The Dark Hearts

Chapter 6: Octavia

Clarke and I, and apparently my two new friends, all sat at a round table in the student cafeteria. I was the only one eating,

"You guys sure you don't want anything to eat or drink? The caf closes for the day in a few minutes." I ate a bite of my hamburger with my pinky fingers up.

"O, Your fingers. Like this." Clarke forced my fingers to wrap around the burger only to have them spring back out again.

"Nice try," I said as I elbowed her in the ribs.

Tristen ran his fingers through his hair and laughed a deep laughed. Soon, the whole table was in an uproar of uncontrollable laughing and giggling. It was as if we had all been friends for years.

"Classes start tomorrow, guys!" Orion slammed the table as the laughter died down. "You guys ready to be college kids?"

"Yes, mom." Tristen rolled his eyes. And slapped Orion on the back.

Clarke was suddenly silent as she fidgeted under the table and glanced over her shoulder. She tucked her hair behind her ear as if she was trying to listen to whatever was behind her. The boys looked at her curiously.

I tapped her to get her attention.

"Oh, sorry, guys. I was just admiring that woman's shirt." She pointed to a woman with a floral hawaiian patterned shirt.

I nodded, deeming the incident as just Clarke being Clarke.

"Hey, Octavia. Let's get to the point here." Orion turned to me seductively. "We are both good looking, single, and we happen to be stuck on a boat for the year. Let's go out sometime."

"Nah," I responded, tapping the boy on the cheek and smiling.

As I got up and gathered my tray, Clarke stood up and went with me to the trash can.

"Hey," she said.

"Uh? Hi?"

"Look, I know it's weird that I have those boys on this ship that I know already. I wanted you to know that we had met a long long time ago when we were kids."

"I see, but why do you feel the need to explain this?" I asked. It wasn't as odd as she was making it to be.

"I don't know. But I know ya'll will make great friends, too."

"Clarke, sweetie. Of course I want to be friends with them. You pick the best people to be around."

"Was that...?"

"Me saying I'm awesome? Yes." I rubbed her shoulder and made my way to the soda fountain. Clarke strode after me, taking each stride with grace. As I filled up my cup, I noticed that Clarke did not have a drink.

"Did you want to drink something? I haven't seen you drink anything today."

Clarke smarted a little as she shook her head and smiled.

Tristen came up behind her and kissed her neck. "Orion and I are going to check out the ship. You stay with Octavia?"

"Yeah. See you tomorrow, baby?"

Clarke nodded. And kissed his cheek goodbye and Orion waved at me from across the room. After Tristen left, I turned to my best friend.

"I still can't believe you haven't told me about him. We tell eachother everything." I took a sip of my Dr. Pepper.

"It's a long story. And you'll learn about it soon.

"Will I? Clarke, you keep a lot of secrets."

"Isn't that why you love me? I am mysterious." Clarke took my free hand and rubbed it between hers. "You will. When the time is right."