JUKEBOX HERO.

Thiago: You wanna hang out later?

“Please don’t cry because then I’ll cry.”

“I can’t help it. I’m emotional.”

Artemis’ jaw dropped at the bullshit. “I hate you! What the hell?”

“Hey! Don’t hate the player. Hate the game.”

“No, it’s to Santa Claus, of course it’s to Connor. I know it is a little shocking but it feels so right.”

“Mia Clause has a nice ring to it. Hey, no judgement here! I’m so happy for you guys. I might cry.”

“I am! Don’t seem so surprised.”

“I’ m not surprised! Well, I am, but mostly excited! Congratulations! ...it is to Connor, right?”

“Thanks. I love it, even if it does confused people sometimes.” Her parents thought that Artemis had forgotten his name the first few times she called him that. Once she explained that it was her nickname for him, they became supportive of it. “Be my guest.”

Clarke grabbed his own bowling ball and mimicked the sashay and spin Artemis had. Though making him slightly dizzy, the bowling ball seemed to stay on course and knocked down all the pins. “Hell yeah.”

“Yeah, it’s the only one that stuck since childhood.” Pouting, she crossed her arms over her chest and glared at the stupid pin. “This lane is rigged. That move works every time! What the actual fuck…”

“That’s adorable.” Clarke was definitely going to try it out next time he saw the boy. Unless Gaspard didn’t like it, of course. Then Clarke would stop. “Here, okay. Let me try.”

“I feel like I’ve been in my house for the past year planning this wedding. Honestly, someone should have warned me how crazy this gets.”

“You’re getting married?!”

“My brother’s nickname is Pippin! Did you expect yours to make any sense?” Getting her green and blue ball, she sashayed and spin before letting it lose. She watched it knocked down all of the pins. “Yes!” Except for one. “What?!”

Clarke thought about it for a minute. “...I guess not. But I didn’t know you called Gaspard Pippin.” Could he get in on that? That was hella cute. Amused, Clarke took a step back and watched the girl do exactly as he’d said: shown off. And she was good at it, too. Good enough to knock down all the pins--except one. “Ooh, so close, Arty. So. Close.” Clarke clutched at his heart, as if pained.

“Sure does sound like it, Clary. I think that I got something.”

“Clary doesn’t even make sense! Well by all means. Show off.”

“Is that a challenge?”

“I don’t know, Arty. Is it?”

“It’s a lady product, Clarke. Now can I have it back, please?”

“Oh, shit! My bad. Sorry, Rach.”

“That’s… a flyer for football…”

“Hell yeah, dude!”

“I- I need to go home. Bye.”

“O-oh...okay. Bye.”

“Consenst is very important, yes.” She nodded once. “Old fashioned is good. It’s- its the right thing to do.” 

“Yeah.” Clarke offered an awkward smile, glad that she agreed. “I...yeah.”