Me: Hey everyone. I'm here with Clary, Jace, Alec, Isabelle, and Simon.
Clary: Hey everyone. I'm Clary.
Jace: And I'm Jace, a beautiful golden angel.
Clary: (rolls eyes) Yeah, sure. Whatever you say. Not.
Jace: Hey! It's true.
Alec: You know, I'm with Clary this time. You're so full of yourself.
Isabelle: Agreed.
Simon: Yup. You're outnumbered.
Jace: (gasps) I'm wounded. Why can't you guys just believe me?
Clary: Yeah. We'll just go with what you say. Pfft. Not.
Jace: Well, someone's gotta believe me.
Clary: How about…(pretends to think)….this crowbar. (grabs a crowbar)
Jace: A crowbar? Really? What are you gonna do with it?
Clary: This! (chases Jace around with the crowbar and finally hits him. He gets knocked out) Well, he's taken care of….for now.
Simon: Hit him again!
Clary: No, Simon. I will not. That'll kill him.
Simon: Exactly!
Clary (looks at Simon with a stern glare) Do you want to go to jail? I don't. So no.
Me: Not that this isn't fun, but Clary we do have something to do.
Clary: Oh, right. Sorry. I was momentarily distracted by some people. (Glares at Simon and Jace on the floor knocked out and clears her throat) Squirrelkit doesn't own The Mortal Instruments; it belongs to the best author, Cassandra Clare. Now here's the first chapter.
Jace: Ugh, my head. What happened?
Clary: Uh, Simon hit you with a crowbar.
Simon: WHAT? No I didn't. Clary did.
Clary: Me? Why I'm so little. How I knock him out? (silently tell everyone else to blame Simon with her green gaze)
Isabelle: (catching on) Yeah. It was all Simon.
Alec: (also catching on) Yeah, it was Simon.
Simon: (glares at them) It wasn't me. It was Clary. See, she has the crowbar.
Clary: You put it in my hand to frame lil' old me. (fake sob) You framed me!
Isabelle: (gives Clary a hug while she fake cries) Look what you did, Simon!
Jace: Well, Simon, time for you to get it. (grabs crowbar from Clary and chases Simon with it)
Me: Well, while Jace tries to get Simon, here's the first chapter. (smack) Ooh. That had to hurt.
Chapter 1
Clary wandered around in her orange room as she looked at her blue guitar, her pictures of her family, her brother and his horse, and her and her horse, and her trophies for her award winning horse just as her brother, Jonathon, came in.
"Come on, Clary. We've got to get Lightning and Brownie ready for the competition. I plan on winning the male competition and I know you want to win the female competition."
"Will Father be coming to this one? He's always promised and makes just as we finish. Mother says he will, but he's always working."
"He will. Father is very busy, but you do forget he works with horses, dear sister. Well, prepares at the office, I mean."
Clary sighed. Her Mother, Jocelyn and her Father, Valentine, work with horses, with only one difference: Father prepares the competitions and Mother announces them and helps sets them up; so Mother is always watching her son and daughter. But her Father is always late.
"Come on. Father wants to see us and wish us luck for today; incase he misses it."
"Doesn't he always?"
"Well, you can't blame him. In New York, it wasn't always like it is here in London."
"Jonathon, you were born in New York. I wasn't. I was born here. Though, I have been there. I love London, but I want to see France, City of Lights. I heard it the most romantic place on earth."
"Clarissa, I know you were born here, but that's not the problem right now; Father wants us down there. Like, now."
"Okay. Hold your horses. I'm coming."
"Actually, I only have one horse; as do you."
"Oh, quit being a smart aleck. Let's go."
Clary followed her brother down stairs to the livingroom where her Mother and Father were. They were about to announce their presence when they saw Mother and Father kissing. They jumped back in the shadows.
Clary whacked Jonathon on the side of the head, and hissed, "What the hell, Jonathon! I thought you said Father wanted to see us. I think he just want to snog Mother's face off! Bloody hell!"
"He does. He's just distracted. I mean, Mother is beautiful. With her red hair and green eyes which are captivating. And you look just like her, just younger," Jonathon whispered.
"Oh, and you look like Father! Come on we'd better act like we never saw it and just came down stairs," Clary breathed.
Clary tiptoed upstairs with Jonathon behind her. She told him they were gonna make as much noise as possible to let them know they were coming. Then Clary bounded down the steps, saying loudly, "I sure do hope Brownie and I win today's competition for girls. I know Lightning and you will, but I've been busy with school. And me and you singing at Pandemonium. It been a busy week and- oh! Mother, Father. We didn't see you there."
