Days turn into weeks and weeks into months and before long, Clary is holding her first exhibition at the gallery. Her manager has been very pleased with all the work she had done, giving her more opportunities than the other artists working there (which admittedly is unfair) to display her artwork. It only makes sense that Clary will be holding an exhibition of her own sooner or later.
People are milling around the gallery, some stopping before art pieces to admire the beauty of it. Clary watch the entire scene from her high point of view from the stage, her face practically shining.
"CLAAARRRRYYYY!" Isabelle barrels into Clary, tackling her into a typical big Isabelle-style bear hug.
Simon and Alec follow close behind, wrapping Clary up like a big blanket in a group hug. Clary laughs lightly, basking herself in the moment. However, there are limits.
"Can't. Breathe." Clary gasps, as the other three start to squeeze her tighter and tighter.
They immediately disentangle themselves. After all, they don't want to suffocate Clary on her big day, do they? Clary put her hand on her chest, trying to catch her breath. She raises her head, only to be greeted with two warm gazes.
"Mum! Luke! You came!" Her face lights up even more(if that is even possible) as she lunges towards them with her arms wide open.
"Oh Clare-Bear, we wouldn't miss your big day for the world," Luke, Clary's stepfather chuckles affectionately while Jocelyn nods, her eyes shining brightly.
It is obvious that both mother and daughter look alike. They both have big emerald eyes, flaming red hair, and a sharp chin. However, Jocelyn's features are not the only thing Clary got from her mother. They both share the passion for art as well. Now standing in the midst of her own exhibition, Clary feels a great sense of accomplishment. She has come far from the little girl who just loves to doodle in her sketchbook. Who knew she would be standing here so many years later?
But I wouldn't be here without someone... Clary's eyes dart around, searching for a certain gold-eyed man. Deep in her heart, she knows the look is in vain.
Flashback
"Hey Clary," Jace leans on the wall opposite Clary casually.
Clary looks up in surprise. How in the world did Jace manage to get into her apartment? She is pretty sure that she locked the door...
"You didn't lock the door. " Okay, that answers her question.
"Why are you here?" Time to turn the tables.
Jace saunters into her living room and plops himself on her couch. Clary soon joins him, handing him a Coke while sipping from her ice lemon tea. It has long been their tradition when one visits the other. This results in the both of them having a steady flow of Coke and lemon tea in their apartments, for they visits are unpredictable.
"I have bad news," Clary looks at Jace quizzically.
Jace, for once, looks sort of uneasy.
"IcantgotoyourexhibitiononitsopeningdaybecauseIhaveameetingthatday," Jace gushes out, fidgeting in his seat.
Clary inhales sharply. Jace is not coming. The person whom she had actually dedicated the exhibition to is not coming. Her mind race; how is she going to let Jace know about the painting?
Jace watches Clary anxiously, a crease between his forehead. His eyes dart around her face, a worried light in his eyes. Clary breathes out, finally raising her head to meet Jace's eyes.
"Never mind, I'll have the others to make up for your insignificant presence, right?" Clary raises her mouth in a slightly wavering smile.
Jace plays along, smirking,"Hey, I'm right here! And you have to agree that I am like, the ultimate hottest God ever."
They both laugh, but both cannot meet the other's eye.
End of flashback
The haziness in Clary's eyes clears up. While daydreaming, her feet had unknowingly led her to the centerpiece of her exhibition- a piece called 'Grass of Hope'. It was the first ever artwork she had worked on when she began work at the gallery, with the memory of her encounter with Jace fresh in her mind. The painting shows a golden hand giving another pale one a blade of grass, a grass with such a vibrant green that everything else, except the golden hand, pale in contrast. This piece, of all at the exhibition, is definitely the one she treasures most. Her lips curl up into a smile.
Jace and her had struck up a steady friendship over the past few weeks. Despite Jace's cockiness and huge ego, when she dug past his hard exterior, she found a sweet boy, fragile even, who puts his heart into the hands of the people he loves. Definitely, Clary hopes to be one of those people someday, as his friend of course.
Oh you're bluffing yourself, Clary's heart chastises herself, You definitely have a crush on Jace. This, for some reason, goes ignored by Clary herself. Jace and her are just buddies, just like Simon and her are. Nothing else. Just that Jace is very VERY good-looking...
"I see you didn't forget the day when we first met huh?" An amused voice comes from the back of Clary.
Clary's eyes widen.
"Jace?" Clary slowly turns around.
Jace is standing behind her, with his signature smirk, basking in all of his golden glory. For a moment Clary is speechless, not believing the sight before her. Then she rushes towards him, hugging him tightly. Jace chuckles, hugging her back.
"You're here!" Clary squeals, not hiding her excitement at Jace's presence at all, "Don't you have a meeting today?"
Jace pulls back, a twinkle in his eyes, "I managed to get out early."
Clary looks at Jace disbelievingly. She knows just how important Jace's job is to him.
"So you actually dedicate the entire exhibition to me?" Jace raises an eyebrow, his voice low and husky in her ear.
Clary blushes, nodding her head. Looking up at Jace through her eyelashes, she notices that Jace's eyes have darkened a shade or two. Her breath hitches. His eyes just look even more so beautiful up close. They are just centimeters apart now, but even so, the gap between them just seem so big. Shifting even more closer towards Jace, Clary comes to terms with herself: 1) She does like Jace 2) She is going to kiss him, no matter what.
Throwing all her prohibitions out of the window, Clary tip-toes and presses her lips to Jace's right in the mouth, her eyes shut tight. Jace stiffens. Tears begin to form behind Clary's eyelids. Now I've really ruined everything between us... Slowly, she draws back, her eyes still closed. She prepares herself for the disappointment she will feel, the empty space before her where Jace once stood she will see when she opens her eyes.
Just then, lips are on hers again. Clary's eyes spring open. Her eyes widen in surprise. Jace. Is. Kissing. Her. Back. Is this really happening? She moves her lips against his hesitantly, sliding her arms up around Jace's neck. Jace kisses her even harder, as if the action has invoked something in Jace.
Soon, they stop to catch their breaths. Jace lowers his head, his forehead touching Clary's. His eyes capture hers, golden flames dancing in his eyes. Clary's eyes are shining, looking up at Jace with wonder.
In that moment, with their arms locked around each other, foreheads touching, stuck in their own little bubble, Clary swears she is content with everything on her life.
O.o.O
A/N: Hi guys! Sorry it's a few days late... So this is actually the last chapter of Grass of Hope, but I will still be posting two more chaps in Jace's POV. Thank you users Meeeeeee and lindsayhonaker for reviewing on all of my chapters! It means a lot to me:) Please review for this 'last' chap because I have absolutely NO idea how to write fluff and I personally think that this chap is not so good... Sorry for long A/N! Please do review! I'm begging...(Pathetic I know) So... till next time!
Disclaimer: There's absolutely no chance of me owning TMI.
