Disclaimer: I do not own the Mortal Instruments. The series and characters belong to Cassandra Clare.

I jerk backward, nearly falling out of my seat in the process. What are you thinking Clary? You idiot. Jace is looking at me like I'm a freak...like I was about to kiss him. His mouth is moving, but no words are coming out. He is as shocked as i am at what just nearly happened. He obviously can't get anything out of his mouth, and so instead, looks toward the table at my phone which has, meanwhile, stopped ringing.

''Oh'' I say, looking down at it. Well that sounded pathetic. I pick it up and flip it open. When i look up again, Jace is at the other side of the room, facing away from me. Oh God. Looking at my phone, I see that I have a missed call from izzy. Turning to face the window, I dial her number and wait for her to pick up.

''Where the hell are you Iz?'' I whisper shout down the phone, because I don't want Jace to think that I'm any weirder than he already does.

''Clary? Finally. Why didn't you pick up the phone before?'' she replies, her voice a mix of relief and curiosity.

''I um- I...'' No Clary, no stuttering. ''Well...i-''

''Clary? Is everything ok?'' Crap.

''Yeah, yeah I'm fine... It was just- i um... i just woke up.''

''Oh ok then.'' she says. Well that was close... I clear my throat.

''Well, where are you then?'' I ask, realising why I called her in the first place.

''Oh, yeah, sorry. Well, Alec got a call at about 4am from our parents to go to our aunts house. Our great-grandmother had a bad turn early this morning and our aunt wanted to go see her, so she asked if we could take care of our little cousins, since they're only like, 6 and 7.''

''Oh i'm sorry about that, Iz. Are you ok?'' I ask in a sympathetic voice, suddenly feeling guilty about kinda yelling at her before.

''Oh yeah i'm fine thanks. Just trying to stay strong for my parents, you know? Anyway, i should be the one feeling sorry for you right now... being stuck in the house with that jerkface. Ew,'' You have no idea, Iz. No idea.

''Um...'' I say, thinking of a way to change the subject of conversation. ''So when will you be back?''

''Oh damn... I forgot to tell you. Alec and I probably won't be able to get to school until about lunch time today...'' She says, getting quieter, her voice trailing off.

''Soooo...?'' I ask

''You'regonnahavetogetaridetoschoo lwithJace.'' She says so quickly that i struggle to hear her, and when i do understand what she says...

''NO!'' I say. ''No way, i'm not going to school with him. I- i cant. Who-? What-? I...'' I think I'm hyperventilating. I can't go to school in the same car as that douche of a boy. Not after what just happened, what would i do? That would be the awkwardest of awkward situations.

''I'm sorry Clary.'' Iz says, and just as i am about to give her a piece of my mind when... Beeeeeeeeeep.

Bitch put the phone down on me.

I turn around and throw my phone down on the table, burying my head in my arms. My life is over.

''You ok Ketchup?'' Shit. I forgot that he was here. I look up, my face red with embarrassment.

''Fine.'' I mumble. He chuckles a bit.

''See... you even look like ketchup, with that red face of yours.''

''I-'' I start, looking down toward the table to cover my face.

''It's ok, i have that effect on every girl.'' And the arrogant and cocky Jace is back. I forget my embarrassment, since he seems to have forgotten his. The whole 'kiss' thing was obviously a moment of madness. He probably meant none of it, just wanted to laugh at me afterward. He's acting as if it never happened, so i will too.

''Hahaha.'' I laugh humorlessly. ''You're so fucking hilarious, that I'm finding it hard to breathe.'' I say sarcastically. And what confuses me, is that that hurt look is on his face again. But, again, it's gone as soon as it was there. Jace clears his throat.

''Oh ketchup, didn't you know? Sarcasm is the lowest form of humour.'' He says, looking pleased with himself.

''Oh Jace...'' I reply, matching his arrogant tone of voice. ''Didn't you take 9th grade english? It's 'sarcasm is the lowest form of wit', not humour. Oh, and as i recall, It's also the highest form of intelligence.'' I say the last bit in a bitterly sweet voice, a tight smile on my lips. He looks taken aback and i smile inwardly at myself. Yeah, i got you there didn't i? After a minute of silence he says

''Was that Izzy on the phone?''

''Yeah.'' I spit back, still pissed at him. He looks at me expectantly.

''Well what did she want?'' he asks, pronouncing every syllable and talking to me like i'm a five year old. Again.

''She told me that her and Alec had to go to their aunts to look after their cousins because her great-grandmother is ill...''

''Oh.'' Jace says looking concerned. ''Are they ok?'' Aww his face is all crinkled with concern... he looks soooo cute... Shut up Clary, you hate him. I cough.

''Well she said that they are, but i should imagine that they're probably not. Just don't really want to talk about it, I suppose.'' I say.

''I know what you mean... did she say anything else?'' Well here goes. I take a deep breath.

