Chapter Text
The basketball court was Lexa’s sanctuary, it’s where she could lose herself and completely let go. No matter what else was going on in her life, she knew that she’d always have basketball. Over the summer break between Junior and Senior year of High School she had been invited to a summer training camp with Seattle Storm, and she had loved every second of it. It just cemented what she already knew she wanted to do with her life, she wanted to play ball.
The first game of the season was always a big one, and the whole school had turned out to see them play. Granted, the whole school usually turned out to see them play, but Lexa always loved the first game of the season.
As Lexa was subbed out in the third minute of the first quarter, she sat back on the team bench next to Anya. The two had played ball together since they were kids, and were best friends to boot.
“Who’s the girl with Raven?” Lexa asked as the two continued to watch the play on the court.
“Huh?” Anya asked, glancing at Lexa before looking back at the game.
“You know, Raven, your girlfriend Raven…” Lexa said, a smirk tugging at her lips as she saw Anya’s skin deepen colour, knowing it wasn’t just from playing ball.
“She’s not my girlfriend.” Anya replied.
“Oh, sorry, Raven, the girl you’ve been fuck buddies with since the beginning of summer break Raven,” Lexa said, “is that better?”
“It’s more accurate.” Anya replied, causing Lexa to laugh and shake her head, “and the girls name is Clarke, she’s new.”
“She in our year?” Lexa asked, her brow furrowed as she glanced back to where Raven was sitting with Clarke, wondering how she hadn’t noticed the blonde girl before, Lexa always noticed beautiful girls, and Clarke certainly was that.
“Yep,” Anya said with a nod, “she’s taking most of the AP classes with Raven.”
“Why have I not seen her around anywhere?” Lexa asked, looking at Anya.
“You mean other than the fact that you share literally no classes?” Anya asked, laughing a little as she shook her head, “do you even know where the library is?”
“Bitch.” Lexa said, pushing Anya playfully.
“Okay, Woods,” Coach Titus said, looking at Lexa, “you’re up.”
Lexa stood back up ready to go back on, but before she did she looked back up at where Raven was sitting, her eyes locking with Clarke’s for a second. She shook her head slightly as Raven whispered something in Clarke’s ear, causing her to laugh a little, a slight blush colouring her cheeks.
“Head in the game, Lexa…” Lexa muttered to herself as the ball went dead and she got back on the court.
x-x-x-x
Lexa loved it when Anya’s parents were away for the weekend, especially if they are also celebrating another win, which they were. As the music filled the house, Lexa looked around to see who was there. She wasn’t surprised to see that the majority of their school year was there, Anya’s parties were always open invite unless stated, so anyone could turn up. Different groups always separated off at different times of the night, you’d have those who didn’t drink usually sitting around in the dining room talking, those who did drink playing drinking games, dancing or generally making idiots of themselves, and a small section of people who would turn Anya’s back yard into weed central. Anya didn’t mind, as long as they cleaned up after themselves and didn’t smoke in the house.
“You won!” Costia said, as she and a few of her friends walked over to where Lexa was standing in the living room.
“You sound surprised.” Lexa replied, taking the bottle of beer she was offered with a small smile, her eyes then going back to scanning the room.
“Not surprised, but it was the first game of the year.” Costia said.
“Season,” Lexa replied, “it’s a season, not a year.”
“That’s what I meant.” Costia said with a small laugh.
Costia and Lexa had dated for a while back during sophomore year, it hadn’t lasted long, but it had shaped the way that Lexa chose to now live her life. She had given everything in the relationship, only to find out that Costia was seeing someone else as well, which she apparently thought was fine as they hadn’t said the relationship was exclusive. Lexa just assumed, as Costia referred to her as her ‘girlfriend’ that they were exclusive, which was not a mistake she made again.
With the end of the relationship, Lexa’s feelings had obviously been hurt, but what had been hurt more was Costia’s social standing at the school, which the other girl hated. Now she would always flutter around Lexa at parties, flirting any chance that she got. Lexa would sometimes entertain her, but she never allowed feelings to come into it anymore.
