Fake Dating Blake

Chapter Two

A/N: Hey guys! I'm so pleased with the response to the first chapter of this, and I'm still super excited about it. Your feedback is always appreciated. This chapter is a little longer than the first, but bear with me. It ends on a pretty good note ;)

Please leave feedback – it's really helpful and inspires me, and a lot of other writers I'm sure – to keep going! X

TWO

My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard and they're like it's better than yours, damn right, it's better than yours! I could teach you, but I'd have to charge!

Clarke woke to the sound of Kelis. Face down on her pillow, she groaned and blindly reached around for her cell; she reminded herself to, once again, scold Octavia for changing the ring tone. One day she'd figure out how to change it back herself; at least that way she wouldn't have to endure Raven's sass as she showed her how to do it for about the eight hundredth time.

Her head was throbbing, but only mildly, as she dragged herself out of bed and over to the mirror. She grimaced at the line of drool coming from the corner of her mouth and grabbed for a cleansing wipe to clean herself up a little. Her thick, blonde hair was matted and it took her a good two minutes to brush it all out. When she did it erupted into frizz, which she managed to tame with some serum and a curling iron.

Feeling presentable, she headed over to the window and drew back her curtains. The snow hadn't slowed down overnight; the streets were blanketed in white and the window pane was frozen; Clarke daren't try to open it. The fire escape outside her window was iced to the nines. She shivered, half dreading getting out of the city later on in the day. Once she hit the I-90 she'd be fine.

'Clarke!'

Octavia's voice came from the living room and was quickly admonished by Raven's.

'She might be asleep.'

'Well she needs to get up, because we're leaving.'

'I'm up.'

Clarke emerged quickly and spotted Lincoln first, seated quietly on the couch. He smiled.

'Hi Clarke.'

'Hi,' she replied, before shifting her gaze to the girls.

Suddenly she was encased in Octavia's iron grip and while caught quite off-guard, Clarke managed to return the gesture with equal fervour. She wouldn't see Octavia for two weeks – almost three! – so she relished the moment. Octavia's hugs had the ability to uplift any day. Usually after a terrible shift at the hospital, where Clarke volunteered, she'd come home in silence, walk through the door, drop her bag with a thud and look at her friends with heavy eyelids. Raven always got the wine, and Octavia just wrapped Clarke up in a hug so tight she managed to push away everything Clarke couldn't leave at work.

'I'll call you in a couple days,' Octavia said when she pulled away. She winked and, for the life of her, Clarke didn't understand why. 'I hope you have a great Christmas, and please take care of him.'

Of who? Her tone suggested something was at work, but she didn't have time to question it as Lincoln was ushering Octavia out of the door.

'We're going to miss our flight.'

He stopped briefly to give Clarke a one-armed hug, fist-bumped Raven, and then they were gone with final goodbyes echoing down the hallway. When they died down, Clarke turned to Raven.

'Take care of who?'

'Like I know,' said Raven, rolling her eyes. 'Anyway, you over-slept princess.'

Clarke clenched her jaw. Damn Bellamy Blake and his nicknames. Raven was still speaking.

'I already checked your car – you shouldn't have any problems. I cleaned out your vents too so that weird smell you were getting should be gone now. Brakes are fine, just remember not to bite down on them if you skid. It'll just make things worse. Your tires are great, they can withstand the weather no problem.'