Understand Me

Clarke shifts the Jeep into park and turns her head to the right to gaze at her family's darkened vacation home. She lets out a soft sigh then opens her door and slides out, softly closing the door as to not wake the others. She takes a deep breath, taking in the familiar scent of salty air. The slight breeze and chilly air leaves goosebumps on her bare arms and legs, sending shivers down her spine.

Wrapping her arms around herself for warmth, she heads towards the side of the home and finds the power box. She unlocks the lock and turns on all the switches before heading back out front. The now illuminated front yard and dirt driveway bring a small smile to Clarke's face as her brain floods with the memories of past vacations spent in this house.

The house itself is made entirely of wood, from the steps to the support beams holding up the second floor. The exterior of the house is a dark gray, all except for the windows and doors of which are as white as paper. A porch with white railings extends to the left of the front door and wraps around the side of the house. The backyard contains a rickety, old swing set that is more sturdy than it looks, a 5-foot deep rectangular swimming pool, and a fire pit. A path of stone surrounded by vivid green grass leads to a wooden stairway that continues down a small, but steep, cliff. At the bottom of the cliff lies their own personal cove that contains a petite beach shack that holds a large couch and a futon. A deck also juts out from the back of the second floor, overlooking the entire scene. Clarke then walks back to the Jeep and opens the passenger side door.

"Octa-"

Clarke jumps as Octavia is already sliding out of her seat with a smirk on her face.

"This is going to be so funny!" Octavia says with a giggle.

Clarke sighs heavily as she walks past Octavia to the back of the Jeep. She opens the trunk and grabs her two black Nike duffle bags and a backpack to match. Clarke walks past Octavia towards the front steps to see her opening Raven's door while filming her sleeping form.

"Shh! You'll wake her up!" Octavia whispers at the sound of Clarke's heavy footsteps. Clarke glares at Octavia.

"Don't shush me. Besides, she slept through a fire alarm, Octavia. What makes you think she'll wake up now?"

"You never know!"

"The fire was in her room." Clarke deadpanned.

Octavia mockingly imitates Clarke, then continues to watch a sleeping Raven teeter over the edge of the Jeep. Clarke smirks and turns toward the worn, wooden steps, making her way to the front door. She grabs her keys from the small pocket of her backpack and unlocks the heavy door. She steps in and shuts the door behind her before turning on the light switch, her shivering already stopping after a few deep breaths. The floor is stone while the ceiling and the walls are made of dark merbau wood. To her left are the stairs leading up to the second floor, underneath which is a small but spacious bathroom. On her right is the living room and dining room, and ahead is the kitchen.

This will be good for you, she tells herself whilst trudging up the stairs.

A comfortable lounge area with a T.V. is directly to the right, while wooden and glass doors leading to the deck are straight ahead, and slightly to the right. She rounds the corner at the top of the stairs, walking towards the last door at the end of the hallway. Family pictures line the walls of the hallway profusely, so much so that the difference between wall and picture frame is imperceptible. Her heart weighs her down like an anchor at the sight of them until she reaches her door. She slowly opens the door and shuts it behind her. Placing her things neatly on the floor, she closes the distance to the corner where her bed resides, and sits on the edge.

This is good. It'll help. being here is… good, she tells herself unconvincingly. She sighs deeply and lays back on the bed, second guessing her decision to come here. Suddenly she hears Octavia's distant but hearty laughter which bring her out of her reverie.

"And I got it on video!" Octavia teases.

There's more laughter and sounds of footsteps running, then a muffled yelp and scream.

"Clarke! Help me!"

Clarke can't help but smile and laugh to herself before she rushes off to watch the scuffle between her two best friends, smile never leaving her face. Her uncertainties are all but forgotten.