Some would now call Lexa a player, but Lexa liked to think she was keeping her options open. Every girl she slept with knew the score, she made sure of that before anything happened, and most of the time everyone was cool with it. It had obviously got her a reputation at school, and rightly enough, but it wasn’t really seen as a bad thing. It just meant that everyone would know what they were getting, Lexa was, after all, an open book in that sense.
“So, what do you say?” Costia asked, her fingers trailing up Lexa’s arm.
It suddenly dawned on Lexa that she hadn’t heard a word that Costia had said to her, she’d been totally lost in her own little world as she’d scanned the room.
“Sorry, what?” Lexa asked in reply, looking at the other girl.
“I said do you want to hang out this weekend?” Costia asked, “just the two of us.”
“Can’t,” Lexa said, shaking her head, “got plans.”
“Anything good?” Costia asked, trying to hide the hurt that flashed in her eyes.
“Nothing that you’d enjoy.” Lexa replied, spotting Anya walking into the kitchen, “excuse me.”
As Lexa walked away she could hear Costia playing off Lexa’s brush off to her friends, she’d made it clear to Costia that she’d had her chance and blew it, Lexa wasn’t able to trust her with anything more serious that a one-night thing anymore, and even then, Lexa was always gone before Costia woke up. They were still friends, well almost friends, that was as much as Lexa could offer her.
“Please don’t tell me you’re hooking up with Costia again.” Anya said as Lexa walked into the kitchen.
“Nope,” Lexa replied, shaking her head as she jumped up onto the island in the kitchen, “I mean, she’s interested, but I’m not.”
“She’s always interested.” Anya said with a laugh.
“She’s more interested in getting her social standing back,” Lexa said with a laugh of her own, “she was never interested in me as a person, not really.”
“I think she was at first,” Anya said, glancing at her friend as she grabbed another bottle of beer, “but then it became about the chase rather than the end result. Once she had you, once you were together, she was looking elsewhere. Now, she knows she screwed up a good thing.”
“Her loss.” Lexa said, flashing Anya a grin, “so… is Raven here?”
“Why’d you ask?” Anya asked, walking over to the island before joining Lexa sitting on it, “don’t tell me you’re going to hit on her too?”
“Nah,” Lexa said, shaking her head, “don’t worry, I’m not interested in your girlfriend.”
“She isn’t my…” Anya started to say, her words stopping as Lexa burst out laughing, “you’re a bitch, you know that?”
Lexa simply nodded in reply, glancing at the kitchen door as Raven and Clarke walked in.
“Talk of the devil.” Lexa said, flashing Anya another grin.
“You were talking about me?” Raven asked, looking between the two before walking to the fridge and taking out two beers, handing one to Clarke.
“Anya was just telling me about the summer break.” Lexa said, a smirk tugging at her lips as Raven started to turn an interesting shade of pink.
“I was telling her no such thing.” Anya said, shaking her head.
“I don’t think we’ve been introduced.” Lexa said, jumping down from the island and walking over to where Clarke was still standing with Raven, an amused look on her face, “I’m Lexa.”
“Clarke.” Clarke replied, shaking the hand that Lexa had offered, “you’re the basketball player, right?”
“I am,” Lexa said with a nod, “did you enjoy the game?”
“I did,” Clarke said with a nod, “it was the first game I’d actually been to watch though, but I did enjoy it.”
“Clarke studies too hard.” Raven said.
“All study and no play…” Lexa said, a cheeky little smile on her lips as she looked at Clarke.
“Don’t even think about it, stud,” Raven said, shaking her head as she grabbed hold of Clarke’s arm, leading her towards the door, “Anya, hose her down or something.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Lexa said, flashing Clarke a little grin as she turned back around and looked at her, “see you later, Clarke.”
Anya rolled her eyes as she got off the island before slapping Lexa across the back of the head.
“Ow,” Lexa said, rubbing the back of her head, “what was that for?”
“You know Raven’s friends are off limits for your games.” Anya said.
