"If getting drunk was how people forgot they were mortal, then hangovers were how they remembered."

Matt Haig

Jace sighed, groaning loudly in frustration. He ran his hands through his hair roughly, tugging at the long locks. He grabbed his cell and dialed her number for the tenth time and listened to the operator say the exact same message. "Fuck, Clary." Was she angry at him? Of course she was, he thought dejectedly. His parents were rude and he didn't help either. He was just as bad as they were. His eyes darted across his room. He had already checked in her condo and she wasn't there. He didn't have to worry. She was probably picking something up or with her friends. Except she only had him.

"I'll just leave her a message." He muttered to himself and kicked off his shoes before collapsing onto his sofa, occasionally checking his phone for any unread texts. He couldn't watch television because everything seemed to bore him and Clary was all that was in his mind. He bit his bottom lip in thought. His parents were messed up, he already knew that for a fact. Clary didn't deserve it. She was just doing him a favor and he hadn't even followed after her when she left which made him feel horrible and slightly cruel.

Time went by slowly and Jace found himself napping on the couch, his chest rising and falling gradually. The light from the television set continued to blare on but he didn't notice, his eyelids were tightly shut with exhaustion.

XX

Clary blinked her eyes and called to the taxi driver, her voice slightly muffled. "Drop me off at Lupus bar." She barely saw the nod of his head and they were driving in that direction. She didn't want to go home. She didn't want to face Jace. He would probably see her as some slut just like his parents. That dinner was terrifying. Beyond mortifying. Luckily, she had left early and was going to get a drink. She heard her phone buzz with notifications and other crap but she didn't check it. It was Jace.

The taxi stopped in front a medium sized building with flashing lights and a few people outside talking to one another. She dropped a few bills onto the front seat and climbed out of the vehicle. The air was chilly but she managed with Sebastian's jacket. He was cute, she thought absentmindedly. And pretty polite. That was the thing. Clary didn't exactly like nice guys. Jace wasn't a nice guy and he was her best friend. She stomped her foot at his mention. "Fuck him." The words brought satisfaction to her and a smile pressed against her red lips.

XX

Jordon eyed the girl wearily. He handed her another glass. He tried to count how many she had drunk but it was getting difficult since the bar was busy. She was a pretty girl, beyond pretty. She didn't belong in the joint at two in the morning. Another customer sauntered over to him and asked for a cocktail and he returned to doing his job. He loved Lupus. A small bar but a popular one at that. He worked there for four years ever since high school and that was a long time. He stretched out his arms and tapped his fingers against the brown countertop in front of him.

The girl was drunkenly walking to a muscular man in the corner who was smiling at her, his brown orbs filled with lust. She made her steps towards him and he grasped her hips, lifting him on his lap effortlessly. She didn't refuse, her tongue flicking out to touch his. His friends made wolf noises at the intercourse but the two didn't pay mind. Jordon peered at the stool where she had sat. Her phone lied there, brightly lit with messages. He flicked his gaze at her but she was distracted. The name was Jace with a smiley face. Whoever it was, Jordon hoped that the he would get her out of there. The guys she was hanging out with weren't so good with reputation. He waited for the third ring and finally got a response. "Hello?" Came a tired voice.

Jordon let out a breath. "Look, there's this girl hanging out at my bar and I need her out."

"What? Clary?"

"I don't know her. She's here but she's too drunk. I doubt she'll be able to drive or even hail a cab."

"Alright. I'll be right there. Where is this bar?"

"It's Lupus on Evergreen drive."

"Thanks."

"Yea."

Jordon clicked off the device and slid over several more drinks to a few older women in the back. They giggled and waved at him. He ignored them. The girl, or Clary, was touching the man's chest, her small hands feeling his body. "Shit." Jordon said, clicking his tongue. Some complaints were heard from the front of the bar.

XX

Jace was frantic. What was she doing at a bar? His eyebrows knit in confusion. She was doing something that the manager didn't like. He called for a cab and shouted the location. The night was dark and starry, no clouds in sight. He was worried. He wanted the stupid taxi to stop already but it took ten minutes to do that and Jace was already running against the pavement and into the rusty bar.

The place was small but crowded and Jace turned to his left but didn't catch any red. He pushed past people who stunk of alcohol and grumbled out false apologies. Then he spotted her. Wrapped tightly on a large man who appeared to be having pleasure in her kisses. Something in his chest tightened and he trudged to them, grabbing at Clary's arm. She didn't budge until he called her name. "Clary?"

She tugged away from the guy and whirled to face him, her cheeks red from the rush of beer. "Jace?" His name came out long and confused. Her dress was ruffled up to her waist and the man's hands still lied there.

"We're leaving." Jace said and watched as Clary hopped away from the stool and walked towards him crookedly. She clung to his arm and leaned her head against his back.

The bald man sneered, white teeth gleaming maliciously. "Get your slut outta here." Clary whimpered behind him as if recalling something.

Jace was kicked out of the bar and left with a bleeding nose. He had taken a good blow on the guy. It was worth it. He tried to swipe his sleeve on his nostrils but the blood kept pouring out. Grunting, he pulled Clary along with him, her steps slow. "What the fuck did you think you were doing there?" He almost shouted. She flinched away and he sucked in a breath. He hadn't meant that.

"Stop acting like you care." She said, smacking his arm away. She was beyond drunk.

"I do." He raised his arm yet again for another taxi. He figured his wallet was probably empty now anyway.

She swayed back and forth like she was figuring out where to walk. Her red bra was exposed, the straps on her dress falling down her arms. When the taxi finally arrived, Jace hauled Clary in first. Her body was light and she hiccuped loudly, sliding next to the window. "Alicante Condos." He said to the driver.

He was relieved. She was okay. That was all that mattered right now. Jace turned to her, his face searching hers. "Clare?" He asked softly.

She looked up, her lips inches away from his. Her green eyes were dazed.

"I'm sorry." He told her, flicking her nose like he always did. "For everything. Don't do that again. Okay?"

"Okay." She managed to say after a few hiccups. He laughed and gave her a small smile.

He had to pick her up into her condo and he struggled to unlock her door when she hung loosely on his back. He kicked his foot out to shut the door behind them and strolled into her bedroom, letting her fall onto her mattress soundly. He snatched off her shoes and lifted her legs so that her blankets could lay atop her. Sighing, he sat on the ground, cross legged. She opened her eyes. "I'm sorry." Was all she said.

"I know." He told her.

Jace leaned closer to her and pressed a kiss to her cheek. "Go to sleep."

She watched him curiously, a little hesitant. "We'll be okay tomorrow?"

He grinned. "Yea."

And she went to sleep.