Chapter 1

Clarke watched Octavia skip along the promenade while holding Lincoln's hand. She watched the loving look on Lincoln's face. He always seemed to be enchanted by his girlfriend; completely and utterly in love with her. She was lost in thought. The brisk November New York air chilled their cheeks as they strolled along. Clarke pulled her scarf a little tighter and tucked her hands deeper into her jacket pockets. New York in early winter was her happy place. She admired the Manhattan skyline across the water. The city was slowly going to turn into a winter wonderland. Snow would blanket the city. Christmas lights and other festive decorations would line the streets and shop windows. Hot chocolate would be available on every city block. People warmly bundled up in scarfs and puffy coats. A feeling of content washed over the 24 year old.

It was Thursday evening, and as tradition stated, the three were on their way to meet some friends at their favourite bar. Now that they lived in Brooklyn Heights, the trip to Greenpoint often included the ferry. They could get there in half the time by taking a cab but they preferred strolling along the water and taking the ferry if they had time to do so.

Most of their university friends still lived in Greenpoint, and their favourite bar, The 100, was also located there. The story was that it had been named for the first one hundred students attending Pratt Institute who had come together and created a place to catch up after a long day of classes. The girls had gone three times in their first week at school. The atmosphere at The 100 was warm, artsy, and friendly. They had gotten to know many of their friends sitting around the heavy oak tables sharing drinks and appetizers. It's where Octavia had met Lincoln. And where Clarke had met up with Finn on their first date before heading to a gallery opening down the street from the bar.

Clarke immediately stopped her train of thought. She wasn't going to let memories of him ruin another evening. Not again. She instead turned her attention to her roommate and her boyfriend. Octavia and Lincoln were walking a few feet in front of her now. Still holding hands, fingers loosely entwined. They had been a great couple from the start. Enhanced each other's strengths and taught each other to overcome their weaknesses. Lincoln had pulled Octavia out of her shell and introduced her to marshal arts. In return, Octavia had pulled forth Lincoln's soft side, and taught him how to horseback ride.

She thought back to her own first meeting with O. It had been a few months before starting post-secondary. Clarke had been at an open house on the Pratt campus. She had accidently ran into a girl with dark black hair and both had suffered a catastrophic loss of freshly steaming coffee from their hands. Clarke offered to pay for a replacement. They started talking and explored campus together. Clarke had been accepted for a degree in fine arts. Octavia was hoping to still get accepted to study architecture. They exchanged contacts. Throughout the coming summer they spoke regularly and soon agreed to look for an apartment together in the hipster, artsy community of Greenpoint. Octavia had received her acceptance letter, and not long after they had signed a lease. Since then, the girls had lived together. Three years in Greenpoint had come and gone, and then they decided on moving to the more posh neighbourhood of Brooklyn Heights. Both had fallen in love with the brownstone buildings and tree-lined promenade along the East River. Not to mention the most stunning views of the Manhattan skyline. Clarke had always loved Brooklyn Heights. So had her father.

"Hey, you're off in your own little world," Octavia spoke, pulling her from her thoughts.

"Yeah, sorry, it's been a long week," Clarke responded.

The three fell in step together again. "At least you get to escape to paradise in a few days," Lincoln offered. He immediately noticed the look Octavia shot him. "For a wedding you're dreading on attending…my bad."

They stepped onto the ferry, finding seats along the railing. "I'm not dreading the wedding. I'm happy for Astrid, really." Clarke was being honest. She had no bad blood with her stepsister. After Marcus Kane and her mother had gotten married just over two years ago, she had gotten decently close with Kane's daughter Astrid.

"A week in Maui will be good for you. You deserve a break. But why do I have a feeling there's a but at the end of your sentence?" Octavia asked.

Clarke sighed. "I guess I'm just dreading the small talk." She paused as she looked over the water. "The relationship small talk," she added. "Every family event I've been to since the breakup with Finn has been the same. It's just a bunch of questions about why I'm single, or if I'm seeing anyone yet, or whether I mind that Astrid is getting married before me even though she's younger. I just really don't want to deal with that. Especially not this time of year." Clarke's mind was suddenly reminded of last year's Christmas Eve. A desperate Finn had proposed in a weak attempt to salvage their relationship. The same night Clarke had finally been strong enough to break up with him.

Octavia grabbed her roommate's hand and gave it a soft squeeze. "I know that part might not be great, but try to look on the bright side." Clarke rolled her eyes slightly at the cliché. "I mean it. You'll be in Maui. A whole week of not having to worry about paintings, and sculptures, and gala openings. You'll be able to soak in some sun. See your mom. And when people give you a hard time about being single, just remind them you just got a promotion. Making you the youngest assistant director to ever walk the halls of the MET. Throw that in their faces. Plus, everyone will be so focused on the bride, I'm sure it won't be so bad."

