Our People (the Third Book of the Her Weakness series)

Chapter 103

Clarke's POV

After breakfast, Raven rushes back upstairs and comes back down a minute later with a walkie talkie in her hands. I take it from her and take Lexa to the closest couch. I have a feeling we might need to sit down for this. Hopefully for good reasons, but I'm not going to be too optimistic.

I hold Lexa's hand in mine, my other one occupied with holding the walkie talkie.

Wait. What am I supposed to say? "Um. Clarke to Skaikru, come in Skaikru." That sounds okay, or at least good enough, so I repeat that a few times so someone hears me.

"Hello? Clarke?" Oh, that's Bellamy. "How are you guys?"

"We're doing good, we just figured we would call and talk to our families." I say, trying to sound casual and less stressed than I am.

"Do you want to talk to Abby?" There's a rustling sound, like he's getting up.

"Yeah, thanks Bell. Stick around, though because Octavia wants to talk to you."

"Good. Is she doing alright?" There's a slight sound of air flowing against it that comes through, meaning he's either outside and it's barely windy at all or he's walking. It's most likely the second one.

"Yeah, she's been good." I say. "How has my mom been? She probably won't go into too much detail and I worry about her." I explain.

"She's been pretty happy." Bellamy says. "She and Kane have been doing really well, and they're some of my most trusted advisors now."

"That's great." I stifle a sigh of relief.

"I wish they'd stop making out in their offices, though. I keep walking in and seeing that."

I shudder. "Ew, Bellamy, that's my mom! I don't want to hear that!"

Raven and Octavia giggle from the couch near us. Even Lexa and the guards chuckle at that from where they're washing the dishes and putting them away. I feel bad that we're not helping them, but they insisted that talking to our families is more important.

"Sorry Princess," Bellamy laughs. Then his voice comes softer, like he took the walkie talkie away from his mouth and forgot that he's still pressing the button. "Hey, Abby. Come here for a second."

My mom's voice comes through the speaker, setting me slightly more at ease. "Bellamy, my hand is literally in this person. Can't it wait?"

"Yeah, it can. How long do you think that will take?"

"Five or six more minutes."

"Alright. Hear that, Griffin?" Bellamy asks.

"Yeah, thanks." I say.

"Clarke?" Mom asks, sounding surprised. "Honey, I'll be done in just a bit."

"Okay, mom." I say.

We wait in relative silence for a bit, during which the guards quietly inform us that they're going on a walk and will be back later.

"Alright, Clarke I'm done. Bellamy's just holding the walkie talkie while I wash my hands." The sound of running water comes through. "How are you doing, honey?"

"I'm doing good. We're in Floukru now."

"Oh that sounds lovely." We continue to dance around every topic that could result in a fight until mom sighs and gets right to the point. "I'm assuming Lexa's next to you?"

"Yes she is." I confirm hesitantly.

"Hello, Mrs. Griffin." Lexa says.

"I want you both to hear this." Mom lets out a breath and I tense. "I'm sorry."

I'm so shocked by that the only thing I can say is "Huh?"

"I'm sorry. Both of you deserve better than to have me saying bad things in hopes that you will break up or be hurt. I'm so sorry." She breathes out, and continues. "I've thought a lot about your relationship while you've been gone, and Marcus has been helping me understand it all."

Raven and Octavia look as surprised as we are. Raven even mouths the word "Whoa" as mom continues talking.

"Lexa, I've been really unfair and holding onto a grudge for a mistake you have more than made up for. I apologize for that. I appreciate all you have done for my daughter. When you all get back, I would like to talk to you both." Mom says. "You're a good fit for each other and I'm sorry my anger got the best of me."

"It is okay, Mrs. Griffin." Lexa responds, her voice soft and kind. "The important thing is that you learned from it."

Raven snorts at that. "Clarke, you have a fortune cookie girlfriend."

Lexa looks adorably confused by that. I kiss her cheek and focus my attention back to my mom. "Thanks, Mom."

"You're welcome, kiddo." My heart does a flip when she says that, making me remember how Dad always called me that. "So how has traveling been?"

"Absolutely gorgeous." I gush, telling her about the sunset we saw last night, the town in Azgeda with the beautiful aurora and everything in between.

"That sounds incredible!" Mom says. "Maybe Marcus and I could travel after we retire."

I laugh, "Mom you love your job too much to ever retire."

"Good point." Mom chuckles. "Well, Bellamy is looking impatient. I'm going to hand it over to him. Love you!"

"Love you too." I respond.

"Hey Griffin. As much as I love your voice, I would like to talk to by baby sister." Bellamy says.

Octavia snatches it from my outstretched hand. "Hey! I'm no baby!"

"You'll always be my baby sister, O." There's no mistaking the fondness in his tone. "So what's this about? I know you love me, but there's got to be some reason you want to talk to me." There's a pause while Octavia exchanges a look with Raven and before they can say anything, Bellamy speaks again. "Is Lincoln being mean? I'll come down there and punch him myself."

"Bell, no." Octavia laughs. "The day Lincoln says anything remotely mean is the day I grow wings and fly."

"Yeah." Bellamy laughs. "So what is it?"

"I, uh, I'm dating Raven."

"You're what?" Bellamy doesn't sound angry or anything, just surprised.

"Raven is my girlfriend."

Next chapter, see Bellamy's reaction... And hey, Abby finally got her crap together! Who else is excited about Pokémon? After school I'm walking GameStop to buy Sun! Thank you all for reading and for your lovely comments! Stay awesome!