Disclaimer: I have never owned TMI, I don't now and I never will

Jace's POV

It's been a week since the party, since the pool, since the dancing. I've been going to school but the week has seemed to drone on for eternity. I can't believe I let her fall. Every time I close my eyes I see her falling, nearly drowning, because I couldn't catch her in time. Jordan has always been a joker and I never take him too seriously. So when he interrupted my dancing with Clary and whispered in my ear that I need to get rid of her or he will, I didn't overthink it. But that's the probably because if I hadn't been as distracted I would've understood. But she just smelled so good, like roses and it was very hard not to be mesmerized by her wide green eyes.

I've been wanting to call her but I can't. I'm "forbidden" to I guess you could say. The jocks and their girlfriends don't like Clary. They told me that if I wanted to stay on the team and be able to hang out with them, I had to ditch her. I want to be with Clary but I need this team, they're my only chance at getting a scholarship for college. I mean Clary would understand that right?

I'm sitting on the floor at the foot of my bed, staring at my phone sitting next to me. My fingers itch to call her, to hear her voice, to see if she's okay. It's taking just about everything in me to refrain from it. After my lost stare turns into a full on glare, I pick up the phone and hurl it at the wall across from me. I growl in frustration, angry at myself, my friends, and my world. Why do I have to be such a jerk?

I hear the door close downstairs and know that it's Isabelle and Alec back from their visit with Clary. They asked me if I wanted to go, after a moment of hesitation I told them no and tried to ignore the hurt looks on their faces as I closed the door on them. I can't keep doing this. It's tearing my up, driving me insane. I'm having such a hard time staying away from her, with her kindness, and timidness. I should just make her hate me, maybe then it wouldn't be so hard. I jump at the sudden knock at my door. Alec sticks his head in says "we're back" in a small voice. I nod at him quickly, avoiding eye contact.

I've finally decided what I'm gonna do about all this bullshit. I'll make her mad at me, make her hate me, so I have no reason to love her. I get up quickly knowing if I don't do this now, I'll back out. I dash downstairs and Isabelle gives me a funny look when I shoot out the door. I run across the street not even bothering to look. And there it is. Clary's house. Pretty orange flowers hang from pots on the porch and I wonder if she chose them herself. I walk up to the door and pause. I clear my throat and think about what I'm gonna say. I'm prepared I say to myself and knock on the quickly but loudly. I stand there not so patiently, waiting for her to answer. I look back towards the street making sure my siblings didn't try to follw me.

I hear the door unlock and spin around quickly at the sound. And then all I'm looking at is fiery red curls and green eyes shining bright like emeralds. Her hair surrounds her face, almost hiding it. I do a quick look over. She's wearing grey sweatpants and green tank top. Totally undressed and definiatly not expecting company, but some how she's the picture of absolute beauty. She looks up at me and I can tell she's looking everywhere but my eyes. Avoiding my eye contact like it's a plague.

"Clary" I say, my voice so uneven that I sound like a thirteen year old in puberty. She's looking down now, and her eyes are moving frantically as if she's looking for something.

"Carrot" I say, and her head shoots up and suddenly makes eye contact I wasn't ready for. The emotions in her eyes nearly make me fall over. There's so much hurt and pain and betrayal. and I blame myself for every bit of it. she gulps and opens her mouth as if she was gonna say something but closes it again.

"Goldie locks" she says in such a shy, fragile voice that I'm so scared that even looking at her will break her.

"Can we talk?" I ask. Suddenly remembering my mission. She looks confused and relieved at the same time.

"sure come in" she says in the same voice. I step in and stand behind her waiting. she closes the door and turns around to face me. "let's talk" .