"Wait, where are you going, Octavia?" Harper asked.
"Out," Octavia answered lightly, leaning forward in the bathroom mirror until her forehead practically touched the glass.
Harper, clearly not satisfied with that answer, asked again. "Where are you going, Octavia? Someone ought to know where you are, just in case."
Octavia gave an exaggerated groan and turned around. "Hodge's Bend."
"Where's that?"
"It's on University Ave. Look, Harper, I'm not going to get wasted, I'm meeting a friend."
Clarke was a quiet observer of her roommates' conversation, sitting on her bed with her Human Physiology textbook open in her lap, skimming over the first section.
"Well, just, be careful," Harper finally said.
"Of course, Mom," Octavia drawled. "I'm starting to think Bellamy put you up to this interrogation."
"He did not! I'm just concerned, is all," Harper protested.
"Okay." Octavia's voice still held an air or skepticism. "I'll text you when I'm on the way home."
"Thank you."
"G'night Clarke, Raven." Octavia's hand waved through the bathroom door.
"Have fun," Clarke said. Raven only grunted. Octavia was gone with a firmly closed door and a final well wish from Harper.
The blond girl came into Clarke and Raven's dorm with an exasperated look, sitting down heavily on Clarke's bed. Her hair was loose from its braid, falling around her face, making her look tired.
"I appreciate that you care, even if Octavia doesn't." Clarke smiled kindly at Harper. It was the whole-hearted truth. It warmed Clarke to know that Harper cared deeply enough to be concerned. It may save her someday…
"Thanks, Clarke." Harper rested her head on the wall, shutting her eyes for a moment. Clarke looked back to her reading. Raven was still an immobil lump under her quilt. Clarke was concerned, but she couldn't bring herself to ask what was wrong for fear it would be about Finn. Clarke wasn't sure she could control her facial expression through a conversation of how Finn was being a terrible boyfriend. She darkly hoped they would break up.
A few moments passed before Harper spoke up.
"Who knew college would be so exhausting?"
"I'll say," Clarke agreed. It was 9 PM on Friday night. Clarke had gone to class without incident today, spent her afternoon in the library, then had supper in the dining hall with Harper and Octavia. They were joined by Monty, who seemed to have a keen interest in Harper. Clarke had smiled through the whole meal, asking questions that made Harper and Monty talk to one another, like, 'Where do you want to move after you graduate?' or 'Does anyone want to go play grocery bingo tomorrow night?' They had both readily agreed to the latter question, exchanged phone numbers, and planned to meet up on Saturday in the basement.
Clarke was rather pleased with her matchmaking skills, and the pair of them were adorably shy.
"Raven, can you even breath in there?" Harper asked and the bundle of blankets shifted. Raven's head poked out and her eyes blinked blearily. Her hair was staticy, either stuck to her face or sticking straight out, and her face was red from where it had been pressed into her sweatshirt sleeve.
"Yeah," she mumbled miserably, head head plopping back down.
"Aww, what's the matter?" Harper said softly. Clarke tried to steal herself for the conversation that would follow, but thankfully, Raven didn't seem to want to talk about it.
"I'm fine," she said, emerging like a butterfly from its cocoon.
"Mmm." Harper frowned as she considered Raven, now sitting on the edge of her bed, bare feet skimming the floor.
Clarke took a deep breath and closed her textbook, apparently harder than she intended, garnering the attention of the two girls.
"Sorry," she said, feeling her face flush. "I just- I'm really really tired of digestion and absorption."
Raven wrinkled her nose. "Ew, that does sound terrible."
"Well, want to do something? We could watch a movie, or play a game, or- oh! Clarke I could repaint your nails!" Harper seized Clarke's hand as she reached over her to place the textbook on her desk. "How'd you even manage to get all that polish off in a week?"
Clarke withdrew her hand, looking disdainfully at her chipped nails. She had obsessively scratched all of the pink polish over the past few days. Not only did she hate having painted nails, she disliked the color pink, and they served as a constant reminder to that night.
"I picked at them," she said truthfully. Nothing would be covered up by lying. "I'm not a huge fan of fingernail polish."
"Me neither," Raven agreed. She was bent over her end table, draped in a blanket. Her hair was a mess, more out of her bun than in.
"Really? I mean, I can get why you don't like it, but- I guess it just makes me feel feminine, you know?" Harper prattled as she flexed her hand in front of her, admiring the skillfully painted blue polish.
