I've been sitting here for about ten minutes. I should have told Izzy and Mia that it was time to go, but my body couldn't seem to move. Its 5:30, but I can't seem to go to the beach and meet Jace. I'm scared to admit it, but I'm seriously scared of going on this date with Jace. Is it even a date? He never officially said it was, so I don't know how to act. Am I just going as a friend or is he going to introduce me to his friends as his girlfriend?
"Clary," Mia called out through my door, "Come on, Jace is going to wonder if you ditched him!"
"Okay, I'll be right down," I called back. I took a deep breath and stood up to go look at myself in the mirror. Izzy was right, I didn't look half bad. I only put on some mascara (water proof) because we are going to the beach, so what's the point? I tried one last attempt at taming my fiery curls, but they were a lost cause so I just gave up. With one last deep breath, I strode to the door and walked down stairs.
"Well look who decided to show up," Izzy said.
"Hardy har har," I said, rolling my eyes.
"It's almost six, how long do you want to keep your prince charming waiting?" Izzy teased.
"Haven't you heard of being fashionably late?" I asked.
"Yeah, but I would have figured you'd want to be there as soon as possible to gaze into the eyes of your lover!" Izzy said.
I laughed, "Oh my god you're so dramatic! Come on let's go before you burst a blood vessel."
"Oh Isabel, sweet, sweet Isabel, don't you know anything about love? She has to be mysterious so she keeps Jace guessing," Mia explained.
"Ummm, yeah….that's what I was doing," I mumbled. Before we walked out I replenished Sunshine's food supply. He tried to come outside with us, but I had to leave him behind. As I stepped outside, the weather felt remarkably cooler.
I could see the bonfire in the distance, but it would still take us awhile to get there. I slowed my steps, but tried to make it seem natural, like I was enjoying the view. Unfortunately, Mia saw right threw me. "You wouldn't be procrastinating, would you?" She asked.
"What?" I asked, "Of course not, just watching the waves."
"Mmmhm," Izzy said, finally catching on, "Come on, hurry up." Izzy grabbed one arm while Mia grabbed the other, and together, they practically speed walked me to the party. Once we were about five feet away, they slowed down and gave me some time to breathe.
"You ready for this?" Mia asked.
I gulped, then nodded my head. "Just say the word and we'll leave whenever," Izzy said.
"Okay, let's do this," I said, uncertain. I shook my head a little, as if to get rid of my uneasiness. I held my head high and mustered all the confidence I could. We continued walking and there must have been at least thirty people there, if not more. It was kind of nerve wracking, just walking into a group of strangers. However, I didn't let it get to me, even smiling at a group of people walking by.
After a few minutes of mingling with some girls, we walked over to the refreshment table. "See, this isn't so bad," Mia said, ever the optimist. Even though I didn't want to, I had to agree. The only problem was that I didn't see Jace. Where could he be? I was starting to worry when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I felt a smile grow on my face, but when I turned around, my smile dimmed significantly.
"Well look at who's here," Kaelie said to her friends. They all laughed like it was the most hilarious thing in the world and I couldn't help the look of disdain that I could feel growing on my face.
Before Izzy could say anything I interjected, "Can I help you with something?"
Kaelie stopped laughing long enough to realize that I said something. "Oh I was just making the rounds, making sure all my guests were doing okay," she said.
That gave me pause. "This is your party?" I asked.
"Well sure, didn't Jace tell you," she sneered, "Speaking of Jace, here he comes now." The next thing I know, she's running and jumping into his arms like it's the most regular thing in the world. Both Izzy and Mia were glaring at Kaelie, but I just felt like getting out of there. Jace was carrying ice, so it was somewhat hard for him to hug her back, which made me very happy. He saw us and started detangling himself from her and handed her the ice.
As he walked away she looked pretty mad and I couldn't help but take joy in that. "Hey," Jace said, hugging me, "I'm sorry about that. Were you waiting long?"
I hugged him back and didn't let Kaelie get to me. "Don't worry about it, we haven't been here long," I said. I looked over at Kaelie and the look she gave me was not a very nice one. I smiled at her and gave Jace my full attention.
