Chapter Text
Pulling into the student parking lot of her new school, Lexa took a deep breath and clenched the steering wheel to steady her shaking hands. Her first day of her junior year should not have been spent having an anxiety attack in her Jeep in Florida, but instead, should have been happening over 1,000 miles away, in her small hometown in Missouri. Moving in general sucked, but moving in the middle of high school, was even suckier.
Lexa shook her head, “Stop wallowing in self-pity, Lexa. It’s just high school.” She told herself.
Being sad over the move was weak and selfish, so Lexa had been silent over the whole ordeal. After her father had left their family over the summer, her mother, Indra, had made the executive decision to move down to Florida to be closer to family, and to get away from the small town that brought on too many tough memories.
This decision left Lexa with little choice, she had to stick with her family, and she had to stay strong for her younger sister, Anya, so she went along with it. Leaving behind a great group of friends, Gustus and Harvey, and her wonderful girlfriend, Costia had been hard, but she had maintained her stoic composure until she was left alone. Only then did she let the tears she’d been holding back, spill across her cheeks, and soak her pillow.
She’d only allowed herself to cry once over the whole situation, and that was more than enough. Now, she’d keep her head up, and she’d make the best of the situation she was in.
Finally pulling into a parking spot near the middle of the lot, Lexa threw her Jeep in park, gathered her backpack together, slung it over her shoulder, and hopped out of her blue Wrangler.
Walking towards what she assumed was the front office, Lexa could feel a few gazes on her, obviously being the new girl was going to draw some unwanted attention.
As she was walking in, Lexa managed to glance around the parking lot, trying to gauge what the students were like. Most of the cars in the lot were BMW’s or Mercedes, and the majority of the kids on campus looked to be wearing high end clothes, nothing like what Lexa had shown up in. The brunette glanced down at her outfit, she’d warn her sneakers, khaki shorts, and a T-shirt, with her hair thrown back in the intricate braid that Anya so loved to give her. This sort of outfit was the everyday norm in Missouri, but apparently here that was not the case. Lexa let out a small ironic chuckle, of course she’d be dressed in a T-shirt rather than a dress, like most of the other girls.
Nearing the front doors of the office, Lexa took another small breath and straightened her shoulders, hoping to give off confidence that she was not feeling at this moment.
Walking through the door, the office was busy with people shuffling everywhere and phones ringing. As Lexa marched up to the front desk, a small woman, maybe in her 60’s, glanced up and gave the Lexa a confused look.
“Can I help you?” the woman asked, with what looked to be a small sneer on her face.
Lexa internally rolled her eyes, she had no time for rude people.
“Yes actually. I’m Lexa Woods, I’m a new student. I was told to come to the office to get my schedule.” Lexa replied sternly.
“Hm. Okay, Lexa Woods, you said? Let me find your schedule and call down a student to guide you today so that you can find all of your classes.” The woman responded, seeming to become a little friendlier.
Lexa vehemently shook her head, “No, no. I don’t need help, I can read a map if you have one of the school. No one needs to guide me around.”
The small woman laughed at this and replied, “Stubborn one, aren’t you? Sorry Lexa, but its school policy, you have to have someone help you out the first week of school.”
Lexa sighed and shook her head. She didn’t need pity or help getting around. She was more than capable of taking care of herself.
“Ah-hah, here we are. Lexa Woods, Junior.” The tiny lady said behind the front desk as she pulled yellow paper out of a file, and handed it over to the teen.
Lexa looked down and examined the schedule in her hand. She had made sure that she was taking all honors or AP courses, the schedule could look intense to some students, but
Lexa was studious, and liked working hard.
The office lady speaking to her was what brought Lexa out of her train of thought, “Alright, let me just call Sharon down in student services to see what student we have available to help you this week. "
As the woman picked up the phone, Lexa glanced around the office again, checking to see if there were any other students in the room. Besides herself, there only seemed to be a couple students in the office, one being a small, nerdy looking guy with pilot goggles on his forehead. He was filing papers in the back of the office. Next to him, sat another boy, playing some sort of video game, his black hair falling in front of his eyes every couple seconds.
Finally, Lexa brought her gaze to a blonde that was putting up some art pieces on the side wall of the room, only 15 feet or so from Lexa. Though Lexa could only see her backside, the girls’ long dirty blonde hair fell just past her shoulders. That wasn’t what caught Lexa’s eye though, instead, it was the blonde’s outfit. Rather than the designer
clothes that most the other kids seemed to be wearing, this girl was wearing a paint splattered T-shirt, khaki shorts, and what looked to be hiking boots.
The blonde was up on her tip-toes, attempting to hang a gorgeous landscape painting on a small tack. Lexa could already see that the painting was going to topple over, and before she could think better of it, Lexa rushed over, and caught the painting right before it hit the ground, as well as the blonde’s arm, hoping to steady her so that she did not
fall as well.
