When she introduced Anya to her best friend Clarke, like five years ago. She never thought they will hit it off so quickly. Anya was a lonely soul, just a few friends here and there and always tense around other people, but Clarke, she knew Clarke was different for her.
The smiles, the longing looks across the room, the need always be close to each other. The mysterious calls, the disappearing in some parties they used to attend, the short- subtle touches. It was all there from the very beginning.
Raven met Anya back in her first college year. Taking her a couple of months to finally convince Anya to join the group, and a few months later, their friends started dating.
Octavia's love story didn't come much later than a few months. When Anya introduced Lincoln, her brother, to one of the girls' parties. Leaving Raven to watch another friend falling head-over-heels in love before her eyes.
It's amazing how five years go by so quickly. Now, Clarke was two weeks away to get married.
Her heart was full. She had everything. She was studying mechanical engineering at Stanford. Her high school boyfriend followed her to California. Her friends were in love, just as she was. It was living the dream.
Or so, she thought.
It was one of those nights where she was supposed to stay at Clarke's and Octavia's for her girls night… But something in her gut was making her uncomfortable. She was supposed to be studying for a big test and after a few minutes of arguing with her friends, she took a taxi and went home.
Finding Finn in their bed with a girl from her study group was something she wouldn't give not even to her worst enemy. Bile rising in her throat as the tears were making its appearance in her already red eyes. She turned around, heading straight to the door, hearing Finn's pleading for her to stay.
She ran back to her friends' apartment.
That was two years ago.
It took her a while to finally move on, to get back on her feet, to finally see that she deserved better.
In the hard process, she failed some classes, lost her job, she could barely get out of bed, but she made it.
Her friends were the pillars of her life. They held her, they supported her through it all. They gave her the pep- talks, the toughest chats if the moment needed it, but it got her to where she is now.
She has a job fixing cars. The owner, Wick, is the sweetest guy she has ever met, the payment was good, good as she could cover all her needs good, and maybe enjoy some of it with a few nights out. It was good enough for her.
Wick. She used to have a crush on him. Well, who wouldn't? He was sweet, attentive, funny, sarcastic. Good looking too. He was married though. That crushed every hope for Raven.
But things are better.
She's on her way to find the second internship to go for her master in mechanical engineering, has a job, two great friends, she lives with them…
But there's something that never went away.
The pity looks.
Her friends really try to go unseen, but every time they're so enthusiastically speaking about their loved ones, there's a moment of silence in where they would look at each other, much to Raven's discomfort, as if to ask if it was okay to continue, 'cause, well… Raven hasn't been with anyone since the Finn fiasco.
This time was no different.
They were in a passionate chat about their partners, when silence made an appearance. The eye roll didn't go unperceived by the two other people in the room, but she didn't care. She was trying to make them see that she wasn't feeling bad because she was single.
"So, did you talk to Anya about us paying her back?". Raven tried to make conversation and trying to forget the uncomfortable moment.
It brought a spark in Clarke's eyes at the mention of her fiancèe before she showed the 'Clarke's signature pout' on her lips.
"She said; no". Clarke tried to imitate the blonde, earning a laugh from her and Octavia.
So typical of Anya.
She uses simple words most of the times, and they're already so used to it that no one complains about her lack of communication skills.
"But, isn't going to be a little expensive. I mean-".
"O. Lincoln and Anya are rich. I don't think it'll be a huge sacrifice for them". Raven intervened, with a head shake. Smiling as she takes the glass of wine to her lips.
Anya's and Lincoln's family came from successful people, CEO's, engineers, mechanics. They worked along with NASA as sponsors and participating in finding new technology, their companies are known all over the country. So, money for Anya is not a problem at all.
That's why Anya is taking them all on a week trip to a small country called Chile. Destine unknown, yet, as she wants it to be a surprise for her fiancée.
Clarke met Anya's parents a few years ago, but she never spent so many days in the same place as them, and now her nerves are showing, and the clock is ticking and sooner than later Anya would be waiting for them.
It was 7 p.m and her first glass of wine was almost untouched, something about flying always get her nervous and she has never left the country before.
