Chapter Text
Track 1: Follow You Down
Song: Follow You Down
Artist: Gin Blossoms
Released: 1996
Album: Congratulations, I’m Sorry
A day before summer break of 1997, Arkadia High School grounds
It was high noon, the weather was warm, and students were walking around in their bandana and crop tops, bike shorts and Birkenstocks. School days were almost over, the students scurried across the field and the halls to make plans for the upcoming vacation. Clarke Griffin with her dark rimmed glasses and messy blonde ponytail sat on one of the bleachers in Arkadia High School’s baseball field. She wore khaki capri pants, a faded black Nirvana t-shirt and a pair of dark colored Skechers. She was deeply immersed in her copy of Chuck Palahniuk’s “Fight Club” with headphones on as the recent Gin Blossoms album played in her Discman.
“Did you see the sky?
I think it means that we’ve been lost
Maybe one last time is all we need
I can’t really help it
If my tongue’s all tied in knots
Jumping off a bridge is just the farthest
That I’ve ever been
Anywhere you go, I’ll follow you down
Anyplace but those I know by heart
Anywhere you go, I’ll follow you down
I’ll follow you down, but not that far…”
She was peacefully enjoying her reading time until someone suddenly yanked at her headphones. “Getting a head start, are we, Griffin?”
It was Wells Jaha, her best friend since middle school. He sat beside her as he put on the headphones that were previously attached to Clarke’s ears. Wells and Clarke started a book club of their own, from classics to science fiction, to mystery novels, to epistolary novels and fantasy books, the duo always had something to talk about after class. First on their list for their summer reading was “Fight Club”.
Wells was always mannerly and amiable being the son of a popular realtor in Arkadia, Thelonious Jaha, while Clarke was typically obscure and reclusive, mostly being alone since her mother Abby Griffin was always away being head nurse at the Kane Memorial Hospital. However, despite being opposites, they always enjoyed some playful banter. Based on first impressions, Clarke thought that Wells was a bit obnoxious being overly friendly and without much respect to personal space, however, after sitting beside him in art class in sixth grade, they realized that they had a lot in common and were inseparable ever since. Wells continued to sit there quietly as he bobbed his head to the tune blasting in the headphones. Wells wore a striped t-shirt and a baggy pair of denim pants which always somehow looked neatly pressed, his hair was spiky and gelled and his navy blue Jansport backpack still dangled over his shoulders.
Suddenly, another boy with a bowl cut, wearing overalls with a strap down over a red graphic t-shirt approached them. He placed his backpack on one of the seats and slumped on Clarke’s other side.
“Why, hello super Mario brother!” Wells greeted teasingly, pointing at the boy’s clothes.
The boy shrugged Wells off and sat beside them. “Gaaah, my trigonometry exam was a bummer!” The boy exclaimed.
“C’mon, dude, I think is not that bad.” Wells took off the headphones to console his friend.
“Yeah, as if, by ‘bummer’ he probably meant that he’ll be getting an A-“Clarke chuckled as she stuffed a bookmark to her paperback putting an arm over her friend, Monty’s shoulder.
With a bond built upon their shared interest in Super Mario World, Streetfighter, and The Simpsons, they spent most of their childhood and teenage life in Clarke’s basement with their other friend, Monty Green. Monty on the other hand, was more of a The Legend of Zelda and Magic: The Gathering enthusiast. He would sometimes join Magic cards tournaments and earn some money. The trio were branded as geeks by most of their peers at school, usually being ignored in the social arena, but all three performed well academically and were typically favored by most of their teachers. Clarke excelled in literature, foreign languages and the arts; Wells was good in mathematics, economics and history; and Monty was brilliant in both the natural and the applied sciences.
“So, is your new family headed somewhere for the summer, Wells? I heard that the rich usually spend their vacations in chateaus in the south of France.” Monty joked, reaching over Clarke to poke Wells by the shoulder.
Monty was referring to the current change in Wells’ family composition. It was just last winter when his father, Thelonious, remarried after his mother died from breast cancer about three years ago. From being neighbors in a cozy middle class community in Arkadia, Wells and his father have moved further south of Arkadia in one of the modern dwellings in the suburbs. Wells’ father married a business magnate who owned a furniture manufacturing firm, Indra Woods. The Woods, together with the Kanes and the Murphies were some of Arkadia’s highly influential families. They all came from old money and had entrepreneurs, lawyers, politicians and doctors among them.
“Nope, no fancy vacations as far as I know. Father will be accompanying Indra in a business trip to Singapore,” Wells replied, he never spoke ill of his step-mother but he never really acknowledged her as his new mother either.
“So, we can hang out at your place then? There’s this Magic cards tournament coming up and I need some help building my new deck!” Monty cheered.
“Yeah, you should help Monty build his deck, Wells!” Clarke bantered playfully.
“Whatever, Clarke! You guys can come over, probably, as long as we stay in the game room and out of Lexa’s way, she usually has her friends by the pool.” Wells thought out loud.
Clarke froze upon hearing Lexa’s name. “She’s going to be around all summer?” Clarke inquired almost inaudibly. Clarke couldn’t place it but she has always had that awkward reaction every time she hears Lexa’s name.
“Yeah, I heard that her friends are sticking around as well. With her mom away, the Murphy twins are coaxing her to throw a party.” Wells explained nonchalantly.
Lexa was Wells’ step-sister, they were of the same age and the same class. Indra had Lexa when she turned 35 and thought that she wouldn’t marry anymore. Lexa was born through artificial insemination; Indra had her eggs frozen when she was 24 years old believing that the best genetic traits are passed on at that prime age. Via an anonymous sperm donor, Lexa was conceived and was raised by Indra alone. Both mother and daughter were known to be independent and strong-willed. Until Indra met Thelonious, then she became tolerant and bent to Thelonious’ will. Then, Lexa did not just adjust to having a male figure around the house; she also needed to adjust to having a brother, in the person of Wells. Lexa and Wells never met eye to eye as Lexa was always against Indra’s relationship with Thelonious. Wells also thought that Lexa was too snobbish and critical and Lexa always found Wells being such a people-pleaser and entitled. Wells often invited Clarke and Monty over and Lexa never bothered to mingle with them even if they went to the same school. The step-siblings had an unspoken understanding to stay out of each other’s way.
“I heard that John and Niylah always throw the best parties. I hope I get invited to one of those. How come your sister never invites us, Wells?” Monty wondered downheartedly.
John and Niylah are the infamous Murphy twins. Like the Woods clan, the Murphies are industrialists, John and Niylah’s family own a shoe factory while their grandparents own a chain of medical supplies stores all over Arkadia. The Murphies were old money and are even wealthier than the Woods; the twins are sometimes dropped off in a Jaguar to school while Lexa has a 1986 Ford Mustang. Clarke supposes that with their influence, Lexa, John and Niylah can probably afford to go to any Ivy League school that they want in college without worrying for a scholarship. Wells might also have that same privilege now that he’s family but she and Monty should work twice as hard due to the financial circumstances of their families.
“That’s because Lexa probably hates his guts.” Clarke diverted her thoughts to the ongoing conversation, nudging Monty in the process.
“We just agree to disagree, anyway, it’s a good thing that we don’t get invited to these parties. They’re lame anyway, people just get drunk and have shameless sex, what’s so special about that, right Clarke?” Wells contemplated.
Clarke and Monty both gave each other a knowing look. Since the trio were branded as geeks at school, they always remain in the side lines and now that their junior year was over, they both yearned to be invited to a proper high school party somehow.
“Aside from mingling with other kids at school and probably losing your virginity in the process to some drunk nobody who doesn’t care any less, I suppose there’s nothing more to it.” Monty spat back sarcastically.
“Is that your fantasy, Monty?” Clarke smiled mischievously, a bit surprised with her friend’s comment. “Well, even if I’m interested, we won’t get invited to those things since you two are such nerds!” Clarke joked.
“Says the nerd with a 4.0 GPA!” Monty countered.
As the trio continued to talk and joke around, they failed to notice a slim figure approaching them at the bleachers.
“I’ve been looking all over for you.” A deep female voice interrupted.
Clarke’s gaze was drawn to the figure standing in front of them. Her brown hair parted in the middle flowed in soft waves, her emerald green eyes glimmered under the sun, and she wore a red flannel over her crop top and acid wash jean shorts and a pair of Doc Martens.
“Speaking of the she-devil…” Wells murmured inaudibly.
