Clarke hated Thanksgiving, she'd like to blame her messed up family but, really, even before her dad died she had never liked the day. To her it seemed so much effort for so little payoff that it was pointless. It was also the time of year she usually had exams or projects due, so already stressful. Then there was the food, so much that you had to eat it for days. Clarke loved her food, so having the same bland turkey sandwiches and pie for dessert day after day, because in a house of three the leftovers went a long way, was pure torture. On the actual day, Abby threw a party and Clarke's house became a show home, filled with too many people milling around whom she barely knew.
Being forced to smile and pretend to be the perfect daughter, the whole situation was exhausting. Even if she snuck off to have some peace and quiet there was never anything on the tv, just Sports or the parade. The "only two acceptable choices" her dad always said cheerfully, though it was more like the only two choices, period. She'd rather have skipped it, she still would if she could even now. However, Octavia Blake would not take no for an answer, while the girl was one of her best friends, she did sometimes feel sorry for Bellamy, raising a headstrong, strong willed human tempest.
Too far to fly, too much work on, her go to get out of jail free cards when it came to her mother's requests. Drinking a lot and hanging with her friends, instead of having to attend a stuffy formal dinner, was a huge improvement. As compromises go though, Clarke was glad that the last few years she had celebrated with the Blake's instead of her mother. But deep down a takeaway and some movies while relaxing alone would be her first choice.
Clarke shifted the phone in her hands, half listening as Abby gave her the rundown of her plans over the phone. What took several excruciating hours when she was there, was quickly surmised in thirty minutes on the phone. Abby prattled on about the guests attending as Clarke fixed her makeup, only needing the odd non-committal umm-hmm as they spoke. It was far easier to do this with a few states in between them.
Clarke zipped up her black sweater dress, shoving her feet into her high heeled boots. She was aware she was overdoing it, but she and Niylah had just broken up and she wanted to feel good about herself. She paused as she raised the red lipstick to her mouth, realising there would be questions today as to where her girlfriend of two months was. Maybe they would be too drunk to notice, she hoped, glancing at the clock. She was already running twenty minutes late, so she could bet Raven and Jasper were on their way to wasted.
She sighed, looking at herself in the mirror. Examining her face, her figure, she couldn't believe she was here again. Another one down as Bellamy would say. Clarke felt a wave of sadness wash over her at the thought. Not for Niylah, they ended with a whimper not a bang. Her last words though, they had stuck as a little voice at the back of her mind. She had thought things were going well. She was obviously wrong. The pretty blonde had taken her hand, smiled and ended it. Pointing out they had been together for a few months and yet she still felt no closer than when they started dating.
Clarke had protested but her effort to change Niylah's mind wasn't particularly strong. If she wanted out, who was Clarke to stop her. It was okay until Niylah had whispered, as they hugged goodbye "let someone in Clarke." She always did, or at least she was pretty sure she did. She couldn't help but wonder what she had meant. She had a few long-term relationships, the longest was nearly a year and a half, hardly something that could be achieved without opening up. Still that comment was lingering. That was it she needed a drink.
"Mom I have to go." She interrupted, "Have fun and I'll call you at the weekend."
"Okay baby, love you" Abby chirped.
"Love you too." Clarke replied. Throwing her stuff into her bag and rushing out the door.
The cab had come quickly so she hadn't gotten too cold, but she still rushed into the building, making sure she stayed warm. She could hear the thrum of people before she got to the door. Shouts and merriments greeting her. She knocked loudly, hoping they'd hear her. She was forty minutes late, so she doubted most were sober. Thankfully.
Octavia opened the door and let out a low whistle
"Damn girl, you know its just us losers right" she joked, ushering Clarke in.
"What, I dressed same as always." Clarke stated, daring her to say otherwise.
"Sure, you're currently head to toe in paint stained clothes, nothing new here" Octavia smirked.
"I don't always wear scruffy clothes" Clarke remarked indignantly.
