The dying girl.
"I don't think I can pull this off Raven. I just can't. I'm done. Out. It's over." Clarke said as she sighed dramatically and sat down in one of the seats across from her friend. Before Raven even had the chance to reply, the blonde grunted and dropped her head onto the table. Raven rolled her eyes and pat her on the head. "There, there. Poor kitten. It's just a bad day, not a bad life". Clarke groaned loudly at this and looked up whilst saying, "You're overusing that line, PLEASE stop. It's annoying as fuck".
"How am I overusing that line, it's brilliant and one can use it in various circumstances" Raven exclaimed as she leaned back and threw her hands in the air. "Becauuuuuse, …" the blonde drawled out "it's losing its meaning because of you and your abuse". Raven feigned hurt and gasped loudly. "YOU", she said while pointing at Clarke, "do NOT deserve my wisdom anymore". Clarke snorted loudly at this. "Do you even HAVE any wisdom to begin with?" she said, earning herself a slap to the arm by the darker haired girl.
"Are you guys going at it again?" An all too familiar face stepped up to their table, one hand on her hip. "How are you two still friends with all the bickering?" Octavia flicked her hair over her left shoulder and took out a pen and note pad. "Cut it out, be nice and tell me what you guys want or you're not getting any".
"That's what she saaaaaid" Raven joked in a singsong voice and received not one but two death glares from her friends. "Are you both PMS'ing or what? Sheesh".
"Raven. Focus. Order. Now." Octavia smacked her friend on the head for good measure and heard her boss yell from the counter: "OCTAVIA STOP SMACKING THE CUSTOMERS AROUND WILL YA?"
"Sorry Gus". Octavia muttered as her two friends snickered behind their menus.
"I'll have that chicken sandwich you made me last time and some water". Clarke batted her eyelashes at her friend, knowing very well this particular chicken sandwich wasn't on the menu and that her friend only made it for her. Octavia shook her head but smiled at this while jotting the order down. "Can I just have a frosted donut O? I'm not that hungry". Raven shrugged as she put the menus away.
"Raven, I'll let you know beforehand that I'm not doing this with you again." It was Clarke's turn to lean forward and point a finger at her friend. "Last time you were not hungry", Clarke said as she air quoted the last two words, "you ate half my sandwich and then complained about being full while I was still hungry".
Raven merely smirked and shrugged.
"You guys are unbelievable you know that?" Octavia shook her head once more as she stuffed the notepad back in her pocket and stuck the pen behind her ear. As she turned around to head for the kitchen she called over her shoulder: "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you two are arguing like an old married couple ready for a divorce!"
"I think I just threw up in my mouth a little" Raven said as she pretended to be sick. Clarke simply scrunched her face up in disgust at both comments.
The pair sat in silence for a good 2 minutes before Raven suddenly remembered something: "What did you mean before when you said you were done?" Clarke pouted at the question because she momentarily forgot about her crisis and was actually enjoying the banter with her close friend. "The project we have to do for school is due in a few weeks and I have made zero progress so far". She covered her face with her hands and groaned.
"And exactly what artsyschmartsy project are we talking about here blondie because I really can't keep up." Raven squinted her eyes at the blonde as she spoke. "Is this about the naked man you had to draw? And you got all awkward and flustered because you didn't want to and then you dropped all your materials?" She smacked her hand down onto the table and laughed out loud before continuing: "And then when he nakedly rushed to your aid, you screamed and ran away?" Raven was practically howling with laugher now.
"Raveeeeeeen", Clarke whined as she shook her friends arm, "stop teasing me about that!".
"Sorry princess", Raven started in a posh British accent, "I do apologize for my behavior".
"Raveeeen." Clarke crossed her arms and glared at the other girl.
"Alright, alright", the girl held her hands up in defense, "what's got you all worked up then?"
"It's the 'up close and personal' project", the blonde started to explain, "I have to find someone I DON'T already know who's willing to spend hours on end with me to discuss deep personal matters so I can translate them into art." She paused before dramatically ending with: "it sounds even more impossible when I say it out loud!"
