The Story Of Our Lives.

14. Please don't say you love me.

Three days later, Clarke sat on her bed. In front of her was a box of photos. There were photos of her parents, her and her friends, her friends from before she moved and even ones of just her friends. Clarke tipped the box upside down, causing the contents to spill across her bed.

As she shifted through the pile, Clarke spotted a photo of her and Bellamy. They were on a beach, Clarke remembered exactly when the photo was taken. It was taken two years after she moved. On July 4th, Clarke and her friends had gone down to the beach to watch the fireworks. Octavia had been snapping away all night with her camera and had captured a picture of Clarke and Bellamy sat beside each other on the sand, wrapped in a blanket they shared. They were looking at each other, smiling brightly as a mixture of colours lit up their faces.

Clarke smiled down at the picture in her hands. Everything had been so simple back then.

Clarke decided she had to face her fear and finally come face to face with Bellamy. She pulled out her phone and sent him a text.

Are you busy?

He replied instantly.

B: No, you okay?

C: Yeah, can you come over?

B: On my way.

Clarke placed her phone on her nightstand and turned back to her pile of photos.

Fifteen minutes later, the apartment door opened and Clarke bit her lip to stop herself from smiling. Some things never changed. Moment later, Bellamy entered her bedroom.

"Hi." Clarke smiled.

"Hey. Are you alright? I got here as quick as I could." Bellamy said, his eyes darting around the room for any sign of trouble.

"I'm fine. I just thought it was about time we had a chat." Clarke smiled.

Bellamy nodded and sat down opposite her at the foot of her bed. His eyes landed on the pile of photos and he began picking them up.

"I remember this." Bellamy smiled as he picked up a photo. The faces of Clarke, Octavia, Raven, Murphy, Jasper, Monty, Lincoln and himself looked up at him. They all had bright smiles on their faces.

"Our first camping trip." Clarke grinned as she looked at the photo. "My dad took that picture."

"It was a great weekend." Bellamy said softly.

Clarke picked up another photo. This time it was one of her and Octavia at Halloween four years ago. They had lost a bet to Lincoln and Murphy and as punishment, they had to dress up as spongebob and Patrick. She smiled at the photo and handed it to Bellamy.

"I don't think I'll ever forget that night. You and O looked like you'd eaten something sour all night." Bellamy laughed.

"You try being dressed as bright yellow sponge all night. That thing was not easy to move in." Clarke smirked.

They spent the next half an hour looking through Clarke's old photos, reminiscing about their past. Clarke explained some photos that Bellamy hadn't seen or hadn't been present for. It was a pleasant afternoon for them. That was until Bellamy came across the photo of them at the beach.

"Things were so much simpler back then." Bellamy said sadly.

"I know." Clarke agreed.

"What's going on with us Clarke?" Bellamy asked, still looking at the photo.

"I don't know." Clarke said quietly.

Bellamy looked up at her. Suddenly Clarke regretted her decision to invite Bellamy over now. Her heart raced and her throat felt tight.

"What do you want out of this Clarke? Because this is killing me." Bellamy said, looking deep into her eyes. Clarke swore that Bellamy was looking deep into her soul at that moment.

"I can't lose you Bellamy. You're too important to me. We've been through so much together and I can't just erase you from my life." Clarke admitted.

"You won't lose me Clarke." Bellamy said. He reached out and gripped her hand tightly in his.

"That's why I think we should just stay friends." Clarke whispered.

"Clarke." Bellamy began but Clarke stopped him.

"Things are just too complicated right now and what I need is a friend. I don't want to drag you down with my issues. You deserve so much more." Clarke said as tears flowed down her cheeks.

"I don't want better Clarke, I.."

"Don't." Clarke interrupted him again. "Please don't say it. Because right now, as much as I want to, I can't say it back. I can't give you all of me when I don't even know who I am right now." Clarke sobbed.

"If you need forgiveness, I'll give that to you." Bellamy said, his face full of hurt and disappointment.

"I'm sorry. I just can't do this right now." Clarke shook her head.

"I understand." Bellamy sighed.

"I really hope we can be friends Bellamy. I meant what I said, you're too important to me." Clarke said.

"I'll always be here Clarke. No matter what." Bellamy told her, squeezing her hand.

Clarke nodded her head in gratitude. Bellamy pulled her into a tight hug and pressed a kiss onto the top of her head.

"You're gonna be fine. I promise." Bellamy mumbled into her hair.

Later that night, Clarke decided to invite a few of their friends over. So of course the whole gang turned up. Clarke couldn't help but smile as things seemed to just fall into place. Their were no awkward silences or questions, there were no shy glances to check if she was alright. Everyone simply walked into her apartment as if nothing had happened. This made Clarke feel much more comfortable. She knew her friends were concerned about her, but she was pleased that they hadn't turned into smothering babysitters.

Clarke suspected that Octavia or Roan, possibly both, had warned them and told them to act normal around her and for that, Clarke was grateful. Even Bellamy seemed to be acting normal. At first it was awkward for Clarke, but things seemed to just fall back into their normal routine. They were teasing each other and acting like their goofy selves one minute, and the next they were sitting together watching the movie Octavia had chosen for them all. Clarke had her legs draped over Bellamy's lap and he leant his weight on her, resting his arm over her hips. Occasionally his fingers would brush against her skin, making her shiver, but Bellamy seemed to be completely unaware he was doing it.

As the movie finished, Octavia turned off the tv and looked around the room to see most people were asleep. The only ones awake were her and Monty.

Octavia couldn't contain her smile as her eyes landed on Clarke and Bellamy. They were still in the same position, but Bellamy's head now rested on her chest. Clarke had angled herself towards Bellamy more now. Octavia pulled out her phone and snapped a picture quickly before laying down next to Lincoln.

"Are they ever gonna admit how they feel about each other?" Monty asked, yawning.

"Oh I can guarantee you they will." Octavia grinned.

"What are you planning?" Monty smirked.

"My brother is so in love with Clarke and I know Clarke feels the same, so we just need to get her to admit it and then get them together." Octavia explained.

"I'm in." Monty beamed.