Hey chicas! What the story? Hope you are feeling ok. I LOVE YOU. Starfish.
By the way, that was me trying to make up for the inordinately late post. Forgiveness is the key to happiness. I don't know whether that's actually true or not but just go with the flow. I do sort of have an excuse that revolves around it being exam season, and beta'ing two other amazing stories, Last Words and Don't Cry, both by Livybug. Please check them out as they are so much cooler than life itself.
Little bit of the f word in here, my apologies! And there is a song for this chapter; you will know when it should be played:
Can't Help Falling in Love – Ingrid Michaelson version (or Mree covers, both are awesome)
So thanks for being here, putting up with me and most importantly, reading this, however angry you may be with me, I really appreciate it.
Clary
I stayed in the bathroom with my head in my hands for five minutes until I sighed, and got to work repairing my make-up, which was unfathomably bad from the streams of tears that had just about stopped. I had made an excuse to Jace, saying I'd be back in a minute and that I needed to 'freshen up'. I still was unsure as to what the hell he was actually doing here. Thinking back, I had not given him any reason to believe I wanted him to be here. In fact, I was adamantly against it. Again, I thought of my eavesdrop on Jocelyn's conversation. Could he really be in love with me?
I shook my head in disbelief, dabbing foundation over the worst parts. He hated me. This was all just a big joke to him. I'd probably go into my living room where I left him, to find him gone. Even so, I worked at fixing my dishevelled face, and in a couple of minutes, the only giveaway that I had been crying was my puffy eyes.
Taking a deep breath, I opened the door and stepped out into the hall way. No sign of Jace in here, I thought. Cautiously, I stepped into the living room, to find Jace sitting exactly where I left him. He looked like he haven't even moved a muscle, and he didn't look up when I came in. It was perplexing not to be met with sarcasm for once.
"Jace?" I queried anxiously. His head shot round and his golden eyes met mine and he smirked. I felt my knees go weak as I breathed out shakily.
"Sorry, just spaced out a bit there." He shrugged. I was still standing awkwardly in the doorway, so I moved to sit opposite him on the smaller couch. Sinking into the leather, I thought about how to break the silence.
"Why are you here?" I asked quietly. Of all the questions this was the one that I couldn't guess at all.
His eyes widened slightly, "I'm here to take you to the ball of course."
This answer made me inevitably think of Cinderella, and the idea of Jace as a courteous prince had me giggling. He must have caught on, because after a confused moment he chuckled a bit. His laugh was nice, I realised. I had forgotten that. The laughter eventually died and we were again locked in a staring battle, unsure of how to proceed.
"But why? I mean, I told you not to come." I said awkwardly, looking down and playing with the loose curls framing my face.
"Well, it looks like I made the right decision. Are you going to tell me why you were crying, Clary?" he asked me, patiently. The way his voice said my name sent irrational shivers through my body.
"No." I told him stubbornly. No way was I facing that embarrassing rejection again so soon. I looked up then to see Jace's eyes narrowed at me.
"Tell me." His voice was so full of authority it scared me a bit. I was sorely tempted to tell him, but I just terrified he would laugh at me.
I shook my head, in case my voice betrayed my wavering resolve.
His eyes lit up for a moment and I wondered whether he was crazy, but I didn't have much time to ponder on it because he was across the room in a flash and tickling me. As I shrieked in protest and hit him with pillows, I thought, 'What a bastard! He knows I am ticklish!' He was relentless, and within thirty seconds I was begging for mercy.
"So, Clarissa, something you want to tell me?" He questioned lightly. 'God, he's a crafty devil,' I thought, giving him the famous icy stare. But he just took it in his stride, raising his eyebrow as he waited for his answer. So be it. Who cares if I am laughed at, it's better than tickling.
I sat back, relaxing again, and pulled on my dress. Taking a deep breath and staring at the carpet the entire time, I retold the events of the day: buying dresses, meeting Sebastian, Maia's leaving and finally, the excruciating part where I got stood up, thus humiliated by Sebastian. After I finished my tale of woe, there was silence. When was the laughter going to come, in a few seconds? Or would it be a condescending shake of the head at my stupidity? Also a viable option, I reasoned. Deciding to face my fears, I looked up through my eyelashes at his face.
His jaw was set tight, like immovable granite. His eyes were blazing with fury and his fists were clenched shut by his thighs. He was quivering somewhat and he looked like he was going to pounce. It was petrifying and sexy at the same time. In all my ideas of his reaction, I had not expected him to be so furious with me. I cowered into the cushions and took shallow breaths.
"Why are you so angry at me? It was stupid to agree, but-"
"Jesus, woman, I'm not angry at you," he yelled, pushing his fingers through his hair in an exasperated way, while I bit my lip nervously, "I'm angry at Sebastian fucking Verlac. I'm trying to refrain from going over to his house and punching the hell out of him. Or breaking all the nearby furniture. And I can say, that having you sitting there looking so damn fine in that green dress and biting your bloody lip is not helping me to calm down!"