''She said that I'll have to get a ride to school with you...'' I say, not looking at his face because I'm afraid of what he is going to say. When i finally do look at him, I see what I had feared. There is a huge smirk is on his face. Well, this is going to be just great, I think.

''Did she now?'' he asks, looking mischievous.

''Yes.'' I say back, feeling irritated.

''And what makes her think that I'm going do that?'' he says looking at me, smirk still on face. Asshole. Why do i have to like this guy? I decide that I've had enough.

''Look-'' i start, but he interrupts me.

''I have a reputation to uphold Ketchup, and i won't have you ruining it for me. As soon as we get there, we walk in opposite directions. Ok?'' he says. And as much as i hate to admit it, that kinda hurt a little. That he is so embarrassed to be seen with me. I nod, despite my doubtful thoughts.

''So you'll take me?'' I ask.

''Yes.'' he sighs, sounding defeated. ''We'll leave in about 15 minutes.'' At this, i go upstairs to pack my stuff.


15 minutes later...

''CLARY!'' Jaces voice startles me. I'm nearly finished packing my stuff. Has the boy never heard of the phrase 'Patience is a virtue'? god.

''WHAT?'' I yell down the stairs angrily.

''GET THE FUCKING HELL DOWN HERE. IT'S TIME TO LEAVE!'' he shouts back.

''WAIT A MINUTE, FOR CHRIST SAKE.''

...

''CLARY!'' he yells again. I grab my stuff and go pounding down the stairs, out of breath by the time I get to the bottom. He stands there waiting for me, arms crossed and leaning against the door frame.

''What the hell is your problem? You must've known I was coming.'' He smirks at this and I'm confused as to why. And then it dawns on me... wrong choice of words. Way to make things worse for yourself Clary.

''Ugh, you know what i mean, you perv.'' Now he starts laughing, so i push past him and go out of the front door.

''You know Ketchup, you really should think before you speak.'' Jace tells me, half laughing still.

''Just open the damn door.'' I say, fedup with his childishness.

''Of course m'lady'' he says, and when i scowl at him, he laughs even harder. He unlocks the car and i slip inside, slamming the door. He gets in beside me, and my heart starts hammering because of our close proximity. Control yourself Clary. When we both have our seatbelts buckled, he starts to drive. I'm staring out of the window to try and avoid conversation when he puts the radio on and the melodic voice of Jeff Mangum blasts through the speakers. I whip around, staring at him in disbelief.

''You like Neutral Milk Hotel?'' I ask, eyes wide. He looks at me like it's obvious.

''Well, yeah. You know who they are?'' he asks, cocking an eyebrow.

''Yes! They're like, the best band ever. I didn't think you would like them...'' I say, still shocked.

''Are you kidding me? I love them.'' he says, and then he starts singing and i can't help but laugh at how insanely stupid he sounds and looks. He looks at me and smiles, singing even louder. I like this Jace. He isn't insulting me or laughing at me, he's being sorta nice and i like it. But not all good things can last forever, because 5 minutes later, we arrive at the school parking lot. Jace finds a space, far away from the others, and parks. Once he pulls the keys out of the ignition, he turns to face me.

''So, are you still coming to my place after school to do the project?'' Oh yeah, the project.

''Uh, yeah.'' I reply. He looks out of his window, scratching the back of his neck and avoiding my gaze.

''Well... i don't think that we should meet in school. We should meet here, out of the way.'' He says quietly, looking slightly uncomfortable. I nod, and then realise that he can't see me, because he isn't looking at me. i clear my throat.

''Sure.'' I say, trying to keep my voice steady. Am i really that bad? He must hear a waver in my voice, because he turns around and smiles kindly.

''I just don't want people to get the wrong idea. You know? I'm sure you don't either. Do you?''

''Oh... No'' I say, trying to look and sound convincing. ''That would just be wierd-'' He grins widely at me.

''Yeah.'' he says, sounding kinda relieved. We fall into an uncomfortable silence, and it's becoming awkward, so i decide that this is my cue to leave.

''Well, i should go, see you in chemistry and thanks for the ride.'' I turn and exit the car hastily, before he can say anything and leave him no doubt staring after me.

I get into the school and go to the girls toilets, locking myself in a cubicle. I try to get my head around the events of the last 24 hours; I have a crush on Jace Wayland. He is arrogant, then he is nice, then he tries to kiss me, then he is arrogant again, then he is nice.

I am so confused. I get up and leave the toilets. When the bell rings, i make my way toward English, with only one thought in my head; I don't know what's going on with this guy, but I'm sure as hell gonna find out...

Thanks for reading. Please review, as always. And also, if you get the chance listen to some Neutral Milk Hotel. Their sound isn't for everyone, but i absolutely love them, so yeah, i thought I'd mention them in here. Thanks again. And 2,000 words.

-RealReality :D