She wakes with the sound of raucous laughter and clanging dishes piercing the morning air. Clarke rubs her sleepy eyes, and rises from her bed to slip into a silk knee-length robe. She yawns as she pads downstairs. It's early, she knows that. The morning sun pours through the windows, and Clarke tightens the silk across her chest. She follows the noise to the kitchen, her lips curling into a smile when she sees where the ruckus was coming from.
Bellamy, Raven, and Octavia sit at her kitchen counter, stuffing their faces with eggs and bacon. She greets them, sliding next to Bellamy who throws a strong arm around her shoulders. Her mom is at the stove, poking at an over medium egg with a spatula. "Mom, you just getting home?"
"Yeah. I came home to these three on my doorstep," Abby comments, a hand resting on her hip. She exhausted. Working 14 hours straight isn't as easy as it was when she was fresh out of med school, but it's the part of the job. She had intended on making herself a quick meal, but the moment she started frying up the bacon, it was hard to ignore the drooling of her daughter's friends.
Clarke turns to Bellamy, stealing a half of piece of bacon from his plate. "How long have you guys been here?"
"Just long enough for breakfast," Raven answers with a mouth full of toast.
Bellamy holds a piece of buttered toast to Clarke's lips and she takes a generous bite. Octavia refills their glasses with orange juice, retrieving an extra glass from the cupboard for Clarke. Mornings like this remind Clarke of when the Blake siblings lived with them.
They only lived in the Griffins' guesthouse for just under two years, leaving after Bellamy turned 19 and was financially able to rent an apartment on his own. Abby had been more than generous to let them live there, but then again, she was hardly around back then to care. But, in rare mornings, before school or sometimes on weekends, Abby would take a moment from her hectic schedule of clinical trials or surgeries to make them a meal. Jake, her father, used to do it all the time for Clarke and her friends, and though Abby's cooking skills were limited, she tried. Despite Clarke's and Abby's obviously strained relationship, the blonde could appreciate moments like this based solely on their rarity and attempt. So, Clarke would reel in her horns and simply enjoy the food with her friends.
Abby sets a fresh plate in front of Clarke, opting to stand at the counter to enjoy her own. She pauses, waiting for Clarke to take the first bite. She does and it is good. Clarke grumbles the compliment through a mouth of full of eggs, and with that approval, her mother begins to eat as well. They chitchat about random things, eventually leading to Octavia excitedly talking about her motorcycle.
Clarke quirks her brow, knowing what's coming. Bellamy bites back a laugh when Abby sighs loudly. "Octavia, this whole motorcycle thing. You know I see kids come in all the time after accidents-"
"I have a helmet, I'm going to get a leather jacket," Octavia reassures, finishing off her juice.
Abby rubs her brow, sleep deprivation in her eyes and an exasperated expression on her face. She groans lowly, "God, you guys are trying to put me in an early grave."
"Nah, then who would make us breakfast?" Raven chides, smiling. "Besides, the bike won't be ready for at least another few weeks."
Octavia shakes her head, "The mechanic said he would having it running in a week."
Knitting her brow, Raven scoffs. "Please, he probably doesn't know a socket wrench from a screwdriver." Bellamy and Clarke giggle at Raven's defensiveness. Even Abby smirks at the bruised ego of the resident mechanic.
"Lincoln seems like he knows plenty," Octavia defends. "Besides, he's hot. He can take as long as he wants with my bike."
"Not if I'm paying for it," her brother adds, nudging her shoulder with a grin.
She sticks out her tongue, "I said I'd pay you back, Bell." He only nods, finishing his third egg as Abby serves him another.
The doctor places her dishes in the sink, wiping her mouth with a paper napkin. She sighs once more, balancing both hands on the cool marble counter. "Clarke, I'm leaving this morning for New York-"
"I thought you weren't leaving until Friday?"
"There's been a slight change in plans. We're leaving today. He wants to take me sight-seeing, I suppose," She trails off. Abby had been seeing Kane for a few months now. He was a prominent local politician running for state representative in the next coming election. Clarke hated politics, a product of living in the political capital of the entire country for all her life.
Clarke had met him on several occasions. It was usually awkward, the conversation forced and short. If her mother spent half her time at the hospital, she spent another quarter with Kane. But, Clarke didn't care. It kept her out of her hair. Or that's what she often reminded herself.
Abby clears her throat, redirecting the conversation. "Raven, could you do me a favor while I'm gone?"
Raven perked up, finally separating herself from the love affair she was having with her food. "Yeah, of course. What's up?"
"My car needs an oil change. I'll pay you, obviously," Abby says. She tells Raven she'll leave her the keys and cash before she heads out. Her phone rings suddenly and Clarke can tell Kane is on the other line. Abby excuses herself, answering the phone in the hall.
Clarke spins on her barstool to Raven at the other end. "You didn't have to agree to that."
"It's not that big of a deal, Clarke. Relax a little," Bellamy says, squeezing her shoulder.
Octavia's voice is low and whispering, just in case Abby can hear, when she comments, "Yeah, your mom is basically giving us booze money for the weekend while she's gone. It's too easy."
"Nah, tell her she can pay me in sexual favors instead," Raven laughs, her eyes watering at Clarke's spiteful expression. Clarke flicks the edges of her toast at the brunette.
"Tell her yourself," Octavia giggles. Before Raven can ask, they spot Abby in the doorway. Her mouth in pressed into a thin line and her cheeks flushed. She has keys in one hand and cash in the other. It takes every single ounce of control not to let out a barking laugh. Clarke is both slightly embarrassed, but mostly tickled pink with laughter. Her stomach aches at her attempts to stifle the laughter, and from the pained, grinning faces of the Blake siblings, she knows they're feeling the same way.
Dead silent, Raven's tanned skin turns a deep shade of red. The room is almost silent, save for the stifled giggles of her three friends. The brunette is so mortified she can't look anywhere but at the crumbs on her plate. Her hands are in tight fists on the table, and she very audibly swallows. Clarke thinks it's hilarious.
Abby steps forward, her mouth opening and closing a few times, trying to find words for the young skater. She shakes her head lightly, and pushes the keys and money toward Raven. She taps her fingers on the two twenty dollar bills, and says in a clear, low tone. "I think the money will have to do."
They lose it. Bellamy, Octavia, and Clarke let out cackles, while Raven sits silent and still. Abby gives Clarke a quick kiss goodbye, reminding them to be on their best behavior before she exits swiftly.
After the laughter dies down, Clarke has to wipe tears from her cheeks. She hasn't laughed that hard in a while. "Oh, Raven, you so fucking deserved that." The Blakes nod in agreement, and Raven continues to sit stoically. "Rave?"
She inhales sharply, before letting it out slowly. She looks like she's either about to pass out or throw up. Her voice is strong though when she replies, "Do you think I ruined my chances?"