“Who said I was playing games,” Lexa asked, “maybe I just want to be her friend.”
“Are you capable of being friends with a hot girl?” Anya asked, amusement clear in her voice.
“I guess we’ll find out.” Lexa replied with a shrug, “though who said she just wants to be my friend…”
“You are so sure of yourself.” Anya said with a laugh.
“My track record says I’m allowed to be sure of myself.” Lexa said with a laugh of her own as she picked up her bottle and followed a laughing Anya from the kitchen.
x-x-x-x
Lexa had seen Clarke walk out into the back yard, it took her less than a second to make up her mind about whether or not to follow her.
“So,” Lexa said, walking over to Clarke who was sitting on the large wooden bench that was up against the back of Anya’s house, “you enjoying the party?”
“It’s a little loud.” Clarke replied with a small smile.
“This is nothing,” Lexa said with a laugh, “it can be worse than this sometimes. Do you mind if I sit?”
“Not at all,” Clarke said with a little shake of her head, “is Anya not going to get into trouble with her parents?”
“Nope,” Lexa said as she sat down, leaving an acceptable amount of space between herself and Clarke, “they know what she gets up to at the weekends when they’re not here. As long as nothing gets broken, everything gets cleaned up and the cops don’t get called, they’re fine with it.”
“Wow,” Clarke said with a laugh, “I think my mom would throw a fit if I had a party while she was out of town.”
“Anya used to think the same thing,” Lexa said with a laugh of her own, “till one weekend her parents came home early and caught half of our school year passed out in the living room. If people are here having fun, they’re not out getting drunk somewhere and thinking it’s a great idea to cause trouble.”
“Makes sense I guess.” Clarke said with a small nod.
“Anya mentioned that you’re taking a lot of AP classes with Raven.” Lexa said, glancing at the blonde.
“I need to get into a good college,” Clarke said with a nod, “my mom has a good job and everything, but I want to get into a really good college on my merit rather than her money. Does that make sense?”
“It does.” Lexa said, resting her head back against the wall of the house, “is it just you and your mom?”
“Yeah,” Clarke said, “just the two of us… What about you, do you have plans to go to college?”
“Yep,” Lexa said with a nod, turning her head so she could look at Clarke, “basketball scholarship.”
“You want to turn pro?” Clarke asked.
“That’s the dream,” Lexa replied, “don’t get me wrong, I’m not an idiot, I could probably get into college on my grades if I concentrated more in class. But I’m good at basketball.”
“I agree,” Clarke said, “I mean, I know nothing about basketball at all apart from the fact that you have to get the ball through the hoop, but from what I could see tonight, you’re pretty good.”
Lexa couldn’t stop the laugh that escaped her, causing a smile to dance across Clarke’s lips. The sound of Lexa’s laughter caused butterflies in her stomach.
“There you are.” Raven said, walking over to where the two were sitting.
“Don’t worry, Raven,” Lexa said, a smirk playing her lips as she rested her head back again and closed her eyes, “I’m behaving myself.”
“I’ll believe that when I see it.” Raven said with the huff of a laugh, “you’re always planning something.”
“Scouts honour,” Lexa said, sitting up a little straighter, “Clarke was just telling me how she knows absolutely nothing about basketball, but thinks I’m pretty good.”
The sound of Clarke laughing next to her, made Lexa smile a little, which in turn caused Raven to roll her eyes.
“Anyway,” Raven said, “Clarke, I was just wondering if you’d be okay crashing here tonight. I know we’re supposed to be going back to mine but…”
“But she and Anya haven’t spent the night together for like 3 days,” Lexa said, interrupting, “and that’s a record for them.”
“Anya is just making up the other spare room, so you wouldn’t have to crash with the drunkards in the living room,” Raven said, “that’s if you want to stay, it’s totally cool if you…”
“That’s fine, Raven, I really don’t mind,” Clarke said, glancing at Lexa a little, “I’m having fun…”
“You mean the spare room I usually sleep in?” Lexa asked, suddenly registering what Raven had said.
“You can crash on the sofa or something.” Raven said with a shrug.
