A/N: A short but progressive chapter. I'm not quite myself lately, but this and my other story really are works of passion for me, so please continue giving me your feedback, critiques, comments and the like.

... Continued.

"Wow." His one word made her so scared she physically looked nervous. He moved closer to her, closer to this artistic rendition of himself. It was uncanny, looking at himself but on paper and in black and white. The amount of detail was something he couldn't grasp, so much so he shook his head in disbelief, completely involuntarily.

"Okay, I'm sorry." She said. He looked up, confused.

"Oh, no. I wasn't telling you no, Clarke." He moved into her air space. "I just can't grasp how amazing that is. You are so talented."

"Oh."

"I don't even know what to say." He felt emotional being the subject of her art and the product being so stunning.

"Well if you say no, I'll understand."

"To what?" He was confused.

"I want this to be one of three main pieces for my debut." Her tone was so meek, half the woman she normally was. Something about this request made her so uneasy and nervous.

"Are you serious?" Again, he was floored.

"I know I'm weird. I promise, I'm not a creep. I mean, you know you're gorgeous and one day I just wanted to draw and when I looked up, I realized I was drawing you. I guess you're a muse for me?" She rambled on and he zoned out, studying the mirror image of himself on paper.

"It's not even finished, I know it's rough." He snapped back to reality and looked at her. Her face lacked any color other than a milky pink right now. Her nerves were taking over and she looked so innocent and sweet.

He shook his head, as if to brush away thoughts before looking back to her. She couldn't tell what he was thinking and it made her stomach flip.

"That isn't complete?" He asked, quickly distracted by that latent thought. She shook her head. "Wow, Clarke. Yes, please. It's an amazing piece and honestly I'm beside myself." She looked relieved but watched him. He quickly looked out the window and then scrambled himself.

"Oh, I forgot O needed me to be home." He said suddenly. "You good on errands?" He asked, turning his back to her, for reasons. She stammered but replied with a quick yeah.

"Alright, I'm going to jet. Thanks for today, and honestly, that is amazing." He repeated, allowing himself to only turn to the side to look at her. He was obviously awkward and Clarke noticed it. Sadly, she took it for something it wasn't. Bellamy then left with not much else being said. She locked the door behind him as she had followed him down the stairs. Her back to the door, she sank down to the floor confused and sad, thinking she had freaked him out. She even thought she had to pull the piece from the show, but that didn't upset her as much as the thought of upsetting or scaring Bellamy into thinking she was a creep. In that moment, on the floor, she realize how creepy she really was. He had caught her eyes across the lawn one night, and now she had shown him that not only did she draw him but what he may not realize is that he was the subject of what would likely be the masterpiece of her art career.

Behind the sanctuary of his own front door, Bellamy felt like he could finally breathe. Though, he didn't know quiet when he had stopped breathing. His neighbor, the sultry and unique woman she was, just revealed to him one of the most stunning charcoal portraits he had ever seen but the subject of it was him. Him, with a boyish and innocent grin. Something only Octavia ever noticed about him, and subsequently gave him shit for in a loving way. He ran a hand over his face and it idly found something to adjust below his waist. He was hot, scorching in fact.

When he stood there and looked at himself rendered on paper and then the innocence and anxiety tearing through her, he couldn't help but have every fiber of his being ignited with desire to kiss her. To shut her up and settle her nerves. To thank her for how beautifully she portrayed him. Sure, it was a little weird for a nano-second, as anyone would think when they see someone made art with their likeness. However, the sheer quality of work and detail he saw without really studying it was remarkable. She was remarkable. Something about seeing her piece and her vulnerability, on top of the fleeting moments through their windows must have just added up to something that ticked on a lust that reared up. He had to get out of there.

Interaction had ceased to exist between them after that. Spare for a moment when Raven called him for a quick hand with the repair she had to do on Clarke's car. He felt nervousness in that moment, like he wouldn't know how to interact with her. It was weird for him which made him feel like actually hiding. Bellamy Blake, nervous about a girl? What the fuck? Luckily for him, Clarke wasn't there. He helped Raven and they chatted about the holidays

Over the next week or so, Bellamy avoided thinking about her. Not because he didn't want to, but because the effect she had on him. Before, when his imagination would run wild if he caught a glimpse of her up to no good, he'd run with it. He'd sleep sweet that night after being fully sated by himself. Now something felt different. He felt perverse and almost guilty.. Maybe it had to do with now knowing that he was on her mind, if only in an artistic capacity. Maybe it was the sweet notion that she would draw him. No one knew, not even him and with this new train of thought he was left very sexually frustrated.

On the flip side, Clarke was very busy and very stressed. She soon forgot about how awkwardly Bellamy had left that day and how vulnerable she felt about the whole thing. Her scramble to get things done on time, be happy with her work and maintain her online store felt like she was being spread thinner than tissue paper. Raven took mom-mode for Madi most of the month and let Clarke focus on what she needed to. Of course they both mandated that Clarke take a few days off and relax which didn't really work. She obliged shortly but would mull over what she needed to do even in her downtime. Her brain constantly processed finishing touches to specific pieces and just how she wanted things to be arranged.

In the week before her even, Clarke was preparing everything. She would set up on Monday as early as she wanted and be ready for the doors to open come seven PM. Most of her pieces had been finished off and moved to the storage of the Gallery. What work was still at home had just not been finished or she was just mulling over it more and more. In particular, she had left her portrait of Bellamy untouched, still attached the spine of the sketchpad. It was finished but she hadn't signed, sealed the charcoal or mounted it. It sat there, untouched. Even when she had to do some smaller items for her store, she just moved it to the side to work on whatever she needed to work on. There was something so different about this one piece that she hesitated to finalize its completion.

Saturday and Sunday were spent out of the house and away from the gallery. Madi and Raven did what they could to keep her busy so she didn't over-analyze anything and better, relaxed. Raven insisted they go to a spa. As much as Clarke put up a fuss, she melted into a puddle under the beautiful pressure of the hands that worked her body. Every knot in her muscles faded and while she was a tad sore after the fact, she felt so light and free from the stress that had been weighing her down. After that, they decided to go to the Salon. All three of them got their hair done. Raven just had a trim, blow-out and lovely curls put into the ends of her long brown hair. Madi convinced Clarke to let her get streaks which really didn't show up well, but she was happy. Lastly, Clarke emerged from her salon chair with a surprising turn of style. Her hair was cut short, leaving a small gap of air above her shoulders. The natural curl was tamed into and smoothed out, something she rarely ever did.

"Well?" She presented the sleek and flirty blond bob to Raven and Madi. They both praised her for the choice before Madi suggested their next stop.

"You should buy something fancy for your exhibit."

"I agree." Raven put a hand on Madi's shoulder, literally backing her statement.

With a heavy sigh, she cocked her head. "I think we've spent enough money today."

"But this is big, it's your first time getting your own show at a gallery. You should celebrate it." Madi explained. Her thought was innocent and very sweet. The look on her face even more charming.

"Fine, we can go shopping but nothing fancy. Just something… nice." Clarke shrugged.

"Deal!" Madi exclaimed and the three took off to find her an outfit. It would turn out to be an adventure and frankly the perfect way to spend their time. She got to spend time with her two favorite humans, take some time for herself and find something that would really send the right message about how much her art career meant to her. Of course, no shopping trip went without all three of them coming home with something. Hell, they almost always brought something home for the house too, as if they needed more tchotchkes and decor. Nonetheless, it was fun and a well needed adventure.