New Friends
Clarke was sitting with her new friends, Checker and Timms and Leahla, eating lunch in the communal sitting area. Checker was twitchy white man, his eyes were constantly blinking like shutters. He was sitting on the balls of his feet, his long straw-like gown covering him so he looked very short and bulky. His ginger hair stood on edge, long spikes in every direction. His job here was to look for a new path for the moving village to travel to. A navigator.
Timms was a quiet boy, he wouldn't look at anyone in the eyes but seemed to know everything about anything. His bold head showed off how well he kept himself. Not once would you find a hair on the boy and although Clarke knew he must be older then her, she couldn't help but see him as innocent child. His honey brown skin made him look golden. Timms's job was to help pick berries and leaves, he and Clarke met in the wood when they were foraging together. His quietness gave her peace.
Clarke had no idea who Leahla was. Her personality seemed to change every day. Her mood or opinions could differ between meals. Her hair was breaded like a Grounder, but she didn't have the same control they had. She could be bouncing off the trees one moment, arms clinging to everyone she met. And the next she would be lying on the ground refusing to talk to anyone. The one thing that stayed constant, that Clarke would find, was that she would sit with the other two at lunch. And they all seemed happy, but slightly… lost.
Clarke admired her new friends as she picked through her berries and dry meats. Not everyone was eating now, some people from the village were working, some were just going about their day.
'Have you guys seen Khalen?' Clarke asked, looking over the heads of the people around her.
'Maybe! Maybe! Maybe she's gone back to her old life?' Checker giggled to himself covering his hand over his mouth. He looked around quickly to see if anyone heard him. Of course the group did, but Checker did like his dramatics.
'I believe she may be with the Chief' Timms's voice was slow and careful, he picked up a berry and examined it.
Leahla leant forward whispered 'I don't know where your girl is, but I know that her girl is watching you' She pulled herself back and gave Clarke a wicked smile and a sly wink. Gracefully she lifted herself onto her feet, and walked past a girl with pitch black hair and tilted her head at her. The girl had the whitest skin Clarke had ever seen. There wasn't a fleck of dirt on her. And Leahla was right, she was staring at her. The girl wore a black and red jacket, which matched her black hair and blood red lips.
'That little black hole of scary is Chief's daughter' Checker scooted himself over to Clarke, his face stuck in a look of tortured happiness. 'Isn't she beautiful.'
Clarke concentrated on her plate of food. Things were getting weird again and nothing good ever came from weird. 'Wait, if she's the Chief's daughter, then how is she … you know … so white?'
'Chief's adopted daughter.' Timms voice was low, 'Some people aren't meant to be parents, and some people don't want to be.' A sad smile escaped him, but he's gaze was still on his food.
Clarke looked up, saw the girl staring back, and forced herself to lower her glance again. 'Okay, but why is she still staring at me?' Clarke always felt safe in this strange place, she didn't know how long she had spent here, but this was the first time she felt something amiss.
'Probably because she only has one friend.' Timms bowed his head and made a move to leave.
'Yep! Yep! Yep!' Checker giggled 'And you stole her!' Jumping after his friend.
Clarke franticly followed them. As they walked passed the girl, Clarke made sure not to make eye contact. 'What does that mean? I have barely talked to anyone since being here!' Clarke whispered balling up her fists.
Timms reached for Clarkes hand and led her among the trees, to a quiet area of forestland. 'Khalen doesn't usually stay this long with a Wanderer. She brings them in, makes sure they are settled and then goes off to find another lost soul.' He sighed and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ears. 'Asami never had to fight for her best friend's attention before. And she's not exactly a good loser.'
The boys left her there to think over what had been said. Clarke didn't need another fight. That's what she was trying to avoid. What she was trying to get away from. The fighting, and the stress. Lexa.
Snap. Clarke span around, fists in the air.
'Woh! Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you!' Khalen poked her head out from behind a tree 'well, that's a lie, but you found me before I would wrap my hands around your eyes' she skipped over to Clarke and wrapped her hands around the girl's fists instead. 'Why so jumpy?' she tilted her head slightly, her eyes looking steadily at Clarke's.
'Your girlfriend, Asami, has been staring at me for…. I don't know. But its creepy.' She lowered her fists, and held Khalen's hand instead. She didn't realise she was stepping forward, closing the gap between them when she said 'Maybe you should spend more time with her? I don't want to be the reason for a fight.'
Khalen took Clarke's hand and brought it behind her back. 'She's not my girlfriend' she whispered.
Clarke stood there, a cold shiver ran over her. Her hands pressed against Khalen's back, she could feel her skin over the thin fabric. Clarke's breath was caught in her throat, but she could feel Khalen's quicken on her skin. Khalen, for once, lost her carefree expression and looked scared. Clarke could feel her moving back, but she kept her there.
She didn't know what she wanted. But she didn't want this to stop. Clarke pulled Khalen against her. She gasped as their lips touched. Khalen's lips were warm, and wet. They moved against Clarke's, with a soft intensity. Khalen gripped Clarke's waist, and guided her to a tree. They pushed against each other, gasping. They slowed down and held each other in one long last kiss.
'I'll talk to Asami,' Khalen whispered.
'mmmm, no,' Clarke murmured, not trusting herself to open her eyes, 'Just hang out with her more often.' She opened her eyes and smiled at how flustered Khalen looked. 'We should probably get back'
'noooooo' Khalen groaned as she let Clarke lead her back to the heart of the village.
Clarke supressed a tear that threatened to escape her.
Lexa. Khalen. Lexa. Khalen.
