I am aware that this update is short, but the idea hit me so I drank up all the creative juices and used it all here! I hope you all like it. Also, just a quick note: This story switches not only perspectives (while still remaining in third person, so it's not that confusing), but also time as well. PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE TIME STAMPS BECAUSE I WON'T GO IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER! I might flashback to two years ago during the summer, two years ago in May, etc., etc. So pay close attention to that!
DISCLAIMER: I OWN NONE OF THE SONGS, LYRICS, ALBUMS, CHARACTERS MENTIONED IN THIS STORY. Just the storyline…oh, and your souls :)
Revenge Is Sweeter (Than You Ever Were) by The Veronicas (diner scene; if you really must know, it was the lines I chose that I felt fit the scene perfectly. I know this song is about cheating, but just those words alone fit the mood, so don't think Jace is a cheater!)
The Story by Thirty Seconds To Mars (Jace looking back)
Speechless by The Veronicas (the bonfire scene–which is SO ADORABLE!)
Present Day…
"And I stood up for you
'Cause I believed you were the one.
You had all the chances in the world
To let me know the know the truth,
What the hell is wrong with you?"
"Interesting choice of venue," a familiar voice pulled Jace out from the deep recesses of his mind. He glanced up and smiled when he took in Clary wearing a normal graphic t-shirt with a pair of torn jeans splattered with paint. Seeing her today on the show wearing something so out-of-character for her made her look a ridiculous, considering how much shoulder skin she revealed to all of America. She should've stuck with her typical outfit for the interview, especially since it represented who she really was–just a typical teenager with a gift unheard of before.
"I like diners," he shrugged. "And Ellen's Stardust has the best double patty burgers in the known Universe. I'd argue unknown as well, but it's quite difficult to argue about something you aren't entirely sure of."
"Yeah, because other life forms out there waste their times flipping patties like us," she snorted, opening up her menu. Since they were seated in a booth in the corner, they had the best privacy away from the live show of waiters and waitresses aspiring to be on Broadway dancing on the center catwalk, but hearing them was inevitable. And it's not like he was complaining; Clary used to work here and whenever she'd get her chance to sing, she blew the roof down. Broadway had nothing on Clarissa Fairchild.
After ordering their food, Jace steepled his fingers in front of him, his elbows resting on the table and watched as Clary took in his white button down (two buttons undone on the top to allow breathing room, not that he didn't have an undershirt underneath) and worn jeans. Then he watched as her gaze flickered to the thickly woven white hemp bracelet he wore on his right wrist and felt his heart pound wildly as recognition played out just behind her eyes.
Figures she would remember, he mused, recalling the day himself.
Two years ago, May…
It all started off as a normal day, a pattern forming the longer Jace stayed in New York. Lasting for a whole nine months in one place was something of a novelty for him and his family, but it seemed as if his dad was starting to like New York and as always, Jace regretted not being more social since his arrival. If only people knew he was so stiff when it came to first impressions was because he was scared of the commitment: of getting to know people and getting to sleep over their houses, laying down roots only to have to rip them up with his bare, bloody hands just when he was starting to like a place.
Moving around used to be fun when he was younger, an adventure he used to look forward to. While his father kept getting relocated different places for business, Jace grew up all over the world, picking up on many languages and accents, never really fitting in anywhere.
The older he got, the more the regret and anger built up inside of him. Regret, for never getting to know anyone well enough to have friends or establish any serious connections of sorts and anger towards his father, for being the only constant and an unwanted one at that.
Which was why Jace was getting antsy the longer they stayed in New York. They usually uprooted within the first six months max, but nine months? The last time he had been in one place for nine months was his mom's womb! And that was approximately about eighteen years ago.
Which was why getting used to having Alec over was something completely far-fetched to Jace–or at least, it was at first. The more Alec came over, the less of a novelty it became until it got to the point where each other knew the other's house better than their own. On numerous occasions, Jace found t-shirts Alec thought fell victim to Izzy's "self-designer cutting" phase and vise versa–except Jace didn't have a sister, or even a brother for that matter. Another reason why having another teenage boy in his house was a strange concept he couldn't wrap his mind around.
"So…what do you think?" Jace asked, spinning around in place once for Alec to examine his outfit. He was wearing a nondescript white t-shirt with basketball shorts and flip-flops, a comfy outfit that he figured would be okay for the first bonfire he was going to.
Alec paused the video game on TV long enough to shoot Jace a dirty look and say, "Just because I'm gay doesn't mean I have an impeccable taste when it comes to fashion. I like black, so I wear it all the time, okay?" Then after a moment, he added, "I'd wear a black thin button down with khaki shorts. It says sophisticated yet comfy–that is, if you want my honest opinion."
"Thanks," Jace said cheerfully, turning back to his closet, grabbing the change of clothes and stepping into his adjoining bathroom. A second later, he came out wearing the outfit Alec recommended and did the same model twirl for him.
"And you say I'm the gay fashionista here," he mumbled, shaking his head as he resumed the video game.
*Musing Interruption* Present Day...
"Here's your food," the waitress–Kaelie, according to her nametag–said as she bent over to set his food in front of him. She flashed him a wink and handed him a napkin with seven digits on it before leaving to service another table.