The blonde let her head fall down onto the table once more and could only hear her friend hum in response. Meaning the wheels in her head were actually turning. Not that Raven was an idiot. On the contrary, Raven was very smart. She just rarely put this talent on display and at that moment Clarke realized it was one of the things she really liked about the girl. There had been times where Clarke felt useless and ashamed for her lack of knowledge concerning matters such as physics, chemistry, mathematics and such. But Raven never gave her the feeling she was stupid. Not once.
Raven was appointed as Clarke's mentor for certain subjects back in high school because she was failing miserably. Surprisingly enough, and despite their never-ending banter, the two got along really well and soon became friends. Raven spent hours on end helping Clarke study for exams and Clarke knew fully well she would never be able to repay her friend for that.
"Maybe you can ask some homeless guy or gal?" Raven suggested, breaking Clarke from her line of thoughts. "They have plenty of time on their hands and some of the stories they have might ACTUALLY be interesting and worth translating into forms of art."
"That's actually a pretty solid idea Reyes". Clarke was impressed with her friends' ability to come up with a simple solution. "But I have to admit that it doesn't…I don't know…" The blonde sighed and shrugged.
"Let me guess", Raven started, knowing fully well what her friend meant: "it doesn't give you that 'tingly feeling' in your tummy?" she added and gave her friend a small smile. Clarke simply nodded and pouted slightly. "You'll figure it out Clarke, you always do". She patted the blonde's hand lightly and the two fell back into a comfortable silence.
Instead of worrying about her art project, Clarke continued her thoughts on how Raven had always been there for her. She had helped her through high school, she had supported Clarke when her father passed away, she was rooting for her when she decided to go to art school and didn't even blink when Clarke showed up at her doorstep in the middle of the night crying her eyes out because she realized she was gay. Raven simply let the girl in, listened to her rambling on and on about how she came to the realization she was attracted to the female species and then replied to all the drama by saying: "look that's fine by me, but can we go to bed now because I'm tired as fuck". This made Clarke cry even more because she had been so afraid that things would change between them. Nothing changed, not one bit.
She glanced over at her friend who was engrossed in her phone and smirking at the screen. "Are you doing that thing again where you watch stupid videos and make me ask you what's so funny?" Clarke asked. Raven stuck out her tongue and turned her phone around to show Clarke a video compilation of people falling. The blonde snickered alongside her friend as their food arrived.
"OKAY, so one chicken sandwich for you and one donut with extra sprinkles on top for you." Octavia rushed forward, nearly smashing their plates and drinks down. "I got you both a bottle of water even though YOU didn't order a drink". She said while knowingly glancing in Raven's direction. "Ah, it's the friendly neighborhood waitress!" Raven clapped her hands together and blew her a kiss. "I wouldn't be sufficiently hydrated without you."
"Busy day?" Clarke asked as she took a sip of water.
"You can say that again." Octavia groaned as she wiped a bead of sweat off her forehead. "Jasper called in sick, leaving me to run this joint."
"Well then he must REALLY be sick" Raven said as she took a bite from her donut. "When the two of you work together he is stuck to you like glue. I swear that guy will NEVER get over his crush." Octavia shrugged at hearing this. "I know that he is obsessed with me, he KNOWS that I know AND he knows it is never going to happen". She looked confused for a second before continuing "that is actually pretty sad and depressing now that I think about it".
"OCTAVIA, new order coming up!" Gustus yelled from the kitchen.
"On my way!" She yelled back as she turned on her heels and marched back into the kitchen.
"Poor O, working so hard and look at us stuffing our faces with-" Clarke paused mid sentence to throw a napkin at her friends' face. "Your face is covered in sprinkles you idiot. Most people eat with their mouths, not their foreheads." Raven laughed at this and wiped her face clean. "Better? Am I kissable now?"
