She bit her lip, feeling bad for snapping at him earlier,"I guess can share too."

Clary stood in darkness, it was the type of darkness that she couldn't even see her hand in front of her face. It scared her, she could hear people or things moving in the darkness but not see them.

Slowly every sound became louder as if she was walking towards it all, except she was standing still.

She looked up, noticing a faint light that lit up the absolute darkness. She saw a silhouette of a man, blocking the light. He was tall with a military cropped hair. As he walked closer she could make him out, still his whole face was eclipsed in darkness.

"Clare?" the voice called out. She gasped. The voice was one she had dreamed of for a long time, at one stage that voice was an anchor keeping her from falling into a deep black void. That voice represented home, love, life. It represented hope for her and she had lost that voice. She had lost it. When it had gone off to war.

"Jon! Jon?" she called out, desperate to see his face. As he advanced closer she could make out military fatigues. Slowly she could see the faint blonde hair, the slightly bent nose, the dark black eyes and that smile.

The smile that held her through all the dark times in her life. The smile that was there at her Dad's funeral, when she moved to the Academy, when she broke her arm, when she got her first kiss. That smile had always made calm down, to understand that there was someone out there for her. It was Jon's smile.

"Jon? Jon, are you alright? Why don't you write? You make me so worried. How is the war? Will you be back soon?" she asked hurriedly, scared that he would go.

Jon just smiled again, calming her down, pushing all her fear out of her head. "I love you Clare. Remember I love you." And with that he touched her cheek. The feel of those calloused fingers, rough and soft with brotherly affection. Telling her that he was there, that he would always be there made a few tears fall down her cheeks.

He turned, his hand's absence made her shiver and walked back towards the light. She felt her throat close up in pain, tears falling freely now. As he walked into the light he turned and smiled, he raised a hand in farewell and was consumed by the light.

Slowly the blackness over took her again, the light fading and with it all the calm that Jonathan had bought. She began to run forwards, to where the light was but there was only darkness. "Jon!" she screamed. "Jo-"

Clary sat up straight in her bed, her curls stuck to her sweaty face. She panted in and out trying to control the over whelming fear that accompanied that dream.

The dream had occurred almost every night since they got news that Jonathan, her brother, had gotten injured and would be in hospital in Iraq. She never knew what it meant, but all the thoughts and fears about Jon were doubled after that dream.

She looked at the clock, it was 4 30. She would never get back to bed now and would have to wake-up in about an hour anyway. She got out of bed, feeling shaky and immensely glad that she didn't have a room mate that would have heard her cries.

She got into a hot shower, the bullets of hot water pounded her back loosening her muscles and washing away and sleep. She stepped out and wrapped herself in a fluffy towel, wiping away the steam from the mirror she looked at herself. Her usually vibrant curls were lank and stuck to her face. Her face which was pale was gaunt and thin, with huge black circles under her eyes. Her eyes themselves were dull and life less, swimmingly green yet an undercurrent of depression and pain covered their colour.

She changed quickly into a pair of yoga pants and a tight green tank, shoved her curls into a bun and grabbed her sketch pad and pencils. She headed out, being extra careful that the hall matrons didn't catch her.

Once she was outside on the quad she took deep breath and let it out. The quad was empty and silent save for the trickling of the water from the angel fountain. It was foggy and the dew seeped into her canvas shoes. There was no wind yet she shivered, it was spooky but the sun was rising. Slowly but steadily. It was trying to shine through the thick wall of clouds, trying to illuminate the school.

Sometimes Clary felt that she was that sun. Trying to push through her fears, her depression, anguish to a better side. Yet each time something else would happen, something else would push her back. It was like taking one step forward and two steps back.

She headed out to the bench, the one that was by the river. Sitting down on the damp wood she let a few stray tears run down her cheek. She quickly wiped them away, she couldn't be seen crying.

It was only the first day back at school and already she had too much on her mind.