"God," Clary scowled, "when can we go somewhere without some girl tossing herself at you?"
"I'm drawing a blank on that one," he agreed, rolling his sleeves up as he prepared himself to eat. "I'm number one in America and I'm also quite known internationally as well."
"You might want to cut it there," Clary snickered. "Your head is getting so big, I'm surprised that it's still attached to your body."
"Hilarious," Jace simpered, throwing a wink before lifting the burger to his face. Clary narrowed her eyes and Jace reveled in the fact that after all this time, he still got under her skin. Thinking back to the bonfire, Jace could already remember what Clary's face looked like when it wasn't always fixed in a grimace or scowl whenever he was around, back when she was happier, when he was happier…
Two years ago, same night in May…
Funny, how it was the same Jeep Commander that almost took her life away that Clary now clambered into, shutting the door behind her with Alec behind the wheel and Jace in the passenger seat. Looking up at the rearview mirror because of a feeling he was being watched, he locked eye contact with the petite redhead. Of course, she didn't turn away, always ready for a challenge, until Izzy called for her attention and even so, Jace could see the irritation in her eyes before she turned them to Izzy.
Clary and Jace hadn't exactly been on much speaking terms ever since the hero encounter because even though he was in her grade–moving from a foreign country to America left him a year behind even though he was a few months younger than Alec–they didn't have any classes together. Sure, they acknowledged each other in the hallways and even teased each other when the Lightwood siblings–Clary's "portal" to the girl world being Izzy and Alec being Jace's only good friend–were around each other, but that was about the extent of their relationship. Which displeased Jace.
Something about Clary had caught his attention on the first moment he spotted her moments before death and had the Jeep not almost ran her over, Jace would've tried to find a way to talk to her, just to hear her speak.
He knew it was very weird to react this way basing off his experience with foreign girls from all over the world–none of them he took seriously, just dalliances–and ever since then, he made it a mission to get to know Clary better, if not to date her, than to just be her friend.
This was why Alec "persuaded" Izzy to invite her Chemistry lab partner to a bonfire that Magnus Bane–Alec's boyfriend–was holding at his exclusive beach house. Hence, why Clary was fidgeting slightly in her chair, feeling more out of place than a lamb in a lion's den.
Clary wished Simon was with her, but since he wasn't invited, Clary couldn't bring him regardless of how much better it would've been for her to have at least one familiar face at this party. She'd never even heard of Magnus Bane until that moment, and even so, she had a feeling he didn't associate himself with the type of people she knew–band geeks, artists, thespians…
So she just sat back, pretended to be interested in whatever Izzy was blathering on about while occasionally glancing at the rearview mirror to see Jace staring at her with gleaming eyes. At least one person seemed to care about whether or not she existed, which made her smile a little. Maybe tonight wouldn't be so bad after all.
Two years ago, same night in May later on...
"Where'd you get that bracelet from?" Jace asked, gesturing to the white rope-like bracelet that encircled Clary's left wrist. She had been fiddling with it whenever her right hand was free and it bothered him to the point of frustration.
Clary had been staring in marvel at the orange-light green tipped fire that danced in place with the stone barricades preventing it from lashing out and tore her gaze from it to stare at Jace. "Mmm?"
"That," he said, gesturing at her bracelet.
"Oh," Clary flushed. "I made it when I was younger, in elementary school. I think I was in second grade? Anyway, it's really lame but it's kind of like a trust bracelet. When you weave it, you're supposed to weave in a strand of your hair, a bit of saliva–which isn't that hard considering at some times you need to hold the inner strings with your teeth and you drool on it as a result–and a little blood. Another task not too hard to accomplish since weaving can cause your fingers to bleed with the friction. Once it has all the components, you give the bracelet to the one person you trust the most outside of your family."
"But your still wearing yours," Jace said slowly, not sure if voicing his thoughts was acceptable. He completely understood the whole trust issue thing; he was the epitome of a child's life ruined by trust issues, so finding someone else who might be the same way felt…like a relief. Like he wasn't the only one who went through things like this all the time.
Glancing back down at the bracelet, Clary sighed. Looking up at Jace, she smiled ruefully and shrugged–she was trying too hard to act as if nothing bothered her, but Jace saw right through her. "I guess I just haven't found the right person to give it to yet."
"I understand." And he did. More than she probably knew. And when Clary smiled, one that was genuine and comprehensive, Jace knew that she knew he understood, which in turn, made him smile.
Izzy: I was just a "portal" in all of this? Oh come on!
Alec: Well, I'm not exactly "close" with Clary.
Izzy: But you're–
Alec: Okay, that's just HORRIBLE. I'm gay so I must know clothes, I'm gay so I must be girly, blah blah blah. Well, for your information, I don't know the difference between a Prada or Louie nor do I care! And I like black as a color, so judge me all you want.
Clary: I honestly think that's the most you've ever said…ever.
Jace: I second that.
Simon: Aww, you guys went to a party without me? Really cool, guys. Really.
Clary: Well, none of you guys know each other yet!
Me: Be patient, young grasshopper. Good things come to those who–
Simon: Do the wave, I know.
*Everyone stares*
Simon:…er, what?
Jace: Anyone want to tell him? Because honestly, I'm not even going to bother.
