Chapter 21

Having Bellamy back at the apartment was like being home. He brought all the elements with him. Love, the way he looked at her. Even when she did the simplest things. The smell of his cologne on her bed, even when she entered her room. It changed the way she felt. She was calmer, less stressed out about things, and not so much in her head. She was sure he felt the same way, and having Octavia there was even more perfect. All the people that she cared about under one roof. Well almost all, they had invited Wells and Murphy up for the holidays, they couldn't come sooner but she knew that soon enough it would be like it was before. When their 2-week vacation was here and everything changed. Changed for the better.

Clarke was pinning some mistletoe on the doorframe at the entrance of their apartment. Bellamy swooping his hands around her waist and holding her tight. She could feel the soft skin of his lips brush against her neck as he placed a kiss there. "I think mistletoe is supposed to be for g rated kisses only". She turned around in his arms. He adjusted, smiling down at her, "Well then count me in for those too. Any chance to kiss you would be something I would be up for". She closed the distance between them their lips brushing together. She pulled away smiling up at him, "You think your such a charmer". Bellamy was always sweet in the way that he talked to her. Well almost always sweet sometimes he was a little rough with her in the passion of a moment, but she welcomed all sides she discovered of Bellamy. "Okay you two, let's break it up people are going to be here tomorrow for dinner, and I want to make sure everything is perfect". Octavia was in the kitchen, apron wrapped around her waist. This was a new look for her. Usually Clarke or Bellamy cooked but Octavia was busy all-day making desserts a head of time, and now working on a side dish. It all smelled great, though they both had to admit eating Octavia's cooking was some what of a risk. "Please tell me you remembered to take the ham out of the freezer". Clarke looked at Octavia with a frozen face. She ran to the fridge throwing it open, letting her breath go as a sign of relief. "Yes, ham in fridge check". Clarke was really impressed now. "So, tell me. What brought on this sudden change to be more active in the kitchen? Even though I am doing a lot of work for dinner. I've never seen you so flustered". Octavia continued to drizzle olive oil into the dish she was making, sprinkling salt and other seasonings so that the vegetables could marinade. Bellamy stood behind Clarke intrigued to know the answer as well. He had never seen his sister take an initiative like this. Octavia put the bowl down, resting her hands on the counter. "Lincoln and I have gotten really, serious. He hasn't had a family meal in a long time, and I want him to know that he is always welcome to join ours. I just want everything to be perfect ok"? Clarke chuckled at Octavia's serious tone. She was tensing up for no reason. A little stressed obviously. "Okay well first, lets get things set for tomorrow a head of time so we can all make the perfect meal happen". She raised up from the stool walking around the counter ready to get her hands dirty. Bellamy just watched the two, he would leave them to it. "I actually have some shopping to do so…." Clarke gave his comment a questionable look. "No, we are not doing presents this year remember. And if we were it's a 15-dollar limit". Clarke had gotten something for Octavia, but she didn't get anything for Bellamy they agreed that they wouldn't exchange. Just being together was enough. "I didn't say the shopping was for you". Octavia lit up at his words. "I expect you to come back with something expensive". Bellamy laughed at his sister, "Your lucky to get anything I pick out for you, push your luck and you'll get a bag of coal". He grabbed his keys waving to the girls and heading out to complete some shopping.

Bellamy was definitely up to something. This was the first real relationship he had in a long time. Actually, he had never felt about Clarke the way he felt about anyone. He had fought his feelings so long for her that when he realized what they actually were he was sad they wasted so much time apart. They had said they weren't exchanging but he knew that wasn't going to happen. He wanted to give her the world, but he would have to settle with what he could find. He drove out to the nearest mall. Parking and beginning his search for the perfect present. They had been dating for months now, but the time apart made him realize that he knew a lot about her, but no idea what she would have liked as a gift. He passed a couple jewelry stores, looking inside. Clarke wasn't the type of girl to be flashy though. He wanted to get her something to wear but he was sure she probably liked to pick out her own clothes. This was a challenge. Come on Blake think, think about what she likes, stories she's told you. Then he remembered. This thing that Clarke mentioned one day when they were out, something about her dad. What was it exactly? He closed his eyes trying to remember that moment.

