Corrupted Constructs

Chapter 30

Lexa looks at her in confusion for a while, her plump lips red and swollen from the kiss they'd just shared.

"What? Why would you..."

"Ask that? Because, Alexandria, you just kissed me and I can't be the reason for you two breaking up a second time," Clarke finishes the sentence for her.

Lexa's confused expression turns cold again, and the blonde can't help but feel like she messed up. Again.

"You were never the reason for our breakup. It had been a long time coming. And no, we are not back together. Why would you think that?" she asks icily.

"I wasn't? Then why?"

"Because we were horrible as a couple. We were supposed to be friends and we should have always stayed friends. Now answer my question."

"Because... Hold on, I'll show you."

Clarke pulls out her phone and struggles to find that initial article with the picture of the two women at the benefit gala. When she turns it around to show her former lover, the latter lets out a short, humorless laugh.

"This is a gossip magazine, Clarke. I thought you'd be smarter than that. You should really look into getting your information from more credible sources."

"But the picture..."

"I admit, they did a great job getting that picture taken from a good angle. It does look like I am kissing her neck, but that's not what happened."

"Then what did happen?"

"Nothing did. Not that I owe you an explanation, but we went to the benefit together, it was loud inside so I was leaned over and talking near her ear, so she'd be able to hear me."

"What about her hand?"

"Costia has always been a very... touchy person. She is probably more tactile as a friend than she is as a lover."

Clarke flinches at that last word.

"So, you two are friends again?"

"Yep, working towards it anyway," Lexa responds, popping the p in 'yep'.

"How? Since when?"

"Since I came home from jail and my condo was in absolute shambles after your buddies ransacked it. She came to pick up the pieces."

Clarke can't help but notice the double meaning behind those words.

A stab of guilt and a flash of pain hit her simultaneously.

"Okay. Then I am grateful to her that she's been here for you."

Alexandria gives her an annoyed look before looking at her wristwatch.

"I should go," she says, then she looks at the blonde again, who still hasn't moved away from the wall. "I asked you two questions. You can ask another one if you wish."

Clarke blinks a few times in confusion. Was that really what the other woman was thinking about right now?

"Um..." Clarke hesitates. "Have you been eating the breakfasts Ms. Hartley brings in for you?"

Now it's Lexa's turn to look confused before dryly responding, "Yes, I have."

Clarke nods in acknowledgement and she tries her best to fight the corners of her mouth that are attempting to curl up into a small smile, but Lexa's gaze falls to her lips again and her facial expression turns stoic before her gaze moves back up and she speaks, "Time to go. Goodbye, Clarke," then she walks out the door.

At some point hearing the words 'Goodbye, Clarke' from her favorite person's mouth must become easier, right?

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