Chapter 1: Introductions

Clary's POV:

I've not lived many years. Only 17, actually. But, in that short time, I have met the most infuriating person in the world. Jace Wayland. He goes to my school, and lives to embarrass me. You know, like in school, or home, or work, or any other important sphere of my life. URGH. Just thinking about him makes me itch to slap that idiotic grin off of his face. Uh-if you haven't noticed, I don't particularly like him… I don't know why, his personality grates on my nerves. Regularly… persistently… repeatedly.

Anyways, I should introduce myself. My name is Clarissa Fray, but people call me Clary. I am an aspiring artist, short, red-headed, fairly badass and I have a short temper. Thought you should know, and yes, there is a reason I am this way, but I won't get into that now. I go to Nephilim High. I know right, weird name. My best friend is Simon Lewis, but he's so nice to me I'm okay with my friend tally being in the low single digits. I have about 2, maybe 3 actual friends, not including my two twin brothers; Sebastian and Jonathan (twins with each other, not with me). I live with my adoptive dad; Luke Garroway. There. There's the introduction, let's get on to the story.

Let's see it was…before fourth period when I met the devil incarnate-er-I mean Ethan. His name is Ethan. I was where I always was when the little creep came up to me: talking to Simon by my locker. Or, more accurately, complaining to Simon about other people.

"I mean, seriously, who assigns twelve pages of a poem for homework?"

"I-"

"Mr. Schneebly, that's who," I interrupted Simon, "Is his sole purpose in life to torture kids and act as if they don't have any plans?"

"Did you have any plans?" Simon countered.

"Well…no. But, that's not the point. The point I-"

"Well, hello there," I heard the most conceited voice say behind me. I spun around to see him looking at me. I looked over my shoulder, and in the hallway to see if he was talking to someone else. He wasn't. Lucky me. He smiled a disgusting smile as if I were a lottery winner lucky enough to capture his attention for a moment. Asshat.

"I'm sorry, did you say something?" I tried to smile sweetly, and not immediately threaten Ethan. Simon says I'm too prickly with other people. That's bull. I am appropriately prickly to other people.

"Yes, I was just about to ask if I could walk you to your next class." He smiled that slimy smile again, and my stomach contracted.

"Thanks, but I'm walking with Simon." I said, jerking my head in Simon's direction, making it clear who I was talking about. When he just stood there, smiling, I said "So…I'm gonna…go. See you around." I grabbed Simon's elbow and dragged him towards fourth period Spanish.

Of course, Ethan followed me with his eyes, but stayed rooted to the floor. My bad luck and horrible attention span chose to act up then, and I dragged Simon along with me as I ran right into another person. Well, I ran into his chest. I looked up to see my neighbor, Jace Lightwood, staring down at me. Simon yanked me off the ground when Ethan made a move towards us and dragged me out of there. But, my green gaze was still locked with Jace's golden one and I only tore it away when we turned the corner.