AN: Hey y'all! Check it out! Chapter. Read it tell me what you think.

Disclaimer: I still don't own Mortal Instruments.

Of Parties and Phone Calls

Despite the fact that my father is going out of town for a business trip I am still grounded. The man makes sure to remind me of this as he prepares to leave. This time the problem is that I don't have high enough grades in my chemistry class; he seems to think that if I spend the weekend locked up in my room I'll use the time to study and my grades will miraculously improve. I plan on spending the time avoiding having anything to do with my schoolwork.

""I want to see that you've made progress when I get back. Your grade drops any lower and you're off the team for at least a week. I'm not having that happen. Understand?" He's sitting behind his desk while I stand on the opposite side. I know why he like this set up when he want to talk to me about anything serious: it's intended to intimidate, show that he is in complete control of anything that happens in the room.

Now isn't the time to be disrespectful. He's so close to leaving me on my own for a few days; I'm not going to ruin anything by acting out. So I nod, "Yes, sir."

"That had better be an honest answer." His eyes inspect me for a long minute as if searching to see if I have answered him honestly or not. He seems to be content with what he sees because he leans back in his seat, "There should be plenty of food in the kitchen. I gave the cook some time off. You should be able to manage something without starving. You're to go directly to school and directly home afterwards: no skipping classes or going anywhere with your friends afterwards. During the weekend I expect you to stay here and concentrate on your school."

"Yes, sir." I nod again.

There's a spot on the floor where a chair must have scraped the varnish has been worn off. I study that instead of looking at him as I answer. While I don't exactly have plans I'm not completely telling the truth with this answer and I don't want him to catch even a glimpse of this in my expression. So I content myself with watching the spot and wondering how it got there as well as how long it has been hiding there. Normally my father is so meticulously about everything that I'm surprised he hasn't had it fixed yet. Unless he doesn't know it's there which means it must be relatively new. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if the man went through the house with a magnifying glass to inspect it for any faults.

If he does that would mean he's either really horrible at it or this spot on the floor has formed since his last inspection. Maybe it was my former tutor-he was here the other day with that horrible bird of his. I never saw why he insisted on keeping a raven as a pet: when the creature looked at you with its dark, soulless eyes it felt as if it was freezing your inner being. If I ever had a pet like that I think I would last two days before dumping it on an unsuspecting victim-a present that would hook their soul like a worm.

"I'll call you when I get to the hotel." Valentine is standing and collecting his briefcase, a clear dismissal for me. Five more minutes and I have nearly a week to myself.

"Have a good trip." I force myself to keep from rushing from the room, my hand wrapped around my recently acquired cell-phone. It's been weeks since he took it and every time I asked for it he pushed the date of return further and further away, but ,apparently, his departure meant I got it back in case I had to contact him about anything.

Gaining my phone back is essentially gaining my social life back; I'll be able to know when anything exciting is happening the instant someone thinks of it instead of having to wait for it to make its way through various social circles and back to me. For weeks now I feel as I if I have missed out on everything important, simply because I couldn't get to my phone.

You never realize how dependent you are on your technology: phone, computer, TV, whatever your personal choice is until you lose it for a while. It's like a limb has been cut off and you aren't quite sure what to do without it, or at least that's how it is for me. My phone is how I stay in contact with my friends even when I'm not allowed out of the house or my father forces me to leave practice before I even get the chance to talk to them.

But now I have my phone back and my father is going out of town - Jace Morgenstern will no longer have people wondering if he's become a hermit since he never texts back or attends a single social event. Apparently Aline had one of the best parties in the history of school last weekend and I didn't even hear about it until school the following Monday. I felt, for one of the first times in my high school career, like one of the losers that never get invited to any of the parties: Simon Lewis and his "band", the new kid who is a "free spirit" and has longer hair than half the girls in school, the fat kid who no one remembers anything about other than the fact that in third period history he spewed on the back of Aline's seat after taking a drink offered by one of my team mates- a nasty combination of mustard, water, and tobacco.

I could understand why those kids always watched those of us with lives like we weren't even part of the same world as them. Going to parties, spending nights out with friends, and being involved in the shenanigans we got into must seem like a totally foreign concept.

