Hey! So this disclaimer will last the entire story. I LACK THE SUFFICIENT FUNDS TO PURCHASE THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS FROM CASSANDRA CLARE AND HENCE FORTH DO NOT OWN IT. Giant thank you to my beta TheOneAndOnlyFangirl!

Simon is easily my best friend in the world. We sit down inside a local diner called Taki's. Magnus is the second closest of my friends. He is outside and catches my eye. He comes in sliding down next to Simon. "Hey Shirley, what's up?"

"It is Simon for the hundredth time." Simon is trying to turn a knife into a top and failing epicly.

"Whatever. How are you Clary?"

"Fine," I say, my voice slightly tensed. The event of the waitress coming to take our order helps cover me. Simon, though, doesn't give up. He is one of the few that know the truth.

You see, 5 years ago, when I was 15, I got diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia or ALL. It was bad and took 2 years of chemo and radiation to get rid of. The doctors keep saying that I was lucky to the the disease caught early. It has been three years since I was cured. Every August I have to go get blood drawn and tests run. Doctor Smith at St. John's Hospital just checks to make sure the cancer hasn't come back. In two days I get the results. If I make it just two more years cancer free its gone. I will then be a survivor.

I can count on one hand the people that know about me being sick: Mom, Luke, Me, and Simon. Magnus doesn't know. We met him a year and a half ago at this diner to be exact. This place is a common hangout for Columbia students.

"Clary what's up? You've been acting weird for the past week."

"It's nothing." Magnus just gives me a 'I-know-you-are-lying-and-I-will-find-out-what-is- up' look. I decide to change the topic. "You guys up for a movie later?"

"Sure," says Simon "The Alien one?"

"Actually, don't laugh, I was thinking the Oz movie."

"I'm game." Magnus agrees.

Then our food comes. We all got burgers so it takes a few tries for everyone to end up with the right plate. When we leave the diner, everyone goes their separate ways. Simon has class and Magnus heads home. I just walk around not going anywhere.

I end up on a plastic swing. I just kick at the ground moving it back and forth. The sun is still high and the grass is still green. The park is mostly deserted but two people show up to occupy the swings next to me. "Max, do you want me to push you?" questions a smooth voice from my left. On the right a small boy in a baseball cap pushes weakly at the ground.

"No, I got it." speaks the small boy. The older boy is stunning. His eyes are a bright gold and they lock on to mine.

"And you must be Red." he speaks to me.

"No. It's Clary not Red and you must be Goldy Locks?"

"Ha Ha. Thats funny." he says sarcastically. "I'm Jace and that's Max, my brother." The two of them look nothing alike, but only a protective hint to Jace's eyes. "You go to Columbia?"
"Yeah. I'm studying art."

"An artisté. I am studying Algebra. Max is in the 5th grade. Let me see your hand."

"Why?"

"Now what fun would that be!" I stick my hand out . Jace pulls out a Sharpie. He starts to form shapes on the back of my hand. Max lets out a rough cough and slightly wheezes. Jace gets over to his brother almost instantly. "You OK?"

The little boy shakes his head. Jace turns to me. "We gotta go. I hope to see you again Red." The two of them walk off to a car. I pull my phone out to check the time when the black ink catches my eye. He left me his phone number.

-o. O.o-

It is 2 o'clock when I finish my classes on Friday. That is when I decide to call Jace. It takes four rings from him to pick up and I sit down on a bench. "Hello?" his voice is smooth like the blues.

"Hey, It's Clary from the park."

"What's up Red?"

"Nothing. Is your brother alright?"

"He's fine. Do you want to go get dinner tonight?"

"Sure."

"Do you have a place I can get you?" I tell him the address of my apartment building. I live in a three room combo. It is tiny but perfect for me. We hang up. Six o'clock is is when we planned to meet. 15 hours before my appointment. 15 hours from when my fate is on the line.

When I get home I drop down into the small love seat that serves as a couch, desk chair, and kitchen chair. I reach into my canvas bag and draw out my sketch pad. As I flip through the pages my phone rings. I let it go through. Then someone texts me. It's Simon.

Simon: OK u hav a serious problem w/ answering the phone. PICK ME UP.

He calls again. I answer it. "Alright, What's up?"

"Magnus, you got to tell him. He really thinks something is wrong. Plus he is on your way to your apartment."

"Alright, I'll call him."

"Goodluck Fray." we disconnect and I ring Magnus.

"Hey, Clary."

"How'd you know it was me?"

"This brilliant new invention called caller ID." He pauses. "Clary, what's up? You've been acting weird."

"Nothing."

"Are you pregnant? If you are it is totally fine," You could hear my jaw hit the floor.

"Wha- What? No. I just... have a big test." Ok it's not exactly a lie. There are blood tests and stuff.

"Alright. Go study."

"Where are you Mags?"

"Outside your apartment building."

"Jesus, do you want to come up?"

"Nah, go study." If only a last minute cram would pass this test.

-0.o.0-

Jace POV

I roll up to Clary's apartment building. It's like all of the other college apartments. Nothing spectacular. I go up to the door and buzz for Clary's apartment. Almost an instant later and she standing outside with me. "Hey."

"Hey, What's up?" she says stepping toward me. Damn, Clary is beautiful. She's not the slutty wannabe pretty. She is different. Drop dead, all natural, stunning. It freaks me out a little bit that she's different.

"Nothing much." I lie. A lot is going on that I don't want to get into. "What about you?"

"Same. Just school. Where are we going?"

"Come on. That would be no fun!" I start to head to the car. She doesn't move. Great, she thinks I'm a creep. "Taki's. It's a diner. You know it?"

"Was there yesterday." Oops, but she starts to walk now. "Wait is that your car?" she asks incredulously.

"Yep. That is my baby. She's a 1969 Chevy Camaro." This model is black with yellow strips.

"Somehow I pictured you the more lamborghini type."

"You know nothing about cars." I say.

"They have four wheels and some petals." I reach the drivers side and climb in. Clary gets in from the passenger door.

"Very funny, Red." We end up talking the entire way there. I tell her about Izzy, Max, and Alec, my adoptive siblings. She tells me about her friend Simon and Magnus. This girl just keeps getting better.

We were just about to go into Taki's when someone decides to call me.

-0.o.0-

Jace's phone goes off. He pays around his pockets frantically. Something makes him worry. He finds it and hurries to answer it. "Yeah..." he says into the phone, "Max... St. Johns... Alright... I'll be there." The mention of St. John's sends a chill down my spine. Jace hangs up the phone and starts the car again. "Clary, I am so sorry. Max just gotten taken to the hospital. I really got to go."

"It's fine." I don't even want to count the times Luke left work because I went to the hospital.

"I'll see you again though."

"Totally." Then he drops me off before speeding down the street. Jace can be arrogant but he nice. You know what, I like him.

R&R