Love Again? Chapter 11: What Are We Now?, a mortal instruments fanfic

Hey! Here is another chapter! Thanks to all my new followers/favorite-ers and for constructive criticism. And (for a little preview into the future) Jon won't get in between them. I hope you enjoy!

Brief Explanation (just in case the previous chapter was confusing)-

Jace likes Clary. There was a time when Sebastian and Clary were together and he would tease Jace. Jace had been holding back because Clary was dating Sebastian, but not anymore.

(Sorry if that was confusing)

Disclaimer: Cassandra Clare owns the characters.

-o-

Clary POV

Previously:

Still grinning from ear to ear he responds, "Clare, about the kiss-"

"I'm sorry about that! I just-I- just forget about it." She's really pulling the cliche movie/book move. Well, not me. She looks wildly around the room at anything but him.

He scoffs. "Forget about it? Clary," he gently grabs her chin, facing her towards him,"I have no regrets." His comments turn her face even redder, her blush disappearing underneath her shirt. When her thinks about the inside of her shirt, his mouth turns dry. He feels a slight blush form on his cheeks.

"W-What do you mean?"

"That was the best kiss I've ever experienced. Well, second-best; the first kiss we shared being the first."

"Are you saying that-?"

"That I like-like you. If that was what you were going to ask, then yes."

Clary gives him a look. "Jace, you're the sweetest. Thanks for trying to make me feel better; you didn't have to do that."

The happy feeling in his chest get's sinks to the bottom of his stomach and his grin falls. "I'm not kidding, Clare. I like you 'in that way'."

She gives him a knowing look again. "You can stop, Jace. I seriously appreciate you trying to make me feel better, but it's okay." She hesitates. "I enjoyed the kiss, too, you know. No regrets. So thanks for that, too." Her face becomes red again.

I can see it. I can make her fall for me. "I understand. I won't hold back on you anymore, prepare yourself for the worst." He begins to laugh.

Clary visibly gulps. "W-what's that supposed to mean?"

"Oh, nothing."

"Um. O-Okay."

She hands him a bottle with cement colored (gray, pale, sticky-looking) liquid. He crouches down onto the floor and fills in the cracks, grinning. I'm going to make her fall for me. No holding back.

-o-o-o-o-

beep. beep. Beep. BEEP. BEEEPPPP!

Clary groans and rolls to her back. Oh my God, SHUT UP! Maybe if I ignore it it will go away... She quietly drifts back to sleep until her mind whispers something to her: Remember what today is. This makes Clary sit up. She sits there for a while trying to grasp any sense of awareness. Her eyes slowly close again, but she reminds herself what day it is. Sighing, she reaches for her phone on her bedside table and scrolls through her music. She sets it in the iPhone dock of her amplifier, turning up the volume.

Where there's a will, there's a way, kind of beautiful
And every night has its day, so magical
And if there's love in this life, there's no obstacle
That can't be defeated

For every tyrant a tear for the vulnerable
In every lost soul the bones of a miracle
For every dreamer a dream we're unstoppable
With something to believe in

With new found energy, she walks to the bathroom and splashes cold water on her face. Okay, yeah. That woke me up. She looks into the mirror as she dries her face. Same green eyes, same freckles, but there's something different about the way she looks today. No, it's just the nerves, she thinks, shaking her head. She brushes her teeth and heads back to her room.

Monday left me broken
Tuesday I was through with hoping
Wednesday my empty arms were open
Thursday waiting for love, waiting for love
Thank the stars it's Friday
I'm burning like a fire gone wild on Saturday
Guess I won't be coming to church on Sunday
I'll be waiting for love, waiting for love
To come around

The clothes she prepared the night before waited for her on the back of her desk's chair. She throws on the loose dark gray hoodie, and grapples with the black skinny jeans. Humming to the song, she walks back to the bathroom with a medium sized bag in her hand. She unzips it and pulls out a tube. Not just any tube, but a tube of mascara. Isabelle has been preparing her for this day, training her in the art of makeup. With all of Izzy's help, Clary was practically an expert. Leaning forward, she applies black gel (eye) liner on her top lash line, and extending it to the "outer v". She then brushes on some mascara, trying hard not to blink.

We are one of a kind irreplaceable
How did I get so blind and so cynical
If there's love in this life we're unstoppable
No we can't be defeated

Moving on to her hair, the part she's been dreading, she tugs out the elastic. Her wavy curls fall onto her shoulders; usually her hair would be orange-red, but the fall made her hair a darker, titan-copper color. Surprisingly, her wavy curls seem more manageable today, so she decides to leave them down. With one last glance into the mirror, she grabs her backpack from her room.

When she enters the kitchen, Jon's already eating. "Morning, Sis." He looks at her, looks back at his breakfast, and then quickly looks up at her.

"Morning." Clary grins at Jon's double-take.

"You look...nice. What's the occasion?"

"Well, today I'm-"

They're front door is suddenly thrown open then slammed closed. A very excited Isabelle comes rushing into the kitchen. "Sorry to barge in, but I had to see you, Clary." She looks at Clary and her eyes widen. "Wow, I did good. In training you, I mean." Clapping her hands, she walks over to Clary, and playfully bumps hips with her. "You ready for today?"

"I guess. Are you sure this will work?"

