All characters and major events belong to Cassandra Clare. I'd also like to thank people for the support so far and sticking with this... I know that not much has happened yet but I'm just starting to get to grips with it now and still deciding which direction I want to take it :) for now, here's chapter 4...

Clary;

The day passed quickly, I spent a quiet lunch with Simon, trying to act interested in what he had to say as he babbled on about a girl he had taken a liking to. Isabelle, I think that's what she was called. Despite my best efforts though, all I could see was Jace as he sat across from us, we had picked a vacant spot on the field, away from the guys all throwing a football, clamoring over one another in their haste to reach it. Shouting and protesting loudly whenever someone was tackled a little too roughly, or the opposition managed to score. The first five minutes or so had passed as usual, both of us just catching up a little before Simon pulled out his most recent Manga comic, and I in turn reached for my sketchbook, fingers itching to wrap around a pencil, press it to the page and capture the scene before me between the slightly yellowed pages, but today a distraction had appeared in the form of Jace Lightwood. He had wandered out of the canteen, closely followed by a gaggle of girls with their bright pink lips and back-combed hair, preening like peacocks under his scrutiny.

He was beautiful, I would have to be blind not to admit that much to myself. I'd never seen eyes like his before, so close to the color of gold, maybe he wore contacts… not that he needed any more attention from the fairer sex. He oozed sex appeal, in his dark clothes, such a contrast to his golden tan and flaxen hair. His face looked as though it had been formed by the very hands of God, he was proof that such a deity must exist because he was almost perfection personified. His long fingered hands looked so strong and capable, and felt like heaven against my skin, his devil may care attitude, and the confidence he exuded was enough to make me bite my lip, chewing it as I watched him through hooded eyes. He moved with such grace, enough to make any practiced ballet dancer weep with envy, every step stealthy, silent. I couldn't take my eyes off him.

A dark haired duo trailed behind Jace and his band of admirers, both emitting their own ethereal auras. The guy was tall, taller even than Jace, and lean, his mop of thick hair fell forwards, covering his eyes but not masking the scowl marring his otherwise exquisite face. My eyes trailed further down his lengthy body, taking in the ragged sleeves on his over-sized jumper, the slightly shabby appearance in sharp juxtaposition to the girl accompanying him. She was stunning, my eyes followed the gleam of her knee-high boots, black patent with killer heels, the kind of boots I wish I could wear, but that would come mid-way up my thigh and make me look like a child playing dress-up. There was a flash of milky thigh before her mini-skirt began, black again with a thin, red check pattern running through it. It barely covered her modesty, but she still managed to pull it off. Her shirt was skin tight, clinging to each of her curves, and I'd never been more resentful of anything or anybody in my life. Her long dark hair shimmered as she walked, swinging around her waist, poker straight, so dissimilar to my own disarray of crimson curls, I could feel myself turning green with envy… and if looks could kill then surely she'd have been reduced to a pile of smoldering ashes by now. Jace would never give me a second look with someone like her around. Not that I wanted him to.

Arg! Who was I trying to fool? I wanted him to want me, any girl would, and I'd just be lying to myself if I continued to think otherwise. He made my skin tingle, even the slightest brush of his finger-tips against the back of my hand had made my heart race, beating erratically in my chest, my breathing quicken in response. All I had wanted was to fling myself into his embrace and taste his mouth upon mine again, to have his hands leaving burning trails upon my skin as he made me shiver, writhe and moan. I could feel my face heating at the memory, blushing a violent red, surely enough to match my hair. I couldn't imagine any other guys making me feel the way Jace could with even the most fleeting caress. I really needed to get a handle on this attraction I felt towards him before it got out of control.

Jace;

I could tell she was watching me, even from across the field. She was sat with that guy again, the nerd from my math class, with his crooked glasses and his wiry hair. They were always together, I think I'd even seen them walking to school with one another as I drove past this morning… I wondered what their deal was. It seemed to me like she wasn't interested in him, not romantically at least, but the way he looked at her, I could tell he wanted more. It seemed platonic between them, but I didn't like the way he looked at her, the way he followed her around like a lost little puppy dog. I knew she wanted me, that she lusted after me at least. Now I just had to find a way to make her act upon it, to open up, and tell me how much, or little she knows of my world. The world of shadows and secrets and all the things that fabricated a mundanes worst nightmare.

My merry gang of followers were tittering away behind me as I led the way over to the benches, I couldn't seem to shake them no matter how hard I tried. This was the first time in a long time that I hadn't appreciated the attention bestowed upon me, it was becoming somewhat of a hindrance as opposed to the usual ego boost. Their incessant chatter was irritating, the high pitched squeals of laughter like nails drawn down a chalkboard, their personalities lacking any sustenance. Every time I looked over at them, with their faces full of make-up, and fake fluttering lashes, I felt almost nauseated. All I really wanted to see was a certain someone's pale skin, with its light dusting of freckles, big, bright green eyes and full, pouty lips. She was so much more beautiful than any of these before me, all fake smiles and painted faces. She was real, and I wanted her to be mine.