I drop on to my bed, scrolling through the dozens of texts I received while I didn't have my phone. It had gotten around that I didn't have my phone and the messages dwindled in the latter part of my time without it, most of them annoying offers from stores I had given my number to so they would stop pestering me about joining their "members club." Others invite me to one event or another and then several messages follow from the same person inquiring on why I don't ever text them back. Finally I settle on the fact that there are no good messages to read and set about deleting them: my inbox is practically full and now that I have my phone back I plan on putting it to good use.

Of course Alec is the first person I text once I'm done clearing the other texts.

Hey, man. Phone is back.

It only takes a second before he texts me back. If I know him at all I can guess he moping around the library waiting for someone to text him. He had plenty of friends but he never seems to be the one to initiate any sort of conversation. Despite his cocky demeanor and unruly behavior Alec is a really shy kid and he would much rather curl up in bed with a book than anything, but I'm the only one who knows that and he made me swear on my life not to tell.

Kewl.

He's always answering in text speak simply because he knows it annoys me. I've threatened to stop texting him completely a number of times but we both know I would never quit so he doesn't stop with his aggravating methods.

I roll my eyes at the short response and how it's spelled.

You doing anything this weekend?

Party Tiki's 2night. Wanna come?

I pause for a moment, I'll be pushing it if I go to a party the first night my father is gone. But I've missed so many that I can't say no without proving everyone right in their belief that Jace Morgenstern has become a complete bore.

Sure. What time?

7:30. Aline will b pumped that ur coming.

If Alec were sitting next to me I would roll over and punch him in the arm. The girl and I have had an on again off again relationship since freshman year and at the moment it is completely off again. She'll probably spend the whole night not talking to me while flouncing around in a short skirt, watching me as she lets others try to impress her-I bet I'll see her with at least three separate boys tonight, all of them taking full advantage of whatever shell go. She's crazy like that, hating me and then trying to make me jealous for it.

Mhm. You sure I should come? Wouldn't want to get in between you two.

Shut up.

Just as Aline and I have been together a number of times the girl has made it quite clear that there is something about Alec she finds repulsive, and strangely attracted to. I think it frightens him a little bit, it would frighten anyone in their right mind, when she tells him all about her other escapades, one hand flat on his chest. I guess I'm lucky that she knows if she ever acted like that around me I would simply walk away, something that upsets her to no end.

Alright. Tiki's at 7:30. Team gonna be there?

Duh. It wouldn't be a party if not.

Alright.

I drop the phone back on to the blanket, already bored with the conversation. I could talk to him about something meaning less for a while longer but we'll see each other tonight and it just makes it boring when we've already discussed everything suitable for parties by the time we get there. Alec isn't a particularly good conversationalist and I'm too sarcastic to keep a conversation going for long when no one will rise to the bait.

My foot taps the end of the bed as I consider my plans for the night. My dad should be out of town and he won't ever hear anything about it, it's as good of a chance to do something while grounded as any I'll get. Still I can't help feeling like the man has the ability to watch me at all times, which is totally impossible, and he'll know the instant I step foot in the garage to leave. I could always text Alec back and tell him I'm not feeling well but then he'll complain about me bailing on him again.

Now that I told Alec I'll go I have no choice but to actually make an appearance, he might have told James and some of the others on the team that I'm actually going to show up at a party for the first time in months. I can't disappoint them by skipping out.

Besides what else would I do? Sit around at home, watching movies and eating ice cream? Maybe if I were Alec's sister or any of the other girls at the school. But I'm not and that idea sounds entirely too boring for a weekend alone.

So I end up getting changed and going on a hunt for the keys to my car, it's been a few days since I've driven it anywhere. Once they've been collected I pulled a dark jacket from the closet and head out.

The party is already in full swing by the time I arrive complete with thumping music and drinks that none of us should be able to get our hands on. But people have friends and one of these happens to work at a local bar, The Hunter's Moon, who has a way of getting us as much as we can drink at each and every party. Their boss knows about it but turns a blind eye to the whole thing. He believes that teenagers should be allowed to drink, they get over the thrill of it by the time they can drink it legally and are less likely to become alcoholic, who knows if his theory is at all true, but I can tell you that all of us appreciate it.

