Hey everyone! Here is my first fanfic. I would love to get some feedback. Please note that English is not my first language. If you would like to be my beta, let me know!

Disclaimer: I don't own Mortal Instruments. Plain and simple.

Chapter 1 – Always expect the unexpected

The sun was about to rise when the train finally made it to the train station. I had stayed awake most of the night, too excited by my trip to Normandie. It was my first time traveling to Europe and I couldn't wait to visit historic places that surely would inspire my drawings. I was a bit nervous though. I was traveling solo. I needed this time alone. The change of scenery would definitely do me good. I wanted to be alone and enjoy visiting, relaxing and going out without anyone telling me what to do and what to wear. Ok, I love Isabelle, she's my best friend. But sometimes, I liked to be myself. And do things for myself. This one month vacation was for me and only me.

If I was completely honest, maybe there was some things I was running away from. But I was not ready to deal with them yet.

The ride from the train station to the hotel wasn't that long, but with my suitcase and my backpack, I decided to take a taxi. It was almost six thirty in the morning and god was I tired. To stay awake, I had to tell myself that I would soon be in a comfortable bed, sleeping for a couple of hours. Jetlag was a bitch.

As I made my way to the reception desk, I wondered if Isabelle was still upset with me. I hoped not, we practically never fought, but even though my trip was planned since a couple of weeks, I had left pretty suddenly. I'd have to remember to give her a call in a couple of days.

The lady at the reception desk seemed nice enough. I smiled, exhaustion probably visible on my face. I told her I had a reservation under the name Fray.

She shrugged and walked away without a word. I was momentarily stunned. What the hell was her problem?

She came back a couple of minutes later with a big man with short black hair. He looked like a fucking sexy football player. Did I mention sexy? His friendly look made me feel somewhat comfortable even though the situation was kind of weird. I passed my hand through my ginger locks.

"Miss Fray, how are you? Welcome to beautiful Normandie."

The man was definitely American. I smiled at him and thanked him. He told me his name was Sebastian Verlac and that he was the manager of the hotel. I didn't like where this conversation was heading.

"Huh nice to meet you… I'll feel better when I'm fast asleep in a big big bed" I replied, unsure.

Mister Verlac had an uneasy smile.

"Yes, about that. I'm so very sorry Miss Fray. It seems there was a mistake with your reservation."

No. No, no, no, no. No! I reached for my bag.

"Look, Mister Verlac. Here is a printed version of the reservation I made online three weeks ago. What kind of mistake are you talking about?" I asked, handing him the paper.

"It seems that the room you requested has been booked twice for the same time. And the other person arrived before you."

However friendly he seemed, I was getting angry.

"So now it's my damn fault I wasn't here first? Just give me another room! Frankly, I just want to sleep right now."

It was Sebastian's turn to look anxious. He sighed.

"Here is the problem. The hotel is full for the week. There isn't any room available."

"And what do you suggest I do? Sleep on the sidewalk? I'm exhausted and it's already morning!"

Ok, I know I sounded like a complete bitch but I couldn't find it in me to care in the moment.

"Well, we could ask Mister Herondale if he would be willing to share the room until one is available. I know for a fact that every hotel around is booked. Of course, all of your meals would be on the house."

So I was supposed to sleep with a perfect stranger. What the hell. I sighed. I didn't really have a choice, now, did I? I nodded, hoping that this Mister Herondale wasn't some crazy pervert psycho. Izzy would be so proud. God, I was doomed.

I followed Sebastian through the lobby and to the room. He had the decency to take my suitcase. I waited while Sebastian explained the situation to the guy. I wondered why this man was so reluctant to share his room with a young woman. Any other normal man would jump on the opportunity.

Glancing in the room, I couldn't stop the surprised "Oh" that came out of my mouth. Of course he was reluctant. He wouldn't want a woman interrupting his one night stands.

"Jace Herondale!" I exclaimed.

The bane of my existence. It had been about seven years since I'd last seen him on the last day of high school. We hadn't been friends. He liked to torment me by kissing girls by my locker every day. I had dated his cousin Simon Lewis our senior year. I wasn't sure Jace would recognize me, but he surprised me by pulling me into a hug.

"Clarissa Fray! Are you telling me I'll finally have you in my bed?"

"Real classy, Herondale."

So he hadn't change. Always the ladies' man. How he could get anymore gorgeous was beyond me.

"You're even more beautiful than you were in high school" he said with a smirk.

My cheeks turned red within seconds. His golden hair was a little longer than I remembered. I liked it.

"How would you know, Jace? It's not like you saw me much when you were making out by my locker!"

"Feisty, I like it."

I turned to look at Sebastian, wanting to tell him that his plan wouldn't work after all, but he wasn't there. Jace invited me in. Now I was the one being reluctant. How the hell would I be able to sleep in the same room as I high school crush for a week? I sighed. My luggage was already in. Sneaky Sebastian.

