Hellaaaa, it's VGMPlanet here! I decided to upload my second story as an apologize for not updating Best Friends For Ever? for a while. This story is a TMI based story, so no-one belongs to me. *Sobs quietly*.
Out of character and Alternative Universe. Rated T, might change to M.
Enjoy!
Chapter 1
I was sitting in the cappuccino brown living room with my olive green maxi dress on. Yes, I just described my walls like the colour of cappuccino. My mother, Jocelyn, had made me put on some "nice" clothes for the guest that was coming, and I liked my dress the most. It made my emerald green eyes greener and with the thin line of eyeliner they looked huge. Like reindeer huge, don't Google it though, because that would totally ruin the picture of me. Or maybe I'm secretly a reindeer but I decided to take my human form. Okay, snap out of this Clarissa, you take it too far.
My dear mother (seriously, no pun intended) didn't tell me who the guest was, but it was someone that made her smile like crazy. Really, I've never seen her smile like that. The hugest and creepiest Cheshire cat kind of smile was on her face. She was everywhere in the small apartment we had. Going back and forth between the kitchen, bathroom and living room. The three most important rooms every guest visits. She was either dusting or cleaning dirty spots that didn't even exist. Did she have a sight for that or what? Whoever the guest was, it made her nervous as well. She never acted like this when she had someone over.
All I knew about her social life was that her best friend was Bookstore Luke and that she dated some weird guy named Stephen Heronbale, Haronbale or something. I don't really remember his last name. My mother had kept Stephen a secret until one day she decided to tell me about him, one year after their first date. Really, I was the last one to know on this earth, thanks mom for that. At first I didn't like their dating, but I had to accept it. If my mother were happy, then why would I ruin her happiness?
She said he was lonely like her. Both lost their partner in different ways. Poor mom, she really needed someone to be with. Even though I liked Bookstore Luke (not only because of his bookstore of course). He was in love with my mother, however my mom didn't feel the same. He was so deep in the friendzone he would probably need to climb mountains to come out of there. Poor Luke, he was so madly in love with mom and she couldn't see it through. It was such a teenage, love book thing. Like Twilight, the best friend never got his girl.
I can't take it any more, my mother is really freaking me out with her running around in the apartment and cleaning things that doesn't exist.
"Mom, calm down. You're freaking me out."
My mother stopped and looked at me like I was crazy. "It's so dirty everywhere", she mumbled. And you call me crazy, woman?
Her red hair hung lose from the bun she had made and her ocean blue shirt made her eyes stick out. I was her clone, at least that was what everyone said and I could only agree with them. Our eyes had an emerald green shade and our hair was red, not orange red. The shape of my face was a mixture of my father and my mother. The difference between us two was that she looked like a woman and I looked like a child. I'm sixteen, not twelve. Even though I just had gained some curves during the cold winter, and I could grab my boobs with satisfaction, my mother had curves that made her look better. She was taller than I as well, my barely 160 centimetres was nothing compared to her 175-hi-I-could-be-a-modell-centimetres.
It was unfair to be this short; I always needed a chair to get something from the top shelves. The dress I had put on made me look a bit taller, because my legs were hidden under the long skirt, but whom could I fool, it didn't make me taller.
She was an artist and that was a talent that my genes had inherited. We both could sit for hours and paint. It was our way of leaving our world to another one, our way of calming down and take control of struggles in life. Her paintings decorated the hallway. Only a few of my paintings were hung there. I didn't like to put my paintings up, they were nothing compared to my mothers. In the living room were instead photos of happy days in our lives. It wasn't in a messy way. Now when I look around in the room, there are photos in frames. Five on the bookcase, two big ones on the wall and a small, framed one on the windowsill.
"Mom, seriously. This apartment can't be cleaner. Calm down, you're stressing yourself for no reason at all", I said. I do care for my mother and I don't like to see her stress for nothing.
Somehow I was happy that my brother, Jonathan missed to see this crazy woman I called my mother. Jonathan wouldn't like it if our mother would stress for nothing and usually he would annoy the guest because of what they did to our mother. He was living in his own apartment in New Jersey, where he worked as a businessman. He was very young for his age, but smart. Only 25 and already so far in the business. Damn genes I didn't get. He was quite the handsome guy, he had all kinds of girls behind him. Wait, did I just say he was handsome? Just a genuine observation… I'm not into my brother in one of those creepy ways. He was a copy of our father, that's what mom usually says when we mention my father's name. They both had the same white hair and dark eyes, but Jonathan was great and much nicer than our father.
"I'm sorry, honey. It's just that I want to impress our guest", my mother said. She smiled and took a few deep breaths to calm down. She was always worried about not impressing people, but it was vice versa. Everyone was always impressed by my mother's talents and often complimented her for her hard work.
