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Heads up: this chapter is more Wessa but fear not Clace lovers – I will not dream of not giving Jace and Clary their chance.
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Disclaimer: I do not own The Mortal Instruments or The Infernal Devices.
"I'm a badass jumping off a moving train. I'm a Jane Bond, putting all the guys to shame. I'm a wild card, I'm about to take my aim. You better watch out...I'm a fire-starter, I'm a sweet disaster. I melt hearts like water..."
Fire-Starter, Demi Lovato
Chapter Two
"This chai latte should be one of the seven wonders of the world because it is bloody amazing."
Tessa rolled her eyes at the redhead's dramatic statement, calmly taking a sip of her own black coffee. "Your relationship with food is one that I will never understand."
Clary pointed an accusing finger at the brunette. "That is because you, my dear Tessa, are just plain weird. Who else would drink black coffee when there are so much more delicious drinks – such as this amazing chai latte - you could have?"
Tessa scoffed. "I'm weird? I don't know what delusion you're under but I think it's perfectly apparent to everybody that you are the weird one. And for your information, black coffee happens to be perfectly delicious and healthy."
"Yeah, yeah," Clary waved her hand dismissively. "You just keep telling yourself that."
Without Jocelyn to yank the covers off and threaten them with bodily harm, Tessa and Clary had gotten up only at ten in the morning. Not wanting to cook or eat, in Clary's words, "boring old cereal", the two girls had decided to head to Starbucks for brunch.
Tessa wished she had a camera with her, just so she could capture the look on Clary's face. The petite girl looked like she was in heaven; an expression of complete rapture on her features, complete with a creamy mustache on her upper lip.
"I need to go soon," Tessa said, throwing Clary a napkin to wipe her mouth. "My shift at the bookstore starts in about fifteen minutes and I need to pick up a new copy of A Tale of Two Cities since my old one looks like it might fall apart any minute."
"You're the only person I've ever known who voluntarily reads a Charles Dickens book," Clary commented. "Sometimes I worry about your mental health."
"I can assure you I'm perfectly sane," Tessa replied dryly, finishing off her drink. "Although I can't say the same for you, I'm afraid."
The redhead's spring green eyes sparkled with mischief as she threw her head back and put on an exaggerated British accent. "Tessa darling, whatever are you talking about? I'm completely of sound mind – are you sure you're feeling all right?"
"That sounded like you just inhaled a load of helium," Tessa informed Clary, trying and failing to hold back a smile. "And don't make fun of my country."
Tessa hadn't ever thought that she could miss London, even though she had lived there for nearly ten years. It was only after the accident, after she had gone to New York to live with the Morgensterns that she had missed it desperately, often forgetting where she was when she woke up in the middle of the night. New York, however lovely it was, just couldn't replicate London, the old-world charm that lay on its streets and bridges, the feeling of knowing this would always be her home.
"I think I'll head on over to Simon's house," Clary interrupted her thoughts. "Say hi to Luke for me."
The two girls headed out of the cafe and parted ways, Tessa heading to Luke's bookstore, a couple of streets away, and Clary going to Simon's house. It was an unusually hot and humid day for October and Tessa was glad to get out of the sweltering heat and into the air-conditioned shop.
Luke, Jocelyn and Valentine had been close friends in college, and the Morgensterns had named Luke godfather to both Jonathan and Clary. Tessa's parents had been friendly with Luke too, but Tessa had only got to know him when she moved in with the Morgensterns. It was Luke who had offered her a part-time job at the shop, knowing that she needed something to take her mind off the accident. He had also insisted that she call him Luke instead of 'Mr Garroway.'
Jessamine Lovelace was at the counter as usual, busily filing her nails with her perfectly manicured feet propped up on the table. "Great, you're here," the blonde girl drawled when she spotted Tessa. "I was nearly about to die of boredom."