Octavia threw an arm around Clarke's shoulder and hugged her tight. A gesture Clarke gladly accepted. "I don't mean to be the bad guy, but have you heard anything about if he is going to be there?" Lincoln asked, knowing full well he had succeeded in ruining a lovely moment.

"No. Last I heard he wasn't sure about being able to make it. Something to do with getting time off," Clarke answered.

"Alright, I'm making an official evening declaration. No more wedding talk. No more talking about…him. Let's just get to the bar, have a few drinks, and enjoy this gorgeous evening," Octavia suddenly spoke with enthusiasm. Clarke had always admired her for being able to change the tone of the room within seconds. The declaration was put into motion. The trio continued on their journey to The 100 chatting about work and catching up on mundane life events.

A few drinks had come and gone. The atmosphere at the bar was lively and light. The Pratt Institute crest proudly hung above the door. Christmas lights illuminated the bottles displayed on the wall. Laughter and murmured chatter filled the room. The conversations from before had faded away and were replaced by friendly banter. The night was slowly coming to a close. Thursday drinks were tradition because it was the night draft beer was on sale. However, everyone was still expected to be on time for class or work tomorrow morning. Nevertheless, the amount of money saved had always outweighed the slightly inconvenient scheduling.

"Well, I think it's about time we started heading out," Lincoln mentioned to the group. Everyone was in a heated discussion about whether the basketball team would make it to State this season. The conversation died down and was replaced by goodbyes. "See ya later Stevens. Oh, and as long as Wells keeps his shooting stats in check, the team is most definitely going to State," Lincoln continued. Octavia was already up, starting to zip up her coat as she finished her conversation with Roma. Clarke was about to turn around to reach for her jacket when she turns into someone.

"Sorry, my bad," she stumbles before even fully turning to face the stranger. But it wasn't a stranger. A moment later she is face to face with Finn Collins. A noticeable silence falls over the group of friends.

"Oh, hey Clarke. No worries. I should have been paying more attention," Finn responds. A mix of a hundred different thoughts and emotions run through Clarke's veins. She hoped this was the extent of their brief interaction. He takes a split second to look her up and down. "You look good. How have you been?" Finn continues a little awkwardly, to her disappointment. Was the torturous small talk really already going to start?

"I've been swell," Octavia interrupts before Clarke could even muster up a response.

Finn turns his attention to the feisty girl appearing over his ex's shoulder. "Hey Octavia, glad to hear," disdain hinting in his voice. Those two had never gotten along well. "Heading out I see. Well, maybe I'll see you at the wedding." Another thing she rather wouldn't have heard come out of his mouth.

Finn had gone to high school with Paul Hawthorne. While Finn and Clarke were dating, Finn had been introduced to her stepsister Astrid. When Astrid moved to L.A., Finn had arranged a meet up with his old best friend Paul who happened to be living in L.A. as well. Just to give her a friendly face. The meet up had hit a spark and the two started dating. Their engagement had followed a year later. Clarke wasn't surprised he was invited to the wedding. Astrid had made sure to run it by her first. Although she would have loved to have just plainly said no, she wasn't the type of person to do so. But there was still hope. With only a week till the wedding and Finn still not being completely sure on his attendance, the predicament seemed to be in Clarke's favour.

"Sure, definitely." Clarke could feel the colour rising in her cheeks. She was terrible at keeping face in front of her ex's. Especially Finn. He had hurt her. Not only had he cheated and then manipulated her into thinking she was the root of their problems, but he had also proposed under false pretences. Leading into a terrible fight that had split them apart during Clarke's otherwise favourite time of the year. Yet, somehow, there was always something that had stayed. A pull. A longing. Something she couldn't explain, and something she had so long wanted to get out of her system.

Finn caught her eye for a moment. "Well, enjoy the trip. And the wedding of course," he added. His voice had become slightly less stable at the mention of the word wedding. "Safe flight on…" he trailed off.

"Sunday," Clarke finished.

"Sunday, good."

The awkward interaction was followed by a moment of silence. The next moment was about to change everything. If only this current moment had lasted forever. It would have been easier to bear than the words that escaped Octavia's mouth instead.

"By the way Clarke, I had been meaning to ask. Is your boyfriend flying out with you Sunday or joining you later?" The words had come out before O was able to stop them. Clarke shot her daggers. What hopeless situation was she being put into this time? Whatever it was, for just an instant, it was worth the look on Finn's face.

It was a clear read for just a moment. Total and utter shock flushed his features. Their friend group had somewhat overlapped over the years and usually the two could stay up to date on what the other was up to if that information was desired. But this new information, Clarke having a full blown boyfriend, whom she was dating, was news to everyone. Finn especially, for just a moment, seemed laced with surprise and what could only be described as jealousy.

Clarke had to think fast. "He's coming with me on Sunday."