"So you remember Isabel and Mia?" I asked.
"Of course," he said smiling at them, "How are you guys doing?"
"Oh you know," Izzy said, "Just trying to mingle with complete strangers." Mia elbowed her and I knew it was because Izzy has no problem interacting with stranger, she just wanted to give Jace a hard time.
"Well we can fix that," Jace said easily, "Why don't I introduce you to some of my friends?" He waved Izzy and Mia in front of them and I admired him for putting up with Izzy.
He paused for a moment and just looked at me, "I guess I didn't get a chance to tell you how beautiful you look tonight." I went on my tippy toes to kiss him, but I didn't have to reach far. He bent down and kissed me so I didn't have to reach that high. I could feel his lips smile against mine and it was the most amazing sensation ever. I pulled away and dragged him over to where Izzy and Mia were standing. Not surprising, I found that they were surrounded by guys.
"Jace!" One guy exclaimed, "What's up man?"
"Nothing much dude, just hanging out with my girl," he said, pulling me closer against his side.
"Well, nice to meet you," he said, holding out his hand, "I'm Jason."
I immediately like him, he didn't seem like some dumb jock, and he had a nice personality. He also wanted to shake my hand, not many people do that now a days, and it seems somewhat endearing. I shook his hand and said, "I'm Clary. And it seems like you've met Izzy and Mia."
"Yup, so what are you guys doing here in LA?" He asked.
"Just needed a change of pace," I said, "New York can get a little boring sometimes." That is definitely not how I felt, but what was I supposed to say? Yeah, we're just visiting because I was mentally unstable, so my friends thought that being here would cheer me up? Definitely not, but for some reason I felt bad about not telling Jason the truth.
"Really, I've always wanted to go to New York and from what I've seen, it looks like a hella great time. Jace is so lucky he's going to Columbia in the fall though," he said enthusiastically.
I looked at Jace surprised, "You're going to Columbia?"
Jace looked pretty surprised himself and said, "Well I haven't decided yet, but I was accepted there yes." I didn't miss the knowing glances that passed between Izzy and Mia.
"Oh, you didn't know that? Sorry to break the news dude," Jason said.
Jace sighed, "No worries, the subject hadn't really come up before." I looked up at Jace and gave him a reassuring smile. I not going to worry about what's going to happen after this summer yet, I'm going to live in the moment. He smiled back and gave me a kiss on the cheek.
Jason continued the conversation effortlessly and soon Izzy and Mia were joining in the conversation too. Before I knew it, there was a crowd of people gathered around us and Izzy looked like she was actually making friends! It looked like they were having a good time and so was I. Jace introduced me to many of his friends and they were all pretty cool, apart from Kaelie and her clones who gave me death glares every time they could.
"Come on," Jace whispered in my ear, "I want to show you something." I looked over at Izzy and Mia; it looked like they wouldn't miss me for a few minutes. Jace took my hand and we started walking along the shore.
"Are you having fun?" Jace asked.
"Of course I am. It was nice meeting your friends," I said, but hesitated on my next words, "So we're official now?"
"Well I know we didn't talk about it, but I didn't want to introduce you as just a friend because you're so much more than that. I hope that wasn't a problem," he said quickly.
"No, I'm glad I know where we stand. I didn't know how to label us," I said.
"Well how about this," he said taking my hand and kneeling down, "Clary would you do the honor of being my girlfriend?"
Even though he wasn't actually proposing, I still managed to get all choked up, "Yes." He stood up and kissed me before continuing to lead me away from all the noise of the party. We rounded a bend and hidden behind it was a beautiful little alcove. I t looked so private and peaceful that I couldn't help but marvel at its beauty.
"What do you think?" Jace asked.
After a few speechless moments I said, "It's amazing. Do you like coming here often?"
"Yeah, it's a nice place to come and think," he said, trailing off. I took off my sandals and walked over to the waters edge. The water tickled my feet and the cool evening air brushed my skin. I felt Jace come up behind me, simultaneously wrapping his arms around me and resting his chin on my head.
