CHAPTER 1

It had been a long night. I had reached the sanctuary of my room on the top floor of the institute at approximately 12:15 am. To say I was exhausted was an understatement. I showered before climbing into bed with my laptop and a stack of mounting bills from the institute. Things were becoming desperate since Madame Dorethea passed 8 months ago, naming me head of the institute, a small orphanage housing 9 children under 16. I had help from my only friends and fellow carers of the children Alec, Simon and Izzy. We all shared a house together before my return to the institute when Dorethea suddenly passed from a heart attack. It was evident that I couldn't do it alone so when the lease on the house expired it made sense for them all to follow. Whilst I ran the institute the others assisted with the day to day routine. We all have jobs outside the institute so organisation is a must in our lives. It also means that there is never enough hours to the day, we are all usually running on empty.

Today had been no exception I had an early class at NQ University this morning, before my shift began at the bar early afternoon. The bar was also Madam Dorethea's, she had me manage it as soon as I came of age. She kept the bar so that the orphans would have a place of employment as soon as they were too old to be taken care of by the system. It had 4 apartments above it, which would be rented to them until they got on their feet enough to tackle the big bad world all on their own. The profit from the bar would assist the institute that had been struggling for years with regular donations. In spite of the generous donation of $3300 that the bar was able to spare this month, partly thanks to me forfeiting a pay check, I am still sitting in bed right now $732 short for the monthly budget. It's been steadily becoming more difficult with the mounting medical bills of one of our children Tessa, a sweet 15 year old girl who was had chronic health problems. This couldn't be happening, the department were breathing down my neck, if I couldn't pull this off they would shut us down and all the kids would fade into the foster system.

My head was beginning to pound from the stress of recalculating the figures for the 3rd time since I came to bed. The clock read 2:17am I wasn't ready for the nightmares to claim me yet I reached for my sweet sounding acoustic guitar and began to softy release my stressful day from my fingertips playing quietly so I didn't disturb the rest of the household.

When the clock read almost 4am my body was fighting to stay awake so I placed my guitar to the side and snuggled down under the covers hoping that the nightmares would not be severe tonight so the house would not be awoken by my cries. I drifted in and out of a fitful sleep until almost lunchtime. When I awoke panicked that my 5:30am alarm had failed me until I remembered that it was my 1st and only day off from the institute, NQ and the bar for the month. By now all the children would be at school, Alec and Simon would be at the Bar and Izzy would be at our band space leading dance classes until the close of school when she would be back to greet and watch the children. Satisfied that I would be alone I docked my IPod and began creating a play list to listen to in the shower.

I turned on the shower and climbed in pulling my fiery red hair from a loose bun on top of my head. I welcomed the hot spray from the shower head washing my nightmares from me. Tilting my face towards the rushing scalding water. I welcomed the sting to remind me that I still can feel something, that I am alive, I survived.

I was ripped from my thoughts and screeched in surprise when the water suddenly turned to ice. Covered in soap I hurried to turn off the water. Roaring in frustration I ripped the towel from the rail near the door wrapping it around my short and petite body. Safe in the knowledge that I was alone in the institute, I noisily made my way through the institute then the back door towards the gas bottles cursing like a sailor, hoping Izzy used all the hot water this morning and that the shower hadn't ran cold because I was unable to make the gas bill this month. Suddenly aware I was outside in a bath towel I began to quickly make my way to the gas bottles, not even thinking about the small detail that I had no idea how to check the bottles had gas. I looked at them quizzically trying to assess how I might work this out when I heard a quiet growl from somewhere close by. I was suddenly frozen. Panic was beginning to take over as I fought myself to stay calm and not let a flashback claim me. I turned slowly towards the growl that was beginning to sound closer every frantic race my heart made. Squeezing my eyes shut and hoping it was a flashback or my imagination running away with my thoughts. I heard a light chuckle come from the direction of the growling that was still yet to cease.

"I thought it would be standard to wear more than a towel when you break into someone's place?"

My eyes snapped open and I spun towards the unfamiliar male voice to quickly to keep my balance. In my attempt to stay on my feet, all thoughts of the fact that I was in a towel escaping me. I stumbled to remain standing as I gripped the wall with both hands. Letting a yelp of surprise as I was greeted by a strange dog barking at me.

"So I'm guessing that you're Clary?" the stranger asked, snapping my thoughts back to the fact that the dog was not alone. He looked at me with a smirk on his face that spelled amusement and appreciation.

"Who are you?" I snapped not realising that the towel had now fallen from my body.

