Notes:
Hey, guys! So this story starts off with younger Clarke moving to Baltimore. The story will progress as she grows up.
This chapter is a "brief" introduction to Clarke and her family. Don't worry! Lexa will show up soon.
I'm expecting this story to explore Clarke's childhood, teenage years, and well into college/adulthood.
Hope you guys enjoy it!
-April
Clarke didn't want to leave. She liked where they were. Leaving meant she would have to say goodbye to friends and Clarke doesn't like goodbyes. She also didn't like plane rides. Granted, this was only her third time riding an airplane, but she was certain she didn't like it even the first time around.
She hated how she always had to stay in her seat even though she needed to go to use bathroom every few minutes. She holds it in anyways because she hates how loudly the toilet flushes. Even when her parents can afford Business Class, she hates how the cabin always smelled of old people. But lucky for her parents, Clarke loved art. She could stay busy for hours just painting, drawing, or coloring. Abby and Jake Griffin always made sure to pack paper and pencils in their daughter's carry-on backpack during these long trips.
Clarke looked outside the small square window, trying to commit what she saw to memory. She was mesmerized by the endless sea of clouds. Sometimes she wishes she could just fly and sleep on them forever. Maybe plane rides weren't all that bad.
Her daydream was interrupted by the soft beep of the intercom, "Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. Please make your way back to your seats soon. We will begin descending in just a few moments. Weather is beautiful in Baltimore this afternoon, temperature currently at 76 degrees Fahrenheit and partly cloudy. It is 1:24pm Eastern Standard Time, we are arriving just as scheduled. And on behalf of the crew, thank you for flying with us today at Polaris Airlines."
There was another soft beep indicating the announcement was over. Other passengers began shuffling, preparing for arrival at the airport. Abby Griffin reached over to her right, beginning to fasten her daughter's seat belt.
"Clarke, you wanna start putting all your drawings away?" Abby asked, motioning to the scattered pieces of paper sprawled on the open seat tray in front of Clarke.
"Yeah," Clarke whispered, slowly gathering the papers.
"You okay, sweetie?" Abby knows Clarke isn't exactly happy that they're moving to a different city. But the girl was only 6 years old, Abby knew she had plenty of time to make new friends and she had hope this new neighborhood would grow on her.
"I'm okay," Clarke finished putting the table up against the seat in front of her and locking it in place.
Clarke was smart for her age. She was very intuitive and responsible. She was also quieter than those her age, but she made up for it with keen and curious observation. Abby and Jake sometimes wonder if they should be worried or proud. Worried that Clarke is growing up too fast. Proud that their little Clarke was mature. Maybe both. Regardless, they loved their daughter with the entirety of the universe, no matter who she is or who she will be.
Clarke finished closing the zipper on her backpack and Abby wrapped her arm around Clarke's shoulders, trying to comfort her daughter, "Hey, I know it's hard to say goodbye. But this can also be a new start. You can make new friends and you'll get to have your own big room. Your dad and I will even get you your own art easel to paint and do anything you like."
Clarke's eyes lit up at the idea of having her own art supplies. It makes her feel like a real artist. Even if her dad insists she's as real as Picasso. It's not official until she gets her own easel.
"Do I really?" blue eyes questioned, "that would be so awesome!"
"It'll be a little early birthday present from your dad and I." Abby kissed the top of her daughter's head, hoping that it would somehow reassure Clarke.
"What did I miss?" Jake interrupted, making his way to his seat across the aisle from his wife and daughter. "Someone might wanna give that bathroom a sec," he joked, locking his seat belt in place then waving his hand in front of his face, mocking the gesture of a bad smell.
"Ew! Dad!" Clarke exclaimed, "That's so gross."
Jake and Abby only giggled at their daughter's amusement. Abby far too comfortable with Jake's silliness and jokes. Secretly, Clarke thought it was funny too.
Jake called a cab once they finished checking out of the airport. Their new neighborhood was just 30 minutes away. While Clarke stared blankly at the trees that passed by, Abby silently doubted if moving to Baltimore was a good idea.
Abby worked for Unity Hospital in Indianapolis. She had been a doctor there for 15 years before the president offered her a job as Senior Physician at their newly built hospital in Baltimore. Although she was comfortable with her current position, this new job offered a larger salary and they practically begged her to take the offer. Abby was one of the best doctors in Indianapolis. She had received many awards and recognitions, especially during her time as a surgeon. Abby was one of the most well-known doctor's in the city and eventually became the face of Unity Hospital. Her manager eventually convinced her that she was best for the job and the hospital was even helping her look for a new house in the district. They wanted to do anything and everything to have their best doctor set an example at this new location.
Of course, she couldn't make the decision to move on her own. She brought up the promotion to Jake the night they offered her the job. Expectedly, Jake was as supportive as he's always been. Jake consistently encouraged his two favorite women to strive for the best and to do what they felt was right. Money was never a priority for the family, but opportunity was. Abby had never lived outside of Indianapolis, and maybe it was time to get a change of scenery. Besides, she hears Baltimore is nice.
