2 - WOODS

The beeping from the alarm clock woke Lexa up. Friday. She took a short shower, then put her clothes on and walk down.

This morning was different. This time her mother was sitting at the table, eating her breakfast. Lexa's healthy meal was waiting for her at the table. Lexa sat down next to Sonja and started eating.

"Good morning, mother," she said as kindly as she could. She had a plan. The past afternoon she was thinking about how her mother could react in every possible way Lexa would tell her big news. She knew that it all depended on it.

"Good morning, daughter," Sonja answered. Her tone was emotionless, as always. Lexa hated it so much. She always had to make herself to don't scream at Sonja for that, to doń't beg her to express any of the human emotion. Lexa couldn't even remember when was the last time she saw anything on her mother's face.

The few minutes passed in complete silence. Lexa was stressed. When she finally was sure of what she is going to tell, Sonja said:

"Principal called, you know?"

Lexa froze. She didn't think about the possibility that Mister Smith would tell Sonja about the exchange before Lexa would try.

Lexa cleared her throat. "Mister Smith?"

"Yes. He told me about the student exchange." Sonja looked at Lexa for the first time this morning.

"Before you say anything..."

"I think it's a great idea'" Sonja surprised Lexa. She wasn't sure how she should react.

"You do?" Lexa burbled finally.

"Yes. School at Polis is much better than here, at TonDC. There was only one issue that bothered me. But Mister Smith assured me that I'll be able to see all of your grades online, so I guess it's not a problem anymore."

And that was the end of their conversation. That was actually the last thing that they said to each other this day. After an exhausting day in school, Lexa came back home, made her homework, studied, and fell asleep with a thought, that it's the last time she is doing it in this house. That tomorrow she will wake up, pack herself up, and in the evening make her way straight to the airport to fly to her new life.

In the next morning, Lexa was harshly wake up by her mother.

"Why are you still asleep? It's already 9 a.m." Sonja was standing at the entrance of Lexa's room. Lexa rolled eyes. Sonja wanted Lexa to always wake up early. Sonja was the early bird in this family, not Lexa.

"It's also Saturday. Chill!" Lexa said half aware of what she said. Still, she didn't have to wait long to find out.

"Don't you dare tell me to chill. You're still not packed."

"Yeah. But departure is at 8 p.m.," Lexa reminded it to Sonja, forcing herself to look at her. Lexa rubbed her eyes a little, she was still not woken well.

"No, it's not. When you slept here departure has changed. Now it's at 3 p.m." Sonja said and walked away from Lexa's room.

"Oh, shit!"

"Do not swear!"

Lexa made it. She did pack herself up. And it was still a lot of time. She took a long, relaxing shower. Then put on her favorite hoodie with a sprocket wheel on the back and comfortable sweats. The way to the airport took them about half an hour. On the airport, Lexa and Sonja did everything they had to, they go everywhere together until Sonja couldn't follow Lexa further.

And even though of all the bad things Sonja was doing to Lexa at these years, how she was treating her, and what she was making Lexa do, Lexa still spread her arms to hug her mom on goodbye. But Sonja didn't allow her to do it. She stopped her daughter. Lexa was confused but also hurt a little bit. A lonely tear ran down her face. Sonja took Lexa's face in her hands and wiped this tear by her thumb.

"Love is weakness," she whispered. Lexa nodded. Her expression became colder.

"Goodbye, mother."

"Goodbye, daughter."

Lexa stepped back, turn around, and across the gate. And when there was no return, Lexa finally felt it. Freedom.

"Babe, I'm not sure if it's a good idea," Lexa said, stopping Costia for a moment. Costia turned around and look at Lexa.

"Don't worry! I'm sure for both of us," Costia answered, smiling widely. Seeing Costia like that comforted Lexa a little. Costia was so excited about an amusement park that arrived at Tondc yesterday. She wanted to go everywhere. They didn't have that kind of entertainment often here, so that's why Costia was so eager.

But right now they were standing under the huge Ferris wheel.

"Alright. Let's go," Lexa said. She knew that she couldn't say no to her. Especially when Costia was so happy about that. She wouldn't handle Costia's disappointment. She was looking like a child with a huge lollipop. Just seeing her like that made Lexa grin.

Costia took Lexa's hand and lead them to the entrance. The queue wasn't long, so soon enough they were higher and higher. Costia was looking everywhere, in every moment finding more interesting things to look at.

The view was beautiful. But Lexa could only stare at the beauty sitting next to her. She wasn't afraid of highness, no, nothing like that. But seeing Costia like that, so happy, made Lexa feel something. Something that she has never felt to anyone. She felt this clear peace. This happiness that was at this moment, that no one could take that away from her.

"I love you," Lexa whispered, catching all of Costia's attention.

Costia wasn't sure how she should react. And as Lexa always could read from her like from an open book, right now she had no idea what was going on inside Costia's head.

There was a moment that her heart stopped beating, scared. More, terrified. But then Costia just smiled. Lexa's stomach did a flip as Costia took Lexa's face in her hand.

"I love you, too," Costia said.

And as their lips met, all world disappeared.

"Miss, are you okay?" some stranger voice woke Lexa up. She lifted herself as much as her seatbelts allow. She looked around and remind herself where she was. Plane. Then she has noticed some old lady sitting next to her. She was holding a newspaper and looking confused at Lexa.

"Oh, yeah. I'm... I'm fine," she assured her, for a moment looking out of the window. All she could see were clouds.

"You were crying."

Then Lexa felt that her face was all wet. She took some tissue from her bag and dry herself. The woman was still looking at her worried.

"I'm fine. It's just... it's nothing."

And after that, the lady finally stopped looking at Lexa. She focused on the newspaper again. Lexa took her earbuds and plug them to her phone. She clicked play and let the music flood her.

After another hour the plane finally started the landing process. When it eventually landed, the crew said a few things and the door opened, Lexa stood up and slowly go out from the machine.

Inside the airport, she grabbed her suitcase and go to the arrival lounge. Mister Smith told her that the family that she will be living with next year will wait for her right there. But she didn't who she should look for. She didn't know how that person looks like. She felt that awful feeling. Fear.

Soon enough when she slowly descended by escalator, she's noticed a board with a big writing "WOODS". A light, barely discernible smile sprung out on her face. As she reached the floor, she went to the middle-aged woman, with long dark-blonde hair, dark brown eyes, and a grin on her face.

"Hi," the woman spoke up first, stretching out her hand. Lexa shook her a little. "I'm Abigail Griffin, but you can call me Abby."

"Hi. I'm Lexa Woods. But you already know that, don't you?" Lexa answered, pointing at the board. Abby laughed a little, then nodded with a smirk. She is nice, Lexa thought looking at her new housemate.

"So, let me take your suitcase, and let's go," Abby said, taking Lexa's baggage from her. Lexa had a huge problem with pushing it on the floor, and Abby grabbed it like it weighed nothing. She is strong, Lexa thought, looking at Abby surprised. Abby noticed that.

"What is it?"

"I just... I barely can push that," Lexa smirked at her.

In the next minute, they went to the car, put Lexa's suitcase inside of it, and drive away from the airport.

"So, Lexa. Tell me something about you."