Clary's POV

"You are not my father." I growl. "You never will be."

I stand up as straight as I can, hardly tolerating the fierce pain that heats my body. I pant lightly, glaring at the man who stood before me. Valentine. He stared blankly at me for a moment, before his hand whipped across my face.

A shaky breath escapes from my mouth. Only a slap.

"Clarissa," he said, stroking my cheek. He grasped my chin tightly, forcing me to look at him. "I am your father. We are of the same blood. You have the qualities of myself; charming, unbelievably intelligent, stubborn, murderous." He whispered the last word.

"No." I shake my head. "No! I am not like you."

An evil glint appears in his eyes."No? Well, if you insist on not being related, my dear Clarissa..."

Valentine stalks towards me, and it takes my all to not be sick. A sickening pain form in my head, and I fall to the ground.

"Later, Clarissa, you will be mine. "

.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.

I wake up gasping, my sheets tangled around my body. The surface beneath me is hard, and I realize I've fallen from my bed.

"Jon!" I call out, knowing he's awake. I call him again, panicking. I can't get out of these blankets, and I feel as if I'm suffocating. Oh no. I breathe hard, black dots speckling my vision. My brother appears and untangled me, and I run to the open window.

"You okay, Clary?" He comes and stands next to me. I nod. "It's 6:30. I was about to wake you up anyway. We need to be at school early today."

I smile a bit. "Yeah. New kids, right? Three of 'em." I shake my head and laugh. "Remember the last time we got new students?"

Our school, Wayland High, is only small, so new students are a big deal. They are watched constantly, and always whispered about. The last time we had new students was a year ago, and the people at our school had only just stopped talking about them a few months ago.

Jon grins at me, walking to the door. "Alright. We're leaving in about half an hour, 'cos I want to get coffee. You can get something too, my treat."

He leaves my room and I smile, thinking about how lucky I was to have Jon as my brother. I head over to my drawers and pick out my clothes for the day; a dark green thick-strapped singlet, dark blue jeans, my favourite jacket and my lace up combat boots.

It doesn't take long to get ready, since I don't wear makeup, and I shove my keys and wallet into my back pocket.

"Jon, let's leave already!" I yell. "We're taking my car, and I'm driving, asshole!"

I hear him curse and I grin, slipping out the door and into my car, a classic mustang. My family is pretty well off, so I have two cars and motercycles; one of which I built myself. One of my bikes and cars is for racing only, though.

In a minute or two, Jon climbs into the car and I shoot of, reaching our favourite Café in a matter of minutes.

"What would you like, Clary?" he asks.

"Two pancakes with whipped cream and a hot chocolate with three sugars, please."

"Jeez, Clary, what happened to fruit?"

I roll my eyes. "Jon, I eat healthy, I'm allowed to eat pancakes."

He leaves and I text my mother while I wait in the car. My mother had a huge gallery opening in Florida and Luke, my mother's husband, has gone with her, closing the bookstore for a few days.

The smell of food makes me look up, and I eat and drive at the same time.

Jon shakes his head at me. "I seriously don't know how you can do that."

I smirk. "Jon, if you have forgotten, driving is kind of my forté. Now, let's go meet these poor, poor souls."

Together we make our way to our principals office.

"Ah. Hello, Jon, Clary. These three are Isabelle and Alec Lightwood, and Jace Herondale."

I look up to see the most beautiful people I have ever seen. Isabelle has long black hair, like spilled ink, and eyes like charcoal. She's gorgeous. It doesn't take much to realize that Alec is the one with black hair also, except his eyes are a striking blue. Jace. I look at him and blink. He's beautiful. With golden blonde hair and eyes only a shade darker.

"Isabelle, Alec, Jace, this is Jonathon and Clarissa Morgernstern. "

I tense."Jon and Clary Fairchild." I correct him. Jon glances at me, nudging my shoulder.

"Sorry, yes. Jon and Clary Fairchild. Jon is the school captain and Clary is the head of the student council and art club. "

Everyone looked at me, and I felt myself turning as red as my hair. "Thank you, Mr Penhallow. Come on, we'll give you a tour."

