Catch me, I'm falling. (Lexa/you)

Chapter 17

Lexa's POV.

Lexa was never one for settling, and certainly not when it came to gifts. Her attitude was one of absolute superiority, coupled with her lavish lifestyle and infantile need to spend all of her parents' fortune to spite them. She never failed to wow her recipients.

But she managed. She knew how to shop for those dearest to her: Aden, Anya, Lincoln, her Aunt and Uncle. She'd never had to shop much for Costia, and yet Lexa paid dividends doting on her.

Once again, like always, you had completely changed the game, derailing her entire structured process. Lexa loved structure.

Lexa wasn't entirely sure what they were. You were a dear friend to Lexa, certainly, what with the love you showed for Aden, and the...affection you'd shown Lexa.

Lexa was terrified.

She hadn't the capacity to grasp their relationship. She had somehow become completely enamored with you. The same you she'd held in contempt for so long.

Now, she realized, it was not contempt, rather, attraction.

You occupied every single one of her thoughts, in a way Costia never had. Your smile absolutely brightened her day. Your voice set her off like a flame far too near a fuse. And of course, there were the intimate moments. The touches, the glances, the almost kisses, the dreams.

The very rare grazes that left Lexa burning inside, the rare times you pressed soft kisses to Lexa's cheek or temple. The time your eyes raked her body when she would work out and the time your soft artist hands dragged against her abs.

She wanted you in every conceivable way.

How was she supposed to convey that with a mere gift?

She'd realized that gift cards were far too impersonal. She wanted to be memorable, selfishly. And then she took into consideration the fact that you are an artist.

Art supplies.

She'd hit every local art or craft store. She was incredibly disappointed. The kits were for mere amateurs, nothing like what she'd expected for someone as talented as you.

And God, Lexa thought you were talented.

She decided, with a huff, that you deserved the best. Lexa told herself it would be repayment for the time you spent with Aden in the hospital. You had always been selfless, even in taking Aden out for ice cream, as no other tutor did.

She'd search through endless aisles of art supplies: Brushes, sponges, pallets, easels, pencils, markers...She had no clue what she was doing.

And of course, she'd waited until last minute, and was in an absolute rush.

She'd moped all the way home, empty handed. Falling onto her bed with a sigh, she pulled out her phone.

And then it hit her.

She'd heard you mention once or twice that you often glanced at website for supplies but couldn't afford half the things on it.

Lexa hurriedly began her research, pouring hours into tracking down the website, even texting Costia for confirmation.

Once she had it, she realized, with a sinking feeling, that the window for delivery was over.

She was too late.

Biting her lip, she glanced at the customer service number at the bottom of the screen. Was she really going to do this?

Just then, a message from you filled her screen: