Chapter Text
The apartment was pretty quiet, other than the soft crying that could be heard from Raven's room. The closet light was the only source of light in the cluttered bedroom, causing strange shadows to form on the three teenagers sitting on the edge of the bed, facing away from the small light. The bed creaked as the blonde leaned closer into the other girl, closing her eyes again, and holding on tightly to the brunette's red dress.
“I should have listened to you,” Clarke muttered into Raven's shoulder. “It's not like it hadn't happened before.” Her words came out in short breaths, painful and dry as tears went streaming down her face, landing on the skin of Raven's collar, staining them lightly with her mascara.
“Shhh,” Raven replied quietly, hand in blonde hair, whispering words of comfort and holding her closely. “It's really not your fault.”
They were hidden in the safety of Raven's messy room, assorted magazines lying on tables, with scattered tools and parts, along with some clothing and makeup lying in disarray. They were sitting on the edge of Raven's bed, tight in a hug, both still in their prom dresses, with Bellamy close beside, his hand lightly on Clarke's back. He had abandoned his tux jacket on the other side of his bed, and he had a slightly awkward scowl on his face, as though he wasn't suited to comforting the poor girl crying into Raven's shoulder. He stayed still, ready to offer whatever comfort he could.
Whimpers left Clarke's lips and mascara dappled on her cheeks, her once perfectly done up hair was now ruffled and sticking out awkwardly as Raven slowly took out the pins.
“Would you mind getting her a glass of water?” Raven asked Bellamy quietly and he nodded once, leaving the room.
“We should get you to bed,” Raven insisted, as she pulled the other girl slowly away, making sure to keep a comforting hand against her shoulder. Clarke's eyes had turned red from the tears, and Raven could only offer sympathy through her's. She had been in this very situation as well, and she knew there was no best way to deal with what Clarke was going through.
Raven let go of Clarke momentarily, pulling open drawers and passing Clarke a large grey shirt and some boxers.
“It'll feel better tomorrow,” Raven tried to promise, knowing it was a lie, but Clarke nodded, as if her problems would disappear after sleeping.
“I'm so sorry,” Clarke cried, “I'm totally ruining this night for you too.”
“Don't say that,” Raven replied, helping Clarke unzip the blue dress she was wearing, “You're more important than some silly night.”
Clarke pulled on the grey shirt, and sat back down on the bed, pulling the shorts up after.
“It's a once in a lifetime event,” Clarke continued, eyes on the dark floor, “and I've ruined it for both you and Bell.”
“I'd rather be here,” Raven insisted, placing her hand on Clarke's, and pulling her up from the bed.
Bellamy returned, in one hand a glass of water, and in the other a damp face towel. Raven muttered a quick thanks, and motioned for Clarke to get into her bed. Bellamy placed the glass the nightstand next to the bed, and passed the damp towel to Raven.
Raven gratefully took the small towel and leaning down, wiped away the tears and mascara on Clarke's face carefully as Clarke closed her eyes.
“We're here for you Princess,” Bellamy finally spoke, “No matter what.”
“Thank you,” she muttered quietly, turning to her side once Raven was done, closing her eyes once again and breathing slowly, pressing her face against the side of the pillow.
Raven made her way around the bed, sitting down on the other side, right beside Clarke, with her back against the headboard of the bed. She placed her hand on the blonde's shoulder.
“There might be some sweats that fit you in that bottom drawer,” Raven offered quietly to Bellamy, pointing to the wardrobe across the room. The boy nodded, scrambling through the clothing in the dark room.
As soon as he found what he was looking for, he silently plucked off his shirt and pants, changing into the proffered sweats and then sitting down across from Raven on the small stool in her room.
They waited in silence, listening to Clarke's breathing until it slowed. Finally, Raven determined the other girl to be asleep, and she peeled herself off the bed, grabbing a sweater and some pants from the ground beside her and motioning for Bellamy to follow.
She closed the door behind her, and pointed to the kitchen, where their jackets and bags had been abandoned.
“I'm going to shoot Clarke's mom a text,” Raven decided, “let her know Clarke's ok, then do you want some popcorn?”
“Sure,” Bellamy agreed.
“We'll stay in the den, watch a movie or something, in case she needs us?”
Bellamy nodded his agreement.
.
When Clarke woke up, her head was pounding and she could hear voices coming from somewhere around the apartment. She stretched, realizing she was in fact in Raven's bed as memories came flooding back to her. Yesterday had been the prom from hell.
She stretched and yawned again, stepping out of the bed, ready to face the day with a frown on her face. Clarke grabbed the water by the bed, taking a chug in hopes of clearing her head, and then made her way out of the room. Opening the door, she was hit by the pleasant smells of breakfast being made, and recognized the voices of her two best friends coming from the kitchen.
“Morning Princess,” Bellamy greeted, as she entered the kitchen. She yawned once more in greeting.
Bellamy was sprawled out at the kitchen table, wearing his unbuttoned tux shirt with the sleeves rolled up and a pair of baby blue sweats, his feet propped up on a kitchen chair.
“You're just in time for pancakes,” Raven smiled. She was hovering by the stove, taking spoonfuls of batter and placing them on a pan. It smelled fantastic.
“I'm so sorry for last night,” Clarke apologized, sitting down on the chair beside Bellamy's feet.
“It's not your fault,” Bellamy insisted, “it's Finn's.”
“Speaking of,” Raven said, turning away from the stove momentarily to point with a spatula to the phone on the kitchen table, “he tried calling a few times last night. I told him to stick it up his ass.”
Clarke smiled a tiny smile, her eyes still sad as she glanced at the phone on the table.
“He left a few text messages too,” Raven continued, “some stupid groveling.”
“Don't,” Bellamy said as Clarke reached for the phone, “it might be best not to... reply.”
Clarke nodded, curiosity winning as she read through the texts. Raven was right, each text from Finn was begging for another chance. She scrolled through them, and though her eyes watered, no tears came. She shook her head simply and placed the phone back down. Raven smiled back at her, placing a plate of pancakes down in front of her.
Grabbing the fork with one hand, stabbing the syrup covered pancake on top, and placing her other hand on her cheek, Clarke gratefully dug in.
“I'm not even sure what I'm supposed to do now,” Clarke muttered between bites. Raven joined them at the table, after making two more plates of pancakes.
“I actually got an idea about that last night,” Raven offered as she reached into her pocket and passed Clarke a key.
“What's this for?”
“Ocean Side,” Raven clarified, after swallowing some pancake.
Clarke felt uncertain. She hadn't been back to Ocean Side since her mom had sold their cabin three years prior. When her dad had died.
Ocean Side as she remembered it was beautiful. Her family had gone every summer, whenever either or both of her parents had a few days off. She remembered fishing with her dad, going shopping at the small market with her mom, and walking on the beach, trying to paint the sunset. It was where she had met Raven, almost seven years ago, and they had done beach parties, and hikes, smoking behind the old church and in the parks, and kissing. She had tried alcohol for the first time, tried shoplifting, tried so many new things. A large part of her, forgotten, lived back there.
Raven had inherited the beach house from her grandmother and had invited her back for a few trips each year, but each time Clarke had refused. The painful memories of her father lived there, in the ocean breeze and the tall trees.
Maybe it was time to face her fears. Time to return. Clarke nodded slowly.
“Are you sure?” she asked, looking into Raven's eyes. “It's your beach house.”
“No problem,” Raven insisted, “I won't be going with you though. I'm visiting my Aunt in Cleveland, but as soon as that boring trip is done, I'll be right down. Before the Beach Light's Festival. Before my birthday.”
“Oh yeah,” Clarke smiled wide, remembering the annual festival held throughout the small town. She smiled wider at the mention of Raven's birthday. The girl knew how to throw a party. And it was her 18th too, so it was bound to be insane. “What about you Bellamy?”
“I'll come with Raven. I'm getting my wisdom teeth out on Sunday, but I should be recovered by then,” Bellamy smirks, big enough to show his teeth. “Octavia will be there though, if you need company.”
Clarke hadn't seen Octavia since she had moved to Ocean Side. She was a year younger than Bellamy, and had opted on going to the small high school in the town instead of staying in the large city with her mother. The two had never really gotten along well, and Bellamy acted as a buffer between the always fighting mother and daughter. He would disappear as often as he could to visit his sister, staying full summers at Ocean Side if he could. Plus, since Bellamy was a great surfer amongst other summer water activities, he often got hired by the Recreation centre located in the town to teach surfing and boating lessons.
“Thank you so much,” Clarke said, tears coming to her eyes. She pulled the other girl into a tearful hug. “I really appreciate it.”
“It's no problem, really.”
“You think my mother will be fine with it?” Clark asked, before gasping, “my mother! Does she know where I am?”
“Don't worry, Princess,” Bellamy replied, “Raven texted her last night. She's fine.”
Relief filled Clarke's face and she smiled contently.
“You guys are the best.”
.
Abby had agreed. She had been completely enthusiastic about the whole idea. Clarke knew that her mother had never been Finn's number one fan, and though she had taken the break up with a smile on her face, Clarke knew her mother's heart was in the right place. The whole trip would be good for Clarke.
“Any idea when you'll come back?” Abby asked her that afternoon as Clarke was packing her things.
“Not sure,” Clarke responded, folding shirts and packing some Cds for the trip. “Raven said I could stay indefinitely.”
Clarke frowned, contemplating her choice of two swimsuits, and finally deciding on the black instead of the red one.
“You're free to visit as well,” Clarke said, looking up to her mother who was leaning against her bedroom door.
“Of course,” Abby answered, “I'll try to get a week off at the hospital.”
“We'll call and skype too,” Clarke promised.
“Come on,” Abby said, pulling Clarke into a hug, “I'll miss you a lot.”
.
Clarke didn't bother with the GPS. Her mom helped pack everything in her old, rickety black car, and with a final hug wished her well.
Clarke turned the radio up and rolled the windows down, enjoying the fresh June air that whistled into the car. She put her sunglasses on, occasionally singing along to whatever played and sipping from the slurpee she had picked up on her way out of town.
Finn had tried calling again multiple times, but Clarke rejected each call, deciding that avoiding him completely would be the only way to enjoy her summer completely. It was immature to say the least, but Clarke really wanted to enjoy herself.
She stopped at a convenience store that had been there, by the highway, for as long as she could remember. The sun bleached sign stood high above the gas pumps, just like she remembered, the faded letters declaring the store to be a Gas-N-Go. A young family was parked there as well, filling up on snacks and gas and she parked behind them.
She filled her car with gas, grabbed some Red Vines and paid the lady at the counter with some of the cash that her mother had given her.
Clarke hit the road again with renewed vigor, enjoying the bright, green colours that passed by as she drove quickly down the highway. The woods would always remind her of her father, and for the first time in two days, Clarke found herself crying for her father instead of for Finn. The tears felt good, as if she was in his presence once again, reunited once again.
The drive took longer than she remembered, almost four hours of driving south west, and when she finally made it to the town, dropping down to the slow speed limit that was set along the old, paved roads, Clarke saw places that were both new and old. The town had grown slowly in the last three years, though she recognized Pandora's Closet, her mother's old favourite store, The Rut, an old pub that had stood the test of time along with an old Fish n' Chips hut that had no name.
The wind that flooded through Clarke's car smelled of the ocean causing Clarke to smile. She weaved her way through the tiny downtown, turning her car down Cobble Drive, where Raven's beach house was located.
The house hadn't changed very much in Clarke's absence. The sunflowers that Raven's grandmother planted were growing beautifully, the brown bricks were dappled from the sunlight breaking through the leaves of the small trees, and Raven's old, rusted dirt bike was parked in the driveway, patiently waiting for its owners return.
Clarke parked her car beside the bike, and with a deep breath stepped out of the car. The neighbours across the street waved to her, where they were sitting on their patio, drinking and watching their children playing on the street. She waved back enthusiastically, and made her way up the stone pathway to the front door.
The inside of the beach house was slightly dusty, Raven had returned to the house sometime in May, to drop off the bike outside and prepare for the summer. Clarke takes a moment to glance around the familiar entrance, welcoming in its beautiful oak floors and walls. Clarke drags her bags with her, going up the steps to the second floor and finding the guest bedroom. It was simple in design, cream walls, and a large bed with a light blue duvet, and some water paint pictures hanging on the wall. The view from the second floor was astounding, the afternoon sun reflecting peacefully on shining blue waves that hit the sands rhythmically. It had Clarke itching to take out her own water paints in hope that she could recreate its beauty, but Clarke knew she would have other days to paint the glory before her.
Instead, Clarke worked on her new goal. She placed her smaller bag on the bed and pushed the other one to sit beside the wooden wardrobe, and headed out to the hallway. Beside the bathroom was a small closet filled with cleaning supplies. The afternoon was filled with Clarke cleaning the place, preparing it for when Raven would arrive, as a sort of thank you for hosting her during the summer.
She opened windows, letting the spring air enter the house, as she dusted and swept, singing along to whatever music her iPod shuffled to.
And when, finally, the house was perfectly clean, the sun was close to setting and her stomach was growling. There was no food in the house, and the Red Vines Clarke had purchased had long ago been finished off. Her final task would be to buy groceries.
The physical labour of cleaning the entire house had left her feeling exhausted, yet refreshed. The time spent had kept her thoughts away from Finn, and concentrated on the task at hand, and instead she found herself daydreaming about a summer spent with friends, doing the festival, riding fair rides and going to the beach with Raven and Bellamy at her side.
Her thoughts shifted again as her stomach growled, demanding attention once again. Scanning the pantry for anything, Clarke made herself a mental list of what she would need, until she was interrupted by the doorbell ringing.
She rushed to the door, not sure who to expect, and when she opened the door, she was definitely surprised.
“Octavia?!” Clarke's words came out confused and stunned. Last time Clarke had seen her, she had been a plucky girl, fourteen or so, wearing short, bedazzled skirts and wearing pink lip gloss and matching nail polish. The girl before her was something completely different.
In front of her stood a taller, more confident version of the Octavia she remembered. She was dressed in scrappy, tight, ripped skinny jeans, tucked into heavy, black leather boots with a large, matching jacket. Her eyeliner and eyeshadow was thick and dark, and if it wasn't for the giant smile the girl was giving her, Clarke would have probably been slightly afraid in her presence.
“Clarke!” the girl responded, jumping into her and pulling her into a large hug. “I'm so happy to see you again! It's been too long!”
“No kidding,” Clarke replied with enthusiasm.
“Raven texted me telling me you'd be here, but I didn't believe her,” Octavia continued, “had to come check it out for myself.”
The girl was grinning largely, and she held Clarke arm's width apart to give the blonde a once over.
“You know,” she said, nodding, “you haven't changed a bit.”
Clarke laughed, looking back at the younger girl.
“Same thing can't be said for you,” Clarke smiled, motioning to Octavia's outfit with a tilt of her chin.
“Bellamy absolutely hates it,” Octavia confessed. Clarke wasn't surprised at all to hear that. Her long time friend had always been super protective, certainly when things got rough in the Blake household.
“We seriously need to do some catching up,” Clarke replied, before getting interrupted by her growling stomach. Octavia smirked. “I really need to do groceries,” Clarke admitted, “Wanna come with?”
“Sure, not like there's much else to do on a Wednesday evening,” Octavia said before turning and making her way down the porch. Clarke grabbed her keys and wallet and followed after the other girl. Making her way around the car, Clarke noticed the shiny, red motorcycle parked behind Raven's muddy dirtbike.
“Is that your ride?” Clarke asked Octavia as they got into her car.
“Nah,” Octavia replied, “it's my boyfriend's. I technically don't even have my license to drive a motorcycle... yet at least.”
“Impressive,” Clarke said, nodding as she put the car in reverse, “does Bellamy approve?”
“I doubt he will,” Octavia answered with a large, mischievous grin.
“Will I ever get to meet this boyfriend?” Clarke asked as they made their way towards downtown, where the Wholefoods Market was located.
“On Friday,” Octavia decided then and there.
“What's Friday?”
“There's a beach party at The Rut,” Octavia explained. “He'll be there, and you can meet a few other locals and such. Great way to get over that dick of an ex.”
The Rut was an old pub and club that was located in the south of the tiny downtown, right near the beach. Clarke had been too young to pass as close to legal, and had never been inside, but during the night the loud music could be heard on the beach from far away. The patio extended into the beach, and there were often concerts, beach parties and bonfires on the weekend.
