I Run to You

Chapter 5

Clarke was sitting in her anatomy class when her phone began to buzz. She discreetly pulled it from her pocket, her heart in her throat. She was terrified that something had happened to one of her friends, but soon gave a sigh of relief when she saw Finn's name on the screen.

She read the text, a smile playing on her lips.

F-Can I buy you dinner tonight?

Clarke held back a giggle, her fingers tapping in quick secession giving her reply.

C-Well you do owe me... :)

F-Great! I'll pick you up at 7.

She put her phone back in her pocket, her giddiness fading slightly. What would Bellamy think? She felt like she was almost being unfaithful to him. She did her best to shove those thoughts to the back of her mind, already planning what she would wear.

That afternoon, Octavia sat on Clarke's bed watching her friend pilfer through her closet in search of the perfect date outfit. She could tell that Clarke liked the guy, but she also sensed that there was something holding the girl back.

"Has Bell met him yet," she asked out of the blue.

Clarke turned to her roommate, her bottom lip caught between her teeth.

"Not yet," Clarke answered.

Octavia grinned. That was going to be an interesting sight.

"Is he going to meet him?"

"Of course! I can't date a guy without my best friend's approval!"

After the words escaped her mouth, Clarke turned to Octavia –her lips forming a perfect o and her features painted with surprise.

"O, I..."

"Clarke, I've known that my brother was the most important person in your life since the day of your father's funeral," Octavia answered.

Clarke stared at her friend, the memories from that day flooding her mind.

She sat in the front row of chairs under the tent at the cemetery, her eyes glued to the casket. Rain poured off the thick water-resistant material, the cold wind chilling her to the bone.

Everything around her mirrored what she was feeling. She could hear her mother sniffling softly beside her, but she ignored it. She didn't care about what her mother was feeling because she was too lost in her own grief and anger.

The only thing that kept her grounded was Bellamy's hand in her own. He'd been within arm's reach since she'd been informed of her father's passing. He was her anchor and without him she knew she would be lost.

Clarke listened as the priest spoke, the words not penetrating the fog of sorrow that surrounded her mind and heart. She got up and placed a rose on the casket at the appropriate time before walking out into the rain.

She had no umbrella, no coat. The rain soaked her clothes and hair, running down her face in rivulets. She heard Bell and Octavia coming along behind her, but she kept walking.

Finally Bellamy's black pickup came into view. She crawled in, squeezing into the middle seat. She felt him sit beside her, his shoulder brushing her own as he turned on the ignition.