His eyes widened then suddenly fell to the dog in front of me, now playing with the towel that was shielding my naked body from the stranger before me.

'Church! Drop it!' he demanded forcefully. Slowly approaching the dog so not to spook him.

I suddenly became aware that I was completely naked and exposed, accept a few bubbles that still stuck to one of my legs and neck. I rushed to cover my body with my arms and hands, bringing my leg up in effort to further shield me. I was struggling to hold my balance on one leg as the stranger slowly moved towards the dog.

I began to curse loudly, mortified by the situation, effectively spooking the dog into running away with my towel between its teeth.

I screeched in horror knowing that I was now in the backyard naked in front of a stranger who somehow knew my name. Please don't see my scars I screamedin my mind.

"Who are you?" I sheepishly asked again.

"Um… I'm Izzy and Alecs brother Jace" he replied raking his eyes up and down my body.

"Turn… turn around" I screamed feeling my body flush with embarrassment. SHIT! I can't believe that I forgot that he was coming today.

He did as I asked and faced his body away from me with a hand covering his eyes.

"What are you doing out here like that?"

"I…I…. I was in the shower when the hot water ran out and I was coming to check the gas"

"How about I quickly check it then smuggle you back inside? the others will be back with lunch soon, then we will start over, ok?

"Please do it quickly" I begged, allowing the smirk to take over my face at his offer of a do over.

He backed up to the gas bottles. I spun around so I was shadowing his back attempting to save my dignity. He chuckled softly as I grabbed onto his sides, He then proceeded to knock on them both a few times. Hearing a hollow eco following his knocking.

"Drained" he announced "completely empty"

"Fucking hell" I yelled out in frustration. I then heard another soft chuckle come from Jace.

"So, I guess we better get inside" he began to walk slowly towards the institute door scanning around for something. "Sorry about the towel, Church was always ripping them off the clothes line at mums. Id offer you my shirt but…well"

I was pressed up to his back to cover myself, I suddenly became aware of the fact that he was in fact shirtless. I stiffened, my grip tightened at the realisation that I was now pressed up naked against my new housemate that I met under mortifying circumstances less than 3 minutes ago and he was shirtless!

"Holy fuck" I let slip, hearing the chuckle that was now becoming familiar. I took a deep breath and squeezed my eyes shut. "Faster please.. Top floor" I squeaked. Still pressed against him we began an awkward stagger through the back door. We were almost at the staircase when the front door flew open. It was followed by gasps of surprise.

"Wow!.. what the?" Alec exclaimed before smirking at my reddened face and Jace's look of horror.

"I was just helping her" Jace announced with a slight squeak to his voice obviously as horrified as I was.

"Sure Jace, we can't leave you alone anywhere!" Izzy scolded.

"ohmygod he's telling the truth, Jace back up the stairs" he began to back up the stairs with me pressed even tighter to his bare back. Izzy, Simon and Alec looking on more than amused, cracking up laughing at my red face, I then proceeded to press it between Jace's shoulder blades. Jace reached around and held my waist as we continued to stumble as graciously as possible up the stair case. I dragged him back in the direction of my room gently releasing him as I backed behind my door.

"You can turn now" I stated once I was safely behind the door with my head peeking out to look at him. He was strikingly attractive. Standing almost 6 foot with tan, toned skin. Now that I was really looking at him I noticed scars, and tattoos covering his torso and shoulders, blond waves of hair just reaching the tops of them. He was beautiful. Realising I was staring I cleared my throat to bring myself back to the moment. "Thanks for the help' I said sincerely. "As memorable as this was, I wish I could say that it was nice to meet you, but… well… it wasn't. This has to be one of the most mortifying experiences of my life!" I explained with a nervous chuckle and smile refusing to look him in the eye.

He chuckled lightly before breaking out into an amazing grin that almost took my breath away. "The pleasure was all mine Clary." His face was now set in a smirk, with his cheeks slightly flushed he began to walk along the hall away from me. "While I look forward to our do over meeting, I have to say it was great to meet you Clary" he stopped at the door to the room next door to me. Gripping the door frame and looking back towards me. Our eyes met. He held me in an intense stare "All of you!" he added with a wink. Then disappeared through the open doorway.

I heard a loud whistle come from Jace's room. I was still frozen in place when I heard a rumble come up the stairs. Church threw himself through Jace's door. I quickly closed my door leaning myself against it covering my face with my hands. I just had one of the most humiliating experiences, with the most gorgeous man I have ever seen, who will be living in the room next door.