Clary
I feel something poke my cheek so I swat at it. Another poke and my eyes start to flutter open. Geez it's bright. I think to myself. I quickly squeeze my eyes shut tightly and refuse to move, I'm comfortable. I feel yet another poke and open my eyes completely. I look up and after my eyes adjust some I can see Izzy standing above me with a smirk on her face and her left hand on her hip. I stare at her for a moment. I'm outside, and the sunny sky is shining behind her. She points down at me then moves her finger towards my left then back to me. I give her a confused look. Now she gestures with her head to my left. I look over and jump up quickly. He shifts slightly, bringing his right arm up to his chest as his left is laying across his stomach. I take a few steps back realizing I just had my head on Jace's shoulder, my arm across his chest, and my right leg draped over his leg while he had his arms around me. What the hell happened last night? I ask myself. I know I was buzzed really good, and talking to Jace but I don't remember anything else. Did we do something? No we couldn't have, I'd remember that. Wouldn't I? Of course I would. But what the hell was I doing laying in his arms? Why was my head on his chest? Why was I holding him? All these questions and I don't have the answers.
"Hey." She says quietly, trying not to wake him.
I side-step towards her, not taking my eyes off Jace, still to shocked to speak.
"What's going on here?" She asks in a whisper, her voice full of amusement.
"Nothing. Nothing's going on here." I whisper back.
"Sure looks like something to me." She says with a quite chuckle.
I shoot her a dirty look. "It was nothing. We were talking and I guess we fell asleep."
"Snuggled together like that?" She asks with a raised eyebrow and a smirk still plastered on her face.
"What time is it?" I ask, anything to change the subject.
She looks at her phone. "10:30 a.m., why?
"Go home and I'll call you later. Okay?" I look back down at Jace. "I have to wake him up and get him out of here."
"Yeah sure, just send me away so you two can smooch and-"
"Isabelle." I interrupt. "It's not like that. Just go, please."
"Okay fine." She says and I can see her flip-flopped feet disappear out the corner of my eye. I hear the gate open. "But just so you know, I want all the juicy details later."
"Isabelle." I say sternly as I glance up at her.
"Fine. Bye." She waves and is out the gate.
Just great. I say to myself. Maybe I should've let her stay while I woke him up. No this is awkward enough as it is, I sure didn't need her here making it worse with all her sexual suggestions. Well, here goes nothing.
"Jace." I nudge his leg with my toes. "Jace."
Still nothing. I look around the yard and then back at him. What am I gonna do? I ask myself.
I kneel down next to him and shake his arm slightly. "Jace."
He groans.
I reach out, putting my hand on his shoulder and shake him again. "Jace."
His eyes start to flutter. "Clary? Is it really you? Am I dreaming again?" He moans out.
Again? I shake my head. "No you're not dreaming, it's really me."
His eyes open suddenly and I jump back, now sitting with my feet under me. He stares at me not saying anything.
"You should probably head home, it's after 10:30." I tell him. I know he'll need to be getting ready to head back out soon and he needs to spend some time with his mom before he does.
He blinks. "Yeah. Okay. Sure."
"Are you alright?" I ask since he doesn't seem to be himself either. He seems as confused as I am.
He shakes his head slightly, shaking the dazed and confused look off his face. "Yeah I'm alright. Are you?" Then he stands up and stretches, his shirt lifting just enough to show a small amount of skin above the waist of his shorts before he brings his arms back down.
I bite my bottom lip. "Yeah, I'm okay. Can I ask you a question?"
He smiles down at me. "Shoot."
I hesitate and stand up. "Um...how did we end up like that?" I point to where we had been sleeping.
He shrugs one shoulder, with a smirk. "We fell asleep talking. Nothing happened if that's what you're worried about."
"I wasn't really. I mean, I figured nothing happened." I explain. "But, um, how did I, uh, end up..."
"In my arms?" He finishes for me.
I shrug slightly. "Yeah."
"Well it got kinda chilly last night, and I woke up to you shivering next to me. So I pulled you over to me, for the whole body heat thing ya know. Anyway, you snuggled into me when I did so..." He leaves it at that with a shrug.
"You could have woke me up and you could've used one of the spare rooms or the couch. We didn't have to sleep out here." I say calmly. I'm trying not to give away how I really feel about the whole ordeal. Sure I enjoyed it but it shouldn't have happened. Stupid Clary, stupid! I yell at myself.
"I didn't, and don't mind." He shrugs again. "You were sleeping so peacefully so I didn't want to wake you. And I wasn't going to carry you cause I was a little above tipsy last night so I'd have probably dropped you. Then Jonny would've kicked my ass and I would have never heard the end of it."
We both laugh, the awkward tension starting to lighten.
"Yeah, you're probably right." I tell him with a smile. Then I shake my head remembering he needs to get home. "You really should get home and spend some time with your mom before you have to leave."
