Biting My Lip

Clary: eight.

Sebastian: ten.

"One, two, three."

Then, he uncurls his fingers, revealing a small faerie perched on his palm. It looks afraid, whimpering and shaking a little.

"What's wrong with it?" I ask, scrunching my eyebrows.

"What do you mean? It's perfect."

"It's not smiling," I tell him. "It doesn't look happy."

"But why would you want it to be happy?" He inquires, frowning.

"Wouldn't you want me to be happy?"

He looks at me, not answering my question, his expression unreadable. Then, suddenly breaking the silence, Daddy comes into the room.

"Come on, time to go now," he says.

He's in a handsome suit, looking good as always. I wonder if that's what made Mom fall for him. I hear her crying sometimes at night. Somehow, I know that she cries because of Daddy. I may be young, but I know stuffs. I even know the word, sex.

"We'll be downstairs in a minute, Father," Jonathan says.

He's always been so stiff around Daddy. I don't know why, though. Daddy is the nicest man in the world.

"Alright, hurry, my Angel," he says, kissing me on the forehead.

I giggle, but even Daddy's kiss doesn't chase my anxiousness away. Today is the day Jonathan and I are finally meeting our stepbrother. Daddy adopted him when he was just a baby, but Daddy never introduced him to us yet.

"Jon," I whisper, tugging at my brother's sleeve when Daddy leaves the room. "I don't wanna go."

"I know Clary," he says soothingly, pulling me into his embrace. "But everything will go alright, okay?"

His hugs are always so warm. I love it when he wraps his arms around me when I cry. He makes me feel so safe and protected.

"Jace, this is Clarissa and Jonathan. Kids, this is Jonathan," Daddy says very, very formally.

"Another Jonathan?" I ask. "That's confusing."

"I like to go by Jace," the boy says.

Although I know they aren't really related, Jace kinda looks like Jonathan. Except, his hair is golden.

"Pretty," I say, touching his hair.

He flinches away a little. I guess I'm a little hurt. Jonathan never does that.

"Angel," Daddy says gently. "It's not polite to touch people's hair."

I wait for Jace to say something in my defense, but he doesn't. Huh, maybe he's not as nice as Jonathan.

"Sorry, Daddy," I say quietly.

"Don't apologize to me, apologize to Jace."

"Don't apologize to that asshole," Jonathan says angrily.

Wait, that's a bad word, isn't it?

"Jonathan," Daddy says in a dangerously low voice.

He falls silent instantly. Instead, he glares at our stepbrother who keeps his silence. Fumbling with the hem of my dress, I wait for the awkward moment to pass.

"So," Daddy finally rescues me. "We should probably take Jace home, now. We don't want to be late for dinner, do we?"

I don't know why, but Mom doesn't seem to like Jace very much. I stuff my mouth with the pasta, wondering what makes her dislike him. I share glances with Jonathan. He looks uncomfortable too, just like me.

"I'm finished," Jonathan says, standing up. "Can I go to my room?"

Daddy opens his mouth, but Mom interrupts.

"Sure," she says.

Now that Jonathan's gone, I'm feeling more and more uncomfortable. I stare at Mom like a lost puppy.

"You may be excused too, Clary," she says quietly, so I leave the room.

I go to my brother's room, wanting to be with him.

"Jon?" I ask, walking into the room.

"Hey," he says, sitting on his bed. "Come here."

I sit down beside him, loving the warmth radiating from him.

"So we finally met our stepbrother," I say, picking at my nails.

"He's a rude son of a bitch," he snarls.

"Don't say that. It's a bad word," I scold him. "But do you think that's why Mom doesn't like him?"

"I think Mom just feels uncomfortable with him."

"Why do you think he's rude?"

"He just is. I can see right through him."

"You're so smart, Jon," I say, smiling.

He laughs and messes with my hair.

"Clary?" He says in a hushed whisper.

"Yes?"

"Can I sleep in your room tonight?"

"Why?"

"I just... Want to. Can I?"

"Sure," I tell him. "Is something wrong, Jon?"

"No, everything's fine."

He's lying. I know he is. He looks worried. And scared. And I want to protect him.

