Chapter Text
Clarke Griffin finally reached the legal drinking age. She turned 21 today. Not that she would be drinking for the first time; actually, Clarke was pretty well versed in the world of booze.
Her friends Raven and Octavia promised to take her out during the weekend to celebrate and be wild, as Octavia had said.
“Clarke, the time has come to unleash that party animal.” Octavia said through Skype.
“Yeah, we should do a bar tour and then go to a club or something.” Raven suggested.
“Guys, don’t worry we can go and hang out with Monty and Jasper and have a good time.” Clarke propped on her elbow while she lay in her bed, her laptop in front of her and the two familiar faces on the screen. It was early morning and she had classes but first she had to Skype with her friends.
“The boys? Clarke, this is a girl’s night out my friend. And hell no, we’re going to go crazy.” Raven smiled mischievously.
Octavia grinned and added “Aaaand we’re going to get you laid.”
Raven burst in laughter.
“What the hell O? Let’s take it one step at a time, okay?” Clarke flushed. Her cheeks pink in embarrassment.
“Alright ladies, then it’s all set. This Saturday night we’re going out and DC better be ready for us.” Raven winked at her friends and disconnected.
“I’ll pick you up at 10 pm. Be ready.” Octavia waved goodbye and disconnected as well.
Clarke sighed. She shut down her laptop and rolled off the bed.
She went to the restroom and checked her reflection. Blue eyes stared back at her; disheveled blonde hair cascaded over her shoulders, porcelain skin with pink cheeks and a dimple chin. Clarke looked tired after spending last night finishing an essay that she had to deliver today.
The blonde had to admit that her love life was stuck at the moment. After she broke up with Finn six months ago, she simply stopped being interested in a relationship. It was too troublesome, no one got her, it was hard to find someone who could really make a connection with her, a deep connection. Finn acted like a complete asshole, he was taking time off from another relationship, using Clarke as a distraction. Finn had said that he was done for good with the other girl, that he loved her. Clarke couldn’t believe the scumbag so things ended right away. Not that it had been easy.
Clarke found solace in her paintings. During her free time she drew and used whatever object caught her attention. Clarke loved drawing and the art couldn’t betray her. She could give herself to art and be happy, however she missed the contact of skin against skin, someone to hold her hand. She was being ridiculous but that’s how she felt.
She took a quick shower and got ready to go to classes. When she got downstairs her mother was waiting for her.
“Happy birthday honey.” Abby stood up from the table and gave her daughter a hug.
“Hey mom thanks.” Clarke returned the embrace.
“I hope you like this.”
Abby gave her a small box wrapped in colorful paper. Clarke took the box and opened the gift.
“Oh mom, this is beautiful.” Clarke took out from the box a silver necklace with tiny stars. “Thanks.” She hugged her mom and put it around her neck right away.
“Glad you liked it. You’re going to eat? Shall I tell Jackson to serve you breakfast?” Her mother sat back again at the wooden table to continue eating.
“Ah.” Clarke checked her watch. “No need, I’ll be late if I don’t go out now. Talk to you later.”
Clarke went to the garage and got inside her car. She turned on the engine and went to class.
Clarke was going to be late, the traffic had to be insane precisely today. Clarke drove as fast as she could, evading traffic and getting to college in the least amount of time possible. She parked and took out her backpack from the passenger’s seat and strapped it on. She activated the alarm and ran.
Professor Jaha was very strict and if she didn’t deliver this report on time that fucker was going to deduct 20% of her grade. She was going as swiftly as humanly possible, Clarke just had to pass the next corner and go up the set of stairs at the end of the hall to reach her classroom.
Right when she turned, however, she crashed into someone.
“Fuck!”
“Shit!”
Clarke fell on the concrete along another person. Papers scattered on the floor.
“Goddamit! Can you pay attention where you walk!?”
Clarke started to pick up her things and help the other girl. “I’m sorry, okay. I’m in a bit of a hurry and I didn’t expect to crash into you or anyone.” Clarke offered her hand to help the other girl who was pushing several papers inside her backpack, a brunette with the most beautiful green eyes she had ever seen.
The brunette didn’t take her hand; she stood up on her own. “But of course you didn’t, you rich people think you own the place!” The brunette then looked at the blonde, her eyes flickered with recognition. And Clarke knew she had seen this girl as well.