“Or we could share the spare room.” Clarke said, blushing slightly as Lexa looked at her.
“I’ll take the sofa,” Lexa replied with a soft smile, “don’t worry about it.”
x-x-x-x
“Can I talk to you…” Raven said, walking over to where Lexa was currently chatting with one of the cheerleaders.
“I’m a little busy, Rae.” Lexa replied with a smirk.
“It’s important.” Raven said, grabbing Lexa’s arm, “she’s coming with me.”
The cheerleader simply shrugged as Raven pulled Lexa away.
“What’s up?” Lexa asked after Raven had dragged her into the kitchen.
“You and Clarke…” Raven said.
“I was just talking to her,” Lexa said with a laugh, “just because I talk to a girl does not mean I want to get them into bed.”
“So, you wouldn’t be interested?” Raven asked.
“Well, I didn’t say that,” Lexa replied, “but I know what you think of me Reyes.”
“Don’t say it like that,” Raven said, shaking her head, “I just know that you tend to leave a trail of broken hearts behind you, unintentionally.”
“Don’t worry Raven,” Lexa said with a sigh, shaking her head, “Clarke’s off limits, I get it.”
“Lexa, wait,” Raven said, grabbing Lexa’s arm and stopping her before she could walk out of the room, “the thing with Clarke is… she’s a little more… innocent than the girls you usually hit on. She’s had one boyfriend in her whole life. Just… be careful with her.”
Lexa understood Raven’s meaning completely, and nodded her head a little.
“You know I respect you, Lex,” Raven said, “and the choices you make. You never lead anyone on and you’re completely open about what you’re willing to offer someone. Plus, you’re Anya’s best friend, and I can’t really talk about hooking up with people without labelling anything can I.”
Lexa let out a laugh.
“Once you and Anya get your heads out of your asses, you’ll feel so much better.” Lexa said, shaking her head.
x-x-x-x
Everyone had decided to go home rather than crash at Anya’s, which left Anya, Raven, Clarke and Lexa. The latter on the sofa in the living room.
“Lexa…” Clarke said, causing the brunette to stir a little, “Lexa, are you awake?”
“What’s up, Clarke?” Lexa asked, rolling onto her back and stretching out.
“Can I…” Clarke started to say, “can I stay down here with you, they could wake up the dead with how loud they’re being.”
Lexa laughed and moved to the back of the sofa, lifting up the duvet.
“Climb in.” she said with a small smile.
“Thanks.” Clarke said, knowing that if she didn’t still have the alcohol in her body from earlier she wouldn’t have dared go downstairs, she would have just suffered in silence.
“I’ll warn you now,” Lexa said as Clarke laid down next to her, “I sometimes cuddle in my sleep.”
“Same.” Clarke replied with a small laugh.
“Good to know.” Lexa said, turning over so she was facing away from Clarke, “sweet dreams, Clarke.”
x-x-x-x
“We have a problem,” Raven said as she waited for Anya to walk down the stairs.
“What kind of problem?” Anya asked with a groan, her head pounding a little from the night before.
Raven didn’t say anything, she just took Anya’s hand and lead her through to the living room, stopping in view of the sofa.
“Oh…” Anya said, a small smile playing on her lips at the sight in front of her.
Clarke and Lexa were both asleep on the sofa, Clarke being the little spoon, Lexa’s arm around her, and their fingers linked over Clarke’s stomach.
“They look peaceful.” Anya said with a shrug, wincing a little as Raven slapped her arm, “ow, what?”
Raven just shook her head as she sighed and walked into the kitchen, obviously expecting Anya to follow her.
“I thought you talked to her about Clarke.” Anya said, still rubbing her arm where Raven had slapped her, “and she did take the sofa rather than take up Clarke’s offer of sharing the spare room.”
“Then why did they both end up on the sofa?” Raven asked.
“If you two weren’t banging loud enough for the entire street to hear, then she wouldn’t be.” Lexa said, walking into the kitchen.
“Oh…” Raven said, turning a distinct shade of red.