A simple call

Chapter 2: Theory

"Sorry, I uh..... Wait, are you filling out a restraining order? What happened?"

"Long story short, Jake cheated on me. Clarke is probably scarred for life, and neither of us wants to see him again." Apparently, the nonchalance in her voice shocked both of them. Her tone was the same as if someone had just asked for the weather and she told them it was going to be sunny all day, well something like that. "Are you ok? How do you feel." Wait, how do I feel? "I honestly don't know what to feel. Should I be feeling something? Am I supposed to be sad?" Nonchalance turned slightly panicky. How is one supposed to feel while dealing with this? "No offense, but knowing you Abby, you probably won't feel much of anything until everything settles down. Once all the work is done."

"You're probably right, thank you, Jackson." She smiled, he smiled back, they hugged, it was a nice moment.

***

[1:37 PM 1 hour and 13 minutes of school left.]

It was the last week of school, also known as the last week before Clarke left middle school. Her emotions ranged from joy to euphoria, sadness, apprehension, but mostly boredom. The last week celebrations were nothing like the ones in elementary school. It was really just a bunch of summer inspired worksheets and assignments that wouldn't even get graded, they were just something to waste time. She'd sped through the first 5 or six pages and was now in the middle of a word scramble. The PA system crackled to life with a message of "Clarke Griffin please report to the main office with your necessary belongings."

"Excuse me, Ms.Strauss could I speak to you in the hallway for a moment?" Her teacher looked up from her book, slightly annoyed, but followed her out the door anyway. "Something wrong Clarke?"

If you want the full list, we're going to be here for a while. "Not yet." Ms.Strauss' hand came to rest on her shoulder, accompanied by a very concerned expression. "Sorry, it's just my mom always texts me if something happens and she's coming to pick me up. I haven't gotten any messages, and she never mentioned anything about picking me up."

"Sorry, but I still don't see the problem?" Clarke immediately begins chewing on her jacket sleeve, her nervous habit. I really don't feel like explaining this. "Could you just escort me to the office, if my guts right. You'll understand when we get there." She can see the discomfort on her teacher's face, and she knows its because of the anxiety radiating off herself. She'd kinda sorta always been the teacher's pet. "Just go grab your stuff, I'll walk you down."

The dividing wall between the office and the commons area is made mostly of glass. Sure enough behind that glass is Jake Griffin. Here to pick his daughter up from school. "See Clarke, nothing to worry about it's just your father." Clarke just stops dead, frozen in the middle of the commons. Eyes wide and mouth hanging slightly open. "Ms.Strauss, I'm going to go back to class now, that worksheet was really fun." The escape route is clear, just a few hallways and stair flights between her and safety ..... theoretically. "Hey, baby, ready to go?" The nervousness takes over and she just starts laughing. "Come on kiddo we got a schedule to keep. Here let me get your bag." The bag leaves her shoulders, causing her to jump behind her teacher, her very confused teacher. "Clarke what are you doing, we have to go." Human shield in place, Clarke regains the ability to speak. "I'm not going anywhere with you, I won't let you take me away." The dam breaks and her tears start falling, creating a wet spot on her teacher's shirt. As well as bouncing the shockwave of her sobs between them. "Don't let him take me, please. Please don't let him ." A new set of arms is prying her off the teacher cradling her head on their shoulder, Octavia. "Get him out of here!"

"Blake, shouldn't you be in class?" The words come out a growl, which was reciprocated by a side eye from Octavia.

"Shouldn't you be in jail?"

"Octavia, take Clarke to the nurse's office, please. Jake follow me back into the office."

"It's Mr.Griffin."

"I don't think so."

***

"Hey, Nurse Walker."

"Blake, my dude. Whatcha in for?"

"The princess got a little overwhelmed, Clarke you can just go sit down." It was a short walk to the nurse's office, but Clarke hadn't let go of Octavia the entire time. So it took 5 minutes instead of 1. She still refused to let go. "Clarke, it's okay I promise. He can't get to you here."

"Octavia what do you mean 'he can't get to her here'."

"Can you just call her mom? Please?" His eyes dart back and forth between Clarke and Octavia before he heads over to the desk and dials a number.

***

The hospital was quiet, one of the perks of no longer working in a big city. Not as many severe injuries, but still a hell of a lot of paperwork. Which Abby just so happened to fall asleep doing, earbuds still in playing calming music. One of her favorite songs turned into a jarring ringtone, startling her awake. "Good afternoon Ms.Griffin, this is the school nurse calling, there's been an incident. Your presence is required. Just to be clear, no one is dying or anything."

"I'll be there in 20 minutes." This better not be what I think it is!

***

The office was packed with staff, teachers, and a slew of others. She ignored all of them, her gaze falling on him. He was the first person she confronted. " You, of course, it's you. Why am I not surprised. You always were this ignorant." Every head turned towards her, but her focus remained on him.

"Ms.Griffin, is there any particular reason your daughter had a nervous breakdown when her father came to pick her up."

"You did what ? You came to pick her up? I should've filled out the restraining order sooner!" Jake moves forward, coming face to face with Abby for the second time that day. "You can't keep me from her forever!"

"I can, and I will! She doesn't want to see you anyway!" He gets closer leaving only centimeters between their noses.

"Grant, get him out of here!" Jake was dragged out of the lobby, also for the second time that day. "Ms.Griffin, I'm still waiting for that explanation." The story was given for the second time that day . It might as well have been nation do things twice day because that's what it felt like. "I'd like him removed from all the contact forms, anything with his name on it can be discarded."

"I'll get new paperwork for you, would you like Clarke to be brought back in?"

Abby just nodded and the receptionist dialed. Clarke was in her arms in less than thirty seconds. Crying her heart out. She knew her daughter desperately wanted to leave, but this kind of paperwork couldn't wait. So it was back to sitting in the office chairs, Clarke's head resting on her shoulder. 10 minutes later Marcus came rushing frantically into the office. Clarke was the first one up, practically knocking him over with her hug. But he picked her up off the ground and held her as the tears began again. He carried her over to the chairs and sat down with Clarke still in his lap. "Octavia called me, then the school, and then work. Is everyone alright?" Clarke gave a weak nod, Octavia gave a salute, and Abby just sighed. "Sorry to rush out, but I have an arrest to make."

***

"Are we going for streaks Jake, because this is two days in a row." Jake scoffs and rolls his eyes. "Maybe I just enjoy spending time with you."

"The feeling isn't mutual, and you know if you keep this up long enough. You'll learn how to put the handcuffs on yourself."

"I hope you're ready to test that theory, Kane."