Clary and Jonathon had just stepped into the livingroom and just seen Mother and Father break apart and face their children.
"That's quite alright, Clarissa. I've just finished up with the preparations for the competition today and set up a…gig, as you say, at Pandemonium tonight. So I'll be there for the competition today. Oh! And you play at the competition after the winning horses get their prizes. I arranged it with the boss."
Clary squealed in excitement and ran into her father's arms. "Oh, thank you, Father. This is the best day ever! I love you."
"As I love you, Clarissa. I would do anything for my beloved family." He let Clary go. "Go get your horses ready, children. I'll call Simon up and tell him."
"Yes, Father." Clary took Jonathon's hand and skipped to the barn house where Brownie and Lightning were. She pulled Brownie out of her pen while Jonathon pulled Lightning out. She grabbed a sponge and a bucket, which she filled with warm water and soap, and started washing Brownie's brown-and-butterscotch fur with white about an inch above her hooves. "I can't believe Father going to watch, Jonathon. It's a dream come true," she said after a while.
"Well, it's sort of a birthday present I think. But nonetheless, he would have done it everyday if he could."
Clary finished cleaning Brownie's fur ten minutes later so that it was clean and shiny. Then she brushed her fur till it was smooth. Then she put Brownie's reins and saddle on, tightening them just enough that it wouldn't unbuckle, but lose enough where Brownie was comfortable.
"Are you ready, Jonathon? Me and Brownie are. I've just got to feed her, get her some snacks, and we're ready to get go to the competition." Clary led her to her pen and let her eat while she got her some carrots and sugar cubes. She turned around to see Brownie backing up; Clary went over and pulled Brownie into the competition-stable-car thing.
"Yeah, just got done." He put Lightening on the other competition-stable-cat thing. "Come on; let's go change into our riding gear."
"And get our guitars."
"Yes, and that. And a change of clothes for Pandemonium."
Clary led the way into the house and upstairs. They went their separate ways as they went into their bedrooms. Clary changed into her faded blue cowgirl pants, shirt, brown vest, brown hat, and brown boots. She packed a blue pants, blue tank top, black boots, and her blue guitar. She brushed her hair into a ponytail, grabbed her stuff and out her bedroom door.
She met Jonathon at the bottom of the stairs with her guitar and change-of-clothes. He was wearing the same thing she was, and brought blue pants, a black shirt and brown boots, and his brown guitar.
"Mother, Father, we're ready."
"Good timing, children. Simon's here."
Just then, Simon came around the corner in black boots, faded jeans and shirt, brown cowboy hat and vest. He hugged Clary without hitting her guitar and said, "Well, let's go. Ready to win again?"
"I don't know if I'll win again, Simon, but I look forward to competing and playing."
"You're playing at the competition?"
Clary nodded. "And Pandemonium. Father made sure of it. He says he can't wait to watch."
"He's coming?"
"Yeah, didn't he tell you?"
"No, he just said to come over; the competition starts in a couple hours."
"Oh, well, now you know. Now come on. We've got to go."
Clary led the way to her mother's car while Jonathon went to father's car. Simon got in the back of her mother's car. Clary put her clothes in first and carefully got in with her guitar in her hand. She laid the guitar on her lap and off they went to the competition in Silver Springs.
Clary got out of the car with her guitar and went around the back to get Brownie. She pulled her to the pen marked "Brownie" and locked in there. "Good girl," Clary said as she gave Brownie a carrot.
She waited for Jonathon by the stage. She saw him leading Lightning to the pens, locking him up, and giving him a treat. He then started walking toward her. When he got there, he asked, "So what song are we singing?"
"Um, I thought 'Rockstar' and 'If Today Was Your Last Day'. What do you think?"
"Sure, you lead and me backup singer?"
"For 'If Today Was Your Last Day' yes. 'Rockstar' no. People will think I'm a lesbian and I'm not. But both of us will sing when it doesn't mention girls okay?"
Jonathon laughed. "Of course. I forgot about that."
Clary rolled her eyes just as Mother announced, "And playing today before the competition, Jonathon and Clarissa Morgenstern."
Clary walked onto the stage with Jonathon behind her. She walked up to a microphone while Jonathon walked up to the other. The crowd was applauding as they came up to the stage.
