****These characters are not mine. They belong to lovely miss Cassandra Clare. Only this crazy, twisted plot is my demon spawn. Mwahahahahaha. Thanks for reading!******
~Remember…this shit is rated M for a reason~
A/N: Sorry it's been awhile y'all. Life has been busy. However, I'm back now and here's hoping you won't have to go that long without a chapter again. I wanted to get this out as a Christmas present to my readers (or holiday present for those of you who don't celebrate Christmas). In the banking world that I work in, today is the observed Christmas holiday so I'm just gonna say I'm not late. Happy reading and don't forget to review review review!
*Chapter Music*
*Coheed and Cambria - A Favor House Atlantic*
*Teenage Bottlerocket - Skate or Die*
*Katie Perry - Roar*
*The Front Bottoms - Au Revoir (Adios)*
*Yuna Featuring Usher - Crush*
C POV
We had just under three weeks before SATs and I was utilizing my last Sunday of freedom for awhile to do what I wanted. I woke up early and got ready quickly, following my usual morning routine of coffee, showering, lotioning, hair and makeup. I slipped into a red cami, my old Rancid shirt with the collar cut out so it hung off my shoulders, some red ripped skinny jeans and my all black, high top chucks. There was a black zip-up hoodie on the back of my sofa so I slipped it on after throwing my hair in a messy bun, making sure to put the hood up. I grabbed one of my many messenger bags, putting a stack of freshly washed workout clothes, and my iPod with my headphones inside right before I shoved my phone in my pocket and made my way downstairs. It was so early that Jon wasn't even up yet and honestly after being up until after three in the morning, I couldn't believe that I was even up and ready to go by six-thirty but I was determined not to waste my day away sleeping.
When I entered the kitchen, I saw Alec already sitting at the breakfast bar with a mug in his hand.
"Coffee?" he asked while raising his cup in the air.
"Nah, I'm good. Had two cups upstairs. I had no idea you even stayed last night. How come you didn't come up?"
"I had to take care of Mags. He was drunk as shit. Spent most of the early morning getting intimate with your toilet. He's finally asleep but I just couldn't get there. I knew you didn't go to bed till pretty late so I didn't wanna wake you either, hence the coffee. Who the fuck thought you'd be leaving at sunrise on a Sunday. Where you headed so early anyway?"
"You wanna come and see? Might be a little risk. Could be a bit boring or cool to watch depending on how you look at it. You can choose to come with me after that or come back home but either way, you'll for sure need a hoodie and your board."
"You actually think there's a chance I'm not coming?" he asked, putting his mug in the sink and heading toward the living room to ascend the stairs to my room. I grabbed enough protein bars for the day, stuffing one in my mouth, a couple apples and a few water bottles prior to picking up my skateboard. Alec came back down the stairs wearing his hoodie not two minutes later. I handed him one of the protein bars, having stuffed everything else in my bag and Alec picked up his board as we left.
I stopped by my studio to grab some things before we headed to our destination. I'd been working on one particular wall about 9 blocks from my house for a little over a month. I mostly worked at night so no one would see me but early mornings came into play every once in awhile as well, especially on weekends when most people slept in. The wall was on the back of a warehouse and could be seen easily from the street. The whole back side was covered but I was working on filling it in. I thanked the Angel for the unspoken rule between artists to not tag over each other's work. The mural had the word beauty tagged across the center and I planned to surround it with all the things that I found beautiful. The background was a starry sky on one side and a bright sunny day on the other. There were many random things placed throughout but it would all be filled in eventually. I spent an hour standing on a ladder I'd stashed there, adding the Earth with a butterfly resting on top of it as Alec just sat there on top of a plastic recycling container, watching me work. I stepped back and gave it a good look and decided to make a few changes, which lead to my eventual satisfaction.
I pulled out my phone to take a picture of my progress and realized it was getting close to eight. I walked back over to Alec, shoving my spray paint back into it's bag before shoving it into my messenger bag.
"Wow, C. That's amazing." he said looking up at my secret side project.
"Yeah," I said, looking with him. "I turned my head back to Alec. "Come on, let's go. I'm heading to the gym. You know you're always welcome to tag along or you can head back but it's probably best we get outta here."
