"She totally likes you." I snorted.

"I think that robot arm knocked out your brain, Reyes." I grumbled, slamming my locker. My best friend rolled her eyes and shoved my arm. The halls were empty, but we had lunch, so there was no rush to be somewhere.

"Yeah, well, I think looking through a camera all the time has made you blind to what's right in front of you, Y/N. She's always looking at you when she scores. That's what O says." The previously mentioned camera hung around my neck.
"And guess who's always at least half of the pictures?" Raven taunted, swiping it from me. I dropped my bag in surprise.

"Raven!" She scrolled through the digital pictures with glee, pointing out each one that featured a certain green eyed soccer player. Raven paused at a particularly dramatic one. Brown curls swooshed from the long ponytail and green eyes pierced through the lens. My breath hitched.

"Ooh, she totally caught you looking in this one!" I clawed for my camera frantically.
"Stop it!" My cheeks flamed. Raven smirked and handed me back my camera. I settled it once again around my neck protectively. We started walking towards lunch.

"You know, if the yearbook gets another close up of Lexa Woods instead of the entire team, you know Maya will have your ass, you stalker." I sighed. Pain in the neck she was, Raven was right.

"But I know they do want her picture for the Captain's page. You just need to stop by after school today. Before they practice, and ask for a team photo." Raven said helpfully.
"Or ask her now at lunch. I think it's better to let her know now."

We strode into the packed lunchroom.

"Can we please not talk about my massive crush on the soccer captain, please?" I hissed. Raven's eyes glittered.

"But I like tormenting you! Plus, O will be there. Tell her I love her. And if she wins tomorrow's game, she'll get a special present." I rolled my eyes while Raven wagged her brows suggestively and grabbed a tray after chucking my bag at a booth against the wall.

"Ew, TMI, you freak. I refuse to be the messenger between Octavia and you. Talk to your girlfriend yourself, you chicken." She grinned at me and grabbed a milk as we slid our trays.

"My name's Raven, not chicken. But thanks for trying. I'm attempting to get you around Lexa more. No more watching from the bleachers. She's got more than enough action shots. I'll let Octavia know I'm torturing her with your presence for a good cause." Octavia had been Lexa's second in command since freshman year.
Lexa herself was so legendary among our rival schools that whispers of 'Commander' and 'Heda' always washed through the stands during our games.
Octavia on the other hand had her own nicknames. She was aggressive and nearly as ruthless as Lexa on the field.

We sat down at our booth and I played with my camera strap nervously. After stealing my chips, Raven nudged me towards the table where all the soccer players sat.

"Grow a pair and go get the girl. She doesn't bite. Well, maybe she does-" I rolled my eyes and left before Raven said something I definitely didn't want to hear. I scanned the tables, acting like I didn't already know where Lexa sat with her teammates.

The table was right next to the window. They were clustered, talking and laughing loudly.
Octavia was gesturing largely to emphasize a point to an amused Roan. Niylah and Anya were jabbering and pointing to some homework papers. Harper and Monroe were flicking a ball of paper back and forth. And Lexa, oh god. Her perch on the tabletop was statuesque. None of them had changed for practice yet, so they were all in their nice school clothes. My eyes darted to Lexa's black leggings and cute jacket. It clung to her and showed off her curves. I swallowed hard.
Her elbow as resting on her knees and she was gazing longingly out the window. Sunshine framed her form and brought out the light blonde strands glimmering in her auburn curls. I'd love to capture that photo. My hands itched to lift my camera and steal a snapshot, but I had to grit my teeth and fight back the urge. I had left my camera in the questionable care of Raven anyway. Hopefully she wasn't going through the photos on it. Again.

Suddenly, as if sensing my gaze, Lexa turned to look at me. I swallowed hard and my steps nearly faltered. I was only halfway to her table.

Lexa straightened up and held my eyes in hers. I couldn't look away. Butterflies flapped frantically in my stomach. My feet moved mechanically, all my attention was focused on her.
Those green stars trailed slowly over my body. Heat followed the path of her eyes. At least I was wearing a pretty black dress today. It had long sleeves and flared at the waist. Lexa seemed to like it. I swallowed hard once more and steeled myself as I stopped in front of her table.

"Um, hi." I squeaked. Everyone at the table stopped talking to stare at me. Octavia smirked and gave me the thumbs up from behind everyone. Damn Raven to the fiery pits of hell. Lexa half smiled.

"Hey. What can I do for you?" Me. Do me.

I blinked. Bad Y/N. Bad. Focus.

"I, um, I need to get a team picture of you guys for the yearbook. And-uh one of you for the Captain's page." That last part was an afterthought, but I didn't need Lexa Woods seeing a picture of herself in the yearbook that she never posed for. No way.

