"Octavia?" Clarke called out as they entered the warehouse. Clarke was definitely not the happiest with the fact that Octavia wanted her to come down to the warehouse – it had cut her Lexa time short. Of course, she was grateful for any time to have with Lexa.
She was mostly relieved that she'd finally talked to Lexa about her feelings regarding relationships. Unsure of why she'd been so scared, she felt absolutely relieved now. "I'm in here!" Octavia called, but Clarke and Lexa had both already entered her room by that point. "Lincoln's on his way here."
"You look like you're about to have a psychotic break," Lexa stated, and Octavia flashed her a glare.
"Okay, I'm really nervous. This place was trashed when I got here, because apparently Jasper and Monty brought Harper and Murphy over last night, and they used my room as their own private drinking space," Octavia growled, crossing her arms. "Plus, I've only been officially out with Lincolnonce, and now he's coming here and it's just... this place is personal, you know?"
"If it makes you feel better, Lexa saw this place before she even knew my name," Clarke offered, raising an eyebrow.
Octavia huffed. "That doesn't help. I just really don't want it to be awkward when he gets here."
"I'm getting the feeling that it'll be more awkward with us here, O."
Lexa chuckled. "Yeah, and I've known Lincoln practically since I was born. He wouldn't let it get awkward, though, he's way too smooth and like...nice."
"Yeah well, I'm awkward," Octavia insisted.
Clarke glanced around the room, noticing for the first time that aside from the desk and the small desk chair that had been in the room, there was a small love seat couch against the wall along with a rocking chair. "Uh, when did that get there?"
"Bellamy thinks that he's all responsible and shit, so he went out and bought some new furniture for his place. This is his old stuff," Octavia answered, shaking her head as if saying that the topic was irrelevant.
"Hello?" a voice suddenly called from the main entrance, and Octavia jumped at the sudden noise.
"Hey, Lincoln, in here!" she called back shakily, and Clarke caught Lexa trying not to laugh as Lincoln walked in.
"Wow, this place is... interesting. Oh, hi Lexa. Hi Clarke," Lincoln said, noticing them. "Didn't know you guys were going to be here."
"Oh, we're not," Clarke said quickly, grabbing Lexa's hand as the brunette bit back a grin. "We were just on our way to my art studio. See ya."
"Clarke!" Octavia hissed, but the blonde was already pulling Lexa out of the room and toward the back of the warehouse.
Lexa laughed when they reached Clarke's room, and asked, "You weren't even gonna stay over there for more than thirty seconds? You made me get out of your bed for that?"
"No, of course not. It was for the Netflix password, remember?" Clarke reminded her, smiling cheekily. "But I needed to come here at some point today anyway. Gotta pack up another painting that someone ordered."
Lexa grinned. "Is that the third one?"
"Fourth actually," Clarke admitted, blushing a little as she began to move to the back of the room, while she saw Lexa out of the corner of her eye sitting on her table top. "I sold another earlier this week, and sent it out on Wednesday. If I can get this one out before seven or so, it can ship tonight and the person will get it on Monday or Tuesday."
"Where are you shipping it to?"
"Minnesota," Clarke answered.
"So it's not just me that thinks that you're art is awesome, huh?" Lexa asked pointedly, and Clarke rolled her eyes, unable to fight her smile.
"Guess not."
"Hey, what day is your graduation ceremony?"
Clarke glanced over at the brunette, smiling sweetly at her. "Why? You wanna come and help celebrate my half-assed college experience?"
"An associate's degree is still a degree. Looks better than having to put some college on those stupid forms that people are always filling out," Lexa reasoned. Clarke shrugged.
"I guess that's true. It's November nineteenth. I can't fucking wait. I'm so done with going to classes," Clarke breathed out, shaking her head. "I won't have any school next year, and most of my friends will be finishing still."
"I'll be starting."
"Yep, everyone will be in school but me."
Lexa laughed, and Clarke felt a smile tugging at her lips again. "I'm just excited for an upgrade from high school."
"I guess it is better than high school," Clarke agreed, finally finding the painting she'd been looking for, as well as the box and wrapping material she needed to package it up. "At least you'll already know people, both in your year and senior year."