They followed us out of the office, and Jon and I whispered to each other for a second

"Are you alright, Clare bear? " He whispered to me, concerned.

"I'm fine." I reassured my brother .

"So, are you guys from Brooklyn?" Jon asked the trio of new students.

They looked at each other before Jace answered. "Yeah. We've been home schooled most of our lives, though."

I looked up at him, curious. "What's that like?"

"Really boring. " Isabelle answered. She was tall, and I once again cursed myself for being so short. "What's this school like?" She asks.

Jon and I look to each other. He shrugs.

"Well, most of the students are really nice, and despite being only a small school, we still have chess, sports, reading, art, debating and music clubs. The teachers are great, too, though if you get on their bad side, it's your bad luck. "

Alec looks at me, talking for the first time."Track?"

Jon smiles. "Best in the tri-state."

Jace walks beside me, his hands in his pockets. "So, what about you, Ms Fairchild?"

"Me?" I blink. "Oh. Um, I love art, as well as reading. I'm head of art, student council and languages. Jon's on the debate team, and Aline's the captain. I'm a mostly straight A student, and my best friends name is Simon."

His gold eyes sparkle as we walk down the corridor, myself and Jon pointing out the classrooms. "Well, since you asked," Jace finally grins, "I'm into music. And reading. What type of art do you do?"

I blush under his intense stare, glancing at Jon. He's talking to Isabelle and Alec, but watching me curiously. "Mainly painting. Portraits, landscapes, whatever. But, I also draw, and use a few different mediums. If you chose someone, I could probably draw them for you."

I touch my bag, which holds my pencils and art diary. A golden lock has fallen over his forehead and he pushes it back. "Of course. How about... Alec?"

I turn around and squint my eyes at the beautiful boy. Despite his beauty, he looked serious, but I was willing to bet that around the right person, he'd shine like a star. I ponder the challenge as we walk in silence for the next few minutes.

"Okay. Serious, or not?"

His response is immediate. "Both. If you can." A cheeky smile graced his lips.

I look around, trying to picture the sketch, and see that my brother and Jace's siblings have gone. "Of course I can. I have a spare now, and you have..."

A goofy smile graces his lips. "Spare."

We continue to walk until we reach an empty lass room, and I pull him in. "Here. I usually hang out in here. It's not so much of a classroom, though."

It was the language room. Photos covered an entire wall, from all different countries. Comfy sofas were positioned randomly along the outside of the class, and a few coffee tables were on a rug in the center of the room.

Jace moved to the photo wall, his eyes bright, while I sat on the floor against a wall, pulling out my equipment.

"This is amazing!" He turned to be, pointing at the pictures. "You're only in a few photos."

My gaze flickers to him, and I fold my legs over each other tightly. "I don't really like to be in photos. I've been in all of those countries, though."

The golden-eyed beauty walks and takes a seat next to me, his warm body heating mine. We're quiet as I sketch, and Jace hums. It's quite a pleasant sound; deep and calming. We sit like that for maybe twenty or so minutes.

"How long have you been living with them?" I ask Jace as I draw. "The Lightwoods, I mean."

"Eight years. They're a wonderful family. I love them." I can tell. The way he talks about them, with such love and compassion... It's not difficult to see that he loves them. "What about you? Tell me about your family."

I stiffen, my pencil stilling. "I live with a very close family friend and Jon. My mom isn't home too much, she has to work a lot."

Jace asks another question." I heard you have another brother?"

"I don't speak or see him, " I put my pencil down. "Or my father."

The pictures are done. I hand the new boy my sketch book.

"Wow." Jace's intake of breath. "These are... They're beautiful."

"Keep them. I drew them for you, anyway." I stand up. I take a deep breath. Being that close... I didn't like it.

I don't know how I could have forgotten, but as soon as I felt the cool air on my lower back, I froze. I hear a gasp and close my eyes tightly.

"How'd you do that?" His voice is trembling, his attempts at being casual failing.

I force myself to walk. "Fell from a tree. Can you pass me my jacket? Thanks." I tie my green jacket around my waist, hiding the ugly scars. "I need to go. I'm supposed to be meeting with my art teacher." I avoid his eyes. "I'll see you around."

