First of all, BY THE ANGEL THANK YOU FOR THE LOVELY FEEDBACK AND REVIEWS! I was shocked it got this many, so I made this chapter longer as a thank you! Well, here we go! Next chapter! Yes, things have been twisted and warped like in most of my fics. So what to expect in this? Well you'll see. *evil laugh* thank you and I hope you like this and carry on reviewing! Love you all! x
Clary was so thankful when Simon gave up on the guitar lessons.
"You just have no musical talent whatsoever!" Simon whined as they walked down the street towards Java Jones. The sidewalks were bustling and more than once, they'd been separated. Clary noticed, feeling odd, that Simon had caught her hand. It was to stop her getting yanked away from him because of the crowd, but she couldn't help but feel it was because of another reason. Strange.
"How long do I have to endure this torture?" Clary sighed as they finally reached Java Jones. Simon looked hurt. "That's my band you're insulting."
"Oh? And what are you called now?
"…Raging Hamster."
Clary gave up. "I just…" she attempted to start, but then laughed, shaking her head. That was the worst name to date. Even worse than Royal Parrot.
She wasn't even going to think about The Smashed Teacups.
Simon held the door open for her and they went inside, the place already filling up. Clary pounced on a seat near the back, not wishing to be seen near Eric who was on stage, and the rest of the band that were sat at the front whooping like monkeys. He was trying to go solo for today, and she had a bad feeling about it. She was just thankful that Simon hadn't made them sit up front with the others. Otherwise, Clary would have just spilled her coffee all over her as an excuse to leave.
Just as Simon took his seat next to Clary, placing the piping hot coffee down next to her, the screeching began. And quiet literally. It startled Clary so much that the voice inside her head asked in concern, Clary are you okay?
I'm fine.
Are you sure? That was some screech. Sounded like a Shax demon with its tail cut off.
Clary giggled at that. No. It's Simon's band.
Ah. I'll take my leave right now. I don't want to be deaf before I'm even twenty. Talk to you later Clary. The link ended just as Simon started talking. "Wow. Uh, wanna finish this coffee then get out of here?"
Clary nodded furiously, gulping at her red hot drink. It burned but she didn't care. It was either that or lose her hearing.
The pair escaped before Eric could start up another song. As the door banged close, they heard the collective whine of agony from the other band members at the front. It appeared they weren't the only ones in pain.
"So," Clary told Simon as they walked slowly back up Brooklyn, "I think you should tell Eric not to pursue a career in solo singing."
"I agree," Simon replied, staring wistfully at the taxis whizzing by. Neither had enough money for a cab back, even if they pooled it all together. It was the long walk back and twilight was falling. Curfew was looming.
They walked in silence until Simon broke it by asking, voice nervous, "Clary do… I mean, are you going to prom?"
Clary glanced at the boy, noticing even in the dark light, he seemed to look faintly sick. She shook her head. "I don't know."
"Well would you go with me?" The words burst from Simon's lips before he could stop them, cheeks going a deep shade of red. Clary blinked at that. "Together?"
Simon nodded, not meeting her eyes. "Uh yes. If… if you want?"
She realized why he looked so nervous and sick, feeling herself go red. "Like," she started slowly, "as your… date?"
"Yes" Simon replied lamely, voice weak. He still couldn't meet Clary's eyes.
Clary was perplexed- a date? A date with Simon?
It felt… wrong, but she couldn't bare to make him feel more sick than he already was. That was the reason she nodded a fraction, replying, "um, okay. But aren't the tickets all sold out now?"
"I…" Simon was beetroot red again. "I bought two. Just- Just in case." They'd reached the front of Clary's house just in time. She knew her mother would go insane if she was out later than she should have been. Jocelyn Fray was protective of her daughter. Too protective in Clary's eyes.
"Goodnight Clary," Simon told her, fidgeting with the zipper of his jacket. "I'll see you in the morning for school."
Clary just nodded, not having any idea what to say. She was half expecting him to lean forwards and press a kiss to her cheek or something, but to her relief, he didn't.
She shut the front door behind her feeling weird. Even Jace picked up on it as he asked, Clary? What happened?
It's nothing.
Clarissa. He only called her Clarissa when he wanted to know, and instantly.
Clary sighed, ignoring the boy for a start as she called to her mother who was painting in the front room, "Mom I'm home."
"Dinner's under the grill if you're hungry."
"Thank you." Clary wasn't hungry. She trudged up to her room and collapsed onto her small, narrow bed, staring up at the ceiling.
Clary. You tell me what happened right this moment.
Shut up Jace, Clary just growled internally, rolling onto her side. Silence fell, but then his tone was gentle. It didn't happen often at all. You know you can talk to me.