He starts to say something then hesitates and closes his mouth. He stands there for a minute before he turns around. I watch as he walks towards the garage door instead of the gate, and stops. "Can I ask you something?"
Oh boy, what is it? I ask myself. "Shoot." I say instead.
"That tattoo...on your left side, I seen part of it yesterday but couldn't make it all out. So, what does it say?" He asks with his back to me.
I smile. "For Them I Will Always Risk It." I tell him. That sure as hell wasn't what I was expecting him to ask, that's for sure.
He looks over his shoulder at me with a small smile. "I remember." He says, then he turns and walks through the door.
I stand there starring at the door for a few minutes before I decide to grab the blanket off the ground. With a smile, I fold it up and set it in a chair on the patio before I walk into the house. I head upstairs to take a shower and my smile drops. I shouldn't have allowed last night to happen. I tell myself. He deserves better damn it! I sigh inward, yeah but...
It sure was nice though.
Isabelle
After I left Clary's backyard I literally ran home and up the stairs to Alec's room. He wasn't in there so I texted him.
Where are you?! -Iz
I wait tapping my foot on the floor. A minute later still no answer.
Alec, I know you're awake. WHERE ARE YOU? -Iz
In the basement playing a game with Bat. Why? -A
Get upstairs NOW! It's important! -Iz
If this is another wardrobe problem, I'm gonna be mad. -A
It's NOT I promise! -Iz
Fine. Be there in a minute. -A
I wait impatiently for him to come upstairs, bouncing on the heels of my feet. What can possibly be taking him so long? I ask myself. Finally I hear footsteps, and I watch as he tops the stairs.
"I just found Clary and Jace sleeping in each others arms in her backyard!" I blurt out in a rush.
His jaws drops. "Do what?"
"I went over there to see Clary like usual. I was going to see if she had a hangover but she wasn't in her room. So, I walked in the kitchen and could see their heads through the glass door. I walked out there and they were asleep, IN EACH OTHERS ARMS!" I explain to him.
He smiles. "Well did you leave them there?"
"Of course not! I didn't want her to get sunburnt so woke her up." I say proudly.
"Well what did she say?" He asks curiously.
"She says nothing happened, that they just talked. I don't believe her though. You should've seen them Alec." I sigh loudly. "You were right Alec, we have to do something."
With a smirk, he rubs his hands together like evil villains do in movies. "Well, what do you suggest since he's gonna be leaving out soon?"
"I don't know." I pause. "What if we threw a party at Magnus'? OH! Even better lets go mudding! You know how they both love it and Clary can't take her car out there so we'd have to take a truck."
"Yeah! I can even act like somethings wrong with mine or even get it stuck or something." He adds in. "Then we will have to figure out a way to leave them together though."
"I got it!" I say with a mischievous grin. "We will just jump in his truck and take off."
"Izzy, I don't think that will work. That's grand thief auto." He says with an eyebrow raised.
"Fine. We can leave in your truck and just not tell them." I say exasperated.
"Wait, wait, wait. Let me talk to him first before we make any definite plans, and you talk to her. Okay? We have to find out exactly why they split up before we can do anything massive." He says seriously.
I frown at him. He was all for it and now he wants to rain on my parade. "Fine. But we have to think of something, and quick before he leaves."
"I know. Now let me go tell Bat that I've got something I've got to do." He reaches out and puts his hand on my shoulder. "Hey. We'll figure something out okay?"
I nod and he turns around, walking back down the stairs. He's right, but I know I'm going to have to be sneaky about this, cause Clary isn't going to just tell me. I'm going to have to pry it out of her. Private Investigator, Isabelle Lightwood, is on the case. Now..
Let's see about getting some answers!
Jace
I want to kick myself. I was right there, I had an opening to tell her and I hesitated. But she seemed like she was ready to get rid of me, although that could've just been cause I haven't told her I'm not going back yet. Damn it Jace! I yell at myself. Why didn't you just tell her? Now I find myself walking home with last night rerunning through my mind. I don't know what time it was but when I woke up to her asleep next to me I just had too, so I did. I kissed her lips softly and she shivered. So I decided to pull her to me and as soon as I touched her, she moaned and leaned her head against my chest; that was all it took for me to wrap my arm around her. Then when she snuggled her body close against mine, placing her hand over my heart and putting her leg between mine...mmhhmm, I put my other arm around her. As I held her tight I kissed her head, and went back to sleep with an ear to ear grin. I've missed the way she feels against me, how we fit perfectly like a puzzle piece. If only-
HONK. HONK.
I turn to see what is going on. It's Alec creeping up beside me in his silver pickup just like mine; except his is a year older and has a bigger lift kit on it.
"Hop in." He says as he rolls the window down. "I wanna talk to you."