I rush out of the room, leaving Jace. I think I've managed to get away when a firm, strong hand grips my arm. I gasp and turn away, hitting the wall. Jace is in front of me and the distance between myself and him is less than two inches, and my back is flat against the cold wall.

"Why did you leave like that?" His breath fans my face. Minty. My eyes shut tightly, and I stop breathing. Dizziness rushes over me, and my heart beats faster. Black specks dot my vision.

"Let me go." I whimper. "Please, let me go."

Jace stops talking. "Clary? What-"

His body gets close to mine and my eyes fly open. I'm frantic. "Get off of me! Let me go!"

He backs away immediately, his face confused and ashamed. Without a word, I rush away, finding my car with some difficulty. Once I'm in, an uncontrollable sob jolts my body forward. My hand reaches for my phone and dials a number, and a familiar voice greets me.

"Clary?" Magnus sounds slightly concerned. "Is everything okay?" I sob harder at his concern, unable to speak. "Clary, I'm coming to get you. Are you at school?"

I make a weird noise, a confirmation.

"Okay," his voice is soothing. "Stay there and don't drive, okay, biscuit? I'm on my way."

He hangs up and I drop my phone, clutching at my head. Their faces won't leave me alone. I try to keep my eyes open, but with the tears, it's nearly impossible and I'm haunted by faces.

I don't know how long I sit there, my body rocking as I sob, but I don't even hear the car door open.

Hands encircle me and I go to scream. "Clary. Clary it's Magnus. Come on, sweetie, let's get you home."

He carries me to his car, laying me in the back seat. My sobs quiet down enough for him to speak. "Do you want Jon?" I don't answer. "That's okay. Let's just go lay down and watch a movie."

Five minute minutes later I've stopped crying and Magnus is running me a bath. When the waters warm I hop in, and the man who means so much to me washes my hair.

People would think that I should be embarrassed. But it's the opposite-calming. Magnus hums softly as he finishes, dropping a kiss on my forehead.

"I'm going to go get set up. Okay?"

He leaves and I get changed into pajamas, finding Magnus in my bed with chocolate and the TV remote.

I position myself on his lap as I lay down, resting my head on his chest. Soon, after the chocolate and a funny movie, I fall asleep.

_ःःःःःःःःःःःःःःःःःःःःःःःःःःःःःःःःःःःःःःःःःःःःःःः_

Jon's POV

Finally, lunch had arrived. I entered the cafeteria and sat at a table, grateful to be alone. I pick up my phone, about to check my messages, when a timid voice speaks up.

"Can I sit here?" I look up to see Alec, the new boy. My eyebrows raise.

"Sure. Take a seat." I put my phone down, and suddenly his sister shows up, along with Jace.

"Alec!" She says. She turns to me, her face slightly red. "Sorry. Can we sit here?" This time I nod, and they sit down.

The golden boy looks like something is bothering him. "What's up, Blondie?"

He glances at me. "Your sister. She sorta freaked out on me today. Haven't you spoken to her?"

My body goes stiff. "What happened."

"We were in the language room, and she was drawing Alec for me. We were just talking and I asked her about your family. You know, a usual topic of conversation. She stood up, and I saw some scars on her back. She left, so I went to talk to her. I grabbed her arm, not too hard. I spoke to her, and she totally freaked."

Mortified, I unlock my phone to see a text from Magnus.

Call me.

"Excuse me." I mumbled, walking outside to talk to my friend. "Magnus?" I ask as soon as he answers.

"Jon? Oh, great. She's asleep. She called me from the parking lot... It was bad, Jon."

I sit on a nearby table. "How bad?"

Magnjs sighs."Really bad. She was just about to pull her hair out, that's how hard she had gripped it. She was sobbing, saying she hated herself. I don't even think she realized what she was doing. She was going to try and drive. She scratched herself pretty bad. On the way home, she calmed down."

"Do you want me to come home?" My throat was tight. I only had one class left, and I could miss it if I had to.

