Chapter 1:

For the first time in the twenty years that they'd know each other, Clarke Griffin and Octavia Blake were dangerously broke.

Not just broke—both girls could confidently handle just broke. In fact, they'd been handling just broke for a long time—no, they were half a pack of Ramen Noodles a night broke. "Reality sucks." Clarke claimed as she threw back a shot of Jack Daniels', wholly grateful they received free drinks at their favorite bar. Alright, Sky Box wasn't a bar, per say, it was technically a strip club with neon signs that read "LIVE NUDE" in bright pinks and blues. The vinyl booths they sat in were probably tainted by sweat, vomit, and other body fluids that Clarke refused to think about—once telling Octavia "Don't ever let me bring a black light in here." According to Octavia's annoying older brother, who couldn't really judge them at all, they weren't allowed near the club let alone in it.

Fortunately, neither girl had heard from the elder Blake in a solid two weeks ever since the incident. Very rarely did Bellamy Blake date, so when he introduced a seemingly shy, seemingly innocent girl—or as Clarke referred to as "victim" because that's what they all became once Bellamy decided he wasn't the commitment type again—named Mel, the entire group was beyond shocked. They were all enjoying the perfection of a swanky, high-class bar when Mel piped up and outright insulted Harper. Now, Octavia and Clarke were closer than peas in a pod but Harper was a close friend and neither girl appreciated one of their flock being attacked by a jealous girlfriend, especially a jealous girlfriend who clung to Bellamy Blake the way she did.

So, naturally, because Clarke and Octavia are Clarkey and 'Tavia they started an all-out brawl in the fine establishment. Much to Clarke's disappoint, it was Octavia who got the first punch in. They were both arrested, both had to pay bail, and now they were both short on rent but it was worth it because Harper left with her dignity intact. At least, that's what they thought until they saw the eviction notice slipped underneath their door.

Clarke felt bad for her best friend, though. The Blake siblings never fought this long—especially over a girl. This was Clarke's attempt to make her feel better. The girls often attended the club when they knew Bellamy was working and wouldn't be around—not that he was attending much anyway ever since he'd become shackled down by her. In truth, they came for the fascinating and most definitely entertaining show. Oh, please the girls were hot, foxy, and fierce but their fake breasts and most likely fake noses weren't enough to capture Clarke and Octavia's attention—no, they came to watch their two best friends fumble over the exotic dancers as they shakily poured drinks to perverted men with lacking social lives. Jasper and Monty were not hired for the interpersonal skills. Hell, Clarke didn't even think they'd been hired in the first place but they could pay their rent so they must have some type of income.

Their semi-friend John Murphy owned the club with their close friend Nathan Miller. Murphy was a total jackass trying to hit on the exotic dancers all the time but Nate was sweet to them—Nate tried to help them, tried to make sure they were taken care of while making the big bucks off of their ass shaking moves. They all went to high school together, although Bellamy was far older than the rest of them. It was probably his shady moral compass when they were younger that led Murphy and Miller to own a strip club. He would buy the boys alcohol any time the requested it and would tell them not to share with the girls but Jasper and Monty were suckers. He introduced them to the lifestyle and it went downhill from there.

Clarke remembered the first time she got drunk and it was Bellamy Blake's fault. She ended up throwing up in one of his boots and making out with Bellamy and his pillow but they never talked about prom night—ever. It was practically taboo. Octavia didn't even know and that was saying something because Octavia knew everything.

"Clarke…" Octavia's green eyes landed on her friend's face after Clarke downed another free shot. Her hands flew across the table to grip her best friend's hand. Octavia had that look in her eyes that screamed trouble. "You know I wouldn't ask if it wasn't serious but we are struggling, honey. We are going to lose the apartment if you don't do it." God, the dreaded it. Clarke had a hefty, half a million dollar trust fund wasting away in a bank. She swore on her father's grave that she would never touch the money but as she looked at her friend—her best friend, the only person she could ever truly trust and love she knew that she had to tuck away her pride and do the right thing. They were freshly 21, both going through college and both getting lost in the minimum wage lifestyle they hated.

The blonde fingered the empty shot glass and sighed, "It's blood money, 'Tavia." It was her mother's version of an apology. It was a sorry-I-cheated-on-your-father-for-seven-years, please-forgive-me. Clarke hated the thought of dipping into the money but they needed it. For the first time, Clarke's head started to turn with the things they could buy and do with that amount of cash. "But since we have no other options…"

"Well…" Octavia flashed her a grin because she was about to suggest the same thing she usually suggested when the club was ninety percent empty on a Monday evening. "You could probably earn rent in one night here, Clarke." It was strictly a joke but Clarke was drunk enough to take her up on their usual wager. If she swung around the pole for one song, Octavia would owe her a hefty favor. Reasonable. "You wouldn't…" She said in a shocked voice as Clarke quickly tore off her jacket, tossing it to her best friend.