I close the door behind me, and head to the bed. Jonathan is already on the bed, patting the spot beside him. Smiling, I lift the cover and lie down beside him.

"I love you, Clary."

"I love you too."

I wrap my arms around him, loving the warmth and love he's giving me. So we fall asleep in each other's arms, inhaling each other's scent, and listening to each other's breaths.

But on the middle of the night, I'm awakened by the sound of my bedroom door opening. Jonathan flinches beside me, but doesn't open his eyes.

"Daddy?" I ask, sitting up and rubbing my eyes.

"Sorry I woke you, Angel. Can I see your brother for a moment?"

"He's sleeping, Daddy."

"I know, Angel. Can you please wake him up? This won't take long."

So I decide to shake him awake, and he opens his eyes eventually. His eyes are full of... Fear?

"Jon, Daddy wants to see you."

He nods, getting out of the bed and walking out of the room with Daddy.

After he leaves, I try to stay up and wait up for him, but my heavy eyelids urge me back to sleep. But not for long. I startle up as I feel someone climbing into my bed.

"Jon," I whisper, reaching out to him.

He grabs my hand and lies down beside me. I close my eyes again with my fingers curled around his, but I sense that something's wrong. Jonathan is shaking. And it sounds like he's... Sobbing?

"Jon?" I ask. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Clary. Go back to sleep."

I turn to face him, but he turns around so I can't see his face. I trail my hands down his spine, feeling his shivers until he flinches.

"Did I hurt you?"

"No," he says, his voice hoarse. "I'm fine."

"No, but just let me see," I say, lifting his shirt up a little.

"Clary, stop," he says, sitting up.

"Jon, tell me what's wrong!" I say, raising my voice.

"Shh!" He says, his eyes wild in the dark.

I run to the switch and turn the light on. Adjusting my eyes to the brightness, I approach Jon carefully. His eyes are red and puffy, and he doesn't stop shivering.

"Jon, take your shirt off."

"Stop it. I'm fine, okay?"

"If you were in a fight with someone, I won't tell Daddy. I promise."

Kneeling down beside him, I slowly and gently lift his shirt up. His hand wrap around mine to stop me, but I continue.

"Trust me," I whisper.

I look at his pale back, and gasp.

"Oh my god, Jon. Who did this to you?"

His back is covered with scars that look like he's been whipped. I feel my tears gathering for him. Why didn't he tell me?

"I can't tell you," he whispers painfully.

"Why not? I swear I'll kill whoever did that."

"You don't want to do that."

"Jon, you need to tell Mom and Daddy."

"No!" He says, cringing.

"Why?"

"They'll be... Upset. You don't want them upset, do you?"

"No... But-"

"No buts, Clary. I'm fine. Go to sleep."

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"I'm fine. Now for heaven's sake, please go back to sleep, Clary."

Since it's Sunday morning, I decide to stay in the bed for a few more minutes. I stare at Jon, who's sleeping so peacefully. He's so beautiful. And warm. I want to be just like him.

Suddenly, the door creaks open, revealing my new step brother behind the door. His golden hair is a little messy, and looks so pretty, but I'm afraid he'll be mad if I touch it.

"Good morning," I say, sitting up.

"Morning."

"What did I do to be honored with the pleasure of your company?" I say, recalling what I read in a book last night.

Jace frowns, making me think that maybe that wasn't what the character actually said.

"I'm hungry. Do you have anything to eat?"

"Why are you asking me?" I whine, rubbing my eyes. "Go to Mom. She'll fix something for you."

"She's talking to Father. I think they're fighting."

"Then have cereals."

"Where is it?"

"The kitchen, duh," I say, slightly getting annoyed.

"Help me?"

Sighing, I get off the bed and walk into the kitchen with Jace.

"There," I say, taking out a box of cereals. "Eat."

"Aren't you going to eat with me?"

"I don't really feel like it. I'm gonna go outside," I say.

Then, I go back to my room and get my sketchpad, careful not to wake Jonathan. So with my sketchpad, I head outside and start climbing my favorite tree.

"I bet I can climb faster than that."

