Chapter 9

Clary POV

Izzy had picked me up at around noon on Sunday. We arrived at the lake house at one, before everyone else. Jace and Jonathan were on their way, according to a text.

Izzy and I were currently in the living room of the two story house. I was reading a book while Izzy painted her toenails a vibrant green color.

"Clary?" Izzy spoke up.

I turned to look at my best friend who had a pained look on her face. "What is it?"

"Do you have to move? Can't you stay with me?" She asked.

I sighed and closed my book, not caring to remember the page number. "Izzy, I want to be with my family. But, I want to stay here."

"Then, why don't you stay?"

"Because... I don't think I should. It's not like I'm never coming back, Iz," I said.

"Yeah, I know. I'm really going to miss you, Clary," she said, looking even more sad than before.

"I'm really sorry, Iz."

(•.•)(•.•)(•.•)

Jace POV

"Jon, can I ask you for some advice?"

Jon looked at me and nodded. I sighed a breath of relief. All night I had been thinking of her.

"There's this girl that I've liked for a while now. Heck, I might as well admit that I'm in love with her. How do I tell her that?" I quickly said.

"Well," Jon began, "I would just make a move. Soon."

"You think that'll work?" I asked him.

"It should. You know, as long as she feels the same way," he told me, keeping his eyes on the road. "And, if you don't mind me asking, who is it?"

I gulped. "Uhm... It's Clary."

Jon laughed. He LAUGHED. "I knew it!"

"You knew what?" I asked, although I already knew the answer.

"I knew you've been in love with her since the day you met. The way you look at her, and the way she looks at you..."

"She-she looks at me?"

"Well, yeah. You both look at each other like there's no one else in the world. And don't get me started with all of that tension- if you know what I mean," he went on.

"Jon!"

"What!? It's true!"

That's where the conversation ended for we had just arrived at the lake house. The same place where I will confess my love to Clary.

(•.•)(•.•)(•.•)

Clary POV

Izzy wanted to sleep inside after her toes dried, and I wanted to go to the lake. So, after I changed into my black bikini, I headed down to the dock.

The air was warm, but a soft breeze blew my red curls out of my face. The wind sent a brief chill over my bare stomach, making small goosebumps appear on my arms.

I walked onto the dock, feeling the warm wood under my feet. Instead of getting in the water, I sat on the edge of the dock, placing my toes in the cool lake water.

I closed my eyes, feeling the warmth of the sun hit my face. This was perfect. The sun, the lake, the water. The only other thing that would make this perfect is-

"Hey!"

I opened my eyes to find Jace running toward the dock with a towel in hand. He was smiling even though he almost tripped coming over.

"Oh, hey, Jace," I said, trying to hide the joy in my voice.

"Mind if I join you?" He asked.

"Not at all," I said, turning to the lake again. I began to get distracted by a duck that had just landed in the water across from the dock.

Moments later, the water splashed as feet were dunked into it. I turned my head to look at Jace who was now shirtless.

A memory popped into my mind of the night of Izzy's party. I was unbuttoning his shirt slowly, telling Jace how hot he is, and kissing his nose. I owe you a kiss...

Jace caught my eye. "You okay?"

I nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just thinking," I told him.

"Penny for your thoughts?"

I sighed softly. "I don't want to leave. But, at the same time, I feel like I have to."

Jace turned away from me suddenly. His blonde curls swayed as he shifted. "I don't want you to leave," he mumbled so quietly that I almost didn't hear him.

"And I don't want to leave you," I told him honestly.

Jace turned to look at me, and for a moment, it seemed like I was in a dream. I leaned in and captured his lips with my own. He didn't respond at first, probably because he was shocked at what I was doing, but eventually he kissed me back.

His hands found my waist, and he carefully slid me toward him. I responded by wrapping my arms around his neck, attempting to bring him closer to me.

This moment felt so right: The water still chilling my toes, the cool late spring breeze moving my hair, and Jace's lips moving against mine.

Eventually, we had to break apart. I immediately turned away from him, slightly embarrassed about what I had just done. I slid my feet out of the water, and stood up on the dock.

"I think I owed you that," I said, beginning to turn away. "Bye, Jace."

I hastily jogged toward the house in an attempt to leave. I ignored Jace's shouts from the lake. I didn't care that he kissed me back. I just wanted to move on, and forget that I love him. Or maybe love him.

After changing into a T-shirt and shorts, I told Jon that I had to go home. He didn't ask any further questions; just handed me the keys to his car. I thanked him, told Izzy goodbye, and left.

A/N: Wow.

Nice, Clary.

Well, I hope that was a romantic kiss. I thought it was perrty good. ; )

Anywhooo, please review!

OHMIGOSH! That rhymed.

I'm a poet, and I didn't know it!

I better stop.

REVIEW MY LOVEEES.

-THG