The brunette nodded.

"Y/N. The yearbook photographer who had her work showcased in a gallery." Her words were more of a statement than a question. I nodded, words failing me. The way her mouth formed around my name made me clench my legs together and curl my toes in my flats.

"Lexa Woods. The legendary soccer captain who holds the school's record for most goals scored in a single season." I blurted. Her smile widened.

"Yeah sure, we can get those done before practice. What should I wear for the captain picture?" Nothing. I felt my cheeks heat.

"Just your uniform." I managed. Octavia's smirk grew.
Lexa nodded, face unreadable.

"Alright. Meet us on the field at 2:30." I nodded mutely. As I turned to go, I remembered Raven's message and turned back around with a sigh. The team watched me, silently anticipating. Lexa looked amused. Octavia furrowed her brows.

"Hey, O. Raven says she loves you soooo much. And if you win tomorrow's game, you'll get a special present from her." Now it was my turn to smirk as Roan and Harper punched Octavia's arm and the rest of the team howled and hooted. Octavia blushed and punched them back while I watched with a smile. From the corner of my eye I could see Lexa. She was turned toward them with her perch on the table top, but she was looking at me. I played it cool and turned on my heel, back towards Raven. My heart was fluttering and soaring. Maybe Raven had been right.

She was grinning like a lunatic when I sat down.

"Well?" I just smiled back and she grabbed my shoulders and shook me. I yelped and braced myself on her forearms.

"Je-e-ez!" She kept shaking. I felt a pair of eyes searing my back and I whacked Raven to make her stop and subtly looked over to check. Lexa Woods was laughing. And looking in my direction. My cheeks burned bright red and I looked away from her teasing eyes.

"Go Y/N! You did it!" I rolled my eyes and stole a fry from her plate.

"How did you know? I didn't have time to say anything before you assaulted me." The wild flyaways from her ponytail only seemed to accentuate her crazy.

"I could tell from your face. And Lexa's." My jaw dropped.

"What?!" Raven laughed.

