Ok, here comes another chapter! Bellamy meets Finn! Enjoy! :)
Chapter 5
Clarke was sitting in her anatomy class when her phone began to buzz. She discreetly pulled it from her pocket, her heart in her throat. She was terrified that something had happened to one of her friends, but soon gave a sigh of relief when she saw Finn's name on the screen.
She read the text, a smile playing on her lips.
Would you do me the honor of allowing me to buy you dinner tonight?
Clarke held back a smile, her fingers tapping in quick secession giving her reply.
I suppose. Especially since you owe me :)
Great! I'll pick you up at 7.
She put her phone back in her pocket, her giddiness fading slightly. What would Bellamy think? She felt like she was almost being unfaithful to him. She did her best to shove those thoughts to the back of her mind, already planning what she would wear.
That afternoon, Octavia sat on Clarke's bed watching her friend pilfer through her closet in search of the perfect date outfit. She could tell that Clarke liked the guy, but she also sensed that there was something holding the girl back.
"Has Bell met him yet", she asked out of the blue.
Clarke turned to her roommate, her bottom lip caught between her teeth.
"Not yet", Clarke answered.
Octavia grinned. That was going to be an interesting sight.
"Is he going to meet him?"
"Of course! I can't date a guy without my best friend's approval!"
After the words escaped her mouth, Clarke turned to Octavia –her lips forming a perfect o and her features painted with surprise.
"O, I…"
"Clarke, I've known that my brother was the most important person in your life since the day of your father's funeral", Octavia answered.
Clarke stared at her friend, the memories from that day flooding her mind.
She sat in the front row of chairs under the tent at the cemetery, her eyes glued to the casket. Rain poured off the thick water-resistant material, the cold wind seeping into her bones.
Everything around her mirrored what she was feeling, from the gray skies to the black dress she wore. She could hear her mother sniffling softly beside her, but she ignored it. She didn't care about what her mother was feeling because she was too lost in her own grief and anger.
The only thing that kept her grounded was Bellamy's hand in her own. He'd been within arm's reach since she'd been informed of her father's passing. He was her anchor and without him she knew she would be lost.
Clarke listened as the priest spoke, the words not penetrating the fog of sorrow that surrounded her mind and heart. She got up and placed a rose on the casket at the appropriate time before walking out into the rain.
She had no umbrella, no coat. The rain soaked her clothes and hair, running down her face in rivulets. She heard Bell and Octavia coming along behind her, but she kept walking.
Finally Bellamy's black pickup came into view. She crawled in, squeezing into the middle seat. She felt him sit beside her, his shoulder brushing her own as he turned on the ignition.
The drive home was quiet, and Clarke was lost in thought. Fears she'd been holding back assailed her as she glanced at Bellamy out of the corner of her eye. After losing her father, she didn't know how she would survive losing the man beside her too.
By the time they reached the old house on W. Clearwell Road, silent tears were pouring down Clarke's face. The light was fading from the sky as the sun set, and the temperatures were dropping.
She followed her friends into the house and went silently to the guest bedroom across the hall from Bellamy's. She changed into one of the t-shirts she'd swiped from him and crawled beneath the covers.
After her eyes closed, and sleep claimed her, Clarke was haunted by dreams of her father's death that soon turned into nightmares of Bellamy's demise. She screamed his name, tears pouring down her cheeks as she watched the blood drain from his body and the light fade from his eyes.
Bellamy had run into her room to find her writhing beneath the sheets, screaming his name over and over. He'd placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, shaking her until her blue eyes opened.
She'd wrapped her arms around him, sobbing, her tears running down his neck and disappearing beneath the collar of his t-shirt.
"Please don't ever leave me, Bell. Please", she'd begged.
His words still echoed in her ears, "I'm right here, Princess, and I'm not going anywhere."
"I'm sorry, O", Clarke said quietly.
"It's fine. I'm just glad that my brother has you to keep him on track."
"I don't know. I think Bell is the one who keeps me sane half the time."
"With as clumsy as he is, I don't see how you don't get tired of patching up all those bumps and scrapes. I swear he's been a walking accident since he turned sixteen", Octavia said with a chuckle.
Clarke froze. She wished that O could know the truth, but that's not what Bellamy had ever wanted. So, instead she just forced a laugh.
"Yep, he's a klutz alright. Do you think the black or the red", Clarke asked, holding up two dresses and trying desperately to change the subject.
"Umm, that one. You always look great in red", O said with a smile.
"Red it is."
Clarke checked her watch, finding it to be a little before six. She rushed through her make-up routine, and threw her hair up into a neat ponytail. She'd just come out of the bathroom, when she heard the door open.
She raced to her bedroom, pulled on her dress and strapped on her heels. She entered the living room, a smile on her face, only to meet the dark eyes of none other than Bellamy Blake.
"Bell, what are you doing here", she asked, slightly breathless.
"I came for a visit. O said that you had someone for me to meet", he said with an ornery grin.
Clarke glared at Octavia before turning back to Bellamy, "Sure, he should be here in about ten minutes."
She watched as Bell's eyes scanned her form. "You look great, Princess", he said when he caught the self-conscious look in her blue eyes.
"Thanks, Bell", she said with a warm smile.