"Better but still not kissable. A frog might take a chance though." Clarke smirked and took a bite of her sandwich.
As Clarke was happily munching on her sandwich, the bell above the entrance rang. A tall female figure entered the diner wearing a dark green raincoat with the hood pulled all the way over her head and eyes. Clarke observed the scene from afar. She appreciated the brown-laced boots with cream-colored socks the girl was wearing. The blonde put her sandwich back down to drink her water as the mystery woman removed her hood along with the rest of her coat, shook out her long brown wavy hair and walked up to the counter. She leaned against one of the barstools and rested her forearms on the counter. Clearly waiting to order something.
Clarke couldn't see her face as the girl was watching the TV screen on her left, looking away from her. She heard Octavia yell politely (how was that even possible) from the kitchen that she'd be right there to take the customers order. The girl turned around at this, not taking her eyes off the TV, and leaned back. Arms casually draped across the counter and one leg crossed over the other that was firmly planted on the ground. Clarke diverted her attention to the TV as well, took another bite of her sandwich and frowned. "Raven check this out" she said, mouth full as she stopped chewing altogether.
The screen showed the New York police department and paramedics running around what seemed a crime scene judging by the yellow tape.
"Hey that's just a few blocks from here." Raven stated. "Between W58th & W59th street". She whistled. "There are some fine apartments over there and real expensive too. Most of them overlook Central Park and are equipped with high tech shit but still have that classy look to it you know?" Clarke chewed and swallowed her food while listening to her friend rattle on about the 'high tech shit'. She lifted her glass up to her mouth as her eyes noticed her current object of interest moving. The girl turned round to lean her front against the counter and just as her head joined her in this movement, Clarke sipped her water. The girl then looked her way and their eyes locked. A small smile played on the girls' lips as green eyes bore into Clarke's blue ones. She raised her eyebrows questioningly and Clarke immediately choked on her water.
She started coughing, her eyes watered and she turned beet red whilst spilling the rest of her drink all over the table. "Holy shit!" Raven exclaimed as she jumped up, rushed to her aid and started pounding her on the back. "Breathe woman! Breathe!" Was yelled in Clarke's ear and if she wasn't coughing uncontrollably and desperately gasping for air, she'd flip her friend off. "Are you okay?! Do you need me to do the Heimlich maneuver? Because I don't know how to do that but I'm willing to try!" Raven continued yelling and by now the scene had caught the attention of nearly everyone in the diner. And to make matters even worse, though she probably meant well, Raven started screaming! 'She is choking!', 'she's going to die!', 'somebody call 911!', and 'somebody do something!'.
A few people hesitated with a phone in their hands trying to determine whether or not to call 911 and those who realized Clarke wasn't in great danger shifted uncomfortably in their seats due to Raven's animalistic cries for help.
By now word had traveled into the kitchen that somebody was 'dying' and Octavia came out to see what all the fuss was about. She took one look at Clarke, then at an overreacting and hysterically wailing Raven (who was now seriously ready to do the Heimlich) and muttered a 'for God's sake' under her breath. Just as she was about to end the idiotic scene her friends were causing, somebody beat her to the punch.
The tall brunette Clarke was stalking earlier hesitantly made her way over to the pair and cleared her throat before speaking. "I don't mean to interfere with anything but erh… are you planning on using the Heimlich maneuver?" She directed her words at Raven but kind green eyes found Clarke's blue ones again.
"Yes! But I don't know how to do it, do you?" Raven rushed the words out hopefully whilst looking at the stranger.
"I do actually, but I don't think that's what your friend over here needs right now. She didn't choke on food. She just got some water in her lungs and is now trying to get that out." The stranger offered both Raven and Clarke a small smile. "I think she just needs a moment to recover". She focused her attention fully on Clarke now who was still red but was coughing less and able to take a few breaths. "Right?" She added and Clarke could merely nod her head in response.