Her breathing became ragged as a hot blush formed on her face. For good measure, she knocked back another shot. "What did you say last night? I need to loosen up." Clarke smirked, then started counting off their current disasters on her fingers. "I just found out my boyfriend cheated on me with that girl from our required pre-engineering class in middle school, we don't have any money because of she-who-must-not-be-named, we're out on bail, I made a 'C' on my Organic Chemistry test, and I'm about to break my moral compass…in more than one way."

Octavia released a heavy sigh before nodding, tossing back a shot and letting out a loud whoooopppp! "Jas…Jas!... JASSSSSS!" She screamed, "Put on a good song! Clarke's going to get naked for us tonight, whooooooooppppppp, whooooooopppp!"

Jasper hesitated before breaking into a wry laugh, "Pour Some Sugar On Me?" He asked with a raise eyebrow and Octavia nodded her head. Her announcement got the attention of more than one person, though because the usual men started to gather around the available pole. Clarke swallowed hard and tried not to chicken out. Jasper walked up to the mic and announced to the entire club, "And our main attraction tonight is CeCe—" Nice stripper name. "—who is not experienced in stripping but may or may not be aware with the process of taking her clothes off. Our blonde vixen needs rent money apparently, boys so please tip generously." Octavia was dying from her closer position, digging loose change out of her purse for the humor of it.

Her friend started the song—the awful 2012 version—and Clarke's palms were sweaty. What the hell am I doing? She thought before she started twisting her clothed body. A few wolfish whistles circled her as the light blinded her.

"No honey…" One of the girls called to her, jumping up on the stage. Clarke vaguely remembered her name was Roma. Roma grabbed her hips and told her to simply, "Dance with me." Clarke couldn't remember the last time she was rubbing up against a stranger—if ever. Roma started to take off her shirt and things were getting a little bi-curious when someone's loud, booming voice interrupted the entire show.

Fucking Bellamy.

"What the fuck is going on here?" He asked, motioning for Jasper to cut the music. "You aren't supposed to be here—" He pointed to his little sister, "—and you…what the hell are you doing?" It was the first time Clarke noticed the stray bills around her feet.

She ignored Bellamy, "Fifty-fifty?"

Roma shrugged in approval, gathering the cash and eyeing Bellamy with a sex glare. She handed Clarke $15, which was $15 she didn't have beforehand and left to go back to the dressing room. "Clarke!" Bellamy called to her once more as she stuffed the money into her black jeans. Clarke jumped off the stage on the opposite side of Bellamy convinced that she was going to ignore him. Her eyes finding Octavia's face in the crowd, she let herself feel the high of her actions.

"Okay, I know it wasn't a full song." She told her best friend with a soft giggle, "So can we make it a small favor?"

Octavia stammered, "Y-yeah I guess. Bellamy is looking at you like he's going to either fuck or kill you. I'm not sure if I like either, though so maybe we should make a run for it." Clarke nodded but it was too late. She could feel his breath on the back of her neck. "Shit."

"You aren't allowed here." Bellamy informed them with a strange look, "You just subjected yourself to greasy men for what? A measly ten dollars. Don't you have dignity?" She bit her lip feeling as if she were getting scolded by a disapproving parent. Of course she had dignity but she also had an untamed wild streak.

"Bell, we were just having fun." Octavia tried to defend her actions until she remembered Bellamy was the reason they were getting drunk and acting reckless in the first place. Her facial features tightened and she crossed her arms.

"Fun? Fun is joy riding in your ex-boyfriends car—" Obviously, his definition of fun was not the same as most. "—but taking your clothes off…" He eyed Clarke as if the image was burned into his brain. She knew that look, she kissed that look. God, she almost had sex with that look. "Just get the fuck out of here and don't come back."

Octavia slapped her brother across the face for the last two weeks before turning on her heel. "I swear you ruin everything." Clarke shook her head and let out a harsh laugh. Her finger jammed into his chest, "You didn't bail her out of jail…your sister, your responsibility my ass all you care about is yourself. Mel's a bitch and you're a fucking dick. Why can't you let us have fun? Why can't you leave well enough alone and just stop? We're the legal age to drink. We're both sexually active. We aren't little kids anymore."

He grabbed her by her shoulders and met her eyes, "Octavia and you are my world, Clarke. This place is dangerous and you don't even know the half of it." He swallowed hard, "I'm sorry about the whole arrest thing but I couldn—"

Clarke slapped him across the face just like her best friend did, "You were thinking with your dick, Bellamy. Not your goddamn heart. If we're your world, step the fuck up and act like it. Until then, don't call. Don't text. Don't show up where we are. Don't call Lincoln. Don't call Finn because we broke up but you wouldn't know about that because you haven't been there…either do what you have to do—" dump Mel, "—or don't ever contact us again."

"That's not fair."

"No…having part of you isn't fair. Especially having the overprotective, jackass part." Clarke backed away, mumbling "Octavia's waiting for me."

Review:

Okay, I don't know how well this is written but I want everyone to know this is just an introduction of sort into the Clarke/Bellamy/Octavia dynamic where Bellamy has broken his motto for a girl and has put Octavia and Clarke into a position. The dancing was just a little bit of humor to show off the best friend relationship between Octavia and Clarke as well as their lifestyle and friends.