“Wait, I’ve seen you before. Um, you’re in, um, anatomy?” Clarke gave other papers she picked up from the floor to the girl in front of her.
The brunette chuckled, “what would you know. You’re in your own little world.” The tone was bitter.
“Hey, I said I’m so—“
“Save it.” The brunette stormed away.
“Geez, if looks could kill.” Clarke turned around and kept running. It was clear that she was going to be very late to class.
Clarke was done for the day and met Raven and Octavia for lunch at the college cafeteria.
“Ugh, Jasper wouldn’t shut up in class, I swear to God I’d rather listen all day to Professor Wick than Jasper.” Raven took a fry from Clarke’s plate.
Clarke laughed, “Raven, we know you would be paying more attention to the prof.”
Octavia joined in the laughter. “Totally. And what on earth happened to you?” Octavia looked at Clarke’s dirty clothes.
“I crashed into someone, it was an accident. No big deal.” Clarke took a sip of her Coke. It was no big deal, but for some reason she felt bad. Who was that girl? Clarke knew she had seen her somewhere. Clarke thought deeper, trying to remember, when it hit her.
“Fuck!” Clarke facepalmed.
“What?” Raven asked.
“Remembered something.”
Psychology, she had shared classes with that girl during a whole semester and she didn’t even know what was her name.
“I see, and here I thought it was because you remembered getting it on.” Raven joked. Octavia high-fived Raven.
“Here we go again. You need to stop that. Not interested in anyone. Jesus, maybe its you two who needs the action.” Clarke bit her burger and ignored her friends.
“Boo, you party pooper. Why you’re in such a bad mood, princess?” Raven arched her brow and stole the French fries from Clarke.
“I’m not. I mean, I delivered my damn essay late. That’s all. It’s no one’s fault. Sorry for barking at you.” Clarke sighed; she couldn’t stop thinking about the words of that other student. The brunette with the jade eyes whose name she didn’t know. “Are we that shallow? Do we really ignore the people around us?”
Octavia frowned and looked at Raven. “What? Um, did you hit your head or something Clarke? What kind of question is that?”
Clarke pushed her hair away from her face and slumped on her chair. “It’s nothing. Forget it.”
“Cheer up, tomorrow night you’ll have the party of your life.”
____________________
Clarke looked how the top fit her body; she looked at her rear to check that the jeans she was wearing fit great. She checked her make-up and gave finishing touches to her eyeliner and lipstick.
At 10 pm sharp she heard the horn of Octavia’s car. She took her purse and keys and headed outside.
The trio drove to a nightclub in downtown. The music was loud and the bass pumped through the speakers. The girls took a table near the bar and they ordered.
“Come on you two, drink like there’s no tomorrow, I’m your awesome designated driver so you better drink for me Clarke.” Octavia took a sip of her water.
Raven giggled. “Yes O, you hang in there. Next time it’s Clarke’s turn.”
Clarke smiled. “We’re going to have fun!”
The three girls hit the dance floor, moving their bodies following the beat, hips up and down, left and right, laughter and excitement filling their night. They danced and moved around each other, the rhythm contagious and their smiles so big. They danced and danced back and forth, from hip-hop to pop, with partners and with each other until they couldn’t anymore.
The trio sat back on their table and drank to refresh their heated bodies. Clarke wiped drops of perspiration from her forehead and took a sip of her beer.
“Uff, my legs are killing me.”
Raven got close to hear Clarke over the music “What?”
“I said that my legs are killing me!” Clarke repeated.
“Oh right, same and sorry you had to dance with that dude.”
Octavia laughed, “Poor Clarke, he stepped on your toes.”
“No shit.” Clarke quirked her eyebrow and took a swig of her beverage.
Octavia bought another water bottle and put it over her forehead to refresh herself. “It’s pretty hot in here. I don’t know if it’s the A/C but I am asphyxiating.”
“Yeah, I agree.” Raven gulped down the rest of her beer.
“Alright, we’ve been here for how long?” Raven tried to see her watch but it was dark and the club lights didn’t help.
“A couple of hours. We should go somewhere else to chill.” Octavia suggested.
Raven and Clarke agreed, they paid their tab and headed out of the club and back into the car.