She was looking for an internship in the meantime, as she writes her project to present it later on. So, no more study, no more classes. She has her own schedule to do her research. She's taking this two weeks as a vacation to get rid of the stress.
She glanced back at the clock on the wall, getting lost in her thoughts when the ringing of someone's phone echoed in the room.
It was all she needed to hear to know that Anya and Lincoln were waiting downstairs to take them to the airport.
With the luggage in hand, she turned around one last time to watch the apartment that soon enough, would be empty for good.
/
No one told her it'll be like a 15-hour fly. No one told her they were going to the coldest place ever for vacation, but the view was perfect, it was so fucking perfect, she didn't find it in herself to complain at all.
When Anya gave her the keys to the room, she went right away to put her belongings inside, closing the door and with a jump, she fell on the bed, a big sigh left her lips as she melted on the soft mattress.
Everything was breathtaking. She had a huge window in front of the single bed. She could see the whole place and even if the wind was blowing hard outside, it actually brought a sense of peace in her and without noticing she was actually starting to doze off for a much-needed nap when her phone buzzed in her pants.
With a groan, she pulled it out, unlocking the screen to see a text from Octavia.
Blake: Yo, Bitch. We're getting breakfast, come join us, everyone is going. DON'T FALL ASLEEP.
She didn't notice the throbbing in her leg before because of the adrenaline rush of flying to another country. But she was starting to feel the twinges on it as she took a stand at the side of the bed. A grimace made its way to her face as she tried, with heavy-long breaths to calm herself. She pushed her hands against the area to ease a little of the pain, softly rubbing her hands against it.
She hated this part. A simple reminder that she was here, alive… And her parents gone for good.
She encouraged herself with a firm nod before straightening herself and leaving the room.
She was still amazed at how rustic the place looked. How it was just in the middle of a lake. Like a mini island. It took her mind away from everything, even the slight pain in her leg.
The place was small…She didn't know how she managed to get lost either way.
"Hi. Sorry to bother you. I was wondering where the restaurant is?". She asked one of the workers.
"Ma'am. The restaurant is outside the hostel. You go from the front door to your right, there's a pathway that leads to it". The guy answered kindly.
"Thank you". She nodded, a smile in place as she turned around, headed for the front door.
She took her phone out, to lash out at Octavia for not have been informed about where the place was located when the object flew out of her hands as she crashed into a body.
The weight of her own body was on her injured leg as she tried to balance. Pain shoot straight to it and she was sure she was on the way to collapse on the floor, thinking how she could embarrass herself in front of a stranger just in the first fifteen minutes of her arrival.
Eyes closed, waiting for the impending fall and finally give herself up to her bad luck, but surprisingly… The fall never came.
She slowly opened her eyes as if taking in her surroundings. Her focus coming back as she felt the heat and the firm grip on her waist by a firm pair of hands.
Her own hands were gripping tightly against two unknown forearms of someone she hasn't even spare a glance at… She would've laughed at the position she found herself in if it weren't for the awkwardness of it all. It was like they were ready to tango walk-out of the place, the only thing missing was the freaking music.
So, she jumped out of the stranger's arms and put the adequate distance. Rubbing her arms in a way to calm the blood running to her cheeks at the strange moment she found herself in.
"I'm sorry". She said. Looking apologetic as she finally found the courage to look up at the girl's eyes.
Green.
The most piercing green-eyes she's ever seen.
"It was my fault. I'm late and I was practically running". The woman explained. A genuinely concerned voice in her tone, and before Raven could keep blaming herself, said woman was getting the forgotten phone from the floor and extending the device for Raven to retrieve it.
"I believe this is yours". She stated with a contemptuous smile.
The soft, shy tone of the green-eyed woman was long forgotten and in place, a confident person with an arrogant smile was looking back at her.
The scoff was inevitable on her part, and the woman's smirk was quickly being replaced by what Raven knows as 'resting bitch face'.