"Thank you. Today even if some of you lose, you will still be a champion, or as my Father always says, a Rockstar." People laughed in the crowd as they started to play the first few notes of the song. The drummer caught on and began playing.
Jonathon began singing with Clary just behind him.
I'm through with standing in line
To clubs we'll never get in
It's like the bottom of the ninth
And I'm never gonna win
This life hasn't turned out
Quite the way I it to be
(Tell me what you want)
I want a brand new house
On an episode of Cribs
And a bathroom I can play baseball in
And a king size tub for ten plus me
(So what you need?)
I'll need a credit card
That's got no limit
And a big black jet with a
Bedroom in it
Gonna join the mile high
Club
At thirty-seven thousand
Feet
(Been there, done that)
I want a new tour bus filled
Of old guitars
My own star on
Hollywood Boulevard
Somewhere between Cher
And
James Dean is fine for
Me
(So how you gonna do it?)
I'm gonna trade this life
For fortune and fame
I'd even cut my hair
And change my name
'Cause we all just wanna
Be big rockstars
And live in hilltop houses
Driving fifteen cars
Clary stopped singing and played her guitar skillfully, her fingers thrumming the strings.
The girls come easy and the
Drugs come cheap
We'll all stay skinny 'cause
We just won't eat
And we'll hang out at
The coolest bars
In the VIP with
The movie stars
Every good gold digger's
Gonna wind up there
Every playboy bunny with
Her bleach blond hair
Clary started singing the last few lines with her brother again.
Hey, Hey I wanna be a
Rockstar
Hey, Hey I wanna be a
Rockstar
Clary looked out over the crowd, and said, "Thanks, we have just one more song to sing for now." Clary looked at her brother and started thrumming the strings. The drummer began playing and Clary started singing, this time her brother as backup.
My best friend gave me the
Best advice
He said 'Each day
Is a gift and not a given right'
Leave no stone unturned.
Leave your fears behind
And try to take the path
Less traveled by
That first step you take is
The longest stride
(What if, what if)
If today was our last day
And tomorrow was too
Late,
Could you say goodbye to
Yesterday?
Would you live each moment
Like your last?
Leave old pictures in the
Past?
Donate every dime you
Had?
If today was your last day
(If today was your last day)
Against the grain should be
A way of life
What's worth the price is
Always worth the fight
Every second counts 'cause
There's no second try
So live it like you're never
Livin' twice
Don't take the free
Ride in your own life
(What if, what if)
If today was your last day
Clary glanced quickly over at her brother really quick and back at the crowd.
Would call those friends you
Never see?
Reminisce old memories?
Would you forgive your
Enemies?
Would you find that one you're
Dreaming of?
Swear up and down to God
Above
That you'd finally fall in love?
If today was your last day
If today was your last day
Would you make your mark
By mending a broken heart?
You know it's never too late
To shoot for the stars, regardless
Of who you are
So do whatever it takes
'cause you can't rewind a
Moment in this life
Let nothing stand in your
Way
'Cause the hands of time
are never on your side
If today was your last day
Clary stopped playing her guitar and stopped singing as the crowd applauded. Clary and Jonathon bowed and walked off the stage. Clary went to the office where Mother sat and announced, they put their guitars down by her and went to get their horses.
Clary followed Jonathon to his horse, hugged him and whispered, "Good luck, Jonathon."
"Good luck, Clarissa," Jonathon whispered back.
Clary let go and walked over to Brownie, pulled her out and made a practice run before the competition.
While she was practicing, she saw a white horse with a gold mane and tail with a boy on the back with a pale blond boy and golden eyes in faded jeans, black boots, and shirt and hat, and a brown vest.
"Hi, I'm Jace. What's your name?"
"Well, every one calls me Clary, but my name is Clarissa."
"Nice name. What's your horses name?"
"Um, Brownie. Yours?"
"Her name is Angel."
"Ah. Right. Well, nice to meet you, but I have to go now."
"Wait, are you Valentine and Jocelyn's daughter?"
"Yeah."
"So you compete every year?"
"Every month. There's a competition every month."
"Were you born here?"
"Yes, I was. Were you born in America?"
"Yeah, New York to be precise."
"New York. My brother was born there! You two would get along. Well, I have to go. See ya around."
She turned Brownie around and walked over to the female side of the competition. When she heard her name, she clicked her teeth until they were at a trot. The crowd applauded. She pulled the reins and Brownie stopped. She looked at the board and saw what she had to beat. 1 minute and 45 seconds was the time she had to beat? Well, she could do it in less than a minute.
