"You never really know what's coming. A small wave, or maybe a big one. All you can really do is hope that when it comes, you can surf over it, instead of drown in its monstrosity."

Alysha Speer

"Dude, what the fuck is up with you?" Jace almost shouted, a lazy smile on his face. He watched his friend, Jordon, take another large glass of beer. That was his sixth round. Laughing, he took a short sip from his own cup. "You're going to get the worst hangover."

Jordon shook his head numbly, his brown eyes glazed. The scent of alcohol was in the air, plugging their noses and giving them adrenaline. "I don't give a shit." Of course, he didn't. Maia had broken up with him that afternoon. He pretty much loved her, something Jace would never understand. From what Jordon told him, Maia had someone else in mind. So instead of stopping him from swallowing away his sorrows, he let him. He knew he needed it.

A girl was eying him from the back, her blue orbs lingering on his lips. Jace clicked his tongue in annoyance and pushed Jordon roughly with his shoulder. "Come on. I need a quick joint." His companion nodded though he needed assistance getting up from his seat and walking steadily. The bar was crowded tonight, hookers having sex and older men playing poker. Servers hurried to gather and return orders, their uniforms spotted with wine.

Jace hauled Jordon to an alleyway a few feet away from the building and leaned against the brick walls. "Fuck." He cursed tugging something out of his pocket. He found it after several moments and spilled the cocaine into the syringe, shaking it before pulling Jordon's arm towards him. Pressing the needle close to the front of his elbow, Jace injected the substance.

Jordon sighed with relief, his dark eyes rolling up for a second. "Thanks." He breathed heavily.

Jace smirked lightly and injected the cocaine into his upper arm loving the energy that pounded into his body. He shut his eyelids and rested his head backwards letting the night air wash over him. They stayed like that for what seemed like hours until Jace let out a low groan and lifted himself into a sitting position. What time was it? He scanned the area, his head throbbing.

"Jordon. Jordon." He tapped him again, this time successful. They managed to trudge forward and hail a taxi. Jace wasn't even sure if he had money on him. The ride was short like always. Their apartment was close to the bar, probably four or five blocks away. When they arrived, Jordon threw numerous bills to the driver whose lips parted in surprise. He swerved away instantly as the two men sauntered up the stairwell and into their cruddy room.

"You're such a damn mess." Jace told Jordon, who had dropped onto his bed without much hesitance. He knew he was exhausted and his relationship issues didn't help.

Jordon didn't answer, simply rolling away so that his back faced him. Jace rolled his eyes and mumbled a good natured insult. Their apartment room was a dump. Beer bottles covered the ground, old joints were hidden beneath the cabinet, and fast food wrappers lay untouched on the kitchen counter.

They never bothered to clean it. It was just the way it was. Only girls visited and they were too preoccupied with sex to realize their surroundings. His focus diminished, a result of the drugs, and he grabbed at his blanket just as he became unconscious.

[]

The loud buzz of his stupid phone awoke him from his slumber along with the ray of sun that had gleamed into his eyes. He grabbed at the table beside him until he felt the device under his fingertips. Squinting, he read the message. A new voice mail. He sat up and swiped his hair from his forehead before dialing the number and waiting.

"Hello?" His voice sounded cracked and tired. He cleared his throat and rose off the bed, kicking away the sheets around his body.

"Jace, is that you?"

Jace stopped pacing in the room, his lips parting in some surprise. "Will?"

The man on the other end laughed. "Yes, it's me, Jace. God, I've been trying to reach you for weeks!"

Jace's eyebrows knit. He walked to the kitchen and sat on a stool. "What do you mean? I haven't gotten any calls from you."

Will sounded doubtful. "That doesn't matter now. I've got some good news." He was speaking quickly. Jace imagined his face was lit with anticipation.

"What is it?" He listened to Jordon shuffling on his bed, the wood creaking.

"I'm engaged."

Jace pulled his phone from his ear. He made sure the volume was high. "Come again?" He asked.

Will laughed once more. He was strangely delighted. "You're starting to sound like a Brit, Jace. I'm serious. I swear to you!"

Jace found himself grinning without realizing it. "Shit, Will. How did that even happen?" He was genuinely shocked. His younger brother was getting married. Just a few years ago, they had been reckless teenagers. Jace still was. He wondered if Will had managed to mature. Oddly enough, he felt this separation from his only family. He hadn't seen him in so long.

"To be honest, I don't know. Our wedding is in eight months. We want it to be during the summer. Anyway, that's not what I'm calling you about."

A silent moment passed.

Jace started, "What is it?"

"You're my best man. Bloody hell, I thought you'd get that by now."

"What?" Jace was sure he was hearing things. He realized Jordon was up, watching him curiously. He looked away from him, tapping his fingers anxiously against the counter.

"Are you hard of hearing, Jace? I need you here. To plan all this."

Jace shut his eyes, raking a hand through his hair so that it was more of a mess than ever. "Where is here exactly?" Jordon was next to him now. He appeared suspicious, his brown orbs bloodshot and his mouth thinned.

"Wales." William answered simply. "I want to get married where we were born. You know it's our home, right?" There was a hint of sadness in his tone, as if he thought that Jace had forgotten where the two had spent their childhood.

"Jace?"

"Sorry. I was just..." He faltered and finished awkwardly, "thinking."

"It's a big thing for me. I know you love the states, but we need you here. Clary and I."

It was the first time he had mentioned the name of his fiance. Jace pondered what she looked like and what about her had attracted Will. "I know. For how long and when should I be there?"

Will released a long sigh of relief. "You'd be here till the wedding day, obviously. And, uh, it would be preferable if you were here now."

Jace cursed colorfully. "Man, you still ask for so much."

"You're my older brother. You are held to certain expectations, especially since our dear old mum and dad bit the dust."

Jace's hand fisted. "Don't speak like that." There was a hardness in his expression that Jordon noticed. His jaw was clenched and his nostrils flared dangerously.

Jace, for a few seconds, believed that Will had ended the call, but his reply came a little later. "You have too big of a heart, Jace. You can't keep seeing them everywhere."

Jace scoffed, not letting on how much the words affected him. "Fuck you." It was halfhearted.

"So...I'll see you soon?"

Rolling his eyes, Jace responded, "Tomorrow, idiot. I'll call you."

It took him awhile to place his phone down or even stand up. Just as he was turning to go to the bathroom, Jordon whirled him around by his shoulder. "That was William, wasn't it?"

"Yea." Jace yawned.

"Don't play this off. Where are we going?"

"Down to the rabbit hole." He replied.

Jordon grunted. "I can't believe Will is getting married. What a bitch."

Jace grinned. "So, Wales?"

Jordon scowled. "As long as we have some joints with us."

[]

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