"Okay, what about?" I ask cautiously as I climb in and shut the door.
He starts to drive. "I want to know what happened between you and Clary."
"Nothing happened." I say quickly. How does he know about last night?
"Something happened or she wouldn't have broken up with you." He says glancing at me.
"Oh." I say quietly. Not a great topic. "Why are you bringing that up, again?"
"Let's just say that recent events have perked my interest." He says with a sly smile.
"Listen to you sounding all educated and shit." I tease in attempt to change the subject.
"Jace." He says as we pull up in front of my house. He looks at me. "I need to know why you two split up. It's important."
I look down at my lap. "I don't remember exactly." I lie.
"Try." He says sympathetically.
"Look Alec, can we talk about this later? I need to go get washed up and eat." I say as I open the door.
"Sure but I'm going to hold you to it. I'll be back later cause I want to know before you leave out." He says as I step out.
I turn to look at him. "Yeah about that." I scratch my head. "Swear you won't say a word to anybody."
"About what?" He ask, his eyebrows furrowed together in confusion.
"Swear you won't tell anybody what I'm about to tell you." I say sternly.
"I swear." He says holding his hand over his heart.
"I wanted to tell Clary first but pulled a chicken shit move, so you can't tell a soul. The only other person that knows this is my mom. Got it?" I ask. I want to make absolutely sure he isn't going to run off telling everybody.
He puts his hands up defensively. "I got it, I got it. Now spill already."
I take a deep breath. "I'm not leaving back out, I'm home for good." I say in a rush.
His eyes go wide. "Are you serious? You're not fucking with me?"
I nod. "Yeah. They gave me an honorable discharge for "Convenience of The Government' so I'm home for good."
He smiles the biggest smile I've ever seen on him before, throws the truck in park and jumps out. He jogs around the truck and wraps his arms around me, squeezing me in a big bear hug. "This is great man! Welcome home! For Good!" He says excitedly and loudly.
I chuckle. "Thanks Alec." He lets me go and I point at him. "But remember, nobody is to know yet. I want to surprise everybody, after I figure out a way to tell Clary."
"Well you better think of something quick, cause we were all expecting you to leave either today or tomorrow." He says grinning.
"I know." I growl. "I just don't know how to tell her. Everybody else is simple, I just yell surprise but it's different with her."
He puts his hands on my shoulder. "Jace, I say this cause I love you. Man the hell up and just tell her."
"It's not that simple." I say shaking my head. "But I'll figure it out soon, I promise. Now go do whatever you were headed to do and I'm gonna go eat."
He nods and walks around his truck. "Oh, by the way, I know you and Clary were all snuggled up together while asleep in her backyard last night." He says with a smile, sliding into his truck.
"How did you find out?" I hollar at him.
He throws his hands up. "Izzy caught ya'll."
He starts to pull away with a smile still on his face and his arm out the window waving. I wave back and then shrug. I should've known. I bet she ran home and started telling everybody. Oh well. I tell myself and start walking to the front door. Now the real problem...
How do I tell Clary?
Alec
Leaving Jace's house I can't help but bounce in my seat like a child. I'm so happy. Jace isn't leaving! This is great! No more worrying about something happening to him, no more short visits...HEY! This also makes mine and Izzy's planning less rushed, we'll be able to come up with numerous ideas. Oh this is perfect. I can't wait to tell her. Shit I can't, I promised him I wouldn't. But what if I make her swear she won't say anything before I tell her? Or what if I make her swear then write it down or text it to her? Grrr. No I can't do that. Or can I? No, I absolutely can not tell her. Maybe I'll just drop hints. Damn it. No, cause then she'll rush in and we still don't know the reason for them splitting up.
I pull over and grab my phone.
Hey have you talked to Clary yet? -A
I'm at her house right now. Did you get anything out of him? -Iz
No, not really. But I told him I'd be back later. -A
Well you need to step up your P.I. game, brother. -Iz
P.I.? -A
Private Investigator, DUH! -Iz
Oh. Well let me know what you find out. -A
Ditto. -Iz
I hope this works. We've got to do something. Yesterday just proved my theory, that they belong together forever. Now if Izzy can get some more out of Clary, we'll have more to go off of. Not to mention what I get out of Jace. Oh...
I hope this works!
Isabelle
"Okay you have to give me something Clare-Bear." I say to her as we lay on her bed.
"I'm hungry. You hungry?" She says, obviously trying to avoid answering me.
"Clarissa Adele Morgenstern, quit avoiding! You say there are reasons, plural, for why you broke up with him so give me one."
She groans and sits up with her back towards me. "I've told you, I failed him."
"Yes and that's a vague answer, I need some kind of detail of how you failed him." I say with my chin resting on my chest, so I can see her.
Her shoulders slump and she leans her head back slightly. "Please Izzy, I don't want to talk about it."