I hopped on my board and skated toward the gym, noticing after only a few seconds that Alec was right behind me. Joe was the only one there which was a little shocking but after making sure he knew he was no longer alone, I made my way to the locker room, directing Alec to a chair next to the ring where he promptly kicked his feet up and opened an MMA magazine. I entered the locker room and changed into my boy shorts and sports bra. I came out about five minutes later, taping up my hands. I had Alec turn on the radio and started on my stretches. Joe looked like he was finishing up some paperwork so I continued to work out on my own before I made my way over to the punching bags. Joe joined me about twenty minutes later, just as Eli sauntered through the front door.
"Hey cockbag, you ready to get your ass kicked today?" I yelled as he walked past me.
"In your dreams, Stunner," he called over his shoulder, as he entered the locker room.
"You better watch out for her, Eli. She's on fire," Joe shouted as the door shut.
Eli emerged a few minutes later in shorts and a tight t-shirt. He began taping up his hands as he walked to the punching bags where Joe and I stood. I had moved from using my fists and shins to my elbows and knees. Eli just stood there and stared.
"You call those hits? My grandmother can hit harder than that and she's got arthritis."
"You'll see exactly how hard I can hit when my elbow is breaking your fuckin nose, dickface."
Since I was done with my warm up, I made my way into the ring with Joe. He pulled out his mits and we sparred until Tony Chan showed up and told Eli to stop wasting time and get his ass in the ring with me.
It was an intense match and both Tony and Eli were glad that he was wearing protective headgear because I had jumped up and squeezed his head with my knees while subsequently pounding his head with my elbows and fists more than once. He was used to me beating the shit out of him despite my small stature though. It was only every once in awhile that he got the best of me. Most of the people at the gym had gathered around to watch and cheered for one or the other of us.
After four more matches, me winning three of them, and Eli ending up almost knocked out after the last one I said goodbye to Joe, Eli and Tony Chan and skated to the park with Alec.
"You really kicked the shit out of Eli"
"I think I almost made him cry. Pretty sure during our last fight, I may have given him a concussion. It was great."
"Poor kid. What the hell was he thinking agreeing to be your sparring partner?"
"He underestimated me at first, just like most other people. He learned real quick, quicker than most. I don't doubt he regrets taking me on most days, especially when I'm angry or stressed. At least he took me down once today so I'm sure it was a little bit of an ego boost." Alec grabbed my face and turned it from side to side.
"Yeah, the evidence is right there."
"You saw Eli elbow me in our fourth fight. I'm sure I'll have the black eye tomorrow to prove it." He gave me a tortured look.
"Alec, I know your first response is to wanna protect me but you have to know at this point that I'm gonna get hurt sometimes...and remember, you supported this when I started. Just remember the alternative." He scowled at me.
"Alright, I don't wanna talk about it anymore. It just pisses me off. By the way, I'm pretty sure you're not gonna be very happy with me when I tell you what I have to tell you." He looked at me apprehensively, apparently anticipating my wrath. My phone went off at that exact moment and I grabbed it out of my pocket.
"Hold that thought for a second, Alec." It was a text from Aline.
Sorry I couldn't make it to the party. My parents were home and wouldn't let me leave ~ The Girlfriend
All kinds of thoughts were running through my head at that moment. Why couldn't she call me yesterday and tell me? Why didn't she just tell her parents she was coming to hang out and leave the part about the party out? I could feel my temperature start to rise and I almost forgot that Alec had something he needed to tell me.
"I'm sorry, Alec. What were you saying?" I asked, putting my phone back in my pocket without responding. He looked at me sheepishly.
"Just spit it out, Alec. I'm not gonna be any less pissed by you delaying it."
"JaceisjoiningourSAT/ACTstudygroup."
"What? Speak like a normal person please."
"Jace is joining our SAT/ACT study group." I gave him the dirtiest look I could manage while keeping my mouth shut. I left Alec standing there as I skated away toward the half-pipe and decided to ignore the issue for the time being. I understood Jace was Alec's brother and it would be a dick move to leave him out but I spent enough time with Jace as it was without him invading the time where I seriously needed to study as well. I needed to think so I just kept skating and stayed in my own head.
Alec and I spent a good amount of time skating in silence until Joe met us there at about one. I knew I couldn't stay mad at Alec, he was more than my best friend and it wasn't just the Jace thing that pissed me off, it was Aline too. Joe made it that much harder by continuously cracking jokes as we skated the park. We solidified our plans to visit the extreme skate course the weekend before SATs before leaving around four and Alec and I returned to my house to listen to music and chill until I needed to make dinner and Jace showed up to work on our report for AP English.
Passing the hours with my mortal enemy was not my idea of a good time but it seemed I didn't have a choice.