Simon asked me out.
What, like, a date?
He asked me to be his date to prom on Friday. Red cheeks, blushing, everything.
You don't sound very happy.
I'm not Jace! This is Simon! He's… my best friend. I don't love him like that. I never have she sighed internally. I don't know what to do.
Tell him Jace advised her. If he loves you, he'll understand.
You should do a teenage advice column in a magazine.
Hmm, what do you think I should call it? 'Wayland's advice for mundies?'
Clary laughed at that, shaking her head a little even though he couldn't see. No. Teenage talks with jackass Jace.
Ouch. Well if it makes the screaming female hoards happy…
Clary rolled her eyes, falling silent. It was only broken when Jace asked, do you have a dress?
No. I don't.
Better get on that. Remember- wear a green one. You'll look lovely.
You've never seen me Jace.
Yeah, well I know what you look like from what you told me; midget with carrot hair and emerald eyes.
And no boobs.
And no boobs.
Clary tutted, but didn't feel embarrassed. She couldn't be with Jace. It was just impossible.
You know what I look like Clary.
She did. Long ragged blonde hair and matching syrup colored eyes. He'd used words like 'incredibly sexy' and 'irresistible' when describing himself. Clary found it amusing, because she was prepared to bet he wasn't that hot. All teenage boys thought themselves gods. Except Simon.
Plus Jace was rude. He was truthful, harsh and a downright asshole at times. But then, Clary had seen his other side. The side she sincerely doubted the people he knew had ever seen. He could be kind, fiercely protective and encouraging if the need arise. Like now.
Look Clary. Just do what you think is right, yes?
She nodded, signing out thank you.
Want to play 'I, Spy?'
For the last time, how can we even play that?
I was just giving you options.
Don't you have training?
Not today. We have tomorrow off too.
Is that good?
It can get dull around here. He sighed now, but then cheered up. Hodge stepped on Church's tail last night. You should have heard him screech.
Clary was smiling, trying not to laugh. Which one?
Hodge. Church couldn't have clawed up his leg any better.
Oh my.
'Oh my' is right. Plus Alec tripped over an umbrella earlier and head butted the wall. It's been a madhouse down here Clary. Come and save me.
Only if you save me from the dance on Friday.
St. Xavier's yes?
Yes.
Well you never know, Jace told her lightly. I'd love to dance with you.
Clary frowned a little, staring at the ceiling. You mean that?
Yes I do. I'd love to dance with you Clarissa Fray.
Maybe one day?
One day. Yes.
That made Clary smile. Jace I have homework to do.
Okay. I'll talk to you later. The link ended.
Clary felt relaxed now, curling up under the covers. She wasn't going to bother with homework. Talking to Jace soothed her better than anyone else ever could. Maybe he knew who she was better than she knew herself.
"Goodnight Jace," she muttered to herself, closing her eyes.
Somewhere in New York, Jace wished her good night too.
-Existence-
The next day wasn't as awkward as Clary had been expecting it. For one thing, Simon's behavior hadn't changed. Except the fact he kept looking at her hand as if he wanted to hold it. There was something in his dark eyes too. He looked like he was unsure, but had no idea how he could rectify it. Clary knew it was only a matter of time until his fingers laced themselves with her own.
And it happened later on at the end of the day while they were walking back home. Slim fingers caught her hand, twining them together. Clary could tell he was nervous, for his palm was sweaty. It felt wrong and she didn't like it, but she didn't pull her hand away.
Simon looked relieved when they reached the part of the road where they went their own ways, but also disappointed, as if he wished it had lasted longer. They said their goodbyes and parted, Clary rubbing her palm upon her shirt. She couldn't get rid of the feeling of Simon's hand on her own.
Her best friend was in love with her.
And she didn't love him. Not in the way he did.
Clary just glared at her mother when she grinned over the fact she was going to prom with Simon. Apparently, he'd called last night asking for her, but she'd been asleep. He'd told Jocelyn and now Clary was considering murder.
"I think it's cute," Jocelyn told her, voice light and amused. "It'll be good to go out and date."
"You wouldn't say that if it wasn't Simon."
Jocelyn tsked. "Simon is a lovely boy."
Clary gave up.
"Just one thing first." Jocelyn's tone of voice had become sterner. "If you're going to prom with Simon, I want to talk to you about things."
"What things?"
"I know what goes on after proms, Clarissa." Her dark green eyes narrowed. "You and Simon aren't planning anything, are you? You're both too young and I think a prom this year is pushing it a little bit too much."
Clary didn't understand for a start, then she did with her face going bright red. Oh my god.
