Chapter Text
Outside, a terrible frost had been crackling for a long time. Soft and fluffy flakes of snow fell softly onto the already snow-covered sidewalks. Tall gray clouds hung over Brooklyn, and a light breeze howled in the narrow alleys. The streets were cold and desolate. Only the occasional lonely gawkers appeared at the bus stop across the street and, wrapped in scarves and jacket collars, waited for their bus.
Flicking my blond hair behind the back, I wrapped both palms around the hot cup of tea, without which I would have turned to ice a long time ago. My store was on a corner, which meant that it was blowing in all the winds that would manage to penetrate the glass wall and the unlocked door by oblivious people. Of course, it was cozy and even warm, but the main flow of warm air was directed to the stalls with flowers, so they simply did not freeze. On such frosty days I insanely wished to be in my apartment, with a cup of coffee and my favorite show. But, I can't complain. This store feeds me, and feeds me, let's just say, quite well.
I took a cautious sip of the hot liquid, feeling it flowing warmly through my organs, warming me insides.
The soft light from the flat lamps cast a dim glow on the gray, snow-covered streets, making draw attention to hisself. An inexplicable longing gripped the inhabitants of the small town, making the usually smiling faces sullen and casually wistful, blending people into the usual gray mass of people rushing about their business.
«Christmas will dispel that ennui...» I thought.
Soon people would start decorating their homes, and that always lifts the mood. But it was today that the shroud of gloom enveloped everyone.
I smiled when I saw a girl approaching the bus stop. The brunette girl was smiling, shaking the head in time with the music playing in one earpiece.
«At least one person is happy today.» flashed through my head as my eyes watched in amazement as the girl walked past the bus stop, leisurely heading toward my store.
I frowned, pushing the mug away from me. There was a chime of bells, signifying that the guest had entered my abode.
I looked up, and then froze, my mouth seeming to open. The brunette was truly beautiful. You know the concept of natural beauty? It was about her.
Not a gram of makeup on her pretty face, the natural curve of the eyebrows slightly frowned, the cheeks drenched in a light blush, the sharp cheekbones never strained, and the neat straight nose flushed from the frost outside the window. The cracked, plump and inviting lips are ajar, warming with their hot breath the cold, long and graceful fingers, with short-cut nails, and those big eyes... Lord, for what merit did I behold such beauty? The emerald saucers sparkled with warmth, a flicker of playfulness and mischief. White snowflakes rested on her long eyelashes, not yet able to melt. Her dark hair was pulled up into an unkempt bun, which suited the girl insanely well. I resisted, and lowered my gaze down to her slender body. The rounded shape and sharp collarbones... I tried to pull myself together.
«Are you completely out of your mind....?» I thought, only now noticing the clothes of a beautiful stranger.
A long t-shirt, obviously a few sizes too big, a thin coat on the open, exposing all the winds of the graceful neck, black jeans, torn at the knees and white envelopes, it seems, on the bare feet. Where are her parents looking? Or the boyfriend?...? Or maybe if she's alone, that is. Jesus, stop Griffin.
-"Hey," a soft and gentle voice came to my ears.
- "Are you all right?" The brunette came closer.
«Hell, no. No, I'm not. I'm melting. Is it legal to be so beautiful, so sweet... perfect at all?»
- "Am...Yeah." I smiled idiotically.
- "Did you come in for a warming up?"
A charming smile graced my pretty face.
- "I'd like to buy some flowers."
«Take everything. And me too.»
-"Sure." I smiled at her and walked out from behind the counter.
- "What kind would you like miss?"
- "Oh, please," the green-eyed wonder stepped closer.
- "Don't call me miss. I'm very uncomfortable."
I laughed softly.
- "Whatever you say. So what are you interested in?" I continued with a smile.
- "I like chamomiles." She smiled innocently.
I raised my eyebrows in surprise, beginning to pick a bouquet of chamomiles, continuing to revel in the delicious perfume and the gentle, quiet voice beside me.
- "What?" she asked with a smile.
- "Why were you surprised miss?"
«God, does that girl always smile?»
I shook the head, wrapping the flowers in yellow wrapping.
- "Let's do this." I looked up into the mischievous green eyes.
- "Not miss, but you. I don't really like being called miss, either." I smiled, and the brunette leaned against the counter and nodded, studying my face with a look, continuing to hold a smile.
- "And secondly, girls are usually crazy about roses."
- "I'm not ordinary." she said.
- "Yes, I noticed."
The brunette grinned and I handed her the bouquet.
- "Thank you, how much is it?" she asked as she took it, barely touching my fingers with hers.
I froze, feeling the softness of her skin.
- "Nothing. It's my gift to you."
The green-eyed girl looked at me in confusion.
- "I'm Clarke." I decided to fill the silence in the air and held out my hand.
The brunette stared at it for a long moment.
- "Lexa." The quiet voice was a balm to my ears, and the cold palm accepted mine.
Our gazes collided, and the air felt like it was sparking. I swallowed, stroking the swarthy skin with the thumb of my outstretched hand.
- "You're freezing." I said more quietly.
- "Don't you want to stay for a while? I've got some hot tea and... It's kind of warm..."
«What are you doing?» angered the inner voice.
«You're scaring her.»
I hissed at him, watching the green eyes turn confused.
- "I..." Lexa swallowed and lowered her gaze, looking at her shoes.
- "They're waiting for me."
I nodded disappointedly, reluctantly letting go of my hand.
- "Boyfriend?" I asked. God, what am I saing?
- "Why are you buying flowers for yourself?"
Lexa smiled.
- "Not a boyfriend, Clarke. Abstract."
My heart once again went into a cartwheel at the sound of this angel saying my name.
- "Well..." I smiled at her.
- "Well, have a good session. And lexa..." ...the brunette turned around.
- "Try to dress warmer. It's cold outside."
The green-eyed girl smiled.
- "See you later, Clarke."
The door behind the brunette slammed shut.
«I'll bet a hundred bucks she won't show up here again.»