The sun was streaming through the cherry blossoms trees and though the day was humid there was a cool breeze drifting ever so slightly through the tresses of her long blonde hair. Around her other students were milling around, some going to class, some relaxing on the lawns of the grounds, groups studying together and in the far corner a group of guys were throwing a football to each other.
Her eyes drifted up from the sketchpad, meticulously taking in every detail of the girl sitting in a group she had been observing for the last twenty minutes. Casting her eyes back down to the sheet below her a small smile crept over her features. She liked setting herself these challenges. Trying to capture the essence of strangers from casual observations of body language and small quirks they unknowingly presented. It was a favourite past time of hers, sketchbook at hand or not, just watching people. The challenge was capturing this not knowing how long her unknown subjects would present her with. It made her an astute judge of character over time, really looking at people, seeing them and not just the air they aimed to portray. It all started when she had come across a Japanese proverb of The Three Faces during a psychology elective the past semester. The first face you show to the world, the second to your family and friends and the third you never show to anyone but yourself. It is the truest reflection of oneself.
The proverb resonated deeply with Clarke. She had thought back to how in her early teens she had been uprooted from her life in Australia to the other side of the world in Washington DC. How quiet she had been, unsure of these new surroundings. She had tried to portray confidence to those around her but it wasn't until she met her friends that she really started to feel that she could belong. It had been a difficult adjustment, her Mom working all hours at the hospital and her Dad had been kept tied up with the engineering career they had relocated for. If it hadn't been for Octavia and Bellamy taking her under their wing she may not have found her place at all. She often pondered how others saw her compared to how she saw herself and if that had changed over the years.
With the last few strokes of the charcoal she felt she had accomplished capturing the girl before her eyes. The contrast of her small lithe frame yet the strength she portrayed in her stance. Back straight, shoulders squared and chin ever so slightly tipped up. To the casual eye she would appear arrogant but Clarke looked deeper and saw a quiet confidence. The air of authority around the girl was only further confirmed by the group she was with. Every now and again they would speak yet look towards her as if seeking confirmation or approval. Occasionally the girl would allow a smirk to grace her lips but never quite a smile. It could be assumed the girl would be prim and proper but Clarke smiled at the small tell of rebellion, the design unknown from the distance but she could hazard it was a tribal design that inked her skin. Clarke couldn't deny the girl was stunningly beautiful, even from across the quad she could see the elegance to her face. Her jawline and high cheekbones pronounced further by her wild yet controlled brown locks, pulled tightly back into a myriad of braids that flowed down to her shoulders. Clarke mused over how she could see the girl as a proud Amazonian warrior, sun kissed skin with a light sheen of sweat as she rallied her army to battle with a ferocious swing of her sword and even louder battle cry.
Clarke was startled out of her musings by slender strong arms wrapping themselves around her shoulders and neck as a body came into contact with her back. "Creeping again weirdo?" came the teasing lilt of her best friends' voice. With a slight jump, Clarke turned her head and scowled at the brunette, her green eyes alight with mischief. Octavia was the all American girl to the outside, beautiful strong features and athletic body with a take no shit attitude. Much like Clarke had felt when she had first arrived in DC, Octavia too felt like she didn't quite belong, strengthening the bond between them. As they grew together through high school by the time they had graduated and joined college they were proud to say they had come out stronger, confident and more self-aware than when they had first met.
"I'm not creeping! It's an assignment I'm working on..." Clarke defended. Whilst it wasn't necessarily true, the proverb had inspired her and as such for her final submission she wished to complete a series of self-portraits based upon the perspective of the three faces. Always one to push herself to the limit Clarke didn't want to stop there and wished to make it a collection with volunteers. She had yet to approach people to see if they would be willing to show that vulnerability to her.
"Looks more like perving to me" With Octavia releasing her hold on Clarke, the sight of her smirking friend Raven appeared. "Call it art if you want but we both know it's just an excuse to look at pretty girls and hot boys" Raven continued to tease.
Rolling her eyes Clarke shook her head at the torment of her friends. Raven had come into her life near the end of her senior year by unfortunate circumstance. Despite Raven having already left for college she had come back to their hometown to spend time with her boyfriend during spring break, what she hadn't expected to find was that her boyfriend Finn was cheating on her with an unknowing Clarke. When it all came to light Clarke had expected to make an enemy but with their equal disgust at Finns' actions they had somehow managed to become friends. Looking back Clarke liked to call it a time of serendipity, friendship blossoming from broken hearts.
"Just because I'm single Raven doesn't mean I'm eye-sexing everyone in sight, that's Octavia" she retorted, throwing a cheeky smile to her other friend.