Her brother was in hospital and she hoped he would pull through. The army hadn't said much, just that he was injured. She still wondered why he joined the army. At first she thought it was his way of coping with Dad's death, but then she realised that maybe he wanted to die. Maybe he wanted to join their Dad in heaven and escape all the crap down here.

Another pressing matter on her mind was Ben. She and Ben had been the perfect couple for about 8 months. Everyone looked up to them, they were the couple others aspired to be like. He was a soccer god at the school, a brilliant sportsman with a kind heart and an optimistic attitude. She was the arty type, winning drawing awards and an academic over achiever. They were both generous, sweet, helping and loving. She had loved Ben so much. There was a bond between them, both of them had each other and that was all they needed. Until Ben got an offer at Footie Fame. She was so happy, so proud, yet she couldn't help but be angry with the universe. That after everything that had happened she had finally gotten something steady, a good rock in her life and then he had to go.

They never really spoke about what was going to happen to their relationship, it was almost given that they would take a break. They could see other people. Yet now he was back, and kissed her. What did that mean? That they were back together? Or was it just a welcome back, I missed you kind of kiss? She was so confused. How was she supposed to act around him? Was she still supposed to go to his matches, support him at his games?

"Urgh!" Clary groaned, her hands fisted in her hair.

"Something wrong?" a voice asked from behind her. Her heart rate increased, but she knew who is was.

She turned around and tried to crack a smile, failing dismally. "No, every thing's just peachy." She couldn't help but add some sarcasm into the statement.

Jace chuckled, the sound pleased her. She looked at him properly. He was wearing track pants with a white wife beater that clung to his body. His abs were defined, ridges of pure muscle. His mouth cocked in a usually smirk and his golden locks hung loosely around his face, dripping with sweat. By the looks of it he had been running.

"Are you checking me out Miss. Morgenstern?" he asked in a joking voice.

Clary blushed, realising that she had in fact been checking him out. "No, of course." she answered indignantly, her red face betraying her. He chuckled again.

"Don't worry, it's human nature to admire beauty."

She scoffed, "Beauty hey?"

His eyes widened, "What you don't think this," he gestured to himself, "Is beauty."

Clary rolled her eyes, "I think that is an ass."

He smiled and sat down next to her, "Being an ass rocks, especially if you have an ass like mine." he winked.

She couldn't help but laugh, shaking her head at him. "You are such a womaniser!"

He shrugged, "I do what I can."

"You went for a run?" she asked, trying to change the subject.

"Yep. You?"

"Couldn't sleep, just drawing."

He raised his eye brows, "You an artist." Clary shrugged. He nodded, "That's cool I guess."

"What about you?"

"What about me?"

"I mean," Clary explained, "What is your forte?"

"Soccer."

"Really," she asked, not that surprised. Angel Academy was known for its sports. He just nodded. They fell into silence, but like last night it was comfortable, neither of them needing to speak.

Suddenly Just the Way You Are by Bruno Mars erupted into the silence. Clary jumped, dropping her sketch pad and pencils. She answered her phone quickly.

"Yeah Iz? Oh, okay I'll be there now, sorry I forgot. Yeah okay Iz, meet you in five... Uhm my room? - Okay bye."

She heard Jace chuckling, "What?"

He shook his head, "No, just that song, seriously? It's such a chick song."

Clary just laughed and bent down to pick up her things. Jace leant down to help. She couldn't help but breathe in his scent. He smelt like lime and sunshine, its washed over her calming her.

Everything was picked up except her sketchpad, they both leaned down to it and their fingers touched, nothing special. But when their fingers touched a jolt of electricity ran up Clary's arm and warmed her. The warmth burst into her chest, causing her cheeks to flame and her breathing to increase. All from a little touch.

Jace also seemed to freeze but quickly recovered. Picking up her sketch pad he began flipping through it.