Then a knock sounded at the door. Clarke rushed to answer it, nervousness bubbling up inside her. Finn stood on the other side, a bouquet of flowers in his hand and a smile on his face.
"Hi, you look… Wow", he said as he handed her the flowers.
"Thank you", Clarke said with a shy smile.
The sound of a throat clearing brought them out of their little moment.
"Bellamy, this is Finn. Finn, this is Bellamy", Clarke introduced.
"Ah, you must be the friend", Finn said as he extended his hand.
Clarke watched as Bellamy took Finn's offered hand, his grip strong and obviously slightly painful.
"Are you ready Clarke", Finn asked as he rubbed his hand.
Bellamy's deep voice cut Clarke off, "Just a minute Princess. I've got a few questions."
"Do you mind Finn? He'll never let us go until he clears you", Clarke said with an exasperated grin.
"Uh, sure, I don't mind one bit", the young man said nervously, a slight tinge of sarcasm entering his words.
They all made their way to the living room, silence hanging heavily in the air until Bellamy spoke.
"So, Finn, what do you do?"
"I'm an astronomer."
"Of course you are, Spacewalker", Bellamy muttered.
"I really love my job, studying the stars", Finn said smiling at Clarke.
"I heard how you two met, are you always so touchy feely with women you just met", Bellamy said darkly.
Clarke stared at him in shock, she hadn't told him about the napkin incident. She turned to O, a question in her gaze, but the other young woman simply shrugged. That left Lincoln. Of course he would have tattled.
"Bell, he was just trying to help", she said trying to defuse the situation.
"Of course he was. Where are you taking her", Bellamy asked suddenly.
"A little sushi bar down town, it's…"
"Princess hates sushi", Bellamy interrupted.
Finn immediately looked to her for confirmation, his eyes wide.
"I've never really tried it, but it sounds delicious", she lied glaring in Bellamy's direction.
The dark haired moron just grinned, his velvety brown eyes dancing with something she couldn't explain.
"Why princess? That's an interesting nickname", Finn said sounding slightly annoyed.
Clarke laughed, "The first time I met Mr. Bellamy Blake I was seven years old. O and I were trick or treating together, and Bell came along. I was a fairy princess. He kept calling me princess to get on my nerves, but it just stuck."
Her eyes traveled to Bellamy's, an affectionate smile curving her lips.
"You two have a long history", Finn said quietly.
"Yep, Clarke and I go way back", Bellamy said grinning.
Clarke stared at him, the guilt coming back to bite her. After sitting here with he and O, all she wanted to do was go put on her sweats and one of his shirts and spend the evening watching their favorite movies.
Instead, she rose from the couch pulling Finn with her.
"If you're done, we have a date to get to", Clarke said smiling at Finn.
As she was about to walk out the door, Bell grabbed her elbow gently.
"I'm only a phone call away if you need me", he said seriously.
She kissed his jaw. "I'll be fine. See you later, O", Clarke said, her eyes never leaving his.
Then she was out the door, her hand resting in the crook of Finn's arm as he led her downstairs. Their date was fun, but she didn't like the sushi. This only reminded her of how well Bellamy knew her, which in turn made her feel guilty for not being with he and O.
When Finn finally dropped her off, she told him goodnight, and opened the door of the apartment before he could kiss her goodnight. She waited for her eyes to adjust to the darkness, the faint glow of the TV lighting her way to her bedroom.
She put on her favorite pair of yoga pants and one of Bell's sweatshirts before making her way into the living room. She found the man in question sitting on the couch, his stocking feet resting on the coffee table.
Clarke eased down beside him, her shoulder brushing his side as she got comfortable. She felt his arm wrap around her, drawing her closer. The sent of his cologne assailed her senses, and she breathed deeply.
"Are you sniffing me", he said in an amused whisper.
"Yep", she said with a grin.
"Do I stink or something", he grumbled.
"No, you always smell good", Clarke chuckled, "I've always loved the smell of your cologne. Smells like home."
Bellamy stared down at her, watching as her cheeks turned red in embarrassment before she quickly added.
"You wore so much when we were growing up, the whole house smelled like you."
He grinned. She was just digging herself in deeper and deeper.
"Yep, but at least I didn't smear on three pounds of make-up every morning and hog the bathroom!"
Clarke swatted his stomach, and soon the fight was on. He tickled her, focusing on her sides and her feet. They fell in the floor, their racket causing Octavia to glare at them from the recliner.
Then something changed. Clarke was lying on her back, and Bellamy hovered over her. Their gazes locked, heat spreading through her body. She swallowed hard, and quickly disentangled herself.
"I should go to bed, I've got an early class", she stuttered.
"Uh, yeah, I've got to be at the shop early in the morning", Bellamy replied.
At the mention of the shop, Clarke's breath hitched. She hugged him tight, before tiptoeing to whisper in his ear.
"Be careful, Bell. I can't lose you too", she whispered before kissing his cheek.
"I'll always be here, Princess. Good night", he said tightening his hold.
"Good night", Clarke said as she watched him go.
"I wish you two would get over yourselves", Octavia grumbled from her seat.
"It's not that simple", Clarke answered before making her way to her room.
Quick question, do y'all like the flashbacks or do you find them confusing? Thanks for reading! Please, Please, Please review! :)