She parked the car in the vacant parking lot, and both her and Octavia made their way to the grocery store, Clarke grabbing a cart along the way. Octavia amused her with tales of hijinks done at school or around town, while Clarke stopped every few seconds to place this and that into the cart. She made sure to grab snacks that she knows both Bellamy and Raven like, while nodding and laughing along to Octavia's stories.
“So what inspired the new look?” Clarke asked when one of Octavia's tales had come to an end. “Was it the new boyfriend?”
Octavia gave her a look to say she'd never change for someone else, but then giving a shrug, she muttered, “Just needed something new. Plus Mom was unimpressed, so that's always a bonus.”
They made it to the cash register, and when all the food and drinks were tallied up, the when Clarke saw the total cost she sighed. She pulled out her debit card.
“Fuck,” Clarke muttered, “I'm seriously gonna need a job this summer.”
Octavia nodded as she was packing some cookies into a plastic bag.
“Old Mabel's hiring,” Octavia replied, not looking up from the task at hand, “at least, that's what Bellamy was saying, I think. They always need lifeguards at South Beach.”
“That would be great,” Clarke said, as she started helping her friend. “I could work with Bellamy all summer. I've got my first aid and everything.”
“And Old Mabel totally loves you,” Octavia reminded her. More specifically, Old Mabel had been good friends with Clarke's dad, and when Clarke had been taking swimming lessons, Old Mabel, who had still been in charge of the recreation centre and beach, Old Mabel would always bring the young girl cookies and lemonade at the end of her classes.
“I'll drop off my application tomorrow,” Clarke agreed.
They placed the bags back into the cart, and Octavia pushed it through the doors, riding on it's back through the parking lot. They unloading the bags into the trunk and got into the car.
“Thanks for helping me with this,” Clarke said, as she started driving once more, “and for coming with me.”
“No problem,” Octavia said, “but you're buying me drinks on Friday.” Clarke laughed. “Plus I wanna see party girl Griffin. Haven't seen her in three years.”
“We'll see,” Clarke shrugged.
“No way you're backing out,” Octavia replied, smiling, “I've heard tales of the party beast you become when you get a little vodka in you. And Bellamy definitely told me the story of when you got so high and drunk you peed on a statue.”
“What!?” Clarke shouted, “that was supposed to be a secret!”
“Not your brightest moment,” Octavia replied. “And to think you graduated second in your class.”
“Shut up,” Clarke replied, pouting as she did, causing Octavia to burst into loud laughter.
Clarke parked back in the driveway, and headed to the trunk, grabbing as many bags as she could, and Octavia did the same. They struggled to the front door, Clarke pushed it open with her foot.
They placed the bags on the counter, and as Clarke pulled things out of bags, putting things in cupboards and the fridge, Octavia pulled out a spoon and the carton of ice cream.
“I'm so pumped for Friday,” Octavia announced, returning to the subject of the beach party, “I've never seen you drunk, Clarke,” she pointed out, “this is gonna be so much fun.”
“I've never seen you drunk either, O”, Clarke realized, and then smiled, “according to Raven, you've done some shit too.” Octavia didn't blush, but seemed rather proud instead.
“Sneaking into an abandoned factory was an accomplishment,” Octavia pointed out, “not something to be ashamed of.”
“Right,” Clarke said, not sounding too impressed.
Octavia's phone beeped from inside her pocket. Sticking her spoon back into the ice cream, she pulled the phone out, looking at the text she had received.
“That's the boyfriend texting,” Octavia said, “I better get going. I stole his ride, and he just got off work and needs a ride home.”
“How about we get together tomorrow?” Clarke offered, as she took the ice cream from Octavia and placed it inside the freezer. “We could do some shopping, get some breakfast. Drop off my resume too.”
“Make it brunch and you've got yourself a deal,” Octavia replied.
“You've got my number right?” Clarke asked.
“Yup,” Octavia nodded, as she made her way out of the house, “I'll text you the location. 11 tomorrow, got it?”
“Cool,” Clarke shouted to the girl, who was placing a black helmet on her head, “see you then.”