"Hey!" Clary raised her voice. "Don't look, it's personal"

Jace just raised an eyebrow and looked at her, "You're really good you know," he said seriously.

Clary tried to snatch the book away but Jace held it just out of her reach still looking. Clary could feel tears stinging the back of her eyes. Her sketch pad was her diary, her journal, it was personal. More importantly she didn't need some gorgeous, self-absorbed ass looking at it.

"Jace..." Clary said, her voice a threatening whisper, but you could hear the tears about to fall.

He looked up, almost surprised at her reaction, that it meant so much to her. He handed it back as the first tear fell.

"Hey, hey Clary I'm sorry, I didn't know it meant that much," Jace said quietly, leaning down to wipe a tear off her cheek with his thumb. Clary just sniffed, secretly enjoying the touch of his hand on her face.

"It's okay, its just like I'm baring my soul on these pages,"she took a deep breath, a new waves of tears threatening to break free. "And, I don't like people looking."

Jace looked at her with such sincerity that her breath hitched. Maybe she had miss judged him and he wasn't this cruel jack ass she thought he was. His eyes were in deep thought, looking into hers and his hands still on her face. She put her hands on his cheeks, almost naturally.

"I'm so sorry Clary," he voice soft, so soft that she might have missed it.

Clary was unsure of what to do next, was she supposed to agree, or say okay, she thought looking at his lips, kiss him. Hold up a voice in her head said, kiss him? Where did that come from?

Quickly Clary removed her hands from his cheek and smiled, putting her hands on her hips. "Did Jace Herondale just say sorry?"

Jace looked at her weirdly, an emotion she couldn't quite place flickered behind his eyes. Then he smirked, "You better not tell any one Lil Miss Sassy." He removed his hands from her face and stuffed them into his pocket.

Clary immediately missed the warmth of his hands on her face and almost leaned into his hands as they moved away.

"Lil Miss Sassy? Where did that come from?" she asked, a smile playing on her lips.

Jace pretended to wonder for a moment before saying, "You are a sassy one Clary Morgenstern, believe it or not." His voice was rough and soft.

Clary giggled, "And I'll say it again, you are a Womaniser Jace Herondale."

"I know, and damn don't the ladies like it." He said with a wink.

She chuckled and shook her head in disbelief, "Well I gotta go, see you later," she said awkwardly, unsure of whether to hug him or wave or something. Instead she just smiled and walked away, grinning at her interesting morning.

"Oh my gosh! Clary where have you been? We only have like an hour before breakfast and you promised I could dress you!" Isabelle exclaimed, seeing Clary walk into the girls' dorm,a smile on her face.

"Sorry Iz, I woke early and went for a walk," Clary said, laughing at Izzy's panic.

"Oh, well come come we don't have much time."

So an hour later Clary stood in front of the mirror. She could barely recognise herself, the shy, calm, self-concious girl she really was. Whenever Iz dressed her she seemed to inject her with self-confidence, because she always became wild and fiery. Except for this morning, when she was sassy all by herself...with Jace.

Isabelle had dress her in a short denim skirt with a loose green top that matched her eyes. She had white pumps and a small white denim blazer over her top. Her hair had been straightened and hung long and loose across her shoulders ending just below her bra line. Her big denim school bag hung over her shoulder fashionably and her make-up was minimal yet enhanced all her features.

Just then the breakfast bell rung and Isabelle rushed back into her room, dressed in a short white dress and purple gladiators with a purple school bag.

"You ready Clary?" she asked excited to see everyone.

"Yep," Clary said smiling. It was time to socialize. Yay! Not.

They met Simon at the entrance and they walked in, almost every one they passed said hello and smiled. Except for a group of girls, Aline, Kaelie and Brittany. Those girls hated Clary and Isabelle, without a reason.

When the trio sat down at their usual table they noticed the whole gang was there, with an addition. Jace sat opposite Clary, laughing at something Alec said. Most of the girls were shooting him sexy looks and Aline even winked when she walked by to which Jace raised his eyebrows appraisingly at her ass.