Bringing her hand up to her forehead Octavia fiend offense before laughing good naturedly. "What I can't help it," she replied shrugging her shoulders, "I no longer have the constraint of an over-bearing big brother staring daggers into any guy that looks my way."
Octavia did have a point, in high school any guy that looked her way was met with a fierce gaze from Bellamy if they were lucky. Those that didn't take the hint, well the girls didn't know what happened to them. It was enough however for them to keep their distance long after Bellamy left for the army.
As the girls settled down beside Clarke she couldn't help subconsciously looking back at the group that had caught her interest earlier. Scanning the now smaller crowd she couldn't help but feel a disappointment that her subject had since moved on. What remained of the group made their way around the quad placing posters on the notice boards.
Following her gaze, Octavia too turned towards the group, letting out a low whistle. "Damn, sign me up for art too if I can get up close and personal with him."
"Oooh,which one?" Raven leaned forward, suddenly more interested in "perving" as she had previously called it.
"The hunk in the red shorts" Octavia replied pointing.
Turning her attention to the man Octavia was now openly devouring with her eyes, Clarke felt a hint of recognition as she studied him further. He was wearing a pair of red board shorts, showing powerful calf muscles, a plain white tee which clung to his well-defined back and a matching red baseball cap. It finally dawned on her she knew him as he turned to face the threesome, his face now in perfect view.
"Oh, I know him, that's Lincoln, we did some pre-med classes together" Clarke stated casually.
Octavia turned to her with wide eyes, "That's Lincoln? Why the hell did you never introduce us?" she asked incredulously.
Recalling the reason why she had never introduced the two Clarke lowered her eyes to the ground and took a steadying breath before replying, "I was going to but then the accident happened..." she trailed off.
Grimacing, Octavia stretched her hand out until it rested on Clarkes forearm in a bid to offer comfort whilst Raven similarly squeezed Clarkes' knee reassuringly. Over the last few months Clarke had been returning to her former self but it had been a hard journey for the girl to recover from the sudden loss of her father during a tragic work accident. She had started out in pre-med at her Moms insistence but her Dad had always encouraged her to follow her dreams and do what truly made her happy. With his sudden loss Clarke had felt she owed her Dad to follow his advice and do what made her happy. Switching her studies to Art, she couldn't think of a better way to honour him than to follow her dreams of creating beauty in a sometimes dark world. It may have been a hobby but he had always been her most avid supporter and fan and she had to admit, as modest as she is, her work is pretty good.
"I'm sorry Clarke" Octavia began
"-Don't," Clarke interrupted, "it's okay. You didn't know." Taking another steadying breath Clarke pushed down the horrible memories that tried to resurface, "you know what, how about I introduce you guys now?"
"No Clarke, its okay, don't worry about it."
With a small smile forming on her lips Clarke turned to Octavia, "its okay, really, I want to."
Closing her sketchbook Clarke swiftly got to her feet before tucking it under her arm. Octavia looked to Raven who shrugged in response before getting up herself. Closing the distance Clarke noticed Lincoln was carrying sheets of paper loosely in one hand, the other attaching a sheet to the notice board, as she was within a few steps she called out to him. "Hey stranger, it's been a while" she smirked.
Turning around Lincoln smiled at the sight before him, they hadn't known each other long but he respected the girl that stood before him. She had been a natural in class, easy smiles and eager to help those around her. Suddenly half way through the semester however she had become withdrawn. Her smile no longer a permanent feature on her face and her eyes less vivid and alive. He missed that side of Clarke, having been partnered up with the girl they had a relaxed easy going relationship where they were soon able to tease each other and have a friendly competition over who would make the better doctor someday. He had tried to be there for her. Eventually she had opened up to him over her father's untimely death. Offering what comfort he could, he knew it was little to help ease the pain but she had thanked him for his efforts. A few short weeks later she confided in him that she would be leaving the course to pursue her passion. Whilst Lincoln knew she would make an excellent doctor one day and the world would be at a loss without her talent he never tried to discourage her, her bravery to pursue her dreams being yet another quality he had admired in her.
Closing the distance between them he pulled her into a tight embrace, the happiness clear in his voice, "Clarke, it has indeed" pulling back he gave her another dazzling smile before looking her over, "you look good Griffin."
She rolled her eyes good-naturedly at him, "yeah well someone has got to try and give you a run for your money." She teased trying to divert the attention away from her. "How have you been?"
