Okay, so, I'll be dropping a hint here. Pay attention to Alec.

Chapter 10: Bad Boy Good Lips

"Clary," a voice whispered sharply; Izzy's. "Come on, let's go!"

There was rummaging sounds followed by the sound of something falling to the floor.

"What are you guys doing?" Aline's voice was heard, sounding thick with sleep.

"Shh," Izzy shushed. "Go back to sleep, Maia."

"It's Aline," Aline corrected annoyedly.

"Whatever," Izzy breathed, exhausted.

Izzy's hands were searching for Clary. And she accidentally punched her jaw.

"Ouch," Clary yelped in a hushed voice, attempting to be quiet.

"Ugh," Izzy grumbled. "Let's go," she stressed. "Why are you lying down?"

The tryouts that day had left Clary fatigued. She had properly exerted herself in the pool. She didn't think her nap would prolong itself until the sun went down. That's the thing about naps, you never know when you'll wake up; in an hour? In two hours? Ten hours? A year?

"I was napping," Clary said.

Izzy finally got hold of Clary's arm and she hauled her to her feet with ease.

"We need to go right now," Izzy said again.

She was manoeuvring Clary by her shoulders, leading her to the window. They stumbled over a few things and Clary almost tripped.

"We're going through the window?" Clary asked in bewilderment.

"Yes, Clary, I believe this square glass is called a window," Izzy said. "Now, hurry up."

"But we're on the first floor!"

"Yeah, good for you," Izzy muttered. "I don't think you'd make it if we were on the second floor."

Clary gaped at her, not that she could see it in this darkness. Clary creeped her head out the window slightly. She looked down and saw bushes being swallowed by the darkness. They looked like a painting powdered with charcoal. She tried to estimate the height of the drop to fully prepare her body. She felt her pulse quickening. Izzy prodding at her back was doing no good in helping her in the least.

Clary swung one leg, then, the other, over the windowsill. She held on to the ledge once both her feet were steady on concrete. Then, she jumped.

"Oof."

Opening her eyes, Clary met shining cat eyes and a playful grin. She was suspended in the arms of Magnus Bane. He set her down on the grass.

"I did not misjudge your weight," he said proudly. "You're as light as a biscuit."

There was a thump to announce Izzy's landing. She landed on her feet harmlessly, of course, and skipped over to where Clary and Magnus were standing.

"Um," Magnus drawled, eyeing Clary up and down. "I'm all for bedroom chic, but this.. This is…"

Clary was wearing her comfy sleeping clothes. A skimpy tank top and shorts. At least it was just some plain shorts and not the kind that has baby animals all over them.

Clary groaned and slapped her forehead. She turned to Izzy sharply. "Look what you made me do. You rushed me so much I forgot to change."

"I told you when we were leaving," Izzy said. "Why didn't you change earlier?"

"Because I fell asleep," Clary said.

Izzy had her arms crossed and lifted a shoulder. It was clear what it said. Then, it's your fault, not mine.

Then, Izzy spoke. "Why were you sleeping in your pyjamas, anyway?"

"What was I supposed to sleep in?" Clary argued. "My swimsuit from earlier?"

"No. Maybe yoga pants?"

"Yoga pants are no better, they're not publicly accepted for going out."

"Yet," Izzy said. "But at least they're–"

"Ladies, ladies," Magnus said, coming in between the girls, hands splayed out in offer of peace. "Please."

He slid off his black leather jacket and draped it over Clary's shoulders.

"There," he said, admiring his work. "It goes past your derriere."

Clary frowned, still.

"What?" he asked. "You want my pants, too?"

Clary thought Magnus seemed like the person who would jump at the first chance to go pants-less. She refused quickly, "No, thank you."

xxXxx

They strolled on grass, making crackling sounds as their feet flattened the grass beneath. They were being careful to stay on the edge of the lawn and not walk in the centre so as not to attract attention. Wardens did their patrols in the night time religiously. But it was so dark that they'd have to be within seven feet of proximity with the perpetrator to be able to see them. Not to mention they carried flashlights that gave them away.