It was a mystery to Tessa why Jessamine even wanted to have a job at all. It wasn't as if she had financial problems; Jessie's parents were loaded, and she was the apple of their eye. If she needed anything, all she had to do was bat her eyelashes and ask.
Luke came out of the store room, smiling when he spotted Tessa. Jessamine called goodbye and left, but Tessa was focused on Luke. She knew from his face that something was wrong – his usually cheerful blue eyes were clouded with anxiety and there was a strained expression on his face.
"Tessa," he started. "I need to ask you a favour."
"What is it?"
"Could you stay until two and lock up?" Luke asked. "Amatis was in a car accident, and they've taken her to the hospital so I need to go."
"Of course," Tessa replied. Amatis was Luke's older sister, which explained why he looked so worried. "I hope she's alright."
"Me too," Luke sighed. "Thanks, Tessa. I owe you for this."
"No problem," Tessa smiled.
Once Luke had left, Tessa settled herself into the chair behind the counter and opened up a brand new copy of A Tale of Two Cities that she had taken from the shelf.
Placing the book flat on the desk, she started to read, her head resting upon her right elbow. It didn't take long before she was drawn into the world of 17th century France, into the bloodshed and politics of the French Revolution...
"Well, fancy seeing you here Tess."
You have got to be kidding me.
Tessa's head snapped up, her blue-grey eyes narrowing at the person who had rudely pulled her back to reality. Sure enough, it was Will's dark blue gaze that met hers.
"What are you doing here?" she blurted, standing up. She might be trying to play him but if he tried any of his cheesy pick-up lines on her, the only thing he was going to get was a repeat of the slap she had given him last Tuesday.
Will shrugged. "I came to get a copy of A Tale of Two Cities. Is it a crime?"
Of all the times he could have come to get the book, he had to pick now. Why, Fate, why?
Tessa gritted her teeth to keep a rude response from slipping out. You're trying to make him fall in love with you. You can't insult him at every turn.
"I never said it was," she retorted calmly. "You wanted A Tale of Two Cities, didn't you? Here you go."
She shoved the book she had been reading into his hands. "That'll be eleven dollars and seventy-five cents."
Will didn't pay her and leave like she'd been hoping. Instead he looked at her curiously, blue eyes searching her face. "Why were you reading this?"
Tessa sighed. "I was bored, I read a book I liked. The money, please."
Still, the infuriating boy lingered. "Why do you like this book?"
Tessa was about to reach over the counter and throttle Will until she saw the genuine interest in his eyes. Much to her surprise, her annoyance faded as she tried to answer his question. "I don't really know," she responded, thinking. "I think it's because of the characters, mostly. Especially Sydney Carton."
Will raised an eyebrow. "Didn't he die in the end?"
"Will you never stop asking questions?" Tessa replied, exasperated. "Yes, he did but it was because he loved Lucie and wanted her to be happy."
"If I had a name like that, I'd off myself too," Will agreed cheerfully. "Who names their child Sydney? Weren't his parents French? You'd think they'd name him Paris Carton, at least."
"I am not going to enter into a discussion about names with you," Tessa replied tersely, barely keeping her temper in check. "And I believe you still owe me eleven dollars and seventy five cents."
Will, of course, ignored this. "Why are you all alone?" he asked, looking around the shop.
Patience, Tessa. The faster you answer, the faster you can kick him out.
"Luke – my boss – had to leave early because of personal matters. He asked me to stay until two to lock up. Are you satisfied now?"
Will looked at his watch. "Looks like you have about an hour left," he commented, turning those midnight blue eyes on her.
"What a remarkable observation," Tessa replied sarcastically. "Can't you just pay me and leave? Isn't there some pretty girl you have to flirt with?"
Right at that moment, there was a ding, like the sound of a text message. Tessa knew it wasn't her phone; it would have to be Will's. "There you go. Looks like Juliet can't wait for her Romeo."
Will smirked. "Romeo, am I?"
