"To fall in love with someone's thoughts - the most intimate, splendid romance."

Sanober Khan

Chapter One:

"Don't forget your juice, Clare!" Tessa shouted, her voice playful. She handed the young teenager the carton and watched as she ran ahead, a bundle of papers in her hand. Tessa adored Clary. She was a child at heart. A self conscious, nervous, but wise girl. They became friends when Clary was searching for a job. Literally any job. Tessa suggested working as a papergirl and her companion obliged, not caring of the task as long as she earned the little cash it offered. Tessa smiled to herself when William didn't bother knocking the door and walked into her workroom, a lazy smirk on his face. Her thoughts about Clary vanished.

Clary shouted a quick good morning to the Watersons who barely heard her and she launched a bundle to their lawn, the wind blowing past her face as she rode her bike. She needed a new one. Her bike was rusty and dirty, the marks almost permanent on its red paint. She'd have to ask her mother for a new one. Tessa did have a bike she never used. Maybe Clary could ask her about that. Tessa was two years older than Clary. Twenty one to nineteen. Tessa had everything you could demand for in a best friend. Reliant and funny especially when she scolded her sometimes hopeless boyfriend, William. Will was like Clary's older brother. A bit cold and vastly knowledged.

"Good morning, dear!" Shouted Mrs. Lewis. Clary gave her a smile and stopped at her driveway, deciding it was better to give her the newspaper by hand. She was a chubby lady. Short and red faced but too kind. She had a son named Simon who hung out with her in the library several times during a month. "When are you heading off to college, Clare-bare?" She asked, her dimples deep. "You can take my boy Simon with ya!" Clary laughed, her chest bubbling.

She shook her head as the older woman joined in moments later. "Not until I get the money. I have to go. See you later, Mrs. Lewis." She waved her hand and ran to her bike, setting off to her last neighborhood. She only covered half of the city. Another paperboy covered the rest. It was a simple job and she enjoyed meeting new people who would come out to their porches, eager to learn and spread new gossip.

She skidded to a halt when her eyes fell on a house with a pile of newspapers beside their hose. Did they not need them? It was a waste of paper and Tessa's writing. It angered her. Clary ought to ask them. She left her bike and jogged to their front door, biting her lip. She was nervous. Well, that didn't count. She was always nervous in front of people. There were few that she was actually comfortable with. She knocked. Then knocked again.

And then the door opened to reveal a black haired boy who appeared older than her. He had light blue eyes and wore a careless brown sweater with holes in the elbows. Her eyebrows rose and she finally spoke when he glanced at her expectantly. "I'm sorry to bother ya but I wanted to ask if you folks need to receive newspapers. It costs much to produce and it was simply a worry o' mine."

He nodded his head. "I apologize. There's never anyone home much. Can you send it on a Tuesday perhaps?"

She was supposed to hand them out on Sundays but one house wouldn't hurt. She smiled. "Of course."

He sighed in relief, his pale featured glistening from the sun. "Alright. Thank you-"

"Alexander! Where did you place my bag? I do need it, you know?" Another tone called from inside the house and a man appeared beside the door. He looked bored, his lips formed into a scowl. He had a cap on his head but tendrils of his light brown hair came undone and into view. He turned to her and seemed to notice the presence of someone unknown.

"What is this?" He questioned, pushing Alexander's shoulder.

"Leave, Jace. It is none of your business yet you continue to step on my boundaries." He rolled his sapphire eyes in annoyance.

The man remained and Clary felt the need to leave. She nodded towards Alexander and darted to her bike ready to set home. She climbed onto the seat and made sure her basket was empty before wiping her sweaty forehead. She wanted sunglasses badly. "Wait!"

She gave a hum of a reply and half whirled to face the man who had intruded during her conversation. "Have I made a mistake?" She asked, curiously wondering why he was there. She had delivered all the papers.

"No, of course not. I must ask, what is your name?" Her green orbs widened and her hands loosened on her bike's handles.

"Clarissa." She did not want to give him her nickname. No yet.

He grinned and brought out an outstretched hand. "I'm Jace. You must have heard when Alexander spoke so kindly of me. The full is Jonathon. It is a pleasure."

"Oh, alright." She was confused. What did he desire? Her brows furrowed. "Is there something I can do for you?"

"No. I just wanted to know you for you look magnificent. I never seen you in this area before. Are you the papergirl?" Clary flushed glad it was hot outdoors so he would merely think her cheeks were red from the weather and not what he had uttered.

"Yes. I must leave, Jonathon. I have to head home." Even she was quite sad to leave. She wanted to meet him. He actually displayed interest for her and that rarely occurred.

He looked embarrassed for taking up her time and wrapped an arm around his neck. "Sorry. I did not mean to blabber. I believe you will deliver again next week?"

Clary tilted her head and smiled. "Yes." She brought her feet back on the pedals. "I will see you soon, Jonathon. I am just as intrigued about you as you are about me." And this time his ears grew a pink color and he released a breath.

"Alright." And she rode back to Tessa's, her mind whirling with what she would tell her friend.

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