"Sure. But I don't need to feel pretty when I go to robotics class." Raven said, holding her hands up like claws. "It'd get all chipped on the aluminum alloy gearbox brackets. You really have to get your fingers in there to tighten the KEPS nuts to the gussets."
"I'm not even going to pretend I know what that means," Harper said. They all shared a good, spirit lifting laugh.
"I vote to watch a movie," Raven said, dragging her quilt across the floor and hopping onto Clarke's bed.
"Oh, so we're doing this in my bed?" Clarke said, scooting down to make room for Raven, who sat on her pillow.
"Yep." Raven said, tugging the pillow out from under her and whacking Clarke in the face with it.
"Oo, I have popcorn!" Harper said, sliding off the bed and scampering into her side of the dorm. Clarke leaned over and grabbed her laptop, setting it on the pillow on her lap. Harper returned and the three girls sat shoulder to shoulder on the bed, their feet hanging off the edge.
Clarke pulled up Netflix in her browser, and let Harper scroll through the movies.
"Wait, there is a To All the Boys I've Loved Before 2?" Raven said, pointing to the screen.
"I didn't even know there was a To All the Boys I've Loved Before 1," Clarke said.
"Yeah, you didn't know that?" Harper asked, ignoring Clarke's comment.
Raven shook her head, "I mean, I read the book, but-"
Clarke interrupted her with a surprised look. "Raven Reyes, the mechanical engineering student, reads teen romance novels?"
Raven had the dignity to glance away, and faint blush glowing behind her tanned skin.
"I went through a phase," she mumbled.
Clarke chuckled and Harper joined in. "I didn't see that coming," she agreed.
"Stop bullying me!" Raven cried, holding back her embarrassed laughter and grabbed the computer from Clarke's lap.
"Hey!"
"We're watching it, I don't even care," Raven said, clicking on the movie.
"But I haven't even seen the first one!"
"Too bad." Raven sat back against the wall with a thump.
Harper told Clarke, "You really don't need to watch them in order, they're pretty shallow."
"They are not!" Raven cried indignantly, sitting forward and fixing Harper with a glare.
"Are too. They don't exactly require a lot of brain power to comprehend." Raven glowered and Harper quickly continued. "That's not to say they aren't good in their own right, as a fun, relaxing film."
"Whatever." Raven flopped backwards again. "Gimme some of that popcorn."
"Say please," Harper insisted with a smile.
"Pretty please," Raven replied in a mocking tone and then started giggling, unable to maintain her angry facade. They all laughed again and passed the bag of popcorn back and forth, watching the movie. They chatted over it most of the first half, and even then, Clarke managed to grasp most of the plot.
Clarke was content, snuggled on her bed in between two of her best friends. She was able to drop the weight she was carting around, following last weekend's events, and just be a carefree college freshman, enjoying a night in with her roommates.
Part way through the movie, her phone vibrated with a text. Clarke flipped it up just long enough it was from Bellamy, before turning it face down in her lap. She couldn't exactly reply to him without Harper or Raven overseeing her conversation, sitting as close to her as they were.
Harper had dozed off as soon as their conversation waned, while Raven sat rapt, watching the film intently. Clarke considered turning her phone away to see what Bellamy had to say. She figured he was just checking in, as they hadn't spoken since this morning, but then her mind started drifting towards the what ifs. What if Octavia got into trouble? But why would he text Clarke? What if he needed help with something? What if something was wrong?
Clarke knew none of her thoughts were probable, but she still thought them. She didn't let herself look at her phone though. Not yet. The movie was nearly over and Harper was drooling onto Clarke's quilt.
"The book was way better," Raven declared, slapping shut the computer with a resounding clap that started both Clarke and Harper. They both jumped, with Harper hitting her head on Clarke's elbow.
"The hell-" Harper slurred, rubbing her bruised cranium as she sat up.
"Raven!" Clarke scolded, recovering from her slight shock as she reached out to cradle Harper's head. "So sorry, Harp. Are you alright?"
"Yeah," Harper mumbled, frowning at Raven across the bed.
"Sorry dears," Raven said ruefully, sliding off Clarke's bed. "I'm going to sleep. Thanks for the popcorn, Harper."
"Yeah." Harper still seemed groggy. Clarke leaned back to get a better look at the girl. How hard had she hit her head?
As soon as Harper realized Clarke's critical gaze, she straightened up and stopped rubbing her head. "I'm fine, Dr. Griffin." She smiled and pushed off Clarke to get to her feet.
