The Divide

Chapter VII

Clarke opened her heavy eyes, sleep still clinging to them and weighing them down. She laid there, not wanting to move. Every time she tried her body ached and screamed in protest, begging her to stay wrapped in the warm blanket that smelled like home and warmth. Those things were almost forgotten shadows of what they once were, but Clarke could still feel their delicate power.
Hot tears collected and fell down her cheeks as if someone had turned a faucet on. She stared at the ceiling, now blurred, and kept crying.
It's over. You're safe and away from him. There's no need to cry, you're okay. She kept repeating those words over and over, again and again like some sick mantra that only reminded her of everything that Bellamy had inflicted on her. I thought I loved him. How many people am I going to think I love only for them to turn around and hit me?
"Clarke?" Lexa's soft voice rung high and drifted around the room. She had just woken up by the sound of her voice, after sleeping soundly on Clarke's floor. Clarke started crying even more. "It's okay to cry, release the pent up emotions." Lexa said. Clarke kicked the wall next to her with every ounce of strength she had left. She didn't want to look at Lexa. Someone so gentle did not deserve someone who was going through so much pain. Lexa didn't need anyone else to take care of but herself.
"Clarke." Lexa said. "You can look at me. It's okay" Clarke silently refused.
"Can I hug you? Would that help?" Lexa offered. After a long silence, Clarke nodded her head. Lexa's arms were soon wrapped around her, like golden light. Her voice was even more beautiful and reassuring.
         "I promise I'm going to do everything I can to make sure he's expelled."
         "He's the quarterback." Clarke whispered.
          "I have faith in the integrity of this school." Lexa said.
           "I think you may be mistaken if you think that Whitehall is going to expel it's star student due to allegations of abuse. "
            "You can prove it to them, you have the bruises. Plus, I was there."
            "What if they look over it?"
            "We'll take it to the news stations and to anyone else who will listen. We will make sure that this injustice is not whisked away."
            Lexa pulled away and held Clarke's face in her hands.
            "I promise." She said, her voice barely a whisper but still packed with a vibrant palette of emotions. "I will take care of you and make you feel safe. Only if you promise me that this incident won't stop you from feeling loved, happy, or wanted."
              Clarke swallowed and the tears started again. She gathered up her voice from inside of her and brought it to her throat.
              "I promise."
              The tears began again, but this time they were different somehow.