Chapter 1

Clarke smiled to herself as she listened to her friends down the hallway. She figured it was only a matter of time before the RA came knocking to tell them to be quiet, but until then, she wasn't going to bother trying to get her friends to keep it down. She knew it would be futile with a few of them anyway.

After washing her hands and quickly drying them, Clarke threw the paper towel into the garbage and began walking to the door. As she left the bathroom, the noise grew louder and she could hear her roommate laughing. Clarke didn't know what could possibly be so funny, though. They were watching an old horror movie, and when Clarke had left the room, a woman had been stabbed to death before being hung from a tree for her parents to find.

"Hey, guys—"

Clarke was cut off when someone jumped out in front of her, causing her to jump back with a scream. The moment of fright quickly turned to anger, though, when her friend started laughing.

"You ass!" Clarke said as she shoved Jasper, who was practically doubled over with laughter.

"Ow," Jasper replied, his laughter quickly coming to an end as she rubbed his arm.

"I told you not to do it," Monty commented.

"You hit hard," Jasper said.

"Good," Clarke replied as her heart rate slowly began returning to normal. "Do anything like that again and it'll be more than your arm that's hurting."

"You may want to sit down," Monty advised.

Jasper did as he was told, still rubbing his arm as he sat in the chair furthest away from the spot Clarke had vacated.

"I always knew he was afraid of you," Octavia said as Clarke sat down between her and Raven.

Clarke grabbed a handful of popcorn from the tub Raven thrust in front of her. "What'd I miss?"

"Sex talk," Raven answered.

Clarke hummed. "Can someone grab me a Coke from the fridge."

"Uh, I think I already grabbed the last one," Monty said. "Sorry."

"Here," Octavia said, pulling her keys out of her pocket, and handing them to Clarke. "We have some next door."

"Do you want me to get it?" Monty offered.

"Thanks, but it's fine," Clarke replied.

Normally she would be annoyed at missing so much of a movie, but in this case, she didn't care. Clarke hadn't exactly wanted to have the movie night in the first place, but the others had wanted to do it since Halloween was in only a few weeks. Clarke hated horror movies and was perfectly fine with any excuse to leave the room. Not that she would ever admit that to her friends; she knew Raven and Octavia would relentlessly tease her about being a scaredy cat.

"I'll be right back," Clarke said as she stood and began walking to the door.

"Don't you know you're never supposed to say that?" Jasper asked.

"Hey, grab me one, too!" Raven called out just as Clarke walked into the hallway.

"Get your own!" Clarke yelled over her shoulder.

Clarke walked next door and knocked on the door in case Octavia's roommate had come back early. When there was no answer, Clarke let herself in, leaving the door ajar as she walked over to the mini-fridge in the corner of the room. After grabbing a couple cans of Coke, Clarke also picked up the bag of chips that was sitting on top of the fridge and tucked them under her arm. She didn't know if they were Octavia's or her roommate, Harper's, but considering her friends had already eaten everything in sight in her room, Clarke really didn't care.

"Hey, O?" Clarke called out as walked into the hall and checked to make sure the door was locked. "I'm stealing your chips."

When Clarke glanced toward her dorm, she locked eyes with a girl standing at the end of the hallway. Clarke wondered if she was coming to complain about how much noise she and her friends were making, but just as she was about to open her mouth and apologize, Raven stuck her head out and asked, "Did you get me a soda, Griffin?"

"Yes," Clarke replied with a roll of her eyes.

"I knew I kept you around for some reason," Raven said as Clarke tossed the can toward her.

"Very funny," Clarke drawled.

Raven smirked before looking over her shoulder. "Was she cute, by the way?"

"Who?" Clarke asked with a frown.

"Whoever you were staring at down there," Raven replied, nodding down the hall with a knowing glint in her eyes.

"I—we're missing the movie," Clarke said in lieu of an answer.

"You weren't too concerned with that a few minutes ago," Raven pointed out.

"Shut up, Raven," Clarke replied.

"I'm going to take that as a yes," Raven said, smirking at Clarke again as she walked past her and into the room.

"I'm heading to the library," Clarke said as she shoved several books into her bag.

