Author's Note: Read if you want to find out why I'm updating so slowly.

First I got a lot of Alec backlash. Not unexpected though LOL. I love Alec too. Thank you to those who kept in mind that many characters are OOC (some extremely OOC – out of character) And, as always, I love hearing feedback of all types, so don't be shy to bash on some characters. Just not my writing, thanks.

Also, many of you for some reason think that I could be dropping this story. Just to reassure: I PROMISE I WILL NOT LEAVE THIS STORY HANGING. I promise. I like writing this story and this version of Clary. Maybe you guys think that it's because I'm updating so slowly…?

There's two reasons why that's happening. First, stories are generally easier to write in the beginnings. There's no major action, and you can play around with the characters and crap. But as the story progresses, it takes longer and longer to write (for me at least) because there's more action. More things I want to write, and it all has to fit in one chapter because it doesn't feel right if I cut it in two.

The second reason is because of school. When I first started The Kissing Dilemma, it was towards the beginning of the school year, when I didn't have a shitload of homework and tests and other stuff to study and do. I also like to write chapters beforehand and have about 2 or 3 chapters piled up, unpublished, before I publish one, because this way, if I ever run into a crisis, like writers block, I still have chapters I can upload for you to read! So for example, I'm working on chapter 11 right now, although I'm only updating chapter 7. I'm doing this because for my last story, I had a short period of disinterest in writing Infect My Heart, and it took me months to update): I don't want to put you readers in such a long period of waiting.

I will most likely be updating around once a month now, although this next one will be different. I'll be updating chapter 8 on Christmas Eve(or around then) as a Christmas present for you guys!(:

That being said, enjoy!

Warning: Language.

Chapter Seven

I hear the first whisper while passing the third floor bathroom.

"Tramp."

It's hard to ignore, but I clench my fists and do my best to keep my temper. Keep walking. One foot after another. Stare straight ahead. Don't react.

"Strumpet."

This time I'm at the water fountain, filling up my water bottle. I'm almost at the lockers, thinking that I've successfully endured his bullying when I hear it a third time.

"Whore."

Slowly, I spin on my heel to face Simon. "Is that really the best you can do, Four Eyes?"

Okay, not by best line. But as some passing people snicker, I suddenly become more courageous and reckless. Something within me snaps. I hate him so much.

"Like, seriously?" I laugh. "Strumpet? Tramp? Are we in the sixteenth century or something? Ever heard of the word slut?"

Simon's eyes narrow behind his glasses as he takes a step forward, slowly sipping from the can of orange Fanta in his hand. Even that tiny action seems threatening and ominous.

I brace myself as he takes a step forward, darting to one side in an attempt to avoid the onslaught of sweet soda, but he catches my move and pretends to trip, flinging his Fanta all over my head. I stand there, coughing and dripping with the sticky fizz running down my hair, into my clothes. He rights himself, laughing, and people stare.

I feel the familiar slow burn working its way to my face.

"Whoops. My bad, twat," he sneers, kicking the can at me. "By the way, love the new hair."

I can't see anything but red, livid anger.

Simon jeers at me once more and then turns. And then stumbles back a step, nearly slipping in the orange mess he made. "Whoa, man. Didn't see you there."

Oh, hurray. To add even more humiliation to my day, Jace stands in front of us. Then my breath catches. He looks disgusted, even a little pissed– but not at me. At Simon.

Jace takes a step forward, into Simon's space. Simon's trying to act tough, but I'm close enough to see the shaking. So is Jace. This is probably the first time Jace has even bothered to spare Simon a glance. "What do you think you're doing?"

"I – I ," Simon falters. He glances around, noticing the huge crowd that's gathered, and tries to look dignified. "It was an act of God."

A few snickers from the crowd.

"Well, then." Jace cocks his head to the side, studying Simon. Somehow, the look is so unnerving that Simon actually flinches. "So is this."

He lunges forward and slams Simon into the lockers.

People laugh outright. Simon looks like he wants to cry, and I almost feel bad for him. Almost.

It's hard to do that when you're still dripping wet with soda all over.

"Clean this mess up, asshole," Jace says, leaning down into Simon's face. Then he straightens at grimaces, scanning me from head to toe. Under normal circumstances, I might have been elated that he was checking me out. Now it's just plain mortifying. "And you should…I'm not sure what you should do."

He shakes his head and walks off, nonchalant, like nothing's happened.

People stare at him, eyes wide and eyebrows high, wondering what just happened. I'm still wondering what the hell just happened. Jace had just stood up for me. In front of the whole school, in front of everyone, for someone he owed nothing to and had nothing for. I wasn't Seelie, and even if it had been her, I seriously doubt that he would have defended her.

Ignoring the burning stares, I walk to my locker, grab my PE bag, and rush off to class. For once, I'm actually thankful that it's the swimming unit.