They were on a walk, away from the apartment and from everybody. Clarke was dying for some alone time with Bellamy just to catch up and talk about old memories. She had missed out on getting to know him once, she wasn't going to do it again. "So what's it like being a football star. Your on scholarship so you must be pretty good". Bellamy laughed he wouldn't exactly call himself a star. "Well if you remember from high school I'm pretty defensive when it comes to the play. Coach likes that. Tells me that it makes me a strong leader and role model for the rest of the team. Since I throw myself into the each game". Clarke smiled up at him as he talked, Bellamy was dedicated to anything he set his mind to. That's what made his passions so interesting. "I never really got into the whole football season, I mean I came to watch you and Wells and to cheer on with Octavia from the bleachers but." She trailed off kicking some rocks in her path on the ground. "what the sweaty jock type doesn't have the same effect on you as it does all the other screaming girls"? She smiled at his comment. Bellamy loved how she got when he was joking, and Clarke's smiles had so many different levels to it. He could watch them all. "My dad actually got me more into soccer. We used to watch when I was a kid. He liked a couple different teams and wanted me to play but I liked watching better than playing". That surprised Bellamy, soccer was a complex sport, the games could get intense and could sometimes go on for hours.

Bellamy snapped out of his memory. Her dad liked soccer, that was their thing. He ran across the mall to the sports memorabilia store, not sure what he was looking for or if they would have it. He passed the football and baseball shirts; they had some hockey shirts along one of the side walls and that's when he saw it. A small section of soccer shirts. But which one was going to be right for her, which one would make the best present? He picked up his cell dialing Wells number, if anyone knew Jake other than Clarke it was him. He picked up on the other line. Obviously on speaker. "Hey man you're on speaker, we are just picking up some extra things before we leave tomorrow to meet you guys". "Hey, no time to talk. I've already been out for too long and the girls are going to get suspicious. Do you remember what team Clarkes dad liked"? Wells was silent for a little longer than expected, Bellamy hoped that he would come through for him. "Um yeah I think it was Barcelona". Bellamy scanned the wall. One of the shirts sticking out in front of him. There 2 with the same styles and colors of the team but one had the name of a player on the back and the other was blank. "Thanks man". Bellamy hung up the phone before he could tell Wells why he was asking. Hopefully he wouldn't catch on and tell Clarke. He picked up the shirt without a name on it, bringing it to the register. As he was about to pay, he noticed a sign, "10 dollars free customizable shirts". He held his hand out before the cashier could ring him out, giving his request. The man assured him it was possible and asked him to wait 5 minuets so he could complete it. Bellamy paid for the shirt and walked out when it was done. A nicely packaged bag in hand, he would have to find a place to hide it.

When the girls heard Bellamy return, they noticed he was empty handed. "Couldn't find what you were looking for"? Clarke was just wiping down the counter, they had finished that fast. "No, no luck. You guys finished fast". Clarke placed the rag down and walked over to him, squinting her eyes. "You were gone for 2 hours". Had it really been that long? Bellamy opted for a subject change. "And I thought with Octavia cooking she would still be elbows deep in it". "Hey I heard that". Octavia yelled from across the apartment, causing Bellamy and Clarke to laugh. "I've actually got to work on a project, so I need some time but if you want Octavia needs to run out for plates and stuff". "Plates, I thought you guys had plates"? "Not matching ones." Bellamy rolled his eyes she was really pushing this whole perfect idea. He kissed Clarke on the forehead, hoping that Octavia would offer to take her care so he wouldn't have to hide the gift in his.