The sudden interruption makes me fall, and I land on my butt.

"Ow," I complain, scowling at my step brother.

He just shrugs nonchalantly, crossing his arms.

"I thought you were going to have breakfast. I wanted to know what you're doing."

I squint my eyes and cock my head for a second, quickly replaying what he said before.

"You can't go faster than me. I'm even faster than Jon at climbing."

It is true. I'm much lighter and smaller.

"Wanna race?"

Smiling, I slouch against the tree. No one has ever, I repeat, ever beaten me at climbing. My body is perfect for climbing.

"Okay," I say confidently. "The loser has to do whatever the winner says for the rest of the day."

"Deal," he smirks. "I'll start at the opposite side."

He goes around the tree, and I can see a bit of him between the branches.

"Three, two, one, go!" I yell, and start climbing as fast as I can.

I feel adrenaline pumping through my veins as I push myself up, and finally arriving on the top of the tree.

"I won!" I exclaim, not even bothering to look for him.

"Nah, I was here before you."

That's when I look at Jace, sitting down on a branch in front of me.

"What..." I murmur, my face reddening.

"Rest of the day, eh?"

"But how did you do that? I'm so much lighter and smaller than you!"

"Here, I'll show you."

Then, he stands up, and brace himself to... Fall down? Suddenly, he's down on the ground.

"What happened?" I ask, frowning.

Then, before I can say anything else, he's beside me.

"How did you do that?" I ask, mesmerized.

"It's one of my abilities. Here," he hands me my sketchpad.

Oh, I left it on the ground, I guess.

"Thank you," I say, retrieving it.

"Draw something," he says.

"You don't get to tell me what to do."

"Yes, I do. Remember our deal?"

Ah... So I sit down on a branch, open my sketchpad, and start drawing him.

"What are you going to draw?" He asks, leaning into look at it, but I push him away.

"I'll show you when I finish."

I draw his golden hair just the way it looks, though it's kinda hard. And his face that reminds me of Jonathan's, but slightly different in a weird way. To make him confused, I pretend to concentrate on other things to.

"You're killing me here," he whines, but I don't give him the satisfaction.

"Just a little more, and I'm done."

I almost laugh at his curious face as I finish up. I put the pencil away and show him the drawing.

"What do you think?" I ask.

"Wow... It's me, isn't it?"

I nod proudly.

"It's really good..."

Then, shaking his head, he gives me the sketchpad back.

"We should go down now."

"Oh, okay," I say, a little disappointed.

Just before I can drop the sketchpad on the ground, a familiar voice interrupts.

"Clary? What are you doing with... Him?"

I look at Jonathan, and I can see hurt in his eyes. Why? Did someone whip him again?

"I was just drawing him. Do you want to see?"

He clenches his teeth and picks up the sketchpad from the ground. But he doesn't open it to look at it. He only motions at me to climb down.

"Alright. Come on, Jace. I'm hungry."

"Hey, you can climb onto my back, and I'll jump down."

I think about it for a moment.

"Fine. But it better be fun."

So I climb onto his back, clinging onto him tightly. I look down me, and begin to suddenly doubt him.

"Are you sure you can do this?" I ask.

But Jonathan interrupts before he can answer.

"Clary, what are you doing?"

"Jace can fly!" I tell him.

"I can't fly..." Jace says.

"Well, it's close enough. But don't you dare drop me."

"Clary, no. Stop being foolish and climb down," Jonathan says.

"It's okay, I can handle this," Jace says.

"Yes, he can. I saw him doing it!" I say.

Then, before Jonathan can say a word, Jace jumps with a whoosh. I let out a small shriek involuntarily, but find myself placed nicely on the ground.

"Wow! Let's do it again!" I exclaim, giggling.

"No, you're not going to," says Jonathan, pulling me down from Jace and onto his shoulder.

I yelp, clinging onto Jonathan this time.

"But, Jon-"

"Nope. We're going home now."

"I can walk, you know."

But he doesn't put me down, and starts walking with Jace following us.

Okay, so that was the first chapter! Yay...? Tell me what you thought, and I hope you enjoyed. :)