"Suddenly too good to study in the room, Griffin?" Raven replied.

Clarke rolled her eyes at her friend. "Because I would get so much work done here."

Clarke was more the artistic type than the academic type, but if she wanted to get her degree in Fine Arts then she had to make it through all the gen ed classes as well. Unfortunately, unlike Raven, things like math and science didn't come second nature to her.

"Are you going to the studio after?" Raven asked.

"I'll probably be at the library all evening," Clarke said as she shouldered her bag.

"Wait," Raven said when Clarke turned to leave. "I'm coming with you."

"Raven—"

"Don't worry, I'm just going to grab some coffee," Raven interrupted before Clarke could protest. "I have to meet my group in a bit, and I'm going to need the caffeine if I have to listen to Wick talk."

Clarke laughed. "Are you still fighting with him?"

"Always," Raven replied. "I don't know how I always end up doing group work with him. I'm beginning to think my professors are punishing me for something." Raven shook her head. "He likes to pretend he knows everything and that he's the best in the class—"

"When in reality it's you?" Clarke said.

"Damn right," Raven replied. "You'd think even he would realize that by now."

"Maybe he'll learn one day," Clarke said.

"Yeah, especially since I've beaten his ass at every test we've ever taken," Raven said as she grabbed her bag and slung it over her shoulder. "Why are men so slow to learn these things? Are they all just assholes?"

Clarke shrugged and opened the door. "Don't ask me. I haven't exactly had a great track record when I've dated them, so I'm inclined to say yes."

"You haven't had a great track record with women either," Raven commented.

"Thanks for reminding me," Clarke deadpanned.

Raven shrugged. "Just saying."

The two headed down the stairs and out of the building into the crisp October air. The humidity of the summer had finally disappeared in the past few weeks, leaving the weather comfortable. It was exactly the type of weather Clarke loved. Raven, on the other hand, began complaining about it being too cold the moment she stepped foot out of the residence hall. Then again, Raven wouldn't be happy unless she was spending every day out in the hot sun.

As they finally neared the library, Clarke stopped in her tracks when she saw someone walking down the sidewalk adjacent to them. She was walking away from them, but Clarke instantly recognized her as the same girl she'd seen in the hallway the night before.

"Clarke? Clarke!" Raven snapped her fingers in front of the blonde's face. "Are you listening to me?"

"Sorry, I was just—"

"Ignoring your best friend," Raven finished for her. "What were you even staring at?"

"No one," Clarke quickly said.

"I said what, not who," Raven replied. "Is he cute? Or she? Does this mean you're finally you're getting over that asshole you were dating?"

"I told you before, I'm over Finn," Clarke said.

"Right," Raven replied in a tone that told Clarke she didn't believe her.

"I am," Clarke stated.

"That's why you haven't been on a single date since you two broke up months ago?" Raven said.

"Just because I haven't dated anyone else, it doesn't mean I'm not over him," Clarke replied.

"So, who is it?" Raven asked, standing up straighter as she craned her neck to look around.

Clarke sighed. "Okay, do you see the brunette over there? Curlyish, brown hair. Tall, thin. You know, kind of—gorgeous."

"Yeah, you weren't staring at her at all," Raven said, smirking. "Which girl are you talking about, though?"

"She's just over—" Clarke frowned as she looked where the girl had been just a few seconds ago. "Where did she go?" Clarke sighed. "Why are there so many people out so early on a Saturday morning?"

"Not everyone can regularly sleep 'til noon, Clarke," Raven said.

"That's an exaggeration," Clarke replied as she began walking toward the library again while glancing over her shoulder.

"Says the girl who's surprised that people are out when it's after ten," Raven remarked. "Crap. Speaking of, I was supposed to have met the guys five minutes ago."

"Maybe you should skip the coffee then," Clarke said when she noticed the line to the coffee shop was out the door.

"Only if you want me to commit murder today," Raven replied.

"Probably best if you don't," Clarke said. "I think the administration may frown on it."

"Probably," Raven agree. "I'll see you later. And don't forget that party tonight."

"Raven—"

"Don't give me that shit about being too busy," Raven interrupted. "We all know my major is much harder than yours and I'm going."