As soon as the door closed Clarke rushed to her room, she slid out a large drawing pad and grabbed her drawing utensils sitting on her nightstand. She flipped open to her project. What she forgot to tell Bellamy was that the project was for him. They had agreed not to exchange but she couldn't show up empty handed on Christmas. Not when he made such a big sacrifice by joining them, instead of staying home. She looked down at her portrait. She started shading in around some of the shapes, smudging the lines. She really hoped he would like this. By the time she was finished she placed the drawing away, hiding it where he couldn't find it. Which would be hard because they were sharing a room this time. She walked over to the sink to wash her hands of any of the evidence that she had been working. Excited to have them come back, but nervous because she didn't want to make it seem like she was keeping something from him. By the time they returned Bellamy helped Clarke wrap a few other presents she had for the guys and Octavia. The three of them ordered a pizza and popped a movie in, settling in the living room together. Clarke rested between Bellamy's legs as he laid back on the couch and Octavia sat criss cross in her chair. Clarke looked around the room at her little family, yep this was home.

With all the preparations already made, and food in the oven Clarke, Octavia and Bellamy got ready for their company. Wells had phone Bellamy and told them what time they would be there so they could have dinner ready. Lincoln had come over early to help Octavia and Finn would be joining them later after work. It sucked that he had to work but he was pulling in a morning shift since his job had call outs the day before. Clarke opened the oven checking the ham. "Everything smells amazing". Bellamy came up beside her holding wine glasses in each hand. "This is just the beginning wait until you see all the food we made, your going to be so stuffed when this is done". Bellamy rubbed a hand over Clarkes back, he watched her as he made his way to the table setting its places. Clarke was putting finishing touches on some of the dishes, concentrated like she was whenever she was doing something creative. As he watched her a thought crossed his mind. Not that it hadn't ever before but this is the closest he ever had come to seeing it. He could do this all the time, he thought. He could come home every night to her. Have dinner, lounge in the living room after. Watch t.v. and talk about their day. Go to bed every night with her in his arms. They still were both finishing school, and that reality might be far away but the thought of it gave him goosebumps in the best way. Clarke looked up to see Bellamy watching her with a daydream look in his eyes. "What" she said with a smile. This time the smile was spread from ear to ear, the most candid and sincere. That's what he meant when he said her smile changed all the time. "Nothing, just happy to be here is all". Clarke's lips pressed together, "Well I'm happy you're here too". She returned to her work before she finished setting the dishes and brought some over to the main eating area.

She whipped her hands on her apron. Taking it off, she still needed to change. Bellamy was busy now helping Lincoln bring in gifts from his car, she noticed Finn had arrived and waved to him as she made her way to her room. She slid the door shut, reaching into her closet for her outfit. Clarke pulled the dress over her head, zipping it up the back. She let her loose ponytail out and her natural curls fell down her back. She put on a quick make-up look appropriate for staying home and reached for her stud earrings. Placing them in one ear at a time.

Bellamy knocked at Clarkes door; they were all ready to go. Clarke had whisked herself away to her room to change, and Octavia asked if he could check on her while she helped Wells and Murphy who just arrived. "Come in" she yelled, Bellamy was about to tell her they were ready to go when he saw her turn to him and away from her bedroom mirror. She was stunning, more than stunning. She had on a white dress; the collar of the dress stretched out just to the tops of her shoulders. The sleeves lace wrapped around her arms halfway. The material clung to her body and formed along her shape. Making her curves stand out. The dress stopped just below her knee. The whole look was breath taking on her. She had on some light makeup that highlighted her features and her diamond stud earrings. Her hair was down around each shoulder covering up the skin that was bare and unclothed.

"Hey, you said everything was ready". She moved toward Bellamy. Did he say that, he couldn't remember? He just wanted a minute alone with her. She approached him and he slid his hands around her waist to her back. Sliding his fingers up her back and then down along her spine before resting them on her hips. "If I could talk right now, I would say you look amazing, but I can't get over this dress". Clarke laughed, fully aware that Bellamy was for the first time speechless. "It's just clothes, you put them on, you take them off". He smiled at her as he moved his face closer to hers. "Oh, I plan on doing that later too don't you worry". She met his lips for a kiss, and she could taste the hunger there. This look was really doing something for him. He pressed into their kiss, forgetting that they had guests and dinner to get to. Clarke would have forgotten too if Octavia wasn't at their door clearing her throat. "Do I have to pry you two apart, at least eat first before you devour each other". They pulled apart, able to keep their space for long enough to remember the nights events. They joined the others. Clarke giving hugs to everyone and welcoming them. Wishing them a Merry Christmas. Bellamy flinched a little when she reached over to hug Finn, trying to hide his shade of green. They all walked over to the table sitting down, ready to dig in.