I lean up on my elbows. "I just want to understand what happened is all."
She puts her face in her hands and shakes her head. "Izzy, I failed him years ago, okay? It was after high school and before we split up. He already knows all about it, so please drop it."
I sit up and rub her back, trying to comfort her. "Hey, it couldn't be as bad as you think since you two were still together afterwards, right?"
She turns her face to look at me. I can see the tears running down her cheeks and the pain in her eyes. "You just wouldn't understand." She says sadly and drops her face back down into her hands.
I wrap my arms around her and don't push it any further cause I can see how much pain it's causing her. I've only seen her hurting like this twice. She's usually so strong and I can tell this is breaking her. It hurts my heart that I can't fix this for her. But what if I could? I just need to talk to Jace or have Alec talk to him about this and find out what she's talking about, then I'll be able to help her. Now more than ever, I'm determined to help my best friend, my sister, my rock, and I will no matter what it takes; she's done it for me numerous times and it's my turn. Now, I just have to find out...
Why she thinks she failed him?
Clary
Izzy came over and pressed me about last night, which I expected. But then for some reason she wanted to know why I broke up with Jace again. Needless to say, it ended in a mess. I was crying, which I hate doing even if it is rare, and she was trying to comfort me; I couldn't find it in myself to tell her there is no comfort for this. We sat there in silence for the longest time before we decided to come downstairs to eat some ice cream and watch a movie, which has turned into movies, on the couch. I let her pick the first movie, and she chose The Notebook cause she said we both needed a good cry. Now with two big bowls of popcorn in front of us we're watching, my choice, The Expendables 3. I mean come on who doesn't like action, gun shooting, explosions, and some good looking guys kicking ass.
Just as Mel Gibson is threatening them on the plane, Jon jumps over the back of the couch between Izzy and me. Izzy screams and her handful of popcorn flies over her head. Jon and I laugh at her.
She gives us a dirty look, grabs the pillow on her right and whacks him with it. "That wasn't funny Jonathan!" Then she whacks him again.
"I didn't do anything." He says laughing. He snatches the pillow from her and hugs it. "Now shhh, I'm trying to watch the movie."
I shake my head, laughing at the both of them. "Iz, I don't know how many times we've watched this and you still screamed. Did you think he was coming to get you?"
"Ha ha." She says as she crosses her arms over her chest and sinks into the back of the couch, pouting.
Jon laughs, grabbing a handful of my popcorn and I slap his hand. "Go make your own punk."
"Why, when I can just eat yours?" He says as he brings the popcorn to his mouth. He then proceeds to cram it in his mouth, making popcorn fly all over the couch.
"Your an animal." I say with a chuckle.
"I learned from you." He says with his mouth full, and winks at me.
I shake my head with a smile. "Maybe, but I make it look good. Now hush so I can watch my movie or you can go cook something."
"Why yes sir, boss" He says in a mock tone. He puts his feet on the coffee table, crossing them at his ankles, and leans back into the couch, still hugging the pillow with his right arm.
As we're watching the movie, I move my bowl of popcorn to his lap and lean my head on his left shoulder. I feel him move so I look up at him. He smiles and I smile back, then we look back to the movie. He wraps his arm around my back and lays his head over on top of mine. I don't need a man with a brother like mine. He has my back and I have his, always. You don't mess with him or I'll fuck you up. His ex-girlfriend, Kailee, found that out the hard way. She slapped him cause he dumped her for disrespecting our mom, so I broke her nose. He took me out to surf after school that day and then he cooked me a steak for dinner at 8 o'clock that night. Then there was the time he slammed a boy's head into a wall for calling me a bitch. People figured out that if you mess with one of us, you get the both of us. That even extends to Izzy and Alec, I mean they're basically family and we're very protective of our family! Our mom has always said that we get our attitude from our dad. Before he died in a car accident, he'd always agree with her and say 'There's nothing wrong with fighting for your family.'
Family, Jace. Just as I think of the word, family, images of him flash before my eyes. The way he looked this morning. The first time I seen his golden eyes and how he looked scared when I ran into him. Images of him at the beach yesterday and from the past. Him with his shirt off. Him covered in mud with and without a shirt. Him on his surf board. Him when we'd skip school. Damn it, why can't he stay out of my head.
I shake my head trying to clear the images, and Jon squeezes me slightly then places a kiss on my head. I'll just zone into this movie and enjoy being with my big brother and best friend.
Just as I start to relax completely, I start getting drowsy, so I close my eyes and an imagine of Jace smiling with his golden eyes twinkling appears behind my eyelids. And all I can think of is how much I still love him and how I've missed him. When I have to interrupt my own thoughts by telling myself...
DAMN I'VE GOTTA STOP THIS!
Hope you enjoyed! Until next time...MUAH!