Chapter Text
In an apartment in the middle of New York, 28 year old Officer Bellamy Blake was working on a case. He groaned as he looked over the files before him. There has been a string of violent bodega robberies. Unfortunately there isn't much to go on. He pinched the bridge of his nose and rubbed his eyes to relieve the tension of the migraine he felt approaching. There was the sound of shuffling as his 20 year old sister, Octavia, came in and sat at the kitchen table.
"Bell... you know I love you right?" Octavia asked him tentatively.
Raising his eyebrow in a bit of shock and confusion, he looked up from the files he was working to give her his full attention.
"Yes..." He said just as tentatively, "Why? What’s going on?” Thoughts started running through his head… Is she dropping out of college? Is she moving across the country? Oh god… is she pregnant? Wait! Is she seeing someone?!
Octavia rolled her eyes and reassured her brother by saying, “Relax! I am not leaving or anything.” Once Bellamy seemed to accept this fact he nodded as if to say, continue. She then took a deep breath and said, "I think it's time for you to find someone to spend the rest of your life with."
He looked shocked once again, then just shook his head with a sigh, "O, we've talked about this. I've been dating, but no one comes close to her.”
"I know Bell, but you deserve to be in love with someone again. To have a family! Other than me of course… I want that for you.” Ocatavia reached her hand out and touched his arm gently, “I know you loved her, I did too. She was like a sister to me. However, I know she'd want you to be happy Bellamy.” seeing that she wasn’t getting through to her brother she added, “If you can look me in the eye and tell me you're happy then I'll drop it."
Bellamy looked into Octavia's eyes and opened his mouth but nothing came out. He thought back to his life when he was happy and how now he is still happy… he has a job he loves but stresses him out… he has his sister, who is going to school and going to eventually leave… he has… he has enough. He IS happy… just not nearly as much as he used to be. He slowly closed his mouth and broke eye contact.
Knowing she brought this up for a reason he just asked, "What did you have in mind?"
Octavia grinned and simply replied, "The Rose.”
Bellamy chuckled and rolled his eyes, "That TV show? No, O. I thought you were being serious. Even if you are serious. No. I have to work on this case. Please let me know when you have something serious to talk about."
"I am serious Bell! You'll have multiple amazing women there and you'll find someone to not take her place… but to make you happy." O said passionately.
After a few moments of silence Bellamy sighed, knowing his sister wouldn’t drop this until he agreed,, "Alright O, I'll sign up for it, but chances are I won't get it.”
"They'll accept you Bell, I know it." She told him.
Octavia then pulled Bellamy's laptop over towards her and opened up the registration page and started asking him questions.
"What do you look for in a woman?" O asked.
That was how Bellamy started his journey on the hit reality tv show 'The Rose'.
At Mt. Weather Hospital in Chicago, 26 year old Dr. Clarke Griffin just finished her double shift in the trauma unit when her best friend Raven called from California.
"Hey! How are things in the Windy City?" Raven asked.
"Good, how about you? How’s the city of Angels?" Clarke asked.
"Heavenly,” Raven jokes, “But I am good as well, so what have you been up to? Meet any cute guys? Cute girls?" Asked Raven.
"None as cute as you." Clarke replied jokingly.
"Well, of course not… I'm fucking adorable!" Raven said smugly. Causing them both to start laughing.
"No, I haven't met anyone." Clarke said, “Which is probably for the best. I am in no position to really start a relationship. Not to mention the last few didn’t turn out too great.”
"That’s no excuse! Anyways, it’s a good thing you haven’t met anyone because I was drunk last night and started thinking about your sad and lonely life..." Raven was saying but was cut off by Clarke.
"Hey! My life isn't sad or lonely! I have Cerberus and Picasso to keep me company. AND if you must know, Arcadia Hospital in New York offered me a position. They are giving me 6 months to think about uprooting my whole life and moving.” Clarke told her best friend.
"OHMYGOD!!! Griffin, that's amazing, why didn't you tell me when I asked what's new!?!? That was like the top program on your list wasn’t it?!" Raven screeched excitedly.
"I didn't want to say anything before I was sure if I even wanted to consider it... and I'm considering it. I feel like I would be crazy not to." Clarke said grinning, “You are moving there in a couple months, plus everyone else is practically already somewhere in New York too. At the end of the day I just have nothing really keeping me here in Chicago. But I’m still not sure, Chicago has been my home for almost 10 years… I don’t think I could handle this big of a move right now.”
"That's great Clarke!!! Don’t get too overwhelmed with moving… just think of all the pros of doing it! Like you said almost everyone lives in New York, we can all actually hang out again! We haven’t all been in the same place since college! But you know what is best for you so just let me know what you decide. Now back to what I was saying..." Raven said.
"Yeah?" Clarke asked.
"I'm just gonna cut to the chase. How would you feel about spending two months off of work in a different place?" Asked Raven.
"That actually sounds great." Clarke said with a sigh, “Not like that’s possible though.”
"It is possible! There’s a small catch though... You'd need to be selected to be one of the girls looking for love on 'The Rose'." Raven said.
Clarke could practically hear her waiting for the onslaught of curses and yelling that was coming her way. She was stunned that her best friend wanted her to go on a reality TV show to find ‘love’. She knew she had been on her own for a while, ever since the 'Finncident' as she's taken to calling it. Then the thing with Lexa. Even her nurses have been saying Clarke needs to get back out there. Maybe this isn't the worst idea, plus she'd be away from work, and that means away from creepy Cage Wallace. He always hits on her but he looks like someone who has definitely murdered people.
"Okay... I'll sign up." Clarke said hesitantly.
"Come on Clarke! I know yo-” Raven started explaining but stopped when she realized what was actually just stated by her friend. “Did you just agree?” At the soft sound of confirmation Raven started rejoicing, “Yes!!! You won't regret it Clarke! The application is pretty simple, I think it’s on their website! Let me know what happens!" Raven said.
"’Kay Ray. But you know you will need to watch Cerberus and Picasso if I manage to be picked, right?" Clarke said.
"That’s fine! I’ll drive over and pick up the puppers if needed." Raven said.
Clarke nodded, “Good… then I guess I will go apply. Love ya.”
“Love you too, keep me updated!” Raven said before hanging up.
Then that was the start of Clarke Griffin's journey on the hit reality TV show 'The Rose'.