Dinner turned out to be amazing, everyone was so full, and Octavia and Clarke started to clean up the dishes from the table as the boys sat there rubbing their stomachs. "I think I'm going to need to unbutton my pants" Murphy added. "There will be no removing of clothes" Bellamy pointed at him, looking back at Clarke. "At least not yet". She smiled at his side comment. "Plus, we have dessert" Octavia arrived back at the table a trifle in hand. "Babe this is really amazing, the best holiday I've ever had for sure". Lincoln added, as he touched her arm. Octavia lit up in a smile. "If I eat one more thinking I'm going to pop". Finn said, he wasn't trying to be rude, but pretty much everyone at the table was thinking it. "Why don't we finish setting up and do gifts first, that will give everyone a break". Octavia looked a little disappointed but agreed. They all moved into the living room where the tree was. Everyone had placed their gifts under the tree that they had brought. They didn't have a big group, so they just agreed to open them one by one. Clarke handed her gift to Octavia first. "Oh my god you've got to be kidding me". Inside the small package was a pair of snowboarding goggles and an envelope. It was 3 nights away to a ski lodge for her and Lincoln. Octavia loved the snow, and she loved the outdoors. "You can either hit the slopes or spend the night snowed in. What do you think"? Octavia rushed forward hugging Clarke; she knew her so well. "I love it honestly".

Octavia exchanged hers with Clarke next, Clarke opened the small bag. Pulling out a folded blanket. Pieced together were all their sister sorority shirts, she even noticed a shirt from high school with their old mascot. "I figured we've been through so much together; you'd want to hold onto it forever". It was a very thoughtful gift and one she loved. Clarke could feel the knot in her throat, and she hugged Octavia for a second time. The gift giving bell had been set off and soon Murphy, Wells, Finn, and Lincoln were opening and exchanging gifts. Bellamy opened a gift from Murphy, it was a greatest football legend of all-time history book. He really liked it and Murphy had joked that one day he might see his name in there too. Wells had opened up his gift from Clarke, it was a picture of them as kids with the original ticket stubs to the first concert they ever went to. "Do you remember that night, we were so proud that our parents let us go out alone. We kept trying to show off our ticket stubs the next day at school". Bellamy laughed remembering it too, everyone said that they went on a date when he knew it wasn't true. When they were all done Octavia looked at Clarke and Bellamy. They had a pile of gifts from everyone else but not from each other. "Oh, come on no one sticks to the no exchange rule. Are you telling me you guys really didn't get each other anything"? Bellamy looked at Clarke before returning to his sister. He held up his shirt, "I already gave Clarke me so, my gift is the one that keeps on giving". Clarke laughed hitting his arm. She got up out of his lap, walking to her room and returning with her drawing pad.

"What's this, we said no gifts". He looked over at her. All the pages were missing except for one. "I took out all of the other pages so you wouldn't have a loose piece of paper, until I can get you a frame for it. If you'd like". Bellamy flipped open the pad, inside was a picture of him. It took a minute to think about where it was from, this moment in time. Then he realized. The first time he had discovered feelings for her. It was him sitting in a Ferris wheel looking out into the night sky. His hands on the bar holding on and Clarkes hand next to his. She didn't draw herself in the picture, just enough of her to show she was sitting next to him. Their hands close, and almost touching. "That is the first time you protected me, up on that Ferris wheel when I was too scared to go on". This picture was so special to him, the last moment in time that was happy before their fight after the game. It was the first time he realized she was more than a friend. He looked up at her, trying to clear his throat and say something. There was nothing he could give say to her, give her, and that's when he remembered. He placed the drawing pad down, receiving a look from Clarke. "No, I love it really, I just want to give you your gift in return". "Bellamy, we said no gifts". He shot her a really look as he stood up and ran to the door, ok that was fair.

