Chapter 1

So this is my new story guys, I got the idea for it at midnight last night, wrote down the entire plot and decided to write it. Which is why I'm a little screwy in the head right now because of lack of sleep, and this may or may not be coherent.

Also, please read my other fanfictions. If you already read my other fanfictions, I'll finish Gifts and Curses by this weekend and lift the hiatus on Lose Yourself and my Maximum Ride fanfiction. Possibly. I'm sorry, I'm a little disorganized.

Anyways, enjoy!

Clary

The night air was frigid, my breath clouded in the air. My teen chattered as the October wind wrapped its cold arms around me as I stumbled down the dark streets of Queens at night. In hindsight, I could have taken a taxi to avoid walking home in heels but I thought I needed air after Charles. I just completely forgot about the weather. A breeze fluttered the hem of my knee-length white sundress. I'd paired it with a sharp leather jacket today but it didn't do much. In fact, the leather got cold first and now I was in a cocoon of ice. I let my hair down around my ears and pulled the collar around my neck tighter.

I fumbled with the keys and let myself into the apartment. I lived in a ratty old place on the tenth floor that I shared with my best friend Maia. It was a shabby flat that was too cold in the winter and leaked water whenever the person above us showered- which was fortunately for us not often but unfortunate for whoever lived there. The carpet was faded from a once rich red to a gray-brown and had holes in the fabric to reveal stained cold concrete underneath. The cracks in the cream-colored walls were hidden by several tapestries Maia found in a flea market for $10 each and she was convinced it gave the place a more upper class feel. I personally thought it was just two gruesome depictions of people getting beheaded and crudely stitched mystical creatures. I didn't see the appeal to put it lightly.

The only things of actual worth in the apartment were a Prohibition-aged chandelier and an intricately carved mahogany dresser, both left by the previous owner. The chandelier hung precariously in the kitchen and when she insisted on throwing a party in our place, it would swing so much it scared me. The mahogany dresser was fought over bitterly by Maia and I and we ended up compromising after we almost broke it. They were antiques and I probably could have sold them long ago but they were pretty to look at.

Besides those things, there wasn't much else in the apartment except for a table, chairs, TV, cooking apparatuses and two beds. I never really invested in home improvement since Maia's parties often got out of control and things broke easily. I really probably should have. We could afford it.

The thing is I've never really seen this place as a home. More like a temporary living situation. I didn't really feel attached to this place sentimentally. Maia and I moved a lot due to many reasons varying from breakups to landlords doing whatever and we never really stayed in one place. We've been here only a year though that was the longest we've ever stayed in one place together.

When I walked in, I found Maia sprawled on the couch watching Narnia on the small plasma TV. She had a pile of tissues around her and was curled over a bowl of chips that made me realize that she just got back from another bad date with her on again off again boyfriend Jordan. I'm guessing they're off again.

"Oh hey, Clare," she tried to chirp cheerily but it came out as a mournful sigh. She sniffled and reached for another tissue, blowing loudly.

"Jordan, again?" I asked, taking the chips away from her. She always did this. Whenever she was upset, she ate everything in the house and then got upset that she gained weight, which made her go on a strict diet and exercise phase that made me upset.

She nodded miserably and I sighed, going over to hug her. She leaned onto my shoulder as I wrapped my arms around her, stroking her hair softly. I felt Maia's tears staining my favorite outing dress.

"So how was it?" she asked as I adjusted the position slightly so her cheekbones didn't bruise my shoulder blade. She had sharp cheekbones.

"Oh it was okay," I tried to steer the topic away. Maia was older than me by two years, and took me in when my parents died, but somehow I felt like I was more of a motherly figure to her. And because of that, I never liked telling her about my dates.

"What did he give you?" she smiled eagerly, momentarily forgetting about Jordan.

I rolled my eyes and dug out the Tiffany's box from my purse. It was my third and last date with Charles and he gave me it as a parting gift.

I opened the box and showed her the shimmering diamond tennis bracelet offset by navy velvet and she squealed. "Oh my god!" she gasped, "That's beautiful. That's going to pay rent next month."

Because that's what I do. I'm a compensated dater, a sugar baby, professional mistress, whatever you wanted to call me. I go out with a guy, he pays me, I get to feed Maia and I. Simple as that. I'm not a prostitute. I would still be on the streets or at Maia's trailer park if I didn't. I also had a job waitressing but it didn't pay half as much and we didn't get nice things.

I don't keep most of the gifts except for clothes. I know most sugar babies do- the ones I've talked to anyways-. They date for the stuff. I date so I don't go hungry. The stuff is a bonus.

It's what I do.

It's what I've always done.

Go ahead, judge me. But I'm surviving.

I tighten my pony tail and adjust my navy apron before I leave the kitchen. Working at Taki's was my second job and when I introduce myself to people who aren't paying for my time, I say it's my only job. It was a steady income unlike the uncertainty of being paid with my other job.

I liked working at Taki's. It paid a little more than minimum wage but collecting tips made me about $40-60 a day. The food was nice and Pam the chef always fed us after our shifts. We were like one big family.

"Hey, Clary!" Larry said to me as I passed him as he headed back to the kitchen, "Get table 5!"

I nodded to him and put on my most winning smile, the one that charmed Brian Hiller into paying for me and Maia to take a trip to Florida during spring break.

There was a blonde-haired man sitting there casually in the booth, his feet kicked up on the opposite chair and leaning back leisurely. I was suddenly- and foolishly- glad I decided to wear Cherry Essence Red lipstick today. He was very attractive.

"What can I get you today, sir?" I asked brightly.

"How about your number?" he winked slyly, putting his feet down and leaning forward mischievously.

I ignored him. Relationships are useless, no matter how attractive he is. He had a golden-tan complexion with tawny eyes and blonde hair. His smirk screamed dangerous and I inwardly snorted. "Sorry, but no, can I get you anything else?" I pressed.

"You in my bed sounds nice," he continued and I put the notepad down. I leaned down over him and smiled slowly, half-closing my eyes.

"Hmmm," I murmured thoughtfully. I was short enough that I didn't have to bend so my lips were centimeters from his. I licked my lips and his eyes grew dark. I let out a throaty giggle and then stand up quickly, "No. Now are you going to order or not?"

His cocky smile dropped but only for a second. His eyes flicked towards my chest for a moment before looking back at me. "Clary," he grinned, leaning back again, and I realized he was just reading my name tag, "I'll have eggs and bacon and black coffee."

As I was walking back to get his order he said, "My name's Jace by the way. You'll be screaming it later."

I flushed as Larry winked at me.