Clary

Ever since the interaction with Sebastian earlier I have been on edge. I can tell Jace has noticed but I hope he doesn't think anything of it. Making more excuses gets tiresome. The bell finally rings signaling the end of the day and I rise form my chair ready to leave. I am half way out the door when I hear Jace's steps behind me. I glance over my shoulder and find him right on my heels. And I thought I had a clear get away. "Clary, I was thinking we could hang out today? Get to know each other better. It'll be nice having a friend here" I sigh knowing I'll have to make up an excuse.

"Maybe another day, Jace. I've got a lot to do when I get home today" I say hoping it is vague enough that I didn't give anything away but also enough that he doesn't ask questions.

"Oh, yeah sure. We can still walk home together. I mean we do live next to each other"

"Yeah, we can" Isabelle joins us soon and we head back down the road to our homes. About a minute into the walk Izzy gets a call and speeds up to get some privacy from us. Another few minutes and I can see her reach the door to the house and go inside. I turn to Jace intending to say bye as I walk up my steps when a loud sound comes from my house followed by an even louder curse. I guess I know my mom is awake.

"Clary, what was that? Do you need me to come in with you?" concern is showing through his eyes.

"It's fine. You can head home. It's just my mom. She must have knocked something over" A flash of disbelief passes over his face but he nods.

I open then door and step through when I see my mother standing only a few feet away. She looks me over once, rolls her eyes and mutters, "Bitch!" before heading down the hall again. I glance behind me to shut the door and see Jace is still there with a sad look on his face. He opens his mouth like he is going to speak but I just shake my head lightly and push the door shut. Sliding down the wall and clutching my knees I survey the scene around me. A side table is flipped over and the lamp that was resting on it is shattered. A glass is tipped over and a dark stain is in a puddle around it on the carpet. I had better start scrubbing if I want to get that out before it sets. I drag myself up from the ground and go to the kitchen for cleaning supplies. I keep my shoes on this time to avoid another incident like the last as I approach all the broken glass. The stain comes up easily with some cleaner and the glass is really only from the broken light bulb. All in all the mess wasn't as bad as it looked but it still would have been nice to not have to deal with it at all.

With everything clean I retreat to my room to get some work done. About 10 minutes into my reading my door swings open and my mother stands in the entrance of my room with a scowl on her face. Her dull red hair is limp and greasy pieces have slipped out of her knotted ponytail. The bags under her eyes are a deep purple and despite her baggy clothes and puffy face I can tell she has lost more weight. "Hi, Mom. Do you need something? I'm doing homework" I bark in annoyance.

"Where is my bottle, Clary. I'm not messing around today. Just give it back" she half shouts

"I have no idea what you're talking about. I didn't take your stupid bottle. You probably just forgot where you put it again" As I finish my sentence I can see her face grow red with anger and she takes a step farther into my room.

"You're a no good, lying, waste of space" I cringe at her words. I'm used to them but they still sting. "I wish I never had you" with that she turns and slams my door. I stare at the closed door as my eyes burn and put all my energy into not crying. Another typical night, but now I have to worry about what Jace saw too.