Clary's feet made contact with asphalt and she could see cars upon cars lined up. Their polished metal surfaces reflecting the street lights. They were at the parking lot.

Magnus led the way to one car in particular. And there, stood Alec and Simon.

"Clary, you.. look cold," Simon said to Clary,

"Mmhmm," Clary replied, shoving her hands further into Magnus' jacket. She was cold indeed.

"Then, why…" Simon looked at her questioningly. He didn't need to finish the sentence.

Clary shook her head. "I couldn't find any pants."

"Oh. Do you want mine?" He asked, his voice getting softer at the end of the sentence, only then realising what he was proposing.

"I swear if another boy offers me his pants…"

Speaking of boys, Jace jogged over to join them. He dangled a set of keys in front of him.

"Got it," he breathed. "Let's go." He walked to the driver's side seat and swung the door open after unlocking it.

As Jace was about to duck into the car, Alec immediately said, "Maybe I should drive." He sounded anxious, like the way Clary's mum did the time Clary fell off her bike when she was five.

Jace gave Alec a frown. "No, Alec," he said. "I always drive." It sounded like a whine.

"I know…" Alec let his sentence hang. And they were doing that thing again. Talking with facial expressions. If Clary didn't know any better, she'd think they were talking in their minds.

After a minute of nearly palpable tension, Jace slid into the driver's side seat. Alec clucked in irritation before taking shotgun.

The rest of them filed into the backseat of the '67 Chevy Impala. Clary was sandwiched between Izzy and Magnus. And Simon was next to Magnus, looking very uncomfortable. They were all uncomfortable about the close proximity but Simon fidgeted the most.

"I call shotgun for the trip back," Simon declared.

"Not if we don't remember to take you with us," Jace said under his breath.

"You wouldn't," Simon said dramatically.

"There's very little thing I wouldn't do," Jace told him matter-of-factly.

Jace made a left turn upon exiting the school. They didn't use the main gate, but instead, went through a small arch in a hedge somewhere which was cleverly concealed by vines. Clary didn't even know there was an opening there if they hadn't driven right through it. They drove on packed earth, veering around tall trees before reaching proper road.

"We won't leave you, Sean," Magnus meant to reassure Simon.

"Simon," Clary and Simon corrected together.

"Right." Magnus smiled.

xxXxx

They went to a club in the middle of nowhere. It was located in a run-down building in a very dark, very shady alleyway. The wind suddenly picked up, sending a piece of newspaper tumbling across and Clary thought it was perfect to complete the look.

But inside, it was happening. The dance floor was crowded with gyrating bodies. The bar attracted people how light attracted moths. The lights in the club were bursting neon colours.

Izzy went over to the bar and ordered a Sangria. She didn't get carded.

The occupants ranged from teenagers like themselves to middle-aged men to bikers to girls on a night out. The music blasted songs screamed in a foreign language. Izzy pulled Clary by the wrist, languidly avoiding unsteady people and merging into the dancing crowd.

Clary had to admit it was fun to jump and throw your hands up and bob your head to angsty music without decorum and direction. The music was so loud it consumed her thoughts whole. There was only adrenaline from all the movement, and careless bodies bumping into her. Once she was sweaty and panting and needing a break, she excused herself from Izzy. Izzy's answer was a pout which was quickly recovered when her eyes found Simon and she made her way to him to make him her next victim.

Clary went to order a Coke. The bartender had tattoos trailing up his forearm to his bicep and disappearing into his sleeve. He had a lip ring and more piercings along one of his eyebrows. Clary downed the drink like it was water. She sensed someone perch onto the stool next to her. Jace pushed his hair out of his eyes. He was sweating too. The bartender acknowledged Jace by nudging his chin at him.

