Lexa is sitting on her bed waiting for Clarke to come pick her up. Tonight is Mr. and Mrs. Griffin's anniversary party and she was nervous. Not for the party per se, but there was something in air… something in her gut that told her things would change tonight. All she was hoping, was that it was a positive change.

Beep beep

She quickly grabs her phone beside her and all her nerves subsided.

Clarke: Leaving my house now. Be there soon 3

Lexa doesn't reply, she's still a little gun-shy when it comes to texting Clarke if she knows the girl is going to drive. She gets up and walks into her bathroom, double checking her makeup and hair. She runs her hand down the sides of her dress and lets out a deep breath before returning to her bed and sitting gently, careful not to wrinkle her outfit.

She's not sure how long she sat there in silence but she was startled by the sudden knocking on her door.

Knowing her girlfriend was on the other side of the knocking, Lexa rushed across her apartment to open the door. Her mouth instantly drops open at the sight of Clarke.

Lexa's eyes travel up and down the girl's body. The girl is wearing a sparkling, sapphire blue dress. It matches her eyes and hugs her hourglass shape perfectly. Her hair is up with sporadic curl tendrils falling on the side of her face. Her eyes travel down again…

Clarke watched her girlfriend take her in and Clarke couldn't help but do the same. Her girlfriend was in the most beautiful emerald green dress she's ever seen. The color complimented her olive skin and dark hair. God, Lexa is perfect...

"Damn." they both sigh causing each other to laugh.

Lexa can't take it anymore and leans forwards to capture the blonde's lips in her own. "You look gorgeous Clarke."

"You're the most beautiful girl I've ever seen." the blonde responds, her lips finding the brunette's again.

When they arrived to country club and entered the reception hall, Lexa froze in the doorway. The room was decorated elegantly and everyone here looked like they were from a completely different, very rich, world she was not accustomed to. This was definitely the fanciest party Lexa had ever been to and she couldn't help but feel a little awkward. She looked down at her dress and ran her hand through hair, as if checking to make sure she was put together as possible. Clarke had noticed her uneasiness quickly and grasp her hand in support and didn't let go.

"You're perfect Lexa. You are the most beautiful girl here." Clarke spoke in her ear, placing a gentle kiss to her temple. Lexa smiled brightly at the girl, her nerves gone. Clarke returned the smile before leading the girl away towards her parents.

"Ahh, my other two favorite girls. You two look absolutely stunning." Mr. Griffin said as he wrapped his arms around both girls.

"You look very handsome Mr. Griffin."

"Yeah dad, quite dapper. Where's mom?" Clarke asked, giving him a kiss on the cheek.

"I'm right here. Girls, my goodness you're both so gorgeous." Mrs. Griffin answered hugging both of them before joining her husband's side.

"Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Griffin. Thank you for inviting me. This is the fanciest place I've ever seen." Lexa said genuinely.

"Oh honey, we are so happy you're here. Wouldn't be the same without you." Mrs. Griffin says before they interrupted by a man with camera approach them.

"Oh, Clarke has arrived. Good good. Are we ready for the family picture Mr. and Mrs. Griffin." the man said.

"Let's do it!" Mr. Griffin responded

Lexa begin politely moving away from the group when Mr. Griffin grabbed her arm. "Where you going kid? It's family picture time."

"Uh... What?...You want me..." Lexa was at a loss for words.

"Of course. You're part of this family. I want all my girl's with me." He said softly.

"What he said. Get over here honey." Mrs. Griffin added, holding her hand out. Lexa smiled shyly, fighting tears. She felt Clarke kiss her cheek before the blonde went to stand beside her father and Lexa took Mrs. Griffin's outreached hand.

The photographer began snapping photos and after a few moments, Lexa relaxed a bit. Lexa stole a glance at the blonde standing a couple feet away and was surprised to see blue eyes staring back. Lexa's heart never felt more full.

As the night began to wind down, and people began to slowly leave, Lexa took the opportunity to talk to the DJ and request a song. It's a song she had heard randomly on a Pandora station and the moment she heard it, she knew she wanted it to be playing when she shared her first dance with Clarke.