Looking up to make sure the girl was okay, Lexa finally caught sight of the girls face. As if the adorable outfit wasn’t enough, the blonde was gorgeous, and Lexa’s face turned bright red as she realized that she was still holding on to the girls arm.
“Oh my god, shit. I am so sorry. I can be a little clumsy.” The blonde’s eyes wide as she apologized.
Lexa gave the girl a small smile, “No biggie, I could see that it was going to fall, and it would’ve been a shame to see this gorgeous painting and girl fall while I stood by and watched.” The brunette replied.
At the same time, both girls realized Lexa had just called the blonde gorgeous, and their gazes dropped away for a second.
“Well, uh, here’s your painting. Would you like me to hang it up? I’m a bit taller, so it would be a little easier on you.” Lexa offered the girl, trying to recover whatever dignity still remained.
The blonde nodded, “Oh god, would you? That would be great, I always seem to forget a step stool.”
Lexa let out a small laugh, and stretched up just enough to put the painting on the tack. Turning back around, Lexa stuck out her hand to introduce herself.
“I’m Lexa by the way. I just moved here. Today is my first day.” Lexa said, not even attempting to take her eyes off of the blondes’ cute face.
The blonde gave a small bashful smile and put her hand in Lexa’s, “I’m Clarke, nice to meet you Lexa.”
Lexa felt a rush of adrenaline as the blonde shook her hand, and then released it.
“Clarke. Nice to meet you too. I hope to see you around, but I better get to class. If you need anyone to help you hang up a painting again, you know who to call.” Lexa replied, in an almost playful manor.
Lexa heard a small, “See you around” behind her as she began to walk back towards the front desk, where the woman was just hanging up the phone.
“There you are. Alright, Bellamy will be here in just a second. He’ll help you out this week while you get adjusted to the school.” The small woman said to Lexa as she turned
around to file some papers again.
Just then the door burst open, and a tall, freckle faced boy wearing a football jersey walked over to Lexa.
“You must be the new girl. I’m Bellamy, I’m a junior here at East Pond.” The tall boy said as he stuck out his hand.
“Lexa. Nice to meet you, I’m a junior too.” Lexa replied somewhat coldly. She didn’t like the look of this boy. For starters, his long hair fell in front of his eyes, and he looked like a total tool in his football jersey and cargo shorts.
After they shook hands, Bellamy nodded his head to the right, signaling for Lexa to follow him.
They walked out of the office door, and Bellamy turned towards her again.
“Here, let me see your schedule so I can show you to your locker and your first class.” Bellamy said almost impatiently.
Lexa handed over the yellow paper with a small eye roll. This guy obviously thought he was hot shit.
As he looked at the schedule, Bellamy made a small grunt, and then nodded.
“Okay, your locker is right next to your first class, so that works out well. And your first class is AP Language Arts? Damn, you smart?” Bellamy questioned as he read the rest of her schedule.
Lexa let out a small, snarky laugh, “I guess you could say that.” She replied.
Bellamy just nodded and continued walking until he abruptly stopped and motioned to a locker on his right.
Glancing down once more at the paper, he quickly put in the combination and popped open the locker.
Lexa quirked an eyebrow, but only nodded as she pulled a couple books out of her backpack and shoved them in her locker.
As she was closing the door, she heard Bellamy clear his throat.
“You look pretty athletic. You play any sports? We have some good teams here at East Pond.” Bellamy asked, curiosity evident on his face.
Lexa nodded, “Well I did rodeo in Missouri before I moved here, but I also did track and field, and did a little rec football with some of my friends every weekend.” The brunette
replied.
Bellamy’s eyebrows shot up and he gave her a confused expression.
“Football? You’re a girl, how did you play football?” Bellamy questioned, his skepticism clearly showing.
“Yes, I am a girl. Good observation. Anyway, yeah, I play football. In fact, I can probably out throw at least half of the morons on your team. I make a good QB.” Lexa replied, obviously defensive of her skills.
Bellamy laughed loud upon hearing her statement.
“Okay, Woods. You know what? I’ll take you up on that bet. You’re coming with me to football practice after school. We’ll see how well you can actually throw.” Bellamy said with a mischievous grin.
Lexa scrunched up her nose as she thought. While she didn’t really want to be around this Bellamy tool more than she had to, she also had to admit that he was sort of fun.
Realizing that she obviously had no plans after school, considering that she didn’t know anyone, Lexa just sighed and nodded her head.
“You’re on, Bellamy, but you’re going to be embarrassed as hell when I kick your ass.” Lexa finally responded, accepting his challenge.
“We’ll see about that, Woods. It will definitely be interesting. Alright, let’s get your ass to class before you’re late.” Bellamy said, as he laughed and shook his head.
The tall boy turned around and began walking over to lead Lexa to her classroom. Lexa shook her head to herself, but began to follow.
After already meeting a cute girl, and making plans to show up some boys in football, Lexa succumbed to the fact that maybe this move wouldn't actually be too bad.