We stayed that way for a while, just basking in the moment. Jace sent shivers down my back when he whispered into my ear, "Would you like you like to join me for a swim?"
"Sure," I said, sad when I was released from his glorious arms. He took his shirt off and I couldn't help but stop and stare. I snapped my mouth shut as soon as I found that it was gaping open like a fish's. I started taking my dress off, then turned slightly away because facing him while taking off my dress felt like I was undressing for him, too intimate, and I wasn't quite ready for that.
I turned back around and I guess it was Jace's turn to stare. He looked at me like he could see straight down to my soul; his stare was giving me chills, the good kind. "Like what you see," I teased.
He laughed somewhat nervously and looked away. His voice was more composed when he said, "So are we getting in or what?" I walked to the edge and dipped my toes in. It was unbelievably cold and I quickly backed away.
"Not afraid of a little cold are you?" He asked. I was about to respond when he picked me up and started running into the water. I tried wriggling out of his hold, but then thought better of it and just started laughing along with Jace. "Hold your breath!" He yelled before dunking us both under the freezing water. I rose to the surface and immediately felt colder when the cold air brushed my wet skin.
Jace soon rose up next to me with his hair sticking up at odd angles and clinging to his forehead. I laughed and smoothed the hair out of his face. He grabbed my wrist and pulled me against him. He kissed me and the salt on his lips just seemed to add to the perfectness (A/N: Is perfectness a word?) of this moment. I pushed him away from me and playfully started splashing him. Without further comment he dove after me and we started a splashing war. All of a sudden he dove underwater and I felt him tickling my thighs and tugging at my feet. I laughed and dove under to retaliate.
We swam underwater 'til we ran out of breath and came up to the surface gasping for air. Jace held me in his arms as we floated and I rested my head on his chest. I sighed, "I think we have to go back now."
"If you insist," he said, kissing me before swimming us back to shore. I wasn't about to put my dress on since I was dripping went, so I voiced my dilemma to Jace.
"I've got some towels in the car," Jace offered.
"Okay, let's go," I said. He smiled and held my hand. We walked back to the party, somewhat reluctantly. I felt that if I spoke, I would ruin the moment and I wouldn't be able to get it back.
"What are you thinking," Jace said, peering at me under his eye lashes.
I deliberated before I finally said, "That this is the best first date ever and that I've never been so happy in my life." Jace bent down and gave me a quick kiss on the lips. It was nothing major, barely a brush of the lips, but it still sent chills down my spine. Once we were in sight of the party, I wanted to turn around and drag Jace back to the alcove. It felt like that was our place now and I cannot wait to go back.
"There you are!" Mia exclaimed. She looked happy and slightly flushed.
"Are you drinking?" I asked, staring pointedly at the cup in her hand.
"Just a little," she said, squinting. I sighed to myself, mentally reminding myself to yell at her tomorrow.
"Where's Izzy?" I asked.
"She's around her somewhere. I think she's getting something to drink," Mia replied, hopefully something non-alcoholic I thought to myself, "So, where did you guys run off to?"
Before either of us could reply, there was a loud crash near the food table. I looked over in time to see Jordan and his friends laughing over the destruction they caused. When Jordan looked up and saw me, he said something to his friends and sauntered over. Jace shifted his body so it was angled slightly in front of me and at this moment I actually wished I had put on my dress.
"Hey Jacey boy, how are you doing?" Jordan drawled.
I felt Jace stiffen slightly before answering, "What are you doing here?"
"Now Jace, is that any way to treat your best friend?" Jordan smirked. Izzy and Mia stared at Jace incredulously, but I just looked at Jordan, wondering what he's accomplishing by crashing the party.
This time Jordan focused his attention on me and gave me the slimiest smile I've ever seen, "It's nice seeing you again." I didn't bother answering him while Jace stepped all the way in front of me so that I was blocked from view. I didn't mind him being protective, but like I told Izzy, I can take care of myself.
"It's about time you got here!" One of the drunken guys I didn't know said, clapping Jordan on the back.
