The Walk

 

Lexa took in a deep breath of air through her nose, grasped the strap of her messenger bag to steady it, and took off in a slow jog down the path. She caught up to Clarke in seconds and slowed to match her leisurely pace.

 

“What are you doing?” Clarke laughed as Lexa nearly stumbled with her change in momentum.

 

“Walking you home.”

 

“You don’t have to do that. I live in the opposite direction.”

 

“I want to.”

 

Clarke didn’t argue further. She just nudged Lexa’s shoulder with her own, but Lexa could easily see the soft smile tugging her cheeks upwards. The journey was full of idle chitchat that had Lexa grinning the entire walk to Clarke’s dorm.

 

Before she knew it, they were standing in a harshly lit hallway in front of a solid wooden door. Clarke slid her ID into the lock and held the door ajar with her foot.

 

“Thank you for the tea,” Lexa smiled. “And thank you for keeping me company tonight.”

 

Clarke nodded a simple, “You’re welcome.” Her eyes twinkled even in the brutal overhead light, and Lexa struggled to keep her heart from beating so loudly that Clarke’s roommate could hear it.

 

“Get some sleep, Clarke. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

 

“Goodnight, Lexa.” Clarke still stood there, half inside her dorm room, half in the hallway, her face expectant. Lexa hesitated for a fraction of a second.

 

Her heart was screaming to pull Clarke close and wrap her arms around her in a tender embrace. But her far more rational head argued that she wasn’t sure if she was ready for that physical touch...