"Yeah. Thanks". She said, rolling her eyes when she tried to take the phone back, only for the stranger to grip tighter at the device. "Thanks". She said firmly in warning, pulling her phone a bit harder and grinning in her insides when she got a small reaction of a hurt look on the woman.
"You should be more careful". The woman said. Pointing with her finger at the phone in her hands.
"Says the one that was running". She snapped back.
The girl wasn't even insulting her in any way, but the flat tone and the uninterested expression she used to say the words made something stir within Raven's bad side. That's why she answered back in a rude way.
Seriously, this woman and that presumptuous look were raising every fiber of temperament within her and she was ready to lash out when the door behind her was opened by a little guy.
"Hola. Me gustarìa poder entrar, por favor". he asked sweetly. (Hello, I'd like to go inside, please)
She should've taken those Spanish classes back in her first year of college. Now she was stuck in place, mouth open and closing like a fish out of the water, not understanding a word of what he said and she sneaked a short glance to her left side only to find the woman trying to hide a smirk as she watched her reaction.
"Lo sentimos". The woman said kindly as she gripped softly the sleeve of Raven's jacket for them to step aside from the main entrance. "Ella no maneja mucho el español todavía. Que tengas unas excelentes vacaciones". (We're sorry. She doesn't know that much Spanish yet. Have a really good holidays)
She was earned an enthusiastic nod from the boy as he walked into the lobby and taking a seat on the nearest couch.
"Thought you were latin". The woman practically accused her, eyebrow raised in challenge and Raven had enough. "You have the looks. I mean no offense". She started.
"As if being latin is an offense". Seriously, who is this girl?. "Non taken… Now if you'll excuse me". She said, opening the door once again and leaving the green-eyed girl behind, but not before intentionally brushing with enough strength the woman's shoulder against her own, and finally make it outside.
The hard wind hitting her face made her regret the decision to just go out with her jacket. It really was freezing and her hands weren't helping with her body temperature. So, she put them in her jacket pockets and a few seconds later she found the small wood cabin followed by the pathway. It was close, not more than a minute walk and she thanked every god because she wanted a comfy and warm place to spend her much needed breakfast.
"Hey".
She heard behind her.
Who is this woman?. She already has had enough of the pain in her leg and the early encounter with this arrogant girl for her to postpone the misery.
"Why are you following me?". She asked, frustration matching her voice as she kept her steady walk to the cabin. Plainly ignoring the woman walking by her side.
She has too much pride to let the woman watch her limping her way through. The leg hurt like a bitch, but she was not going to show the tiny bit of weakness in front of her.
"I'm going that way". She deadpanned. Pointing to the cabin.
"Have a good walk then". She motioned with her hands for the girl to keep walking. Annoyed at the unwanted company.
"Don't need to be rude". Said the girl in a small but firm tone.
She had to do a double-check at that.
The way this girl can go from entertained, to sound like a fucking robot, to then sound hurt at her words was still a mystery to her. Her stoic, emotionless face made it hard for Raven to read through this girl's tough exterior.
"Who are yo-".
"Lexa!".
She was so caught up in start another argument with the green-eyed woman that she didn't realize they were inside the small restaurant and none other than Lexa was holding the door open for her.
She looked at her from the corner of her eyes as she walked past her.
That sounded exactly like-
"An". She heard behind her.
She turned her head back so quickly that she was surprised she didn't hurt her neck in the process. She watched the impassive girl going straight into Anya's awaiting arms and it was enough for her mouth to hang open in astonishment.
She looked around the restaurant, waiting o find the hidden cameras any time now, but none of that was really happening.
She looked back at the table, her friends were already in their seats, food served on the table and Octavia was waving her over enthusiastically. Legs responding automatically, a thin- line on her lips while marching to they group¡s table.
"Took you long enough, Anya ordered for us". O told her, as she pulled the chair back before taking a seat.
"Did she ordered for me?".
"No. She didn't know what you wanted to try". Clarke spoke to her, concern all over the blonde's face as she watched Raven carefully. She knew Clarke knew something was bothering her.
"Oh… I-".
"Babe, guys". Anya started, holding in a one-arm hug at the woman she almost had a fight with not five minutes ago. "This is my cousin Lexa. Lexa this is Octavia, my fiancée Clarke, and that one is Raven".
