Lily pretty much lost her mind when she entered the room.
"And what part of the newspaper is this helping with?!" She scolded us as she stood in the doorway. She had her arms crossed across her chest but she was leaning slightly to the side, probably weighed down by her massive bookbag.
"The film review section." Sebastian grunted through a mouthful of Haribo.
"What film review section?" Jace had skirted past her, moving further into the room as she kept nipping at Sebastian.
"Surprise!" Sebastian mocked, throwing popcorn at Lily. She looked livid, her temper wearing thin.
"Why am I wasting my time here? After the day I have had as well! I can't be bothered with your childish tomfoolery! I will see you all in form because I have better things to be doing than sitting around watching films!" She stormed out of the room, she tried to slam the door behind her but it proved too heavy so she opted for heavy footing all down the hallway. We were all staring at the empty doorway.
"So, what happens if she gets lost?" I commented a few moments later. They both shrugged.
"Not my problem."
"Who cares?"
"Alright then, if you want to get yourself comfortable in your house – sleep, shower – just for Lily to wander in the room halfway through. But hey, that's none of my business." I smiled at my nails as Jace seemed to be listening to and weighing up what I was saying.
"Ah for god's sake." He grumbled, rushing from the room. Sebastian grabbed the remote control, laughing.
"You'd think you wanted to get me on my own." He smirked, leaning over his seat and looking at me. I couldn't even think of a reply. Jace appeared a few moments later.
"She must have found her way out." He shrugged.
"Or, she's hiding under your bed." Sebastian added. I stretched, lifting myself from my chair. I wasn't going to sit around just the three of us. I didn't fancy being talked about!
"I'll be heading off then – no point in staying if we're not working on the newspaper." I made my way for the door. They were both looking at me relatively surprised.
"You don't have to leave you know." Sebastian piped up.
"Don't worry. I'm not keen on being a third wheel." I teased as I headed down the corridor.
"How are you getting home?" Jace was standing in the doorway behind me. I span to face him for a moment.
"I've got these nifty things called legs, I was planning on using them." Jace shook his head, trying not to laugh at me.
"Are you sure? One of us can take you if you want?"
"The fresh air will do me good, see you's tomorrow." I remembered where we had walked before and easily found my escape from the house. It was getting dark out, but only just. I was about ten minutes away from home when I nearly jumped out of my skin. A light shone on me, a deafening beep blasting out. I span around, blinking against the light. All I could see was pearly teeth beaming at me, before the light cut out. Jordan was grinning at me from astride his motorbike, dreadlocks hanging out from under his helmet. He removed it from his head, placing it in between his legs. I moved over closer to the bike to stop myself blocking up the entire pathway.
"Did neither of them offer you a ride?" Jordan looked appalled.
"They did." I admitted. "I just declined."
"Did you now?" Jordan seemed amused. "And if I offered you a ride?"
"I'd love to, but alas, I do not have a helmet." I smirked.
"You needn't fret. I'm well prepared. I have a spare." He was grinning wickedly.
"Well I don't have far to go." I retracted.
"Are you frightened?"
"No!" I responded instantly. Jordan smirked, patting the space on the seat behind him.
"Prove it." He laughed as he fished for the spare helmet. I sighed, taking it from him.
"I haven't even got a clue –" I started rambling as Jordan got to his feet and helped me put the helmet on. He climbed back onto the bike, looking at me expectantly.
"The first step – get on the bike." He had an unshakeable smile on his face. I cautiously put one leg over the bike, sliding into place behind him carefully.
"The second step – hold on tight and if I move, you move." He said, putting his helmet back on. I didn't need telling twice. I wrapped my arms tightly around his middle. He's body was firm under my grip. I felt instantly queasy. A mixture of embarrassment and fear. Jordan started at a comfortable pace and I could tell he was doing it for my benefit. I'd only just realised that I hadn't told him where I lived but he didn't seem to be going there anyway. We drove for a solid fifteen minutes until Jordan pulled into a dark side street. I had zero idea where we were. Jordan pulled his helmet from his head and I followed suit. He must have seen the trepidation on my face.
"I know – dark, creepy alley. It doesn't look good but trust me." He held out a hand for me to take as he hopped from the bike. I took it gingerly and followed him to the end of the street. He held a door open for me and I walked into a room with a long winding staircase leading to a door. Jordan was right behind me, pushing me to walk up the stairs. I headed up and opened the door to be confronted with a pool hall.
"See PG-13!" Jordan laughed against my ear before he went over to the desk to pay for a table.
"This wasn't what I was expecting." I admitted as we set up our table. Jordan handed me a cue.
"Have you played before?"
"I play with my dad sometimes." I said without thinking. "Used to play with my dad." I corrected myself.
"Yeah I used to play with my Dad too." Jordan said bitterly as he broke. "Until he upped and left with my babysitter that is."
"Sorry to hear that." I said as I took my shot.
