Hi.
Sorry for the really late update. I went on a retreat, and had a lot of homework to deal with, since it's the Chinese National Holiday (which means no school). So... yeah. Here's the new update! R&R, and ENJOY!
The Shadow World
Chapter Two
Clary's POV
The Java Jones is a ratty old coffee shop a few blocks away from the school. Despite the fact that it is one of the oldest buildings in the existence of human beings, the owner had renovated it quite nicely, installing the Internet, air conditionings, and even a minibar that did not sell alcohol.
Fortunately, the Java Jones was always hiring. Most students come and go, always finding places that paid better, but Clary preferred the Java Jones any day.
First of all, Clary didn't really mind wearing the olive green blouse, the dark red tie and black-and-white plaid skirt, which served as the uniform. It wasn't that unfashionable. Secondly, Clary was fine with the ten-dollars-per-hour payment. It definitely worked better than the five-dollar-per-hour payment from Monique's Mocha. Last of all, there was the Internet. Mr. Jones, the owner didn't really mind Clary doing her homework when there were no customers to serve.
On the second day of school, Clary was ready to work on her morning shift at six in the morning. Oh yeah, Kingsley High was a boarding school.
By then, the Java Jones were already filled with students sitting at the booths and bars, tapping away at computers. Clary's hands busied themselves as she worked with Maia Roberts.
Isabelle was leisurely sipping a frozen cappuccino smoothie with coconut sprinkles and a swirl of whipped cream at the top. Despite everything, Clary was a little annoyed when the blender nearly took her fingers off. Sure, Isabelle was a good friend, but Isabelle is actually pretty rich, and didn't need to find odd jobs. She had no idea what a pain it is to make frozen drinks.
After serving a steaming mug of expresso, Clary glanced around in satisfaction. Knowing that Maia wouldn't need help with frosting the chocolate cheesecake, Clary settled down to finish her Trig homework.
For at least ten minutes, Clary's mind flew as she answered the questions. Then, she hit a particularly difficult one.
"I'll take a caramel mocha, please,"
"Wait a moment," Clary said, irritated.
"Excuse me, but I am in a rush..."
Clary glared up in annoyance, and froze.
Goodness sake, must it be Jace?
"Oh... Yeah. I get it." Clary stuttered. Her worksheet fell to the floor as she stumbled, grabbing a cup and started to drain the coffee machine and stirring in the caramel.
For the entire time, she kept her eyes glued onto her hands. She didn't dare to look at Jace.
After gathering the change, she saw quite a crowd. Apparently, Jace's buddies had also wanted coffee as well.
Thankfully, Maia had finished frosting, slicing and displaying the cake. She helped.
After five minutes, Clary had finished dishing out several bagels, two slices of cake, four ham sandwiches and about ten thousand coffees.
As the boys left, Isabelle raised an eyebrow, slurping her smoothie elegantly.
(((())))
Clary slumped down on her bed. She was roomies with Isabelle. There were at least ten more minutes until she had to hurry, but Clary didn't really care.
"You'd better change out of that outfit, or the Fashion Police will come running," Isabelle warned.
Of course, she meant Kaelie Willows and her prissy little clique who wore clothes that would give any decent person a heart attack.
Clary grunted, but obediently put on the outfit Isabelle chose for her, which included a tight flowery dress and dark purple leggings and kitten heels.
Meandering lazily to Dr. Greenburg's class, (which was basically snooze-time) Clary just had to run into Jace's buddies again.
They were still sipping the coffee from hours ago, laughing like a band of hooligans. Clary fumed and ignored them. She did not know why she suddenly just hated them.
Isabelle didn't say anything as she watched Clary's darkened face.
(((())))
Clary didn't really like Physical Education either. She couldn't make it across the gym without tripping over her own feet, much less hurl a volleyball.
Isabelle, on the other hand did everything gracefully. She even managed to look like a supermodel in the baggy jerseys and shorts the school provided. Clary, on the other hand, looked like a shapeless lump.
After falling for the twenty-seventh (yes, she counted) time, Clary was positively fuming. The only thing that actually cheered her up was the fact that Maia promised to save her a slice of chocolate cheesecake, which she would give her after PE, which was the last period.
Just another forty minutes... Clary's brain squirted the message over and over.
"Need help?"
"No," Clary groaned, trying to haul herself up. She definitely recognized that voice.
Jace smirked, watching Clary thoughtfully with those bright golden eyes, offering a hand.
Clary pawed herself to her feet.
"You make excellent, coffee, by the way. Much better than Isabelle," Jace noted mildly.
"Right. Thanks," Clary grumbled.
"No, seriously. That mocha was pretty nice," Jace said. Sincerely.
"Ha ha ha," Clary said, grabbing a drink from her bottle.
"You haven't tasted Isabelle's coffee yet, have you?" Jace asked.
"Nope" Clary said. Why in the world are they talking about coffee, for the sake of it?
"I'd advise you not to try it!" Jace called over the clanging of the bell as Clary fled the gym.
(((())))
Back at the dorm, Isabelle handed Clary some of her homemade coffee.
Jace was right.
Isabelle's coffee tasted like a mixture between raw coffee beans and acidic sugar, with unidentified chunks of stuff floating at the top.
