Chapter One – Moving Day in the Griffin Family
Hello Everyone! I just wanted to let you all know that I've re-written Chapter One (I know, before writing the next chapter, I'm so bad). It's a bit different now! For anyone just starting, I hope you don't mind if it feels like the style changes a little bit between chapters 1 and 2, and then 10 and 11. I started writing this in 2014, and took a bit of a break when we moved house and I had other stuff going on.
I hope you all enjoy my little story. Please bear with me if it takes a little while to update new chapters. I'm going to start my full time postgrad studies again in Feb, so I might be a bit busy.
Just a little disclaimer to say that I don't own the 100 or any rights to it, I'm just a fan who loves the show.
It was a bright, sunny day. The sky was a magnificent shade of blue, speckled with fluffy clouds and the temperature was just right. In short, it was a beautiful day, which only annoyed Clarke Griffin.
Why was it such a pleasant day when something distinctly unpleasant was taking place?
"Clarke, sweetheart, I know you're unhappy about the move but could you at least try to be nice to them? I know you've all had difficulties before but maybe now it'll give you and them a chance to get to know each other better," said Jake Griffin.
Clarke glanced away from the window she'd be gazing out of, the window from her childhood bedroom, and looked her father. Jake Griffin didn't make a habit of pleading with his children, especially since his wife died, but ever since he'd allowed himself to move on a year ago and started dating a women he had met at one of Monty's parent teacher interviews, his children had been dragged kicking, screaming and with the occasional plea into the realisation that his relationship wasn't going to end just because they didn't like it.
Clarke didn't want to lie to her father, so she just frowned unhappily at him trying to convey her deep scepticism and distaste at his suggestion. Jake Griffin rolled his eyes in frustration, he had lots of issues to deal with and he didn't want to have to add his kids' bad mood to the growing list. Clarke had been making that face often in the last month and it was driving him mad.
"Why don't you go tell Lincoln, I'm sure he could use some encouragement as well. He dislikes them just as much as I do," Clarke said, wishing her father would leave her alone.
"Your brother is at least trying to behave, even if it's just for my sake. You could learn a few things from him."
Clarke sniffed. No way was she planning on doing that.
"Monty doesn't seem to mind," Jake pointed out, hoping that somehow his youngest son's pleasure would rub off on his daughter.
"Dad, Monty is nine. He's moving in with his friend from school. Of course he's excited."
"Well Clarke, you're just going to have to suck it up. We're all moving in together, so you're just going to have to deal with that, and you'll do it with a smile," Jake snapped at his daughter. He'd had enough of her childish attitude.
"That same way you're going to deal with raising seven kids?" Lincoln said as he wandered past Clarke's doorway, overhearing the last part of the conversation.
Jake sighed and rubbed his face, wanting a shave.
"It's only the two of you that give me trouble," Jake sighed and was about to continue but it was at that moment that Clarke's younger brother Monty joined them.
"Dad, there is a man asking for your help," said the youngest Griffin.
"Alright, I'm coming," Jake smiled at his youngest son and went to go give directions to the movers.
"I wonder which two he was talking about?" Lincoln smirked at his younger sister.
"He was definitely talking about us," Clarke said, and despite her frustrations she left her window to find more boxes to move into the truck. She didn't think that she was normally so petulant – in fact usually the only words used to describe her were 'Goody two shoes', 'Class Princess' and 'Geek'. However these were extenuating circumstances. She and the Blake/Reyes kids, with perhaps the exception of Jasper, had almost nothing in common. The notable exception being their mutual unhappiness at having to live together.
Jasper was probably the only one of them Clarke enjoyed being around, and he was the same age as Monty. Raven was the next oldest, being 14, and she down right hated Clarke because Finn Collins had taken Raven on a couple of dates and then dumped her. Then two weeks later he had asked Clarke out. Clarke had said yes, and so far she and Finn hadn't had any problems. They'd been dating for nearly four months. Raven wasn't the only one who didn't like Clarke for dating Finn. One of Clarke's school friends, Wells, was pissed as well. His reasons for that dislike where known to Clarke, but she made an effort not to speak about it Wells. Wells had admitted he liked her a while ago, and Clarke had been unable to return his feelings, since then they tried to avoid the subject where possible.