Lexa hummed thoughtfully. "True. Are all your friends going to be in their last year next year?"
"Well," Clarke started, moving over to the table and setting down her packaging supplies next to her girlfriend, "everyone but Bellamy. This year is his last, he's actually a year older than most of us, because the rest of us are Octavia's age. And actually, it might not end up being their last year. I think Octavia was considering going for a masters – she's doing journalism or something. I don't know about everyone else for sure."
"I think I'd be fine with just a bachelor's."
"But don't you not know what you wanna do yet? How can you decide what level degree you'll get if you don't even know what degree you'll be getting?"
Lexa rolled her eyes. "Okay, true. I just mean, if I don't have to, I probably won't go past my bachelor's."
"Well, I don't blame you. School takes a lot of time." Clarke finished wrapping her canvas carefully, and slid it into one of the sort of flat boxes that she'd purchased for her first shipment. Then she grabbed some packing tape, sealed it all up, and looked to Lexa. "Well, that's all I had to do. Wanna take it to the post office with me and then come back to mine? You wanted to get back in my bed, didn't you?"
Lexa batted her eyelashes at the blonde. "Of course."
"Thanks for making us wait to show up, Lex," Luna muttered sarcastically as she and Anya bust into Lexa's bedroom, "I really need help with math."
"Why couldn't Anya just help you?" Lexa asked, rolling her eyes as she leaned against her wall, seated patiently on her bed.
"You're better at calculus than I am," Anya claimed. "Anyway, you did agree to help."
Lexa gave her friends an apologetic smile. "Sorry, I was at Clarke's last night, and this morning."
"Please tell me that you two aren't just having a ton of sex to make up for lost time," Luna pleaded, dropping her backpack in the middle of Lexa's floor and sprawling across it as Anya took the desk chair.
"We don't get to see each other like at all during the week, so you can't really blame us for wanting to have some fun on the weekends. Plus, it's not like we just had sex yesterday," Lexa demanded, scoffing.
Anya raised her eyebrows. "Did you tell her about college and your mom?"
"Wait, what do you mean college and your mom?" Luna demanded, crossing her arms. "Are you two keeping secrets from me now, what the fuck? I tell you guys everything!"
"We both got our Polis acceptance letters," Lexa explained quickly, "me and Anya. And I told my mom that I'm gay, and about Clarke after I told her about college."
Luna's eyes widened. "Okay, wow. Congrats by the way. How did your mom take it?"
"She was really supportive actually," Lexa admitted, "though a little skeptical about Clarke. I hope that once she meets her, she'll realize that she's awesome. But that might not be for a couple of weeks, because I don't know that I'm ready for Clarke to meet her, and I don't think Clarke is either."
"Wait, so you didn't talk to her, or you did?"
Lexa nodded. "Oh no, I did. We... talked it out. It's complicated, but everything's fine now." Luna gave the brunette an incredulous look.
"That's all we get?"
"Luna, my relationship with Clarke isn't all public knowledge. I'm not going to recount our whole conversation to you. Clarke had some concerns about relationships, and they were settled," Lexa summed up as she narrowed her eyes at her friend.
Luna nodded slowly, and then opened her mouth again. "And then you had sex?"
"I don't wanna hear about that," Anya interrupted quickly, shaking her head. "I'm glad that it worked out well. So. Math?"
Lexa chuckled at her best friend, and slid off of her bed and down onto the floor next to Luna to help with calculus.
It was about an hour later, when they were finishing up, that there was a knock on the door. "Lexa?" It was her mom.
"Yeah, come in," Lexa called back, and her mom appeared as the door opened.
"Oh, hello Luna, and Anya," the woman said, seeming slightly disappointed all of the sudden. "I saw a car out front that I didn't recognize..."
"Mine," Luna offered, giving the older woman a smile.
Lexa laughed lightly. "Were you expecting Clarke?"
Her mother coughed awkwardly, shaking her head even though Lexa saw right through the lie. "Speaking of her, though, have you found out when I can meet her?"
"She's actually pretty busy for the next few weeks... you know, work and college and whatnot. But I'll let you know as soon as she's available," Lexa answered quickly, giving her mom the best genuine smile she could muster.