…

The bell rang ten minutes ago, but I still stall outside the classroom. My hair's dried by now, since PE had been second period and it was now fourth. My clothes, although looking fine externally, feel slightly sticky on the inside. Or maybe I'm just overreacting.

It's a record lateness for me when I slip into class thirteen minutes late.

"Clarissa," Valentine says through gritted teeth, definitely pissed. Normally he'd just ignore me. "How nice of you to join us today."

Class has started, and in the center of the room, a crowd of students stand, rehearsing. Celine, my backup, stands in my place, subbing for me.

Oops. Wrong day to choose to be late.

"Sorry," I mutter.

"Aw, Mr. Morgenstern," Jace calls from across the room where he's fooling around with his friends. "Take it easy today."

Again, people stop what they're doing and stare. I narrow my eyes at Jace. Why is he doing this? Why is he being so nice?

I don't want a pity party.

Valentine looks at Jace, hard. "We can't 'take it easy', Mr. Wayland. No doubt you might 'take it easy', be it school-related or extracurricular-wise, but not everyone can afford that luxury." There's definitely something nasty implied in the extracurricular. And everyone knows it.

"Well," I say breezily, walking towards the rehearsing group and flipping to the assigned page. "You're not the one who should be talking about extracurricular activities." Something in me glows hot and bright when Valentine actually stutters. "Now, let's start, shall we? Thanks for taking my spot, Celine."

Valentine's glare should have froze me right on the spot, but my mind is still reeling from Jace defending me, so I brush it off as if it were a pesky fly.

"So, where were we? Oh, right," I mumble, staring at the lines. Holy shit, there were a lot. I feel bad for Maia, who's playing the Nurse. Her mouth might as well fall off by the end of this act. "I'll look to like if looking liking move/ But no more deep will I endart mine eye/ Than your consent gives strength to make it fly…"

Jesus Christ. Shakespeare can make a story, but his words are sure convoluted.

After a while, we take a rest and I plop down in a random desk, feigning exhaustion. Valentine rolls his eyes, knowing perfectly well that I had not even given an ounce of effort.

"Well," a deep voice says beside me. Jace slides into a chair. "I must say, you have a true acting talent."

"Please," I surprise myself by actually laughing at his remark. "Save it for my shining moment on stage."

"Hopefully you'll break a leg before that. Even Celine did better than you, and I have to say, she was pretty crappy."

"Wow," I scoff. "Where did the whole knight-in-shining-armor act go? And just when I thought you weren't an ass."

He looks at me, and a moment passes in silence. I realize what I've just said.

I'm the last person who should be saying that, in that sarcastic tone.

"Jace, I…"

But he only grins, standing up to go back to Seelie. "Don't worry about it. Just remember: I'm coming back to collect, so don't think I did it out of the pure goodness of my heart."

Oh, no.

…

Of course the whole soda thing would spread around school like wildfire. After getting scolded by the Chemistry teacher for excessive chitchat, Aline immediately latches onto my arm afterschool and drags me to the nearest Starbucks. I order my favorite latte and lean back against the chair as she grills me on the details.

"Okay," she says, slurping her Frap unattractively. I tell her that, and she makes a big show of slurping every last drop in the damn container. I roll my eyes, laughing.

"So, I think he's got something for you." Her eyes are wide and round.

I scoff. "I think it was just out of pity. And you know how much I hate that."

"No, no." Aline punctuates each word with a finger in the air. It's pretty hilarious. "He never did anything like that before. And now he does it for you. And you're only a sophomore. That's crazy. There's definitely something going on between the two of you. And, like, seriously, why are you still hiding info from me. I'm your best friend, remember?"

"Aline," I sigh. "For the hundred-thousandth time, there is nothing going on between us. Nothing."

"Oh? Like you would know. What do you know about relationships?"

Okay, so maybe she had a point there.

She laughs at my silence. "Exactly."

"Fine," I say. "I might have a tiny, unperceptive, miniscule, little crush on Jace."

Saying it out loud, to somebody else, just makes it all too official.

Just as I predict, Aline squeals. "Welcome to St. Xavier."

This makes us both chuckle. Something taps against the window beside me, and I turn, practically colliding with Jace's face outside the window. I scream, scrambling out of my chair. His face had been so freaking close. It the window wasn't there, we could have kissed.

He's grinning from ear to ear, obviously gloating, and his friends behind him double over with laughter. Isabelle's boyfriend, the one with the black and blue eyes, has tears welling in his eyes. He blows me a kiss.

Aline jabs me. I know what she's thinking: had he heard us?

But he only salutes me and walks off, deliberately away with his back to me.

I rush out of the store. "That wasn't funny, Jace!"

He glances over his shoulder, still smirking. "Later, Juliet."

It kinda hurts when Seelie snakes an arm around his waist, and him an arm draped over her shoulders.

But only a little.

Yes, Clary's a bit of a bitch. Deal with it.

I want to thank you guys so very much for the support. It means a lot.

And of course, REVIEW!