Clarke rolled her eyes. "I'll think about it, okay?"

"You can think all you want as long as you come with us tonight," Raven replied as she walked away.

"God, I can't believe she's still here," Clarke heard a voice say from behind her say as she tiredly rubbed her eyes.

"I told you."

Clarke shook her head and closed the book she'd been trying to read through. Unfortunately, she had no interest in British literature no matter how classic the book was supposed to be.

"So, are you coming with us?" Octavia asked as she walked over and sat on the desk.

"Of course she's coming with us," Raven answered.

"Actually, I'm studying for a test I have next week," Clarke replied.

Raven scoffed. "C'mon, Clarke; I'm all for studying, but you've been here all day. You should take a break and come with us."

Clarke sighed. "I don't know."

"It's just a break, Clarke," Raven replied. "Then I promise you can come back and study in the room as long as you want since I plan on staying out most of the night."

"Just come with us for an hour," Octavia said, nudging Clarke with her foot. "Lincoln and Bellamy promise it's going to be a kick ass party. And if you're worried about Finn being there—"

"I'm not," Clarke quickly interrupted.

"Well, worried or not, he isn't going to be," Octavia continued. "Bell told me they finally got him to leave the frat a few weeks ago."

"One hour," Raven said. "It'll be good for you. You can recharge and then spend the rest of the night studying."

"Fine," Clarke relented. "One hour and then I really need to get back to work."

Clarke grabbed her things and the three walked back to the dorm so she could drop off her things and change before finally heading over to the party.

A few months ago, Clarke would have jumped at the chance to go to one of the frat's infamous parties, but ever since she and Finn had broken up, she hadn't been in a party mood. They always made her painfully aware how single she was, and it wasn't like she was going to meet anyone at them unless she just wanted a quick hookup. Which wasn't entirely unappealing, but she really wasn't in the mood for it that night.

"What, did they invite all of campus?" Raven asked as they approached the fraternity house.

"Wait until their Halloween party," Octavia replied. "Lincoln told me it's always their biggest party of the year."

"Why didn't we go last year?" Raven asked.

"I went," Clarke said, shrugging.

"What?" Raven asked. "Where was I?"

"If I recall, you were too busy sleeping with that mystery guy from your class," Clarke replied.

"Mmm, that," Raven said.

Octavia and Clarke exchanged a look. Even though Raven had refused to tell them who the guy was, they both knew it was Wick. Her annoyance with him had only intensified right after she'd ended things with the mystery guy, and they had both put two and two together.

"We should get inside before Clarke's hour runs out," Raven said.

"I think someone just wants to get out of this conversation," Octavia said to Clarke as Raven quickly began walking to the house.

"I think you're right," Clarke replied, smiling as she and Octavia began following Raven.

"Hey, you guys made it!" Bellamy said when they walked through the front door.

"I told you we'd be here," Octavia said, receiving a hug from her big brother. "Where's Lincoln?"

"Your boyfriend's in the backyard manning the grill," Bellamy answered, nodding toward the back of the house. "When you go out there, tell him to make sure he doesn't burn the burgers. Those things weren't cheap."

"I have a better idea," Octavia replied. "Why don't you go out and take his place, so I can enjoy my evening with my boyfriend."

"Okay, I don't want to think about you two enjoying anything," Bellamy said.

Octavia rolled her eyes. "Grow up."

Bellamy laughed and turned to the other two as his sister walked away. "So, the drinks are in the den."

"And the good beer?" Raven asked.

Bellamy smiled before reaching in his pocket and pulling out a key. "My room. Don't tell anyone else I gave you this or you'll never get it again."

"Like I can't pick a lock," Raven remarked as she grabbed the key from him.

"I have some vodka up there, too," Bellamy said, looking at Clarke.

"Thank, but I'll pass," Clarke replied.

"Clarke is being boring today," Raven announced.

"I'm only staying for an hour," Clarke explained. "I have a lot of work to do."

Bellamy nodded. "Well, find me if you want someone to walk you home, okay?"

"Aww, isn't that sweet," Raven said, clapping Bellamy's shoulder, and smirking at Clarke.

"You okay?" Bellamy asked, reached out for Clarke's arm to steady her when she stumbled over a crack in the sidewalk.

