Growth is painful. Change is painful. But, nothing is as painful as staying stuck where you do not belong. N. R. Narayana Murthy

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A few weeks after Nylah and Clarke broke up, Octavia sent her an emergency text to meet up. An unusual request, especially without alcohol involved. She wondered if the two were related. That made her nervous, she really didn't want to discuss her breakup. She definitely didn't want to do it sober.

So, Clarke found herself in the local coffee joint, TonDC, during a lunchbreak from her residency.

The beautiful brunette arrived with a dramatic flair, ordering a black coffee, and plonking down opposite Clarke.

"Hi Clarke, how's work going? any crazy stories?" Octavia asked in one breath.

"Not really, long hours, plenty of body fluids" Clarke replied, "Now that's out of the way. What's up?"

"Nothing much" Octavia mumbled, taking her drink from the waitress with a half-smile.

"Octavia" Clarke warned.

"What?" O asked, her eyes wide in fake innocence.

"No offence but we don't do lunch, al least not if Bellamy isn't around. So, what's going on?" Clarke got straight to the point.

"Okay Detective Griffin. Geesh." Octavia stalled, sipping her coffee. Taking a breath, finally she made eye contact. "So, I'm moving out of Bells and I need back up telling him."

"Oh" of all the things Clarke expected to hear, this wasn't it.

"Yeah… …. oh" the young woman looked at her, awaiting a fuller reaction.

"Is there a reason? Did you fight?" She inquired.

"No, of course not. Well not enough for that." Octavia laughed before continuing. "I love him, but it's his house and now I have a new job and its across town. With traffic it could be an hour and a half commute… … Plus, Monty and Jasper are in the building. I'm 22. It feels like the right time." She blurted out her obviously rehearsed answer.

Clarke got it she did, it was the same way she felt when she turned eighteen. That need to spread her wings.

"Well it could be worse, it could have been a guy. Bellamy would have had a heart attack. Also, congratulations on the job." Clarke said reaching over and squeezing her hand assuredly.

"Yeah I'm working in a youth outreach for disadvantaged kids. I'm so excited." Octavia blushed. A rarity for her.

"Bell will be excited for you too and proud." Clarke promised.

"I know he will" Octavia smiled.

"So, what do you need, because, I really think it should come from you." Clarke pointed out.

"Oh definitely, I just want you free after to ya know, to be a shoulder to cry on." Octavia asked hopefully.

Clarke was relieved that was all, she could do that easily. "Sure, no problem. So, when are you telling him?"

"When do you have a day off next, you know one that's after an early evening finish. I can see a hangover happening." Octavia asked sheepishly.

"Saturday." Clarke replied.

"Great, So I'll tell him Friday. Text me when you get off work. Ill go tell him and leave you two booze. Lots of booze. I appreciate it Clarke. You're his best friend, he'll need you. I don't want to hurt him, but I need to do this." Octavia said.

"Don't worry O, he'll get it. All he ever wanted was the best for you." Clarke assured her.

"Thanks Clarke", Octavia glanced at her watch, picking up her coffee "okay I'll let you get back to your day. Talk to you soon and really you're a life saver."

Clarke watched her leave. Poor Bellamy he would be so upset.

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Friday evening rolled around quickly. Octavia was so nervous, she had started biting her nails the whole way home. She was meeting the guys at a bar to give Bellamy space after and let Clarke do her magic. She had a couple of bottles of wine and some whisky clinking in her hand, hoping to ease the blow. Octavia let out a deep breath as she fished her key out of her bag, she realised a small part of her didn't want to go. She was happy here.

"Hey O" Bellamy greeted her, feet up on the table, remote in hand. He looked at her bag with raised eyebrows, "Planning to get drunk?"

"Not me… you." she replied, overly chipper. Her voice a bit too high.

"Umm what?" he asked.

"Clarke is coming over in an hour and I'm staying in Monty's" Octavia replied.

"O, I'm tired. I just want an early night. School was manic, the kids were all determined to make my day Hell. I just want a movie and bed. Not a party." He said as she handed him a large whisky.

"Well that might change, but if you still feel that way in ten minutes I'll cancel Clarke. Ok?" Octavia placated.

"Okay… what's wrong?" he sat up, concern on his face.

"Bellamy, I got a job."

Bellamy leapt up pulling her into a hug. "That's great O. I'm so proud. I knew you would. Us Blakes are talented." He said squeezing her hard.

"Thanks Bell. But that's not all. It's in Arcadia West." Octavia said low, sad to break the moment

He pulled back, looking at her.

She continued, steeling herself against the worst part. "I'm moving to Jasper and Monty's building. To a little studio there."

"what?" he croaked.

"I know we always lived together, but its too far to travel and I can afford it. The guys live there, so they can keep an eye on me…" she trailed off.

Bellamy say down, swallowing the whisky in one gulp. He sat for five minutes just staring at the empty glass.

"I'm sorry Bell, are you mad?" Octavia finally asked.

Bellamy shook his head refocusing on his sister. "No O. Not at all. I'm proud. Really proud."

He stood up again, pulling her back into a hug "I'm happy for you, I guess it just hit me. You're an adult who doesn't need me… Where'd the time go. I taught you to hold a spoon." He joked.

Octavia scoffed "You're hardly an old man. Anyway, I'll still need my big brother. To move furniture for one."

Bellamy laughed, though sadness still tinged his reply "Of course."

He walked to the kitchen and poured himself another one. Octavia followed him in.

"I expect you for Sunday dinner as always." He said.

"You know I will Bell, and all the group events. You'll hardly notice I'm not here." Octavia squeezed his arm.

"I'll notice. But I'm proud of you and I understand. This will always be your home O. You're welcome anytime" Bellamy promised her.

"I know big brother. okay Clarke, yay or nay?" Octavia asked.

"Yay" he smirked at her.

"Cool. Ill let her know and I'll see you tomorrow." Octavia gave him a final hug and went to her room to grab a bag.

Bellamy poured a third drink. Hoping to dull the pain in his chest. Doubtful of his success.