"Mom, you have done a really good job here, don't worry. You'll not disappoint the guest", I said reassuring. It was true, she had done a really good job with everything. Whoever who wasn't impressed would feel the wrath of Clarissa Fray. Yes, I speak in third person sometimes, deal with it. She relaxed for the brief moment we had until we heard the three knocks on the door.
Knock, knock, knock.
My mother froze and I held my breath. I have no idea why I did that, holding my breath. I guess I was more nervous than I thought. It's time for some action. For a second her face changed between different emotions. Happy and nervous was the look that was stuck on her face at last as she turned away. That wasn't the best look she had, but it was better than nothing. I just looked at her as she made her way to the door. She disappeared and I could hear the front door open after she had unlocked the lock.
"Stephen, so nice to see you." I heard my mothers calm voice from the hallway. Oh so he's our secret guest. Finally I'll meet him.
"Hello Jocelyn, my dear", the dark voice that belonged to Stephen said. Then I heard them kiss. I crinkled my nose from the sound. Yikes, seriously I am sitting just a few meters away from you guys. Then I heard a small cough. Someone else was with them as well.
"And you brought your son, that's great. Hello Jonathan, I've heard so much about you." Mom didn't say Stephen had a son. Why did she keep everything a secret? I groaned.
"Hello, Mrs Fray", the voice was almost as dark as Stephens, yet this voice had a younger tone, "I could only say the same."
Wait, so everyone knew about one another, but not me? That wasn't fair, to hide secrets like that. I sighed to myself. I barely knew who Stephen was. Even Stephen's son had heard more about my mom than I had heard about Stephen.
I stood up and fixed my dress. My head bent down as my hands were straightening the skirt of the dress. It was a bit cold to wear this kind of clothing so early in the spring, but I liked it too much and it was the only nice thing I had for occasions like this. My best girl friend Izzy would probably kill me if she heard me say that. I loathe shopping, while she was crazy in love with it. I sometimes ask myself how we could be friends when we are so different from one another. Luckily the house was warmer than outside so it didn't matter if I had a dress indoors.
"Clarissa, this is Stephen Herondale", my mother said, I looked up and saw her refer to a tall man with blonde hair walking into the living room. His features were beautiful, something she would definitely draw if she had a chance to do it. I'm not into old men if you think so, but if I would have an (god-forbid) old man crush, he would look something like Stephen Herondale. I met his blue eyes as he approached to me with his hand held out. I took it, my small hand vanished in the grip. It was a warm and careful handshake. Like if I would break if he squeezed harder. Just come at me, I'm not that easy to break.
"So nice to finally meet you, Clarissa. I've heard so much about you", Stephen said with his dark voice, he sounded quite happy. So he had heard much about me, wow mom, thank you for that. I gazed over to where my mother stood, but she was not there. Probably in the kitchen. Good, because I would probably give her a why-haven't-I-heard-about-him-look. Seriously, I'm lost.
"Hello Mr Herondale! Nice to meet you too. You can call me Clary", I said and smiled to Stephen. He seemed nice, at least he had nice, icy blue eyes (that wasn't intentional). I had to know him better before I could judge him.
"Clary, this is my son Jonathan", Stephen said and moved his hand to a boy almost looking like Stephen, but his features were angelic and younger. His hair had a gold honey shade and his eyes hade almost the same colour. The only difference was that his eyes were darker than his hair. He had a genuine smile on his face. He was tall, and I had to tilt my head up a bit to make eye contact with the boy. He didn't look much older than myself. I must've stared because he was holding his hand out impatiently. A frown was appearing on his face.
"I know I'm hot, but please, it's not very nice to stare like that", he said and I snapped out of the trans I had just been in. He might have the looks of a Greek God, but that mouth of his was something else. What he had said burnt in my head and I blushed. Did I really stare at him? This is so embarrassing. Way to go, Clarissa, just stare at the boy, go ahead stare some more.
"Jonathan!", Stephen almost said with a serious voice, giving his son a warning look. The smirk never left his face and he turned to me again with his honey eyes. My mother came from the kitchen with tea and fresh cinnamon buns, unaware of what Jonathan just had said to me. The whole room smelled like cinnamon and my mother was looking happier than ever as she put the tray on the white table. Oh mother dear, you have no idea what just happened.
I took a step forward to Jonathan and reached my hand out and his large hand hugged my tiny hand. His hand was warm and I felt something going through my veins, like a pleasant electric shock. I looked up and it seemed like he had felt the same thing, because his eyes widen for a second before they turned to his usual, genuine expression. He was looking at me with a smirk on his face. By the angle he looks good. He was probably a player, many girls would kill to be with this boy. I really couldn't care less, Clarissa.
"I'm Clary", I said and gave him one of my genuine smiles. He shook my hand while locking his eyes with mine. It was green versus gold. A fight that would be impossible to win.