A month later, Jake's petition to transfer to an Exodus Engineering branch in Baltimore was approved. They had bought a 4-bedroom house in a pleasant neighborhood, 10 minutes away from the new Unity Hospital. Although the Exodus campus was closer to Washington DC than Baltimore, Jake never minded long drives to work. The school district was small but it was safe and close. Clarke, although unhappy with her parents' decision, was being brave and began accepting this new chapter in her life. That was it, they had done their research and they prepared endlessly. In another month, they were leaving behind Indianapolis.
Jake turned and reached behind his passenger seat to gently hold Abby's hand. Abby was shaken out of her revere, unaware of how long she had been reminiscing. She looked up and met Jake's eyes, his head twisted uncomfortably to meet Abby's gaze and his left arm stretched to reach his wife's hand. He could always sense when she was in doubt.
"Hey," he squeezed her hand softly, "we're gonna be okay." And with a reassuring smile, Jake turned again to face forward in his seat next to the taxi driver. Abby looked to her left and saw that Clarke had fallen asleep against the car door. Abby yawned, evidence that she was tired too. The flight was only an hour long, but she'd be lying if she said those plane rides were more comfortable than her bed.
Just as Abby reached for Clarke to lay her small blonde head on her lap, the taxi turned a corner to the entrance of the neighborhood.
Further down the street, the taxi turned left to face a large gate with a security post in front of it. The taxi driver pulled forward to the right of the post and rolled down his window, greeting the security guard who stepped out.
"Hey there. Just dropping off some residents here." the driver stated casually. The familiarity in his tone hinting that he had been here before, maybe dropped off some other residents prior to the Griffins. The security guard bent down slightly to get a better look inside the cab.
"Not a problem. I just need the name and address." the security guard looked stern and serious, but his voice was kind. He took a pen out of his left front pocket, an ink stain visible through the grey uniform. His name tag just above the pocket, reading "David M." He then reached back into the security post and returned with a small binder in his hand.
Jake leaned across the console of the car, "The last name is 'Griffin'. This is our first time in the neighborhood. A moving truck should be arriving either later or tomorrow. Is that gonna be ok?" his volume raised slightly to make sure the guard heard him.
"That's fine. Just give me the address and the name of the moving company. I'll let them in." David replied, reminding Jake to give the address.
"Oh, right. Uh...it's…" Jake looked at the paper he held in his right hand. It had unintelligible scribbles among other printed writing. "Ok, it's 17802 Alie Drive. The moving company is Trigeda Movers."
David finished writing on his small binder before speak again, "Alrighty. You're all set. I'll let them in when they show up."
David then pointed inside the gate towards a building too small to be a house, "When you get the chance, you should stop by the neighborhood clubhouse to pick up your gate keys and register allowed vehicles so you don't have to do this every time. I'm David if you guys need anything. Welcome to Arkadia." David finished as he stepped back into the post, turning a key to open the gate.
"Thanks, David!" Jake yelled out before the taxi driver pulled up his window and continued his drive forward.
Abby noticed that this part of the neighborhood was gated, but there was another entrance to a smaller sub-neighborhood that was ungated. She was unable to catch the name carved onto the slab of rock placed at the intersection only a few feet down.
After a few more turns, the Griffins finally arrived at their new home. It was large compared to some of the other houses in the neighborhood, but it wasn't outrageous nor prestigious.
In Indianapolis, the Griffins lived in an expensive townhome in the heart of the city. It was small but it was theirs. This house was different. There was space, a yard, a driveway and a single door garage. The house was built with beige bricks 2 stories tall and covered with black roofing tiles. The garage was attached to the left of the house and grass was well kept. The driver pulled his car up on the empty driveway.
Jake paid the taxi driver before thanking him and exiting out of the cab. Abby was still staring outside her window, astounded by the size of the house. Jake opened her door with a grin, "We're here, honey."
Abby lightly tapped Clarke's shoulders while stroking her hair, "Hey. We're here, Clarke."
Clarke shuffled, mumbling something unintelligible then slowly began raising her head off her mother's lap. Clarke's eyes were still sleepy, and she moved the back of her right hand across her mouth to wipe away the escaping drool.
"We're...already here?" Clarke piqued, still drowsy from her nap.
"Yeah, sweetie. C'mon. Let's get your stuff from the trunk and maybe you can finish your nap inside."
"Ok, mom."
Abby slid out of the car with Clarke close behind. Jake had already began removing their luggage from the trunk of the taxi. Clarke stood on the driveway, trying to rub the sleep from her eyes before turning to look up at the new house. Abby reached an arm around Clarke and said, "This is our new home."
Notes:
Thanks for reading! Stick around for the rest. Any comments are appreciated!
I'm also on tumblr: the-snogging-box
If you wanna shoot me an ask, I'll see what I can do about a little preview for the next chapter ;)
Stay tuned!
-April