Heya, a little TID romance in this chapter, too. ;)

Chapter 11: Pretending

I WAS WITH MY BEST FRIEND, GABRIEL LIGHTWOOD. I've had this huge crush on him since I was fourteen. It's been two years and I have no idea whether he feels the same way or not.

We were in the cafeteria. Will, who I had made friends with a month ago –now it feels like we've known each other for forever, was sat beside me. Will hates Gabriel but he puts that aside for me. We were eating, our group was talking then there was me who was just sitting there, eating quietly.

Suddenly there was an arm around my shoulders. I looked up and saw that it was Will.

"Okay, so, even though I really don't like that guy for you, when are you going to finally tell him?"

I huffed. "You have got to get over that hatred you have of Lightwoods, William."

"Just stop dodging my questions, Clarissa."

"I'm not going to tell him. I don't want to ruin our friendship and he clearly doesn't feel the same way."

"Who doesn't feel the same way?" Gabriel asked.

My eyes widened. "Um.." I looked around the room and saw Jace Wayland. "Uh, Jace. Wayland."

I looked over at Will and he widened his eyes. What? What are you doing?

Trying to save my ass. I'm not telling him anything.

I looked back at Gabriel. He had a bewildered expression on his face.

"Seriously?" He asked.

"Seriously." Then I gave him an innocent smile and continued eating.

-PAGE BREAK-

Will was waiting in the parking lot. Gabriel had swim practice after school so Will decided to give me a lift.

"Well, hello Clary." A voice beside me said.

I turned and saw Jace. Uh, oh.

I was about to walk faster but he grabbed my arm. I saw Will straighten up but I shook my head at him. Stay there.

And he did. We had this unspoken way of communicating through just our eyes or body language I don't know how he does it, he's just able to read me easily but Gabriel can't do that with me or anyone.

I turned to Jace. "What?"

"Heard a little rumour that you like me." He was smiling to himself. "Look Carrot top," I scoffed at the nickname. "I don't blame you but I know it's not at all true."

"What do you mean?"

"You're in love with your best friend. Just like I am."

I widened my eyes. "You're in love with Gabriel, too?"

He rolled his eyes. "You know what I mean, Clary."

"Oh wow, you know my name."

"Okay, listen. I have a proposal."

"Sorry, I'm too young to get married." I turned away but then he was in front of me.

"Just give me a chance. Please."

I sighed. "Fine, what is it?"

"So, I was thinking we should pretend that we're in a relationship. Then we can make them jealous."

"And if they aren't? What then? It would've been a waste of time."

"Oh come on. I'm asking you to be my girlfriend and you say that. Clary, it's worth a try. We should do it to at least find out if they feel the same way about us."

I thought it over and over in my head. I guess he does have a point… "Alright, fine."

His beautiful face broke into a smile. Then he put his arms around me and picked me up, spinning me around. "Thank you."

I laughed. "Was that for show?"

"Maybe." Then he walked away. "I'll see you tomorrow, Chérie."

So, he knows French. And actually can be sweet. Oh well, you're not falling in love with that guy.

I walked to Will.

"What was that all about?" He asked opening the door to the passenger seat.

"Oh, he asked me out."

"And you said…"

"Yes." I got in and closed the door. He was frozen in place.

"William!"

He snapped out of it then hurried into his seat and closed the door. "I'm sorry, you did what?"

"I said yes."

"Oh god, Clary." Then he began to drive.

"Why?" He finally asked.

"Because I thought that I should give him a chance."

"Oh… I see. You are using him to see if Gabriel feels the same way about you. You almost got me there, Clary but you know, you could've just come to me."

I scoffed. "I know you like Tessa, Will. She's not the type to get jealous so this wouldn't work on her."

"Yeah, you're right."

"You have Jace's phone number, right?"

"Maybe."

"Well, can I have it?" I asked.

"Um…" Then he stopped the car. "Oh look, your house!" He said in one of those very awkward tones that only Will uses when he is trying to get out of a really bad sitch.

"Ugh. Really?"

Yes. Get out now.

"Phone number?" I said, hopefully.

"No."

"Ugh, fine!" I said dramatically the walked out of the car then to the house.

-PAGE BREAK-

It's eight in the evening and I'm reading Great Expectations then my phone rang.

It was from unknown caller. "Hello?"

"Hey, it's Jace."

"Oh. How did you get my number?"

"Oh, I have my connections. So I was thinking that we should go on a date."

"When?"

"Tomorrow."

"Um, okay?" I somehow made it sound like a question.

"Great. I'll drive you there after school."

"Alright."

"Good night, Chérie"

I smiled. "Night, Jace" Then I hung up.

I lay in bed trying to fall asleep but my phone rang again.

I didn't bother to look at the caller ID. "Jace, I'm really tired–"

"So it's true." Oh damn. It's Gabriel.

"Uh.. Gabe.."

"It's true that you and Jace are dating?" Gabriel asked.

"Yeah. It is."

"Why? That's ridiculous you don't even know the guy!"

"Are you jealous?"

"No, I'm just looking out for you. You know that he's a player and then you agree to go out with him. Clarissa, please tell me why."