She couldn't help but maintain the eye contact. There was something about the woman that frustrated Raven to no end. She couldn't be so uptight, so educated… So, composed.
She was practically deflecting her anger on Lexa because of her leg but Lexa didn't even flinch, she didn't answer back… The green-eyed girl smiled at everyone on the table, but the moment the name 'Raven' was out of Anya's mouth, she turned her stoic expression back on.
"Sorry, I'm late. Had a little problem with the check-in". She said. Earning a few responses of 'no problem' as she took a seat in front of Raven. Eyes glued to the menu. Voices raising at the table, continuing the chatting.
Everyone was oblivious to the tension between both of them. Stealing a few glances and quickly adverting them when their gazes locked above the table.
"You okay?". Clarke asked. Breaking a little bit of tension from Raven.
"Yeah".
Clarke, the only one who actually knew everything about her.
"You sure? is it your leg?".
"No, seriously, I'm okay". She tried to reassure her with a smile.
It didn't do the trick, she knows Clarke knows something is wrong, but the pleading look she threw her way was enough for Clarke to drop the subject and go back to the conversation.
"Oh, Rae. I can tell them to bring the menu in English. I forgot you didn't ask for food". Anya tried.
"No, I- I can handle it". She said. Who was she trying to impress? She knows nothing about Spanish other than the basics, and this… words were not going to translate on its own.
"You what?". Octavia laughed.
"Where are your parents, An?". She knows she was not being smooth with the topic change. Bringing a few sniffed laughs among the group and she dropped her head on her hands. "Give me that English menu, Anya". She said. Looking up an offering the first honest little laugh to the group, shaking her head at how stupid she was being.
"Sure". It was the only word out of Anya's mouth before the blonde left the table, and the group was left in a comfortable silence.
"So, you're the one who tamed my cousin?". Lexa asked with that smirk that Raven already hates.
"I wouldn't call it that". Clarke smiled shyly, the red tinting her friend's cheeks, told her she was nervous.
It surprised her. Clarke generally never blushes, maybe with Anya, but not with strangers.
"Actually, Clarke. Lexa speaks the truth. Anya was impossible to control, now she's so whipped". Lincoln joked as Octavia snuggled against his chest.
"Seems like you are going that way too". Lexa answered sweetly.
"I-".
"He already is". Octavia answered for him.
"What about you, Lex. Anyone interesting nowadays?". Her cousin Lincoln asked.
Raven shouldn't be hearing this conversation. It was rude, but seeing as everyone was looking and waiting expectantly for an answer, she didn't have another alternative.
"Linc". It was a flat tone, not rude but not welcoming either. Lexa was clearly passive-aggressive in her warning.
That got Raven's curiosity to pick up. The girl was so happy and calm talking about her cousins' loved ones but when it came to her own love life, she put her walls up once again. Raven wasn't stupid. She can practically see herself projected on this girl. She has practically closed herself off to any relationship too.
She knows Lincoln has touched a nerve in this girl to get so defensive on the spot.
"Here you go". Anya said. Handling the menu to a curious Rave who rapidly made herself busy, reading at 'today's menu' and praying to god that this breakfast ends soon enough for them to get out of the awkward situation.
When Lincoln cleared his throat, the situation didn't get better either.
It was supposed to get Lexa's attention, but everyone turned their heads to the guy, and to be honest, she kind of felt bad for him.
He knew the question threw Lexa off, and everyone could feel the tension radiating from her posture, so now the attention was on him once again and if it weren't for Anya, Raven swore Lexa was ready to fly out of the restaurant.
"My parents' fly from Santiago got delayed, so they'll be here in a couple of hours". Anya announced at the table. Oblivious to the tension in the group, specifically from Lexa and Lincoln as she took Clarke's hand in her own, smiling sweetly at her before taking a long sip of her coffee.
Raven was used to this kind of affections. Her friend's smile really reached her eyes. They shine, they really do.
The cliché response of the body at love.