"Wanna get out of here?" Jace asked, gasping for air a little.

"Yeah." Clary was ready to leave.

Jace led her out through the backdoor.

He walked along the curb, then, got on one of the motorbikes parked there like he owned it.

"Wait." Clary said, coming to a stop in front of him. "Whose–is this yours?"

Jace scrunched his face. "No."

"Then.. wh–how?" She paused. "Are we stealing it?"

"Borrowing." Jace turned the keys which were conveniently already in the ignition. The vehicle roared to life. "Would you look at that?" he said, grinning widely. "He left his keys in." He grabbed a helmet from the handle bars and handed it to Clary. "Hop on." He dusted the seat behind him.

Clary put the helmet on to hide the anxiety that must be passing over her face. She stepped forward reluctantly, placing her hands on Jace's shoulders and hurdling her right leg over, making her straddle his waist. She shifted uneasily.

Jace reached over to another motorbike and plucked one helmet, then, putting it on over his head.

"Wrap your arms around my waist," Jace instructed. "When I lean forward, lean with me."

Clary did her bid and the engine rumbled as the motorbike started to move. She was sure Jace could feel her heart hammering like a hurried metronome against his back.

They pulled into alleyways and turned corners and ran red lights. There was no traffic in this isolated and seemingly abandoned town. Clary felt herself enjoying the ride. Jace drove carefully and placidly. He was obviously taking it easy with her on board and Clary's heart swelled.

Jace pulled up slowly. And Clary dismounted the motorbike gingerly. She pulled her helmet off, running her fingers through her locks.

"Follow me." Jace offered her his hand.

There was a forest at the side of the road. He pushed aside the low branches to make way. They wove through some more, then, ascended a steep hill. Jace tightened his grasp on Clary's hands. Clary slipped once and Jace switched hands gripping her hand, using the now free hand to support around her waist.

When they reached the top, Clary's breath escaped in a gush. She saw tiny orbs of bright lights blinking at her. She was brought back to childhood cartoons, playacting the wonders of nature. Only in this case was the reality much better. The fireflies were lighting up the woods, having their own party.

"Wow," she breathed. The word felt inadequate somehow.

Jace was watching her, a smile dancing on his lips. He tilted his head to urge her.

Clary whirled further into the woods, feeling the soft earth beneath her feet and grass tickling her calves. She was now surrounded by the fireflies. She laughed with joy, the sound of her voice tinkling in the cool night air. She shook her head in awe. "This is amazing."

Jace padded to her. "I'm glad you like it."

"I love it," Clary cried, not bothering to tone down her excitement.

Jace laughed softly, his breath shaking her hair. They caught each other's eyes and something about the intensity of his gaze made Clary's smile falter. Jace used a finger to tilt her chin up. Their faces were so close to one another, noses almost touching.

He brought his lips closer to hers, not making contact with them but she could almost taste him. They stayed like that, prolonging the moment, breathing each other in, feeling each other without touching.

And oh so slowly, his lips brushed hers. Soft was Clary's first thought. His lips were soft. She stepped nearer to him–placing her hands on his warm chest–wanting more, asking for more, needing more. But he wasn't rushing it. He ran his lips across hers another time. It was the gentlest of kisses. It was a promise of more. It was a tease.

Then, very suddenly, rain poured over them. They pulled apart and Clary laughed at the less than pleasant timing. Jace looked annoyed for a moment, but when he saw Clary giggling, a corner of his lips lifted, progressing into a full smile. He took her hand and they ran while the rain picked up.

That was my first kissing (or something like that) scene. I know..it was bad. I totally did it on a whim, I never intended for them to kiss this early (or ever. ha, jokes). It's just that the setting was calling for it. Ya know? And, yay, longest chapter yet! It probably won't happen again, haha. Also, do you have any theories about the night? Review, loves. xx

P.S.: Did you get the reference? ;)

Disclaimer: All names belong to Cassandra Clare.