"I wanted to give him a chance."

He sighed. "Alright. I trust you."

"I've never given you reason not to."

"Okay, bye Princess." Then he hung up.

-PAGE BREAK-

Jace opened the door for me in his red Camaro.

I got in and he asked, "You comfortable?"

"Yeah."

Then Jace's best friend, who is also the person he had a crush on, Cecily Herondale was about to walk by.

"Oh, crap. Uh… Kiss me."

I turned to him. "Wha–"

Then before I knew it, his lips were on mine.

I stiffened for a moment then decided to kiss back. I could feel Cecily's gaze on us.

Jace bit my lower lip which caused me to gasp. He took the opportunity and slipped his tongue in. After French kissing, he began to kiss down my jaw then my neck to my collarbone. I felt him begin to suck and I chanced a glance through the windshield.

Cecily was gone.

"Jace."

He hummed in acknowledgement.

"She's gone. You can stop now."

I lost the feeling of him on my collarbone and he said, "Oh, right." And pulled away completely.

He looked back at my collar. "Sorry, about that."

I gave him a questioning look then looked at the mirror in the car. A hickey. Oh gosh…

"So…" I cleared my throat. "Where are you taking me?"

"It's a surprise."

He took me to this place called Taki's.

"What can I get you?" The waitress said.

"I'll have the Caesar salad with a salmon fillet and lemonade, please." I said.

"And I will have the cheese burger with Pepsi."

"Alright, that'll be about 20 minutes." Then she walked away.

"No, I am not ordering a salad just because it's a date." I said straight away.

Jace chuckled. "You know, you're a good kisser."

I rolled my eyes. "Shut up."

"I'm serious. Wait a sec… was that your first time?" He asked.

"Yeah…"

He looked disbelieving. "No way."

"Yes, way."

"Wow… So tell me about yourself."

"Well, my brother is off at college and my favourite colour is purple. I want to be a lawyer when I grow up."

"Really? How come?"

"I'm all about equality and fairness and stuff like that. I'd also say that I'm a charitable person."

"Oh, cool. You're captain of the cheerleading squad, right?"

"Yeah, I am."

"Does Cecily talk about me? At all?"

"No, not really. But she talks about Gabriel. A lot…"

"Oh…"

"So, tell me about you."

"Well, I think you already know that I'm a player. I just don't really trust anyone with my love. Just Cecy since I've known her all my life."

"Oh, so that's why. You can seem really cold and bitter, and yet to Cecily, you seem really happy with her."

He smiled. "I am."

The drinks arrived and we just sat there in a comfortable silence.

"How did you get my phone number? I just really wanna know."

He chuckled slightly. "Curiosity killed the cat." I gave him a look and he said, "Okay, okay, your friend, Simon, told me. I asked him for it and he gave it to me."

Our food had finally arrived. The rest of the evening went by smoothly; we just talked and had a few laughs.

We stood to the door way of my house.

"Your house is really nice."

"I guess so. It's just; it can get lonely with just me and Sophie, the maid. My parents are here now, I think but… ya know." I shrugged.

"Well, good night, Chérie."

I kissed him, briefly on the lips then went inside, smiling.

-PAGE BREAK-

We've been 'dating' for three weeks.

Nothing's happened between Gabriel and I or with Jace and Cecy.

I walked to Gabriel's house since we had to study for a German test, well, he had to study, and I had to tutor."

I unlocked the door with my spare key to his house then walked up the stairs.

I opened the door to Gabriel's room. "Hey Gabriel…" I trailed off with his name upon seeing Cecily on top of him on his bed.

By the Angel.

I dropped all my books then began to leave. I ran down the stairs and out the door.

"Clary!" I heard him call out. "Wait! Please, Clary!" I was already on my way to Jace's with a few tears falling down my face.

I knocked on Jace's door, feeling utterly broken.

He opened it, looking pissed off then when he saw me his face softened.

"Jace, who is it?"

"It's Clary, mom."

"Oh, okay."

He placed an arm around me and helped me inside then up the stairs to his room.

"What happened?"

"I went into Gabriel's house so that I could help him and tutor him. I went into his bedroom and..." I trailed away.

"And what?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.

"And I saw him and Cecily.. Kissing."

"Oh." He didn't look as distraught as I thought he'd look.

"I'm sorry, Jace."

"It wasn't your fault, Clary. It was mine. I should've asked her when..."

"When what?"

"When I still loved her."

"Wait, what do you mean?"

He was quiet for a long time, as if he was thinking of how to explain something that mean a lot to him.

"I do love Cecily. It's just that... I don't love her in the way that I used to. I love her as a sister, a best friend. It'a you who I love in that way, Chérie."

I just blushed. "No you don't. You just think you do because we've spent so much time together." I reasoned.

He shook his head. "No, Clary. I am undeniably in love with you and I know you are with me too."

Then I felt his arms wrap around me and his soft lips against mine.

Hope you liked this one... Tbh I don't think it was as good as the others...

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SUGGESTIONS ARE WELCOME! ~Thanks Hearts With Love for telling me about the correction :)

Love you all ~ Liz Ashley xxx