"Do you have a similar story?" He inquired.
"What do you mean?"
"You said – used to?" Jordan potted a ball.
"Oh." I took a deep breath. "My Dad passed away."
"Oh god, sorry Clary. I thought you meant – sorry, I didn't mean to pry." Suddenly Jordan was tripping on his words.
"It's fine. It's just something I'm still getting used to. If that's even possible."
Jordan managed to change the subject to something more light-hearted as we played our money's worth at the pool table. Jordan wouldn't take no for an answer when I told him I'd walk home and insisted on driving me. I got him to drop me a couple of streets away just in case he knew where Jon and I lived. He happily obliged and helped me with my helmet. My hair bounced all over the place when he pulled it free. He tucked my hair behind my ear.
"Thanks for trusting me tonight." He smiled, kissing my forehead. "It's not something I can say happens too often."
"I don't believe that, not with a face like that." I joked as he hopped back on his bike.
"Maybe I just don't give them the opportunity." He revved his engine. "Catch you later, romper." He teased before tearing off down the street. I pulled my jacket closer to myself as I headed around the block. As I was rounding the corner to head down my street, I bumped straight into someone else. It was Aline. She looked at me with disgust and confusion.
"What are you doing here?" She looked down her nose at me. She was tall and sleek, her blonde hair resting down her back.
"Going home." I said simply, trying to edge my way around her. She wasn't having any of it. For such a dainty girl, she was making it impossible to get past her.
"What are you playing at?" She asked in a sickly sweet voice.
"I don't know what you mean, can you please get out of my way?"
"You know that Jon lives on this street and you've been seeing Sebastian and Jace. Just what are you trying to do?" She rested her hand on her hip and popped it.
"I'm in a study group with Sebastian and Jace and I'm just trying to get home. Now please, will you get out of my way?"
"Hmm, that better be the truth." She tittered, stepping to one side. I went to walk past but she caught my arm so that our faces were side to side. "I'm not someone to mess with darling. Keep that in mind. Toodles." When she was gone and I was walking towards my house, a thought struck. Why had she been on this road? I made sure she was out of the way before I turned into my house. My mum was standing over the sink when I entered washing cups.
"Hello dear, you've just missed company."
"Who?" I asked, confused.
"Aline, I think she called herself. Lovely young girl. One of Jon's friends. Jon had expressly warned me that if anyone was to come around asking that I have to tell them he's not home."
"You didn't tell her about me, did you?" I asked, suddenly nervous. Mum laughed.
"No dear, your brother has filled me in on everything. I have to admit, I wish he would let his friends in, it might do him some good. But if this is what he wants, and this is what you want – ultimately it's what I want."
I smiled at her before I went to head upstairs.
"But Clary, if you need to talk. About anything, at any time. Please talk to me." I nodded before bidding her goodnight.
I called Simon once I got in my room.
"Hey, hey!" He answered.
"How would you like to come to a party? With me? Saturday?" I asked.
"I'm not sure, after how the last one went. Where is it?"
"Jace's house. You need to come, you'll love it."
"I don't love Jace, I don't even remotely like him."
"But you'll love his house."
"I'll think about it."
"Let me know by Saturday though, will you?"
Saturday rolled around quickly. Jon seemed a bit more bummed about missing this party than he had been about Sebastian's but he seemed keen for me to attend. Simon had finally agreed to come to the party after a couple of days of persuasion. He'd agreed to drive as it had been made clear to us by Jon that everyone stayed over at these parties as Jace had ample room. He'd also advised on taking a change of clothes as apparently people ended up thrown in the pool on a regular basis. I opted for a black bodysuit with a pair of denim shorts over the top, paired with a wedge. I felt somewhat naked, so I added a brightly coloured kimono over the top. I grabbed a sports bag and filled it with my change of clothes – a tshirt and a pair of ripped jeans. Simon was perfectly on time. He was dressed in a pair of tight pale jeans and a black t-shirt with a movie quote splashed across the front of it.
"Let's try for a better party tonight, huh?" I smirked as I climbed into the front seat.
"Yeah, I'll be happy if I can remember anything more than the first 30 minutes."
"Don't drink anything that you don't prepare, unless it's from someone you trust." I reiterated my mum's words to Simon.
"Easier said than done." Simon laughed, as he turned down the road into Jace's estate. "Maybe we won't get lost from one another this time."
"Hmm, questionable. Jace's house is about 10 x the size of Sebastian's? So that's 10 x the possibility?" I smirked.
"Well. I'll just have to try 10 x harder." Simon returned my grin as he pulled his car up. Sebastian's car was already in the driveway, along with many many more. There was also a familiar looking motorbike pulled up near the front door. This party was going to be interesting.
Thank you thank you thank you for reading my stories! I appreciate every single one of you who takes the time to read and especially those who feedback. Mwah mwah mwah!
All of my love,
Until the next time!
~Sapph
