Don’t picture the future. It’s a waste of time. No one’s promised tomorrow.
Sharper than she lets on, Lexi learned early that trust is a currency you don’t spend twice. She keeps her cards close, reading people, storing what they give away in a look or a slip of the tongue. In the wrong hands, she can play innocent. In the right moment, she can play ruthless. I sit down with her to ask some important questions about survival.
No one saw Lexi even come in. I had just finished getting my makeup retouched when the artist moved away and there she was; sitting in the chair across from me like she’s been there the entire time. I’ll admit it, I was a bit shocked. But I quickly regrouped after she shot me a devious smile.
You’ve had to grow up fast — what’s one thing you miss about being thirteen before the outbreak?
Jesus, what don’t I miss? Friends, my phone, even school. I wanna get my driver’s license, but that’s never gonna happen the way it would for other thirteen year olds before this. Basically, my entire childhood was uprooted. But at least I got this sick pocket knife.
It was indeed a “sick pocket knife.” It suited her well. I could immediately see she was not to be trifled with. Quiet and observant, I was convinced she could see things the rest of us couldn’t.
Actions speak louder than any words I’ve ever heard.
You’re great at pretending you don’t care. Who’s actually on your “I’d risk my neck for them” list?
Aunt Lisa. Calvin. And… yeah. I guess Jack, too. You gotta prove yourself to me, otherwise I’m just gonna write your ass off. My mom gravitated toward douche bags and Aunt Lisa didn’t have the best dating life, either.
I commiserate with her experiences. But I also feel a little sad that she’s been exposed to such a seedy part of human nature so young. Still, I want to hear more about how tough she is.
What’s the most dangerous thing you’ve done that you still think was worth it?
That diversion I made in Vegas still makes me wanna puke thinking about it. I don’t remember anything about what I said or did until that guy was bleeding at my feet. It’s like my whole brain shut off.
That was the moment I fell in love with her. She blushes a little, thanking me for seeing her true value. And the ego boost.
When people underestimate you, what’s your favorite way to prove them wrong?
Actions speak louder than any words I’ve ever heard. If you underestimate me, you’re gonna see real quick that I can and will cut your ass.
How could you not adore her? I’d never met a teen so sure about who they are. Plenty of them think they know, but Lexi actually does.
Don’t picture the future. It’s a waste of time. No one’s promised tomorrow.
You’ve got a knack for spotting trouble. Is that instinct, experience, or both?
Bit of both, I guess. Never met a dude I could trust—‘cept Jack, I guess. But even then… sometimes he has moments where he gets all quiet and weird. He’s never raised a hand, though. Which is more than I can say for basically everyone else.
I’m glad to hear she finally has a good male role model in her life. She nods, but doesn’t add anything to the conversation. It’s clear she still has some hestitancy about him.
If you could send one untraceable message to anyone in the world, who would it be for and what would it say?
Honestly? I’d send a message to myself to get the hell away from every major populated area.
Seems like a solid idea, and one that most of my others interviews had said. Hindsight is always twenty-twenty. She asks me what that means. I give an honest answer, “I really don’t know.” Sometimes, adults don’t have all the answers, either.
When you picture the future, what do you see?
Don’t picture the future. It’s a waste of time. No one’s promised tomorrow.
Lexi leaves me on that last note. I turn to deliver my notes to a colleague. When I look back, her chair is empty, the fabric still adjusting to the loss of gravity. I’m sure if I ask around, no one will have seen or noticed a thirteen-year-old girl walking around.
To read more, see my Salt & Bone series page.