"Jace!" I'm barely out of my car, haven't even had a chance to pull my aviators off before Alec is greeting me. The kid is popular and he still hangs around the door for me at every party we attend. He grins and holds out a red solo cup filled with amber liquid. That's another odd thing about Alec, he rarely ever drinks; we've figured this out before and now people are always calling on him to drag their sorry asses home if they can't do it themself. The beer must have recently been poured; it still has its foamy head as I step into the building with Alec by my side.

It's as if I've entered a different world than the one I've been living in for the past few weeks: instead of champagne flutes and pearls I'm surrounded by solo cups and girls wearing shirts that plunged down to reveal their chests. The music is loud and the bass heavy as girls swing their hips in time to it, boys' hands at their waists as they danced behind their girlfriend or the girl that attracted their attention that night.

I was right about Aline she is standing by the door and as soon as she sees me she moves towards me, her outfit is so revealing-consisting of a tiny cropped top and daisy dukes-that it's almost as if she isn't wearing anything. "Jace. I thought you weren't going to come. Someone told me you were at home being a good little boy and studying or doing whatever it is these days." Which is exactly what I'm supposed to be doing.

"Aline, I'm surprised to see you hear. I thought you would be off walking the streets or whatever ever it is you do these days." Her hand that was already inching its way down to my belt is quickly retracted as she scowls at me.

Her kohl rimmed eyes are flashing as she snaps her gum, "Asshole." Her hair fans out behind her and nearly hits me in the face as she stalks away, looking for some hapless victim to seduce. If she were a mythical creature she would be a Siren: beautiful and deadly, something you can't resist but should stay away from at all costs.

Alec is behind me laughing into his soda as Aline leaves. "I knew there was a reason I missed seeing you at parties. I think that may have been it." He snorts and shakes his head, "I just wish I had a camera every time she got pissed. She must think she looks injured and beautiful, really it just looks like she's been sucking on lemons." His laughter is drowned out by someone else shouting my name and then I am engulfed in a hug.

Izzy may be drop dead gorgeous, all legs and chest, but she's basically always been like a sister to me. We tried going on a few dates before, because as a male even i couldn't resist her looks, before deciding they were just too painfully awkward for either of us. "God. Jace. It's been forever since you showed your face in public, I was beginning to worry." She pulls back and her bracelets jingle on her wrist. "I totally didn't believe Al when he said you would be here."

Alec's expression is just as sour as Aline's was when his sister uses her pet name for him. He abhors it when people call him Al and Izzy knows that, the main reason why she never lets up with it. He flicks the back of his sister's head before muttering something about finding a snack and vanishes into the crowd.

I grin at him and then shrug at Izzy, "You know my dad. When he's in one of his don't let Jace out of the house moods there's nothing that can be done about it. Ii\ got away for tonight cause he's out of town for work for a few days. Otherwise I would be stuck at home documenting plants or conjugating verbs or whatever else it is he thinks are important to my life."

She laughs and grabs my hand, "Well then let's take advantage of your temporary freedom. No more sitting around and being a wall flower for you." She pulls me into the crows and past the people who greet me. She sees a girl who is dancing by herself and pushed me towards her, "Go. Have fun."

The girl is surprised as I sneak an arm around her waist with a smile of greeting. She's pretty, brunette, and has a name I don't even bother asking about it. I doubt we'll ever interact again after tonight. She tries to talk to me a few times but I'm not to terribly interested in what she has to say and she soon realizes this, falling silent as we dance together in the hot, packed room.

Soon the cups of beer I've downed have my head buzzing and leading her away from the dancing. It doesn't take long before we find ourselves on a couch, her comfortably situated on my lap as we kiss. I can already hear Alec's comments in the back of my head but I don't care, i came here to have fun and sometime having fun means doing things like this. One of her hands finds it's way down the back of my shirt as the other cups my face. She's not girlfriend material by any means but she will suffice for making out with while buzzed at a party.

Suddenly I hear a voice in my ear and I push her off to turn and glare at Alec, "Seriously dude. Chill out." He wouldn't like it if I interrupted him while he was kissing a girl, that was if he ever actually kissed girls, but somehow it's alright for him to do.

"Uh-uh." He shakes his hand and stays where he is. The girl seems to realize that we're done, at least for now, and stands. A pen finds its way to her hand and she writes her number on my arm, making me promise to call her sometime. i have no intention of doing anything of the sort but it's the only way she'll leave us alone so I agree with her.