Jon clears his throat. "What are you talking about? What will work?"

"Today, Jace-"

Just as she says his name, Jace walks in. "Morning, Morgenstern's." He glances quickly over at Clary then, like Jon, does a double take. "Well, 'New Clary', you look beautiful today."

Clary feels her face turn as red as Izzy's top. "I-um-thanks." He winks, making her turn even more red.

"Well, I think we all can agree with that, Jace, but can someone tell me why my little sister is wearing makeup and girly clothing?" Jon fumes.

Clary frowns. "I am a girl after all. What's wrong with my outfit and makeup?"

"There's isn't anything wrong, it's just that where'd all your t-shirts go?"

She shrugs, trying to keep a straight face. "The trash."

"Wait, what? You threw-"

They laugh at his incredulous expression. "I'm kidding, Jon. I still have them, don't need to get your panties in a twist."

"Thank god. Remember, that shirt I got for-"

"Yes, yes, yes. I remember. You wouldn't stop complaining about how expensive it was."

"Okay., but why? Why did you start wearing girly things?"

She grins, hiding her true nervousness. "You'll find out soon. Now come on, time to go."

"Okay." He puts his dish in the sink, and walks over to grab his keys.

Clary clears her throat. "I'm going to start riding with Jace starting today. Sorry." She quickly grabs Jace's hand, dragging him out to his Audi before hell could break loose. She throws open the door and dives into the seat. "Come on, Jace. If you want to live, then I recommend that you start driving."

He takes his time entering the car, and inserting his keys into the ignition. "What's the rush? Jon's going to be ca-" They see Jon throw open their front door, his eyes murderous. He starts walking towards them, and Jace scrambles to start the car. Quickly backing up, he drives away. When Jon disappears from view he lets out a puff air. "Yeah, I'll listen to you next time."

She let's out a breath she's been holding. "Yeah. Also, next time, lock the doors first."

Jace laughs. "Noted."

-o-o-o-o-

Jace parks at the school parking lot. They sit there in silence, taking in what they're about to do. He turns to her. "You ready?"

She nods.

Her breath hitches when he leans close towards her. "Remember how you're supposed to treat me. If you forget, then this isn't going to work, okay?" His breath blows against her cheek and his scent wafts around them.

She nods. Feeling bold, Clary turns her head towards him. Jace's lips are inches away from hers. Without hesitation, he leans forward and plants a small, sweet kiss on her lips. Her eyes widen. "W-what was that for?"

He shrugs, grinning. "Might as well get used to it, in and out of school."

Her confidence crumbles and she nods. She turns to open the door, but Jace stops her. "Let me do it. It'll look make me look more gentlemanly."

Clary rolls her eyes. "Gentlemanly, my ass."

He winks and gets out of the car. When he opens the door for her, she tries to look put-together as she steps out. Although he's dressed casually in dark khakis, a hoodie, and sneakers, Clary's heart beats faster by just looking at him. She watches as he reaches and holds on to her hand, intertwining their fingers. He offers a charming grin. "Let's do this."

They start to walk to the entrance of their school. As they enter, Jace let's go of her hand and something sinks in her stomach. Clary nearly gasps in surprise when she feels his arm go around her waist. Hesitantly, she does the same to him, gripping the side of his hoodie. He feels this and whispers to her, "Don't worry. Ignore everything else and just focus on talking to me."

Gulping, she nods. "Even though we're in this situation, you still manage to be a self obsessed asshole."

She feels his body shaking from laughter and she begin to loosen up. Shaking his head, he kisses the side of her head. He walks her to locker, feeling the eyes of people on them. Jace slides his arm around her shoulders, drawing her even closer to his body. On the way, they pass Sebastian. Clary immediately looks away, and up at Jace. She feels his hand shift round her shoulder, and his lips twist into a smirk. No doubt that he's giving Sebastian "the finger". Biting her lip, she inwardly chuckles.

When they reach her locker, Jace releases his hold on her. She opens her locker to switch books, feeling rushed since Jace was standing there. Nobody seems to think we're a couple. Is this what we usually are like? Jace seems to think the same thing because when she turns around, he leans over and plants a kiss on her lips. His lips push against her's with so much force that she can't hold back a groan. Once they hear a collection of gasps, they stop kissing. With their foreheads touching and his thumb stroking her cheekbone, there's no mistaking it. They're (finally) a couple. People begin to whisper to each other.

Isn't that his best girl friend?

That bitch better die, Jace Herondale is mine. I thought they were only best friends.

She's not even that pretty; what's with that red hair? It looks so fake.

At the end of the hallway that Clary's locker is in, they hear a door slam. Well fuck! Clary looks at Jace, his eyes were wide as saucers.

"Jonathan Christopher Herondale, you sorry little shit!"

-o-

Hello people of the Universe! Sorry if this chapter was bad/confusing. It'll be explained in the next chapter. Also, sorry if Jace's sudden choice to make Clary fall for him was confusing. Thanks for reading and feel free to follow, favorite, or comment/critique. YOU'RE FEEDBACK IS ESSENTIAL!

Oh, and if you want to see the clothing/hairstyles for this story, go to my profile. The link for Pinterest is there!

Disclaimer:

Waiting For Love- Avicii

Until the next chapter...