She felt embarrassed by the whole thing and a bit uneasy now that she was in close proximity to the stranger she was previously stalking. She took notice of her features and realized this wasn't just 'a girl' but a very attractive young woman. Even though she was wearing a loose fitted maroon sweater, it still showed her lean figure along with the skinny black jeans she was wearing. Clarke was about to admire the brown-laced boots once more but was pulled from her thoughts by Raven smacking her on the back of her head. "Earth to sky princess Clarke, please respond so we know you didn't suffer from brain damage due to lack of oxygen."
"Huh?" Clarke realized she must have been staring at the young woman (again) for some time and blushed hoping she was still red from the coughing earlier to cover it up. "Don't worry, her use of vocabulary is usually like this". Raven explained to the stranger who merely smiled.
Clarke glared at her friend. "Shut up Raven"
"That's normal too, so we're all good here." Raven assured the woman who simply nodded and stepped sideways for Octavia to come through with a new glass of water and some towels to dry their table. "Seriously I can't leave the two of you alone for 5 minutes and you cause the kind of trouble that could reach the white house." Octavia scolded as she cleaned their table. "You guys better tip big time or I'm banning you from this place for good."
"Hey don't blame me!" Raven started. "It's blondie here who decided to die on us and cause a scene". Clarke's mouth dropped open at this. "ME?!" You're the one who started screaming bloody murder! And I wasn't DYING Raven."
"Well, then you could've just said so and save all of us the trouble." Raven crossed her arms and looked down upon her friend.
"I COULDN'T EVEN BREATHE! Let alone explain to you that I wasn't dying." Clarke flailed her hands in the air. "For someone who is actually really smart you're fucking stupid sometimes."
"Well I love you too princess, no need to thank me for saving your life". Raven said as she sat back down. "Raven, you didn't-…" Clarke started but decided it was no use arguing with her friend about this. "Right. Okay. YES you saved my life. My hero. How can I ever repay you?" Raven smirked at this. "Meh, I'll think of something later."
Clarke rolled her eyes and was about to apologize to the kind stranger for their absurd behavior when she noticed the young woman wasn't standing behind Octavia anymore. She leaned sideways to see where she went but couldn't spot the girl anymore. "You want another sandwich dying girl?" Octavia asked and winked at Raven who stuck her tongue out. "Huh? What?" Clarke answered absentmindedly, still scanning the diner for the now missing girl. "No. No I'm good thanks".
"Dude, she left. Stop stalking the poor woman. You probably creeped her out with all that staring and drooling you did." Raven snickered and pointed her thumb in Clarke's direction as she spoke to Octavia. "You should've seen her O. All lovey-dovey eyes at the hot girl. It was insane. She wasn't even on this planet anymore."
"What hot girl?" Octavia frowned and looked around. "Clarke has a hot girl?"
Before Clarke could explain she wasn't ogling the hot girl (okay she was) Raven cut her off. "Never mind now, she's long gone. Clarke here scared her off because she was full on stalker mode."
"Ignore her O". Clarke said and sighed as she put her elbow on the table to let her chin rest on her hand. "You know what. I think I'm going to ignore the both of you now." Octavia stated and walked away as another customer was calling her.
Ravens attention went back to her phone to probably watch video compilations of people falling again or doing other dumb shit. Anything dumb and Raven was up for it really. Strange girl.
Clarke, who was still leaning on the table, noticed the door to the restrooms opening. She got a hopeful feeling in the pit of her stomach but was soon disappointed when a tall muscular guy came out. She then turned her attention to the TV where commercials were now playing. Having seen and heard all of them a thousand times before, she looked outside to see that it wasn't raining as much as it did before. People rushed by with umbrellas, a paper or suitcase above their heads and a few were just standing in the rain. Obviously not bothered by it.
She sighed.
So what do you guys think? Note:
Let me know by leaving a review (please)!
It would be appreciated :)
you're allowed to ask me questions about where all of this is headed.
But to tell you the truth? I'm going about this very much like the writers for the TV series LOST did a few years back.
Make it up as it goes!