Once she is out of sight I smack Alec in the back of the head. "What the hell was that for man?"

"Dude, your dad just called my house to ask if you were there."

"What?" This is enough to get over the annoyance of having to send the girl off. "He what? What did he say?"

Alec shrugged, though he's got concern written all over his features. "My mom just called me. She wanted to know if I knew where you were since he called about it."

"Jesus. He wasn't supposed to be back yet." I can hear the worry in my voice and clear my throat to hide it. That isn't who am I, I don't give a damn about disobeying my father or the consequences. Or at least that's what everyone here thinks.

But my father came home early and I'm as good as a dead man walking. If he called Alec's mother it meant he had been looking for a while, long enough for his furor to boil below the surface. I would return him and then what? I would be punished for direct disobedience. I'm going to regret ever coming to this party, regret ever listening to Alec's plans for the night. This much I'm sure of.

I swallow as I pull my phone from my pocket. I had felt it buzzing on and off all night but had simply passed it off as Alec and other blowing up my phone since they knew I had it back. There are a few texts from my friends but the missed calls from my father are what have me bothered. "Shit." Nearly a dozen new voice mail messages greet me as I frown down at the screen.

Alec's expression is sober; he knows my dad and I don't have the greatest relationship. I think he might suspect how bad it is but he's the type of kid to not pry about sensitive things-one of the reasons he is my best friend.

"That bad." I nod as I start the first voice mail and hold the phone to my ear, making my way towards the door and relative quiet outside as it starts.

"Jonathon Christopher. I was called home suddenly. I'm surprised you weren't here like we discussed. Call me."

A click and the next one starts. The first two or three are much the same: short, terse messages but he's still at least relatively calm. But after that it starts to go downhill, his anger becoming more and more apparent.

"Do you think this is funny? I expected more from you, brat. Should have known you couldn't be grateful for everything I've done for you. See if I trust you alone again. You better have a good reason for not picking up."

"Pick up this phone this instant, you little bastard. If you think this is a game you have another thing coming. I expect to hear from you in the next ten minutes."

I feel someone watching me as I pace and raised my eyes to meet Alec's. He's perched on the porch railing, anxiously picking at a hole in his sweater. I can tell he's just as anxious about the whole thing as I am. I send him a tight smile, trying to assure him that this is just the normal scolding any parent would give their child if they snuck out to a party while grounded.

Finally the last message begins:

"This is it, Jonathon Christopher. I've been patient with you but not anymore. It's time for you to realize that you belong to me and that stunts like this one won't be tolerated. Don't even bother crawling home, you worthless snake. I'm coming to find you and I will teach you a lesson that you aren't going to forget."

Silence follows the message before the too friendly voice prompts me to repeat or delete the messages since I haven't hung up. I listen to her say it a few times before dropping my hand to my side, screen of the phone lit up.

My friend's footsteps are quiet on the grass as he approaches me, mouth drawn into a thin, worried line. I meet his questioning gaze and shake my head. There's no way I'm just going to be able to hide out at his house until the storm passes, that's the first place my father would look and the longer I stay away the madder he'll get.

The phone eventually is returned to my pocket. I turn to look up at the stars above me and take a deep breath of the cool air. This is the last time I'm going to be able to be out like this for a long time; my father will make sure of that. "I have to get going. He's looking for me."

"I…" Alec knows he can't offer anything that will help me so he just shakes his head and steps forward. His hand is warm on my shoulder as he offers a reassuring squeeze and a quick hug, sometimes he acts more like an older brother than a friend. "Just be smart, okay? Don't try making him any madder."

I shrug, unable to promise anything. Whenever he's mad and I'm upset it's like I can't stop myself, the words that will only end in more pain quick and sharp on my tongue. When I step away from him, digging my keys of the pocket of my jeans, he sighs and lifts a hand in farewell.

For once the radio in my car is silent as I drive my thoughts are loud enough to fill the empty spaces the music normally takes up. The vehicle devours the dark road in front of it as I turn towards home, knowing that my father will be waiting for me. He's waiting for me and the words he said in the message are not a threat. They are a promise.

a/n: And there it was. So reviews por favor. I shall do my best to have a chapter up within a month but that shall not happen without reviews.