Clary? Jace sounded like he was frowning.
Shh. That wasn't aimed at you. "Mom. Don't try to give me… that talk. School beat you to it and I really don't want to talk about this with Luke sat in the living room."
As if on cue, the man glanced up over his shoulder from his seat on the sofa. "Jocelyn," he called, "she's not stupid."
Clary shot Luke the smallest of smiles as a thank you. The whole idea was embarrassing enough without it actually happening.
"Just promise me Clary," her mother told her, voice dangerous more than anything, "that you won't do anything stupid. I doubt Simon would, but I know boys."
"Mom," Clary laughed out weakly. "Simon isn't a sexual predator or some teenage guy wanting to knock me up. I do not have any, any intention of having s- sleeping with him. Okay?"
Jocelyn seemed to relax at that. "Right," she told her daughter calmly. "Luke agreed to drive you into the city and pay for a dress. Nothing too revealing, you're showing him what you want to buy, yes?"
Clary nodded. "Okay, okay."
What are you going to show off anyway?
It's rude to eavesdrop Jace.
Ooops. The link ended.
Clary climbed into Luke's truck, signing a little as he got in too. "It's like she's expecting me to have kids before I'm even eighteen."
The truck rumbled as it came to life. "She just cares about you," Luke told her lightly.
"In a weird way."
"Your mother loves you Clary. More than anything. Never doubt that, okay?"
Clary just nodded. She knew it was the truth.
Prom dress hunting with Luke wasn't as bad as she'd been expecting. Jace enjoyed chiming in about making sure she got a dress that made her boobs look bigger. Plus she had to get a green one. It was the only one Jace would allow her to buy, even though he couldn't physically stop her.
But still, green was the only colour she looked at simply because of his words. Before long, she and Luke were walking out of the store with a gorgeous full length dark emerald ball gown that had a sweetheart neckline and corset back. It had been more expensive than she'd expected, but Luke had slyly added his own money to the collection to allow her to buy it. The act made Clary smile and thank him so much.
I wish I could have seen how you looked Jace told her wistfully as she and Luke made their way home. Clary laughed at that, shaking her head. And then she froze, realizing she wasn't alone. With a glance at Luke, she knew he had heard her. A moment later, he just asked, voice strangely distant, "are you still talking to that boy? Your imaginary friend?"
"Luke. Don't."
"I'm not judging you Clary. Just, don't you think you're getting a little too old for an imaginary friend?" his voice was sad. "You're not a child anymore."
Clary scowled. "He's real, Luke."
"So you think Clarissa. But he isn't. He is part of your imagination. Just don't mention this around your mother. You'll upset her. We all thought this faze was over."
Clary felt herself get mad, and even Jace's voice telling her Clary calm down, wasn't enough to stop her snapping out, "I am not doing this for attention. Why won't you all believe me-? Jace Wayland is real. He is real."
Her heart hoped he was real. But her head was saying it was impossible.
"You are such a mundane," Clary told him coldly. Jace was rubbing off on her.
Her words had two effects on Luke; one, his hands tightened upon the steering wheel. Two, he just breathed out, "Clary. Never say that around your mother or out loud again for that matter."
"Why?"
"Clary just listen to me. Please." His voice was quiet. Clary couldn't place it. Was he angry? Why?
That was weird, Clary told Jace as they carried on back towards Brooklyn, the bridge underneath them. He's never acted like that before over… us.
What happened?
I called him a mundane.
Jace started laughing, but then stopped, asking quietly, he reacted to it? As in, not normally?
It was like he knew the word. It meant something else to him.
Jace was silent for a moment before he muttered, strange. Very strange.
Tell me about it. Clary sighed. I'm almost home. Talk to you soon.
Actually, I'm out at the moment. Demon in Brooklyn.
Wh- what?
I said demon in Brooklyn.
Jace I live here. Brooklyn I mean.
Silence fell once more. Clary, get home and get inside okay? I'm pretty sure th- but as she listened, the link faded away. Jace? Clary just called mentally. Jace? Jace!
There was nothing but silence. It was… odd. Nothing there at all. Clary's heart started to hammer against her chest. Where was Jace? Where was he? Was he okay? A demon in Brooklyn… she wanted to warn Luke and her mother, but they'd only call her insane.
As the car rolled off BrooklynBridge and back onto the main road, Clary sighed to herself in relief as she felt the link return. Jace?
Clary can you hear me?
Yes. What happened?
I don't know. Everything just… vanished for a moment. It's never done that before.
Jace?
Yes?
Be careful.
I always am. Gotta run, got damsels in distress to save.
The link ended again, but Clary could feel it. Like she always could.
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