Lexa's mom nodded dismissively, looking back to Luna and then Anya. "How have you girls been?"
"Pretty good, Ms. Woods," Anya answered, and Luna nodded along.
"Have you two met Lexa's girlfriend then?"
Lexa glanced away, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. Of course her mother had come in here just to pry. On one hand, it was frustrating, but on the other, at least she cared enough to inquire. "Um, yeah."
Luna nodded, picking up after Anya and continuing, "Clarke's really cool. She's probably the most responsible of the college kids that we hang out with."
"Oh, you hang out with a lot of college kids?"
Lexa let out a long breath, running her hand up through her hair and willing Luna to stop talking, but her friend continued anyway, "Well, we've been to a few college parties."
"Alright, Luna, you can stop now," Lexa bit out quickly, Luna giving her a surprised look.
"Is there drinking at these parties?" Her mom's arms were now crossed, and her eyes were trained on Lexa. "Because Lexa told me that she hasn't been drinking."
"Oh come on, mom," Lexa started, "you know that I go to the lake a lot. Just because people drink there doesn't mean that I drink."
"Yeah, seriously, Lexa's super good about not drinking," Luna continued, obviously trying to right her mistake. "I mean, sure I drink sometimes, but Lexa's a good girl."
Lexa nearly face palmed herself, but managed to resist for long enough to quickly say, "Yeah well, we really have to help Luna finish her calculus homework, mom, so we'll talk later?"
Her mom gave her a pointed look, and then nodded, leaving the room and closing the door. "Oh my god, I'm so sorry," Luna apologized quickly. "I really didn't mean for that to happen."
Anya was laughing already, and Lexa gave Luna a forgiving smile. "It's fine, Luna. I just... I told her that just because I'm dating someone who can legally drink, I'm not."
"You were drinking before you got with Clarke."
"Yes, Luna, but my mother doesn't need to know that."
Luna nodded. "Yeah, okay, you're right."
"That was hilarious," Anya said, grinning as she finally recovered from her laughing. "No wonder your mom hates Luna."
"What? She hates me?"
Lexa glared at Anya, and then looked softly back at her other friend. "I mean, she's not your biggest fan. She thinks that you're irresponsible. Granted, the one time that she met you was when you dropped me off during the summer and backed into our trashcan when you were driving away, because you were tipsy. She doesn't know that you'd been drinking, and I'm sure she'd like you a lot less if she did."
"If it helps," Luna defended, crossing her arms over her chest, "I've vowed to stop driving while intoxicated from now on. I just need to make another friend who can be my sober driver."
"Do you really make friends to fill certain roles in your life?"
"Of course not," Luna denied. "I'm just saying. Lexa has her permanent sober driver, because Clarke hardly ever drinks."
"She drinks. She just doesn't get drunk. Anyway, her sober driver is Bellamy, and he rarely drinks, so by extension I guess he's my sober driver as well."
Anya shrugged. "Honestly, let's just all use Bellamy. He seems cool."
"Deal," Luna agreed, grinning widely even as Lexa let out a groan, "now how about you guys help me finish this last part of my homework, and then we go out to the lake or something?"
From Lexa – You don't have to if you're not ready, of course, but it's been a week since I told my mom about you, and she's super antsy to meet you.
Clarke stared down at the text message. She couldn't lie and say that she was entirely ready, but she also wasn't completely opposed to the idea. The last thing she wanted was for Lexa's mom to think that she didn't want to meet her, or that she had anything to hide. And the fact was, if Lexa's mom ended up liking her, she'd probably be set. It wasn't like her parents were going to support her at all regarding her relationship, so Lexa's mom might as well, right?
To Lexa – Sure, let's do it. We're going to that bonfire tonight with everyone, though, right? So how about next weekend? I know that's another whole week away, but you said you wanted to laze tomorrow and I'm busy all week.
From Lexa – Of course, next Saturday?
To Lexa – Works. X
From Lexa – Awesome, I let her know, she's pleased now. I'm sure she'll love you. What's there not to like anyway?
To Lexa – I started college late, then decided to only get a half degree. I used to drink and sleep around instead of school or work. My entire college is paid for by my mother because that's the only support she gives me. I work at a coffee shop and sell artwork on the side.