Did he just me fine? A glow of pride bloomed, until I realised how silly it was to focus on that one thing instead of realising what he'd actually told me.
"Urm, beating up people is wrong," I told him pathetically.
He shook his head, "Real convincing…"
I didn't know what else to say, seeming as I didn't exactly want to defend Sebastian. Then, Jace stood up and started walking out, grabbing his suit jacket on the way. Rejection hit me hard again.
"You're leaving?" I squeaked in disbelief.
He snorted, "No way. We are going to this damn ball, getting into loads of pictures, and showing Sebastian he made a huge mistake crossing you. You ok with that?"
I stood up, straightened my dress, pinched my cheeks to give them some colour and brushed past him to the door, the contact giving my electric shocks. Opening the door, I gestured to him.
"Let's do this."
The vehicle in front of me looked unsafe to say the least; it was a motorbike: black, sleek and dangerous. I hadn't ridden on one since we broke up, and when we were together I usually refused. But I didn't have a car, not seeing the point when there was so much public transport available.
"So, I'm guessing you wouldn't be open to the subway?" I asked, my voice obviously showing my nerves.
He chuckled, passing me the black helmet, and sat on the front. He turned the key in the engine and the beast roared to life, scaring me to death. Revving the engine, he grinned and patted the back seat. I was sure this was some kind of punishment for my bitchy behaviour to him before.
I sighed, knowing that the argument would be futile and swung my leg over the seat, perching delicately on the leather. I realised too late that I was wearing a dress and probably flashed him. Whatever, I thought, and threw in a lip-bite for good measure. I was sure I heard him groan, and patted myself on the back in my head. '1-Up to the Clary', I thought, placing on my helmet and flipping down the visor!
My thoughts of victory were smashed to the ground when I realised he was in control of the bike. He zoomed off onto the road and I squealed and held him instinctively round the waist, burying my face into his back. I was secretly pleased for having an excuse to be so close to him.
The ride was annoyingly short, but luckily we will up around the side of the office , so no-one could see I was the one on this death-trap. I hopped off, tugging off the helmet to free my hair. I passed it to him and looked up at the office, which had been transformed for the occasion. Pink and red heart balloons were tied up around everything possible and red confetti lay trampled on the ground, alongside the flyers for the event. They had even gone to the trouble of setting up a mini red carpet for the event. Unfortunately, I spied Aline taking pictures of the arriving couples. That was a showdown I had hoped to avoid.
Looking back, Jace had finished chaining up his bike and was coming over to me. We rounded the corner together, coming into sight. Aline spotted us and her jaw literally dropped open, I was kind of proud, even if Jace was only here with me because he thought Sebastian was a pratt. The other employees saw what, or who, she was looking at and showed their disbelief too.
But two by two the disappeared into the building until it was our time for a photo. Aline was batting her eyelashes at Jace, and filled with pointless jealous rage, I took Jace's arm and wrapped it around my waist. I leaned into his surprised body and pecked him on the cheek as the camera flashed. Taking his arm, I basically dragged him into the building.
He whirled me round once we were inside.
"What was that?" he asked, shocked but also smiling cheerfully.
"Remember, playing up to the camera, showing Sebastian he's a prick?" I tell him, realising its so much better to tell him this then to tell him I was jealous. That I want him to be with me, not flirting with that bitch. But that would just screw things up.
"Oh yeah, playing to the cameras." He said, the smile dropping a bit.
As I reach the office or the 'ballroom' as it should be called, I suppose, I see Maia and Jordan laughing across the room, past the dance floor. Weaving my way through the already intoxicated colleagues and friends of theirs, I walk towards the couple. I note that I can't feel Jace next to me and turn around, losing interest fast once I see him talking to a peroxide blonde. It hurts, I admit, especially after him being nice to me, but I honestly didn't expect much different.
"So, where's Sebastian?" Maia asked, waggling her eyebrows comically.
"Err, not here." I said, blushing.
"Not here as in, getting drinks or not here as in not here." She probed.
"The latter. He stood me up." I told Maia. She gapes at me, surprised to say the least.
"I'll kill him! The bastard needs his head ripped off, it's already not screwed on straight if you doesn't want to go out with you, looking like you do now!" Jordan interrupts, earning him a slap from Maia.
"Hey! What was that for?" He asked.
"There's a line between chivalry and flirting, and I don't want you crossing that line, fiancée. Or the next ceremony I go to you'll be in a wooden box, not a tux. Get my meaning?" Maia said menacingly, causing me to erupt into laughter as Jordan nods emphatically.
"What is it today with all the macho shit, anyway? First Jace, now you. I feel like a damsel in distress." I said frowning.
