A/N: Hello! This is my attempt at a slightly lighter fic (although not everything will be fluffy and nice) so i hope you enjoy! This chapter's more of a filler as I need to lay some foundations down; more of the action kicks off in the second chapter.
Disclaimer: Cassandra Clare owns everything but the plot
Wanted: Roommate
I own a two-bedroom penthouse flat in New York with my dog. Our old roommate moved on, so we're looking for a new one.
You'll get your own bedroom (obviously) and shared bathroom facilities. You can take as long as you like because I'm really quick. Bedroom has double bed, mattress, desk, chair and wardrobe included. Anything else you'll have to provide because I'm poor and can barely keep myself and my dog going.
As a nineteen year old male I'd ideally like you to be around my age and I'm not picky on gender. You'll have to pay half the rent as you'll own half the property (although the dog really owns the entire place because he's an asshole). You'll also be expected to take up some share of the chores as you're my roommate, not my master.
If you're interested, please text me at the number listed at the bottom and we can arrange a time to meet and discuss things. If you meet my standards, you'll become my roommate.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Alec raised an incredulous eyebrow as he spun round in the blue desk chair, holding his hands in front of his face like he was about to start praying. "What the hell was that?" he breathed, his gaze flitting upwards.
"That, my dear friend, was my advertisement," Jace informed him. "I tried to be funny and friendly to attract people."
"There's a fine line between being funny and simply being an asshole. You're more on the latter end of the spectrum," Alec grumbled, clearly not amused in the slightest. "I should've checked this over before you posted it. I don't have much faith in you reaching any sort of agreement with an advert like that."
Rather than replying, Jace just rolled his eyes and sighed. Sure, Alec was his best friend and he trusted his judgement, but he was fiercely maternal despite the one year age gap between them. If anyone asked Jace to meet his parents, he was more likely to just introduce them to his best friend as opposed to making the six hour flight across the country to visit his parents in Los Angeles. Alec had always been the one keeping tabs on Jace; he'd been the one who convinced him to find a new roommate.
"We'll just have to see, won't we?" Jace pointed out, gifting his best friend with his trademark smirk. "Besides, I think some people can look past the advert if they look at the place."
"They also have to consider you, Jace. You'll be their roommate for the foreseeable future; they won't want to live with someone they don't like." The ink-haired man chewed his fingernails absentmindedly; a trait Jace knew he used to mask his anxiety.
Before Jace could open his mouth to reply, the two were interrupted by the rapid pitter-patter of tiny paws across the wooden floor. They both recognised the sound; anyone who had ever stepped foot in Jace's apartment knew it all too well. Regardless of whatever mood he was in, Jace felt reassured in knowing his dog was still around.
Once the little dog trotted in, Alec let out a long intake of air. "Here's the dog causing all the problems." he remarked, his voice mingled with both humour and annoyance.
Jace frowned, scooping up his beloved companion in his arms which released a short chorus of yaps. "You leave Harley out of this."
Harley - a black and tan Jack Russell with jet-black eyes - had lived in the apartment for about six months. He'd belonged to Jace's former roommate, but since he'd gone Harley now looked solely to Jace. He was certainly a tiny dog, but he was fiercely loyal and filled with so much adoration for his owner that nobody doubted his abilities. Jace knew that the real test wouldn't be earning his trust; it would be getting Harley to like them.
"Anyway, I'm going to head off," Alec rose slowly to his feet and eyed the terrier squirming in Jace's grip for a moment. "Call me if you need anything."
Jace rolled his eyes with a scoff. "I'm a big boy, I can look after myself." he insisted, treading out of his room and into the main room of the flat.
Rather than making a detrimental comment, the lithe young man merely let himself out and closed the door gently behind him, leaving Jace alone in the house with Harley still adamant to escape from his arms. The golden haired boy chuckled mildly, holding the terrier close to his chest like a mother with her child. "It's just again tonight pal. Hopefully won't be that way much longer."
In spite of Alec's scrutiny of his advert, Jace's faith in finding a roommate hadn't faltered. After all, his apartment - his little corner of the world - was a truly beautiful place. If heaven was a place on earth, it would easily be in his home.
Carefully placing Harley down, Jace shuffled over to the kitchen area and crouched down in front of one of the black cabinets underneath the countertop. He opened the door and grabbed a red can, tapping it lightly on the side and whistling. "Time for your dinner, Harley!" he called.