Octavia drove around DC checking for other places to go with her friends and celebrate with Clarke.
“Maybe if we go to that other club two blocks down this road we can spend the rest of our trip there.” Octavia suggested while she waited for the red light to turn green.
Raven leaned on her seat. “Nah, I really don’t want to see Murphy and his crew of assholes. They are regulars there.”
“What if we go to play pool or something, there is a bar that Monty recommended.” Clarke propped her head in her hand while looking out through the tinted window of Octavia’s car.
The light turned green and Octavia put the car back in march. She turned around in the next intersection and far away she saw in neon the word ‘Mount Weather’.
“Oh my God. I got it.” Octavia pushed the gas and parked outside.
Raven scratched her head in confusion.
Clarke frowned and faced Octavia. “Um, what are we doing here?”
“You have to trust me, princess.” Octavia got out and gave her key to the valet parking.
“Woah, this is a strip club.” Raven looked the neon sign and then at her friend.
“I know.” Octavia winked, “this is as wild as it gets, come on!”
The three girls got inside and immediately the darkness of the place engulfed them. There was a bar and several tables that surrounded the stage. On top there were two girls dancing to the rhythm of r&b songs. Octavia walked to the host, and with a smile asked for the VIP lounge. Of course with several 20 dollar bills in her hand.
“Yes of course, follow me.” The host curved her lips in that fake smile that one gives to annoying customers, particularly three girls in their early 20’s.
They reached a smaller room with a leather sofa and the host left them there, the VIP lounge was a bit higher where they could watch the show without visual problems and enjoy the privacy the booth offered them.
Raven ordered cocktails and sat beside Clarke, “Alright then, let’s get this show on the road.” And Raven laughed at her own comment.
The stage got dark and suddenly a taller woman appeared, ‘Booty’ playing on the speakers.
“Daaamn.” Octavia arched her brows.
The woman on the stage was tall and very fit, her blonde hair was long and her cheekbones were carved by Greek gods.
“Let’s give it up for Anya!!!” The host said while the woman danced using the pole like a pro. She was wearing a black leather dress that made her legs look as long as they seemed.
“Okay I gotta go back to the gym.” Raven gulped down her martini.
The men around that table dropped cash as soon as the woman danced in front of them, lots of bills by the amount the woman had already garnered in her belt.
“I guess that’s the popular one in this club.” Raven was impressed.
The girls kept drinking dance after dance. Observing the men below them and laughing at the tight expressions of some of them.
“Dude, that poor geezer is gonna have a heart attack or something.” Raven pointed to a man in a dark suit, white hair who was watching the dancer with excitement.
“I uh, I need to go to the washroom. Be right back.”
“You want us to go with you?” Octavia asked.
“No, I’m good, maybe a bit tipsy, but I can go on my own.” Clarke excused herself and headed for the ladies room. Clarke heard some whistling as soon as the dancer’s bra was dropped. It was clear some of the clients were people with lots of money too.
Clarke moved around until she found the restroom. There she refreshed her face with the cold water of the faucet and reapplied her make-up. She tore a paper towel and dried her face with care. Clarke was going back to her booth when she saw near the bar a familiar face. Yes, it was painted with some weird black paint around the eyes, but Clarke guessed that was part of the club’s vibe. The brunette was wearing a long leather coat, and Clarke wouldn’t dare to imagine what was below. However, Clarke remained staring like an idiot in the middle of the club.
“You want some? You can always pay for some privacy.”
Clarke startled turned around and found another woman staring at her, eyes dark, and brown wavy hair, the nametag said Costia. “What? No no, I um, no thanks.” Clarke quickly went back to her lounge, cheeks red but thankfully the lights of the club hid her embarrassment very well.
Clarke sat again in the leather couch, but she couldn’t stop staring at the girl who was laughing with the muscular dude at the bar. There was something so familiar, that thick mane of brown hair, the braids, the height, the build.
“I guess Clarke saw something she liked.” Raven passed her hand in front of Clarke.
Clarke looked back at her, “what?”
“You have been staring for a while.” Octavia smiled mischievously.
Clarke chuckled, “nah, not at all.” She dismissed her friends’ comments and yet her eyes betrayed her.
In the corner of the bar Clarke saw Costia, if she remembered correctly, said something into the brunette’s ear. The brunette spun around and stared in Clarke’s direction.
