"Well, that's the last of it." Clarke set the last box down in her room and smiled at Octavia.
"Do you think you brought enough?" The girls laughed, Clarke had clearly over packed, but it was too late to fix that now. It was her first extended stay away from Washington since college, and even then she had only been 2 hours away, so she may have panicked a bit while packing.
As they got to work ripping open boxes and setting up Clarke's bed frame, the doorbell rang. Octavia jumped up and moved towards the door, "That's probably the pizza, I'll be right back." Clarke nodded, more than ready for a piping hot pizza after spending the day moving into Octavia's house. She cut away the tape of a box, reaching in to grab the framed photographs it held. One of her and Wells' freshman year of high school, one of her dad proudly holding her soccer trophy as she beamed next to him, another of her and Wells at prom. As she placed them on her desk, Octavia came back into the room.
"Well, unfortunately it was too unrealistic to imagine a pizza arriving on time. Food isn't here but these dorks are." She jabbed her thumb at the two guys hovering in the doorway. "This is Jasper and Monty."
"Hey, I'm Clarke." She smiled at them, Jasper grinned widely and said hello while Monty gave her a sweet smile and waved.
"This room looks so different without Bellamy's stuff in it, Octavia."
"I know, without all those books you can actually see how big it is." The three of them laughed, causing a smile to pop onto Clarke's face. The boys got down to work helping her to unpack, asking her about her job, where she had gone to school, and her general interests. By the time the pizza finally arrived, she had learned that Jasper worked at his dad's deli downtown and that Monty was getting a biochem degree while working part time at a grocery store nearby.
"So how long have you guys known Octavia?"
"Oh we go waaaaay back," Monty said, extending his arms as if it showed just how long of a time they had known each other.
"Yeah, my mom lives next door and Monty's parents use to live a few houses down. We were all in school together since we are around the same age." Jasper gave Monty and Octavia a fond glance.
"Its sweet that you all still hang out."
"Oh I can't imagine life without these nerds," Octavia laughed. "They practically live here anyways. And once Bell is back I'm sure Miller and Murphy will practically live here again too."
"I don't know how that's gonna work, I don't like this whole friends with cops thing." Monty said.
"Are you kidding, Miller would never turn us in, and neither will Bellamy when he gets the gig. I mean look at Murphy, you know all the shit he has done over the past few weeks, but Miller would never bring him in. Unless he was told to, I suppose," Jasper scrunched up his face in thought.
Octavia, noticing Clarke's wide eyes, quickly assured her that she was not in the presence of violent criminals.
"Oh, God no!" Jasper laughed. "Me and Monty, well we are just fine connoisseurs of the beautiful plant."
"Pot," Octavia dramatically whispered.
Monty blushed, sheepishly telling Clarke he hoped she wasn't uncomfortable with it. Clarke just laughed, telling him not to worry about it. "As long as I'm not living with murderers, I really don't care what you get up to."
"So what's your story, Clarke?" Jasper was looking at her curiously. Octavia and Monty both turned to her as well.
"Well, I grew up in Washington, D.C. I've lived there all my life, went to college in Virginia and med school in the city. I suppose I just wanted to go somewhere new for my residency."
"And that's why you chose the shittiest hospital in Chicago, if not the state of Illinois?"
"If not the country?" Octavia smirked.
"Oh, its not that bad," Clarke smiled. "To be honest, I come from a pretty privileged background. My mom is chief of surgery at her hospital in DC. She wanted me to do residency there, but it just didn't feel right. I was sick of that life. A friend of mine from college worked at Sacred Ground for a while, she suggested it when I told her I wanted to leave the district."
"Now, when you say you come from a privileged background, you mean you are rich right?" Jasper's eyebrows were raised. Though his question was pretty innocent, Clarke grew uncomfortable. She hated talking about her family's wealth, but it was especially awkward when surrounded by people she knew had much, much less than her.
"Uh, yeah I guess so."
Octavia's eyes went wide. "Well that explains your outfit the first day! How much you got?"
"Do you know any politicians? And or famous people?"
Jasper and Octavia's questions clearly weren't meant to be prying, or at all mean spirited, even so Clarke felt her skin crawl. She had left DC to be independent from her past. Instead of depending on her parents, she was determined to make it on her own now. The whole point of Chicago was to escape her mother and her mother's world.
"My family is pretty rich. My dad owned his own engineering firm and my mom is a neurosurgeon, plus she comes from an old, political family. As for famous people, um, I don't really know any. I mean I have met senators and house members at functions, but other than that… I guess the mayor of DC, Thelonious Jaha, is a close family friend. So is General Kane."
"Well, now we know who to turn to for a favor."
"Miller is going to be pissed when he finds out we don't have to suck up to him anymore."
They all laughed and the conversation shifted to a story about Miller and Murphy's antics at the party Octavia had hosted a few days earlier. Clarke let out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding. She was thankful they had taken the news about her money so well
As it got later, Jasper and Monty said their goodbyes.
"It was nice meeting you Clarke, hope to see you around more before you leave."
"I think we will be back before her rent is up in three months, Monty. We are here every other day."
They took the pizza box and empty beer bottles out to the trash as they left. It wasn't until she closed the front door that Clarke realized her three companions were all under 21. She couldn't help but smirk. Miller must put up with a lot of shit.
The next two months fly by.
Her shifts at the hospital are abysmal. Working in the ER means that she is basically on call 24/7. Octavia isn't around often either, besides her job as a tech at the vet's clinic she also works as a barista at a coffee shop. The few times a week that their schedules allow them time together, the women bond over reality television, arguments over how to make mac and cheese (Clarke swears it cheese powder, butter, milk but Octavia insists on milk, powder, butter), and their shared love of naps.
A few days after they celebrate Clarke's second month in casa de Octavia, the dark haired girl tells Clarke that she will have the house to herself in two weeks.
"My boyfriend's grandparents are celebrating their 60th and he invited me to go." Octavia digs through their pile of take out to find the beef and broccoli. "Its down in Georgia but I'll be back by Friday."
"Sounds fun, tell Lincoln's grandparents congratulations for me."
"Sounds terrifying. I haven't met his parents before."
"Well this is good right, I mean, he clearly thinks its long term if he is taking you to something like this."
Octavia's smile was wide. "Yeah, I didn't realize he care this much about me. I mean I like him a lot too, and I knew it was more than just hook ups, but…"
Clarke couldn't help but laugh at her friend's giddy face. "Plus, he must know you are in it for the long haul too if you are willing to go to Georgia of all places."
Octavia punched her lightly on the arm as they laughed. "My brother is going to be so pissed if he finds out I went on a week long trip with Lincoln."
"He doesn't like Lincoln?"
"No, he likes him okay, I think. But Bellamy is just… well he is an older brother. In high school, when my first date came to our door the look on his face screamed murder. He literally walked out of the kitchen sharpening a knife as my mom took pictures of my and Atom. I could have killed him."
"So, now we have two secrets. Me living here and you going on vacation with Lincoln."
Octavia grinned wickedly. "Oh believe me, I have so many secrets when it comes to Bell. But yes. He still doesn't know about you and I told him that I am going on a 'girls trip' next week so he isn't concerned when I'm not able to answer his calls."
Clarke just shook her head smiling.
"Speaking of you living here," Octavia said slowly, clearly preparing to proposition Clarke with something.
"Yes."
"Have you found a new place yet?" Octavia looked pointedly at her vegetables.
"I've looked at a few apartments but none of them have as good a location as this. I'm pretty spoiled here."
"Well, you know, case de Octavia doesn't close up in a month. I mean, if you need a place…"
Clarke looked over at the 20 year old who was still examining her broccoli and carrots. She suddenly looked vey young to Clarke.
"Well, it would be lonely to live by myself…" Clarke watched Octavia's eyes shoot up to her face. "And like I said, I'm never going to find a location as great as this. Plus if I move further into the city the price of everything-"
"Fine, fine," Octavia smirked, "You don't have to beg. I suppose I could let you stay a little longer."
"Thanks, Octavia."
"Don't mention it. It's nice to have a girlfriend. It was always just guys growing up and as much as I love them, you just can't watch Real Housewives with them."
"Or do facemasks?"
"Or get totally smacked and talk about our weirdest sexual fantasies?" Octavia cackled.
"Shut up, that was once, okay?" Clarke tried to look serious but couldn't help but smile. Like Octavia, she had never really had a close female friend. Wells had been the only constant companion in her life. "Won't you have to tell your brother now, though?"
"I suppose, but not for a while. I mean we still have four months without the old man."
"Old man?"
"Oh you just wait. The fucker wakes up at six every morning and loves historical documentaries. He is the type of person who actually wants to go to museums. Plus half the time he just grunts in response to things rather than using his words," Octavia rolled her eyes. "I swear, he may be 29 but Bell is 89 at heart."
Clarke snorted causing another round of laughter.
The next night it works out so neither of them have to work. While they lazily watch jeopardy Octavia texts Jasper and Monty to come over. The guys show up half an hour later with Miller, Murphy, and a girl Clarke hasn't met yet in tow.
"Clarke, this is Harper. Harper, this is Clarke."