Clarke froze at her seat; she had no puns or iterations to add to Wells’ words. Lexa walked closer to them slowly, Clarke thought that she was almost drifting or gliding. She was light-footed like and elf, Clarke thought, she could probably sneak up on anybody. Clarke always encountered Lexa since they started hanging out at the Woods’ residence. There was one time when she got lost along the hallways of the Woods’ modern home looking for the toilet in her first visit. She almost got into Lexa’s room at the end of the hall, but the brunette caught her in the hallway and directed her to the upper floor toilet in one of the guest rooms. Another time was when she went to the kitchen to get some ice while Monty and Wells were playing video games at the game room. Lexa was at the kitchen eating a sandwich, somewhat staring out at the glass windows aimlessly towards the yard where the pool was. As Clarke proceeded towards the refrigerator to announce her entry to the kitchen by coughing, Lexa immediately got up from the kitchen counter and moved to finish her sandwich by the pool deck. They never spoke to each other, Lexa always kept to herself when she was around. Wells told her that when he and his father moved in with Indra and Lexa, Lexa was fuming, she never liked the arrangement, and she was always skeptical about Thelonious. Wells detested her for always being so hostile around his father. Lexa was raised by Indra alone, Wells thought that Lexa was probably resistant towards male authority in their home. But Clarke simply found Lexa as basically enigmatic. Clarke actually shared the same classes with Lexa since they were in fourth grade. Lexa probably never noticed that. Due to their social circles, they never crossed paths, until now.
“What did you say?” Lexa perfectly heard what Wells had said but she decided to let it slide for now. She had better things to do than argue with her arrogant stepbrother.
“Nothing, I was just wondering why you were looking for me?” Wells stood up from his seat beside Clarke.
“You forgot your lunch, mom asked me to consider taking it to you.” Lexa shoved the lunch bag towards Wells.
Wells had many food allergies growing up, especially to different types of nuts and some spices like cinnamon and cumin. To avoid being put at risk, Indra somehow took note of Wells special meal plans and have one of their help prepare meals for him. Not being used to it, Wells had forgotten his lunch bag this time.
“Well, thank you for considering…” Wells cautiously took the bag from Lexa.
“Okay, I’m also here to tell you that I wouldn’t be able to give you a ride home today as mom had instructed since I’ll be meeting Roan after school.” Lexa continued.
“I’ll find ways to get home.” Wells answered dismissively.
“I’ll give him a ride home.” Clarke interjected, getting a knowing look from Wells.
“Hmm, that’s settled then.” Without much ado, Lexa walked away from the trio.
“What was that about?” Monty asked nosily.
“Just Lexa being her bitchy self, I guess.” Wells answered irritably.
“Stop antagonizing your sister, she got your lunch didn’t she?” Clarke contradicted.
“I’m starting to notice that you always seem to keep on defending her.” Wells questions Clarke’s reaction.
“What? Maybe that’s because she’s not here to defend herself. Plus, as far as I know, you haven’t taken any effort to get to know her, really. We could give her the benefit of the doubt, maybe she’s just mad that her mother’s attention is divided all of the sudden.” Clarke tries to enlighten Wells.
“Clearly, Clarke, you haven’t seen how she makes life at home such a living hell.” Wells manages to argue.
“My point is that maybe she’s just misunderstood, maybe you just need to talk to her more.” Clarke explained.
“If I hadn’t known better, this discussion is making me feel like you might have a genuine concern for Lexa.” Monty jokingly interjected.
“Shut up, Monty!” Wells was suddenly hotheaded.
“And now, you fume at your friends, take it easy, Wells.” Clarke suddenly tries to pacify the situation.
“You’re right, I’m sorry, I’ll try to be better to Lexa next time. It’s just she’s always on my back at home, feels like she’s waiting for me to do something stupid and make sure that she’s there to point it out in case it happens.” Wells apologized and the other two gave him sympathetic smiles.
“Too many words, man, you’ve got bottled up feelings there.” Monty added.
“Now, how about getting some lunch?” Wells tried to change the subject.
“You’re not gonna eat that?” Monty pointed to his lunch bag.
“Nope, this is probably some bland gourmet stuff.” Wells peaked into the bag.
“I’ll take it!” Monty cheered.
“You know you should learn to appreciate having a concerned mother around.” Clarke reminded Wells.
“Yeah, yeah, whatever.” Wells handed the lunch bag to Monty and the pair started to walk towards the cafeteria.
Clarke followed the duo shaking her head, unconvinced of Wells’ unfriendliness towards his stepsister. Looking across the courtyard, Clarke notices Lexa with her boyfriend, Roan making out in one of the benches. Yeah, maybe in some alternate universe, she and Lexa might totally be different people. With that thought, she jogged to catch up with her friends, ignoring that intriguing idea. What was she even thinking?