Catch Me, I'm Falling

December : Part II

Lexa was never one for settling, and certainly not when it came to gifts. Her attitude was one of absolute superiority, coupled with her lavish lifestyle and infantile need to spend all of her parents' fortune to spite them. She never failed to wow her recipients.

But she managed. She knew how to shop for those dearest to her: Aden, Anya, Lincoln, her Aunt and Uncle. She'd never had to shop much for Costia, and yet Lexa paid dividends doting on her.

Once again, like always, Clarke Griffin had completely changed the game, derailing her entire structured process. Lexa loved structure.

Lexa wasn't entirely sure what they were. She was a dear friend to Lexa, certainly, what with the love she showed for Aden, and the...affection she'd shown Lexa.

Lexa was terrified.

She hadn't the capacity to grasp their relationship. She had somehow become completely enamored with Clarke Griffin. The same Clarke Griffin she'd held in contempt for so long.

Now, she realized, it was not contempt, rather, attraction.

Clarke occupied every single one of her thoughts, in a way Costia never had. Clarke's smile absolutely brightened her day. Clarke's voice set her off like a flame far too near a fuse. And of course, there were the intimate moments. The touches, the glances, the almost kisses, the dreams.

The very rare grazes that left Lexa burning inside, the rare times Clarke pressed soft kisses to Lexa's cheek or temple. The time Clarke's eyes raked her body when she would work out and the time Clarke's soft artist hands dragged against her abs.

She wanted Clarke in every conceivable way.

How was she supposed to convey that with a mere gift?

She'd realized that gift cards were far too impersonal. She wanted to be memorable, selfishly. And then she took into consideration the fact that Clarke was an artist.

Art supplies.

She'd hit every local art or craft store. She was incredibly disappointed. The kits were for mere amateurs, nothing like what she'd expected for someone as talented as Clarke.

And God, Lexa thought she was talented.

She decided, with a huff, that Clarke Griffin deserved the best. Lexa told herself it would be repayment for the time she spent with Aden in the hospital. Clarke had always been selfless, even in taking Aden out for ice cream, as no other tutor did.

She'd search through endless aisles of art supplies: Brushes, sponges, pallets, easels, pencils, markers...She had no clue what she was doing.

And of course, she'd waited until last minute, and was in an absolute rush.

She'd moped all the way home, empty handed. Falling onto her bed with a sigh, she pulled out her phone.

And then it hit her.

She'd heard Clarke mention once or twice that she often glanced at website for supplies but couldn't afford half the things on it.

Lexa hurriedly began her research, pouring hours into tracking down the website, even texting Costia for confirmation.

Once she had it, she realized, with a sinking feeling, that the window for delivery was over.

She was too late.

Biting her lip, she glanced at the customer service number at the bottom of the screen. Was she really going to do this?

Just then, a message from Clarke filled her screen: