Lexa sees her students walking in and she's slightly surprised when Ontari takes a seat on the front row rather than at the back as usual. Her surprise is quickly increased when her cousin is grinning at something Clarke said.
Clarke has wriggled herself between Octavia and Ontari, making sure her best friend is sitting directly next to Raven. She knows Octavia still has a major crush on the Latina, though her best friend has been taking it easy and has resorted to being Raven's friend. That's understandable because the breakup with Finn is fresh.
"How can you dislike hugs?" Octavia asks Ontari. "Hugs are great."
"It's cheesy as fuck," Ontari answers, grumbling.
"Ri's more of a fist bump kind of gal," Raven says.
"True that," Ontari confirms, giving Raven finger guns. "Rae knows me like the back of her hand."
"I agree with O that hugs are great," Clarke says, smiling mischievously. "Which is why you should all get one, starting with you," she says as she puts her arms around Ontari. Rebel or not, Ontari isn't as scary as she appears.
"Argh, gross," Ontari mutters, though she brings her arms up around Clarke.
"See, hugs are nice," Clarke says, sighing quietly. She wonders if Ontari really hates hugs because her new friend is hugging her for dear life, like she's been starving for a hug.
Lexa is baffled to see Clarke hugging Ontari and the fact that her cousin is hugging back. Anya would never believe this. A small smile tugs at her lips because Ontari is smiling and she can't remember the last time her cousin had that kind of smile. Clarke is an interesting student, always sketching in the park during the weekends and now having befriended Ontari who is generally avoided like the plague by other students.
She doesn't know what has prompted her cousin to become friends with Clarke or vice versa, though she can only cheer it on. Clarke can be a positive influence for Ontari and making friends is always good. She's so focused on that beautiful moment that she nearly forgets she has a class to teach.
"Do y'all wanna hang at Grounders later?" Ontari asks quietly. "I got some smokes, if you're interested."
"I can't," Clarke answers, having to pass it up because she already has different plans. "I'll join another time though."
"I'm down for it," Raven says, nodding at Ontari.
Octavia shifts nervously. "Same," she says, nodding.
"Psst," Jasper whispers, tapping Clarke's shoulder.
Clarke turns around to look at him. "Yes?" she asks, hoping she's not disturbing the class. Then again, Miss Woods has yet to begin.
Jasper's eyes flit from Clarke to Ontari and then back to Clarke. "I'm throwing another party this weekend," he whispers. "You should come and you can bring them too."
"Cool, I'll be there," Clarke replies, ignoring the fact that Jasper is looking at Ontari as if he thinks she's going to kill him. Her new friend can be rather intimidating, but she knows better by now. "I think we will all be there," she corrects herself when her friends nod.
Lexa clears her throat to gather the attention of her students, who have chit chatted long enough.
Clarke smiles as she runs until a pair of strong arms wrap around her. "Dad," she says, crying because it's been so long.
"My little girl," Jake replies, not letting go. "I missed you so much and I can't express how happy I was when I heard the voicemail you left me."
Clarke takes a seat, seeing that her father already took the liberty of ordering two coffees. "How is Emily doing?" she asks, picking up the spoon to stir in her coffee.