"You sure?"
"Yeah, just makes my head all foggy if I nap," Harper explained, picking up her phone from where it had fallen to the floor as she disentangled herself from the nest of blankets. "Octavia says, 'I'm here at Hodge's Bend, don't worry mom, my friend will give me a ride home afterwards. See you in the morning.'"
"Hmm." Clarke said and Raven gave a muffled, "Cool."
"I hope she knows that I probably won't sleep until she gets home," Harper muttered, sliding her phone into her pocket.
"She'll be fine," Raven mumbled.
Clarke, on the other hand, was glad for Harper's protectiveness. "It's nice that you care. Everyone needs to have someone looking out for them."
"Thank you Clarke," Harper said, sticking her tongue out at Raven, who didn't see the gesture through her closed eyes.
"Of course. And don't worry, I'll do the same for you, when you go out," Clarke confirmed, standing and sweeping popcorn crumbs from her bed.
Harper scoffed. "I'm not much one for a night at the bar."
"Couldn't've guessed,." Raven chided goodnaturedly.
"Either way, I'll do it," Clarke said, changing Harper's frown at Raven into a warm smile.
"Thanks, Clarke. At least I know I have someone who cares about my wellbeing."
Raven spoke up, "I care, just in my own way."
"Sure, sure," Harper said breezily. "I'm going to get ready for bed."
"Goodnight," Clarke told her as she shut the bathroom door.
Finally, with Harper gone back to her room, and Raven passed out in her bed, Clarke opened Bellamy's message.
B: Do you know where Octavia is? I told her I would leave her alone, but I'm worried. She won't answer me.
B: Also, how was your afternoon/evening? I had chicken in the dining hall but I don't think it was chicken…
Clarke felt Bellamy's concern for his little sister bleeding through the pixelated words on her screen, then his touch of humor brightened things up a shade or two.
C: Sorry it took so long to respond. I was watching a movie with Harp and Rav. Octavia said she was going out with a friend, didn't say who though.
Clarke felt weird as she pressed send on the message, like she was betraying Octavia's trust by telling Bellamy her plans. The feeling had subconsciously prevented her from telling the location of the bar, something Clarke hadn't even realized until she saw the icon of Bellamy typing his response.
B: Oh, okay. Those sound like some code names, What were you really doing, Princess?
C: I'll never tell. But I'll let you know when Octavia gets home, I'm sure she'll wake us all up.
B: Yeah she was never one for subtlety.
C: It's alright, not like I sleep most of the time anyways.
As soon as Clarke sent the message, she regretted it. She knew Bellamy would be quick with a concerned response..
B: Are you still not sleeping? I'm sorry Clarke.
She was right.
C: No, I'm fine. It's been getting a lot better lately actually.
B: You sure? If I found out you lied to get me off your back Princess... There will be unrest in your kingdom.
C: yeah yeah. I'll be sure to call for my knight in shining armour should I need anything.
B: Good. You going to bingo tomorrow? Sounds like it could be fun?
C: I was planning on it. Who doesn't like free food? Plus, someone has to keep an eye on Harper and Monty.
B: Harper and Monty?
C: You don't know about that?
B: Guess not. Monty mentioned something to me the other day, but I didn't think he'd have the balls to actually talk to her.
C: Ye of little faith! So long as there is someone there to keep the conversation moving, they are fine. And so adorable.
B: Adorable, huh?
C: What can I say, I'm a sucker for a cute couple.
B: Clarke Griffin, a real romantic! Never would've guessed it.
C: Shows how much you know!
B: I know a lot of things
C: Yeah?
B: Yep. I even know how to bake a German Chocolate Cake.
C: Got me beat on that front, then, I'm a terrible baker.
B: Oh really? I think Jasper would beg to differ. He devoured the rest of that cake, then proclaimed his love for you.
C: How sweet of him. He seems like a nice boy. Would you mind giving him my number? I've been trying to find a man who would appreciate my gifts and put me, as a woman, in my rightful place; the kitchen.
Clarke swore she heard Bellamy laughing through the floor after that message.
B: I'll let him know.
C: Thanks. Next time, we ought to just do this in person. My fingers are cramping up.
B: Totally agree. See you tomorrow for grocery bingo?
C: You're on. Goodnight, Bellamy.
B: Goodnight, Princess.
AN_
Thanks for reading and reviewing! Have a great day.
-Birch66724