Jace POV
Sunday after the party was my last day to be lazy before I started studying for SATs like a madman. I would get to spend even more time with C which I was seriously stoked about. I had a feeling she'd be pissed but I didn't care. She was hot when she was mad.
I started my morning without the loud alarm blaring in my ear. I figured that I didn't need it on a day that I had no agenda but to literally do whatever I wanted, except for meeting up with C later to work on our assignment.
I had a slight hangover but it was nothing compared to the one I had after drinking with C. I took some pain medication that I kept in the drawer by my bed and laid there staring at my ceiling for a good fifteen minutes thinking about the night before. Who was I kidding, I was thinking about C and how I'd tried so hard to forget how she made me feel that I drank at least a whole bottle of alcohol to myself and pretty much fucked my way through the party. None of it helped because I thought about her almost the whole time. And somehow, what I was feeling now felt an awful lot like regret.
I needed to clear my head so I forced myself to get my ass out of bed. I worked out in our home gym for nearly three hours, running four miles, lifting weights, working the bag and doing leg presses, pull-ups, push-ups, sit-ups; anything that would distract me from my thoughts. I went to take a shower and was out in less than fifteen minutes.
Normally after a good amount of exercise and a hot shower, I'd be looking for a quick lay before proceeding with my plans but that was off the table, at least for the time being. My head wasn't in the game at the moment. I was so confused about what was happening to me. I was used to not caring. I was used to fucking any girl I pleased. I was used to not giving a shit about what other people thought about the way I lived my life. I wanted to close myself off and go back to the way things were but I knew that wasn't an option.
Maybe if I try a little harder...
I couldn't sit around in my room all day, thinking about what a mess everything had turned into in so little time. I got dressed and texted Jon to see what he was up to.
Hey. What's up? ~ Jace
It took a couple minutes for him to reply.
I'm with Bat and Jordan at the field. We're running plays ~ Jon
Come meet us. We could use you ~ Jon
I threw on some shoes, grabbed my gym bag and headed to the garage. I made it to the school in about ten minutes and walked into the locker room to change into some workout gear. I knew I'd be sore tomorrow from all the extra work I was putting my body through but I didn't care. Distraction was becoming my new best friend.
When I eventually made it out to the field, I realized that some of our defensive line was there as well.
"What, are we having an impromptu practice?" I yelled toward Jon.
"You could say that."
"Alright. Be prepared boys, I've had quite the warm-up already," I shouted out to the field.
We spent a few hours scurrying around the field, running plays. My legs were nearly dead by the end not to mention my sore shoulder from being tackled while my mind was wandering to things, or rather people, I didn't want to think about.
So much for distraction
We all took our time walking to the locker room and took showers before leaving to go home. I followed Jon in my car since I knew I'd have to meet C there in a while to work on our paper. I knew it'd be torture just spending a few hours with her but at the same time, there was an underlying level of excitement. I was the definition of conflicted.
We entered the house and heard music blaring from upstairs which could only have been C. Jon and I set our stuff down and headed to the kitchen.
"You hungry man?"
"Do you even have to ask? There's food that C made in that refrigerator."
"Right. I think we still have spaghetti left," he said, pulling a giant Tupperware from the bottom shelf.
"I'm so glad she cooks for an army."
"You and me both bro. You know I'd starve."
"Nah...Maryse would feed you. She'd be concerned for your safety if you tried to cook for yourself," I said with a smirk.
Jon glowered at me as he dished out some food and put it in the microwave. Just as we finished eating, Alec and C came downstairs and into the kitchen, grabbing bottles of water out of the refrigerator. She glanced at me and our eyes locked for a moment before she turned away.
"I see you figured out there's still food left," she said, smiling at Jon.
"You know we'll always find your food no matter where it's hiding, Clare Bear."
"Yeah, I know. Which is fine. I wouldn't make so much food if I didn't want you to enjoy it. Plus, if I make a lot at one time, it actually means I have to cook less. That's why today, you're all gonna get a little lesson in cooking from the master. So I can cook less...or at least get some decent help in the kitchen. You guys are gonna help me make some meals for the week."
"I can't. I have a date with Iz in three hours," Jon whined.
"And don't we have a project to work on?" I asked, not really trying to get out of helping but I knew the sooner we got started, the sooner I'd be alone with her.
"Okay, first of all, Jon, it'll take two hours tops. You'll have plenty of time to get ready for your date and get over to the Institute to pick up Izzy...unless you act like a girl and it takes you longer," she taunted, seemingly hinting at something.