"Well at least someone's happy to see me," Jordan said. What would Jordan have to do with any of the people at this party? From what Jace told me, Jordan didn't really get along with anybody.
"So did you bring the stuff?" Drunken guy asked. Then everything clicked into place, Jordan's here to do some "business" and not the good kind. Even though I didn't realize it, I was shivering; I guess the cool night air was getting to me more than I thought.
As If Jace could read my mind he said, "You're cold, I'll go run and get the towels." He kissed me on the cheek and with a warning glance directed towards Jordan, he left.
"Don't worry," Jordan yelled after Jace, "I'll look after your girlfriend for you." Without Jace covering me, I felt completely revealed. Without a word, Izzy and Mia moved on either side of me and covered me with just my face visible.
"So are you going to hook us up or what dude?" Drunken guy whined.
"Meet me by my car in 10 minutes," Jordan said, "So what are you doing here with Jace?"
"That's none of your business," I retorted.
Jordan shrugged, trying to seem nonchalant, "I just thought you should be more careful with who you spend your time with. Jace has some pretty dark secrets."
"Yeah, like you're so much better company," I countered.
"All I'm saying is that you should know a little more about the guy before you get all cozied up to him. And from what I can see, you guys were getting plenty cozy," Jordan smirked, daring me with his eyes to look away first. Before I could even think about what that meant, Jace arrived bearing towels and blankets.
"Maybe its time that you go attend to your business," Izzy sneered. As I was wrapping the towel around myself, I could see Jordan checking me out and not bothering to hide it.
"Don't worry, we'll see each other again," Jordan said creepily. I looked away and leaned against Jace's chest so that I wouldn't have to see the way Jordan gazed intently at me.
"Well that was an awkward encounter," Mia said, breaking the silence. I gave her a weak smile as Jace rubbed my arms to keep them warm.
"That guys a douche," Izzy stated, "Are you guys really friends?"
"No," Jace said, "We used to be." He left it at that and neither Izzy nor Mia questioned him further. I took the towel off and slipped on my dress.
"Jace why don't we go sit by the fire?" I suggested. He nodded and took my hand.
"I guess we'll go mingle for a while," Mia said, "Come on Izzy." They both gave me reassuring smiles as Jace and I walked towards the fire. It was a pretty big fire so we sat on the side with less people, so we could have some privacy.
"Are you okay?" I asked Jace.
"Of course I'm okay," he said, "Why wouldn't I be?"
I could tell that he put on one of his fake smiles and was somewhat hurt that he would try to hide his true feelings from me. "You can't yourself from me Jace, I let you in, why can't you let me in?" I asked earnestly.
He sighed, "I'm sorry. It's just that we were best friends and we were practically brothers and it sucks how people can change one day without warning, you know?" I didn't really know what to say, since I haven't exactly been through that, so I just leaned close to him and wrapped my arms around him. We stayed like that for a while, not moving, hardly breathing.
Jace pulled away, "Enough of all that serious stuff, let's have fun." I smiled at the effort he was trying to make as we got up to talk with some of his friends. The rest of the night was full of laughing and mingling. Thankfully I managed to get the booze away from Izzy and Mia so that they didn't get too drunk. It was a great night, my earlier fears of not fitting in long forgotten. Jordan crashing the party and his rude comments were also a distant memory.
The night was already ending, so Jace walked me to Lisa's house with Izzy and Mia walking a little ahead of us. "So how do you feel about surprises?" Jace asked.
"Not usually a huge fan, but it all depends on what kind of surprise it is," I replied.
"Don't worry, it's a good one," he said.
"Well then, I might just be okay with it," I said, smiling up at him.
"Meet me here at ten thirty in your bathing suit, I'm sure you'll like this surprise," he said.
"Until then," I said, kissing him slowly. The kiss didn't last nearly as long as I wanted to, but I smiled any ways and went inside. I thought not knowing what the surprise was, was going to keep me awake, but as soon as my head hit my pillow, I was out. The last thing I thought about were Jace's lips by my ear.
A/N: So, what did you think? Longest chapter I've ever written! Review, review, review!