When he returned, he had a red bag in hand? It was ice cold from the outside, he must have hidden it in his car. She tried to throw a couple guesses out there, hell everyone joined in. "Is it a paint set" Clarke asked. Bellamy just stared at her with a huge smile. "No, it's a back massager" added Murphy. "Clarkes got his hands for that" Octavia added. Everyone in the group laughed and Clarke peeled back the paper, the smile dropping from her face. Inside she saw the colors, she pulled out the material unraveling the fabric in her hands. It was a Barcelona tee shirt, an official one like the soccer players wore. What she didn't expect was the lettering on the back. In big bold letters it read Griffin. She knew it was for her dad. Clarke brushed her hand over the fabric, closing her lips tight together. Her eyes shutting even tighter as she rose to her feet and ran to her room. The room grew a little quieter and Bellamy looked around feeling scared that maybe he did something wrong. Octavia wanted to get up to check on her but instead Bellamy insisted. Holding out his hand before leaving them alone to find Clarke. She was in her room facing the wall. One arm across her chest and the other raised to her forehead. He couldn't see but he thought she was crying. He slowly came up behind her. Not wanting to touch her and upset her more. "Clarke…I. I just wanted to get you the perfect gift and when I thought of all the stories you told me, I figured". Clarke spun around reaching up and locking her arms around his neck. Forcefully pulling him into her and pressing her face into his shoulder. "I have never met anyone who cared so much to really listen to what I had to say, let alone remember it. You gave me back a piece of the most important person in my life, and no one could have done that except for you. Thank you". She whispered. Bellamy wrapped his arms around her. This was a good thing; she wasn't upset or mad. She was happy, the happiest she had ever been in a while it seemed. After a moment he pulled her away placing a finger under her chin and raising her eyes to meet his. "I don't think I have ever felt this way about anyone. What I gave you might be a special to you, but everything you tell me, share with me is special to me. Because it comes from you". He felt his heart beating faster in his chest, he didn't know what was changing but whatever it was, he wanted it to change. Forever.

The next day he woke up to what smelled like clean, fresh, laundry. The kind you hang outside on a summer day. He opened his eyes to see the head of curls that laid beside him. His arm hugging Clarke close to his body. Even though her back was to him they had slept together every night since he arrived, and many times before that on break. This was the way that Bellamy wanted to wake up every morning. He slowly pulled back his arm, leaning to the opposite side of the bed. Carefully rising so that the bed didn't shift too much. He grabbed a shirt throwing it on and watching Clarke as he moved around the bed to her door. She was cuddled into the pillow, hair a mess. No make-up, just his t-shirt covering her, and the blankets pulled up to her chest. My princess, so sweetly sleeping, he thought. Bellamy walked out of the room, closing the door quietly and looking around. All his friends passed out on the couch, even Finn stayed the night. He was laying opposite Murphy on an extra air mattress. Last night had been the best holiday for everyone. Even he didn't mind seeing Finn there in the morning. He started the coffee maker for Clarke and the others, walking over to the fridge and grabbing breakfast materials. As he cracked the eggs, he continued to think about the elements missing in his life, here in this moment. He didn't have football to worry about, even though he was falling behind in school he had finished the semester off well. He didn't miss home because every time he had been right here in the apartment, he felt like he was where he belonged. Why would he give this up, and go back all for that? He finished cooking everything he could, setting it aside on the table and putting out the plate settings.

He found himself grabbing his jacket and slipping on his shoes by the door. Walking out to the porch, he pulled his phone out calling the contact he desired and waiting while it rang. "Hello, Hi my name is Bellamy Blake I need to talk to someone in the department of transfers. Thank you I'll hold". It could have been on a whim, it could have been the right move for the moment. Whatever it was, he was not worried about it.