Octavia on the other hand was mystery to Clarke. She didn't know how she felt about the girl her own age. Octavia had a rebellious streak but was incredibly driven. She had her sights set on School President, in competition with Clarke, was part of the volleyball, basketball and cheerleading teams. Whenever she and Clarke interacted at school, or later when they had occasionally met as their parents dated, the girl had been frosty but not rude. It as if the two girls hadn't had a chance to check each other out yet, and were trying to avoid having to do that. Octavia was also known for getting into a spot of trouble now and again for some of her less than notable extra-curricular activities and Bellamy, the oldest of the Blake children, was well known for getting her out of said trouble – or at least attempting to do so.
Bellamy Blake, now he was an arse if ever there was. He was rude to Lincoln and dismissive of Clarke on the occasions they had met, both at school and casually. He'd tolerated Monty, possibly even liked him, because Jasper had taken a shine to him and that appeared to be the only reason, though Clarke hoped there were others. He was overly protective of his two younger sisters, and seemed to ignore his mother - at least he had when Clarke had seem them together. Clarke admitted that she might appear to ignore her father during those particular events so she was affording some benefit of the doubt to Bellamy in that regard. He was a year younger than Lincoln, who had finished school and was starting college in a couple of months. Clarke didn't know what she would do without her brother around. It had never mattered to Clarke that Lincoln was adopted; for a little while it had bothered Lincoln but Clarke had always looked up to him and now she felt a little like he was abandoning her in a den of thieves. She'd be stuck with strangers who either hated her or mildly disliked her and liked her younger brother. Her dad wouldn't listen because he probably would only talk about how she needed to get along with her new family.
"Hang on Clarke, I'll get those. They're a little heavy for you," Lincoln teased his sister as he took over carrying the boxes Clarke had been struggling with. "Don't want you straining a muscle."
An hour later Jake Griffin announced that they were finished loading the last of their things.
"I think we've got time to grab an ice cream on our way to the new place," he smiled at his kids. Monty clapped his hands gleefully.
"Can I have a double scoop?" he asked cheekily.
"No, you won't go to sleep tonight!" Clarke growled.
Jake Griffin smiled at his son, ignoring his grumpy daughter.
"Of course you can have a double scoop Monty, but just this once. You've worked just as hard as your siblings."
Clarke grumbled to herself, and Lincoln ruffled her hair.
"Calm down Clarke. You could probably use a double scoop as well."
"I'll need it to deal with those freaks," Clarke pulled away and flattened her hair as best she could. Lincoln was always trying to mess with her braids.
"I wish Mum was here," Clarke mumbled, and only Lincoln heard.
"I miss her too little Princess," Lincoln's jovial attitude dropped for a moment and Clarke saw her serious brother. Lincoln was equal parts serious and playful and Clarke liked both sides. When they were little Lincoln had always been her serious knight who would counsel his Princess against letting her stuffed bear armies go to war with the dinosaur legions.
"Time to go," Jake said and the moment between the siblings was finished.
"Shotgun," Lincoln said suddenly and raced for the door.
"Shove off!" Clarke grinned, distracted, and tried pushing him out of the way. "You got shotgun last time."
"I called it. Back seat for you little sister," Lincoln made sure he emphasised the word 'little' as he pushed Clarke out of the way and took the seat for Kings in the front of the car.
"I want to ride in the front seat!" Monty protested.
"No," said Clarke and Lincoln.
"Is everyone ready?" Jake asked, and Clarke noticed her fathers' apprehension for the first time that day. She had been so wrapped in her own fears that she didn't even notice that she wasn't alone in her worries.
"Ready as we'll ever be Dad," Clarke smiled tightly.
"Yeah Dad! Hey, do I get to pick my room?" Monty was probably only person who was utterly thrilled by the move.
"Maybe kiddo, but Lincoln gets first pick because he's the oldest out of all you kids," Jake smiled at his little family that was about to get a whole lot bigger.
"Here goes nothing," Clarke whispered to herself as the car pulled out of the driveway and away from her childhood home. She would miss all the memories she had there, especially the ones with her mother.