My dear little broccolis💚💚💚

~ Yay! I finally have a beta! Her name is Shauna Kullden, and she is very sweet to beta this story for me.

~ Thank you so much for sticking with me over a story that many of you already read. Thank you to everyone who is reading this story. Wether it's new, or wether it's all over again. Thank you for reviewing, following and hitting that favourite button. I know it seems like nothing to you, but it means a lot to me. THANK YOU 💚💚💚

.

Chapter 4: On the Tribunal's Forecourt (1,5K)

.~°~. .~°~. .~°~.

Clary's PoV.

.

I am so not going to see that narcissistic blond serial killer. There is no way that I will be going to pick him up tonight. I will probably just call Kaelie so I can work tonight, just so I can have a real excuse to not see him. I mean, really? Me, going out with this ridiculously good-looking ADA?Especially when you know where I come from?! I mean, that's ridiculous, right?

But … isn't it rude of me to refuse seeing him when he helped me out twice? He gave me a lift, saving me hours of walking and he facilitated my escape from an awkward conversation with the DA by giving him the envelope with the outrageous tip. So I guess that I should be kind of grateful. Just out of courtesy, right?

And besides, he did say it was just to get to know each other. That's how we make friends, isn't it? We grab something to eat, and talk about each other. But what if he asks about me? I don't want to talk about me or my past. I don't even want to think about my past. Argh, this is so stupid. Socialising with the opposite sex is so complicated and upsetting.

Girls are easy, they always talk about themselves; I just have to listen. But guys … They actually expect you to talk. At least, that's what I've seen and read in movies and books. Guys expect you to do the talking. Maybe I should propose that we watch a movie. Then, I won't have to talk at all- or study his perfect face. But then again, what if he thinks that it's an invitation for him to feel me up in the dark of the theatre? I mean, that's what guys do at cinemas, don't they? They try to feel women up. Ugh! This is so confusing! Why do I have such bad luck? Where is my fairy godmother?

Okay, Clary. Take a deep breath and stop whining like a baby, this won't solve anything. Just go on with it. You were the one saying that you didn't want your messed up past to prevent you from living your new life to the fullest- and you were the one thinking that you should stop talking to yourself like you were two distinct people inside of yourself!

With a deep breath through my nose, I walk out of the restroom where I had locked myself in and quickly throw on a hoodie. I glance at the clock and realise that I'm late. Not that I live far from the tribunal, but still, Jace is supposed to finish at eight, and it's almost eight already. Maybe this is a sign that I shouldn't go. You know what? I won't rush there. I'll just simply walk, and see how it goes. I guess I probably won't see him there, since I'm late, anyway.

I keep on debating whether Jace will be in front of the imposing building or not, when I finally get there; and oh surprise, he's not there. I'm not even disappointed, just slightly annoyed. I mean, I'm not that late, it's only ten past eight. It means that he didn't really want to get to know me after all. It's okay. It means I'll probably never see him or his boss again, so all this indecision and awkwardness I felt today was a waste. Either way, it's gone now and I'm good.

I turn around, considering the idea of checking on Kaelie to see if she needs help at the bar. But, as I make my way to the shop-he seemingly materializes out of thin air, creepily. Okay, it's not that creepy. He's rather far away, and his eyes full of laughter, as he says: "You would be such an easy victim. You should consider turning it into your bread maker."

"That'd be stupid. If I'm a victim of a serial killer, I won't need to really find a job, now, would I?" I tease and he smiles, revealing his perfectly white teeth. I tell you, this man (or his body) doesn't know the meaning of the word 'physical flaw'. Even his teeth are perfect!

As he walks to me, I actually pay more attention to his clothes than to his features and seeing him all nicely dressed up makes me realise that I've never actually seen a lawyer in my life. I've seen them on TV, always wearing dark suits like his, but I've never seen a lawyer in real life. And seeing him wearing his nice suit makes me suddenly very aware of my appearance.

I didn't really think this through properly. I didn't even check in the mirror to make sure that I had no bits of food stuck between my teeth! I must look like a mess- especially compared to him! I mean, I didn't sleep much last night (for the same recurrent reason that are my nightmares) which means that I must have humongous bags under my eyes. I struggled with my hair this morning, and finally gave it up as a lost cause- and tied it up in a bun. Some loose tendrils of my red hair have gotten loose after this long day, and they frame my face. And I'm just wearing black jeans with a dark blue hoodie. So much for being classy. I probably look like a hobo next to Jace. I'm telling you, my fairy Godmother forgot about me!

Jace cuts me off frommy internal struggle. "So, what do you want to do? Did you actually get to visit the city, yet?"

Like I have the time to do anything for pleasure. I mean, I kind of lived in the streets for two weeks, and then buried myself in work and keeping company to Mrs Herondale. Mostly because I dread being on my own. How many times did I end up jumping in the middle of the night because of a tiny creak or any other sound in my apartment? How many times did I wake up in tears because of repressed memories? How many times did I give myself a pep-talk, facing the mirror? Too many times to count.

But of course, I don't say anything: I just shrug at that, though I notice that even if he walked closer to me, he's not standing too close. Jace smirks at my vague response, and he tells me: "I know the perfect place for a serial killer to take you."

"So, it's the perfect place where I shouldn't follow you, then," I retort, trying to be playful, but I can't stop my voice from wavering a little. The way he said those words made it look like he was thinking of a remote and secluded place. Not something I ever want to do. Especially with someone, (no matter how ridiculously good-looking and nice they may seem) whom I wasn't familiar with.

He shakes his head a little, a small frown marring his beautiful visage; but before any of us can say anything else, my embarrassing/annoying/stupid stomach grumbles. Stupid tummy! It couldn't do that when I was still at home! I want to die as Jace literally laughs at me, throwing back his head. Then, he says with a tiny smirk:

"It seems that your stomach already knows where I want to take you."

I blink a little for the time to down the innuendo, and I can't help but smile. If he wants us to grab food, it means that I'll eat. And mostly, it means that there'll be heaps people around. So, he won't be able to torture me and kill me. I mean, maybe he's not joking and that he's really a serial killer( a damn sexy one). You know, the honest kind who warns you ahead so you could run; but you don't because you don't believe that he can be a murderer.

I mean, you never know.

"Food, it is," I say, and he tilts his head toward the main avenue so we could walk to the place where I'll be able to tame the monster inside my tummy.

.

.~°~. .~°~. .~°~.

💚Your thoughts and opinions are always welcomed💚

.

~ Haha, I had to put that 'ridiculously good-looking' line. I don't know why, but it cracks me up. Do you know which movie this line comes from?

Anyway, Cassandra Clare owns the names of the characters from the Mortal Instruments franchise, everything else is mine.

Kiss💋 Kiss💋 Bang🔫 Bang🔫.