From Lexa – Um, so? Stop being so down on yourself, I think you're amazing. :c
To Lexa – Aw, thanks babe ;)
From Lexa – Don't fish for compliments :(
To Lexa – Who did any fishing? Not I!
From Lexa – Yeah, yeah, whatever. My mom said that you can either come over to eat, or we can go eat out somewhere. (PLEASE TELL ME THAT YOU'RE OK WITH THE SECOND OPTION BC MY MOTHER'S COOKING IS ONLY SUB PAR AND SHE JUST SAID SHE WANTS TO TRY TO MAKE SOMETHING FANCY)
Clarke smiled at her phone. Her mother was a horrendous cook, and her dad was only decent at it, so she was used to not having homemade meals. Especially since she couldn't cook either.
To Lexa – Eating out sounds nice. ;)
From Lexa – Good to know – and I don't appreciate your sexual innuendos.
To Lexa – Yes you do ;)
From Lexa – My mother is seated right across the table from me. Excuse me if I'd rather not turn bright red while texting you. Anyway, she said that's fine and we can go to that one Italian place near campus.
To Lexa – Works for me. So if you don't wanna turn bright red while texting me from all the way over there, why don't you come here? ;)
From Lexa – Aren't you supposed to be painting right now?
To Lexa – I was, and then you texted, beautiful. X
From Lexa – Go back to painting :P
To Lexa – Nu, you should come to the warehouse and keep me company :( OH and bring me coffee.
From Lexa – You only like me for the coffee.
From Lexa – I'll be there in 15. X
Clarke grinned, setting her phone down and making her way back to her easel. Just as she was about to pick up where she left off, a voice surprised her. "Why'd you stop blaring music? It was entertaining."
Clarke turned around again, seeing Finn standing in her doorway. "Oh, I didn't realize it stopped. I took a break to text Lexa. Apparently I'm going to meet her mother next Saturday."
Finn raised an eyebrow as the blonde moved back over to her computer. "Are you ready for that?"
"Ready as ever, I guess. I just really want Lexa's mom to be supportive of the two of us, and it's hard for her to do that if she hasn't even met me. I mean, my parents are completely not in the picture – they don't even know that I've ever dated a girl or would be interested in doing so. I'd like Lexa to at least have a healthy relationship with the one parents that she has around," Clarke explained. "And I'm sure it'll be fine."
"Of course, just don't mention your bad mistakes phase with all the drinking and sex and stuff."
"Oh yeah, you mean the time that I got stupid enough to sleep with you?"
Finn smirked. "Ha ha."
"You brought it up, not me," Clarke said with a grin. She restarted her play list, and then looked back to Finn. "Yeah so, I guess I'm kind of nervous for it, but I'm happy about it at the same time."
"Well, I hope that goes well for you both. I'm really happy that things are working out so well between you. I've never really seen you as happy as you've been lately," Finn admitted, smiling. "Sorry I almost fucked that up when it was starting."
"Don't worry about it. You were just trying to protect me," Clarke reasoned, "and by the way, contrary to what I've said in the past, if you actually met a girl that you really liked and were trying to be with... I would want you to be able to have a chance with her and be happy. When you're done fucking girls over, of course."
"Hey, I'm not nearly as bad of a fuck boy as I used to be. And I actually went on a legitimate date with a girl yesterday, didn't you hear?"
Clarke raised both of her eyebrows.
"Okay, well... I mean, we did go on a date, and then we went and had sex. But she's nice, and I wouldn't want to just throw her aside or anything," Finn said, grinning widely.
"Some things never change," Clarke teased with a shake of her head. "Well, like I said, I want you to end up happy too, Finn. Just thought I should make that clear. I'm not always very nice to you."
"You really aren't usually very nice to anyone, so I'm starting to like you a lot more than Pre-Lexa Clarke." Finn smiled softly at her. "Anyway, thanks for the music, I better get back to the shelf I'm making. See you later."
"Yeah, don't be surprised if the music goes off in a little while, though. Lexa's coming over."
Finn laughed, nodding. "Alright, princess."