"May I have this dance?" The brunette asked when she reached the blonde, holding out her hand.

"I'd love to." Clarke answered almost instantly. The sounds of a piano filled the room as they reached the dancefloor.

Somethin' in your eyes, makes me wanna lose myself

Makes me wanna lose myself, in your arms

There's somethin' in your voice, makes my heart beat fast

Hope this feeling lasts, the rest of my life

Lexa didn't waste time placing her hands on the blonde's hips as her girlfriend instantly placed her arms her shoulder.

If you knew how lonely my life has been

And how long I've been so alone

And if you knew how I wanted someone to come along

And change my life the way you've done

Lexa smiled down brightly at the girl in her arms and leaned in to place a gentle kiss on her forehead before she wrapped her arms tighter around her, bringing her in closer. She felt whole when the blonde rested her head on her shoulder.

It feels like home to me, it feels like home to me

It feels like I'm all the way back where I come from

It feels like home to me, it feels like home to me

It feels like I'm all the way back where I belong

Clarke listened intently to the lyrics as she felt Lexa holding onto her tightly. She found comfort in the fact that she could feel the others girl's heartbeat as they swayed.

A window breaks, down a long, dark street

And a siren wails in the night

But I'm alright, 'cause I have you here with me

And I can almost see, through the dark there is light

Lexa rested her head on the blonde's. She made a decision right then, that she was going to share something very important with Clarke that night. As the final verse began, the brunette loosened her grip a bit and leaned back so she could look into her favorite pair of blue eyes.

Well, if you knew how much this moment means to me

And how long I've waited for your touch

And if you knew how happy you are making me

I never thought that I'd love anyone so much

Clarke listened to the lyrics and her heart begin to race. Before she could say anything she felt lips on her own.

Clarke loved fireworks, but no other fireworks compared to the ones going off behind her eyelids as she kissed Lexa.

They pulled apart just as the song ended.

"Do want to come to my place? There's something I want to show you." Lexa spoke softly.

Clarke nodded before taking the girl's hand and walking off the dancefloor.

They arrived back at Lexa's apartment after a very quiet ride home. There was something in the air. Anticipation? Fear? Clarke wasn't sure, but she was happy to be out of the car and in her pajamas sitting on her girlfriend's bed.

While she waited for the brunette to come out of the bathroom she picked up the frame on her bedside table. The photo was one of herself and her parents at the pizza parlor the day of Lexa's emancipation hearing. She didn't know the girl had taken the photo but it warmed her heart everytime she saw it.

"Hey."

Clarke's put the photo down and smiled up at the voice. "Hey."

Lexa approached and sat beside her on the bed. Before Clarke could say anything the brunette reached over her to open the bedside table drawer. Clarke watched curiously as Lexa pulled out a folded piece of paper.

"Here." The brunette said, handing the paper to Clarke.

"What's this?"

"It's my essay. I want you to read it." Lexa responded nervously. Clarke placed a gentle kiss on the girl's lips to ease the nerves before she unfolded the paper and began reading.

Who is your hero?

If I were asked this question a year ago, I would've had a completely different answer and this would be an entirely different essay. I most likely would have given a very pessimistic, yet thoroughly supported, viewpoint that heroes are unnecessary and people should be self-sufficient; to some extent, I guess that's still partly true.

However, that pessimistic view was before I met my hero and she saved my life.

Now, my hero doesn't wear a cape or mask. She isn't a celebrity or a politician. She's a 5'4, perky blonde high school senior. I know, not your typical hero right? I'm sure your mind drifted to some blonde pop culture icons, but rest assured, my hero, she doesn't fight crime (though, I feel safest when I'm around her) and she doesn't slay vampires (but I'm sure they wouldn't stand a chance against her).

No, my hero, she's just Clarke. She's loving and caring. Compassionate and fierce. She's an artist and incredibly creative; I'm in awe of the masterpieces she calls "doodles". Most importantly, she never gives up. Not on situations or on people. If she did, she would've given up on me a long time ago.