"Yeah, it's these damn shoes," Clarke complained.

"Or maybe it was the vodka," Bellamy said with a laugh.

"I don't think two shots are going to have that big of an effect on me," Clarke replied, shaking her head. "Seriously, these shoes are just terrible. I don't know why I let Raven talk me into wearing them."

"That sounds like Raven," Bellamy said, smiling. "She's good at talking people into things they don't want to do."

"That she is," Clarke agreed.

"You good from here?" Bellamy asked, stopping at the bottom of the stairs, and looking up at Clarke.

"Yes, thank you," Clarke replied. "You really didn't have to walk me home, though."

"I know, but you don't know what kind of crazies are out there, and I'd hate it if something happened to one of my friends," Bellamy said, shrugging. "I'll be sure to get Raven home safely too, so you won't have to worry about her."

Clarke smiled. "Thanks, Bell."

"So, maybe I'll see you next week?" Bellamy said.

Clarke nodded. "Hopefully things will slow down after I get this test over with."

"When is it?" Bellamy asked.

"Tuesday," Clarke replied.

Bellamy nodded and gave her another smile. "Well, good luck on Tuesday. Not that you'll need it. Anyway—night, Clarke."

After saying her goodbyes to Bellamy, Clarke turned and swiped her card to get into the building. As she walked up to the third floor, she thought about going back to the library, where there would be less distractions, but she decided she would rather study in her room. She was getting tired and really didn't feel like making the walk across campus. Plus, the library would be closing in a few hours anyway.

"Hey, Clarke," Monroe, one of her floormates greeted. "Are you heading out to the party?"

"Just getting back, actually," Clarke replied.

"Already?" she asked.

"Test on Tuesday," Clarke said in way of an explanation.

The redhead nodded. "That sucks, but at least you got to have some fun tonight, right?"

"Yeah," Clarke replied, looking over Monroe's shoulder. "Have fun, okay?"

"Yeah, okay," Monroe replied, following Clarke's gaze for a moment. "I'll see you around."

Clarke watched as Monroe disappeared around the corner, and then turned back around to look at the brunette at the end of the hallway. When the other girl noticed her looking, she locked eyes with her and a slight frown appeared on her face.

"It seems like I've been seeing you around a lot in the past few days," Clarke said, taking a few steps toward her. "Did you just move into the building?"

"Are you talking to me?" the brunette asked.

"Who else would I be talking to?" Clarke asked back, giving the girl a friendly smile. "I'm pretty sure we're the only two here."

The other girl's frown only grew and Clarke couldn't help feeling like maybe she shouldn't have said anything. She didn't want the girl to think she was weird, but this was the fourth time she had seen her around after briefly seeing her in the library that evening, and she felt like it would be even weirder if she didn't eventually say something.

"I'm Clarke, by the way," she continued, trying to fill the awkward silence that had quickly fallen between them. "I'm sorry about how loud my friends were last night. They can get a little overexcited about things. Everything, actually." Clarke smiled, but it quickly disappeared off her face and she cleared her throat as the brunette continued to stare at her. "They want to do it again next Friday, but I'll be sure to tell them to keep it down. I can't promise a few of them will listen, though, so I'm just going to apologize in advance."

"I have to go," the brunette stated, leaving Clarke wondering if she had actually heard anything she had just said to her.

"Hey, wait!" Clarke said.

Clarke didn't exactly know what made her do it, but she quickly took a few steps forward and reached out for the other girl's arm when Clarke's words didn't stop her. Except instead of grabbing hold of her arm, Clarke's hand went right through it, her hand feeling like it had been plunged into a bucket of cold water.

"What the—" Clarke began to say, but when she looked up, the brunette vanished before her eyes, leaving Clarke gaping at the spot she'd just been standing in.

In case it isn't obvious, this is my Halloween fic for the year, and I'll be posting a chapter every other night until it ends on Halloween. If anyone is wondering why I'm working on this and not my other stories, I had a sucky case of writer's block, but this idea seemed to break through it. I did manage to finish the next chapter of YDHtR thanks to this story getting me writing again, though, so that will be up in the next few days.