"Morning guys!" Isabelle called out, shifting the attention to them, as usual.

"Hey!" Everyone chorused back.

"Morning Sassy," Jace said, causing everyone to look at Clary.

Clary blushed at the attention and then glanced at Jace. He had a flirty smirk on his face and his hair was wet from a shower. He was wearing a t shirt with jeans that looked great on him. His eyes sparkled with amusement at the nickname and Clary couldn't help hut smirk too.

"Morning Womaniser," Clary said, "Looks like you already started fishing in the pond." She jerked her thumb at Aline.

Jace shrugged, "Well lets hope they are all as feisty as you," he said with a wink.

Clary could feel everyone's eyes on her and Isabelle's elbow digging into her ribs. She took a big bite out of her apple, "Well you'll have to find out." She raised her eyebrows.

"Find out what?" a voice from Clary's shoulder called. Ben. Everyone had seen Ben at dinner the night before but she hadn't been there and every one was quiet waiting to see how they acted together. Clary smiled, "Jace just wanted to know how feisty I was in bed," She said casually causing everyone to snicker and Jace to chuckle.

Ben raised his eyebrows, "Well I can tell you Jace, very feisty," he said with a wink. Clary mock gasped and hit him lightly on the arm, "That was a national secret Ben!"

Ben laughed, "Oh sorry Clare." He bent down and gave a small kiss on the cheek, "Morning," he whispered.

Clary kissed his cheek, noticing how easy it was to be with Ben again. It was like falling back in routine and right now routine was something she needed.

Alec cleared his throat, "Clary sorry I gotta run to Mrs. Sanders before the bell, can you just introduce Jace to everyone and take him to his home room?" he asked.

Jace looked annoyed at this, "Alec I do not need to be baby sat, I'm a big boy."

Clary laughed, "I don't doubt you are Jace," she sad with a wink, "But a little help is always nice." Jace looked like he was going to say something when Clary stood up quickly.

"Well Jace, this is Ben," she pointed at Ben.

"Clary's boyfriend," Ben said with a smile. Jace nodded, "Ben."

"That's Isabelle and Simon. That's Alec."

"I know Clary," Jace said with some impatience.

She smiled, "That's Maia," she pointed at a large built girl, with thick curly brown hair and a big smile. "That's Chris," she pointed at a tall, blonde boy with blue eyes, who winked at Clary. "That's Sebastian, who you have met and that's Jessica." She pointed at a slightly plumpish,short girl, with hazel eyes and platinum blonde hair. "This," she to gestured to him, "Is Jace."

Everyone chorused hello's and soon they fell into the usual questions of summer break.

"Clary," Sebastian called out.

"Yeah Seb?"

"Are you and Iz going to come watch soccer trials?" he asked.

Clary glanced at Iz who nodded excitedly, "Sure. Hey Jess and Maia, wanna come?" They both smiled and accepted.

All the boys smiled, "See you there lovely," Ben said as he kissed her cheek, leaving for class. She waved as everyone left, one by one. Jace waited until Clary finished her apple and they headed off to class.

Clary couldn't help but felt a little nervous being left with Jace after the little flirting session at breakfast but soon realised he treated all the girls that way. "What home class are you in?" she asked.

Jace looked at his class schedule, "Uh Mrs. Aldertree."

Clary smiled, "Cool me too." She bounded forwards towards the class, still getting a chorus of smiles and hello's from teachers and students alike leaving Jace wondering why this girl made him so intrigued.

Maybe it was her spunk, maybe her smile, maybe her looks. He couldn't place it. All he knew was that under that façade of perfection and false happiness was a different person, someone that may not be accepted, someone she felt the need to hide. Something he could relate to. Yet that person underneath, fascinated him. So with a chuckle he followed the sassy little red head.