"Wait, back up! Jace took you here? What the hell? You said you told him no." Maia looked at me, confused.
"I did," I replied, rolling my eyes, "he ignored me."
So, by popular demand, I tell the story.
Afterwards, the constant stream of questions irritated me, so I slunk to get drinks. At the punch stand, I filled my cup and took a deep swig, liking the slight burn of alcohol passing down my throat. As I put it down, I felt someone behind me.
"I like a girl who can hold their liquor," he said seductively.
I turned around to find someone I'd never met before smiling down at me. He was ok looking, I thought. Downing the rest of my drink, I winked and pulled the man on to the dance floor, bored of standing around and filled with unknown courage. He grinned and put his hands on my hips from behind as he led me to the middle.
The music was too loud for my tastes and the bass too overpowering, but I went along with it all the same, resting my hands on the man's shoulders and swaying to the oppressive beat. Looking around me I saw gold eyes locked on me. Jace was dancing with the blonde. Well, if you can call it dancing, he was barely moving whilst staring at me and she was shamelessly grinding on him. I rolled my eyes and took up my dancing with renewed vigour.
The man, whose name I never learnt, was still grinning madly and moved his hands down so they were at the top of my butt. 'This was why I didn't like clubs', I remembered, 'the guys were way too handsy.'
Jace was no longer dancing with the girl I noticed, surprised, but he still hadn't removed his gaze from me, his eyes were darker and his face clenched. When he saw me looking back, he smirked, but it didn't reach his eyes. I didn't understand him.
My partner pulled me closer still, jolting me back to him, and I looked up at his face to see him glaring at Jace. Great. I had had enough of dancing when the guy cheekily squeezed my ass. I moved out of his embrace quickly and told him I was going to the bar. I did this, wondering why I even started dancing in the first place.
I ordered myself a vodka shot. When it arrived, I downed it in one. I needed to be drunk to get through this hellish party, and so I ordered another.
"Hey babe, wanna ditch this place and go to a real bar?" The voice came from right behind me, and the same man was slurring into my ear. His voice, which I had found seductive before, now filled me with disgust. I needed to lose this guy, fast.
"No thanks. I'm just waiting for my friend." I told him, politely.
"Maybe I could be your friend." The man's head was above my shoulder and I could tell from a glance he was leering down my dress.
"I have enough friends." I said coldly.
"Baby, don't be like that," he pouted, his hands moving to my waist, "maybe we could-"
"I believe the lady promised me the next dance," said Jace unexpectedly. I guessed what he was doing, and I looked at him with thanks.
"Yes, um, that's right!" I said hastily and the man reluctantly removed his hands from my waist and stalked off, but not before shooting Jace a look that could kill.
"Thanks for that, he was annoying." I grimaced.
"You didn't seem to mind when he hand his hands on your butt," Jace pointed out, his voice full of rage. I didn't get why he even cared.
"Well, you didn't seem to mind when that fake ass blonde was grinding on you like there was no tomorrow!" I said scathingly.
He loosened his taut posture, smirking. "Touché."
The barman, placed my drink down on the counter and I started to drink it, ignoring Jace. But that didn't suit him.
"What about my dance?" he asked, put out.
I scowled, "Very funny, Wayland."
"I'm not joking, Fray." He retorted, mimicking me. I studied his face, and I saw no sign that he was lying. Hopping down from my stool, I sighed.
"Fine, but just one song."
He took my arm by the elbow, and led me slowly back into the throng, just as the song changed. After the first bar I recognised the song, 'Can't help falling in love'. It was a slow song, a love song. I stopped in my tracks.
"Come on, Miss Fray, you said one song, are you going chicken on me?" He threw back to me with a smirk, which made me think he planned it.
I wanted to say that it wasn't appropriate. That he was an employee. That it was a song for couples only. That the thought of slow-dancing with him turned my legs to jelly. But I just let him lead me to an empty spot.
He carefully placed one hand one my hip, and one holding my hand against his broad chest. I, in return, placed my hand on his shoulder. We started moving together slowly, our bodies far apart. I closed my eyes and let the song wash over me.
"Shall I stay,
Would it be a sin,
If I can't help,
Falling in love with you…"
We were twirling around a bit faster now and I opened my eyes and looked into his. The rest of the world seemed so insignificant at that point. All that mattered was that I was looking at him, and he was looking at me. I sank into him, leaning my head on his chest as we swayed to the beautiful melody. I felt inexplicable tears forming; I must be more drunk than I first thought.
"Take my hand,
Take my whole life too.
For I can't help,
Falling in love,
with you.
For I can't help,
Falling in love,
With you…"
"Fuck it." I heard Jace say, then he was pulling up my chin and desperately kissing me. Without breaking the kiss he moved backwards, and before I knew it we were leaving the room, still wrapped in a passionate embrace.
What going to happen? What was your favourite line/part? Please tell me in a review
