The third-last chapter! Thanks to everyone who reviewed, favourited and followed. Also, just a note. For some reason, FanFiction doesn't let me know all the time when a review has been posted. I'm really sorry if I've missed you previously!
Icankickurbutt: Here it is!
brightdarknessx: Thank you! The next has arrived...
Guest: Thanks!
TessaGraceHerondale: Here's the update, please don't die permanently!
thenerdyintrovert44: Same here. He does not deserve forgiveness. Thanks!
Aubrey Kelly: The update has arrived! I'm definitely going to write Jace's POV, it's just a matter of what scene.
Guest: I agree about Jace. And you're very right about the photo!
lovemyblackcat: I hate him, too. And thank you! Jace will talk to her... however, it won't be in this chapter. Sorry :( but something to look forward to!
Wheeee: It will all be resolved in due time...
ClaryTMI: Update's here, thank you!
AHHHH: You will get your wish!
Meeeeeee: Sorry about the update time, that will improve! And perhaps there's still a chance for Clace? Just a thought. (But a very secret sneak peek for you and anyone who's reading this... he will forgive her, it's just a matter of when. I couldn't do that to them.) Another guarantee: Sebastian will suffer!
Clary sighed and grabbed her keys from the hall table. "Jon, I'm going out for coffee with Izzy and Simon." She called back to her brother in the kitchen.
Isabelle had originally demanded that she come over and spill whatever had happened, but Clary refused to take the chance that she might see Jace. After some pleading, Iz had relented and commanded they go for coffee instead. She agreed reluctantly, not wanting to pass up a free cup of the coveted liquid.
Outside, she struggled to open her stubborn umbrella. It whined with protest as the rain soaked into her hair and clothes. Cold and wet, Clary groaned in frustration, giving the umbrella a final shake before it opened up and out, catching her forehead on the way.
"Ouch," she complained, glaring resentfully at the offending item. She pressed her fingers to her forehead in frustration and moaned when they came away red with blood.
"A perfect start to a perfect day." She muttered.
"Talking to yourself again, Fray? That's not a sign that you need to be sent to the loony bin or anything." Although Simon's voice was rich with amusement, she caught the worry underneath.
Clary turned to face him. "Absolutely." She said. "Send me to this loony bin, I beg you."
Simon slung a friendly arm over her shoulders; well, over her backpack. "But what would I do without my best friend?" He asked, wide-eyed.
Clary gently shoved an elbow into his stomach, careful not to tip him into the puddle on the side of the road, no matter how funny it would be. "You'd have Izzy." She caught the flash of happiness on his face. "What have I missed? Did you finally make a move?"
He ducked his head, obviously trying to contain his blush. "Uh, yeah."
"And?" Clary couldn't believe he'd kept it from her. "Tell me what happened!" Ugh, she was sounding like one of the screechy girls from school. She lowered her voice and spoke again. "Come on, Lewis."
"All right, give me a second." He adjusted his glasses. "I asked her to go on a date with me, and she- she kissed me and said it had taken long enough."
Clary laughed. "That sounds like the Iz we know and love." Simon grinned, shaking his head. "Are you trying to make me admit that I love her? Because, my scheming, duplicitous friend, that will not work."
Silence for a few seconds. Then, "But you just said you loved her."
"What? No, I didn't." He said, startled.
"You said the words 'I love her'. That's good enough for me!" In her excitement, she let the umbrella tip to the side, soaking both of them. Simon took it from her and held it firmly in both hands, not trying to defend himself.
The walk to Java Jones was uneventful, but Clary practically skipping. Her two best friends got exactly what they wanted, no matter how long it took them to get around to it, and it made the day that much better.
Inside, they shook out their coats, and Clary let the murmur of other customers and the screech of coffee machines wash over her. Only when she spied an impatient looking Isabelle did she manage to generate more than a lazy thought. "Izzy," she called, earning annoyed looks from a few people at her volume. "Congratulations!"
The dark-haired girl struggled to contain the smile threatening to overtake her face. Saying nothing, she hopped up to greet Simon with a kiss on the cheek.
She turned to Clary. "I think my brother is coming here with some friends later." She paused. "I just wanted to warn you… in case."
Clary clung to the happiness, refusing to let the swirling monstrosity of emotion any time Jace was brought up overtake her. "Oh, that's fine." She said, evenly as she could.
Izzy looked disappointed. "Sure?" She asked.
Clary nodded, her ponytail swinging furiously. "Yeah, completely. So," she diverted the conversation and wiggled her fingers at the two of them. "Tell me how this happened."
"Don't do that," Simon laughed. "You look like that flirty girl we kept running into outside the deli." He caught Izzy's dark look, adding hastily, "We told her I was gay."
"I refused to believe she was actually interested in him until she asked for his number." The door jingled, covering the sound of her laughter.
"Anyway," Simon cut in. "What are your plans for, um, tomorrow?"
She gave him a strange look, but he was occupied with something just over her shoulder. "Uh, school. Because it's Thursday. The day that school usually occurs on just before an imminent blissful weekend break?"
"Hm, yeah, suppose you're right, Fray." He was still focused on whatever was happening behind her.
"What is it now? She spun in her chair, trying to see what had held his attention so effectively.
She didn't have to look very far.
Who else would be standing behind her but the person she wanted to see least?
Abruptly, she turned back around, taking a quick sip of the coffee the waiter had just delivered and burning her tongue. She swore under her breath.
"Go get some water." Simon suggested softly.
Clary walked up to the counter, resolutely not looking in Jace's direction. "Could I have a glass of water, please?" The guy behind the counter looked about a year or two older than her.
He grabbed and glassed and filled it up, the water sloshing noisily as he pushed it across the counter towards her. His dark curls fell messily across his forehead as his eyebrows dipped in concern. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." She did her best impression of a laugh. "I just burned my tongue."
The worry didn't fall away from his green eyes, although his face relaxed into a slight smile. "Sure. Just let me know if you need anything, Clary."
She tried not to let the shock show on her face, but had a feeling she hadn't succeeded. Her feeling was confirmed when he laughed for real. "We have art together?"
"Oh, of course!" Clary exclaimed, hoping she sounded convincing. "See you tomorrow, then." She gave him a small smile and grabbed her glass of water, cheeks burning with embarrassment.
Izzy grinned at her back at their table. "Did you just make a date with that guy?"
Clary's ducked head shot up, eyes bulging. "No. Did it sound like I did?" She glanced at Jace. "Did it look like I did?"
Isabelle took a careful mouthful of her mocha, making a show of blowing on it. Clary glared at her.
"A little." She said. "And I wouldn't be worried about Jace. A little jealousy works wonders."
"Not when he hates my guts, Iz." But then she paused. Maybe I should be trying to get over him. I said it myself; he hates my guts. What chance do I have?
"Clarissa Adele Fray. Did you tell him how you feel?"
She ducked her head again. "Maybe, maybe not."
"Why didn't you?" She practically yelled. Clary shushed her frantically. "Oh, who cares?" Izzy spoke at the same volume. "He should know."
"Would you at least let me tell him myself?" Clary hissed.
Isabelle shook her head, nearly hitting Simon with her hair. "I know how you are. If I don't watch over you, you will not tell him."
"I might if you'd just lower your voice a smidge!"
"Fine," she relented, dropping the volume a few notches. "But promise."
"Okay, okay, I promise. "
Do you think Clary will keep her promise? And when will Jace forgive her?
