I think I just remembered something

Clary brought the white, cotton robe over her body. There. Now she felt modest and not half naked. Jordon snorted as he took in the appearance of his friend. He brushed his brown hair aside. He grabbed his keys a moment later, tugging at her reluctant wrist. He heard her let out a low complain, but ignored the sound. She was being stubborn like always.

She stomped into the passenger's seat and crossed her arms over her chest. Jordon rolled his eyes before igniting the engine. He turned to her then and smiled, a soft knowing smile. She looked away, brows furrowing to the window. Sighing, he placed his fingers under her chin and pulled her face his direction. Her freckles looked like scattered stars and her green orbs shined like moving tides.

"Come on, red. You've got to be laid back once in a while." She huffed at that. "I love you, you know?" She didn't answer. "You love me, right?" He repeated again.

"Yea." She mumbled and he laughed a little, clicking the glove compartment open. He got out two books and held them out to her.

Clary beamed. "Thanks, J."

Jordon turned back to the wheel. "You're the weirdest girl I've met." A long moment passed. "But you're the only girl I can put up with." He glanced at her, but she was too busy reading, her chin tucked under the short pages.

[]

The house was crowded. So crowded. She immediately hid behind Jordon's lean body, hoping desperately she wouldn't lose him. Red cups were spilled everywhere. Music blared from small gray speakers. The girls had their bikinis on, their bodies plastered against guys who stared at them hungrily.

"Follow me." Jordon whispered and Clary nodded numbly. She still had the books in her hands. She didn't want to dance. Or swim. Or do anything. She just wanted to watch a movie with Jordon but he couldn't.

Stupid invitation, she thought, frowning. She found couples making out, their tongues in a dominant battle. She wanted to gag. A few tall guys were chugging alcohol down their throats and cheering, their voices so ear piercing. Jordon kept trudging, saying his apologies as he pushed past teenagers who were too preoccupied to notice him.

Then they were standing next to the pool. It was huge. The guy who threw this was probably rich. A few people were inside, splashing water at one another like children. Clary wanted to burst out of the place. Jordon stopped and gave a handshake to a man who looked a year or two older than him. He wore only swim shorts, his fair hair wet. A smile formed on his lips and he patted the spot beside him. "Jordon, I thought you wouldn't show."

Jordon released a breath. "But I'm here."

The boy nodded and seemed to realize there was someone else there. He raised an eyebrow. "Who's this?"

Clary tensed under his gaze. Jordon wrapped an arm around her shoulders. It was sort of comforting. "Clary, this is Jace. Jace, this is Clary."

Jace appeared to be thinking about something. He peered away quickly.

Jordon stood up and Clary decided to follow. He gave her a nod. "I'm just gonna grab a beer, red. I'll be right back." And he sauntered into the swarming crowd. Her lips formed into a pout. She didn't belong.

"Can I see that?" She whirled in surprise to see that it was Jace. He was pointing at her books.

"Okay." Clary echoed and gave him them hesitantly. He flipped to the back side and read the summary or at least that's what he looked like he was doing.

"I've read this already. Have you finished it? I won't spoil it." He assured, his mouth curling at the corners.

Her cheeks began to heat up. "I finished it. I just like rereading it." She admitted.

He rose to his feet and she watched his muscled chest contract. "I want to show you something." He started forward and she stopped him in worry.

"I should wait for J-"

He chuckled. "I won't try anything. I swear. I think I've got something you might like to see."

In confusion, he led her into his house. Glass bottles were broken and their pieces scattered across the floor. She tried not to step on them. Jace scowled at the sight. "This party is shit." She heard him murmur quietly.

He went up to a room and got out a key from around his neck. Was this his room? The door swung open. He got in first. Clary decided to stay out in the hall. From what she could see, the walls were plain. Everything was neatly placed and clean. "Come on, Clary." He called, finally using her name.

She wanted to scream, but strolled in, biting her bottom lip. He was next to a bookshelf filled with books and different novels. He moved aside. Clary brought her hands to the bristled spines and scanned through the titles. "You've got the whole series." She mused.

"I've read the whole series." He corrected. "Did you read them yet?"

Distracted, Clary fumbled away from him. "No. I need to check them out first."

Jace picked out the few paperbooks and handed them to her. "You can have them. I don't really reread anything."

"I really don't-"

"Chill, will you? Just take them." And he shoved the materials into her arms. He started away from her and out of the room. "You can read in here. I have a feeling you don't really like it out there. I'll lock the door." And he left.

Clary stared after him in bewilderment, finally taking a seat on his white mattress sheets.