"C...don't, unless you want a repeat performance of the other morning."
"Yeah Yeah, I got you, but still. This'll be a good learning experience for you in a controlled environment where if you start a fire, three other people will be available to help you put it out." We all began to laugh all the while observing the pout on Jon's face. "And Jace, we can work on the project when we're done, unless you have something else to do tonight?" she asked, raising one eyebrow.
"Nope, I'm all yours."
"Great," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. I had no idea why she wanted my help cooking if she couldn't even handle being in the same room with me.
"Because you eat here often enough that I figured you should participate in the preparation of your future meals."
"Did I say that out loud?"
"No, I'm just really good at reading people's facial expressions. Let me make this clear, Jace. I don't enjoy spending time with you but for some damn reason, the universe and in some cases, our friends and family members," she says, giving Alec and Jon dirty looks, "seem to think we need to spend way too much time together. Now I have a shitload of cooking to do and SAT/ACT prep will be taking place here so we need to have food ready for everyone and I doubt I'll have time to cook on top of studying. I'd appreciate it if y'all would take some time out of your precious day where you're doing absolutely nothing and help me since you will be participating in both the studying and the eating."
We can both sense the irritation coming off her in waves. She's right, all we were really planning on doing was playing video games until she was ready to work on our paper and Jon had to head out for his date.
We both agree to help and of course even though he was silent the whole time, we knew Alec was on board from the start. We spent the next two hours in the kitchen cutting vegetables and herbs, making rice and pasta, cooking different types of meat and stirring sauces. C does all of the assembling herself and throws everything except one meal into the deep freezer they have separate from their fridge. She set the giant casserole dish of garlic chicken lasagne on the counter.
"Okay, this is for dinner tonight, or tomorrow or whatever. Jon, I know you're going out with Izzy but let's be honest, you're gonna be hungry when you get back. Jace, you'll be here tonight anyway so obviously you'll be eating and Alec, I know you are going to Mags' house tonight but feel free to take some with you. You know where the tupperware is."
An hour later, Jon and Alec had both left and it was just C and I working on our paper.
"Why do you like Pride and Prejudice so much? I read all the way through it and for the life of me I can't figure it out?"
"It's a story where real love actually exists...and not that kind of shit where people see each other one time and become infatuated. It's two stubborn people who legitimately don't want anything to do with each other and then realize over time how perfect they actually are together. I don't know if I believe in love or not but if I did, that's the kind of love I'd believe in. It's actually realistic."
"Hmmm..."
"I guess someone like you wouldn't understand. Love is a foreign concept to someone who whores himself around to every cunt on a pair of legs."
She had a point. I had no idea about love. I thought I might love Alec, Izzy and Max, they were my siblings despite not actually being my blood. I didn't know how I felt about Maryse and Robert. They weren't around that much but when they were, Maryse tried to act very motherly and treat me just like one of her own. I had a hard time accepting any kind of affection from them because of what happened with my own parents. I didn't say anything in response to her insult, mostly because I couldn't deny it.
"So...let's get started on this paper." And we worked for the next couple hours, strictly talking about our project. I couldn't help sneaking glances at her when she wasn't paying attention. Her flaming red hair blazed like an inferno and her alabaster skin almost glowed. Her curves and her small tight body were what made me want to fuck her so bad I couldn't stand it but she really was gorgeous. All of the sudden, she looked up and our eyes locked. All I could see was green and I was lost.
"What the fuck are you staring at, asshole?" I didn't have an answer at that moment and I couldn't pull my eyes away from hers. I finally managed to look away after way too much time spent staring. I had to think of something to say that sounded like my normal self because the truth was, I didn't know what the hell was going on in my head.
"Just thinking about how you look out of your clothes."
"You're such a fuckin pig."
"Don't I know it."
We finished our paper and I got up to leave. I turned to her right before opening the door and I couldn't help what came out of my mouth next.
"You're really beautiful, you know" and I walked out the door, catching a glimpse of her confused expression and feeling some serious confusion myself as I shut it behind me.
C POV
The whole next week was a blur of school, studying and spending way more time with Jace than was really manageable on so little sleep. Thank the Angel I had Jon, Alec and everyone else to keep me from choking the life out of him. There wasn't any way to get him to stop watching me though. He'd called me beautiful and I didn't know how to feel about that. Sure there was the underlying urge to murder him but something about Jace Herondale, the biggest womanizer I knew, referring to someone as beautiful rather than 'hot' or 'sexy', blew my mind, especially when that someone was me.
