"Do you have to go?" Octavia asked her big brother, even though she already knew the answer.
"O, I already told you I have to. It's my first job as a cadet." Bellamy told her using his nickname for her.
"I know. I just don't like being left alone." Octavia told him.
Loneliness filled her as she spoke.
"I know O, but I can't miss this, they will kick me out of training if I do. Plus, you will only be left alone for an hour. Mom will be back then to let you out." Bellamy told his sister.
He was trying with all his might to calm her down. Truthfully, he did not like leaving her alone; his mother was often late to let her out.
"Plus, I got the early shift. I'll be home just after ten." He told her.
A small smile formed on Octavia's face. She was happy that Bellamy would only be gone a few hours and not all night.
"I wish I could go with you." Octavia told him in a hushed tone.
Bellamy felt bad he knew she was getting older. She wanted now more than ever to have a normal life.
She was forteen know and was starting to get restless. She started showing an interest in boys, even thought she did not know any. She constantly complaind about how she would never have a boyfriend.
"O, I'm sorry but you know its too dangerous." He told her.
Bellamy would do anything for his sister. He would give her the world if he could, but he could not give her anything. In reality he could not even get her out of this room.
"I know Bell. We can't risk getting caught or we will all be floated. I understand. That does not mean it no longer sucks." She told him as she climbed into her hole under the floor.
This is where Octavia lived. Under the floorboards. They tried to make it as comfortable as possible. She had blankets and pillows, but Bellamy always wondered if spending all fourteen years of her life living under the floor was causing her any permanent damage.
He was always scared that one day she would snap and refuse to go back. Then he would think about the stupid law that kept her there.
The law was that only one child was allowed to be born to every family. Bellamy was born first so technically Octavia was never supposed to be born. She had survived the last fourteen years by never leaving their home and living under the floorboards. Never having contact with anyone but Bellamy and their mom.
Bellamy had to scrape together and often give up his own rations, so Octavia had enough food. It was a hard life, but it was worth it to him. He would do anything for his sister. Octavia was the only person on the Ark that he actually moved more than himself.
That's why he wanted the guard job, he would have more privileges, and rations. Plus, all the inside information he would get on things like room check schedules.
He pushed all of his sad thoughts out of his head and helped Octavia get comfortable under the floor.
"I need you to lie down." He told her.
She did what he said, and he started to pull the floor closed over her.
Before she was completely overcome by darkness he stopped as his eyes met hers.
"I'll be back before you know it." He told her as he plastered a fake smile on his face.
"I know." She replied lying to him.
Octavia knew in reality she would only be under there for a few hours, but it was hard. When she was plunged into complete darkness with nothing but her own thoughts to occupy her time, a few hours felt like eternity.
She would totally lose track of time. Seconds, minutes, hours all blended into one.
All there really was, was Bell. Bell would put her in, and Bell would let her out.
Bellamy was no longer able to see his sister. The floor was completely closed. No one would ever be able to tell. To just be safe Bellamy pulled the rug over the floor and then just to be extra safe he pulled his moms seamstress worktable directly on top of Octavia.
"Good night." Bellamy whispered under his breath as he grabbed his jacket and made his way out the door.
He walked through the halls not being able to get Octavia out of his head. He knew that none of this was his fault, but he could not help but feel guilty for leaving her.
He quickly found himself in the cadet locker room. He opened his locker and pulled out his white tea shirt and black pants. He was in his cadet uniform, and he quickly pulled his grey jacket back on. He laced up his black boots and grabbed his grey jacket. He lased up his black boots and grabbed his teaser.
Cadets carried a teaser. They were not yet allowed to carry guns.
No actual guard members would be attending tonight at least not while working. Nothing ever happened tonight except some of the older kids sneaking off to try to hook up and the younger kids trying to sneak second helpings of treats.
Tonight was strictly run by cadets. It was like a training exercise to see how they handle and respond to a crowed. It was also to evaluate how they were with taking orders. There were to be commanding officers. Both cadets the highest if their class. One supervised the first shift the other took over the second. These cadets almost always graduated to become guards. Bellamy was one of them. He was supervising the first shift.
He was excited and nervous at the same time. If anything was to go wrong on his watch it would be the end of his dreams. He gave a firm talking to, to all the other cadets. Everyone knew their place and responsibility's. Unless something completely unexpected happened, everything should be all right.
He made it to his post just as everyone was beginning to set up for the night. He watched over everything and would occasionally tell a cadet to go help someone set up.
He also kept a close eye on the Chancellor even though he knew he had his own security around here somewhere.
"The Griffins are on their way." A voice said from next to Bellamy.
He looked over to see Todd who was not just a cadet but Bellamy's best friend.
Todd was a simple guy. He looked up to Bellamy always obeyed him and was easy to manipulate. That was exactly how Bellamy liked his friends. It was not because Bellamy liked to manipulate people it was just easier to be around. They never questioned him when he did not eat and instead took his meals home. He did not question him when he never went out instead of staying home every night. And Todd never questioned why he was never allowed over Bellamy's.
"Did you make sure their booth is all set up?" Bellamy asked.
