West Ark High

A Little Bird Told Me

"I know I've asked like, a billion times, but when are you coming to visit?" Clarke fell backward onto her bed, awaiting the vague response she knew that she was going to receive.

"As soon as I settle into the new house more," her father's voice answered over the phone.

"That's what you always say. It's already been close to four months since I last saw you."

Ever since the move, Clarke and her dad had made it a habit to have at least an hour long phone call once a week to catch each other up on what's been happening on either end of the country. They used to talk everyday, but ever since the dreaded Quiz Bowl had been dumped into her lap, Clarke had been finding it harder to find time to dedicate to her dad.

The only reason she was able to make the call now was because she was all ready for her date with Finn, but he texted her saying he was running about fifteen minutes late so she had decided to give her dad a buzz. She was relieved when he had picked up after the second ring, but it just felt nice to hear his voice again.

"I know kiddo, but the house isn't even situated yet. I still have boxes piled higher than the Hoover Dam."

Clarke chuckled. "Mom always was the more organized one, huh?"

This time she heard him laugh on the other end, giving Clarke satisfaction that she was able to bring a smile to his face. "That she is. She'd of had this place looking like a palace by now."

"You should still come out, even if it is a mess out there."

"I think you should come out here. California sun and warm weather—we could go surfing or something."

"It does sound tempting," she lied, rolling over onto her stomach. For as much as she enjoyed the warm weather, the thought of prancing around in California was less than appealing. Maybe it was because she was still angry about the move, but even if it was, she didn't care. She wanted her dad back in New Jersey, living in the house on the corner that she grew up in. "Maybe during Christmas—if you're able to get your house finalized by that time."

She was clearly kidding, which was what made it funny. Her dad laughed again while Clarke bit back a smile. "So how's Jasper and your mom been?" he changed the subject.

Clarke rolled her eyes; he knew they would dwell on the topic of visitation for hours unless he dodged the bullet. "Mom's good. She's been working a couple of double shifts in attempt to to get that promotion. And Jasper signed up for a robotics thing with Monty."

"Very cool. I'm proud of your mom. And Jasper and Monty working on a robot together? Is that really the best idea when something could easily explode with those two together?" he sounded genuinely concerned which was funny enough that Clarke had to stifle a laugh.

"Well, neither of them have blown anything up yet so far this year, so that's good," she replied, still grinning.

"If you say so." Clarke could hear the smile in his tone even if they were three-thousand miles apart. "How's Wells?"

The question made Clarke stop and suddenly her blood boiled. Why was he even asking about Wells? He knew that she had dumped him; besides, Wells was the reason that her dad was in California looking for a job! She might have forgiven Wells for being her ex boyfriend, but she hadn't forgiven him for what he had done.

She wasn't sure if she'd ever be able to.

"Uh, yeah, he's okay. Straight A's and whatnot probably," she said. Her tone came off as more icy than she intended. "But we don't really talk anymore except for student council."