Clarke woke up to an empty bed, thinking this whole time it had all been a dream. Sitting up groggy from the night before she looked around the room. Seeing her father's soccer jersey sitting on her dresser. It wasn't a dream; it all was really happening. She was here with Bellamy and all her friends and everything was right where it should be. Except when she noticed one person was not. It wasn't long before she smelled the smell of breakfast that she knew where he had gone. She threw on some sweatpants and headed into the dining room. It looked like everyone was waking up at the same time. She waved hello to the guys on the couch pouring herself some coffee. Sitting down at the table while she mixed in her milk and cinnamon. Octavia woke up with Lincoln, joining her at the table next. She looked around, still no Bellamy. Where had he gone? "Hey anyone see Bell this morning, I assume he was the reason breakfast is all hot and ready". Everyone shook their head, until they heard Wells speak up. He was looking at a text he had gotten on his phone. "He said hell be back in a little while, something he was taking care of". He showed the message to Clarke, she seemed satisfied with that answer but then again, she didn't know what he was hoping to accomplish. There was hardly anything open this morning. They all dug into the food on the table, Finn helping Clarke clean up afterwards. "So, what's the plan for today"? He asked her as he loaded a plate into the dishwasher. "I mean this is pretty new for me I usually spend the next few days alone, with Octavia gone. I guess we can all plan something, maybe do lunch at the house and go to the aquarium or catch a movie". That sounded simple enough. A quiet day with some fun activities. "If you guys want time to yourself I can just". Clarke held out her hand reaching for Finns. "Your no intruder, your one of us now". She smiled; their group was growing.

They had all gotten ready and made a quick lunch, nothing complicated just sandwiches and chips. Clarke cut up some fruit for a fruit salad and placed it on the table. They had discussed it and decided on the aquarium for the day. It was all indoors, and it would give Murphy and Wells something new to see around their town. Bellamy was just walking in the door with a stack of folded papers in hand. "Hey, we all wondered where you were. Anything interesting happen"? Clarke asked as she placed a kiss on his cheek. "You could say that, what's everyone up to". "Well we are all going to the aquarium after lunch, you want to join, why don't you go shower and I'll put a plate aside for you". Looking at murphy as he packed his sandwich with as much he could. Hungry men would not make food last long in their apartment. She giggled as Bellamy stared at Murphy take a big bite, with lettuce popping out of his mouth. "Um…Yeah. I'll go shower and I'll be quick". Bellamy pecked a kiss back on her cheek taking the papers with him. By the time he was done showering everything was cleaned up and ready to go. He took a couple bites of the food Clarke saved for him before grabbing the keys and heading for the door. They would take 2 separate cars so that they could all fit. On the way Clarke sat in the passenger seat as Bellamy drove. He reached out holding his hand and putting it in her lap. Clarke grabbed it drawing circles over his palm, it relaxed him.

They paid for admission, meeting Raven and Emory as a surprise for the guys. Lincoln and Octavia walked off. Murphy, Emory and Wells walked in a different direction and Raven and Finn were chatting next to the map board about where they wanted to go first. Clarke and Bellamy walked around the entrance, before entering the first exhibit, the touch tank. Clarke sat on the ledge skimming her hands on the water, pulling them away when the nurse sharks or sting rays came close. "The whole point of the touch tank is that you actually touch them you know". Clarke looked up at him snidely, "I know that, I just…what if they bite me"? Bellamy looked around at all the children and little fingers with half their hands in the tank. "I think you'll be safe". He leaned by Clarke running a hand down her arm. "You trust me". Clarke looked up at him with a smile, right before she felt his hand on the back of hers dip them into the cool water. A sting ray coming up and brushing along it. It felt slightly slimy and rubbery, but it was really cool. "That's the first time I've done that. Every other time I've just been too chicken". "Well that's cause I'm here to protect you". Bellamy kissed the side of her head while Clarke dipped her hand in over and over again. They walked around the aquarium, looking at the shark tanks, fish, and penguins. It was all amazing, a whole different world separate from their own. Bellamy watched as Clarke sat down on the bench, pulling out a small notebook from her bag and a pencil. She stared sketching part of the animals in the tank. Bellamy wanted to look at her drawing but was stopped by her before he could move. "don't move I'm sketching you in the picture as well". "How many times are you going to surprise me with that Princess". She looked up, her pencil slowing. "Surprise you with what"? "With all these drawings of me, you make me feel like some type of model or something". He laughed. Clarke put away her notepad walking over to him, the small distance between them made them making the cool glass he was pressed against feel relieving from the heat radiating off their bodies.