"So, what are you doing in Normandie? Are you alone? I'm not sleeping in here if there's a girlfriend with you!"

He smirked.

"Not that I wouldn't like having a threesome, but no need to worry. You've got me all to yourself."

Kill me now.

His eyes pierced through me.

"I have to tell you though. Simon and Maia are next door. Simon told me he got an email from you three months ago. He was quite pleased."

Maia. She was the woman Simon married two years ago. He told me about her in an email. We had exchanged some news about each other, but not much. His relationship with Izzy hadn't work out in high school after I had broken up with him. How could I stay with him when I was crushing on his cousin? And how could he stay with Isabelle if he wasn't over me? It had been quite a messed up part of our life.

"What about you, Clare-Bear? You didn't bring your boyfriend?" Jace asked me, curious.

"I'm on my own as you can see" I said laughing. "I haven't been with anyone in a couple of months" I added.

Jace seemed genuinely surprised.

"Really? Well that's strange. Alec told me you had a boyfriend. In fact, he told me YOU were his girlfriend" he said with his eyebrow arched.

Oh. Right. Forgot about that.

"Yeah… Well, I'm not. But it's not my story to tell."

"O…K…"

I didn't miss the smile on Jaces's face. He invited me for a tea and we talked for an hour. When I couldn't keep my eyes opened, we decided that the bed was big enough for the two of us without it being awkward. His words, not mine. God, I had no idea how I would be able to sleep in the same bed without him noticing how he made me feel. My panties were in a twist already. How ridiculous could it be?

I decided to get some sleep now not to lose my day sleeping it away. Jace told me he was going to inform Simon of my unexpected presence. I nodded and fell asleep immediately.

I woke up to a delicious arome of coffee and bagels. I heard Jace's voice but couldn't see him.

"Simon, man, if you could see her… She's so beautiful."

I was surprised. He thought I was beautiful? He had to talk about someone else. I wasn't his type.

"Remember, when you see her, you had your chance. And you're married."

So he was talking about me. I was surprised by the tone of his voice. He wasn't playful. He seemed almost menacing. What was that about? And I couldn't help but wonder what the hell he found so beautiful about me. I was so small. And I had freckles. I guess I'd have to ask him about it sometime.

When Jace ended his phone call, I faked sleep not to let him know I had heard the end of his conversation. I didn't want to embarrass him nor myself. I felt him touch my hair and slowly opened my eyes, feeling nervous.

"Smells good" I said.

He offered me a cup of coffee. I was thankful, it would help me through the day.

"I hope you like bagels with cream cheese. I didn't know what else you might like. I went for the safe choice."

"It's perfect. Thank you, Jace. That's really nice of you."

His eyes mesmerized me. I couldn't believe he was so thoughtful. Could it be possible that Jace had changed? After I was done with my late breakfast, I went to take a shower, bringing my clothes in the bathroom. I wouldn't be caught walking around in a towel. Hum, Jace in a towel. My imagination went wild. God, I needed to get laid. I blow dried my hair and put them up in a ponytail. I was ready. As plain as I thought I was, I knew my jeans fitted perfectly as I knew my white cami hugged my curves. Thank you, Isabelle, for buying this for me.

When I walked back into the room, Jace wasn't there. I found a note on the bed saying he was in Simon's room and I was expected to join them when I was ready. I wasn't sure how I would react to seeing Simon again. Back in high school, I thought I was in love with him. Now I knew it had been more along the lines of passionate lust. He had been my first everything. Now, at 24, I still hoped I'd find true love someday.

I shook my head and sighed. I was about to knock on the door next to our room when it flew open. A stunning woman with long black braided hair appeared in the doorway. She glared at me and ran down the hall. I shrugged. Must be Maia.

"Jace? Simon? Anyone?"

"Clary!"

Simon practically knocked me down with his hug. His mouth was nearly on my neck and the contact felt so good. I shivered. Why was he still making me feel this way? It was a good thing Maia was out or I doubt she would have liked this little reunion. I felt as if I was back in high school. Stop it, Clary!

Simon released me but kept my hand in his.

"Jace was right" he said with a smirk.

One look at Jace's face made me fall back to Earth. By the angel, this was Simon. A married man. It wasn't right! God, I'd have to stay away from him. Sexual tension and frustration mixed together. I let go of Simon's hand and pleaded Jace with my emerald eyes not to be mad at me. You never forgot about first love.

"Well, old feelings die hard" Jace said harshly.

We'd have to talk about whatever was going on between us because it sure as hell wasn't nothing. He acted like he was jealous. Was he really attracted to me? I felt something. I was attracted to him. I wanted him. I sounded like those sluts that he used to date all those years ago. I want to kiss him and it hasn't even been a day.

"Simon. I need to talk to you. Now."