Chapter Four:

Clary POV

As I pulled into my driveway I was totally not prepared for the beat down I was going to receive from my father. But I picked up my bag, and walked towards the door. I unlocked it and there he was, waiting for me.

"Hey Clary, I missed you. You know what today is?" He slurred his words even more than usual today, but I knew exactly why.

"Yes I do father." I tried to keep my voice steady, but it was very difficult while he stroked my hair.

"Why you so tense baby? I won't hurt you…that much." And after he finished his sentence he slapped me across the face. Before I could even react, I felt a horrible pain in my stomach, and that's when I realized his foot made contact with it. I fell to the floor, and winced in pain. He grabbed my hair and pulled me through the living room, and through me into a mirror and it shattered, and the glass pierced my skin leaving a bunch of cuts that stung like hell. This was far from the end though, and I knew that it was only going to get worse. While I was making dinner, he threw a wine bottle and my head and it shattered as well, leaving me with a huge headache and a cut that was bleeding like crazy. By the time I got to leave his presence, I was banged up pretty bad, but at least I got the weekend to heal before I had to face anyone.

Monday Morning:

I was pretty much all healed up by the time Monday rolled around and I decided there was no better way to enter this day than to look good while doing it. I decided on a dress that was a little more on the risky side, it had the back cut out, because lets be real, that part of my body was the least damaged, along with my legs. It had long sleeves, but it was form fitting on the top and flared as it went down, and I wore a pair of cute little heels. I figured that if I felt like shit but I dressed good, maybe it would balance it out, and I was right, it did for the most part.

I got in my car and I headed to school. I was a bit early today, so when I got there I was faced with all the kids standing out in the parking lot socializing. Immediately I saw Alec, Izzy, and Jace standing together talking amongst themselves. I parked somewhat close to them and I took a deep breath before getting out of my car, cause I knew I was in for whistling and catcalls from all around the parking lot.

"Damn Fray! Looking good today! Wanna go out this week?" Of course it was Jake. I wish he would just get the hint.

"Come on Jake, you've been asking me out for three and a half years, and it's always been a no, and it will forever be a no." As I said that I heard his friends laughing that he'd just been dissed, and I walked over to Alec, Izzy and Jace. Jace's eyes looked like they were going to pop out of his head. Normally I don't like getting attention, but I liked it from him.

"Good morning guys!" I smiled and waved as I passed them to make my way into the school. The whistling came and so did more catcalls. Most of them asking me out, and of course, all of them were me denying them.

As I walked into school, it was the same old same old. I got a lot of hellos and I got a lot of head turns and I got a lot of offers to go out during the week. All I did was smile and continue to walk. The day continued on and by the last bell, I walked out of school to my car. I heard heels running behind me and I looked back to see Izzy waving me down.

"Hey Izzy. What's up?" I turned around and leaned on the hood of my car.

"Hey, I was just wondering if you'd like to come over for dinner tonight?" She asked with the most pleading eyes in the world, and I just couldn't say no.

"Of course Izzy. I'd love to come! What time?"

"Yay! How does 6:30 sound?" She squealed.

"Sounds great! I'll be there. Casual or formal?"

"What you're wearing now is totally acceptable! See you tonight!" And with that she darted towards Alec and Jace. I flashed him a smile and waved before getting in my car and heading home.