Once he heard the joyous scamper, the golden haired boy proceeded to move over to the metal food bowl and pulled back the lid of the can, tipping its contents into the bowl with a plop. Jace scrunched his nose up in disgust as he caught a whiff of it, but Harley immediately started devouring it like there was no tomorrow. As long as it was edible, the dog would eat it.
While his four-legged friend got through his meal, Jace absentmindedly reached in his back pocket for his mobile phone. No messages yet... how am I supposed to pass the time waiting for someone?
Fortunately for him, he knew exactly how to pass the time.
Pulling up his contacts, he jammed a few buttons before raising his phone to his ear, hoping and praying it would pick up. A slightly groggy voice answered him on the fourth ring. "Hello?"
"Hi Kaelie, it's Jace," he replied coolly. "Are you free tonight?"
In the space of an hour, Jace's room had been turned into a bombsite. Clothes littered his floor - his grey t-shirt and black jeans were strewn across his chair while Kaelie's skimpy gold dress lay at the foot of his double bed - and his bed had simply turned into a tangle of bedsheets and bodies.
Kaelie drew her long red acrylic nails across Jace's chest lightly, tracing patterns on his tanned skin as she took a deep breath. "I've missed you." she declared.
Jace just rolled his eyes. He and Kaelie had never embarked on any sort of relationship seeing as they only met for casual hookups, but she treated it like they were dating. Every time they spent the night together, Kaelie would brag to anyone who would listen. Sure, she was fun, but frankly Jace couldn't stand her.
The nimble young woman suddenly flipped herself up, straddling his hips between her knees. She was certainly a royal pain in the ass, but Jace had to admit that she wasn't dreadful to look at. Pale blonde waves crashed down to the middle of her back, though her hair was so pale it nearly looked the same colour as her skin in the moonlight. Her eyes were equally lacking brightness, for they were a milky blue. Everything about her was just... pale (although at the moment she was wearing a lacy red bra with matching underwear which definitely made her stand out to Jace).
Kaelie had just dipped her head to press her lips to his neck when there was a sudden ding coming from the main room. Knowing that it was his phone - and potentially a person interested in moving in to his humble home - Jace pushed the girl off him and stood up with a start. He ignored her unimpressed screech as he stumbled into the main living area towards the wooden coffee table to pick up his phone. His heart fluttered a little once he realised he'd received a text from an unknown number.
Hi - I saw your advert about you looking for a roommate and I'd love to meet you about it! Could we go for coffee or something tomorrow?
Jace couldn't stop the grin spreading across his face as he swiftly keyed in a reply.
Coffee sounds great. Do you know Java Jones?
Good taste, we'll get along just fine :)
A pair of warm arms wrapped around his upper chest as Kaelie pressed her body against his back; Jace could tell she was completely topless now and he was definitely enjoying it, but he didn't want to tear his attention away from his mysterious texter. Besides, he could have other evenings getting busy. He couldn't lose this chance.
I get on pretty well with everyone to be fair ;) can you meet me at 11am? I'll be the handsome stranger in the far corner on the sofas.
Clearly too impatient to wait for him to finish, the lithe girl rotated herself round and pulled herself up so she was standing in his outstretched arms, blocking the view of his phone. "What could possibly be more exciting than me?" she queried, her voice taking on a slightly icy tone.
"I'm trying to find another roommate. We're setting up a meeting " Jace explained with a shrug.
Kaelie stood up on her tip toes, winding her slender arms around his neck. "Can't it wait?" she murmured in a seductive voice, placing a soft but long kiss behind his left ear which sent a shiver down his spine. "I won't wait forever."
His instincts caught up with him as he swallowed the site of the woman who stood before him, forcing him to drop his phone as he placed his hands on her slim hips. "Perhaps it can." he decided, pulling her to him as their lips collided. The intensity of it grew like a fire as Jace seized her up to wrap her legs around his waist, while Kaelie dragged her nails up his back. The sudden fire overwhelmed Jace immensely, so he took her back into his room with the intention of carrying on what they'd started.
As a result of the situation, he missed the reply from his potential roommate.
I'll see you there! :)
I hope that was an okayish first chapter; the real story begins from the next chapter! Please feel free to leave your thoughts in the reviews, but for now, welcome to Home... :)
