hey there! hope you enjoy this all human AU! also, there is some California bashing in this. don't get me wrong, I live in this state and love it, but it's all for the purpose of the story. disclaimer: I own nothing.
Chapter I.
Jail seemed like a pleasant prospect.
The flight from New York to Orange County should have been 6 hours, but it felt like forever and a crying baby shriveled the last of Clary's sanity. Babies were cute and all, but when it was one that screeched for hours thousands of feet in the air, it took all of Clary's willpower to not dropkick it off the plane. Needless to say, Clary was rather frazzled when she stepped off the plane into John Wayne Airport, carry-ons and murderous thoughts in tow.
About two weeks ago, Clary received a call from her mother at her successful art gallery in New York, telling her she had a flight booked to come visit her for the summer in California. Jocelyn Fray was a lot of things - artistic, patient, genuine, but most of all, stubborn. Despite Clary's every excuse and plea, her mother never took no for an answer, and Clary knew she was a goner the minute Jocelyn's sharp voice cut through the static.
So that was how Clary found herself hauling her luggage out of the airport and onto the streets of one of her least favorite places in the world. She never really understood why she hated California; it wasn't as if she'd had a bad experience with the state, but even from a young age, Clary felt that it was much too overrated and glamorous for her liking. What kind of state dubbed itself the 'Golden State'? California seemed like a postcard, with countless beaches and blue skies; but for an artist as herself, Clary's heartstrings tugged for flaws. Her mother, of course, did not feel the same when she and her fiancée Luke packed their things and moved to the West Coast.
Amidst her ranting about California, Clary realized she was car-less and hadn't contacted anyone to come pick her up. She grasped aimlessly in her bag until her fingers found purchase on the small cellular device. After a few buzzes, Jocelyn's mellifluous voice rang from the other end.
"Hey there...Mom," Clary started.
"Need a ride, I presume? Don't worry, I've sent our neighbor Jace to come pick you up."
"Alright, thanks for the heads-up," Clary responded before ending the call.
Sure, she was thrilled to get off the street, but the idea of hitching a ride with a complete stranger in SoCal traffic wasn't exactly a fantasy. Soon enough, a sleek black sedan pulled up to the curb by where she was sitting. One of the windows rolled down to reveal sunglasses and a mop of blonde hair.
"Oi, Strawberry Shortcake! Is your name Clary?" called out a husky voice that most definitely would have turned Clary on had she not just been referred to as a children's animated character.
At this point, Clary was triggered. She'd endured a torturous flight, arrived in Hell, and dubbed a stupid nickname by her stupid chaffeur. Throwing all caution to the wind, she hauled her luggage over to the sedan, chucked it in the back, then threw herself into the passenger seat.
Yes, she was being dramatic. Yes, she had every right to.
Clearly her tantrum invoked some astonishment from Goldilocks, because he had now taken off his sunglasses and was staring at her. So, Clary turned to face him and her mind went blank.
He was one fine human being. Actually, he didn't even look human. He was literally Adonis, with chiseled features and golden eyes and perfect lips pulled into a smirk. Clary almost forgot why she was so upset until -
"Are you blushing, or are your cheeks just as freakishly red as your hair?"
What the fuck?
"Listen up, asshat. I've had a really shitty day and if you want to be another shitty thing on the list, then that's fine. But right now, you're gonna shut your entitled ass up and drive me home, got it?" hissed a very angry Clary.
She didn't usually curse. But when it came to blonde heathens with a superiority complex, she had all the eloquence of a sailor. Instead of waiting for the heated response she was bound to receive, she was greeted with a throaty laugh.
"Alright Red Velvet. Let's get you home," was the last thing she heard before the engine revved and they sped away.
The rest of the ride home was uneventful. It lasted roughly twenty minutes, and the roads were blessed with minimal traffic. Finally, they arrived at Laguna Beach, the city that Jocelyn had established as her new home. She had done her research before moving, and Laguna Beach was known for its beautiful views and artistic community. After some driving around, they reached a lovely little residence with a seashell gray and white color scheme nearly two houses from the beach.
She turned to face Blondie. What did her mom say his name was? James? Jake? But before she could open her mouth, he faced her and announced, "Welcome home, Chucky. Now you can stop staring at me and exit the vehicle."
Clary sputtered for a bit. Who did hot-shot Ken think he was, dubbing her derogatory names and acting like a little shit? She didn't even want to come to this city in the first place and now that she did, she had to deal with pissy neighbors? I am so done, she thought to herself as she got out and grabbed her things. So when she passed by his open window, she made sure to duck (only a little, thanks to her lack of height) and give him her most charismatic smile. He smirked in response.
But then she hissed, "Get your head out of your ass," and went up the lawn.
"Mom? I'm here," called Clary as she closed the front door.
"Clary, is that you?" answered Jocelyn, followed by muffled footsteps down the stairs.
Clary rolled her eyes. "The only other person who would call you 'Mom' doesn't have this feminine of a voice,' she said, referring to her older brother Jonathan.
Jocelyn's porcelain face came into view as she reached the bottom of the stairs.
"Always witty, aren't you?" her mother teased as she embraced Clary and led her into the living room. Clary smiled at the decorations. Her mother was never an extravagant woman, despite possessing the money to be one. She opted out of luxury and expense and found solace in comfort and positivity, and her furnishings were no exception. The living room had blue couches adorn with bright yellow and green pillows and both Clary and Jocelyn's paintings littered the walls. Oddly shaped vases filled the corners and unique patterned rugs contrasted with the hardwood floor. Clary plopped down on one of the couches while her mother brought her a glass of water.
The two caught up, discussing the gallery and good local cuisine and Clary's living arrangements. Clary would be staying in the guest room, which thankfully was on the second story and the polar opposite side of the house from Luke and Jocelyn's master bedroom, which was on the first floor. After she talked about the flight, Jocelyn grinned mischievously.
"So what did you think of our neighbor Jace?" she inquired.
Clary choked on her water and Jocelyn's eyebrows shot up.
"God, he was an a...bsolute piece of work," Clary muttered, correcting her language in front of her mother. "I don't think I've ever met someone so entitled, and I was best friends with Isabelle Lightwood."
Her mother laughed. "Speaking of Lightwood, did you know their family has a villa nearby? It's one of the reasons I chose this location, and I think Isabelle is staying there for a while."
Clary smiled to herself. At least something good came out of this trip.
It wasn't too long after Clary settled in that Isabelle called her up, somehow knowing her exact location. Since it was evening and Clary was incredibly jetlagged, they decided on coffee at a little café down the street in the morning. Once she hung up, Clary tossed the phone beside her on the bed and stood up. As she was about to close her window, she realized she had a perfect view through the next door neighbor's window. Just then, the door of the neighbor's bedroom swung open and in walked the blonde bane of her existence, with another blonde (female) in tow. The girl wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him eagerly before stepping back and removing her shirt.
Clary groaned and grasped the curtain to close it so she wouldn't have to witness a porno. But as she looked up one last time, she was met with Jace staring right at her. After an intense beat, she narrowed her eyes and yanked the curtain closed to let him finish his fun. Collapsing on her bed, there was only one resounding thought in her mind.
This summer was going to be the death of her.