"Yes, it's all set. I did the job personally." Todd answered.
"Good. The last thing we need tonight is to upset the Griffin lady's." Bellamy told Todd.
"Speaking of the Griffin lady's." Todd said as he tilted his head to the side.
Bellamy quickly looked up in the direction Todd signaled. He got a quick glimpse of Mr. and Ms. Griffin. They were shamelessly decked out in their fancy clothes and instantly he became filled with anger. He looked away before he could get a look at Clarke.
"If they need any help tonight, I want you to personally take care of it. Understand?" Bellamy told Todd.
"Really? Me?" Todd asked.
"Yes you." Bellamy responded. "What's wrong with you?" He asked his best friend.
"I just assumed you would take their booth, that's all." Todd answered.
"Why would you assume that?" Bellamy asked genially curious.
"Well, I know how you are with the pretty girls and I mean have you seen Clarke tonight. She looks hot." Todd told him.
Bellamy let a deep breath escape his lips. He thought back to the few times he has seen Clarke Griffin. Twice in the infirmary, her hair was in a messy bun both times. Hair was always a mess and once she was even covered in blood.
The third time he saw her, her messy blond hair hung over her face as she had her nose stuck in a book. He remembers wondering how she could even see the page in front of her with all that hair in the way.
None of the times he saw her did he ever give her a second look let alone think she looked hot as Todd said.
"What?" Todd asked knowing Bellamy to well.
"Clarke Griffin is not hot." Bellamy almost laughed.
"I beg to differ." Todd responded.
Bellamy finally let his curious get the better of him and followed his friend's line of sight.
He quickly found the Griffen booth. He found the Griffins standing there. With them was a young blonde girl in a skintight red dress. Her blonde hair was pulled up high into a tight clean bun. It was not until she turned around with a tray of food in her hands did, he notice it was Clarke.
He was shocked but pleasantly surprised. She looked very different when she actually pulled herself together.
Bellamy came to the conclusion that she was very good at hiding her attractiveness behind her curly messy hair and oversized clothes. The only question was why? She obviously was not shy about showing off as she was doing it right now.
"Yeah, if you're into the sort of thing." Bellamy responded.
"What kind of thing. Hot, privileged, connected, and smart?" Todd asked.
"Yes, all that and high class. I mean look how she's dressed. People are starving on the Ark and she's worried about what dress to where." Bellamy told Todd.
"So, you're saying she's not your type?" Todd asked.
"That's exactly what I'm saying." Bellamy answered.
"Great then maybe I'll actually have a chance." Todd responded.
"A chance for what?" Bellamy asked confused.
"To make her fall in love with me. Then when we get married, she will pull me up to her class. So, then I can have Phoenix problems like what shirt to wear to a party." Todd said with a smile on his face.
"That's never going to happen." Bellamy laughed at Todd/
"Why is that?" Todd asked getting a little angry with his best friend.
"She's the Arks Princess. She's being trained to take over her mom's position. And you're a cadet. She does not even have friends in our class range. Her best and only friend is Wells. Speaking of Wells, she will probably grow up and marry him and become the future Ms. Chancellor. She won't give someone like you a second look." Bellamy told him.
"Thanks for crushing all my hopes and dreams." Todd said.
"The hopes and dreams you have had for about five minutes?" Bellamy asked.
"Hey that was the best plan I've ever had." Todd told Bellamy with a smile.
"You know I don't think she like the rest of them. I heard she gives out her rations every week." Todd told Bellamy.
"You don't actually believe that?" Bellamy asked.
"Why would I not?" Todd asked.
"It's probably just a roomer she started to gain sympathy for herself. Her mom never lets her out of her sight. When would she ever have the time?" Bellamy said.
"I guess you're right." Todd said.
"You know what? I think Clarke needs some help." Todd said before he started to make his way over to her.
"You're hopeless." Bellamy called after him.
"Wish me luck." He answered.
"Nope." Bellamy responded.
Bellamy quickly went back to focusing on work. He surveyed the room. He watched the little kids run around getting there treats. All so happy to have a night just for them.
He used to love this holiday when he was a kid. That was until the day Octavia was born. He realized that she could never attend. He would still go and bring her home all the treats. He never stayed for the party. He felt guilty. He refused to go if she could not.
Know he had to spend the night there watching others have the fun him and his sister never could.
Bellamy looked at his watch. It was almost time to start the cleanup. He scanned the room for Todd. He was still standing at the Griffin table. He was talking to Clarke as she smiled and handed out the treats. She seemed to be addressing him kindly in-between the kids.
Bellamy could not tell if she was genuinely nice to his friend or it was just an act she put on.
He picked up his radio and called Todd over.
"Yes." Todd said as he stood in front of Bellamy.
"Get the others together and help get everyone out while the volunteers clean up and set up the party." Bellamy told Todd.
"Yes sir." Todd responded mockingly but then went straight to work.
Bellamy took a quick look back to Clarke who was sneaking some extra treats to a little blonde girl while her parents started to clean up.
Maybe Clarke's not as bad as he thought.
