... Is it okay to come out yet? Yes? Good... well then hi guys! It's been awhile... actually three months, but we don't really need to bring that up. I'm not going to lie; I've been really distant with writing lately and stopped doing fan fiction, but I'm back now! So here is the next chapter that you guys have been waiting for... read and enjoy!
What the hell have I gotten into?
Really that's all I can think about right now. The fact is I'm knee deep in family problems and don't know how to escape.
Looking out the window I notice a huge building in the distance. Vaguely familiar I know what it is.
"The Carstairs..." I whisper.
"Pardon lady?" The cab driver speaks over his shoulder.
"Oh nothing... sorry talking to myself I guess. Umm... can you drop me off at the sidewalk there?"
The old man drops me off and takes the money I've used to pay for my drive. Weird old man... I don't understand why he'd want to drive people around but whatever.
Not what I'm supposed to be focusing on.
"Just stay calm... I'll be fine. Its just one night, one dinner. Nothing I can't handle." I murmur while walking to the front gates.
I press a buzzer along side the left wall waiting for a response from the small machine below.
"This is the Carstairs residence. How may I help you?"
"Umm... It's Clary; Clary Fray." God I sound like a child.
"Oh Clary! Yes your mother informed us you'd be making an appearance tonight, come on up dear."
Suddenly opening; the huge gate shrieked across the pavement below.
Oh boy.
Walking up the path a small figure appeared at the door, casual and calm.
"Hey Jem." I smile at him.
"Clary you look great as always." He smiles back.
I look down at myself, just a simple black dress and flats. You can say I like comfort.
"So where is everyone?" I ask him as we walk inside.
"Everyone's in the dining hall. I thought I'd come open the door for you. I'm suffocating from my mother and father inside." He sighs.
"I know how you feel. Ironic though, how were all here right now. The shadowhunter's." I grin at him.
"Yes quite funny really. I never knew, didn't even suspect. How did you hide your runes?" he looks at me funny.
"Shh Jem, it's a secret."
Walking further into the mansion I start hearing music, and a lot of talking. Turning the corner into the hall there's more people than I expected.
Actually a lot more.
"Jem is this supposed to be a party? I have no idea who half of these people are." I say to him.
"My parents thought it should become something of a formal party. Little bit of dancing, drinks and some other people from Idris who you probably don't know. Anyways don't worry about it; it'll make things less awkward. Look there's Tess."
Jem blushes a little as she approaches us.
"Hey Clary!" Tessa laughs, "I didn't know if you'd make it! Come on, I'll show you where were going to stay tonight."
A little bit confused I let Tessa take my hand and lead me upstairs into a bedroom.
"You can leave your stuff in here. Ms. Carstairs has rooms planned out for all of us to stay in tonight."
"Really? For everyone downstairs?" I mean this place is big, but not gigantic.
"Oops, I mean the shadowhunter's. Your mother, the lightwoods, Jace." Her face drops a little when she says his name.
"There going to want to be with you tonight; both of them."
I sigh, "Yeah I've realized. Maybe I should just hide up here all night."
Dropping down on the bed my whole body relaxes. It feels like I'm on a cloud.
"You know you can't hide. Really I'm not sure what to tell you either. You're in such a predicament."
I scoff, "Yeah that's not even the half of it."
Tessa frowns, "What do you mean."
Sitting up I look at her seriously, "My mom thinks I'm still staying at the Lightwoods, she has this whole time. She doesn't even know I'm going to the academy."
"Oh no Clary."
"Oh yes. Only this happens to me." sighing again I get up off the bed.
"Even though this room is amazing, I guess I really should go say hello to everyone. I mean I am staying here tonight."
"Alright, I'll be down in a minute. I've got something to do before joining the crowd again."
Shutting the door behind me I look down the hall to see Jace. He's beautiful really. Wearing clean casual clothes makes him look different. More sophisticated.
"Look at you." I smirk at him as he greets me.
"Well hello to you too Clary." he smiles.
If Will sees us it'll break his heart; and Tessa will be disappointed.
I straighten up and look away from him.
"I should probably go downstairs now... are you coming?" I ask.
"Wait. First I need to know what's wrong; we haven't talked in a week. You okay?" he takes my hand and its killing me on the inside.
I squeeze his hand and then look at him, "Jace I did a stupid thing. I left the Lightwoods; my mother thinks I'm still there. She's going to find out I left to go to the academy. You guys broke me down and I fell to pieces and yes; god yes I miss you all, but do you think for one night we can be friends and nothing else but friends?"
I feel the thick layer of silence between us.
He pulls me in for a hug and I wrap my arms around him.
"Yes we can be friends; and don't worry about Jocelyn I'll handle her for you." He lets go and I can tell he's upset, but so am I still. He can and will have to control it just like me.
Only friends, no more lovers Clary... don't do anything stupid tonight.
It only took two minutes downstairs for Jace to get dragged into a conversation and I pulled away by Alec and Isabelle, desperate to give me hugs.
"Clary we are so sorry, Please forgive us, you know we both love you so much."
All I could do was laugh a little bit. Not long ago I hated these people, but I think I was lying to myself. There my family and I need them.
"Guys its fine. Maybe it'll take a little time getting used to again but believe me; I think I was starting to miss you."
They both pulled away and smiled.
"Anyways Clary how about we go grab something to drink and talk, it's been odd not having you near me anymore." Isabelle hooked her arm with mine as I said bye to Alec.
For a few minutes it was great. I was talking with Izzy again, everyone around us was smiling and I felt happy.
Then my mother walked through the crowd and came over to me.
"Mom." I said blankly.
"Clary sweetheart I've missed you." She embraced me in one of her motherly hugs making me feel guilty for what was about to happen.
"Listen I'm really sorry I haven't been talking to you for awhile, things have been busy and..."
A hand slid into mine.
"Oh hey Ms. Fray! Yeah sorry about Clary's absence, she's been helping me and Izzy on demon hunts lately. Things have been busy haven't they Iz?"
It was Jace.
Isabelle looked confused for a moment, "Oh yeah. We found demons loose in pandemonium took some effort but we managed to get rid of them all."
My mother looked at the three of us and then sighed, "Why didn't you just tell me? I would've been fine! As long as your actually continuing with this training then great. I'm proud of you Clary."
Finally my mother walked away to go talk to the Carstairs as I turned around and whispered into Jace's ear, "Thank you."
"Listen I'll talk to you guys later, I get the feeling you want some time alone." Izzy got up grinned at us and then left.
That's when the ironic slow song started to play.
"Just as friends?" he asked me.
"Yeah, friends." I stuttered.
Holding onto me I felt lost in his arms. It's been awhile since I last danced with Jace like this. It feels good.
"Jace it's past midnight isn't it?" I ask him.
"Yeah why? Are you tired?"
"Just a little." I tighten my arms around his neck.
I'm about to left Jace carry me away but then I open my eye just to see the last person in the world I didn't need to see.
"Will."
So yeah, that just happened. Anyways I'm going to try and pick up where I left off. I'm not really sure if anyone's continuing with this fan fiction so I'd love some reviews, favorites or even a follow is always appreciated. Also can I respond to the reviews? I'm not really sure.
Until next time my lovelies...!