"She was actually smiling over there. She like, never smiles. Haven't you noticed?" I shrugged. Lexa was beautiful, smile or not.
"For someone who looks at her literally 24/7 you're incredibly unobservant." She commented. I shrugged.

~~~~

I had just finished up wrangling the soccer team into posing nicely for their pictures. It took Lexa's threats to stop their complaints though. They were itching to start their practice. I looked over the shots.

"Yeah, these look great." I said, pleased. Octavia stretched her legs.

"Now, hurry up and return our captain. The Commander needs to be here to practice with us." She ordered. I rolled my eyes.

"Alright, O. By the way, Raven's planning on stealing your team jacket tomorrow for the game. Just a heads up." The brunette grumbles.

"Great." Lexa shoos her team off to go run drills and warm up before turning to me.

"Maybe we should go somewhere else for the captain picture." Lexa suggested. I swallowed, trying to keep my eyes on her face and not her body. The green of her jersey brings out her eyes and I keep catching my eyes drifting down. Bad Y/N.

"Um, yeah sure. There's a nice spot behind the track that has trees and lighting to die for." Her lips curl up. I want to kick myself.
God, Y/N, 'lighting to die for' really? Lexa just nods and starts walking. We make our way behind the school and past the track. I bit my lip and shamelessly stare at her ass. And her toned legs. God, she's so hot. That uniform is being worn by a goddess.
I trail after her in a daze, mouth dry. All I can concentrate on is the gentle sway to her hips, and the small braids she's woven into her ponytail.
I wonder how it'd feel to run my hands though those curls-

"Y/N?" I jerk to attention.

"Lexa?" I ask. I realize she caught me looking at her ass. Shit. I just know my cheeks are flaming.
She's got this smirk on her face and I clear my throat.

"Is this a good spot?" Her tone is teasing as I walk to the copse of trees and examine it quickly, eyes skimming for the perfect spot. Maybe if I focus hard enough on the task at hand I can forget who exactly it is I'm photographing.

"Mm. Yes. Right there." I point to a spot that's nestled between two trees. There's an errant sunbeam that'd light her up and spotlight all her features. Especially those alluring eyes. Maybe it's just my imagination, but I swear I see those eyes flick from my own to my lips before she complies and goes to stand in the place I'd picked.

"How should I pose?" I toss her the soccer ball I'd swiped from Harper and she caught it smoothly.

"Just act natural." I made the shooing motion with my hands and raised my camera. I could practically see her considering what I'd said as my finger hovered over the button. She looked straight into the camera with such an intense expression my breathing hitched. I took the picture, the adjusted my angle and took another. She was silent as I clicked through to see how they came out.
I didn't realize she'd come up behind me to look until her warm breath ghosted over my neck. I stiffened and felt goosebumps race over my skin.

"Those came out really great." She said, slight surprise coloring her tone.
"You're really good at this." I ducked my head lower. I could feel the energy buzzing between our bodies. She was practically pressed up against my back. My hands shook slightly and I prayed she couldn't see. My fingers had frozen.
Carefully, she reached around me for the camera.

"May I?" I nodded, letting my hair curtain my face from view. I didn't trust my voice. My heart raced.
I slowly turned to face her as she looked though the pictures.

"You really capture the emotion in his face here." I shuffle closer and glance at the one she's talking about. It's a photo of a man with soulful eyes sitting in an ally.

"That's from my trip to India." I said. The next is a pile of puppies playing in the store front of a pet shop. Lexa's smile returns. I can't help but watch her react to these. The picture after that is of Raven mid-laugh, wrench in hand. My heart stutters in my chest when I realize what the next series of photos is.
They're all of Lexa. Before I can open my mouth, she pressed the next button.
Her eyes widen. I watch in horror as she goes through them all. Should have deleted those. Fuck.

My mind races in desperation. I stumble back away from her and trip, landing on my butt.
I stay down. Slowly, Lexa places the camera next to the soccer ball and walks over to me. I close my eyes and rest my forehead on my knees.
I have no defense or explanation. She knows those weren't for the yearbook. I squeeze my eyes tighter against the burning. Embarrassment sears in my chest. I bet she's creeped out and never wants to talk to me ever again.

"Y/N." I look up. She's extended a hand towards me. I take it. She pulls me up. I take a deep breath.

"Lexa, I'm sorr-" Her mouth is on mine. Fireworks go off in my head and my eyes flutter closed again as her hand comes up to cup my neck. Her lips are so soft. One of mine goes to her cheek. She tastes of mint and something infinitely sweet that I can't describe. My swirling thoughts quiet under her touch. Carefully, she pulls back and switches sides.
My head starts to spin as my lungs burn. I can't make myself care.
When she finally breaks the kiss, Lexa rests her forehead against mine. I look into her gorgeous eyes, completely dazed.

"I've been trying to figure out how to do that for ages." The brunette admits, stroking my cheek with a thumb.

"Holy shit." I breathe. Lexa laughs and pulls me in for another kiss.
She backs us up until my shoulders hit a tree. Both of her hands are cupping my face. Lexa nips softly at my bottom lip and I open my mouth. Her tongue explores, and I can't help but moan. She smiles into the kiss, and begins peppering them down along my jaw and neck. Gentle nibbles and sucking leaves a constellation of loving bruises down my throat. My arms encircle her as her hands slide up my thighs.

"You know, I've had a thing for you for like, forever right?" She teases, fingers pushing my dress up. I have to unscramble my brain before I can muster up a reply.

"Really?" I gasp.
"Me too. You're my favorite subject to capture." She tilts her head and smirks.

"So, I'm your muse?" She traces meaningless shapes on the inside of my thighs and I nod. My heartbeat is pounding.
"Mm, I like that." Her lips meet mine again.

~~~~

We make our way back to the soccer field, fingers laced. My heart feels like it's going to burst. I can't believe Lexa likes me back. I glance at her through my eyelashes and see her pulling two fingers of her free hand from her mouth. She catches my eyes and smirks, licking her lips.

"Oh my god, I'll never hear the end of this from Raven." I murmur, adjusting the hem of my dress. Lexa laughs.

"The team will give me hell when they see your neck." I brush my fingertips over the hickeys.

"Raven too." I smile. We step onto the pitch and the whole soccer team freezes, taking us in with disbelief.

"No way! Woods got the girl!" Harper shrieks. Octavia cackles, leaning on Roan as she giggles. Anya wolf whistles.

"Well well. Lexa finally got some." Lexa punts the soccer ball at her head. I make sure my camera is safe around my neck.

"I was getting tired of your gay ass talking about her all the time, little sister." Anya continues, smirking widely. Lexa glares. I tug on her fingers and she stops.
Monroe nudges Niylah and touches her neck.
I stick my tongue out at them and they burst into laughter.
Unwillingly, I let go of Lexa's hand.

"I'll see you after practice?" I ask hopefully. Her green eyes sparkle.

"Oh, definitely." I bite my lip and make my way off the field. As I practically skip back towards the school,  I can hear Lexa chewing out her team. I laugh to myself.

"One more word about Y/N and you're all conditioning for the whole practice." She threatens. No one makes a peep.