"I'm Jace", the golden boy said and let go of my hand after a final squeeze. Finally he looked away, so did I. Creepy Clary, staring at your mothers boyfriends son like that.
Everyone in the room was standing up in silence. No one sat down, like if it were dangerous to do that. I didn't know what to say and my mother didn't do much either. It was her guests, she had to take the first step. She was exchanging looks with Stephen. Are they communicating thorough mindreading? The silence would turn awkward if Stephen didn't make his move.
"Clary, Jace, could you please sit down for a moment. We have something important to say to you two", Stephen finally broke the silence. I heard he was hiding something from us, his voice had changed a bit. It was more secretive in the tone. The nervous look Stephen gave my mother revealed it even more. What are they hiding?
I sat on the sofa and Jace sat right next to me. I could feel his warmth radiate and it made me shiver. Why did my body react like this so shortly after our greeting? He gave me a quick look and smirked. Dear angels in heaven please give me the calm and not slap that smirk of his face I prayed, looking up in the celling before turning my head towards my mother and her boyfriend.I really hate saying boyfriend, but that's what he was to her as much as she was his girlfriend. The fact that my mom had a boyfriend was just weird.
I've never had a boyfriend. I guess I never found someone interesting and that's why I'm single. Maybe I'll just live alone with my ten cats in the future or live in a monastery. Sister Clarissa sounded quite charming. I smiled happily to myself. At least I found my future profession today.
"What's going on?", Jace asked and eyed his father suspiciously. He had understood something weird as well.
"I don't know how to say this, but we are", my mother began. I thought I was going to pass out. Not getting married, please don't say he proposed. I'm not ready for something this big, not without me not knowing whom the man she was marrying was. She didn't even have a ring on her finger.
"Moving in together", both Jocelyn and Stephen said.
The entire colour on my face was drained. This couldn't be true, really, didn't they take this step a bit to fast? I've shared a house with the male gender, my brother, but he wasn't the cleanest person on earth. The house used to be a mess when we were younger and when we grow up he was lazier than ever. Never took care of his things and his room was a total wreck. My best friend Simon was also a total mess at his house, his sister Rebecca always complained about how dirty Simon was. He left everything to his mother and sister. Why was it that the male gender didn't know how to be clean and help around the house?
"What?", I said in unison with Jace. We looked at each other and then turned to look at our parent. It was a moment of understanding between two before unknown children.
"When did you decide this?", Jace asked his father strictly. He sounded angry. Totally acceptable.
"For a while actually, but we didn't want to say anything", Stephen answered as calm as he was before. I couldn't believe they had planned this for a while and not told neither Jace nor me about their plan.
"That's why you sold our apartment", Jace exclaimed annoyed, "I can't believe you didn't say anything before."
He was mad and breathing fast. He was looking at his father with stormy eyes. If looks could hurt…
"I'm sorry, but we thought it would be better to keep it a secret until we both knew what we wanted", Stephen said and took Jocelyn's hand.
I did an unnoticeable twitch, this was not what I expected. I was simply shocked and couldn't find my words. I never knew my father well, he had left us when I was six and that was ten years ago. So much had changed and I never felt like I needed a new father in my life. Stephen seemed like nice and good man, but this wasn't something I was looking forward to. Maybe it's good that I had a father figure in my life. I needed someone strong, even though I had my mother; I simply needed someone with testosterone. I used to have Jonathan, my real brother, not the arrogant Blondie sitting right next to me. Jonathan used to be the only testosterone in the house, but we grew up like siblings. He had the brotherly part in my heart. No one could fill the missing part of a father.
"Clary, darling. What do you think?", my mother asked carefully. She knew I had quite the temper if my mood was blown. But I didn't feel like I had to explode right now.
I said nothing. Just looked at her with no expression, I held a straight poker face. What could I say, nothing would change their minds.
"Jace and I are moving in here until we find a bigger and better apartment", Stephen said after a moment of heavy silence. He tried to smile, but it came out awkwardly.
Jace was about to say something, because he opened his mouth but then closed it, many times. He looked like a confused and angry goldfish. Then he shoot up from his place on the sofa and just walked out of the room. I could hear the door open and he slammed it rather hard and I flinched of the sound. Wow that boy had some temper. I was still quiet, I didn't know what to say.
"I have to go", was all that could come out of my mouth as I went out from the living room and out of the front door. My feet could take me anywhere, but far from the apartment for a while. I was walking down the streets towards Central Park. I did regret I didn't change my dress into something warmer. I was freezing and my jacket I had grabbed wasn't doing anything better. At least I had my mind on place and could put on a pair of warm boots on my feet.