"Aww you know, same old, working hard and trying to live life to the fullest y'know?" he grinned, "how about you? Look at you looking all arty with the sketchbook and smudges of charcoal on your cheek"
Feeling a heat quickly rise to her cheek, she quickly brushed the back of her hand against her cheek to remove the light dusting that she didn't know had been residing there, turning to her friends who had formed behind her to watch the sweet reunion, she scowled at them as they tried to hide their amusement.
"Thanks guys" she muttered sarcastically to them.
With bouncing shoulders and mirth in her eyes Octavia replied with a barely contained laugh and a "You're welcome."
Raven just smirked before replying, "Hey it looked good on you, could have almost passed for an engineering student, almost."
Turning back to Lincoln who had been intently watching the banter between the three girls Clarke nodded her head to her two friends, rolling her eyes in the process. "Lincoln, allow me to introduce you to these two reprobates whom I can hardly keep control over, this is Raven..."
With a dip of her head in acknowledgement Raven casually greeted Lincoln, "Whats s'up."
Clarke continued, "...and this is Octavia."
Lincoln looked over to Octavia, their eyes meeting and the hint of a slight blush coating her cheeks.
"It's a pleasure to meet you both, I've heard so much about the two of you." He smiled, eyes still locked with Octavia.
With a bit more blood rushing to her cheeks Octavia smiled back at him, "All good things I hope?"
With a slight dip of his head Lincoln replied, charming smile widening, "Definitely"
Her amusement watching her two friends interact warmed Clarkes' heart. She had a feeling that if she ever introduced the two that they would hit it off and seeing the display before her she couldn't help but feel she was right. Not allowing for any shy pauses to begin she quickly pipped up, "So what are you up to?"
Tearing his gaze away from Octavia, Lincoln looked confused and then noticed Clarke eyeing the pieces of paper in his hand which he had long since forgotten.
"Oh! Oh yeah these are to help out a friend, she's doing an experiment for her psych class and needs volunteers."
Her interest spiked upon hearing it was for psychology but before she could say anything Octavia beat her to it.
"What's the experiment?"
Lincoln glanced over to Octavia and again blushed before replying, "It's basically on human interaction, she's looking for volunteers who would be willing to kiss strangers..." He trailed off.
"Oh well we could help out right ladies?" Octavia looked towards Clarke and Raven, urging them with her eyes to agree. She wanted to see Lincoln again, even daring to hope they could be taking part in this experiment with each other.
Lincoln watched on as Raven and Clarke eyed each other as if having a silent conversation before Raven turned to him with a shrug of her shoulders, "Sure, what's the worst that can happen right?" she replied nonchalantly.
All eyes turning to her Clarke smiled, "Well if it's helping a friend of a friend, why not."
"Awesome," Lincoln smiled brightly over to Octavia secretly hoping she either wouldn't really take part or that his friend could do him a solid and match them up, "It's on the second floor of the psych department Friday at 8pm, room 214."
Trying to keep the eagerness out of her voice Octavia asked, "Cool, will we see you there?"
Smiling her direction once again Lincoln nodded, "Yeah, I'll be there." Looking down at the papers again Lincoln smiled sheepishly before continuing, "I better go and put the rest of these up over campus otherwise my friend might kill me if she doesn't have anyone show." Turning to Clarke he embraced her once again, "It was really good to see you Clarke."
Returning the embrace and smile Clarke echoed the sentiments before he pulled away. Turning his attention back to the two girls, "It was great meeting you both," his dazzling smile yet again befalling on Octavia, "I'll see you again Friday."
With that Lincoln walked away from the group, every now and again looking back before rounding a building and disappearing from sight. With him no longer in the vicinity Raven and Clarke turned to Octavia who was on the verge of swooning.
Laughing, Raven pushed her friend slightly before teasing her, "Get a grip of yourself O! I didn't plan on swimming today!"
Coming out of her hormone induced stupor Octavia looked to her friend confused. "What?"
Smirking further Raven continued, "You're drooling."
With a blush Octavia pushed the girl back, "I'm soo not," she weakly defended "but come on! Did you see him?!"
Linking her arms with Raven and Octavia, Clarke let out a laugh, "It's true O, you were blushing so much I thought you would melt."
Scowling Octavia looked to the other two before trying to change the subject and subsequently any further teasing. "Come on let's get some lunch, I'm starving."
With a glint in her eyes Raven pipped up, "Ooh I know what you want to eat, some beefcake!"
Having both friends rip their arms out of hers Clarke couldn't help but laugh as she saw Octavia chasing after Raven, bending down to pick up her sketchbook Clarke couldn't help but to smile and shake her head, Friday was certainly going to be interesting.