Clarke shakes the girls hand Octavia informs her of Harper's job at the local daycare while the boys ransack the kitchen. An hour later Monty, Murphy, Octavia and Jasper have pulled out joints around the fire pit in the backyard. When Harper goes out to join the guys, Clarke takes the trash into the kitchen. Miller is sitting on the counter, talking to someone on the phone. He nods at her as she walks in.
"Yeah, I will. You said 10 right. Yeah, yeah. Okay. See you, man. Stay safe." He hung up the phone and hopped off the counter. "I see you are the only one I don't have to arrest tonight."
She laughs, "I am sorry to inform you, Officer, but as soon as I am done cleaning off this plate I am going out to join them."
He shakes his head at her but is smiling.
"Who were you on the phone with?"
"Just an old buddy of mine. Hey, do you know when Octavia is getting back from Atlantic City?"
Clarke stared blankly at him, confused. "What?"
"You know, her little 'girls trip' with Sheila and Mary from the vet's?"
It suddenly dawned on Clarke what he was talking about her face went red with embarrassment. "Oh, yeah of course. Sorry, I kind of blanked there. She told me she would be back on Friday. The 19th I think. Why?"
"No reason, just wondering. Thanks." Clarke nodded at him and heading for the backyard. "Hey Clarke, tell them I took off would you?"
"Sure thing, sorry about this. I feel bad you are left out."
"I would rather be left out than lose my job if they decide to do random drug testing on Monday."
She smiled at him before stepping outside.
That night before going to bed she checked her phone. Another missed call from her mom popped up. It had been almost three months since she left, she should probably call her back. A familiar wave of anger swept over Clarke, and she decided against it. Her mom could wait a little longer.
When the day of Octavia's departure rolls around, the girl is a mess. She alternates between being giddy and a nervous wreck as the clock ticks down to 3:00, when Lincoln had agreed to pick her up to go to the airport. Clarke watched her pace back and forth making sure she had everything.
"Its not even a week, Octavia. You'll be fine."
"I know, I know. I just really want them to like me."
"I'm sure they will."
"Its just that they are from a pretty small town where everyone is really close knit. I've lived in the city my whole life, what if I insult someone? I don't want it to spread all through town that I am-"
"Lincoln will be there with you, he will make sure you are fine."
"But what if his family is nice. Like not 'oh what nice people' but like, good, wholesome, well to do people. I mean, I grew up poor without a father and with a mother who-" Octavia stopped suddenly and looked at Clarke with wide eyes. Clarke got the impression Octavia had almost said something she really didn't want Clarke to know. Her curiosity grew, but she didn't press the nervous girl.
"Look Octavia, Lincoln cares about you and that's all that matters. He thinks that you are good enough to bring home, so you are. People don't just bring any old person to their grandparent's 60th anniversary. Plus, not to sound like a bitch, but he works in a tattoo parlor and a bar. I doubt he comes from some aristocratic southern family. Even if he does, you will be fine."
Octavia stopped pacing and nodded. "Your right." She moved to sit next to Clarke on the couch, glaring at the insulting carpet before turning to Clarke. "What are you gonna do with the whole house to yourself for five days?"
Clarke's laugh came out as a snort. "I'm going to work. My shifts are crazy this week."
"Promise me you will take at least one bubble bath."
"Octavia-"
"Clarke, you work so much, let youself relax."
"Fine."
There was a knock at the door and Octavia all but flung herself at it. She gave Lincoln a hard kiss before turning back to Clarke. "Take care of yourself, Griffin. Don't do anything I wouldn't do." Clarke laughed as Lincoln grabbed Octavia's suitcase. He smiled and said hello to Clarke. After they left, she let herself slide down against the door, relishing in the peace and quiet. She loved Octavia, but it was going to be nice to have the house to herself for the next few days.
She wasn't lying when she told Octavia her schedule was insane. For the first three days of the week all she did at the house was sleep. Finally on the fourth day, after getting back from her shift at 9, she was able to enjoy a night at home. Clarke made mac and cheese (the right way thank you very much). She ate it while drinking red wine out of the bottle and watching the Maury Show. Two episodes and a phone call from Wells later she found herself living up to her promise to Octavia as she climbed into the tub.
For the first time in weeks, Clarke let herself just relax. She had turned off the lights, relying on the numerous candles she had lit to see. Sinking into the warm, bubbly water she thought about the cute pediatrician she had met at work. He had flirted with her quite a bit, and Clarke all but decided to ask him out the next time she saw him. It had been a while since she dated, and there was this little waffle place that she had seen weeks back that-
Her thoughts were rudely interrupted when the door to the bathroom suddenly burst open and a very confused, very shocked Bellamy Blake stared at her.
"What the fuck? Who the hell are you?"
She was going to kill Octavia.