I neared Central Park at last and went to my favourite swings. It was really easy for me to clear my mind when I was here and didn't have my sketchpad near. I didn't swing so fast, because I didn't want to get colder than what I already was. I was playing with a twig with my foot when the swing next to me rattled. Stupid, old swing doing creepy sound, like I'm-about-to-die-in-a-horror-movie-sound. I looked up and frowned. It was someone who actually sat on the swing. Blondie.
"What do you think about their decision?", the boy next to me asked in a monotone voice.
"To be honest, I don't know what to think", I answered honestly. Boy, I have no idea.
Jace smiled to me, it wasn't big but it was something.
"I don't like the idea", he said, "I rather live alone with my father than having girls around. They are only in the way for everything."
"Wow, thank you for not wanting me or my mother", I said sarcastically. In a way, that hurt to hear, not being wanted. He looked at me with no expression.
"So, Shortcake. What's up with all the paintings?" Jace changed subject.
"My mother is an artist, she likes to paint and some of the painting are up as you could see." I acted like I didn't hear him call me Shortcake. Apparently everyone found that funny, to call me names because of my height or hair. I will have my revenge, soon. I smiled evilly to myself. Yes, crazy Clarissa is at it again.
"They are nice to look at I guess, didn't really pay much attention since I saw…" He stopped talking before he finished his sentence.
"Since you saw what?", I asked curiously. Don't leave me hanging like that.
"Nothing, nothing. Forget it", he waved it off. I'll just make him say it some other time. I eyed him from top to toe, simply giving him the Manhattan look. His features was very nice. At least I have eye-candy in the house. Tall, slim and beautiful. He looked warm, compared with me. I was freezing.
"How old are you?", I finally asked.
"Seventeen. I think I'm to old for a twelve year old, Shortcake", Jace said teasingly. Or maybe he was serious.
"I'm not twelve, Blondie. And stop calling me Shortcake", I snapped. He was pushing my temper to the limit. Haven't he heard not to mess with a redhead?
"Wow, haven't heard someone call me Blondie. I only accept the God of Sexiness, hotstuff or something else that describes this sexy look", he pointed to himself. He's so full of himself.
I snorted. "First of all, I'm sixteen and second I'll call you Blondie if I want to."
"So you agree with me being this sexy then?" He smirked.
"I… no… ye… shut up", I finally said. He caught me off guard. What could I say? I couldn't deny him for being sexy.
We sat in silence, neither him nor me saying something. I shivered. It was colder now when the evening was creeping forward in pre-spring New York. I was really freezing now, my teeth rattle out of the coldness I felt. I held my arms tighter around me, but that didn't do much. Jace looked at me.
"Are you cold? We better go", Jace said with concern in his voice. Wow, he could really care if he put his ego behind him. He stood up.
"Y-yes, please", I stutter and rose up from the swing. It wasn't that far to home, but with the numbness I felt in my in my legs it would take a while. I took slowly steps and Jace was standing right next to me.
"I'll come with you", he said. Then he did something I couldn't expect him to do. He put his arms around my shoulders and pulled me closer to himself. He was warmer than I guessed. His hands were up and down my jacket, trying to make me warm and it did work. His closeness was making me blush and that needed energy, with other words heat was producing in my body. He saw my blush and smirked.
"Thanks." I really meant it too. It was a nice gesture he did.
"No problem, Shortcake", he whispered to my ear. His breath warm.
We walked in silence towards my, or soon to be, our apartment. When we reached the front door, he let me go from his embrace. I felt emptiness on the side he filled in. I looked up at the boy who had taken care of me and smiled. He was close to me, his face just a few centimetres from mine. I could just lean in and kiss those perfect lips of his right now. But I manage to control myself and backed away a little. Did I really think that?
"Thank you again, Jace", I whispered. I put my hand on the door handle and pulled it down, opening the door. My mother and Stephan flied to the door, both worried.
"Where have you been?", Stephen asked no one of us in particular.
"Nowhere you could care", Jace snapped. Back to his moody self.
I went in to the apartment, just walked past the three of them who were standing by the front door. Stephen didn't say a word to Jace, instead he put his coat and shoes on.
"I'll see you later, darling", Stephen said to Jocelyn and kissed her gently on the cheek, "goodbye Clarissa."
They went out of the door and I gave Jace one last glance before they went. He had done the same thing, our eyes locked for seconds before he smirked and walked away.
I didn't know what t say about this. Nothing coherent would be shaped in my mind. I would shortly have two males in my girly house. It would be complicated, I thought, but I have to adjust to things. And to Jace, he would be tricky to understand. With his weird mood and sexy looks. Really Clarissa, sexy? He's moving in with you and that what you are thinking about? Shame on you, girl.
My mother was moving in together with Stephen Herondale and they were happy. What could ruin it?
Read & Review. Tell me what you think so far.
Besos!
