Clary
I sprint after Jace, hoping to catch up to him so I can figure out what's wrong. He runs into the Pandemonium club and I run in after him. There are teens everywhere dancing and seeming to have a good time together. (The Pandemonium club is a teens-only club that serves nothing stronger than soda.) It's hard to look for Jace with the people everywhere and the bright lights and loud music blasting, making it hard to concentrate on my search. I'm surprised it's even open this late but then the DJ says something about "partying all night long" and my curiosity dies.
As I frantically search for my enemy-turned friend, people keep giving me weird looks and I remember that I'm wearing pajamas and a jacket while clutching Jace's in my arms. Finally, I see a head of golden hair run through the emergency exit, setting off the alarm. I run after him as he runs down street after street and then he ducks into Taki's again, why are these places open so late? I follow him in and watch as he sprints straight into the men's room. I hear a stall door slam shut and I wait outside a few minutes before running in after him. I'm relieved to see no one else in the bathroom except for two feet with black socks on them that I assume are Jace's. I creep up to the last stall and freeze when I hear a sniffle.
"Jace?" I ask, gently knocking on the door.
I receive no reply.
"Jace, I know you're in here, open up." I say.
He ducks under the stalls and makes a run for the door but I miraculously beat him to it.
"Jace, stop running from me, just tell me what's wrong." I say, gently putting my hand on his arm. He flinches again.
"I won't hurt you." I whisper, removing my hand.
He refuses to look at me.
"Do you want to go back to the house?" I whisper.
He nods and I hold his jacket out to him.
"Thanks." He whispers, carefully taking it from me.
We walk out of Taki's and begin a silent walk back to the Lightwood house.
"How did we get all the way over here?" Jace asks quietly, looking around.
I shrug, "You ran and I followed."
He nods, showing that he understood.
"Why did you run?" I whisper.
"My head was about to explode." He whispers.
"Does it feel better now?" I ask.
He shakes his head and yawns.
"Tired?" I ask.
He nods and then stares at me. After a few minutes of looking into those luminous, golden eyes of his, I feel my face start to turn red so I look down.
"Why did you follow me?" He whispers.
"I thought you needed someone." I answer, looking up at him again.
He winces and looks away.
"What is it?" I ask.
"Needing people is a sign of weakness." He replies monotonously, his voice no louder than a whisper.
"No it isn't. Who told you that Jace?" I ask.
"My father." He whispers nearly inaudibly and I force myself not to gasp.
"Mr. Lightwood told you that?" I ask.
He shakes his head. "Mr. Lightwood isn't my father." He whispers.
Oh.
"Are you adopted?" I ask.
He shakes his head again. "Fostered." He whispers.
"Since when?" I ask.
"Since I was ten." He whispers. "I'm surprised you didn't know."
"I moved here when I was ten." I tell him.
"Why?" He asks.
"My older brother Sebastian died in a car cash and I couldn't handle passing that street on my way to school every day." I answer.
Jace gives my hand a gentle squeeze. An electric spark passes between us and judging by the look in Jace's eyes, I think he feels it too. Then he lets go and stares at the ground. We continue our walk in silence.