Tessa wasn't sure whether to roll her eyes or smack him on the head with a thick book.
She settled for the latter.
"Ow!" Will complained. "That hurt, Tess."
"Good," Tessa replied primly. "And don't call me Tess."
"Violent woman, aren't you?" Will muttered, rubbing his head. "First you slap me and then you hit me on the head with a book."
"Well you deserved it," Tessa told him. "Now are you going to pay me or not?"
Finally Will got the message and paid her. "Great," Tessa sighed in relief. "Now leave."
"Is that the way you talk to all your customers, Tess?" Will teased. "Most improper conduct, I must say." To Tessa's horror, Will sank down against the wall, sitting cross-legged and making it apparent that he wasn't going to leave for quite some time.
"Don't you have somewhere to be?" she asked desperately.
"Nope," Will shrugged. "I told Jem I'd meet him here at two, and considering that you're going to be all alone, I thought I'd keep you company."
"Thanks for your consideration," Tessa said tightly, "but I'm fine by myself."
Will shrugged. "Look, I have time to spare and so do you. You can either read your book while I sit here and die of boredom – or we could mutually spare each other an early demise. Your choice."
Tessa was about to pick option one – if Will didn't have some pretty girl to flirt with for forty five minutes, it wouldn't harm him – but then remembered that she had to make him fall in love with her.
The sacrifices I make for the good of the world.
She sank down against the wall about a metre away from Will, pulling her legs up to her chest. "If anyone comes in and looks at me weirdly," she started accusingly, "I'm telling them it's all your fault."
Will grinned. "Fair enough."
Clary could not believe her stupidity.
She had completely forgotten that Simon would be at his cousin's bar mitzvah, even though he had told her just two days ago and now she was standing in front of his empty house looking like a complete idiot.
With a sigh, Clary turned around and walked back up the pavement, pondering her options. Isabelle and Sophie would be working on their Science project and Tessa was at work...which left only Cecily.
Clary set course for the Herondales' house, hoping that she wouldn't meet Cecily's stiff-as-nails grandmother, Imogen. The first (and only) time that Clary had met her, the old lady had been most displeased at what she called Clary's 'utter lack of manners'.
But to be fair, it wasn't Clary's fault that Imogen expected everyone to say good morning instead of hello, like normal people did. And then when she tried to apologize, cut her off very rudely.
Miserable old bat.
The leaves were starting to fall, Clary realized distractedly, her shoes crunching over the ones that lay on the pavement. They were turning a fiery orange, a colour that made her yearn for her Prismacolour pencils and a sketch pad.
Clary was so lost in thought that she didn't even realize she was at Cecily's house until she walked smack into the door.
That was embarrassing.
Rubbing her forehead with one hand, she rang the doorbell and stepped back, waiting for Cecily to come to the door. When no one came, she rang it again, tapping her foot impatiently. What was taking Cecy so long?
When it finally opened, she sighed in relief and looked up – to come face to face with a chest. It was a very nice chest, tanned and muscular and with a six-pack, but it was also very naked.
What the hell?!
In her surprise, Clary took a step backward, slipped, and would have fallen on her butt if a strong arm hadn't clasped her hand and pulled her back with enough force that she collided with the aforementioned very naked chest, her hands gripping her saviour's biceps for balance as two hands gripped her waist to keep her steady.
Clary followed the arms all the way up to their source and then to the face that accompanied both the torso and arms, her eyes widening in horror when she realized whose embrace she was currently locked in.
"Well, well, Clary," Jace Herondale said, an amused smirk on his face, "I never knew you felt that way about me."
Whew! Finally done!
So we've got some Wessa action and Clary falling into the arms of a shirtless Jace...what could be better? ;)
I'm sorry this took so long but I had to write and re-write it until I was finally satisfied with the result. I can't believe nearly sixty people, and maybe more, are reading this. That is INSANE. I love you guys, I really do.
Please tell me what you thought of this chapter in your review. Till next time!