Love Hate Relationship

Chapter 95

"You look beautiful honey," Abby said as she gave Clarke an air kiss, not wanting to smudge her makeup or get lipstick on her cheek. "Finn is a good man, you two will be happy together."

Clarke smoothed down an imaginary wrinkle on her wedding dress. She had opted for a dress that was plain and sophisticated. There was no long train trailing behind her. Clarke preferred a shorter detachable train that could be removed after the ceremony. The neckline on the ivory lace gown was modest, only giving a hint of décolletage. As she stared at her reflection, Clarke tried to put on a happy face. She doubted her mom would notice how forced it was. But then again, this was the new Abby, she might. "Thanks Mom. I guess I'll see you out there."

"Okay honey." Abby left Raven, Octavia and Clarke alone in the vestibule of the church.

Clarke rubbed at her temples. The pounding headache persisted. "God, how did I get here?"

"By limo," Raven quipped as she put an arm around her friend. "The same limo that is still outside if you need to haul ass out of here."

"It's still not too late Clarke," O interjected. "We'll all leave."

"I can't leave now. It's too late. I'm just gonna suck it up. And everyone will be happy."

Raven fussed over the veil on Clarke's head. "Everyone except you, but hey, no biggie." Clarke looked to be near tears, so Raven thought she better back off. "Okay, no tears, happiest day of your life, here we come."

"I love her." Clarke's voice quivered in pain. A small tear managed to escape. "And I never told her. I should have told her."

Raven quickly reached out and wiped it away. "Clarke this isn't the middle ages, for Christ's sake. Leave now. Let's go, we'll go with you." Raven saw the tiniest spark of life in Clarke's eyes, but just like that it was extinguished.

"No, I'm just being stupid. She's moved on. She's found someone else. This is the right thing to do. Finn is one of my best friends. So..." Clarke's voice trailed off. She was tired of trying to convince herself of what was right. Exhausted really.

"Clarke, maybe she hasn't moved on, maybe-" Octavia was interrupted by a knock at the door.

Jake stuck his head in. "We ready princess?"

"Yeah, I'm ready Dad."

"I'll be right outside here then." He smiled and closed the door.

Clarke turned to her two besties. "Okay, wish me luck I guess."

Octavia hugged Clarke. "Good luck buddy. We love you. See you at the altar."

Raven was next. She put her arms around Clarke. "There's still time. Right up until I do. You just give me a signal, and we'll create a diversion, so you can high tail it out of there. O can scream, 'I just got my period!' or something."

Raven's tenacity almost made Clarke smile. Almost. "That would clear the whole church probably."

"Even better." Raven squeezed Clarke.

Clarke inhaled. "Why do you smell like popcorn?"

"What? That's crazy Clarke. Sounds like wishful thinking on your part. I mean, popcorn means Clexa, right?"

Clarke sighed. Probably just was wishful thinking. Or wishful smelling. She gently steered Raven towards door. "Yeah. It's just my imagination I guess. Now go. It's fine. I'm fine."

"Okay. We love you, Clarke."

Raven and Octavia left, and Clarke was alone. She clutched at the sudden tightness in her chest. This was it. There would be no turning back. This was the rest of her life. She walked out the door. This was the right thing to do.

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End of Chapter 95