“Holy shit.” Clarke whispered.
Big green eyes were staring back, making direct eye contact, the girl didn’t react at all. However, there was a flick of recognition in her eyes. Just like when she bumped her in college. It was really her, the girl she had been sharing classes for so long and had no idea who she was.
“Raven, let’s get Clarke what she really really wants.” Octavia stood up and pulled Raven with her.
“Wait! Where are you two going?” Clarke was in a sudden panic as soon as her friends left.
“Oh shit, this was a bad idea.” Clarke stood up to follow when the door opened again.
Clarke was open-mouthed.
“What is a rich girl like you doing in a place like this?” The girl walked inside the booth and closed the door.
Clarke sat automatically, her brain splitting in two, one part wanted to choke her friends and the other wanted to talk to this girl.
“I uh, came with my friends to celebrate my birthday.” Clarke gulped down. She was nervous but she wasn’t going to show it.
“I see, birthday girl.” Lexa removed her long coat, revealing a black set of lingerie, the bra had a pattern that left little to the imagination and her shorts hugged her ass nicely; her body was so much better than anything Clarke could have imagined. A tattoo covered her right arm and on her back she had another one, much bigger, both with tribal designs. Her steps were slow, taking her time, like a predator before attacking its prey.
“I’m Clarke.”
“I know who you are. I’m Lexa.” Her voice was cocky, confident and eyes never wavering over Clarke. “You’re friends paid for a private dance.”
Clarke arched her eyebrows. “They did?”
Lexa walked closer to Clarke, towering over the girl on the leather couch. “Think you can handle it, rich girl?”
A challenge.
Clarke smirked. “We’ll see about that.”
The music began to play, Clarke recognized it, ‘Dark in My Imagination’ and Lexa started to sway her hips following the beat. Lexa had a tiny ghost of a smile, her movements so slow and sultry, Clarke didn’t know she was holding her breath until she felt like dying.
Clarke breathed in and Lexa went down and pushed her legs apart, her green eyes never leaving Clarke’s blues. Dancing between the space she just made.
Lexa stood up so damn slow between Clarke’s legs, almost touching her with her hip. Lexa’s hands moved over her stomach and legs. Clarke gazed at her cleavage and quickly averted her eyes.
“It’s okay, you can look. Your friends paid for it.” Lexa gave her back to Clarke and went down again between her legs, and up slowly, her hips moving enticingly, rolling them with the music.
Then she turned around stepping one leg on the leather couch, beside Clarke. Moving her chest in front of the blonde, Lexa leaned closer to Clarke, her bodies making the briefest of contact.
“Want this off?” Lexa whispered in Clarke’s ear.
Clarke thought about it one second. It was incredible that she was really considering that Lexa removed her bra.
She shook her head. “Keep it, please.” That sounded more like begging than anything else. Clarke was about to combust.
Lexa pulled apart and gave her the briefest of smiles. She kept moving around Clarke, letting the blonde enjoy the dance and her body. This was something that Lexa was used to, men coming to enjoy the view and she got money for it. But this girl being here changed everything. And so, Lexa took more risks with Clarke, brushing her skin ever so softly with her hips. Invading her personal space as much as possible. She knew who this girl was; they had been classmates for months and since she laid eyes on her, Lexa had been crushing on Clarke like a fool. But Clarke was out of her league, a rich girl like the blonde would never ever dare to look at someone who was a lowlife. Lexa was an idiot for wanting something she couldn’t have. But at least tonight, Clarke Griffin was hers.
Clarke’s hands itched to touch the hot skin of the brunette dancer; the perspiration over her abs was enticing. Lexa moved her hands over her hair, then below, moving them over her breasts and then hips.
Clarke was under a spell; her eyes were glued to the body of the stripper. She had never been so attracted to someone like she was in this moment.
Lexa turned around, eyes over Clarke’s. Lexa straddled Clarke; her hands using the leather couch as support to avoid crushing Clarke under her weight. She moved on top of Clarke’s lap. Her movements were sensuous. Lexa was crossing a line here, but teasing the blonde who drove her insane all semester didn’t seem like a bad deal after all.
