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Clary POV

I blinked, slowly opening my eyes. As much as I didn't want to, I knew I needed to get up.

Yawning, I pulled myself up.

Surprisingly, I had fallen asleep at some point during the night. I thought it helped to go over what happened.

There was one thing still bothering me, though: Jace.

I was worried for him, and not just because of my oh-so-secret-tiny-maybe-crush. It was what Aline had said-what were her exact words?-something about not getting in her way for revenge again?

I knew she was insane enough to attempt to kill Jace once-what's to say she wouldn't try again?

In fact, I was pretty sure that she would.

That brought me to my problem.

I couldn't leave Jace in danger. But what else could I do?

"It's not like I could be his full time bodyguard, anyways", my brain argued as I brushed my fiery locks. "I mean, we don't live in the same house. And then there's the bigger problem..." it continued to ramble on as I got dressed, "We don't go to the same school. And we never will."

My brain quieted for a moment as I tromped down the stairs to the kitchen. The silence lasted only for a few minutes-enough time for me to grab the box of Cheerios, a bowl, and the milk. Just as I was about to take my first spoonful, my brain started up again.

"Unless," it started, "you transfer to their school."

My eyes widened, and the spoon dropped out of my hand into the bowl, splashing milk into the table. If that was my brain, how had it suggested something so insane?

"Clary," My mom yelled from upstairs, "are you okay? I heard something drop!"

She was probably in her studio, painting. I turned around and yelled back up to her.

"Everything's fine, mom," I yelled. "I just dropped my spoon!"

I paused, and then I yelled up to her again.

"Mom? Can we talk about something?"

"Sure," she said, her voice occupied by the squeaking of the stairs as she walked down them.

Soon, she stood in front of me, paint covered jeans and all.

"Well," she said, "what do you need?"

It had taken an agonizing hour-along with much yelling, begging, and even some door slamming-to convince her that I needed to be done with homeschooling.

It had been considerably harder because I had vowed not to tell her about Jace.

Eventually, by some stroke of luck, she agreed. One problem over with.

Now, I had to face what-face who-I'd been dreading since I woke up.

Isabelle.

With a deep breath, I pulled my cell phone out of my pocket and flipped it open. After I clicked on my speed dials, I scrolled down to her name.

My finger hovered over the name-Isabelle Lightwood. I knew I had to talk to her. I had already decided what I would say.

I pushed down and brought the phone to my ear.

"Hello?"

Isabelle's voice rang out from the other end of the line. I took a deep breath.

"Hey, Iz. It's Clary."

"Clarissa Adele Fray! Where have you been! We had a shopping date, and you totally blew me off! What in the world was more important than that? If it wasn't something that seriously injured you, I'm coming over and injuring you myself!"

Isabelle rant ended as quickly as it began-and at twice the volume.

I brought the phone back to my ear, saying, "Sorry, Izzy. I dropped my bag on my foot," I lied. "I almost blacked out. I thought I broke it." More lies. "I did. It's only minor, but I have to get a cast. I'm going tomorrow."

At least that last part was true. My mom had taken me to Immediate Care as soon as I got home, and the doctor had informed us that my foot was broken. I could tell that she knew that my story about the bad was a lie, but maybe she felt sorry for me, because she just let it slide. My mom then proceeded to plan a date to get it casted, which happened to be tomorrow.

"Oh, Clary." Isabelle voice softened, but I could hear hear her uncertainty to believe what I'd just said underneath the pity. "I'm sorry. But try not to miss our next shopping day, alright? Even if you have to crawl there. Heck, as long as you have hands you can pull yourself along," she said jokingly.

"Yeah, I know. Remember that time when we were playing truth or dare and I had to make it from one side of the room to the other in your heels? I just ended up pulling myself across the ground with my hands," I laughed.

"Oh, that was good."

I could hear Izzy's grin through the phone.

"And do you remember the time when we wrote on Alec's face while he slept? That was so much fun!"

And just like that, all seriousness evaporated. But I should have known that Iz wouldn't forget that.

My phone rang, startling me as I drew. Looking at the picture, I realized that it was Jace who I'd been drawing. It wasn't unusual-he had a perfect complexion for a paper and pencil.

I sighed and threw my sketchbook down next to me as I picked up my phone.

"Hello?"

Isabelle's voice rang through to me. "Clary. Hey."

My brow creased as I replied. "What's wrong, Iz?"

"Jace was in the hospital yesterday."

I gasped quietly.

"I completely forgot earlier when you called, but now I remember. Clary, he said that he was just walking down the road to his friend's house, and then someone pushed him over. He hit his head on the ground, and got a concussion. He's home now, but still, Clary, it was really scary."

"Oh my gosh, Izzy, I'm so sorry! I feel so bad! How's he feeling now?"

Izzy didn't say anything for a little while. Then, she said, "He's fine."

After another moment's silence, she said, in a quieter voice, "Do you know what the only thing he remembers is?"

I began to feel panicked, but I somehow managed to keep my voice even as I asked, "What is it, Iz?"

Her voice, impossibly quiet now, replied slowly, "Red, Clary. Red something. But not bright red. More like a copper."

The feeling in my stomach intensified tenfold as she asked her next question: "Wouldn't you have been near him when it happened?"

I couldn't answer-the nervousness was constricting, preventing me from moving. I knew what was coming next.

"Clary, I need you to tell me. Now." Isabelle's voice held only serious tones as she said, "Do you know what happened?"

"And that's what happened."

I finished my long explanation of what had taken place with Aline. After I told her that I dis know something, she rushed over to my house. Isabelle had remained silent through my whole explanation, and I'm sure it was a lot for her to take in. Still, I wanted her to say something.

When she did, it was, "This-this is crazy, Clary. What are we supposed to do now?"

I sighed. I was wondering the same thing.

"I don't know, Izzy. We'll have to figure it out as we go. But we can't let Aline hurt Jace. Agreed?"

I stuck my hand out for her to shake.

"Agreed."

A.N. I hope you enjoyed it! Next chapter will be the last one for Clace. At least, that's the plan. But as all authors know, stories sometimes develop a life of their own.

Please review, and thanks for reading!

FSP