Is There Somewhere?

Part 21

Bloodsport - Raleigh Ritchie

Lexa headed straight back to the apartment after leaving the office. She opened the door and initially, the sound of heavy bass scared her. She still wasn't used to having a kid living with her.

Indra had agreed to Lexa fostering Aden and had fast-tracked her through the process. It was basically like having a little brother, even though the closest thing she had ever had to a sibling was Anya. They were still in the preliminary stages of living in the same space. Lexa helped Aden with his homework, drove him to school, fed him, made sure he was in bed at a decent hour and basically parented him. Only when he allowed it though. They bickered a lot.

"Aden!" She shouted, slamming the door behind her. She was already stressed and walking into the living room only heightened her blood pressure. Bags of food and cans of soda were strewn across the coffee table, the TV was displaying the opening screen to some PS4 game and the blonde boy was laying on the couch. Bass vibrated through the walls as he listened to whatever rap was playing that Lexa didn't recognize.

The boy ignored her, too wrapped up in his music.

She threw a can at him instead. He jumped up, eyes wide and fearful like a surprised deer. He snatched the remote and turned off the music with cat-like reflexes. "Hey, Lex."

"Don't hey, Lex, me kiddo. Clean this shit up. You've lived here for like a week, dude."

"Okay," he jumped up, snatching up the empty cans and food wrappers quickly. He looked scared, as if he feared she would kick him out.

"Aden, relax." Lexa sighed and helped him out with the cans in his arms. "I'm not mad at you. Just, be more organized. This place isn't meant to be a mess."

"I know, I'm sorry."

"Okay then," Lexa smiled and patted his shoulder. "I have to get changed, I have a thing I have to go to. It's urgent."

"Okay, does that mean I'm home alone?"

"If you want me to, I can drop you at the home. You can hang out with Zoran or something. Take him to the basketball court."

"Uh, not today. He's got therapy for his hand. I've also got a squad thing on Fortnight."

"A what?" Lexa stared at him as if he'd grown a second head.

"Nothing, don't worry about it. Just, go out, do what you've gotta do. I'll be here and the apartment will be clean. Won't even know I live here."

"I want you to feel like this is a home, Aden. You don't have to make it sparse, just keep it clean." Lexa pulled the kid in for a hug and ruffled his hair. "But I do need you to clean this shit up, please."

She pushed him towards the living room and headed into her room. She had to go see Clarke. She had to explain the article before Clarke found out about it. Once she entered her closet, the nerves got the better of her. What the hell was she going to wear?

Thirty minutes later and a pile of clothes on her bed, she finally felt ready. Her hair was loose, and she was dressed in a professional blue blazer with a simple white t-shirt underneath and black jeans with a belt. It didn't look as extra as wearing a button down or a three-piece suit so she was going to stick with it.

She grabbed her wallet and keys from the entryway table and shouted at Aden, "I'll be back, don't die!"

"No promises!" He shouted from his room just as the door clicked close.