It was soon time for biology, and I was hoping that I'd be able to talk to her, uninterrupted this time. I said a quick goodbye to Alec and wrapped my arm over Izzy's shoulders briefly before making my way to class. I was seated before the second warning bell even rang, tapping my foot against the floor, she made me nervous… no other girl has ever made me nervous before, not like this, not even when I lost my virginity did I feel like this. She was making me experience all sorts of foreign sensations, things I wasn't comfortable feeling, like the tightening in my chest every time I looked at her, the shortness of breath I felt after the kiss we'd shared. She had me wrapped around her little finger already, and she didn't even know it. Shit, I definitely need to get a grip of myself.

Clary;

He was already seated when I entered the classroom, I could see him drumming his fingers against the table as I approached; somewhat warily. His golden eyes found me and locked me in his captivating gaze. I couldn't find the will within myself to look away, his whole face seemed to light up and his smile was beatific as it stretched across his face, drawing my eyes from his own, down to his sensuous mouth. He was perfect, everything about him was impeccable from his bed head, to his scuffed combat boots, he carried off the "bad-boy" look effortlessly, or so it seemed.

As he was grinning at me and I was gaping back like a fool, I noticed the first, and most probably only, imperfection upon his person. He had the tiniest chip in one of his teeth, just making him seem that much more approachable, as his beauty was almost inhuman, other-worldly. This one flaw added a little vulnerability to an otherwise faultless facade, he was after all, just a teenage boy, hiding behind his mask of flirtation and flattery, disguising his own insecurities. I just wanted to reach for my sketchbook and capture him in this moment, looking, for the first time, somewhat innocent rather than his usual imperious self.

I scooted onto my stool, tucking my legs in and pushed my textbook across the desk, he was still smiling over at me, not the grin it had been, but something more attractive even than his customary smirk, he was really smiling, making an effort. How odd. He didn't strike me as that kind of guy…

"Hey Clary"

He used my name, my actual name and not the somewhat offensive nickname he had concocted. Even more peculiar.

"What do you want Jace?" I asked rather abruptly… he has to be up to something? He's acting a little atypical… I was growing more and more suspicious as he continued to smile over at me.

"Why Miss Fray, why ever would you think I wanted anything?" He asked, feigning a hurt expression.

"Because usually you're kind of an ass"

"Okay, I have been a bit of a dick and I'm sorry. Which means a lot, just ask Isabelle, I very rarely apologize for anything." Ah, and there was the conceited fool I was more accustomed to dealing with.

"I probably would if I even knew who Isabelle was" I was still a little peeved that he thought he could just grab me and kiss me, that he seemed to think I'd throw myself at his feet just because he showed a little interest in me. I'm sure Simon was talking to me about an Isabelle? I really needed to try to be a better friend, I haven't even been listening to him properly.

"Isabelle's my sister. Well, my adoptive sister. And she actually wanted me to invite some people over on Friday night. She's throwing a little housewarming party to get to know people better. You'll be there right?"

It was less of a question and more of a command the way he spoke to me, and usually I wouldn't be caught dead at anyone's parties; I was hardly a social butterfly. But maybe, if Simon came too, it wouldn't suck too much to see Jaces house?

"Maybe, I'll have to see what I'm doing yet" I replied, I may not be the most sociable of people, but he didn't need to know that. He gave me an address; should I decide to turn up, that was all the way across town. The houses were enormous, big enough to fit three of mine and Jocelyns inside, and still with room to spare. So not only was he gorgeous, he was also wealthy. Shit, and double shit.

…

The rest of the week had passed quickly, we spoke a little during lessons, and the more I got to know, the more intrigued I became.

Simon however was less pleased with our budding friendship. He had already warned me about Jaces' reputation, told me I would only end up hurt if I carried on befriending Jace. As much as I had tried to assure him that we were nothing more than friends, I could see the disbelief behind his eyes, because I knew him almost as well as I knew myself. He would stand sullenly, glaring over the rim of his glasses as me and Jace approached him after art class, and often walked off before I had even had chance to reach him, forcing me to jog a little to catch up. He had agreed to come to the party with me, a little because Isabelle was sure to be there, but mostly I think to keep tabs on me and Jace. Which was wholly unnecessary, but as I didn't want to walk in alone, and was intrigued to see where Jace actually lived, I was just happy to have a companion for the evening.

I had pulled out my newest pair of black super skinny jeans, and threw on a green and gold embroidered top, some gold and bronze bangles. I had pinned my hair up as best I could, and applied some smoky eye shadow and a little lip tint, just enough to be noticeable, threw on my black leather jacket and flat patent pumps and I deemed myself ready to leave. Simon picked me up in his family car, his mother occasionally allowed him to borrow it, and we made our way up town towards the address Jace had given to me. He was wearing a "Geeks shall inherit the earth" t-shirt and dark wash jeans with his slightly battered Converse.

We pulled up a few houses down from the Lightwoods', there were an inordinate number of cars dotted about their driveway and we couldn't get any closer. I hadn't realized that so many people would show up. I gulped a little, and my eyes sought Simon's as I heard the music thumping through the night sky, the booming voices of our cohorts battling to be heard over the bass. If it was this bad outside… it'd be near deafening in there. We made our way towards the porch and up the steps, Simon grabbing a hold of my hand reassuringly so as not to get separated through the mass of bodies, and stepped through the doorway. My first real high-school party.

Here goes nothing….