Chapter 2

"I know you hate it, but you have to stay inside as much as you can. Avoid any contact with other people. Especially if you don't know where that person has been," Abby advised. Clarke nodded, hoping her mother wouldn't notice she wasn't really listening. "I don't want you to take any chances."

"I'll be okay, mom."

"I'm sure you will. I just wish we could spend this time together. I'm sorry."

"You have a hospital to run, mom. I understand." Despite being extremely worried about her mother, Clarke was secretly happy that they wouldn't be able to quarantine together. She loved Abby with all her heart, but her mother's obvious dislike of her life choices was something she could only stand from time to time.

"I'm just glad the museum is closed for now. If you need any help with the bills -"

"They are still paying us. They have an emergency fund, and this is an emergency," Clarke explained. It had been a long time since she relied on her mother to pay the bills and she was happy that wouldn't have to go back to that again.

"Well, I have to go. Talk to you soon. Love you," Abby said. Clarke waved her mother good-bye and closed her laptop with a relieved sigh. Her mother was just too much to handle.

After her father, Jake died, it was like Abby had shut down. She just didn't care about anything anymore and let herself fall into a deep depression. Clarke, at only fourteen years old, had to take care of herself and her mother. That's when the two of them started to drift apart and Clarke immersed her mind and pain in the books, finding her life-long passion: history. It had taken Abby almost four years to come back to the world of the living and it was when her daughter walked down the stairs wearing a blue dress for prom, that the older woman realized what she was missing.

At first, Clarke could clearly see that she had been kind of disappointed that her daughter had forgone her goal of becoming a doctor, like her, and had chosen to pursue a History major with a minor in Tourism Management at the local college. Then, Abby realized that she couldn't judge her daughter for her choices when she wasn't there to help her find the right path. That's when her mother decided the best she could do was to make sure Clarke got though college, helping her complement her resumé by paying up for language classes - Clarke was currently fluent in Spanish, Portuguese, French, and German - and fighting tooth and nail to make sure she got a great job. That's how Clarke finally got her dream job in the Arkadia Nacional Museum, first as a tour guide, then as head the tour guides department. However, it didn't matter how much responsibilities she had, Clarke still took the time to make two tours a day as she loved to talk about history.

Clarke looked around, trying to figure out what to do with herself. It had only passed a week and she was already half insane. She eyed her pack of cigarettes. She needed to quit, she wanted to quit. However, she was really craving one. Deciding she could quit another day, Clarke got up from the couch and went to her balcony. She was surprised to see her neighbor sitting on the floor of his own balcony, enjoying a rather thick book.

It was rare for her to see Bellamy Blake. They had crossed paths a few times and she had taken a peek into his mailbox to find his name. How could she not? Standing at over 5'9", with amazing olive skin and cute brown curls, her neighbor had to be one of the hottest guys she had ever had the chance to check out. She had noticed him a few days ago, enjoying some fresh hair outside. She tried not to stare but couldn't help to take a glance at his retreating back.

Another life ago, before Lexa, she would've just taken a chance. But her ex-girlfriend had broken her beyond repair. Coming home to find who she thought was the love of her life sleeping with her boss, had not been a nice experience at all. On the other hand, it had been four years since then and Bellamy was not hard on the eye.

"Nice book." The words left her lips before she could stop herself. He looked up, surprised to find her there, and she noticed a small blush creeping up his neck. She found it adorable how shy he was. "You just seem so into it. It must be nice."

Bellamy cleared his throat. "Yeah, it's good." Clarke smiled at him before taking another drag from her cigarette. "I was actually surprised that a book so popular could be this good. I usually stay away from the best sellers." As if trying to prove his point, he showed her the cover. The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris. She heard of it, a lot, but she was also not keen on best sellers.

"I love books about World War II," she confessed, blushing at her guilty pleasure.

"Me too," he smiled. He looked so good smiling. "I feel like there is always so much to be told."

"I know what you mean. All those people," Clarke shook her head, her thoughts going to the victims of the Holocaust.

"I can - If you wanna -" Bellamy struggled to find the right words. "You can have it after I finish." She took one last drag of her cigarette, putting it out on the ashtray, and trying to conceal her smile at his fumbled attempt to be polite.

"I'd like that." They stood on their respective balconies, smiling weirdly at each. Clarke couldn't help but to feel that she did like Bellamy. He seemed like a polite and respectful young man. And if she was trapped between four walls, why not make friends with her prison mate? "I'll see you soon, Bellamy Blake."

His eyes widened in surprise. "How do you know my name?"

Clarke let out a soft chuckle. "The same way you know mine." And with a wink, she was gone.

Hello sweeties,

Chapter 2 is up! I hope you like it.

I know these chapters haven't been very long, but as soon as Bellamy and Clarke start interacting more, they shall be.

Love,

Jane