"No. She's asleep, and you need to get to-" A loud scream came from his end. I could hear him running, and I panicked. "Come home. Jesus, Jon, get here quick."

He ended the call and I got up, rushing to get home. My baby sister needed me, and I had to be there for her. As I rushed through the cafeteria, Jace, Isabelle and Alec caught up.

"Is she okay?" Isabelle asked me.

I shake my head. "No. I'm going home. I'm sorry your first day had to go like this."

"What's wrong with her?" Alec spoke.

"Listen, it's not my place to say. Clary needs me, and I'm going to be there for her."

"I'm sorry." Jack's voiced cracked a little. "I really didn't mean to hurt her. I'm sorry."

I shake my head again as we reach Clary's car. I pull out the spare set of keys from my pocket, unlocking the door. "I'll see you soon."

I speed off, and as soon as I arrive at my house I'm in the door. It's been less than 4 minutes since I got off the phone with Magnus, and my little sister sits on his lap, arms around his neck as she sobs. The sight brings tears to my eyes.

I stride forward and she turns around. My arms open for her immediately, and she doesn't hesitate to hug me back. I tighten my arms around her.

I look up and close my eyes, a tear escaping. I clear my throat.

"Come on, Clary. Let's get you to bed." It was the wrong thing to say.

She pushes herself back. "No! No! I don't want to go to sleep! Jon, don't make me go to sleep, please!"

"Shh. You don't have to sleep." I turn into her room and place her on her bed. "I'm not going to make you."

As soon as she lets go of me, she curls into a ball and cries. I sit next to her, stroking her vibrant red hair.

"I hate it." She sobs. "I hate myself. I hate me."

I look at her. She has raked her nails down her arms and legs, and has blood on her face and her scalp.

"I love you." My sister cries harder and I hold her to me tightly. An hour goes past and she's quiet.

We sit in silence. "I'm sorry."

I glance at her. Clary is looking down at her lap, hands tangled with each other.

"There's nothing to be sorry for. Now, how about we get up and go get dinner?" I clap my hands and Clary looks at me weirdly.

"It's 4:30 in the afternoon, Jon." Her tone is dry, and I grin. She's back to herself.

"And? "

She sighs. "Only if it's Taki's."

I give her a kiss on her cheek. "Perfect. Get dressed. Be ready in five. Magnus can drive."

I exit her room and go into the kitchen, seeing Magnus at the counter.

"Thank you." I say, grateful. He looks tired, bags under his eyes, his eyes opened wide. He sends me a small smile.

Clary skids into the kitchen, her shoes in hand. "Mags. You coming to Taki's?" She forces a smile on her face as she hops, trying to put on her sneakers.

"You know," Magnus speaks. "It's easier if you actually untie the shoelaces." Clary looks at him, and her smile disappears. She takes three large steps forward and wraps her arms around his torso.

Magnus pushes his dark blue hair back, the rings on his fingers sparkling. "I love you, biscuit. Now, let me go get all glamoured up. And brush that hair!"

He lifts a piece of my sisters curly red hair, making her giggle. It's a precious sound. She releases him, smiling as he leaves.

"We don't deserve him, you know." I turn my gaze to her. She's leaning against the marble bench, focusing on some place on the floor. Shaking her head, she looks up.

"I spoke to the Lightwoods and Jace at lunch."

Her eyes narrow. "Oh?"

I take a step towards her, and she sighs. "He didn't mean to, Jon. It wasn't his fault. You know me. Normally it wouldn't have bothered me."

"Exactly." I say sharply. "What. Did. He. Do?"

Clary laughs at me. Laughs!

"You worry too much. I had a bad dream. I was jumpy. He saw a bit of my back and I kind of freaked. I was leaving and we ended up in close proximity. I just panicked. You worry too much." She murmured again.

Can she blame me? She went through things nobody should have to go through, and she expects me not to worry when she has a minor mental breakdown?

Before I could say anything, Magnus appears. Bits of glitter make his hair twinkle, and his lips are painted to match his hair. Black makeup, eyeliner, I think it's called, surrounds his bright eyes.

With a wave of his hand, he drops to one knee before Clary, holding out his hand.

"Let's go."