When her and I first met, I thought she was nothing more but a privileged, spoiled princess. Growing up in the foster care system, I developed a chip on my shoulder and automatically judged kids who had more than I did. I always thought they didn't really appreciate what the were lucky enough to have. It was an unfair judgement but I built my walls to protect myself. If I thought the worst of people, they couldn't disappointment me. If I expected them to always leave, I wouldn't be devastated when they inevitably did.

This method of thinking seemed to work well for me in the past. I tried my best to get this blonde girl to hate me. I couldn't let her get close because one look into her blue eyes I knew she had the power to destroy me and I had to protect myself. I could see she liked me from the beginning, and a part of me thought it was just some sort of rich girl fantasy to get the foster kid to fall for her.

Well, I wasn't going to allow that to happen. So, I was rude and short in our conversations. I rolled my eyes at her suggestions. I rejected her offerings of kindness and friendship. This went on for weeks and any other person would've told me to go to hell and walk away.

But not Clarke. She kept trying. She kept complimenting me and my work. She offered me small smiles and looks of affection when she thought I wasn't looking. She saw the pain in my eyes that no one else bothered to see. Before I knew it, I was telling her secrets. She came to my rescue when she found out I was being abused by my foster mother. She held my hand in the courtroom. She opened her home and shared her parents with me.

And she did all of this without an ounce of pity in her eyes. She did it because she cared, not because she felt bad for me.

Our friendship was solid. We had been through so much in such a short period of time, it was hard not to get close quickly. All of a sudden, she was the most important person in my life. And that terrified me. I still had skeletons in my closet, things I knew I would have to share with her eventually and it scared me that once she knew these things, she'd leave me. That she wouldn't look at me the same. The way she did that made me feel like I could do anything, like I was the most amazing person in the world. But, circumstances arouse and I shared my dark past with her.

She didn't leave.

She called me strong and brave. She reminded me that we all mistakes and that the good and bad parts of our past is what makes us who we are. She said she liked all those things, because she liked me. She looked at me as though I was her hero.

She still looks at me like that.

A hero's job shouldn't be to always come to the rescue, their job is to give you the confidence to rescue yourself. The confidence to believe you can rescue yourself. That's the greatest power they posses. It's what Clarke possesses.

And, I love her. I love her not just because she's my hero or because she saved my life. Even though she is, and she did.

I love her because she thought I was everything when I thought I was nothing.

The tears fell freely onto Clarke's cheeks. She places the essay on the bed beside her and looked over to the beautiful girl with green eyes sitting next her.

"Lex…" she whispered

"I love you Clarke."

The blonde didn't waste anymore time. She leaned over and captured the girl's lips in her own, kissing her like she had never kissed anyone in her entire life. She pulled away moments later when breath became an issue.

"I love you too Lexa."

The brunette smiled before recapturing her girlfriend's lips. The kiss intensified quickly and they soon found themselves falling backwards, down onto the bed. It wasn't long until clothes were lost and hands were roaming bare bodies. It wasn't until Clarke felt Lexa briefly gasp and stiffen, that she pulled away.

"You okay?"

Lexa nodded.

"Are you sure? We don't have to do this." Clarke breathed out, staring into Lexa's eyes as she hovered over the brunette.

"I want to… I'm uh, I'm just nervous." She said, biting her lip.

Clarke leaned down and kissed her softly.

"Don't worry, we got this."

The sun shined brightly through the curtains as Lexa's eyes drifted open. She attempted to stretch her body but found her movement was restricted. Her eyes focused on the blonde girl lying beside, her body intertwined with her own. And just like that, the events of the night before came flooding back to her and the smile formed on her lips before she could stop it.

Lexa never really understood the true concept of "home" or "family" while growing up in the system. But now, as she's watching Clarke Griffin sleep peacefully beside her, she gets it.

This is home.

She is home.

A/N

And that's it everyone! Thank you so much for reading/following/commenting. I will be continuing writing in this verse so there will be 2 more parts of The System.

The System Part 2 - Higher Education will be posted in the middle of May.

If you're not familiar with it, be sure to check out, "Feels Like Home" by Chantal Kreviazuk, the song Clarke and Lexa danced too. It's one of all time faves.