Clary clicked her teeth until Brownie was galloping. Clary steered Brownie this way and that until she crossed back over the line. She looked up and saw her time: 15 seconds. She looked at the course. There were jumps, turns, and finally a place where she had to drop a key with out it hitting the ground. She did it all with success. Clary clicked her teeth twice so she was at a trot and trotted off the arena.
Next was a girl named Isabella Lightwood. She had long dark black hair and charcoal eyes. She was wearing blue jeans, and the rest was pink. Her horse was gray and black. She cleared the course in 25 seconds.
Clary washed Brownie again and brushed her again. She gave her a carrot to munch on and a sugar cube.
Her mother's voice announced, "And the winner for the boys competition is: Jonathon Morgenstern. And the winner for the girls' competition is: Clarissa Morgenstern. Both had 15 seconds and did the course without messing up. Jonathon, Clarissa, I believe you have two things to do."
Clary pulled Brownie with her and met her brother with Lightening, who was a butterscotch and cream horse. They received blue first place ribbons and Mother and Father put their horses away. Clary ran to the office, grabbed their guitars, walked as quickly as she could without damaging them, and handed Jonathon his guitar. They walked up the stage and took their positions again.
"We're going to perform one more song. And here it is. I dedicate this song to my Mother, Father, and my brother, Jonathon." She turned to Jonathon, then looked down at her guitar and began playing.
Hold my hand and fly,
Never say goodbye
Cross the open sky, and
Leave the world behind
I will be your eyes, if you
Stay by my side
Spring and summer, love and
Laughter.
We'll live happy ever
After.
We'll fly higher than we
Thought we'd be
Because you've shown me
How to believe
Tiny shining star.
I know who you are.
You're never very far.
We'll never be apart.
Sparkle in my eyes.
Light the sky tonight.
Spring and summer, love and
Laughter.
We'll live happy ever
After.
We'll fly higher than we
Thought we'd be.
Because you've shown me
How to believe
In me
Clary played the instrumental verses and then started singing again.
Fall, and winter, love and
Laughter.
We'll live happy ever
After.
We'll fly higher than we
Thought we'd be
Because you've shown me
How to believe
Clary played the instrumental verses again and then finished the song.
Hold my hand and fly,
Never say goodbye
Clary thrummed the last note and looked up at the crowd and saw her mother and father crying ears of happiness. She looked at her brother and saw he was crying as well.
Clary: Well. That was just great. What do you guys think?
Me: It was good.
Jace: Eh. I've seen better. What I don't get is, why do I have a girl horse?
Clary: Because in this, you aren't sexist like you normally are. Still arrogant and sarcastic, yes, but not sexist. That's why.
Simon: I think I'd like that. No sexist Jace. I like that idea. Who's with me? (looks around with hand in air)
Alec: Me.
Isabelle: And me.
Clary: And me.
Jonathon: And me.
Clary: Jonathon! (runs up and gives him a hug) Like the story? Mother, Father and us get along.
Jonathon: I love it.
Jace: Ugh. You're here, are you?
Jonathon: Yes.
Clary: (glares at Jace) Jace! He's my brother! Bloody hell, what's the matter with you?
Jace: Um, I don't know. How about he tried to kill me?
Alec: He's got a point there.
Clary: I don't care what point he's got. He need to be nice.
Jace: I don't need to anything.
Clary: I'll make you.
Jace: How?
Clary: This is how. (grabs a metal baseball bat and chases Jace with it while he's screaming)
Jonathon: (laughs) Oh, I love my sister. She's just like her mother, me and her father.
Jace: Alec, help me!
Alec: No way. When Clary's angry, you don't get in her way. I'm not gonna do that. You're on your own, Jace.
Isabelle: Yup. Sorry.
Simon: Yeah, Clary's got some anger issues.
Clary: WHAT? IS THAT WHAT YOU THINK? YOU'LL GET IT SIMON! (stops chasing Jace and starts chasing Simon)
Isabelle: Um, you kinda asked for that.
Jonathon: Yup.
Me: Well, as fun as this has been. It's time to go for now. Clary will you stop? It's time to go.
Clary: NEVER! HE'S GONNA GET IT!
Me: Okay. Well bye for now. I'll update soon. (thump, followed by a smack) Ooh. That had to hurt.