She used to watch Finn that way. The twinkle in her eyes, the stupid smile she threw his way when they made each other breakfasts in the mornings. The way her body reacted to the touches, the giddiness of it all. How she felt energized and full of happiness. It felt-
Clarke was on her side in the blink of an eye.
She was so absorbed in her own thoughts, that the hiss coming from her mouth caught the entire table by surprised.
"You okay?". Clarke asked, hand going straight to Raven's, and it finally drawn to her.
Her leg was aching so much. The sudden throbbing was starting to feel unbearable, hand stealthily rubbing her leg in an attempt to stop the sharp pain radiating from it.
"Yeah. I- I-".
She fought the expression of pain out of her face, quick steady breaths filled her lungs to calm herself.
"Let's go back". Clarke urged her carefully to her feet.
She wasn't in the mood to argue. She just needed the peace and quiet and more importantly, to get the worried looks out of her persona.
She took one last glance at the table, looking apologetic as she was carried away by Clarke and Octavia, who joined them a few seconds later.
/
"I'm going to set up a warm bath for you". Octavia said. Moving hurriedly across the room while Clarke supported Raven, leading her to the bed.
"You're freezing, Raven". Clarke stated.
"Well, thank the weather". She responded.
"Hey". Hands holding both cheeks, making Raven lock eyes with the blonde. "That's why you were so tense back there when you came in".
It was half the truth.
Lexa was making her tense too, but yeah. The principal factor was mostly due to the pain.
"I didn't want to ruin-".
"You don't ruin anything. Seriously, you should've told me". A sad-disappointed tone in her voice. Dropping her hands from Raven's face to the sore leg
Clarke does not feel sorry for her, just, guilty. Raven knows the blonde was blaming herself for not having noticed that she was in pain, for knowing that she felt like she had to mute her issues to not 'ruin' the fun. For feeling like she was the problem.
"I know. I promise I'll try to voice my suffering more often". She shrugged playfully.
"It's not funny, Rae. You know we worry". Clarke snapped. Straightening her body, looking down at her in a sign of defiance. Waiting to see if the brunette would come up with one of her sarcastic comment to evade the topic.
Deflated shoulders. A short but noticeable nod from Raven, and Clarke let a relieve sigh out of her mouth.
"You should put on some warmer clothes. You know the cold is your leg's worst enemy".
She watched how Clarke was in deep thought, hands going through her blonde hair, eyes fixed on the door, looking for an answer.
"Rae, the bath's ready". Octavia called from the doorframe. Arms crossed over her chest, looking at the duo by the bed.
"Hey. Did Anya said something about outdoor stores back at the cabin?". Clarke asked Octavia.
"Why?". She narrows her eyes.
"Raven here". She nodded towards the brunette seated on the bed. "Didn't bring clothes accorded to the weather".
"Well, that's Anya's fault, to be honest. She didn't say she would bring us here". Raven intervened. Earning the approval nod from O'.
"You could still have packed for everything". Clarke argued back.
Raven's mouth already opening to retaliate.
"Oh, please. Ask Lexa. End of story. Don't fight. Not now". Octavia reprimanded.
At that, Raven's head snapped to Octavia. A silent question dancing in her eyes.
"What?". Octavia looked confused at Raven's weird expression.
"Why Lexa?". The brunette finally voiced her question.
"Well. Anya did say she's been here before as a tourist guide. She probably knows better about these type of clothes than any of us". Octavia shrugged. As if it wasn't that big of a deal.
It's not like Raven hated Lexa. It's just. How do you ask a favor to someone you treated so badly back then?.
"See, Clarkey?. I'll ask the robot chick about that after I take a bath". She said, flinching internally at the annoying pain emanating from the sore muscle as she stood from the bed.
"Great". Clarke smiled in triumph.
"You sound like a mom". Raven joked, easing the tension in the room and finally disappearing from the bedroom. Bathroom door closed behind her. "Thank you guys!". She exclaimed. Waiting to feel the front door come to a close, to know she was left alone.
Finally letting the silent tears of pain to fall down her cheeks
I apologize for any mistakes :)
