's in a decent part of town, not too far from your school." Mr. Griffin adds taking his phone out of his pocket quickly dialing a number and walking away.
Lexa and Clarke are going over the pictures again when Mr. Griffin returns. "I called the landlord and it's still available. Wanna go check it out?" Lexa nods excitedly and pulls Clarke off the sofa. Clarke laughs as they head towards the front door.
The three of them enter the small studio apartment and Lexa immediately walks to the center of the room. She does a 360 to take it all in and after a brief moment lets out a breath. She can't explain it, but this place just feels… right. Clarke watched Lexa explore the small space as her father was in the kitchen with the landlord checking the appliances. Lexa's eyes were filled with calm and Clarke could see the moment Lexa considered this place her new "home".
When she sees Lexa sit at bay window, Clarke makes her way to sit beside the girl.
"I think I already know the answer, but I'm going to ask anyway. What do you think?"
"I think it's perfect, Clarke." Lexa replies smiling at the girl. "What do you think?"
"I think it's perfect too, Lex." Clarke can't help but feel a flutter in her stomach when she realizes her opinion matters to the brunette. Their moment is interrupted by the landlord walking towards them.
"So Ms. Woods?"
"I love it, sir."
He claps his hands triumphantly and walks over to the small counter in the kitchen picking up a folder. "Here's the application. I'll need the $50 application fee now so I can hold the place for you while we wait for your hearing. If all goes well there, then we'll get the lease signed. Now, even if you get emancipated, you are still a minor with no credit history so you'll need a cosigner on the application and lease. I'll need first and last month's rent at the time of signing, then the place is yours."
Lexa listens to the man intently, absorbing everything he says and making a checklist in her head. It all sounded good except for one little thing…
"Cosigner?" She asks quietly.
"Yes. Sorry, my hands are tied there."
She nods. "I understand, sir." Lexa can't hide the disappointment in her voice. She was so close, she didn't even think of the possibility of needing a cosigner. She feels Clarke squeeze her hand supportingly when she hears Mr. Griffin speak.
"Lexa, don't worry about that. Abby and I will cosign for you. We figured you may need one and already agreed to do it."
Lexa and Clarke's heads turn quickly to the man. "Really?"
He nods affirmatively. Clarke feels Lexa release her hand and watches the girl rush into her father's arms. "Thank you, thank you!" She hears her say as her father laughs. "You're welcome, kid." He looks over the brunette's shoulder over his daughter. Clarke smiles brightly at her father and mouths a simple "thank you". He winks at her and continues hugging Lexa.
Later that evening the Griffin's and Lexa are sitting around the dinner table. Mr. Griffin, Clarke and Lexa are filling in Mrs. Griffin on the day's events and showing her pictures of the apartment.
"This looks like a wonderful place, honey. I'm sure the judge will agree on Wednesday." She places a hand on the girl's shoulder. "And you're sure you'll be okay financially?"
Lexa nods. "Yes ma'am. I went over my savings and I have 4 months rent covered already. And with summer coming up I'll have more time to work at The Dropship. I'm thinking maybe I'll look into getting 2nd job too but that depends on my summer schedule at the rec. I want to build up more savings before school starts back up and -"
"Whoa, whoa" Clarke interrupts. "Lex, that's a lot. You're going to work yourself to death."
The comment earns agreeing nods from the elder Griffin's. Lexa looks back and forth between the three of them. "I appreciate the concern, but I'll be fine. I want to make it on my own so I have to do what I have to do. I work a lot. It's how I survive."
"Maybe life should be about more than just surviving."
Lexa smiles. "Maybe… Look, I'll be fine Clarke. I promise."
Clarke sits back in her chair and sighs. She doesn't like the idea of Lexa working so much but there's nothing she can do about it at the moment. So she drops the subject.
Lexa is laying in her bed staring at the alarm clock on her bedside table. '11:59', it reads. She watches it turn to '12:00' seconds later. She lets out a deep breath and rolls onto her back. A moment later, there's a light knock on her door and a blonde entering her room. "Hey Lex, you awake?" Clarke whispers.
"Yeah. Everything okay?" Lexa asks now sitting up in the bed. She receives a nod from Clarke and watches as she reaches her hand out to her. "Come with me." Lexa takes the hand without question and follows her out of the bedroom. Clarke leads her down the hall and into her bedroom. They make their way to the double doors leading to Clarke's balcony.
Once outside, Clarke sits on the floor, feet dangling over the edge and motions for Lexa to do the same. Once seated, Lexa looks at the girl curiously. Clarke smiles and turns her back away from her. Lexa can hear her moving things around, "Clarke?"
The blonde turns back around and holds a cupcake with a single candle in front of her and gently says, "Happy Birthday, Lexa."
Lexa's mouth falls open. "Wha - How'd you know?"
"I saw you fill it out on the apartment application earlier. Now, make a wish."
Lexa just stares in awe at the girl in front of her and smiles. This girl continues to surprise her and Lexa hopes it never stops. "Clarke… I don't know what else I could possibly wish for." She looks up at the star-filled sky then back to the blue eyes staring at her. With a deep breath, she closes her eyes and blows out the candle. "Thank you. Usually my birthday comes and goes unnoticed."
Clarke puts the cupcake down and grabs the brunettes hand. She leans over and places a soft kiss on her cheek. "Well, Lexa Woods, you'll never have another birthday go by unnoticed."
Lexa can't contain the smile on her face or ignore the tingling sensation her friend's lips left on her cheek. Without much hesitation, she finds herself leaning over and she kisses the blonde's cheek in return.
Their eyes lock and they share a shy smile. After a moment their eyes drift upwards toward the sky.
"I love the stars." They simultaneously.