"You're my personal model, and I intend to hold onto that as long as possible". She pulled the sides of his jacket looking up at him with a hungry stare. He let her pull him in for a kiss as he curled his fingers around her back, pressing her up against him. Clarke pulled away to catch her breath. "We better be careful this place is rated g". Bellamy laughed as he brushed his thumb across her cheek. Now he wanted to tell her now. Yet, he knew if he did it would ruin the surprise. They met up with the others along the way, after everything was seen and they had spent a couple hours at the aquarium. "Hey why don't all the girls hitch a ride back; the guys and I are going to pick up a movie and something to eat for dinner. We'll meet you there". Parting their ways, they all loaded into the car and Clarke watched as Bellamy took off.

Bellamy was driving in the car with Wells, Murphy, Lincoln, and Finn to the grocery store. He figured they'd pick up a Redbox and decide what to eat along the way. He looked in the rearview mirror, trying to figure out if this needed to be a more private conversation or not. Instead he would just try and start small to answer any questions they had. "Okay guys I have something to run by you". Wells joked around "Your going to propose to Clarke". Bellamy let out a big laugh, patting his shoulder. "No, well at least not yet, maybe one day". Sure, he had known Clarke all his life, but he wanted to save up for their wedding if that was what they decided and be done with school. "No, I wanted to tell you guys that I'm not going back home when the break is over". Murphy leaned between the 2 seats hitting Bellamy on the arm. "Come on man and give up being the football star for another year I don't think so". Bellamy was serious though; he wasn't joking, and his face was stern.

"No, I'm serious this morning I went to the counseling office at Clarke's school. They have a transfer program i can move into. I would take all my credits and I would get a job out here. It's my last year, I could do it without the scholarship. Plus, that leaves more glory for you two". Wells looked back at Murphy, realizing his friend was serious. "Wait you're going to give all that up to come here man, what are you going to do after college"? Bellamy looked at Wells, "Give what up, the stress, the parties, the girls. I already have my girl here and I'm tired of being stressed all the time. I need a change. I've felt more at home here with Clarke then I have at our place for a while". He realized that sounded harsher than he wanted it to. "Don't get me wrong I would miss all of it and you guys the most, but I'm going to be graduating. I want to pursue a degree in history or architecture. Something I can make an honest living from and provide a good life, here with Clarke". "Does she even know you are planning all this maybe she won't want you to give that all up". Murphy suggested, he didn't want to upset Bellamy, he was one of his best friends, but he had to make him think clearly. "Guys Octavia is here, Clarke is here. I want to be here with them". Bellamy gripped his hand on the steering wheel. This wasn't the way he saw this conversation going. "I know Clarke would be happy about the decision. She's been miserable here, and I can see the way she is with you. Nothing calms her more". Finn added from the back seat. Bellamy looked at him in the rearview mirror, remembering that him and Lincoln were in the car too. He smiled as a thanks for backing him up, yeah maybe he wasn't so bad after all. "I know Octavia would love to see you more". Lincoln added. "So, it's settled then, come the new year, I'm staying here". Bellamy nodded his head at the decision. Wells patting his shoulder to show his approval and murphy sticking his head between the seats in silent agreement. "Now I just have to tell Clarke".

I hope you enjoyed the chapter and continue to read. Thank you to all the followers and readers. Stay tuned and as always BE KIND