Clarke gulped down the lump in her throat; she leaned back on the couch to see better the dancer on top of her. She felt her throat was dry, she was thirsty, oh so thirsty, and Lexa was like water in the middle of the desert. Clarke moved her hands on top of Lexa’s waist; the contact of her sweaty skin sent sparks through her body.
Lexa tutted disapprovingly, “hands off, rich girl.” Lexa removed Clarke’s hands from her body. Not that she minded, but it was strictly forbidden to touch, that’s why Gustus always stood near her, in case some perv tried to do anything else. Nonetheless, tonight Lexa told Gustus to stay away. She could manage this just fine. Or that was what she thought. Lexa’s heart was beating so hard that she was afraid that if the music stopped, Clarke was going to listen to it.
She got closer again, so close this time that Clarke could feel Lexa’s breath over her and it was enticing, like sandalwood and honey. Clarke stared back, her eyes split between eyes and lips.
And time stopped, it was only Clarke and Lexa, her heart did an erratic movement, like it was somersaulting inside her chest.
The music ended and Lexa leaned over Clarke, the blonde closed her eyes not sure why she did that, like a reflex or something, she had no idea what to expect until she felt the warmest of lips.
On her cheek.
“Happy Birthday, Clarke.”
Lexa pulled away, removing herself from Clarke’s lap, she gathered her coat and walked out of the VIP room.
Clarke was left gasping for air, she had no idea what the fuck just happened. She had been in a trance like for 5 minutes, but it felt longer. It was like she had been here forever and she was trapped in those green eyes that looked at her like she was the most valuable thing in the world.
“eehy Clarke how was idt??” Raven came giggling, it was clear she was very drunk by now.
Clarke was speechless, she had no idea how to put into words what she just lived.
“Where’s O?”
“Octavia is fstrliing with teh bartender, Lincoln.” Raven chuckled.
“I see, I guess we better leave. It’s late and I have to study tomorrow.” Clarke stood up from the leather couch and got out into the openness of the club.
There was another girl on stage, swirling on the pole with dexterity. Breasts fully exposed, men staring and drinking, leaving bills over the table.
Clarke searched around, looking for Lexa, but she was nowhere to be seen. Probably in the dressing room, Clarke assumed. She felt a tint of…
“Of what?” Clarke asked herself out loud.
She had no rights to feel bothered by Lexa’s choice of work, but she was. Knowing that Lexa exposed herself to these men made her stomach burn in anger. Clarke kept walking ignoring these feelings and made her way into the bar where she pulled Octavia’s arm.
“Time to go.”
“Hey! What the hell Clarke? I’m talking here, you see?”
Clarke smiled to the tall man with broad shoulders and dark skin, eyes brown and head shaved. “Sorry to interrupt sir, but it’s really late. ”
Clarke pulled again from Octavia’s arm. Octavia sighed in resignation.
“Okay okay, let’s go.” Octavia waved to the bartender, “it was really nice meeting you Lincoln.”
The man smiled back. “Likewise, Octavia.”
The trio left the club and went back to their respective homes.
It was 3 am and Clarke was still awake, she took a cold shower as soon as she got home. She felt hot and bothered, and it was ridiculous, she had a fling or two with girls in the past, being attracted to girls wasn’t a first for Clarke. Boys or girls, who could give a damn, she just cared that there was a connection. But being in that club had caused such a mess in Clarke’s head.
“Lexa.” Clarke said the name, like if saying it out loud would clear out this she was feeling.
Clarke closed her eyes and found herself trapped in the warmth of that body, desperate to touch her and not being able to do so.
Clarke sighed, “shit!” This was going to be a long night. Clarke’s hand moved below the waistband of her panties and found the wetness. “Fuck.” Just thinking about Lexa made her pretty wet, who would have thought she was going to have such a visceral reaction to a lap dance. This was completely fucked up.
But the most difficult part was that Clarke shared a class with Lexa, she knew what Lexa did for a living and she had tasted it. However, the worst part was that she wanted more. And that was scary. She had no idea who was this girl whom she had been in classes with for a whole semester, she realized she existed yesterday and that was like getting punched in the gut. Who was Lexa? Clarke had been inside her bubble for so long that she missed her completely.
Until now.
Lexa could bare her body to those dirty old men, Lexa could flirt with them for all Clarke cared. The blonde knew what she wanted.
Clarke wanted her to bare her soul.