When Friday night came around again, I only remembered about my art exhibition because of a calendar alert I got on my phone. Everyone was sitting around, silently working on one of several practice tests we'd found on the internet when I jumped up and ran for the door.
"Where ya goin, Clare Bear?"
"I just remembered that tomorrow night, a bunch of strangers are going to be looking at my artwork for the first time and I realized that I haven't looked at the collection since Monday. I have to go right now. I have to make sure everything is actually worth people coming to see." I started toward the door again and only stopped when I felt arms wrap around my waist from behind. I would've fought to get free but I could tell it was Alec by his smell, spring time and fabric softener, the permanent fragrance of my bed sheets.
"Everything is beautiful, C," he said as he stroked my hair. I scowled at him. Even though it actually relaxed me when he did it, I didn't like being pet like an animal in front of other people. He quickly realized what he was doing and just pulled me in for a tight hug from behind. "You know I wouldn't lie to you," Alec whispered, just loud enough for me to hear.
I turned around and wrapped my arms around his middle while burying my head in his chest. "I'm nervous as hell, Alec," I whispered back.
"You know you'll be fine by tomorrow. You always get cold feet the night before anything new. Remember the first gig The Mortal Instruments ever had? We had pizza the night before after your rehearsal and you puked all over Jon right before his date with one of the skanks he used to roll with back then. He was sooooo pissed. That shit was priceless." I laughed, louder than I meant to.
"What are you two talking about over there?" Mags asked.
"Nothing," we both said in unison as we maneuvered our way through textbooks and flash cards to make it back to our seats.
~*0*0*0*0*~
When Saturday night came around, I was standing in my room wrapped in a towel with my hair and makeup done, getting ready to get dressed, when Izzy walked in, looking like a goddess in green, holding a dress bag and a shoebox.
"Whatever you were gonna wear tonight, forget it. I've got the perfect thing right here." I'd felt a bit awkward around Izzy since seeing her naked. I was meant to feel guilty but I kept seeing her soft skin instead. My face felt like it was on fire every time I ran into her but if she noticed she didn't mention it.
"Iz, I have plenty of dresses. You and Mags made me buy like ten, remember. I haven't worn any of them yet."
"This is a special event so you need something to match. Besides, just consider it a thank you for last weekend. I told Jon I think I like girls as well and he's agreed to let me experiment a little, with him included of course."
"I'm glad you and Jon have that kind of relationship; where you can be honest with each other about anything. I'm happy for you, Iz. I didn't really do anything though, except look at you without clothes on."
"It was the way you looked at me. It was enough for me to know, so thank you." She laid the dress and shoebox down on my bed before going over to where my clothing was stored. She pulled out a white lace strapless bra and matching boy shorts. "Here, put these on." I took the matching undergarments and stepped into my walk-in, shutting the doors behind me. I had just dropped my towel when the doors flew open again. My hands immediately went to pick up the towel in hopes of covering something. I looked at her in shock. I was never naked in front of anyone except for Alec, or my girlfriend. She only stared back as if waiting for something. After what felt
"What? You got to see me naked." I looked at her incredulously. "Look C, I'm not blind. I know you find me attractive. The way you've been looking at me? Let's just say it's pretty obvious what you're thinking about. Now I wanna see you. And before you get all self righteous on me about how you have a girlfriend and how I'm with your brother, remember this is just changing in front of each other. Nothing else is gonna happen. I just wanna see you."
I stared at her for a few more seconds before I finally decided to just do it. I wasn't cheating. I was just changing in front of another girl. That was normal. I took a deep breath and dropped my towel. At first I just stared at the floor but then curiosity got the better of me and I raised my head so I could see her. Her pupils were dilated, her fingers were twitching and she was biting her lip. I was beginning to think that it wasn't such a good idea to do this. With her looking at me like that, I really needed to put some clothes on before the tension could break and we both did something we might regret.
I quickly dressed in the bra and panties while she watched and then I walked back to my bed where I grabbed the dress bag and slowly unzipped it. I stared in awe before slipping into it and having Izzy zip me up. I stared at myself in the mirror, Izzy coming to stand behind me and place her hands on my hips. "You're gorgeous, inside and out, with or without clothes," she said, right next to my ear. I shyly smiled in return at her reflection and opened the shoebox, placing the perfect shoes on my feet. I grabbed a clutch and a cream and black leather jacket and we raced down the stairs to join Jon before all heading to what could either be one of the best or worst experiences of my life.