"Well you may be overdressed a little. But hey we all appreciate some eye candy" Octavia replied turning to leave, ending the conversation, distracted by Jaspers conversation. She bounced off, throwing herself down on the couch. Shouting a clearly made up opinion to annoy him.
Clarke greeted Raven, Wick, and Monty, nodding at Jasper, the group greeted her with varying degrees of Octavia's comments. They were all lounging around the sitting room, relaxing, while knocking back drinks, arguing about nothing. Clarke would have to catch up.
"Where's Bellamy?" she asked.
Monty nodded towards the kitchen "he's making food and I quote so you kids don't destroy yourselves and my carpet." he answered rolling his eyes.
Clarke snorted moving towards the kitchen.
"Hey Clarke" Bellamy greeted as she entered the small room.
She could see food cooking in the oven, various drinks and mixers and plates and cutlery strewn around the countertops. There was a massive pile of dishes in the sink, so big she thought would take days to clean. She was grateful they were willing to do this for them.
She was besotted with this house. It was the opposite of where she grew up. Everything was worn down, used and homely. Bellamy and Octavia hadn't replaced much since their mother died. Despite the constant riling by the group, very little changed here. She loved it. She had once discussed it with Octavia, asking why. The young woman had shrugged, saying it was Bellamy's house and his choice, that he liked it as is. Clarke hadn't pushed further though that raised more questions than it had answered. It was hardly a surprise that Bellamy was an enigma, and that Octavia would simply support him.
"Hey" she called back.
He was intently stirring, chopping and arranging food on plates. Moving between each job.
"Making everyone eat, huh?" she joked.
"Ha, ha, Clarke, mock me but Monty and Jasper did four shots each as soon as they arrived. Four. Four. I'm not hosing them down after they do a re-enactment of the exorcist in my house… again." He grumbled.
"It wasn't that bad" she pointed out.
"Says you who was throwing up in the toilet at the time" Bellamy shot back.
"Come on Octavia only turns Eighteen once" Clarke replied, picking up some of the cheese and crackers. Her hunger making itself known.
Bellamy stopped, looking to the door, passed the wood, mentally out to where Octavia was. "I am a bad parent for letting you all influence her."
"I'm pretty sure the drinking games were led by her you know" Clarke said, munching on her snacks. She could smell the food in the oven. Blessedly no turkey, not in this home.
"No, I don't know. Because I don't want to know that" Bellamy sighed, grabbing more snacks from the fridge.
Clarke watched him move fluidly around the room, fixing meals for his friends, a carer at heart. She continued to eat while he set everything up. He tutted a few times as he replaced what she ate, always the perfectionist.
Bellamy finished what he was doing with a Voila gesture. His attention no longer elsewhere, he finally looked at her properly. He regarded her up and down and Clarke waited for another saucy comment but got a frown instead.
He met her eyes, the grimace still in place. "You broke up with Niylah?" the question came out closer to a statement.
"What?" Clarke stuttered, shocked by him.
"You did, you always dress up when you break up with someone. You're also wearing your I can do better lipstick" He pointed out.
"I'm not, Were not. Do better lipstick?" she croaked.
Bellamy didn't answer just walked over and pulled her into a hug. Clarke began to protest but gave up and slumped into it, who was she kidding she wanted and needed this.
"Have I become so predictable" She snuffled
"Yes" he breathed into her hair. Squeezing a little harder.
Clarke laughed against his chest.
"Ddddaaaaaaaaaaadddd were hungry" Jasper called from the other room. Breaking the spell.
"Ahh the kids need me" Bellamy chuckled, "Can't leave them hungry" he said as he pulled away.
Clarke felt the loss immediately. "Thanks Bell" she said squeezing his arm.
"Any time princess, and if you need anything … ask ok…" he trailed off.
Clarke nodded, taking a deep breath, grabbing some of the plates, she entered behind him.
The night continued in much the way as it had begun, drinking, joking around, general stupidity. Still Clarke couldn't shake the strange feeling she had. Like something was wrong and she should know what it was.