The annoying trill of an alarm broke through her haze of sleep. When the man next to her made no indication that he had heard it she lifted her head slightly from its place against his chest and tapped the side of his face. 'Bell turn it off, need sleep.'
He made an unintelligible sound and reached up to grab the hand tapping at his face. He brought it to his lips and kissed it before holding up the head on his chest and slipping out from under her. 'I have class but stay as long as you like, you know where everything is' he dropped a kiss to her forehead and started to get dressed.
Clarke knew he was being genuine with the invitation to stay, two years of close friendship meant she was more than welcome to snoop around his apartment. Even with their newer, not exactly defined relationship it was the same deal. Nobody else knew but that was down to Bellamy. She had heard Monty mention a potential date to him and while he had turned it down he had said nothing about him and Clarke. That was fine, she could keep it under wraps for as long as he needed her to. She lay spread-eagle out on his bed, squinting at the alarm clock showing 8am and she groaned. She hated days Bellamy had early class, if he were at home chances are he would have stayed in bed for another hour and then gotten up to either make her breakfast in bed or wake her up with his head between her thighs. She had never been a morning person but even she had to admit the Bellamy Blake wake Clarke up plan was more than adequate. She stayed in bed until the much more acceptable hour of 10am and then got up to make her own breakfast and start her day.
Their relationship progressed with him mostly at her place since she lived alone but occasionally at his when Miller, his roommate, wasn't there. She was happy, she and Bellamy had built a solid friendship before anything sexual had started and she was enjoying this more romantic side of her best friend. If her friends had noticed anything different about her they said nothing, neither did his.
Octavia didn't come to visit Bellamy often but when she did it was always a whirlwind. This time no different. Clarke wasn't 100% sure how she felt about Octavia. The girl was slightly terrifying and she didn't seem to treat Bellamy all that well, of course she'd never say any of this to Bellamy. What was worse was not knowing what Octavia thought of Clarke. Sometimes she was warm and chatty with her, sometimes cold and indifferent. It was enough to give a girl whiplash.
Clarke hadn't even known Octavia was visiting when she knocked on Bellamy's door for a House marathon and hopefully some really good sex. When Octavia opened the door those plans were quickly shattered.
'Oh hey Clarke, Bell's been called into work to fix an… ice-cream machine? Something like that anyway. You wanna come in and wait for him?' Evidently today was a warm and sunny Octavia day because she was giving Clarke a frankly stunning smile and stepping back to allow her entry.
'Just wanted to pick Bellamy's brain about my Art History essay, I can come back later no problem' A lie, she was there for sex and company but Octavia didn't need to know that.
Octavia continued to usher her inside, 'You're fine, and we can catch up while we wait for him'
Clarke shrugged and made her way inside. May as well get to know Octavia better, if things continued going well with Bellamy she would be seeing a lot more of her.
They fell into easy conversation. Octavia learned all about Clarke's degree and Clarke about Octavia's current job teaching MMA classes. As if she wasn't already terrifying enough. Octavia made them tea and they sat exchanging stories. Clarke was surprised to hear about her new boyfriend Lincoln but it was clear that she was very fond of him and Clarke credited her current nicer disposition to the boyfriend. Octavia's love life gave way to talks of Bellamy's.
'I know he'd like to settle down with someone, Bell is more than capable of a healthy relationship but he seems to just be wasting his time with girls he's not serious about and it's frustrating'
Clarke shifted uncomfortably. 'How do you know he doesn't have someone already?'
'He does, but it's not serious and I don't know why he's bothering if there's no future there' She sighed heavily.
'How do you know he's seeing someone?' Clarke asked, trying to keep her voice the right level of interested.
Octavia rolled her eyes. 'I know my brother, I know how he acts when he's seeing somebody. Also the hickey on his neck he forgot to cover that I saw this morning just confirmed my suspicions'
Clarke pursed her lips. Oops. 'And how do you know it's not serious?'
Octavia raised her eyebrow. 'C'mon Clarke, you're Bell's best friend and he hasn't mentioned whoever it is to you? He hasn't said anything to Miller either. I can't think of anyone he's dated in the past that he hasn't been excited to tell me about. I don't know if it's a case of stress release of if he just doesn't wanna hurt their feelings but believe me whatever it is it's ending soon.' She scoffed scornfully. 'Why would someone wanna be hidden like a secret anyway, I'm sure they've noticed they hasn't met any of Bell's friends.'
Clarke digested that, her throat tightening uncomfortably as she realised Octavia was right. Bellamy was always open with his friends about people he dated, excited even to introduce them to the group. Octavia was the number one most important person in Bellamy's life, if he saw a future he would surely want her opinion on it.
'I think you're right actually.' Mercifully Clarke's voice didn't shake. 'They must not be very important to him'
'Exactly, some fling I'd say' Octavia said in agreement. She was about to continue speaking when her phone buzzed and Clarke saw her chance.
'It's getting pretty late and I really do have to do this essay, I can always just message Bellamy any questions I have' she said, struggling to keep her voice even. She felt utterly dejected and all she wanted to do was go home, eat her body weight in ice-cream and watch something trashy. Until this conversation she hadn't realised just how much she enjoyed being with Bellamy and it was a kick to the gut to know she was alone in the sentiment.
'You sure?' When Clarke nodded Octavia got up to walk her to the door. 'Okay well thanks for the catch up Clarke, I'll tell Bell you stopped by.'
Clarke smiled at her, enjoying this softer version of Octavia. She was surprised when she leaned in for a hug but Clarke just went with it. It was quick and a little awkward but not unwelcome.
'Bell is lucky you're his friend.' Coming from Octavia that was basically the compliment of the year.
'Nah, I'm the lucky one.' If Octavia noticed the drop in Clarke's smile or the slightly bitter tone she had taken on, she said nothing.
Once Clarke got home she put her head in her hands and sighed, fighting back tears. This is what happens when you fuck your best friend, she thought. You get feelings for them, assume they feel the same and get your heart crushed in the process. She swallowed and sat up, grabbing her phone determinedly. She still wanted her ice-cream and trashy movie marathon but that would have to wait. Right now she had a phone call to make.